WORLD NEWS
Ukraine-Russia war latest: Kremlin dismisses new peace plan after Trump’s envoy calls talks constructive
Zelensky reports ‘constructive engagement’ in Florida on peace talks
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Vladimir Putin’s top foreign policy official has rejected the latest amendments to a Donald Trump-backed peace plan – despite admitting that he hasn’t actually read them.
Yuri Ushakov, who played a key role in drafting the original version of the plan that was widely dismissed as being too pro-Russia, also played down the prospect of a three-way summit between the US, Moscow and Kyiv
“I am sure that the proposals that the Europeans and Ukrainians have made or are trying to make definitely do not improve the document and do not improve the possibility of achieving long-term peace,” Yuri Ushakov said.
The senior Kremlin official said he had not seen the exact proposals and that his criticism was “not a forecast”.
His remarks came after Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff said he held “productive and constructive” talks in Florida over the weekend with Ukrainian and European negotiators.
“Our shared priority is to stop the killing, ensure guaranteed security, and create conditions for Ukraine’s recovery, stability, and long-term prosperity.
Peace must be not only a cessation of hostilities, but also a dignified foundation for a stable future,” Trump’s envoy said.
French presidency welcomes Kremlin’s willingness to hold talks
The French presidency has welcomed Russia’s willingness to hold talks with Emmanuel Macron.
Russian president Vladimir Putin’s willingness to speak with Macron is “welcome”, the Elysee Palace said, adding that Paris will decide on the details “in the coming days”, reported French broadcaster BFMTV.
The remarks came shortly after Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov on Saturday said Putin is ready to engage in dialogue with Macron.
On Friday, Macron had said it would “become useful again” for him and the Europeans to speak with Putin.
“I think that we, Europeans and Ukrainians, have an interest in finding a framework to re-engage in these discussions properly. Otherwise, we end up talking among ourselves, with negotiators who go off on their own to talk with the Russians, which is not optimal,” Macron said.
French president Emmanuel Macron welcomes Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky as he arrives for a meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris (Reuters)
Arpan Rai22 December 2025 05:22
Watch: Zelensky reports ‘constructive engagement’ in Florida on peace talks
Zelensky reports ‘constructive engagement’ in Florida on peace talks
Arpan Rai22 December 2025 05:10
Orban says Ukraine’s collapse would be a disaster for Hungary
Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban has said Ukraine’s collapse would be a disaster for his country, as he made a rare statement in support of Kyiv.
Orban was speaking during his “Country tour” rally yesterday, at a time when he faces staunch opposition ahead of the country’s upcoming elections.
“Make no mistake: Ukraine’s collapse would be a disaster for Hungary. So the collapse of Ukraine is not only in Hungary’s interest, but we must do a great deal to prevent it from happening,” he said.
“Countryside people – and real estate speculators – understand perfectly that the value of your piece of land is influenced not only by the condition of that land, but also by the condition of the neighbouring piece of land, and also by who lives there,” Orban said, addressing the city of Szeged.
Arpan Rai22 December 2025 04:55
What are the main sticking points in negotiations?
The talks between Ukraine and the US have centred on Kyiv’s insistence that it needs security guarantees to end the war.
Ukraine also says it will not and legally cannot give up territory seized by Russia.
Moscow has shown no signs of backing down from its demands, however.
Russia opposes Europe putting boots on the ground to uphold peace in Ukraine when the war ends. That makes it tricky for Europe to offer tangible security guarantees.
Ukraine’s allies in Europe continue to push for security guarantees (AFP/Getty)
Russia has gone into talks this week publicly refusing to budge on claims to the Donbas, Crimea and land in the south.
The two sides are stuck in gridlock with Trump pressuring Kyiv to give up land for a peace deal, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Ukraine’s leverage comes from Europe, which continues to offer funding and work on ‘security guarantees’.
James Reynolds22 December 2025 04:30
Ukrainian forces battle Russian breakthrough in Sumy
The Ukrainian army said it was battling an attempted Russian breakthrough in the Sumy region after Moscow claimed to have forcibly removed 50 people from a border village.
“Fighting is currently ongoing in the village of Grabovske,” Ukraine’s joint taskforce said and said their troops were “making efforts to drive the occupiers back into Russian territory”.
Russian forces have crossed the border with Ukraine in the northeastern Sumy region and taken about 50 residents of a Ukrainian border village into Russia, Ukrainian media quoted the military as saying yesterday.
Most of the local residents captured from the village were elderly people, the media said.
Ukraine’s public broadcaster Suspilne and the Ukrainska Pravda news outlet said Russian forces entered Ukrainian territory on Saturday night in the area of the village of Hrabovske.
Arpan Rai22 December 2025 04:10
Kremlin dismissed new peace plan proposals – without actually seeing them
Vladimir Putin’s top foreign policy official has accused Europe and Ukraine of prolonging the conflict with their proposals.
“I am sure that the proposals that the Europeans and Ukrainians have made or are trying to make definitely do not improve the document and do not improve the possibility of achieving long-term peace,” Yuri Ushakov said.
The senior Kremlin official said he had not seen the exact proposals and that his criticism was “not a forecast”.
He also denied that trilateral talks involving Ukraine, Russia and the US were under discussion, after Zelensky said Washington had proposed the idea of three-way discussions.
“At present, no one has seriously discussed this initiative, and to my knowledge it is not being prepared,” he said.
Russian president Vladimir Putin and his foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov attend talks in Moscow (Sputnik)
Arpan Rai22 December 2025 03:19
Ukrainian drone attack damages two vessels in Russia’s Krasnodar
At least two vessels and two piers were damaged as a result of a Ukrainian drone attack in Russia’s Krasnodar region, authorities in the southern Russia region said today.
All crew on the ships at the Volna terminal in the region have been safely evacuated, the Krasnodar region’s operational headquarters said on the Telegram messaging app. The damage led to a fire spreading across up to 1,500 square metres (1,794 square yards), the authorities added.
Arpan Rai22 December 2025 02:56
‘I was a British PoW tortured by Russia; this is how Ukraine and the West can win this war’
Aiden Aslin, a British volunteer who joined Ukraine’s marines, was captured and tortured by Putin’s forces in 2022 and is now back fighting the Kremlin. He tells his story to the ‘World of Trouble’ podcast with world affairs editor Sam Kiley in eastern Ukraine:
James Reynolds22 December 2025 02:00
In pictures: Aftermath of Russian strikes on Odesa
A firefighter works at the site of a Russian missile and drone strike in Odesa (via REUTERS)
A truck burns at the site of a Russian missile and drone strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Odesa region (via REUTERS)
James Reynolds21 December 2025 23:55
Sanctioned Russian freighter boarded in Swedish waters overnight
Swedish authorities boarded a sanctioned Russian freighter that anchored in Swedish waters with engine problems overnight, the country’s customs service said on Sunday.
Sweden carried out an inspection of the cargo aboard the Adler, which is subject to both EU and US sanctions. Authorities declined to say what they found on board the ship.
The owners are also on the EU’s sanctions list, a spokesperson for the customs authority said.
James Reynolds21 December 2025 23:10
Angela Rayner has ‘done a deal’ to be Andy Burnham’s running mate if he launches a leadership bid against the Prime Minister, sources have claimed.
Labour MPs backing Mr Burnham, the mayor of Manchester, say Ms Rayner has agreed to support his bid in return for her old job as Deputy Prime Minister, plus an unspecified senior Cabinet position.
Mr Burnham has been searching for a safe Labour seat in the North to allow him to enter the Commons and challenge Sir Keir Starmer.
Last week, The Mail on Sunday reported his Commons allies as saying they have found a seat which is ‘likely to come free’ in the coming months – and which polling suggests that the so-called King Of The North should win.
The seat was not identified, but sources say Mr Burnham has been talking to MPs in safe seats in Liverpool who might be prepared to stand aside, and been keeping a close eye on the Manchester seat held by Andrew Gwynne, who has been suspended from the Labour Party for sending racist and sexist messages. Mr Gwynne has said he does not plan to stand down.
This newspaper has been told Mr Burnham held discussions with Liverpool Walton MP Dan Carden over his seat, which he holds with a 20,245 majority. But sources said yesterday that the talks ‘just didn’t go anywhere’.
Ms Rayner’s backing would be a boost for Mr Burnham as the former Deputy PM – who has not ruled out her own leadership bid – enjoys strong support from Labour members who would vote in the contest.
A Labour MP backing Mr Burnham said: ‘My understanding is that the deal has been done. Angie would go back to being deputy and get a plum Cabinet job.’
Labour MPs backing Mr Burnham (right), the Mayor of Manchester, say Ms Rayner (left) has agreed to support his bid in return for her old job as Deputy Prime Minister
It would be seen as a blow to the leadership hopes of Health Secretary Wes Streeting (pictured) after reports that his allies had made their own ‘joint ticket’ approach to Ms Rayner
Join the debate
Should politicians trade cabinet positions for support in leadership bids, or does it betray voters’ trust?
It would also be seen as a major blow to the leadership hopes of Health Secretary Wes Streeting after reports that his allies had made their own ‘joint ticket’ approach to Ms Rayner.
Some senior Labour figures worry about the ‘optics’ of the move, given that both Mr Burnham and Ms Rayner come from the North West. But that would be resolved if Ms Rayner, who is under threat from Reform in her Ashton-under-Lyne seat, decided to mount a ‘chicken run’ to a safe Labour seat in the South East, close to her new £800,000 flat in Hove.
Ms Rayner’s allies previously said she was resisting an offer by Sir Keir to bring her back as Education Secretary. Last week, Chancellor Rachel Reeves gave Mr Burnham a thinly-veiled warning, saying: ‘He said when he stood for mayor that he would serve a full term and I think that is the right thing to do.’
A spokesman for Mr Burnham dismissed reports of a deal with Ms Rayner or approaches to sitting Labour MPs as ‘rubbish’.
A source close to Ms Rayner said: ‘There is no vacancy and there is no pact.’
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Angela Rayner ‘would get deputy PM job back in deal to be Andy Burnham’s running mate’
Traffic has been stopped on part of the M61 northbound causing major delays with a lane on the southbound carriageway also shut
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United States President Donald Trump’s second administration has introduced a bold and unconventional strategy for the Middle East. The administration intends to recalibrate US influence in a region historically scarred by conflict, prioritising regional stability through economic strength and military consolidation by asserting a stronger, business-minded US presence.
At the centre of Trump’s ambitious goal is what the new US envoy to Iraq, Mark Savaya, described as his goal to “make Iraq great again”. This approach moves away from traditional endless war tactics towards a transactional, results-oriented diplomacy that aims to restore Iraqi sovereignty and economic vitality. It could be the “great gamble” for Trump, who seeks an Iraq that serves as a stable, sovereign regional hub rather than a battleground for foreign interests.
Trump’s primary plans and wishes for Iraq involve a twofold mission: consolidating all armed forces under the command of the legitimate state and drastically reducing the influence of malign foreign players, most notably Iran. The administration seeks to open Iraqi markets to international investment, upgrade the country’s infrastructure, and secure the independence of its energy sector. Hence, the plan is to ground a genuine partnership that respects Iraq’s unity while ensuring that it is no longer a central node for militia activity or external interference.
Militias and political gridlock
This assertive US strategy lands directly in a highly contested and fractured political environment in Iraq, which is less a single state than a patchwork of competing powers. The heart of the problem lies not just in parliament, but also in the persistent shadow influence of armed factions and militias that often operate outside the formal chain of state command. Those groups were among the biggest winners in the November 2025 elections.
Now the ongoing government negotiations have thrown a stark light on these non-state actors.
Their power raises crucial concerns for the future: How can Iraq enforce the law and, crucially, attract the foreign investment needed for revival if armed groups challenge state authority? The consolidation of the country’s armed forces under complete state control is an urgent necessity, underscored by rising regional tensions and security threats.
Moreover, the path to achieving genuine stability is severely obstructed by entrenched political interests.
For Iraq to achieve stability, it must urgently strengthen its institutional frameworks and clearly establish a separation of powers. Yet, many political parties seem more focused on maintaining control over lucrative state resources than on implementing the meaningful reforms the country desperately needs. The result is a governance model struggling to stand firm amid the crosscurrents of competing loyalties and power grabs.
Washington’s play
To achieve these high-stakes goals, Trump has bypassed traditional diplomatic channels by appointing Mark Savaya as the US special envoy to Iraq on October 19. Such an appointment signals a shift towards “deal-making” diplomacy. Savaya’s mission is to navigate the complex political turmoil following Iraq’s parliamentary elections to steer the country towards a stable transition. His job is to bridge the gap between institutional support and massive financial investment, acting as a direct representative of Trump’s business-centric foreign policy.
Savaya is an Iraqi-born, Detroit-based businessman lacking the traditional diplomatic background; his experience is rooted in the private sector in the cannabis industry, but he gained political prominence as an active supporter of Trump’s campaign in Michigan.
He played a key role in the delicate negotiations that secured the release of Elizabeth Tsurkov, the Israeli-Russian academic and Princeton University student who had been kidnapped by an Iraqi militia for more than two years.
Savaya’s communal and ethnic ties have given him significant access to Iraqi power centres that traditional diplomats often lack.
The Iran factor
Iraq’s position in a geopolitical tug-of-war is compounding the internal struggles, forced to balance its critical relationships with two giants: the US and Iran. On the one hand, Washington’s objective is clear: it wants to bolster Iraq’s sovereignty while simultaneously pushing back against the dominance of powerful, often Iran-backed, militias. The US believes that allowing these armed groups too much sway could leave the nation isolated and wreck its fragile economic stability.
But Iranian influence remains a formidable and enduring force. Tehran views Iraq not just as a neighbour but also as a crucial strategic ally for projecting its power across the entire region. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has been actively working to maintain unity among key Shia factions in Baghdad. This move clearly signals Iran’s deep and enduring interest in shaping Iraq’s political alignment and its future path. Iraq must therefore navigate this high-stakes balancing act to survive.
Savaya’s mission unfolds at a time when Iran’s regional “axis of resistance” is under unprecedented pressure. Having already lost their primary foothold in Syria after the fall of the Assad regime in late 2024, and seeing Hezbollah’s political and military standing in Lebanon severely decimated by the 2025 conflict with Israel, Iranian proxies now face the very real prospect of losing their grip on Iraq too.
In Lebanon, a new government is committed to regaining the state’s monopoly on the use of force, leaving Hezbollah increasingly isolated. This regional retreat means that for Tehran, maintaining influence in Baghdad is a final, desperate stand to remain a relevant regional power.
Other regional actors
The success of Trump’s gamble also depends on the roles of other regional players. Turkiye has recently recalibrated its strategy to integrate Iraq into ad hoc regional trade and security frameworks, effectively diluting Iran’s centrality. Simultaneously, Gulf monarchies such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are emerging as key economic and security partners for Baghdad, offering an alternative to reliance on Iran.
However, these regional actors also bring their own agendas — such as Turkiye’s focus on containing Kurdish movements — which may conflict with US objectives. If Savaya can successfully align these diverse regional interests with Trump’s plan, he may fundamentally rewrite Iraq’s turbulent future.
A realist pragmatism
The “Make Iraq Great Again” strategy reflects a pragmatic reassertion of US interests within the anarchic international system, prioritising Washington’s security and economic power over idealistic goals.
By appointing Savaya — an unconventional, business-oriented envoy — the Trump administration is employing “transactional realism”, utilising economic diplomacy and personal ties as strategic tools to pull Iraq away from Iran’s orbit. This approach views the US-Iran rivalry as a zero-sum game of power politics, where integrating Iraq’s armed forces under centralised state control is fundamental to restoring a state-centric order and sidelining non-state militias that currently feed Tehran’s regional influence.
The new US envoy to Iraq has made clear that “there is no place for armed groups in a fully sovereign Iraq”. His calls resonated with Iraqi officials and militia leaders alike – now at least three militias close to Iran have publicly agreed to disarm. However, other groups have yet to do the same, while rejecting the call from the outset.
However, this high-stakes attempt to shift the regional balance of power faces a significant “security dilemma”, as aggressive moves to diminish Iranian influence may trigger a violent defensive response from Tehran to protect its remaining strategic assets. While the strategy seeks to exploit a regional shift – leveraging the weakened state of Iranian proxies in Syria and Lebanon – it must contend with the “hybrid” power of Iraqi militias and the narrow self-interests of neighbouring players like Turkiye and the Gulf states.
The success of this gamble depends on whether the US can dismantle the shadow economies that facilitate foreign interference and establish a stable, autonomous Iraqi state capable of navigating the intense geopolitical tug-of-war between Washington and Tehran.
The stakes for Iraq’s future
Ultimately, the appointment of Savaya serves as the definitive stress test for Iraqi sovereignty, marking a high-stakes transition towards a transactional “America First” strategy aimed at “Making Iraq Great Again”. By attempting to consolidate military command under the state and dismantle the shadow economies fuelling Iranian influence, Savaya’s mission seeks to exploit the current regional weakening of Tehran’s proxies to transform Iraq into a stable, autonomous hub.
However, the success of this “Great Gamble” hinges on Savaya’s ability to overcome entrenched political opposition and reconcile the presence of US forces with the demand for national unity. If this unconventional diplomatic push can bridge internal divides — particularly between Baghdad and the semi-autonomous Kurdish region in the north — Iraq may finally secure a path towards economic independence; otherwise, the nation risks remaining a perpetual battleground caught in the geopolitical crossfire between Washington and Tehran.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial stance.
A Russian general was killed on Monday morning after an explosive device detonated underneath his car in southern Moscow, investigators said.
Lt Gen Fanil Sarvarov, the head of the operational training directorate of the Russian armed forces’ general Staff, died from his injuries, said Svetlana Petrenko, official spokesperson for Russia’s Investigative Committee.
“Investigators are pursuing numerous lines of enquiry regarding the murder. One of these is that the crime was orchestrated by Ukrainian intelligence services,” Petrenko said.
Russian news outlets reported that a car exploded in a parking lot on Moscow’s Yaseneva Street with the driver inside at approximately 7am.
Ukraine’s security service claimed responsibility for a similar attack against a high-ranking Russian soldier in December 2024.
Lt Gen Igor Kirillov, the chief of the military’s nuclear, biological and chemical protection forces, was killed by a bomb hidden on an electric scooter outside his apartment building a day after Kyiv levelled criminal charges against him. His assistant, Ilya Polikarpov, was also killed.
More details soon …
South East Asia’s top diplomats met on Monday in Malaysia in a bid to end deadly border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia that have killed at least 41 people and displaced close to one million others.
They were seeking to revive a ceasefire that was brokered in July by Malaysia as chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and US President Donald Trump in July.
This was the first meeting between officials of Thailand and Cambodia since fighting resumed on 8 December. Both countries have blamed each other for the fresh hostilities.
The conflict dates back more than a century, when the borders of the two nations were drawn after the French occupation of Cambodia.
Speaking after the meeting, Thailand’s Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said a meeting between military officials from both Thailand and Cambodia would take place on 24 December, and that this would need to happen before any ceasefire agreement could be reached.
The most recent fighting has seen the exchange of artillery fire along the 800km (500-mile) border. Thailand has also launched air strikes targetting Cambodian positions.
The conflict has been the worst between Asean member states since the association was founded in 1967. The failure to contain it represents a serious blow to the bloc’s credibility.
In his opening remarks on Monday, Malaysia’s foreign minister had asked both sides and other Asean members to give the matter “our most urgent attention”.
“We must consider the wider ramifications of the continued escalation of the situation for the people we serve,” Mohamad Hasan told his counterparts, according to news agency AFP.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who presided over the signing of the July ceasefire alongside Trump, had earlier said he was “cautiously optimistic” about Monday’s meeting in Kuala Lumpur.
“Our duty is to present the facts, but more importantly, to press upon them that it is imperative for them to secure peace,” he said last week.
Cambodia has said that the talks aim to restore “peace, stability and good neighbourly relations”, adding that it would reaffirm its position that the disputes should be resolved through peaceful means.
Thailand, while calling the meeting an important opportunity, reiterated its conditions for negotiations, including a declaration of ceasefire from Cambodia first and a “genuine and sustained” ceasefire.
The US and China have also been attempting to mediate a new ceasefire.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who had a phone call with his Thai counterpart on Thursday, said that he hoped a new ceasefire could be reached by Monday or Tuesday.
China’s special envoy for Asian affairs, Deng Xijun, visited Phnom Penh last week. A statement from Beijing said he reaffirmed that China would continue to play a constructive role in facilitating dialogue between Cambodia and Thailand.
On Monday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at the daily press briefing that China had been mediating the confict in its own way since fighting restarted this month. He added that Beijing would release information on the mediation conducted by Deng “in due course”.
Additional reporting by BBC’s South East Asia Correspondent Jonathan Head
A Russian general was killed in a car bombing in southern Moscow on Monday, Russia’s federal investigators said.
Lt. Gen. Fanil Sarvarov, head of the Russian General Staff’s army operational training directorate, was killed, the committee said.
“Investigators are pursuing numerous lines of inquiry regarding the murder. One of these is that the crime was orchestrated by Ukrainian intelligence services,” Svetlana Petrenko, spokesperson for Russia’s Investigative Committee, said.
This is a developing story, please refresh the page for updates.
WORLD NEWS
Bondi Beach massacre dad unmasked at last in final photograph before the deadly attack – as fresh new details are revealed about his trips to India with terror suspect son Naveed
The first clear photo of Bondi Beach terrorist Sajid Akram has emerged as new details about his trips to India are revealed.
Sajid Akram, 50, was shot dead by police after he opened fire on a Jewish Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach on Sunday night, killing 15 people and injuring 40 more.
His alleged co-conspirator, son Naveed, 24, was critically injured during the shootout but has since been charged with 59 offences – including 15 counts of murder – after waking from a coma on Wednesday.
Indian Police say Sajid was from Hyderabad, a tech and pharma city, in the country’s south, where he completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree.
He migrated to Australia on a student visa in 1998 before transitioning to a partner visa three years later following his marriage to Naveed’s mother, Venera.
According to local authorities, Sajid returned to his homeland six times since moving overseas, for family-related reasons and property matters.
However, Indian Police say he did not travel to the country for his father’s death in 2017.
His last known visit was a two-week trip in 2022.
The first clear photo of Bondi Beach terrorist Sajid Akram (pictured) has emerged as new details about his trips to Indiaare revealed
The suspected gunmen seen with three firearms on the day of the Bondi Beach shooting
A screenshot from CCTV shows the Akrams carrying ‘bulky items’ hours before the attacks, police allege
A screenshot from a video found on Naveed Akram’s phone shows his father conducting firearms training, police allege
The suspected Bondi beach terror attacker is alleged to have conducted firearms training at a location thought to be in New South Wales
Police allege a homemade bomb was found in the boot of the Akrams’ vehicle
Sajid’s relatives in India have told authorities they have had limited contact with him over the past 27 years and were unaware of his extreme beliefs.
Two Islamic State flags were allegedly found inside the car the father and son used to travel to Bondi.
Police also allegedly found an ISIS-propaganda style video inside the Campsie apartment the pair had rented out in the lead up to the shooting.
‘The family members have expressed no knowledge of his [Sajid’s] radical mindset or activities, nor of the circumstances that led to his radicalisation,’ Indian Police said.
‘The factors that led to the radicalisation of Sajid Akram appear to have no connection with India or any local influence in Telangana.’
Sajid’s immediate family still live in Hyderabad, where his elder brother is a doctor, according to local media.
Indian authorities are in contact with Australian officials investigating the incident.
Australian authorities are also investigating a trip the father and son took to the Philippines before the alleged terror attack.
The suspected gunmen were allegedly armed with pipe bombs
A homemade Islamic State flag was also found in the car, police allege
CCTV shows Naveed Akram hours before he allegedly carried out the Bondi Beach shooting
CCTV shows Sajid Akram on the same day as the Bondi Beach shooting
Photos have also emerged of the father and son’s passports
Sajid is pictured at Bondi on Sunday before he was shot dead by police
Police will allege Sajid carried out the attack with his 24-year-old son Naveed (pictured)
Philippines immigration officials have confirmed the pair travelled to the south-east Asian country on November 1.
Their last known destination was listed as Davao, a popular tourist city on the southern island of Mindanao, which has long been associated with IS activity.
Australian authorities have been probing whether the father and son attended a military training program before they returned home to Sydney via Manila on November 28.
However, Philippine authorities deny the region is an IS training hotspot and say there is no evidence the pair engaged in military exercises during their trip.
The massacre has led to urgent calls for gun reform after it was revealed Sajid was a registered firearms owner, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pledging to push for tighter restrictions.
Police will allege that four guns were found at the scene and two more – also legally owned – were recovered during property searches.
Naveed’s charges include 15 counts of murder, 40 counts of wounding with intent, one count of committing a terrorist act, and one count of discharging a firearm in public.
He is also facing one count of causing a public display of a prohibited terrorist symbol, and one count of placing an explosive in or near a building with intent to cause harm.
Naveed Akram was also allegedly caught on camera as he passed through Philippines immigration
Police are pictured at a Campsie rental property where the pair were allegedly staying in the lead up to the shooting
The father and son’s alleged deceased victims include Peter Meagher, 61, Alex Kleytman, 87, Rabbi Yaakov Levitan, 39, Reuven Morrison, 62, Matilda, 10, Tibor Weitzen, 78, Marika Pogany, 82, Rabbi Eli Schlanger, 41, Dan Elkavam, 27, Edith Brutman, 68, and Boris Tetleroyd.
Dozens of others were allegedly hospitalised with various injuries after the attack, including two police officers who were among the first responders to the scene.
Naveed’s matter was heard in court on Wednesday afternoon.
He did not apply for bail and will next face court on April 8 next year.
Saskia Manning-Bewley shared her tip, which has been hailed as a “game changer”, in a video filmed at her home in Bristol ahead of the Christmas period this week
Saskia Manning-Bewley has her Christmas presents ready under the tree(Image: Jam Press/Saskia Manning-Bewley)
A young woman has shared her “genius” Christmas wrapping hack — and the chore can be done sitting on the sofa.
Saskia Manning-Bewley, 23, said she found hunching over on the floor tiresome and challenging as her dog would tear the wrapping paper. So, the young woman, from Bristol, now uses the ironing board as a makeshift table to get the job done — and her social media following is amazed.
Saskia said: “I randomly saw it somewhere and just tried it out one night when my partner was out, as I have a puppy who loves to tear up paper and I wanted to watch films so the floor wasn’t an option. I normally spread it on the floor and lose things. The ironing board saved my back and it was easy to know where things were.”
She explained her method in a video she posted on social media, which has clocking up more than 558,000 views, and more than 23,000 likes.
READ MORE: Favourite Christmas dinner item causes cancer and increases heart attack risk
OPINION
Saskia, an auditor, shared a sneak peek of her method(Image: Jam Press/Saskia Manning-Bewley)
The woman uses an ironing board as a table(Image: Jam Press/Saskia Manning-Bewley)
One person said: “I am glad I’ve seen this hack before I started wrapping! Game changer!” Another wrote: “I might buy an ironing board just for this.” A third added: “Omg what a game changer.”
The praise kept coming, with one viewer declaring: “Omg you’re a literal genius.” Another said: “I haven’t started wrapping yet omg thank you so much.”
But others were less pleased, having discovered the hack after already finishing their wrapping. One person joked: “I’ve just spent all day sat on my wooden floor wrapping and TikTok shows me this NOW!!!!”
READ MORE: ‘I work in Lapland at -32 degrees and my office is a real-life snow globe’
Saskia, from Bristol, has left viewers stunned(Image: Jam Press/Saskia Manning-Bewley)
Saskia wrapped her gifts while she watched TV(Image: Jam Press/Saskia Manning-Bewley)
Another wrote: “Why am I only just seeing this as I’m lying on the floor after wrapping my presents for 5 HOURS.” Some viewers said the trick was nothing new to them.
One commented: “I’ve been doing this a while, it’s really handy.” Another added: “My mum has done this for years, so funny seeing this on here.”
Saskia, who works as an auditor, added: “It blew up out of nowhere and blew my mind. But I loved it. “Tell people to get the ironing board out and save their back.”
Another woman, called Claire, posted on social media this week with another clever trick. The savvy shopper revealed her method for wrapping presents, and viewers loved the clever idea. As demonstrated in a viral video, Claire made a makeshift gift-wrapping station using her ironing board, a broom, and two clothing hangers. Her tip, too, has been praised on social media.
A man suspected of killing 15 people during a shooting in Bondi Beach “conducted firearms training” with his father before the attack on a Jewish event, Australian police have said.
Naveed Akram, 24, and his father, Sajid Akram, allegedly attacked people at a Hanukkah event at Bondi Beach on 14 December, killing victims aged 10 to 87 and injuring 40 others.
Fifty-year-old Sajid Akram was killed by police at the scene, while his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram was injured and is in police custody in hospital. He has since been charged with 59 offences, including a terror charge.
New South Wales Police have released pictures of Naveed Akram and his father holding guns, as they “conducted firearms training in a countryside location, suspected to be NSW” in late October, according to a police fact sheet seen by Sky News.
Sajid Akram during the “firearm training”. Pic: NSW Police/NSW Local Court
“The accused and his father are seen throughout the video firing shotguns and moving in a tactical manner,” police said.
On the day of the Bondi Beach attack, the pair allegedly threw homemade bombs and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) at the crowd of people at the gathering near the beach, but these did not detonate.
An analysis indicates that both were “viable” IEDs, according to the police file.
More on Bondi Beach Shooting
The suspected gunmen were allegedly armed with pipe bombs. Pic: NSW Police/NSW Local Court
Police said they found an IED in the suspects’ car. Pic: NSW Police/NSW Local Court
The information on the fact sheet was released after a suppression order was lifted by an NSW court.
Police allege the men had stored the explosives – three pipe bombs, one tennis ball bomb and one large IED – in a silver Hyundai vehicle, alongside two single-barrel shotguns, a Beretta rifle and two Islamic State flags.
The Hyundai was parked near the scene of the shooting, with the Islamic State flags allegedly displayed in the front and rear windows.
A homemade Islamic State flag was also found in the car, police said. Pic: NSW Police/NSW Local Court
A phone belonging to Naveed Akram was also found in the car, on which officers identified several videos, including the alleged “firearm training” video.
Another video shows Naveed Akram and his father sitting in front of an image of an Islamic State flag, with four long-arm guns with rounds attached seen in the background, police said.
The men “appear to summarise their justification for the Bondi terrorist attack” in the footage, according to the fact sheet.
Police said the men walked on the footbridge from where they allegedly shot at crowds two days later. Pic: NSW Local Court
Their Hyundai was also seen on CCTV entering the car park at Bondi Beach before Naveed Akram and his father walked around the area at around 10pm on 12 December – two days before the shooting.
Police allege that this is evidence of reconnaissance and planning of a terrorist act.
Police said Naveed Akram’s mother told officers that she believed her husband and son were on a fishing trip when they allegedly launched the attack. She said Naveed had been calling her every day from a public phone around 10.30am.
The men were found to have rented a room in a property in Bondi Beach throughout December.
Terror on camera: The Bondi attack
In the room, police said they discovered a firearm scope, ammunition, a suspected IED, 3D-printed parts for a shotgun speed loader, a rifle, a shotgun, numerous firearms parts, bomb-making equipment and two copies of the Koran.
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Published On 22 Dec 2025
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