Criminal migrants are avoiding justice by being smuggled out of the UK in lorries.

A Daily Mail investigation found an Albanian, who should be behind bars himself, running a network helping crooks flee for £2,500.

The mastermind brazenly operates his ‘Returns from England’ business on social media, offering a ‘stress-free’ express service for migrant fugitives, with ‘passage 100 per cent secured’.

He boasted his team of corrupt drivers had trafficked at least 50 people to France after they ‘commit crimes and want to go fast’.

Our shocking exposé comes amid growing concerns about the number of newly arrived small-boat migrants accused of serious offences.

This month, two Afghan teenagers were jailed for the rape of a 15-year-old schoolgirl in Leamington Spa soon after crossing the Channel. And an audit found 11 others were recently convicted for attacking women in Britain.

There are more than 1,000 foreign criminals – including rapists, killers and terrorists – at large in the UK, according to the latest figures.

On Saturday, 800 migrants arrived in the country on small boats – the biggest December day on record.

The ruthless mastermind boasted his team of corrupt lorry drivers had already trafficked at least 50 people to France after they ‘commit crimes and want to go fast’

The kingpin brazenly operates his ‘Returns from England’ business – previously advertised on a now deleted TikTok account – offering a ‘stress-free’ express service for migrant fugitives with ‘passage 100 per cent secured’ 

An undercover reporter, acting as a middleman, made contact with the smuggler, who gave his name as Alfons and said one man he was helping to escape was facing 16 years in jail if caught. He added that he was happy to help murderers flee justice. Criminals awaiting sentence or suspects anticipating charges run the risk of being captured if they try to flee by booking a flight or ferry. But, unlike lorries coming into the UK, there are ‘no checks’ on those leaving, Alfons claimed, and none of those he had smuggled had been intercepted.

Now seemingly based in Belgium, he started his operation after cutting off his ankle tag and fleeing the UK to avoid jail over a cannabis factory.

The ‘Returns from England’ TikTok account used a video from an Albanian influencer with tens of thousands of followers. In it, the influencer – known as ‘Bandit’ – says: ‘Hey, contact our countryman and you’re out by paying just £2,000.

‘Contact our patriot – for people who commit crimes and want to go fast, fast, before entering the mouse hole [prison].’

Alfons, who raised the price to £2,500 for our reporter, said: ‘I left on a lorry. If I had stayed, I was going to be in prison for one year.

‘They arrested me inside a cannabis house. I had a fight with people who came to rob the house. The neighbours alerted the police.’ Asked why he wasn’t held on remand ahead of the trial, he said: ‘Prison was full. There wasn’t any space, so they put an ankle tag on me. I cut it off.’

He boasted: ‘I have taken 50 people out so far. No one has been caught yet.’

The fugitive would be hidden in a ‘dedicated place’ in the back of the lorry.

Giving his name as Alfons, he explained that one man he was helping to escape was facing 16 years in jail if caught – and was happy to help wanted murderers flee justice

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: ‘It looks like the government can’t control who comes in or who leaves this country. This criminal gang is making a mockery of our border laws and allowing dangerous criminals to escape’

‘Do not worry. He will not be found,’ the smuggler said. ‘There are no dogs or controls. It’s not like when lorries are getting into the UK. We have a journey every week and not one will be found.’

Alfons, who was unconcerned when told by our reporter that the man planning to escape was a wanted murderer, said he used four drivers, all Kosovan-Albanians. He later sent our reporter a link to the meeting spot on the Maidstone M20 Services, in Kent, the last refuel and rest stop before the Eurotunnel terminal connecting to the Continent.

The drop-off point was set to be Aire de Saint-Hilaire-Cottes, 40 minutes inland from Calais.

When the reporter was uncertain about what day he could leave, the smuggler bluntly told him: ‘We do not have journeys on demand, like taxis. There aren’t journeys every day.’

Asked about the trustworthiness of the drivers, he replied: ‘Are you provoking me? Do you know who I am?’

On the planned journey date, he rang frantically, with the lorry driver on another line, as he tried to direct our reporter to the waiting driver. Our reporter did not go ahead with the journey. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: ‘It looks like the Government can’t control who comes in or who leaves this country.

‘This criminal gang is making a mockery of our border laws and allowing dangerous criminals to escape. This man needs to be jailed. Foreign criminals need to be prosecuted and once they’ve served time in prison, deported permanently.

‘We cannot allow dangerous criminals to avoid justice.’

Last week it emerged that another gang had smuggled more than 240 migrants to France from the UK. Alfons’ account was removed before the Daily Mail approached TikTok for comment. The Home Office said: ‘We apply targeted checks to outbound vehicles, and our work with law-enforcement partners has already led to arrests and convictions for hundreds of offences this year.’

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The Government on Monday unveils its long-awaited Animal Welfare Strategy which sets out a raft of policies to improve the lives of pets and animals on farms and in the wild

In 2023, a horrific case saw illegal breeders convicted after keeping dozens of dogs in an appalling puppy farm(Image: Media Wales)

Cruel puppy farming where breeding dogs are kept in appalling conditions, often overbred and denied proper care will be banned under a major package to protect animals.

The Government on Monday unveils its long-awaited Animal Welfare Strategy which sets out a raft of policies to improve the lives of pets and animals on farms and in the wild.

It marks a victory for The Mirror ’s long-running campaign to end the horrors of cruel puppy farms.

Other plans in the strategy include looking into ending the use of electric shock collars for pets, clamping down on dog attacks on farm animals and banning hens being caged. Trail hunting and snares will also be banned under the strategy, as revealed by The Mirror over the weekend.

Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said the UK was “a nation of animal lovers” and described the package as “the most ambitious animal welfare strategy in a generation”.

Under plans for pets, ministers will reform dog breeding practices to improve health and welfare, including an end to puppy farming, which sees dogs often overbred and denied proper care. It builds on an already announced crackdown on puppy smuggling.

READ MORE: Tortuous snare traps that catch running animals by neck with noose to be bannedMinisters also pledged to shift away from pig farrowing crates

The Mirror has long campaigned on the issue, including leading the crusade for Lucy’s Law, which came into force in 2020. The legislation made it illegal for commercial dealers to sell puppies and kittens unless they have bred the animals themselves. Lucy, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who died in 2016, inspired Lucy’s Law after spending five years in a dark, filthy barn where she was used to breed puppies for sale.

The Government’s new strategy will also look at introducing new licences for domestic rescue and rehoming organisations to ensure they have the right checks in place.

Ministers are also planning a public safety campaign promoting responsible dog ownership. Over the last few years there has been growing concern about XL bully-type dogs, a group of breeds which have been banned after they were linked to several fatal attacks.

The ban, which began at the end of 2023 following a Mirror campaign, forced XL bully owners to register their dog for an exemption certificate and to muzzle them in public places. The new law also made it illegal to breed, sell, advertise or give away an XL bully.

Fox hunts were banned by Labour 20 years ago but trail hunting will now be banned too(Image: Getty Images)

For farm animals, the new strategy includes a vow to move away from confinement systems such as colony cages for laying hens, introduce humane slaughter requirements for farmed fish and promote use of slow growing meat chicken breeds.

Ministers also pledged to shift away from pig farrowing crates – metal-barred cages designed to confine mother pigs before and after they give birth – and to address welfare issues arising from the use of carbon dioxide to stun pigs.

It comes after a new Live Stock Worrying law was passed last week to protect farm animals from dog attacks through tougher penalties and greater police powers.

For wild animals, the strategy includes a ban on trail hunting amid growing concerns it is being used as a smokescreen for hunting and a vow to end the use of snare traps that catch running animals by the neck with a wire noose.

A close season for hares will also be introduced with the aim to reduce the number of adult hares being shot in breeding season to prevent young hares being left motherless and vulnerable to starvation and predators.

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Proposals in the strategy will be delivered by the end of 2030. Labour ’s manifesto vowed to ban trail hunting, puppy smuggling and farming and the use of snare traps.

Ms Reynolds said: “We’re a nation of animal lovers. This government is delivering the most ambitious animal welfare strategy in a generation. Visiting Battersea Dogs and Cats Home reminded me that millions of families welcome pets into their homes every year. Our strategy will raise welfare standards for animals in the home, on the farm and in the wild.

“We’ve already acted to improve zoo standards, end puppy smuggling and protect livestock from dog attacks. Now, we’re planning to ban caged hens, cruel snares, trail hunting, and curb low welfare dog breeding.”

Thomas Schultz-Jagow, Director of Advocacy and Prevention at RSPCA, said: “The government’s new Animal Welfare Strategy is a significant step forward which has the potential to improve the lives of millions of animals.

“People in the UK love animals and they want to see governments leading the way to outlaw cruel practices which cause suffering such as a phase out of cages for laying hens and farrowing crates for pigs.

“As we need a radical rethink about the way we see and treat animals in this country, this strategy leads the way by showing a strong commitment to animal welfare. We look forward to continuing to work with the government to give all animals the protection they deserve.”

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The US is in “active pursuit” of a third oil tanker near Venezuela in the Caribbean Sea, officials have said.

It comes amid escalation from the Trump administration against Nicolas Maduro’s government, and as the US builds up a naval military presence in the region, including the USS Gerald R Ford aircraft carrier and its support group.

The status of the attempted interception is unclear, according to Sky’s US partner network NBC News, but reports first emerged at around 2.30pm in the UK that the operation was under way.

As it happened: US in ‘active pursuit’ of third vessel

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What is behind interceptions of tankers carrying Venezuelan oil?

Two officials told NBC News the US Coast Guard was in “active pursuit” of the vessel, which is sanctioned by the US.

One told the outlet it was “a sanctioned dark fleet vessel that is part of Venezuela’s illegal sanctions evasion”.

“It is flying a false flag and under a judicial seizure order,” they said, adding that dark fleet vessels usually do not operate exclusively for one country.

It is understood the vessel is sailing under the name Bella 1, according to British maritime risk management group Vanguard, according to NBC News and Bloomberg.

Sky News has seen Bella 1 is sanctioned by the US government, according to the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) website, and has been included on the list since June 2024.

Read more: The real reason for Donald Trump’s Venezuela exploits

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Dramatic footage of US forces seizing oil tanker on Saturday

One US official told NBC the vessel was sanctioned under the counterterrorism authority for its involvement in the network of Houthi financial facilitator Sa’id al Jamal.

Another US official separately told the New York Times the ship did not submit to being boarded and continued onward.

If successful, it would mark the third such interception near Venezuela in the past two weeks, with a tanker being seized on Saturday and near the start of the month.

Explained: The US-Venezuela crisis

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From 10 December: Moment US seizes oil tanker off Venezuela

Trump’s ‘blockade’ of tankers

Earlier this week, the US president declared he had ordered the “blockade” of oil tankers into and out of the South American country.

He said the US military would remain in place until Venezuela returns “all of the oil, land, and other assets that they previously stole from us”.

In the social media post following months of escalating tensions in the Caribbean, Donald Trump said Venezuela was surrounded by the “largest armada ever assembled in the history of South America”.

Image:
A map showing Venezuelan military facilities

Venezuela’s government has accused Mr Trump of “violating international law, free trade, and the principle of free navigation” with “a reckless and grave threat” against the South American country.

China’s foreign minister Wang Yi later accused the US of “bullying” Venezuela, and said on Wednesday: “China believes the international community understands and supports Venezuela’s position in defending its legitimate rights and interests.”

Washington has also announced sanctions on numerous oil tankers, shipping companies and family members of Mr Maduro.

President Trump has been ramping up pressure on the Maduro regime, accusing it of involvement in the drugs trade.

As part of his efforts, he has also authorised deadly strikes against vessels he claims are trafficking drugs in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific.

President Maduro claims Mr Trump is trying to overthrow him with a view to seizing Venezuela’s oil reserves.

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The vessel was flying a false flag and under a judicial seizure order, according to US officials cited by US media.

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The United States is pursuing an oil tanker in international waters near Venezuela, US media reported, in what would be the second such operation in two days and the third in less than two weeks.

“The United States Guard is in active pursuit of a sanctioned dark fleet vessel that is part of Venezuela’s illegal sanctions evasion,” a US official told the Reuters news agency on Sunday.

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“It is flying a false flag and under a judicial seizure order.”

Another official told the agency that the tanker was under sanctions, but added that it had not been boarded so far and that interceptions can take different forms – including sailing or flying close to vessels of concern.

The officials, who were speaking on condition of anonymity, did not give a specific location for the operation or name the vessel being pursued.

The pursuit of the tanker was also reported by The Associated Press news agency, which cited an official briefed on the operation separately.

The official, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said Sunday’s pursuit involved “a sanctioned dark fleet vessel that is part of Venezuela’s illegal sanctions evasion.”

The official also said that the vessel was flying a false flag and under a judicial seizure order.

Two tankers seized

The pursuit comes after the US seized an oil tanker off Venezuela on Saturday as part of a “blockade” ordered by US President Donald Trump.

US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said on Saturday that the coastguard apprehended the vessel with support from the Pentagon.

“The United States will continue to pursue the illicit movement of sanctioned oil that is used to fund narco terrorism in the region,” she wrote.

“We will find you, and we will stop you,” she added.

The operation marked the second time in recent weeks that the US has seized a tanker near Venezuela, and it comes amid a large US military build-up in the region.

Trump, whose administration has continued to ramp up pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, ordered on Tuesday a “total and complete blockade” of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving the South American country.

Trump’s pressure campaign on Maduro has also included a ramped-up military presence in the region and more than two dozen military strikes on alleged drug trafficking vessels in the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea near the South American nation. At least 100 people have been killed in the attacks.

The two oil tankers that were seized were operating on the black market and providing oil to countries under sanctions, Kevin Hassett, director of the White House’s National Economic Council, said in a TV interview on Sunday.

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Victoria police to carry semiautomatic rifles at Boxing Day Test

Victorian police forces will be armed with long-arm semiautomatic rifles at the cricket on Boxing Day, claiming this will be “an additional safeguard for the community.”

Victoria police said in a statement this morning that the decision was proactive and “based on the current threat environment and not a specific new threat”. It would involve officers from the Critical Incident Response Team patrolling outside the MCG for the five days play is scheduled. Police say the plan has the support of Cricket Australia and the Melbourne Cricket Club.

Police say the semiautomatic rifles “are part of their regular tactical equipment”.

The statement continues:

The increased presence is in addition to Victoria Police’s planned resources involving general duties police, Mounted Branch and the Public Order Response Team who will be roaming both inside and outside the ground.

The chief commissioner, Mike Bush, said:

This overt presence is about adding another layer of protection to make sure cricket fans feel safe.

It’s important to stress this is a proactive, precautionary measure based on the current threat environment and not a specific new threat to this event.

We know it’s unusual to see police with these weapons outside the MCG but I want to assure everyone this is about greater safety and providing reassurance to the community.

These deployments are part of our usual, broader effort which sees police and MCC security working in and outside the ground.

Be it at the cricket, or anywhere else people are spending the summer, Victoria Police is here for all Victorians.

As a modern, forward-thinking police force we should always be looking for new and different ways to be there for our communities.

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Updated at 22.37 CET

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Foreign minister Penny Wong was on ABC RN this morning talking about the Bondi attacks and the government’s response to antisemitism.

She defended the Labor government against claims that they had not done enough to combat antisemitism, saying they had “engaged very closely with [antisemitism envoy] Jillian Segal.”

Wong continued:

I’d make the point – two points actually. The first is the action that was taken by the government over the last couple of years. You’ve seen us crack down on hate speech, you’ve seen us criminalise doxxing, you’ve seen us be very clear about counter-terrorism laws, banning Nazi salutes and so forth. We expelled the Iranian ambassador following the Islamic Revolutionary Guard’s role in the firebombing of the Adass Synagogue.

But I said last week that we needed to do more, and we are, which is why we have announced a stronger package of legislative reforms to crack down on those who spread hate, division, and radicalisation.

On the calls for a royal commission into the Bondi attacks, Wong said:

I think the Prime Minister said we would cooperate with the State Royal Commission, but again, if I can come back to why we want to ensure our agencies have the powers they need. We have to make sure that our national security arrangements are fit for purpose and are able to keep people safe. And we need to learn from any mistakes, if there were any, made in the context of these attacks.

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Man arrested after allegedly brandishing knife at Launceston carols event

Tasmanian police have charged a man for being unlawfully armed in public after an incident at the Carols in the Park event in City Park in Launceston on Sunday evening.

Police said a 48‑year‑old Kings Meadows man was arrested after he sat among a large crowd near the stage and “produced a black‑handled knife approximately 30 centimetres in length,” causing members of the public to scatter.

A statement this morning said:

Police responded immediately, and the man was taken into custody without further incident, and he was detained to appear before the court on Monday morning.

Nobody was physically injured in the incident and there was no further threat to anyone at the event.

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Updated at 22.42 CET

Victoria police to carry semiautomatic rifles at Boxing Day Test

Victorian police forces will be armed with long-arm semiautomatic rifles at the cricket on Boxing Day, claiming this will be “an additional safeguard for the community.”

Victoria police said in a statement this morning that the decision was proactive and “based on the current threat environment and not a specific new threat”. It would involve officers from the Critical Incident Response Team patrolling outside the MCG for the five days play is scheduled. Police say the plan has the support of Cricket Australia and the Melbourne Cricket Club.

Police say the semiautomatic rifles “are part of their regular tactical equipment”.

The statement continues:

The increased presence is in addition to Victoria Police’s planned resources involving general duties police, Mounted Branch and the Public Order Response Team who will be roaming both inside and outside the ground.

The chief commissioner, Mike Bush, said:

This overt presence is about adding another layer of protection to make sure cricket fans feel safe.

It’s important to stress this is a proactive, precautionary measure based on the current threat environment and not a specific new threat to this event.

We know it’s unusual to see police with these weapons outside the MCG but I want to assure everyone this is about greater safety and providing reassurance to the community.

These deployments are part of our usual, broader effort which sees police and MCC security working in and outside the ground.

Be it at the cricket, or anywhere else people are spending the summer, Victoria Police is here for all Victorians.

As a modern, forward-thinking police force we should always be looking for new and different ways to be there for our communities.

Share

Updated at 22.37 CET

Good morning

Stephanie Convery

Good morning folks, thanks for joining us today. I’m Stephanie Convery and I’ll be taking you through the news as it happens this morning. I hope you’re all well caffeinated (or on the way to being so).

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Updated at 22.28 CET

Thirteen people injured in the Bondi terror attack remain in hospital

Thirteen people injured in last Sunday’s mass shooting remain in hospital, NSW Health said this morning.

Nine people are in a stable condition across five major Sydney hospitals, while four people are in a critical but stable condition.

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Albanese orders review of AFP and Asio processes in lead-up to Bondi attack

While he has resisted calls for a federal royal commission, the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has announced a major review into intelligence and law enforcement processes in the lead-up to the Bondi beach attack.

As political editor Tom McIlroy reports, the four-month review will examine whether federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies have the right powers, structures, processes and sharing arrangements in place to keep Australians safe.

In a statement on Sunday, Albanese said the Bondi attack “reinforces the rapidly changing security environment in our nation” and “our security agencies must be in the best position to respond”.

You can read his full story here.

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Updated at 22.12 CET

Kellie Sloane supports call for federal royal commission into Bondi attack

Asked about the Put Australia First anti-immigration rally, which went ahead in Sydney on the weekend despite pleas from authorities to cancel, Kellie Sloane said there were “important public safety reasons” for shutting down public assemblies.

She added that if the laws to be debated today were already in place, it would not have been able to go ahead.

We need our police around Bondi and Sydney’s east at the moment. People, again, should feel free to express their opinions – they can do it in an ongoing fashion after that terrorist designation.

Sloane also threw her weight behind calls for a federal royal commission, not just a state inquiry as promised by the premier, Chris Minns.

I would like to see a royal commission. I’d like to see that led by the commonwealth. New South Wales can’t go it alone in this. Terrorism doesn’t know borders. So, yes, I support a royal commission.

We need understand exactly what happened – not just on the day, not just in the weeks and months leading up to it, but the broader buildup – what has contributed. Australia needs answers on what was the root cause of this terrible attack and what we can do to ensure that we never see this on our beaches, on our cities and our soil again.

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Updated at 21.59 CET

Sloane says Liberals want ‘proportionate response’ to protests

Kellie Sloane said the Coalition had been pushing for stronger protest laws since the start of the year.

Last Friday, I wrote to the premier saying: “Premier, now is the time to reconsider the opposition’s proposals.” He has taken some of our ideas and included that in the laws that we will be debating in parliament today.

We want to see a proportionate response – one that is measured, one that balances the rights and freedoms of protest, which is a fundamental pillar of democracy in this country, and a way for people to let off steam – that is important. We want to see that continue. But equally, we need to give police the tools that they need to clamp down on protests if that is in the public interest, if it is a present danger to the community, or impacts on social cohesion.

Sloane said the core of the issue, “putting aside gun laws”, was rising levels of antisemitism.

So, even beyond these laws today, we have a lot of work to do. This is going to be a long process. And we’re all committed to do a better outcome.

Among the proposals is giving police greater powers to remove face coverings, which Sloane said the Coalition supported and had included in their legislation earlier this year.

There would be carve-outs for people with religious face coverings – that’s very important. But if you turn up to a protest and you are spewing hate and you are hiding your identity, the police need to be to say, ‘that’s not OK’. You can turn up to a protest, you can show your face – but if you are spewing hate and your face is covered, that is not OK. And improving the laws to stop that will be supported by, certainly, the Liberals.

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Updated at 22.11 CET

NSW Liberals to discuss proposed firearms and protest bills today

The NSW opposition leader, Kellie Sloane, has told ABC News Breakfast that she will meet with the Liberal party room this morning to discuss the proposed firearms, protest, and hate speech laws being introduced to state parliament today.

We received this legislation on Saturday. It’s an omnibus bill – that means it includes a whole lot of stuff – protest laws, which we feel are incredibly important, and also the gun reforms that are being proposed.

It’s been a rushed piece of legislation when it comes to the gun reforms. There’s been zero consultation, or very little consultation with stakeholders. Certainly not with the opposition. So we’ve been working through that detail over the last 24 hours, and we’ll be making a statement later this morning.

But we are here in extraordinary circumstances. It is important to address, particularly, the issues around protest laws – and I said last week that I will work in a bipartisan fashion with the government to get this done. These are extraordinary circumstances, and it requires a lot of cooperation to get it through.

Kellie Sloane. Photograph: Bianca de Marchi/AAPShare

Updated at 21.42 CET

Philippine authorities continue retracing Bondi shooting suspects’ steps

Memories of a 2016 Islamic State bombing have been resurfaced for many residents in Davao City. The city in the southern Philippines has become the centre of the investigation into the Bondi terror attack after it was revealed that alleged shooters Sajid and Naveed Akram travelled there last month.

Reporter Carmela Fonbuena has been speaking to the city’s predominantly Catholic residents, who are preparing for Christmas.

She writes:

The Philippine government has pushed back against claims that it was a terrorist training ground for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of unrest and marginalisation that has seen some Muslim separatist groups forge ties with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups remain present, security officials say they are small and weakened.

What is clear, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two never left the city nor received military-style training in the country, as was earlier claimed.

You can read her full piece here.

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Updated at 22.16 CET

Gun control can provide ‘ray of hope’ in wake of tragedy, reform advocate says

One of Australia’s leading experts on gun control, Roland Browne, has told ABC News Breakfast that in the wake of a tragedy the community looks for hope, and taking swift action on gun control can provide that hope.

In my involvement in gun law reform in over 40 years, after these terrible events – and I’m talking about what happened at Bondi, what happened at Port Arthur and indeed from my own experience what happened in Dunblane in Scotland in 1996 – people looked to political leadership for a ray of hope, and gun law reform is what they look for.

It gives people a sense that there is light at the end of the tunnel and that is the best thing for the grief and anguish and loss that people experience. So it’s very important that these reforms move rapidly and all the states and territories and political parties get behind them.

He said that the 1996 reforms post the Port Arthur massacre were a landmark, but that the laws could not be set and forget. He added that gun control was “only as good as the weakest link in the chain” so any changes should be nationalised.

Those states that aren’t recalling their parliaments now need to do so in February and get a move on and get these laws introduced.

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Updated at 21.33 CET

National Farmers Federation urges ‘proper consultation’ over gun reform

The National Farmers Federation has called for the rush to introduce gun reforms to be slowed, saying there has been “limited engagement with the farm sector, despite acknowledgment that agriculture requires firearms”.

The National Farmers’ Federation president, Hamish McIntyre, said:

We support sensible reforms that strengthen community safety, but those reforms must be developed carefully and with proper consultation to ensure they don’t undermine farm safety, animal welfare and environmental management.

McIntyre said the Bondi terror attacks were a tragedy that demanded a “serious response, and we understand the need for governments to act decisively to ensure something like this never happens again”.

In milder terms than the state peak farming body, he said that any changes introduced in NSW would “set the tone nationally”.

He added:

We will continue to advocate respectfully, responsibly and firmly for farmers, while recognising the gravity of this moment for our nation.

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Updated at 21.38 CET

Proposed firearms laws ‘rushed’ and ‘unworkable’, say NSW Farmers

NSW Farmers says Chris Minns’ “rushed” new gun laws were “unworkable” and that farmers had been “misled” by the state government.

The association’s president, Xavier Martin, says the state government had not spoken to the organisation despite “multiple attempts” over the past week, and he was “deeply frustrated that the government has failed to engage in any meaningful way in what is a critical issue for farmers”.

Martin said:

Farmers have been misled by the NSW Government. It’s incredible this government has allowed generous capping exemptions for recreational shooters but for farmers who need firearms to control pests, minimise biosecurity risks and for the humane management of animals, the government hasn’t given us a second’s thought.

The Premier acknowledged farmers and agriculture had unique requirements when it came to firearms but these reforms have been put together in such a rush, the government hasn’t even turned its attention to the unintended consequences and anomalies.

Firearms laws are complex and multifaceted, and it is deeply disappointing that despite our repeated offers to provide practical input and consultation the government has not chosen to talk to us.

Martin said the cap of 10 firearms for primary producers will affect those whose businesses are spread across multiple properties, as it may require them to transport guns between properties, and said reducing the licence renewal period from five years to two was “red tape for law abiding farmers”.

NSW Farmers does not support unworkable rules on firearms for farmers and those working in agriculture, and we will continue to make representations on behalf of our sector.

NSW Farmers president Xavier Martin Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAPShare

Updated at 21.28 CET

Coalition’s proposed antisemitism royal commission would include ‘attitudes towards Israel’

The federal Coalition has this morning released its own terms of reference for a federal royal commission to investigate antisemitism in the lead up to the Bondi terror attack.

As AAP reports, the proposal includes scope to probe attitudes to Israel as well as the roles of commonwealth and state governments and agencies, the media, education and cultural sectors, in relation to antisemitism and their potential contributions to the terror attack.

Its proposed terms of reference include “the nature, prevalence and drivers of antisemitism in Australia leading up to the Bondi Beach attack … including antisemitism based on race, religion and attitudes towards, or conduct relating to, the state of Israel”.

Pro-Palestine activists have frequently sought to separate their criticism of Israel for its offensive in Gaza since 2023 from any antisemitic activity that targeting Jews.

The opposition leader, Sussan Ley, said the Anthony Albanese’s response to the horrors of Bondi had been proposals that were “too little, too late and will take far too long”.

“If the prime minister does not confront the causes of the Bondi massacre with honesty and resolve, the victims of this terrorist attack and their families will be denied the justice they deserve,” she said.

“Bondi is what happens when hate is tolerated and warnings are ignored.”

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Updated at 21.32 CET

Welcome

Good morning and welcome to our live news coverage for Monday 21 December.

Thousands gathered at Bondi beach in Sydney last night to hold a minute’s silence for the 15 people killed in last week’s terror attack. The first speaker at the event, the president of the NSW Board of Jewish Deputies, David Ossip, told the crowd of as many as 15,000 people that it “cannot be disputed” that a federal royal commission was needed. Prime minister Anthony Albanese on Saturday backed plans by the NSW Premier, Chris Minns, to hold a state-based royal commission to provide a “comprehensive look” into the shooting.

Minns was met with loud cheers at the event, as was the state opposition leader, Kellie Sloane, and federal opposition leader, Sussan Ley, while Albanese – who did not speak at the event – was booed.

The loudest and longest cheer came when Ossip acknowledged the “unbelievable bravery” of Ahmed al-Ahmed, who disarmed one of the gunmen and is still in hospital receiving treatment for multiple gunshot wounds. Ahmed’s father lit the first candle of the menorah, which was lit to mark the eighth day of Hanukah.

Meanwhile, the NSW parliament has been reconvened for two days for the introduction of tough new laws on gun ownership and cracking down on “hate speech”. The proposed laws include capping at four the number of firearms most recreational shooters can hold, giving the state “extraordinary powers” to ban protests for up to three months following the declaration of a terror incident, and banning the phrase “globalise the intifada”.

As Luca Ittimani explains, intifada means uprising or resistance, and is the term used by Palestinians to describe uprising against Israel.

Luca writes:

For Palestinians and their supporters it can mean resistance against oppression, but many Jewish groups and leaders see it as a call to violence against people of their faith.

Two Jewish groups in NSW which are vocal supporters of the Palestinian movement have spoken out against the proposed crackdown on protests, saying long-running pro-Palestine rallies had “nothing to do with the attacks”.

We’ll bring you more details on that proposed legislation as the day unfolds.

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Australian officials should have seen the “writing on the wall” before last weekend’s terror attack that left 15 people dead during the Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney, said Amichai Chikli, Israel’s Minister of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism.

Since the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks on Israel by Hamas, Australia has become a “hotbed” of antisemitism, Chikli told Fox News Digital, citing demonstrations with people shouting antisemitic slogans and engaging in violence. 

Slogans like “Globalize the intifada” and the waving of flags in support of Hamas, ISIS and other terror groups during an August protest on the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge encouraged the climate that led to the Bondi Beach attack, he said. 

“The prime minister said that it was a demonstration of unification, of unity,” said Chikli. “I think that the leadership here failed to understand that words have meanings, and incitement is something which is very, very dangerous. And so there were zero actions from the government, zero condemnation.”

DEMOCRATS UNITE AGAINST SYDNEY TERROR — BUT FETTERMAN WARNS PARTY’S ANTI-ISRAEL RIFT BOILING OVER

Israeli Minister For Diaspora Affairs and Antisemitism, Amichai Chikli (C) attends the Light Against Terror: Hanukkah Memorial event next to Former Australian Prime Minister, Tony Abbott (L) at Chabad of Bondi Synagogue on Wednesday in Sydney.  (George Chan/Getty Images)

“The writing was on the wall,” he added. “It was not a surprise. We knew that it was going to happen, this way or another, there was going [to] be violence.”

Since the attack, which claimed the life of a 10-year-old girl and a Holocaust survivor, among others, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has moved to tighten the country’s already strong gun laws. In addition to those killed, dozens more were wounded. 

“The government is prepared to take whatever action is necessary. Included in that is the need for tougher gun laws,” Albanese said Monday after meeting with his National Cabinet. “If we need to toughen these up, if there’s anything we can do, I’m certainly up for it.”

The focus on gun control is an attempt to bypass the real issue, said Chikli. 

WERE WARNINGS IGNORED IN AUSTRALIA TERROR ATTACK?

NSW Premier Chris Minns and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese attend a press conference at NSW Police headquarters, following a deadly shooting incident during a Jewish holiday celebration at Bondi Beach, in Sydney, Dec. 16, 2025. (Hollie Adams/Reuters)

“It’s inconvenient for this government, who was very supportive of these pro-Palestinian demonstrations, to say it loud and clear that we have a problem of jihadist violence of radical Islam,” he said. “I’ve never heard the prime minister of Australia even using the words radical Islam. It seems to be beyond his capabilities to just say the words radical Islam.

“It’s not the shotgun who killed these innocent people. It is the man behind it,” he added.

Albanese’s office referred Fox News Digital to a Wednesday news conference in which he talked about terrorism. 

“People who have this perversion of Islam that leads them to support Islamic State, and to have a view that somehow there is some reward for them,” he said. “There is not. They are evil. We need to make sure that we do whatever is within our powers. Now, that means education. It means as well, stamping out, calling out evil when we see it. And we’ll continue to do so, not just as a government, but as a nation as well.”

In a podcast interview that aired the same day, Albanese said the suspects linked to the attack were motivated by “the sort of ideology of the Islamic State.”

“There were flags present in the back of their vehicle that they drove to Bondi in order to cause harm,” he said. “This is a perverse ideology, a terrorist ideology that does not respect human life, and that is antisemitic in character, but anti-humanity as well.” 

EYEWITNESS TO AUSTRALIA TERROR ATTACK DESCRIBES ‘PANDEMONIUM’ DURING DEADLY SHOOTING AT HANUKKAH EVENT

Rabbi Yossi Friedman speaks to people gathering at a flower memorial by the Bondi Pavilion at Bondi Beach on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, following Sunday’s shooting in Sydney.  (Mark Baker/AP Photo)

Dionne Taylor, the communications manager for the Australia/Israel Jewish Affairs Council, previously told Fox News Digital that the government was warned about the potential for violence against Jews. 

“It started with hate speech,” she said. “Then graffiti. Then public demonstrations. Then firebombing synagogues, preschools, people’s homes, people’s cars. And now murder.”

She said Jewish leaders and community representatives repeatedly raised alarms with state and federal officials, warning that inaction would lead to bloodshed. Taylor pointed to formal submissions and a detailed report produced by Australia’s special envoy to combat antisemitism, which she said was acknowledged by the government but never implemented.

Chikli, who has visited Australia since the attack and has attended the funerals for the victims, compared the Australian leadership to the Biden administration, which was criticized by some who said it failed to call out Islamic extremism in favor of woke ideology. 

Israeli Minister For Diaspora Affairs and Antisemitism, Amichai Chikli speaks during the Light Against Terror: Hanukkah Memorial event at Chabad of Bondi Synagogue on Wednesday in Sydney. (George Chan/Getty Images)

On the opposite end, he noted that the Trump administration has pressured American universities to address antisemitism and has moved to revoke the visas for foreign students who participate in anti-Israel demonstrations and foment radical movements. 

“The Biden administration is similar in terms of ideology to the current leadership here in Australia – progressive, woke, weak leadership,” Chikli said. “Simple as that, with zero capability of addressing the threat of radical Islam and zero actions.”

A woman kneels and prays at a flower memorial to shooting victims outside the Bondi Pavilion at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, a day after a shooting. (Mark Baker/AP Photo)

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He also noted that he hadn’t seen current Australian officials at the funerals for the victims.

Fox News Digital’s Efrat Lachter contributed to this report.

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California Representative Robert Garcia urged FBI and Department of Justice employees who are angry about the Trump administration’s redactions of the Epstein files to come forward – noting there are whistleblower protections to ensure the truth gets out.

Garcia, the top Democrat on the Oversight Committee, slammed the Trump administration for saying for months that the files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein were ready to be released – only to heavily redact the materials and miss the legal deadline for releasing them in full.

“To spend this entire period of time, the last few months, claiming that you have the files ready to be released… And then this all-out effort to hide them from the public, to stop the will of Congress, to not answer the oversight subpoena. What they need to understand is that there are hundreds of FBI agents and others that are good American patriots that have worked to put these files together. They know what is in them,” Garcia said Sunday on MS NOW.

Garcia urged anyone at the FBI or Department of Justice who worked on the Epstein files – who believes their work is currently being hidden – to come forward to the Oversight Committee.

“If you are a whistleblower at the FBI, at the Department of Justice, if you worked hard to put the files together and are seeing your work now being hidden by your own Department of Justice, contact the Oversight Committee,” Garcia said.

open image in gallery

Rep. Robert Garcia urged FBI and Department of Justice whistleblowers to come forward to the Oversight Committee, urging those with knowledge of what the files related to Jeffrey Epstein contained to speak with lawmakers (Marvin Recinos/AFP via Getty Images)

The California Democrat continued: “We have whistleblower protections. We want to make sure that the truth gets out, that the survivors are protected.”

“We are hearing from folks across our government who have seen or know what are in these files, and we want you to know that you will be protected. We want that information and the American public deserves the truth,” he concluded.

At least 16 files disappeared Saturday from the Justice Department’s public webpage for documents related to Epstein – including a photograph showing Trump – less than a day after they were posted.

The missing files, which were available Friday and no longer accessible by Saturday, included images of paintings depicting nude women, and one showing a series of photographs on top of a desk and in drawers.

In that image, inside a drawer, among other photos, was a photograph of President Donald Trump, alongside Epstein, Melania Trump, and Epstein’s longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell.

open image in gallery

Included in the files taken off the website Saturday was a photo that featured Trump (DOJ)

The unexpectedly missing files fueled online speculation over what was taken down, and what may be being covered up as a result.

The Trump administration has received backlash from both sides of the aisle after Congress ordered the Justice Department to release all files related to the Epstein case by Friday, and the department only made a small fraction of the materials publicly available.

The files released Friday offered sparse new information about disgraced financier Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019 in a Manhattan jail cell while awaiting his sex trafficking trial.

Fresh accusations of a cover-up have since emerged after the photograph featuring the president was taken down from the Epstein files library over the weekend.

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NEED TO KNOW

• Actor Jim Belushi reveals he’s had recurring dreams over the years about his late brother, John
• SNL actor and comedian John Belushi died in March 1982 at the age of 33
• Jim is currently starring in the new movie Song Sung Blue alongside Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson

Jim Belushi says he’s had some pretty good recurring dreams over the years.

A few in particular have stayed with him, especially those about his brother John, a comedian and actor who died in 1982 at the age of 33. In the dreams, “he’s alive and fine, and we were acting together,” Jim, 71, tells PEOPLE in this week’s issue. “We’re improvising at Second City or on Saturday Night Live.”

Brothers John and Jim Belushi.

Snap/Shutterstock; Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

Each time in the dream, the actor admits he “got mad at him because he was making me laugh so hard I couldn’t stay in character,” Jim says of his brother. “Those were kind of nice visits.” 

Belushi, who is starring in the new film, Song Sung Blue, chatted more with PEOPLE for One Last Thing:

Jim Belushi portrait 2022.

Tyler Maddox

Last guilty pleasure
I had a chicken pot pie last night. I think I was tied to it emotionally because as a kid we had all those Swanson’s frozen ones. I wanted to order another, but I wasn talked out of it, and I’m pissed.  

Last time I danced
I was doing a Blues Brothers show, and my daughter Jamison is in it. Afterward we were outside, and she was down on herself, so I started dancing and singing an opera about how beautiful and talented and loved she was. I embarrassed her in public—and made her laugh. 

Jim and daughter Jami performing at the Windy City Smokeout.

Katie Kauss + Windy City Smokeout

Last game I played
Shuffleboard. I played with a woman, and it wasn’t like football; it was equal. And I kicked her ass. I got the touch. 

Hugh Jackman, Fisher Stevens, Michael Imperioli and Jim Belushi in Song Sung Blue.

Focus Features

Last time I missed someone
My sister passed away about two years ago, but I haven’t deleted her phone number. I think I was missing her last night because I hit it by accident. A woman answered and sent me the most beautiful text about how her brother had passed, and when she got that call, it was like a message from him. I haven’t answered back yet because I have to write something meaningful. I should send her a chicken pot pie.

Song Sung Blue is now in theaters.

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A simple speech welcoming notable politicians to the vigil in honour of the Bondi Beach massacre victims has revealed the feelings of Aussies a week after the tragic event.

NSW Jewish Board of Deputies president David Ossip welcomed politicians at the event near Bondi Pavilion on Sunday night.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had declared Sunday a Day of Reflection for Australians to remember the 15 innocent people who died at a Jewish festival celebrating the first night of Hanukkah on December 14. 

A minute’s silence was held at 6.47pm, the time police first began receiving reports of a shooting at Bondi Beach last Sunday.

Mr Ossip had welcomed the politicians in attendance with the crowd responding with a range of emotions, from anger to appreciation.

Albanese by far had the most hostile reception.

He was flanked by a large group of security guards as he walked into the event, only to immediately be booed.

One man even began running at the Prime Minister while yelling ‘blood on your hands’.

Anthony Albanese (pictured) was repeatedly booed while attending a vigil for the Bondi Beach massacre victims

Chris Minns (pictured) received a standing ovation at the same event

Anger towards Albanese stems from an apparent lack of action in response to growing antisemitism prior to the attack and his refusal to call a federal royal commission (pictured, an attendee at the vigil on Sunday)

Just minutes later, former prime minister John Howard took the same path into the event and was cheered by the crowd. 

Albanese was booed, again, by the crowd of 15,000 when Mr Ossip thanked him for attending the event.

Mr Ossip attempted to quiet the crowd, but the negative response continued.

The crowd’s anger was likely the result of division over how the federal government responded to the terrorist attack.

Naveed Akram is accused of shooting at the Jewish festival alongside his father, Sajid, on December 14.

A total of 15 people died in the alleged attack and dozens more were injured.

Naveed has been charged with 59 offences. Sajid was fatally shot by police.

In the days following the alleged terrorist attack, several members of the Jewish community called for a federal royal commission to investigate why intelligence authorities didn’t intervene.

Minns has attended every funeral held for Bondi victims so far, unlike Albanese

Minns has acknowledged his state government’s shortcomings several times since the attack on December 14

Both the general public and other high-profile guests warmly welcomed Minns on Sunday

Albanese responded to the calls on Sunday with the announcement of an internal investigation to be undertaken by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation.

Mr Ossip also addressed the situation during his speech at the vigil by throwing his support behind a royal commission, much to the delight of the audience. 

The Jewish leader also thanked NSW Premier Chris Minns for attending the vigil, resulting in a standing ovation.

Minns has been widely praised for his response to the attack.

He has attended the funerals of every victim – unlike Albanese, who will not attend the funerals unless invited – and backed calls for a federal royal commission.

However, maybe the biggest reason for the differing perception of Minns and Albanese has been accountability for the attack.

Since Palestinian militant group Hamas launched an incursion on Israel on October 7, 2023, Australia has seen a massive increase in antisemitism.

Pro-Palestine protests calling for Israel to stop its massive siege on Gaza have been frequent across Australian cities for the past two years.

The difference in attitude towards Albanese and Minns was clear when NSW Jewish Board of Deputies president David Ossip thanked them for attending the event

When Albanese entered the vigil, he was booed and one man ran at him while yelling ‘blood on your hands’

Albanese was booed again when Mr Ossip thanked him for attending the vigil

However, extremist groups have infiltrated those demonstrations several times.

The first instance came on October 9, 2023, when a planned march calling for Israel to stop its airstrikes on Palestine was overrun by a group of antisemites who called for violence against all Jews.

The situation continued to devolve and resulted in a group of neo-Nazis rallying outside the NSW Parliament on November 9, 2025, and demanding the government ‘abolish the Jewish lobby’.

Within 24 hours of the massacre, Minns fronted ABC’s 7.30 to admit his government could have done more to prevent the Bondi attack, which was aimed at the Jewish population.

‘I’m sure if we had our time again, we would have responded differently,’ he said.

Albanese has been less direct in addressing his government’s shortcomings and on Thursday simply told reporters he was ‘not perfect’. 

‘I have done my best to respond … anyone in this position would regret not doing more, and any inadequacies which are there,’ Albanese said. 

That same night, Minns received a standing ovation as he expressed remorse to the Central Synagogue.

The crowd stood and applauded when Mr Ossip thanked Minns for attending the vigil

Albanese on Sunday announced an internal review of intelligence agencies, ignoring calls for a federal royal commission

‘The first duty of any state is to protect its citizens. The sad reality for me and our state is we didn’t do that. I bear a deep responsibility for that as premier,’ he said.

Mr Ossip concluded his address to Sunday’s vigil with a message of hope.

He said Australian Jews had ‘landed up in a dark place’ but ‘light can eliminate even the bleakest of places’.

‘Until two years ago, Australia was always the lucky country for Jews. But, sadly, no more. We have lost our innocence. Last week took our innocence. And, like the grass here at Bondi was stained with blood, so, too, has our nation been stained,’ he said.

‘A single act of courage, a single flame of hope, can give us direction and point the path forward … And that’s what we have seen this week. Despite the incalculable tragedy which has befallen us, we have seen incredible manifestations of light.’

‘I should just say that if you have not realised it yet – the terrorist picked the wrong community to mess with because we, the Jewish people, are unbreakable. 

‘Resilience is in our veins.’

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Mount Semeru, in East Java, Indonesia, has been on a high level active alert for several years. The eruption has left torrents of mud flowing through towns



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