The long-awaited Epstein files were released on Friday, shedding new light on the inner world of the convicted sexual predator.

The Department of Justice posted the documents on its website, organizing the material into four datasets.

The trove includes images from Epstein’s homes, including rooms adorned with nude photographs and distinctive bright blue carpeting. However, the DOJ did not provide any context for the images of people included in the files.

Other records detail Epstein’s associations with high-profile figures such as Michael Jackson, Sir Mick Jagger, Kevin Spacey and other famous individuals.

Former president Bill Clinton features prominently in the files, appearing in photographs smiling at parties and swimming with women. He has since issued a blistering response, denying having any knowledge of Epstein’s crimes.

More than 600,000 pages related to the pedophile have now been released this year, prompting the Trump administration to describe itself as the ‘most transparent in history’ following Friday’s disclosure.

An initial review indicates the documents released today originate from three separate investigations into Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes against young women.

Many of the files appear to stem from a 2005 police investigation in Palm Beach, Florida, followed by a federal probe that culminated in Epstein’s controversial 2008 plea deal.

Others relate to a later investigation launched by Manhattan prosecutors in 2019 – a case that was never finished after Epstein died in jail while awaiting trial.

Being named or pictured in the files is not necessarily an indication of wrongdoing in relation to Epstein. 

This is a developing story… More pictures will be added. 

Bill Clinton is seen with his arm around Michael Jackson. The pair pose with Diana ross and a redacted woman

The files include pictures of what appeared to be a male dancer taking off his clothes

Jeffrey Epstein posing alongside Michael Jackson in an undisclosed location

Sir Mick Jagger and the former US president have their picture taken with a woman

Billionaire Richard Branson is seen alongside Epstein, with two women pictured behind

Epstein pictured blowing out birthday candles with British politician Peter Mandelson

Epstein is seen at an undisclosed location, watching people meditate 

Clinton features prominently in the files, seen here relaxing in what appears to be a hot tub

Sarah Ferguson pictured sitting on a couch with a redacted woman

Epstein had erotic images all throughout his home, including the bathroom

Pictured is an erotic device found among Epstein’s belongings 

Multiple erotic toys were found among the late pedophile’s belongings including penis-shaped soap

A photograph of two woman without shirts features in the released files 

Two unidentified young women pose in bikinis, with one smoking a cigarette

Clinton, wearing a red hoodie, is pictured with an unknown woman

A hanging art installation is pictured in the release from Epstein’s estate

A dress-up nurse hat and stethoscope were among the items found in the predator’s home

Epstein had multiple costumes and wigs among his erotica

An erotic book on Epstein’s desk entitled ‘Erotica Universalis’

Clinton, Sir Mick and Epstein smiling at what appears to be a dinner party

Kevin Spacey (second from the right, next to Clinton) was also pictured in the files, seen here in the Churchill War Rooms in London. Ghislaine Maxwell is wearing a cream blouse

In one image shared Friday, Clinton was seen with his hands on the shoulders of Kevin Spacey

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is seen lying across women at a black-tie event with Maxwell

Clinton and Epstein smile in a photo taken at an undisclosed location

Epstein is pictured with broadcast journalist Walter Cronkite

Magician David Copperfield posed in robes with Ghislaine Maxwell

Epstein bundled up and smiling next to what appears to be French model scout Jean-Luc Brunel

The files included framed pictured from Epstein’s estate, one of which appeared to be of Donald Trump and Melania

Clinton swims in a pool with Maxwell and an unidentified woman

Many of the images were of unidentified women, whose faces have been redacted

There were also shocking notes released in the files, details of which were also redacted

A man who appears to be actor Chris Tucker was also seen in the newly release documentsf

Former president Clinton poses with an unknown woman

Clinton, Spacey and others huddled around a desk at the War Rooms in central London

Pictured from the inside of Epstein’s home included an Israel Defense Forces shirt

Among his belongings was a battered instructional book Massage for Dummies

Epstein is seen on the phone in sweatpants and a sweatshirt with a suggestively shaped cake

A younger Epstein posed with a cigar and multiple women

Convicted sex trafficker Maxwell is seen outside Number 10 Downing Street

Pictures of Epstein’s home revealed what appeared to be a portrait of Clinton in a dress

Epstein in a framed photo posing with check signed by Trump

Epstein poses shirtless with what appears to be a child’s foot in frame

A massage table with lotion next to it and nude women on the walls are seen in Epstein’s home

Epstein is pictured in a robe and a birthday hat eating a salad

A framed caricature drawing in Epstein’s home of himself and friends boarding a plane

Pictured is an unidentified woman lounging on a pool float

A man who appeared to be comedian Chris Tucker poses at a table

A scrapbook included photos of multiple women and the words ‘Once upon a time… there was a clueless little girl’

Scrapbook images included pictures of Trump

The context in which the pictures were taken is unknown, as is the date of the photographs

Images taken from his estate included cameras, with one seen in the top right of a bedroom 

Pictures of nude women were featured in a scrapbook in Epstein’s home

The women appeared lounging on sun chairs and by the pool

Images framed in Epstein’s home included a photo of Pope John Paul II

 A list of names written on Epstein’s stationary

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There is one area of the UK which seems to have more ghostly sightings than any other – and one spirit in particular

Cannock Chase in Staffordshire isn’t new to ghostly sightings and paranormal reports, but one particular spirit has been known to operate in the area, scaring passersby and fascinating supernatural enthusiasts.

Since the 1980s, there have been reports of encounters with the soul of a young girl with entirely black eyes and a giggly, mischievous personality. For years, author and self-declared “seasoned paranormal investigator” Lee Brickley has compiled experiences, third-party testimonies, and released four books chronicling what he calls the “spooky goings-on” of Cannock Chase – including his own encounter with the girl. She appeared about a hundred metres in front of me. She stared right at me for about thirty seconds, then vanished without a trace”, he said.

Lee Brickley has dedicated years to paranormal research(Image: BirminghamLive)

During the pandemic, two teenagers – Kylie and Ben, both 17 – were camping in Birches Valley when, at around midnight, they heard movement outside their tent, followed by the sound of a child’s giggle. They left the tent and saw something in between the trees. Kylie recounted: “I knew instantly that we were dealing with the real thing because it moved in ways humans simply can’t move.”

Ben shone his torch at the figure and said the giggling grew louder, sounding as if it came from all directions. The child then reportedly crouched down, stood back up and ran into the woods. In the morning, the couple reported finding strange stick formations dangling from tree branches and neatly spaced piles of stones around the tent. Lastly, when walking back to their car, Kylie remembers seeing a black-eyed child looking at them from behind a tree.

The YouTube channel Furious Otter published a video of a drone shot over the forest, in which they claim to have caught the black-eyes-girl on camera. What can be clearly seen is a figure appearing to wear loose white fabric, moving in the woods. More recently, Birmingham Live reports a dog walker contacted Lee after an intense experience with the same entity.

Near Castle Ring, he was walking his dog when he started feeling an overwhelming “sense of impending doom””, as his dog became frantic. He felt something tugging his coat and looked back to be faced with a pale little girl with “completely black eyes” wearing rags.

“The thing is, she had completely black eyes, and something about her just didn’t seem right. Like she wasn’t human, her clothes were in rags. She giggled in a way that hurt my ears and sent chills down my spine, and then she skipped off into the trees. I was terrified, and so was the dog. We left straight away””, he described.

According to Lee, this encounter is particularly notable for involving physical contact, which is, according to him, extremely rare and “raises numerous questions about the nature of these sightings and the possible dangers they pose.” He also highlights other entities that are tied to the place. In the past, he had seen what appeared to be a man in an old soldier’s uniform walking into the German War Cemetery and disappearing seconds later.

The Paranormal Database has also listed multiple accounts of phenomena that occurred in Cannock Chase, including shambling dark figures crossing the mound at Castle Ring, reports of a tall, dark creature with red eyes in the park, and demonic legends of Gabriel Hounds that seem to glide over the moorlands on stormy nights.

“I tend to believe that Cannock Chase is somewhat of a paranormal portal area where beings and entities from the next world can migrate into our own,” explained Lee. “I believe the woods are haunted with many spirits of the dead, but there are also lots of monster sightings that happen here, and I think those creatures come from another, much darker place.”

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Bangladesh is observing a national day of mourning ahead of the funeral of Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent leader of its 2024 student-led uprising, after his death triggered two days of protests across the country.

Police wearing body cameras were deployed across the capital city, Dhaka, on Saturday as Hadi’s funeral was scheduled to begin at 2pm (08:00 GMT) at the South Plaza of Bangladesh’s parliament house, known locally as Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.

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The Bangladeshi flag was flown at half-mast at all public and private buildings to mark the day of mourning.

Although protests had largely cooled off by Saturday, media continued to report previously unknown incidents of violence as cultural institutions, newspapers and political buildings reeled from arson attacks and mob rushes earlier in the week in the latest turbulent chapter in the nation’s recent history.

Daily newspaper Prothom Alo reported that the home of Anisul Islam Mahmud, president of the National Democratic Front party and chairman of a faction of the Jatiya Party, was vandalised and set on fire at about midnight Friday in Chattogram, Bangladesh’s second-largest city.

Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, the country’s main state-sponsored cultural centre, announced it would suspend all programming and exhibitions, newspaper The Daily Star said. The group cited security risks following arson attacks on Thursday on two of its organisations’ buildings.

Both Prothom Alo and The Daily Star were also targets of ambushes that trapped dozens of employees inside and forced them onto the roof as flames engulfed the building of the latter. The publications pledged to keep publishing online, however.

Hadi, the 32-year-old spokesperson for Inquilab Moncho, or Platform for Revolution, died in hospital in Singapore on Thursday after being shot in the head more than a week ago by masked attackers.

Inqilab Moncho urged people on Facebook to participate in the leader’s funeral on Saturday after earlier calling on its followers to refrain from carrying out acts of violence.

Aside from being Inqilab Moncho’s spokesperson, Hadi was planning to stand as a member of parliament for the Dhaka-8 constituency in the Bijoynagar area of the city in the upcoming elections, slated for February 2026.

But on December 12, he was shot in the head by two assailants on a motorcycle that drew up alongside the battery-powered auto-rickshaw he was travelling in.

After three days of treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Hadi was transferred to Singapore General Hospital for treatment of brain stem damage. He died on Thursday evening, kicking off Bangladesh’s latest round of mass protests.

Although several arrests were made in connection with his death, “the killer may have – at least, from speculations made by police and others – escaped to India through the border”, Al Jazeera’s Tanvir Chowdhury reported from Dhaka. Hadi and Inqilab Moncho were outspoken critics of India.

The prospect of the killer’s flight – along with frustrations over the harbouring of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina by India – created “a strong anti-India sentiment” in the crowds that began pouring into the streets in the cities of Dhaka, Rajshahi, Chittagong and Gazipur on Thursday evening.

Demonstrators torched the home of Hasina’s assassinated father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, bulldozed the office of her party, the Awami League and blocked various highways. Groups also attacked the Indian Assistant High Commission in Chittagong, while the Prothom Alo and Daily Star newspapers were reportedly attacked for pro-India sympathies.

Bangladesh’s interim government, which has been led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus since Hasina’s ousting in August 2024, “strongly and unequivocally” condemned the violence, including what it referred to as the “lynching of a Hindu man in Mymensingh”.

By Friday afternoon, as Hadi’s body was repatriated from Singapore, protesters poured into Dhaka’s Shahbag Square and called for the extradition of all those linked to Hadi’s death, and Hasina.

They said protests would continue until “Sheikh Hasina and all those responsible for killings are returned”, one activist told Al Jazeera.

In November, Hasina was sentenced to death by hanging after she was found guilty of crimes against humanity for ordering a deadly crackdown against the student-led uprising that ousted her. The United Nations says that 1,400 protesters were killed and thousands were injured in the weeks of violence, as her government desperately sought to cling to power.

Shaina Begum, the mother of 20-year-old student Sajjat Hosen Sojal, who was shot and whose body was burned by the police hours before the student-led uprising forced Hasina to resign and flee the country, told Al Jazeera after the verdict, “I cannot be calm until she [Hasina] is brought back and hanged in this country.”

Hundreds of families who lost loved ones in the protests wonder if the deposed prime minister will ever face justice.

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Shooting hares in England will be banned for most of the year as part of sweeping changes to animal welfare law.

At the moment, it is legal to shoot the animals during their breeding season, with pregnant hares left to bleed out, and leverets – their young – often orphaned as a result.

Ministers are also expected to announce the implementation of a ban on trail hunting, where hounds follow a scent rather than pursue a live animal. This was a manifesto commitment, and the new animal welfare strategy that will be announced on Monday is understood to outline a planned legislative pathway to the ban.

Campaigners have long said the rules need to be tightened because foxes are still often torn to shreds by dogs who are following an artificial fox scent and run into the path of a live animal.

The nature minister, Mary Creagh, said: “Brown hares are a cherished part of our countryside, an iconic British species, and it’s simply wrong that so many are shot during breeding season. I am determined to stop the decline of this wonderful animal.”

It is hoped that the animal welfare package, to be announced in full, will also raise the spirits of Labour MPs and voters after months of party infighting, continuing rises in the cost of living, and a prolonged slump in the polls.

Previous polling showed 79% of the public thought the law on foxhunting should be tightened to stop trail hunts from accidentally killing foxes. Labour sources said their polling showed 85% of the public believed there was a moral duty to protect animal welfare.

The new close season will ban hare hunting during the breeding months of February to October to protect mothers and the young. At present, hares are shot for their meat, for fun, and because some landowners in the countryside believe it is overpopulated with the animals.

However, the claim that the countryside is overpopulated with hares is dubious. Brown hare populations in England and Wales have declined by 80% over the past century.

George Eustice, the former Conservative environment secretary, tried while in post to implement a close season for hares but was blocked by No 10.

He told the Guardian: “The first principle of conservation is to protect species during their breeding season, so it is excellent news that the government will now create a modern close season on the shooting of hares. Every year, approximately 200,000 hares are killed in organised, commercial shoots during February and March and this has a devastating impact on the orphaned leverets, which are left to starve to death.

“Even the Victorians recognised the need for a close season but the 1892 act was based on a ban on sales, so no longer works. The current government deserves credit for finally getting this important change done.”

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The US Department of Justice has released thousands of files related to its investigations into the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The partial release includes images of Epstein’s properties, photos of high-profile figures such as Bill Clinton and Michael Jackson, along with audio files and other documents.

The documents were made public under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which requires the Department of Justice to release all of its files on the late sex offender.

The BBC’s Nada Tawfik breaks down what’s in the latest release.

Video by Blanca Estrada

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Republicans and Democrats have bashed President Donald Trump for “moving the goalpost” and only initially releasing some of the government documents related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein by the set deadline.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche told Fox News earlier Friday that it would take a “couple of weeks” to release everything the Justice Department must produce. Federal law states all the files must be released by Friday.

“I expect that we’re going to release several hundred thousand documents today, and those documents will come in all different forms — photographs and other materials associated with all of the investigations into, into Mr. Epstein,” Blanche said.

“So today, several hundred thousand, and then, over the next couple of weeks, I expect several hundred thousand more,” he added.

Around 4 p.m. Friday, the Justice Department released thousands of documents and images from criminal investigations into Epstein.

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Republicans and Democrats have bashed President Donald Trump for ‘moving the goalpost’ and only releasing some of the government documents related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein by the set deadline (Getty)

News that the government was withholding documents after a hard-fought battle on Capitol Hill to force the Trump administration to give the public more insight into the crimes and associates of the wealthy financier who was accused of sexually abusing women and girls for years has made lawmakers even more frustrated.

“The Epstein Files Transparency Act is clear: while protecting survivors, ALL of these records are required to be released today. Not just some,” Senator Adam Schiff, a California Democrat, wrote on X. “The Trump administration can’t move the goalposts. They’re cemented in law.”

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene — a Georgia Republican who recently had a public falling out with Trump, in part due to her support of the releasing of the Epstein files — wrote, “My goodness, what is in the Epstein files? Release all the files. It’s literally the law.”

California Governor Gavin Newsom’s press team asked what Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel were “hiding,” and then called to “RELEASE THE EPSTEIN FILES.”

White House Spokesperson Abigail Jackson defended the government’s handling of the Epstein files, telling The Independent, “The Trump Administration is the most transparent in history. By releasing thousands of pages of documents, cooperating with the House Oversight Committee’s subpoena request, and President Trump recently calling for further investigations into Epstein’s Democrat friends, the Trump Administration has done more for the victims than Democrats ever have.”

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Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche told Fox News Friday that it would take a ‘couple of weeks’ to release everything the Justice Department must produce (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

House Oversight Committee Ranking Member Robert Garcia of California and House Judiciary Ranking Member Jamie Raskin of Maryland said in a joint statement that Trump and the Justice Department “are now violating federal law as they continue covering up the facts and the evidence about Jeffrey Epstein’s decades-long, billion-dollar, international sex trafficking ring.”

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, said in a statement, “The law Congress passed and President Trump signed was clear as can be – the Trump administration had 30 days to release ALL the Epstein files, not just some. Failing to do so is breaking the law. This just shows the Department of Justice, Donald Trump, and Pam Bondi are hellbent on hiding the truth.”

Representative Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican who led the charge with Democrat Ro Khanna to compel the Justice Department to release the Epstein files, simply shared a photo of the Epstein Files Transparency Act.

The text of the law reads: “Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall…make publicly available in a searchable and downloadable format all unclassified records, documents, communications, and investigative materials in the possession of the Department of Justice, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation and United States Attorney’s Offices, that relate to: Jeffrey Epstein…”

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Epstein, a wealthy financier, was accused of sexually abusing women and girls for years (AP/John Minchillo)

Trump announced on November 19 via Truth Social that he had signed the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The president strongly opposed the legislation at first and has continued to call the controversy over the documents a “hoax.”

But after House Republicans signaled that they were going to support the measure when a vote on it was forced by Democrats and a few GOP congress members, Trump decided to back it.

There are some documents the Justice Department does not have to release, including anything that could reveal a victims’ identity, anything depicting the sexual abuse of children and anything that could jeopardize an active federal investigation.

In a follow-up X post Friday, Massie said, “Time’s up. Release the files.”

The Independent has reached out to the Justice Department for comment.

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NEED TO KNOW

• Lola Young was seen spending time with Lily Allen and Olivia Rodrigo at Allen’s London holiday party on Friday, Dec. 19
• The appearance marked Young’s first public outing since she announced a career hiatus in September
• Young is taking a break from performing and touring after she collapsed onstage at the All Things Go festival in N.Y.C. on Sept. 27

Lola Young stepped out at Lily Allen’s Christmas party alongside Olivia Rodrigo, three months after she collapsed onstage and announced a hiatus from performing.

Young, 24, wore an all-leather black outfit to the party on Friday, Dec. 19, complete with a plunging neckline halter top, micro shorts and tall leather boots. She completed the look with chunky silver chain-link jewelry. The sighting is the British singer-songwriter’s first public appearance in months, following her collapse on stage while performing at the All Things Go music festival in New York City on Sept. 27.

Three days later, the Grammy-nominated singer told fans she was taking a break from performing.

“I’m going away for a while. It pains me to say I have to cancel everything for the foreseeable future,” Young wrote in a Sept. 30 Instagram post. “Thank you for all the love and support.”

Young canceled a full line-up of tour dates scheduled through June, including a U.K. tour that was set to begin on Oct. 6 for 10 dates across 13 days. She was then set to play more than 20 shows across North America through December.

Lily Allen, Lola Young and Olivia Rodrigo.

Dave Benett/Getty

Young wrote that she was so “so sorry to let anyone down” who had purchased a ticket to see her perform, and that “it hurts me more than you know.” She added that fans will “obviously” be entitled to a full refund.

“I really hope you’ll give me a second chance once I’ve had some time to work on myself and come back stronger,” she wrote. “Love you all, Lola x.”

Musical guest Lola Young performs on Wednesday, September 24, 2025.

Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty 

The “Not Like That Anymore” singer was spotted alongside Rodrigo, 22, at the holiday party. The “vampire” singer wore a vintage inspired black lace mini dress over a cream-colored slip, completing the look with black Mary Janes.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Meanwhile, the “West End Girl” musician, 40, donned a red-and-white Mrs. Claus-inspired lingerie look, paired with fuzzy white platform heels. Allen hosted the party at Stingfellow’s in London almost a week after she took the Saturday Night Live stage at Studio 8H in New York City on Saturday, Dec. 13, and performed her songs “Madeline” and “Sleepwalking” from her latest album, West End Girl. 

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By CAITLIN POWELL – NEWS REPORTER

Updated: 00:50 EST, 20 December 2025

NSW Premier Chris Minns has announced the chant ‘globalise the intifada’ will be banned, among a series of new measures announced this afternoon. 

Anthony Albanese announced on Friday a national buyback scheme will be launched to purchase newly banned and illegal firearms from Australian gun owners. 

He also said December 21 would become a day of mourning in Australia. 

Hunter MP Dan Repacholi has hit back at the gun reforms, saying he ‘does not support changes that unfairly target responsible, law-abiding firearms owners’.

Tesla billionaire Elon Musk also responded to Australia’s new gun laws, writing: ‘Thank god for the second amendment’ on X. 

Seven men intercepted in Sydney last night shared the same ‘extremist Islamic ideology’ as the alleged Bondi Beach gunmen, authorities have confirmed. 

Those men have since been released from custody. 

It comes after the Islamic State has praised alleged Bondi Beach terrorists Naveed Akram, 24, and his father Sajid, 50, as ‘lions’ and a ‘source of pride’ in a statement. 

The pair are accused of opening fire into a crowd of Jewish people celebrating the first day of Hanukkah at Bondi Beach on Sunday. 

Naveed remains in hospital under police guard after being shot by officers and woke from a coma on Tuesday. He has been charged with 59 offences. 

His father Sajid, a licensed firearms holder, was shot dead by police at the scene. 

The 15th and final victim of the massacre has been identified as eastern suburbs woman Tania Tretiak, who was at the Hanukkah celebration when she was shot. 

A group of over 700 surfers paddled out at Bondi Beach on Friday in memory of those who lost their lives in Australia’s worst massacre since 1996.

Elon Musk wades into Australian gun reforms: ‘Thank God for the Second Amendment’

Billionaire and owner of X, Elon Musk, has made a controversial comment about the Albanese government’s gun reform laws after the Bondi Beach terror attack.

‘Thank God for the Second Amendment,’ he wrote on X, while retweeting a clip of the prime minister.

In the United States, the amendment reads as the right for Americans to a ‘well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed’.

It has often been used a defence against crackdowns on gun laws in the US.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Friday that his government was launching a national buyback scheme to collect and destroy newly-banned and illegal firearms from Australian gun owners.

A far-right X account had reshared footage of Albanese’s announcement, falsely claiming the policy a ‘massive gun grab program’.

Accused Bondi Beach gunman Naveed Akram remains in hospital

Naveed Akram, the 24-year-old who allegedly opened fire at a crowd celebrating Hanukkah at Bondi Beach on Sunday with his father Sajid, 50, is in police custody in hospital.

AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett confirmed the condition of Akram in a joint press conference with Anthony Albanese.

She said police ‘will prepare a thorough and fulsome brief of evidence to prosecute the alleged offender now before the courts’.

‘We will identify the methods, capability and connections of these alleged offenders to determine who the alleged offenders communicated with leading up to the attack,’ she added.

‘We will use this information to cast a wider net to identify others who may not be directly linked to this investigation, but should be under the attention of law enforcement and intelligence agencies.’

The location of federal police search warrants during their investigation will not be made public, but she said AFP will leave ‘no stone unturned in Australia and overseas’.

Naveed is pictured far right in this photo.

PM praises Donald Trump’s airstrikes on ISIS targets in Syria

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has thrown his support behind American strikes on ISIS targets in Syria earlier this morning.

‘These strikes are a direct response to ISIS attacks on US defence personnel and the actions of the United States government are timely, swift and decisive, and we support those actions,’ he said on Saturday.

‘ISIS has caused untold suffering around the world, both directly with the actions that they’ve taken, but also through their evil ideology that they spread.’

American forces struck over 70 targets in the country linked to ISIS, a US official told Fox News.

The move delivers on Donald Trump’s promise to retaliate for the killing of two US Army soldiers and an interpreter during a terrorist ambush in the country’s central region last weekend.

‘Because of ISIS’s vicious killing of brave American Patriots in Syria, whose beautiful souls I welcomed home to American soil earlier this week in a very dignified ceremony, I am hereby announcing that the United States is inflicting very serious retaliation,’ Trump said in a post on Truth Social Friday evening.

The bombardment is reportedly being carried out by US Airforce F-15E Strike Eagles and A-10C Thunderbolts alongside Army helicopters and artillery rocket systems.

Although officials said ‘numerous’ militants were killed, full casualty numbers were not provided on Friday evening American time.

Chris Minns bans three-word chant in wake of Bondi Beach attack

NSW Premier Chris Minns has announced the ‘globalise the intifada’ chant will be banned, among a series of new measures announced this afternoon.

The phrase has been used to call for international support of Palestinian resistance against Israeli military occupation of Palestinian territories.

‘We’ll also make it very clear that horrific recent events have shown that the chant “globalise the intifada” is hate speech and it encourages violence in our community,’ Minns said during a press conference on Saturday.

‘The chant will be banned alongside other hateful comments and statements made in our community.’

Earlier this week, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke introduced tougher laws on hate speech, but drew the line at banning the chant via federal legislation.

State laws on face coverings being worn in public will also be ammended.

Currently, police may only remove coverings ‘if they believe that the person’s identity or the person is in the midst of committing an indictable offence’.

‘We’ll change the law so it can be for any offence which is particularly important in the context of clamping down on hate speech so that police can be in a position to identify who is responsible for offensive conduct, hateful slogans or racist behaviour,’ Minns said.

He also supported calls for a royal commission into the Bondi terror attack.

‘Until we have a full and accurate picture of exactly how this happened, with a plan to ensure that it doesn’t happen again, then I don’t have answers to the people of New South Wales about what happened on Sunday,’ Minns said.

Ex-Olympic shooter and federal MP declares he will NOT support Chris Minns’ new gun laws

NSW Premier Chris Minns announced on Friday that he was proposing to cap how many firearms an individual can own to four, with strict exemptions for primary producers and sporting shooters.

But former Olympic sport shooter and federal MP for Hunter Dan Repacholi has said he will not support the proposed gun law changes because they fall under state jurisdiction, not federal.

‘I have received thousands of emails and calls in the last 24 hours about the proposed gun law changes that will go before the NSW Parliament on Monday,’ he said.

‘Firearms laws in Australia are primarily state-based, and the matters raised by Premier Minns are decisions for the NSW Parliament, not the Federal Parliament.

‘I won’t be voting on NSW firearms legislation.

‘Australia has strong gun laws and they save lives, but I do not support changes that unfairly target responsible, law-abiding firearms owners.

‘Measures that are blunt, symbolic, or simply designed to appease public anger without improving safety are not the answer.’

Repacholi said that, as a licensed firearms owner, he has gone through the same background checks, fit and proper person assessments, training, waiting periods and storage requirements.

‘I understand the responsibility that comes with lawful ownership, and I know that the overwhelming majority of firearms owners do the right thing,’ he said.

‘What happened at Bondi was horrific and should never have occurred. People are right to ask hard questions about whether it could have been prevented.

‘From what we are learning, the focus should be on information sharing, risk identification and enforcement of existing powers, not on arbitrary limits that penalise people who have done nothing wrong.

‘NSW Police already have significant powers to suspend or cancel licences where someone is not fit and proper.’

Minns’ measures include three specific steps towards tightening gun laws in NSW, with his government proposing to:

• Reclassify straight, pull, pump-action, button, lever release firearms into category C – limiting their access primarily to farmers and those in primary production
• Reduce magazine capacities for category A and B firearms to a maximum of five to 10 rounds from a current unlimited capacity;
• Introduce a complete ban on firearms that can use belt-fed magazines;
• And remove the New South Wales Civil and Administrative Tribunal review pathway once a decision has been made to revoke a licence.

The move follows similar federal legislation announced by Anthony Albanese this morning.

His government has launched a national buyback scheme to collect and destroy newly banned and illegal firearms from Australian gun owners.

The Prime Minister said the scheme will be the ‘largest buyback since the Howard government initiated one in 1996’.

Bondi locals ‘should not be alarmed’ by increased police presence ahead of memorials

Locals in Bondi Beach are preparing for tomorrow’s national day of reflection, which will honour the victims of the terror attack and stand in solidarity with the Jewish community.

Flags will be flown at half mast to mark one week since the attack.

Australians have also been asked to light a candle and put it in their front window, as well as observe a minute’s silence at 6.47pm.

NSW Police told Daily Mail this afternoon that they are conducting planning in relation to reflection and memorial events within the area to ensure all participants can gather safely.

‘As part of these planning arrangements specialist police will be attending various locations,’ the force said.

‘The community should expect an increased presence of emergency personnel in the area and should not be alarmed.’

Police have not received any warning about threats to the events.

There have also been increased police patrols across Sydney’s eastern suburbs after the Bondi Beach massacre.

Ley calls on PM to support a Royal Commission: ‘The time for action is now’

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has doubled down on her calls for an inquiry into the terror attack at Bondi Beach on Sunday.

‘Millions of Australians, particularly those of Jewish faith, want, need and deserve a Commonwealth Royal Commission into the Bondi Massacre terrorist attack,’ she said in a statement this afternoon.

‘At minimum, it must investigate the rise of antisemitism, government inaction that allowed hideous antisemitism to fester in the days, weeks, months and years since 7 October, 2023, across Australia, as well as the effectiveness and powers of Australia’s counter-terrorism system.’

She slammed Anthony Albanese’s ‘unclear’ position on the issue, publicly inviting him to sit down with her and Jewish community leaders when Shabbat ends.

The group would then draft the ‘terms of reference on a bipartisan basis’.

‘Prime Minister, the time for words is finished. The time for action is now,’ Ley continued.

‘Recall the parliament on Monday so we can legislate immediate responses and support a Commonwealth Royal Commission today so we get the longer term responses right.’

Ley also thanked NSW Premier Chris Minns for calling on the prime minister to introduce a Royal Commission.

Minns has supported the move earlier today in a press conference.

‘Until we have a full and accurate picture of exactly how this happened, with a plan to ensure that it doesn’t happen again, then I don’t have answers to the people of New South Wales about what happened on Sunday,’ he said.

The Prime Minister has not indicated that he will hold a royal commission into the attack.

AFP investigating ‘others’ connected to the alleged Bondi gunmen

AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett has confirmed federal police will investigate who the alleged Bondi gunmen spoke to before 15 people were killed in a horror massacre on Sunday.

She said officers would be taking efforts to ‘identify others’ who could be a risk to the community in a statement on Saturday.

‘We will use this information to cast a wider net to identify others – who may not be directly linked to this investigation – but should be under the attention of law enforcement and intelligence agencies,’ Commissioner Barrett said.

She said the NSW Joint Counter Terrorism Team was analysing evidence seized during search warrants as recently as Friday.

‘The location of the search warrants will not be made public, but let me reassure Australians that we are leaving no stone unturned in Australia and overseas in this investigation,’ she said.

‘I will ensure we have pulled every single lever we can to protect our Jewish community – and this week I revealed those described as hate preachers are being investigated and have been for some time by the AFP.

‘It is clear some of these preachers have hired lawyers to ensure they do not reach the threshold to be charged for hate speech and other crimes.

‘It is clear some of these preachers know exactly what they are doing – and are clearly trying to cause fear and division.’

Mourners pay tribute to victims of the Bondi Beach attack in the rain

Mourners braved the rain at Bondi Pavilion to pay tribute to the victims of the shooting on Sunday.

Members of the public stood quietly at the memorial, some laying flowers in the growing pile at the front of the tourist spot.

Police had reopened Bondi Beach on Thursday after they concluded their investigations into the massacre that targeted Hanukkah celebrations.

PM says nation faced its ‘darkest week in Australia’s recent history’

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has addressed the ‘deep pain and sorrow’ Australians have faced following the Bondi Beach attack.

‘The terrorist atrocity committed against innocent people, celebrating Hanukkah last week at Bondi Beach, targeting our cherished Jewish Australian community, has left our nation grieving and angry,’ he said.

‘This has been the darkest week in Australia’s recent history.’

Albanese told reporters he will reconvene the cabinet in Canberra, adding the massacre was an ‘ISIS-inspired attack here in Australia’.

‘That evil ideology represents something that should have no place in any consideration of humanity and who we are as global citizens, let alone as Australians,’ he said.

When asked whether his government had the right security priorities prior to the Bondi attacks, Albanese defended his government.

‘We continue to prioritise keeping Australians safe,’ he said. ‘The government and all of the agencies prioritise the threats that they have identified.

‘And foremost of that is the threat from some of the extreme Islamist-inspired threats that are there.

‘So my government continues to engage in all of the threats, but they are prioritised according to the advice that we receive.’

Albanese also slammed criticism from the federal opposition, telling reporters that ‘this is not a time for partisan politics’.

‘This is a time for us to unite together in what we know is in Australia’s national interest,’ he said.

The prime minister then referenced how the ‘nation came together’ during the Port Arthur massacre in 1996.

‘The opposition at that time provided support for those issues rather than looked for product differentiation,’ he said.

‘We will certainly reach out to the opposition.’

‘Liverpool Seven’ accuse police of using tasers during their arrest

Seven men arrested at gunpoint in dramatic scenes have alleged that they were ‘tasered and beaten’ by officers during the ordeal.

The group, aged between 19 and 24, was stopped by heavily-armed officers outside Westfield Liverpool in southwest Sydney on Thursday afternoon.

Police received reports the men, who had travelled from Melbourne, were possibly heading to Bondi. However, investigators have found no link to last Sunday’s massacre at the beach, which claimed 15 lives.

Some of the group were arrested in an alleyway and have since claimed that because there were no cameras there, they were ‘treated harsher’.

‘They opened the door, tasered us, we had our hands up, they pulled up next to us, smashed into the car in front of us, pulled guns on us said ‘put your hands up’, one of the men said.

‘We put our hands up, [they] tasered us even though we put our hands up, dragged us out the car, smashed us on the pavement, tasered us while we were on the pavement, handcuffed us then beat us.’

NSW Police declined to comment on the allegations.

Investigations remain ongoing.

The group dubbed the so-called ‘Liverpool Seven’ were released on Friday afternoon without charge after spending the night in custody.

Police found insufficient evidence to keep the men behind bars.

While the group were in custody, NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said the response to the information received about the men had been prompt.

‘Based on that information we had a risk that we did not believe that we could tolerate,’ he said.

‘We won’t accept violence, and what you saw was a very prompt and very firm response by the NSW Police.’

But one of the men has since claimed the group had been racially profiled, adding that they had not done anything.

‘We didn’t do nothing wrong. My beliefs are we all live peacefully, we don’t give a f*** about no one,’ he said.

Another said: ‘[It was a] misunderstanding. We told [police] we were here for a holiday.’

Port Arthur survivor applauds reform of NSW gun laws: ‘Guns weaponised hate’

Walter Mikac lost his wife Nanette and two young daughters Alannah and Madeline in the Port Arthur massacre.

Martin Bryant used a Cole AR-15 and battle rifle to shoot innocent victims on April 28, 1996, killing 35 people and injuring 23 at the popular tourist area in Tasmania.

He pleaded guilty to the attack and was given 35 life sentences without parole.

Australia reacted to the massacre by strengthening gun laws with the National Firearms Agreement.

In the wake of the horrific Bondi Beach shooting on Sunday, Mr Mikac, who founded The Alannah and Madeline Foundation to protect children from violence, has praised reforms to tighten gun laws, introduced by NSW Premier Chris Minns on Friday.

‘I am pleased that the Premier Minns has listened to the community and to our gun safety experts and reconfirmed community safety as the central tenet of our gun laws,’ Mr Mikac told news.com.au on Saturday.

‘The horrific terror attack at Bondi Beach last Sunday is a devastating reminder that strong gun laws must evolve to address new risks – not be weakened or undermined.

‘This attack was fuelled by hate, but guns allowed that hate to be weaponised as terror.

‘I extend my deepest condolences to the victims and their families and loved ones.

‘I stand in love and solidarity with Australia’s Jewish community, the people of NSW, and with all Australians in the wake of this unspeakable act of violence and terror.

‘My heart aches for the many lives lost, including the life of beautiful 10-year-old Matilda, and to their families, on what should have been a day of joy, community and celebration.’

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Bondi Beach shooting LIVE updates: ‘Thank god for the second amendment’: Elon Musk lashes Australia’s strict new gun reforms – as police call for calm as locals react to increased patrols at Bondi Beach

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Keeping an active dog clean without a bath seemed to be impossible but then someone suggested an alternative

Buddy looking fluffy after being cleaned with the grooming wipes(Image: Ben Cooper)

When my mum was looking for a dog, she had a strict set of requirements. She wanted a small dog that didn’t require much exercise and certainly didn’t shed its hair.

She ended up with a Border Collie! Yes, it ticks all the boxes, but not quite in the way she intended.

Nevertheless, Buddy is the best dog. He’s loyal, affectionate, extremely sociable, and obedient – until it comes to bath time.

Buddy is quick to obey any command we give him, except when it comes to having a bath. We’ve tried everything – a pool in the garden, a shower, even our own bath, but as soon as we manage to get him in – which isn’t easy with a 25kg dog – he immediately jumps out again, usually drenching us and everything else in water and soap suds, reports the Daily Record.

The selection of Earth Rated products we tried(Image: Ian Cooper)

Despite regular visits to the groomer’s, he can sometimes be incredibly smelly. So we knew we needed to find a solution, but we had no idea it could be so straightforward.

We were on the verge of giving up when I was given the opportunity to try the Earth Rated range of bath-free grooming essentials. While they’re perfect for cleaning up your pet after a muddy walk, they’re also useful for so much more.

The range offers a variety of options, and we tried most of them.

We started with the Grooming Wipes, available in Lavender, Unscented, White Tea and Basil, and Wild Oat. Within minutes, Buddy was smelling much fresher – and judging by the state of the used wipes, he was much cleaner too.

While our faithful friend despises baths, he does love being stroked or brushed. This meant he thoroughly enjoyed being cleaned with the wipes and was content to sit for five minutes while we did a thorough job.

The whole process took just over five minutes, and he came out looking brilliantly clean with fresh, fluffy fur. If you were simply wiping off mud, it would take considerably less time.

Next, we tried the Eye and Ear Wipes, which Earth Rated describe as perfect “for those hard-to-reach muddy spots”. Priced at under £10, like the grooming wipes, these ensured he smelt lovely all over.

The wipes are hypoallergenic, making them perfect for dogs with sensitive skin – though thankfully this isn’t an issue we face with Buddy. He was perfectly content to let us carry on with our cleaning routine on both his eyes and ears.

These ear and eye wipes measure 5×5 inches – which Earth Rated say are large enough to give both ears or eyes a thorough clean. That said, we opted to use separate ones for each ear and each eye.

We live just a few minutes from the beach, making it a popular walk, especially at dusk when the clouds can be amazing(Image: Ben Cooper)

Buddy was already spotless and fresh, but we still had two more products to test. Living just 5 minutes’ walk from the beach and with a muddy hill even nearer means our walks typically see him coming home wet or muddy or both, so it wasn’t long before we had the opportunity to try the No-Rinse Shampoo, priced £8.57, which “cleans, conditions, and detangles without a bath”.

Earth Rated describes it as a “revolutionary no-rinse dog shampoo”, but honestly, I was sceptical – just as I had been with the wipes. Surely getting the dog clean without rinsing him off would leave his coat matted or itchy?

But these concerns proved groundless for all the tested products. His coat was shiny and silky to the touch – and he looked as proud as punch at all the attention he was receiving.

Sadly, as many dog owners will appreciate, that freshly groomed scent doesn’t last long. A trip out on a rainy day or even just popping into the garden for a few minutes can mean a pongy trail following your pet through the house.

Buddy after his wipe-wash(Image: Ben Cooper)

And this was where the final product came in. The Deodorizing Refresh Mist is a conditioning spray that the company says “actually tackles odours, rather than covering them up”.

We tried it and what a revelation. It seems we had saved the best till last.

Earth Rated says the product: “Instantly Eliminate Dog Odours with One Quick Spray. Say goodbye to embarrassing dog smells with our powerful deodorizing spray. Whether it’s that wet dog smell, outdoor adventures, or just daily freshening, our triple-action mist delivers instant results.”

It’s priced £9.99 but worth every penny. Our house no longer reeks of “dog” all the time.

A few quick sprays and Buddy is as fresh as a daisy – and smelling just as sweet.

Before I tested these I would have said there was no real substitute for a bath and good shampoo but in all honesty these have transformed my opinion. We’ll still take Buddy regularly to the groomer but in between visits we know we can keep him – and our home – smelling fresh with a few quick wipes.

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Published On 20 Dec 202520 Dec 2025

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The United States Department of the Treasury has announced new sanctions on several family members and associates of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, as the Trump administration increases pressure on Caracas and continues to build up US forces on Venezuela’s borders.

The sanctions announced on Friday come as the US military continues attacks on boats off the country’s coast, which have killed more than 100 people. The US military has also seized a Venezuelan oil tanker and imposed a naval blockade on all vessels arriving and departing from Venezuelan ports that are under US sanctions.

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Announcing the new sanctions, US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent said in a statement that “Maduro and his criminal accomplices threaten our hemisphere’s peace and stability”.

“The Trump Administration will continue targeting the networks that prop up his illegitimate dictatorship,” Bessent added.

The new sanctions target seven people who are family members or associates of Malpica Flores, a nephew of Maduro, and Panamanian businessman Ramon Carretero, who were named in an earlier round of US sanctions that also targeted six Venezuela-flagged oil tankers and shipping firms, on December 11.

Flores, who is one of three of Maduro’s nephews by marriage, dubbed “narco-nephews” by the US Treasury Department, is wanted because he “has been repeatedly linked to corruption at Venezuela’s state-run oil company, Petroleos de Venezuela, SA”, the Treasury said in a statement.

It was not immediately clear how Flores’s role in Venezuela’s state-run oil company related to “propping up Nicolas Maduro’s rogue narco-state”, which Bessent said in his statement was the reason for widening sanctions to additional family members and associates of the president.

The US has claimed that tackling drug trafficking is the primary reason for its military escalation in the region since September, including the strikes on vessels in the eastern Pacific and Caribbean, which international law experts say amount to extrajudicial killings.

Despite the Trump administration’s repeated references to drug trafficking, its actions and messaging appear increasingly focused on Venezuela’s oil reserves, which are the largest in the world. The reserves have remained relatively untapped since sanctions were imposed on the country by the US during the first Trump administration.

Homeland Security adviser and top Trump aide Stephen Miller said last week that Venezuela’s oil belongs to Washington.

“American sweat, ingenuity and toil created the oil industry in Venezuela,” Miller claimed on X. “Its tyrannical expropriation was the largest recorded theft of American wealth and property,” he added.

US sanctions, particularly those targeting Venezuela’s oil industry, have contributed to an economic crisis in the country and increased discontent with Maduro, who has governed Venezuela since 2013.

For his part, Maduro has accused the Trump administration of “fabricating a new eternal war” aimed at “regime change” and seizing Venezuela’s vast oil reserves.

The European Union has also imposed targeted sanctions on Venezuela, which it renewed last week until 2027.

The European sanctions, first introduced in 2017, include an embargo on arms shipments to Venezuela, as well as travel bans and asset freezes on individuals linked to state repression.

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