Gaza’s Ministry of Health has appealed for increased drug, medical consumables and laboratory supplies, warning of severe shortages after more than two years of Israel’s genocidal war against the Palestinian people in Gaza and a crippling blockade.

The ministry said on Sunday that the shortages were making it difficult to provide diagnostic and treatment services.

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Doctors in the war-ravaged Palestinian territory have long warned that they are struggling to save lives because Israel is not allowing the most essential medical supplies in. During Israel’s genocidal war, which has spanned more than two years, nearly all of Gaza’s hospitals and healthcare facilities were attacked, with at least 125 health facilities damaged, including 34 hospitals.

“The number of items completely out of stock on the essential medicines list has reached 321, representing a 52 percent shortage,” the Health Ministry said in a statement.

“The number of items completely out of stock on the medical consumables list has reached 710, representing a 71 percent shortage. The shortage rate for laboratory tests and blood bank supplies has reached 59 percent,” it added.

The most critical drug shortages are in emergency services, particularly life-saving intravenous solutions, intravenous antibiotics, and pain killers, the ministry said.

The shortage in emergency and intensive care services is potentially depriving 200,000 patients of emergency care, 100,000 patients of surgical services, and 700 patients of intensive care, it added.

The ministry cited additional shortages in kidney, oncology, open-heart surgery, and orthopedic supplies, among others.

“Given these alarming figures, and with the continued reduction by the occupation of the number of medical trucks entering Gaza to less than 30 percent of the monthly need, and with the insufficient quantity of supplies available, the Ministry of Health urgently appeals to all relevant parties to fully assume their responsibilities in implementing emergency interventions,” it said.

Despite a United States-backed ceasefire that took effect on October 10, Israel continues to violate its agreement with Hamas by failing to allow in the agreed quantities of medical aid trucks, deepening what the Gaza Health Ministry has described as a critical and ongoing health emergency.

Amid the shortages of medical supplies, 1,500 children are awaiting the opening of border crossings to travel and receive treatment outside Gaza.

Zaher Al Waheidi, the head of the Information Unit at Gaza’s Health Ministry, said on Sunday that 1,200 patients, including 155 children, have died after being unable to be evacuated from Gaza for medical treatment.

Palestinian detainees released

Meanwhile, six Palestinian detainees released from Israeli detention arrived at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir el-Balah on Sunday for medical treatment, according to medical sources. A correspondent for the Anadolu news agency said the men were transferred via the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

Rights groups say Israel had detained the men without clear legal procedures. The ICRC says it has not been granted access to Palestinians held in Israeli detention since October 2023, warning that international humanitarian law requires humane treatment and family contact.

The releases are part of sporadic Israeli actions involving Gaza detainees held for months. Many former prisoners report malnutrition and injuries from abuse.

About 1,700 detainees were released in October under the ceasefire deal, but more than 10,000 Palestinians – including women and children – remain in Israeli prisons, where rights groups report widespread abuse, starvation and medical neglect.

Elsewhere in the enclave, Gaza’s Civil Defence said it rescued five people, including a child and two women, who were trapped under the collapsed roof of their house in Sheikh Radwan, northwest of Gaza City.

The roof collapse killed four people, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Interior and National Security.

At least 18 people have been killed due to the collapse of 46 buildings in Gaza since the ceasefire came into effect, according to the ministry.

More than 70,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed, and more than 171,000 others have been wounded in attacks in Israel’s war on Gaza since October 2023.

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The US Coast Guard is in “active pursuit” of another vessel in international waters near Venezuela as tensions in the region continue to escalate.

US authorities have already seized two oil tankers this month – one of them on Saturday.

Sunday’s pursuit related to a “sanctioned dark fleet vessel that is part of Venezuela’s illegal sanctions evasion”, a US official said. “It is flying a false flag and under a judicial seizure order.”

Washington has accused Venezuela of using oil money to fund drug-related crime, while Venezuela has described the tanker seizures as “theft and kidnapping”.

US President Donald Trump last week ordered a “blockade” of sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving the country.

Venezuela – home to the world largest proven oil reserves – has accused the Trump administration of trying to steal its resources.

US authorities have not yet officially confirmed Sunday’s pursuit, and the exact location and name of the tanker involved is not yet known.

As of last week, more than 30 of the 80 ships in Venezuelan waters or approaching the country were under US sanctions, according to data compiled by TankerTrackers.com.

Saturday’s seizure saw a Panamanian-flagged tanker boarded by a specialised tactical team in international waters.

That ship is not on the US Treasury’s list of sanctioned vessels, but the US has said it was carrying “sanctioned PDVSA oil”. In the past five years the ship also sailed under the flags of Greece and Liberia, according to records seen by BBC Verify.

“These acts will not go unpunished,” the Venezuelan government said in response to Saturday’s incident. It added that it intended to file a complaint with the United Nations Security Council and “other multilateral agencies and the governments of the world”.

Venezuela is highly dependent on revenues from its oil exports to finance its government spending.

In recent weeks, the US has built up its military presence in the Caribbean Sea and has carried out deadly strikes on alleged Venezuelan drug-smuggling boats, killing around 100 people.

Sanctions also were placed on some of President Maduro’s relatives and on businesses associated with what the US calls his illegitimate regime.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters on Friday: “It is clear that the current status quo with the Venezuelan regime is intolerable for the United States.”

He added that the goal of the Trump administration is to change that dynamic.

His comments were criticised by Venezuela’s foreign minister who accused Rubio dragging the US down the path of “regime changes”.

It has provided no public evidence that these vessels were carrying drugs, and the military has come under increasing scrutiny from Congress over the strikes.

The Trump administration has accused Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro of leading a designated-terrorist organisation called Cartel de los Soles, which he denies.

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Another 130 children abducted in November in a raid on a school in Niger state in north-central Nigeria have been released, Nigerian authorities said on Sunday.

“The remaining 130 schoolchildren abducted ⁠by terrorists…have now been released. They are expected to arrive in Minna on Monday and rejoin their parents ⁠for the Christmas celebration,” President Bola Tinubu’s ⁠aide Bayo Onanuga said in a post on X. “The freedom of the schoolchildren followed a military-intelligence driven operation.”

He said the total of freed students is now 230.

What do we know about the attack on St Mary’s boarding school?

Gunmen abducted 315 students and staff on November 21 from the St Mary’s Catholic boarding school in Papiri village.

It was not yet clear which group carried out the kidnappings or how Nigerian authorities secured the release of those abducted.

Some 100 pupils of the school were released on December 8.

Some 50 children managed to escape at the time of the attack, the Christian Association of Nigeria said.

The AFP news agency cited a UN source on Sunday as saying that all those taken appeared to have been released.

How insecurity is disrupting education in Nigeria

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Nigeria’s kidnapping crisis

Nigeria has for years grappled with armed groups, known locally as “bandits,” that raid villages and abduct people for ransom, particularly in the northwest of the country.

The West African country’s kidnapping crisis has intensified in recent months, with Nigeria’s Punch newspaper reporting early in December that some 490 people had been abducted in two weeks.

On December 2, Defense Minister Badaru Abubakar resigned amid the spate of abductions.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s northeast has been beset by an Islamist insurgency, with militants also carrying out kidnappings.

The Boko Haram militant group abducted some 300 schoolgirls in 2014, with some of the students still missing.

Edited by: Sean Sinico

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A suspected shoplifting incident at a Walmart turned terrifying when a 21-year-old suddenly pointed a gun at an Ohio police officer, bodycam footage shows.

Shane Newman, 21, and Katerina Jeffrey, 23, were detained after being accused of shoplifting at a Walmart on December 18. The situation quickly escalated when the 21-year-old suddenly cocked a gun at an officer.

At the Walmart Supercenter in Canton, Ohio, the pair were escorted into the store’s “loss prevention office,” where an officer patted down Newman, asking if he had “anything on him that I need to know about,” according to bodycam footage obtained by NBC News. The 21-year-old said just his phone.

Sitting on a bench in the office, the young duo was questioned as an officer sat across from them.

At one point, Newman put his face in his hands and dropped to his side, visibly distressed. At another, he says: “I told her not to steal.” An officer replied: “You did it, too.”

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Shane Newman, 21, pulled out a gun and aimed it at a Canton police officer at an Ohio Walmart after he was suspected of shoplifting (Canton Police Dept.)

A few minutes later, the Canton police officer’s bodycam footage captured Newman turning around, apparently reaching something out of his bag, and then pulling out a firearm, which he aimed directly at the officer.

“No! No! No!” Jeffrey, who remained seated next to Newman, shouted

“Hey!” a Walmart employee standing near by shouted before he lunged toward Newman. The employee then grabbed the 21-year-old’s arms and wrestled with him, eventually dislodging the gun from his grip.

As the tussle ensued, another officer grabbed a gun and pointed it at Newman.

“No, Shane, please, no!” Jeffrey yelled, before rising off the bench and running away from the violent scene.

That officer appeared to kick Newman, grab him by the head and then punch him while the 20-something was still sitting on the bench. The officer then brought him to the ground.

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A Walmart employee intervened, ultimately disarming Newton as Katerina Jeffrey, sitting next to him, yelled for him to stop (Canton Police Dept.)

No shots were ever fired. The chilling chain of events — from the time Newman reaches for the firearm until he’s tackled to the ground — spanned just 20 seconds.

Newman now faces several criminal charges, including ​attempt to commit murder, felonious assault on an officer, and robbery, court records show. Jeffrey was charged with complicity to commit robbery, records show.

Both have yet to make a plea and are next due in court on December 23.

“This incident is a reminder of the ever-present threat of violence against police officers and the gracious provision of God’s protection,” Canton Police Chief John Gabbard told NBC News in a statement.

The Independent has asked the Canton Police and Walmart for comment.

“The safety and security of our customers and associates is always a top priority,” Jessie Carpenter, Walmart Asset Protection Operations Coach, told WAFB in a statement. “We’re proud of the brave action our asset protection associate took to maintain the safety of everyone in our store. We’ll continue to work with police as they investigate.”

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NEED TO KNOW

• Supermodel Anok Yai, 28, is opening up about discovering she has a congenital defect that was “overworking” her heart and “slowly destroying” her lungs
• She said the condition left her “struggling to breathe”
• “What started as something asymptomatic for the majority of my life turned into a lingering cough, which turned to chest pains, bouts of coughing up blood, then at times, struggling to breathe,” Yai shared

Supermodel Anok Yai is opening up about a serious health diagnosis that she says was “overworking” her heart and “slowly destroying” her lungs.

On Friday, Dec. 19, the 28-year-old Model of the Year winner shared a candid post on Instagram, detailing her “silent” health battle.

“For the past year, I’ve been dealing with this silent battle,” she began the lengthy caption. “I incidentally found out I had a congenital defect overworking my heart and slowly destroying my lungs.”

Photos and videos included in the post show Yai resting in a hospital bed at New York University Langone Health in New York City, reading books and inhaling from an oxygen machine as she recovered from surgery.

“What started as something asymptomatic for the majority of my life turned into a lingering cough, which turned to chest pains, bouts of coughing up blood, then at times, struggling to breathe,” Yai continued.

“I chose to work through this while trying to find the right doctor and the right time,” she wrote. “I quickly realized there was never going to be a ‘right time’ — my health would continue to worsen.”

Although the model did not disclose her exact diagnosis, she revealed that she underwent robotic lung surgery — a minimally invasive lung operation technique that utilizes small incisions and a robotic system to perform the surgery, according to the American Lung Association.

“I’ve always thought I could outwork or outrun anything,” she added, “but the universe has a way of slowing you down and waking you up.”

In her post, Yai also took a moment to thank her surgeons, as well as the facilities where she has received treatment for her condition.

“[Thanks] to Dr. Robert Cerfolio and his gracious and talented team who I am forever indebted to for giving me more time,” she wrote. “And I am forever grateful for Dr. Harmik Soukiasian and everyone at the @beverlyhillsconciergehealth for discovering my condition. Thank you to all the doctors and amazing nurses at @NYULangone.”

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“And thank you to my friends and family for being the first thing I saw when I woke up,” she concluded. “For now I’m healing … but I’ll be back. See ya ❤️.”

Other videos included in the Instagram post show the model waking up for surgery, and her family chuckling as she asked, “Does my hair look good?”

Anok Yai attending the 2025 Fashion Awards in London on Dec. 1.

Lucy North/PA Images via Getty

A number of celebrities and fellow models shared their well-wishes in the comments, including Naomi Campbell, who wrote, “Sending you love, light and healing… may God cover and protect you ❤️❤️‍🩹.”

“Get well soon ❤️,” added Heidi Klum, as Iman chimed in, “Sending you much love & prayers ❤️.”

“Praying for you my sweet love. you are strong & will win this battle. i love you sister 💗,” WNBA star Angel Reese wrote.

Just weeks ago, Yai accepted the coveted title of Model of the Year at the 2025 Fashion Awards, which took place at London’s Royal Albert Hall on Dec. 1.

The event, which is presented by the British Fashion Council and Pandora, “recognizes the global impact of a model who has dominated the industry over the last 12 months,” per a press release.

In the release, Yai shared what the award means to her.

“Being named Model of the Year is such an honor,” she said. “My journey — from Egypt to South Sudan to the U.S. — is one of resilience and community. This recognition is for everyone who’s ever seen their story in mine. Thank you for celebrating us.”

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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.

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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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