United News of Bangladesh

The 15 people killed in Sunday’s deadly shooting at a Hanukkah gathering at Sydney’s Bondi Beach included a 10 year old child, an 87 year old Holocaust survivor, community volunteers, religious figures and bystanders who tried to stop the attackers, according to information released by families and community groups. Australian authorities have described the attack, carried out by two gunmen during a public celebration, as antisemitic terrorism inspired by the Islamic State group. Among the victims was Matilda, a 10 year old girl whose family asked that her surname not be published. Her teacher described her as gentle and compassionate, saying she was known for seeing kindness in others. Boris Gurman, 69, and his wife Sofia Gurman, 61, were also killed. Family members said the couple, married for nearly 35 years, were shot while trying to intervene and stop one of the attackers shortly after the violence began. Eli Schlanger, 41, the assistant rabbi at Chabad Lubavitch of Bondi, was another victim. He helped organise the Hanukkah event and was also known for his work as a prison and hospital chaplain in New South Wales. Schlanger was a father of five. Yaakov Levitan, 39, a rabbi and father of four, was described by the Chabad movement as a key figure in Sydney’s Jewish community, working largely behind the scenes in community service and administration. Marika Pogany, 82, was a longtime volunteer who delivered kosher meals to elderly and vulnerable people. Jewish community organisations said she had spent decades supporting those in need. Dan Elkayam, 27, a French national living in Sydney, was remembered by family and his football club as a talented soccer player and a kind person who was well liked by teammates and friends. Peter Meagher, a retired police officer, was working as a freelance photographer at the event. A rugby club where he volunteered described him as a respected figure who was killed while carrying out his work. Reuven Morrison, 62, was killed while attempting to stop one of the gunmen, according to his family. He had migrated to Australia decades earlier after facing antisemitism in the former Soviet Union. Alex Kleytman, 87, a Holocaust survivor who later settled in Australia, was also among the dead. His wife said he died while trying to protect her during the attack. Another victim, Tibor Weitzen, 78, a grandfather who migrated to Australia in the late 1980s, was remembered by family members as deeply devoted to his children and grandchildren. Authorities continue to investigate the attack as funerals and memorials for the victims begin across Sydney.

Australian police on Wednesday charged a suspected gunman in the deadly Bondi Beach shooting with 59 offences, including 15 counts of murder, as Sydney’s Jewish community began holding funerals for victims of what authorities described as a terror attack. Police said Naveed Akram, 24, was formally charged after regaining consciousness in a Sydney hospital, where he had been in a coma since police shot him during Sunday’s attack. His father and alleged accomplice, Sajid Akram, 50, was killed at the scene. The charges include one count of murder for each fatality, one count of committing a terrorist act, about 40 counts of causing grievous harm with intent to murder and one count related to placing an explosive device with intent to cause harm. Police said improvised explosive devices were found in the suspects’ car at the crime scene. Investigators said two attackers killed 15 people and wounded more than 20 others during an antisemitic assault targeting Jews celebrating Hanukkah at Bondi Beach. All identified victims were Jewish. The ages of those killed ranged from a 10-year-old girl to an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor. As the city mourned, authorities said the attack was believed to be inspired by the Islamic State group. Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett said the suspects had come to the attention of security agencies in 2019, and investigators were now reviewing what was previously known about them. Police are also examining overseas travel by the suspects, including a trip to the Philippines in November. Philippine authorities confirmed the visit but said there was no recent evidence of foreign militants operating in the country’s south. The first funeral held was for Eli Schlanger, 41, an assistant rabbi at Chabad-Lubavitch of Bondi and organiser of the Hanukkah event where the shooting occurred. Heavy police security surrounded funeral services as coronial processes delayed burials. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese vowed to take firm action against antisemitism and announced plans to further tighten Australia’s already strict gun laws after it emerged that the older suspect legally owned multiple firearms. Across Australia, people marked the tragedy with vigils, blood donations and silent gatherings at Bondi Beach, while parts of the crime scene remained sealed off as the investigation continued.  

Scenes of sorrow, tears and quiet resolve filled Sydney on Wednesday as funerals began for victims of an antisemitic mass shooting that targeted Jews celebrating Hanukkah at Bondi Beach. Hundreds of mourners gathered as Australia confronted the aftermath of one of its deadliest hate-driven attacks in modern history. Two gunmen killed 15 people during Sunday’s Hanukkah celebration, leaving more than 20 others injured. All of the victims identified so far were Jewish, ranging in age from a 10-year-old child to an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor. As investigations continue, questions are mounting about security failures, antisemitism and gun control. But for Sydney’s close-knit Jewish community, Wednesday was first a day of mourning. The first funeral honored Eli Schlanger, 41, a father of five and assistant rabbi at Chabad-Lubavitch of Bondi, who helped organize the “Chanukah by the Sea” event. Schlanger also served as a chaplain in prisons and hospitals across New South Wales. Speaking through tears, his father-in-law, Rabbi Yehoram Ulman, said his deepest regret was not expressing love and appreciation for Schlanger often enough. Outside the service, heavy police security underscored the gravity of the moment. Other victims included Boris and Sofia Gurman, a couple in their 60s who were shot while trying to stop one of the attackers, and Reuven Morrison, also in his 60s, who was killed while attempting to defend others. The youngest victim, 10-year-old Matilda, was remembered by her parents at a vigil, her mother pressing a hand to her chest and saying her daughter’s memory would remain forever. Authorities said the attack was carried out by a father and son inspired by the Islamic State group. The father was killed by police, while the son remains hospitalized and is expected to face charges once deemed fit. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pledged decisive action to combat antisemitism and further tighten Australia’s gun laws, after it emerged the older suspect legally owned multiple firearms. Across the country, Australians responded with gestures of solidarity — lining up to donate blood, holding moments of silence and gathering at Bondi Beach to mourn. Jewish leaders vowed the annual Hanukkah celebration would return, insisting the attack would not define or diminish their community. Source: AP 

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese married his partner Jodie Haydon on Saturday in a private ceremony at his official residence in Canberra, marking the first time an Australian leader has wed while serving in office. The couple exchanged vows before about 60 guests, including several cabinet members, during an afternoon ceremony at The Lodge. A civil celebrant officiated, and the event remained undisclosed to the media until it had concluded. In a joint statement, the pair said they were “absolutely delighted to share our love and commitment to spending our future lives together, in front of our family and closest friends.” They wrote their own vows, and their dog Toto carried the rings. Haydon’s five-year-old niece Ella served as the flower girl, the statement added. Albanese, 62, who is divorced and has an adult son, proposed to Haydon, 46, at The Lodge on Valentine’s Day last year. They initially considered a larger wedding before this year’s national election was scheduled for May, and Albanese had even mentioned the possibility of inviting former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whom he regards as a personal friend. However, Labor Party strategists warned that a high-profile celebration during a cost of living crisis could politically damage the government, prompting the couple to postpone the wedding until after the vote. Although Albanese had said the wedding would take place in 2025, he did not disclose the date in advance. Haydon, who works in finance, first met Albanese during a business event in Melbourne in 2020. The wedding took place two days after Parliament wrapped up for the year on Thursday.

The Australian government says it will push ahead with its landmark ban on social media accounts for children under 16, even as a rights group mounts a legal challenge in the country’s highest court. The Digital Freedom Project, a Sydney-based advocacy group, announced Wednesday that it has filed a constitutional challenge in the High Court against the law, which is set to take effect on December 10. The legislation bars Australian children under 16 from creating or maintaining accounts on certain social media platforms. Communications Minister Anika Wells, speaking in Parliament shortly after news of the lawsuit surfaced, insisted that the government would not delay the rollout.“We will not be intimidated by legal challenges. We will not be intimidated by Big Tech. On behalf of Australian parents, we stand firm,” Wells said. John Ruddick, president of the Digital Freedom Project and a state lawmaker for the Libertarian Party, argued the ban interferes with fundamental rights.“Parental supervision of online activity is today the paramount parental responsibility. We do not want to outsource that responsibility to government and unelected bureaucrats,” he said, calling the law “a direct assault on young people’s right to freedom of political communication.” The challenge is being brought on behalf of two 15-year-olds by Sydney law firm Pryor, Tzannes and Wallis. The group has not yet confirmed whether it will seek an injunction to pause the law before it takes effect. The legislation, considered a global first, requires platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Snapchat, TikTok, X and YouTube to take “reasonable steps” to block users under 16. Companies that fail to comply could face fines of up to AUD 50 million (USD 32 million). Last week, Meta began alerting thousands of Australian users suspected to be underage to download their data and delete their accounts ahead of the deadline. The move comes as other countries debate similar measures. Malaysia recently approved plans to ban social media accounts for children under 16 starting in 2026, citing concerns over cyberbullying, scams and exploitation. Australia’s rule is expected to become one of the strictest online safety policies in the world when it takes effect next month.

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has secured victory in the country’s disputed presidential election with more than 97% of the vote, according to official results released early Saturday, marking a rare landslide win in the East African region. The result is expected to heighten concerns among opposition groups, critics, and civil society, who have described the election as more of a coronation than a contest, after Hassan’s two main rivals were barred or prevented from participating. She faced 16 candidates representing smaller parties. The October 29 election was marred by violence, as demonstrators took to the streets in major cities to protest the vote and halt counting. The military was deployed to assist police in controlling the unrest. Intermittent internet shutdowns have further disrupted communications and mobility across the country. Protests spread nationwide, prompting the government to postpone the reopening of universities, initially scheduled for October 3. Tanzanian authorities have not disclosed official casualty figures. However, Seif Magango, a spokesperson for the UN human rights office, reported credible accounts of 10 deaths in Dar es Salaam, Shinyanga, and Morogoro. Opposition leaders have faced severe restrictions. Tundu Lissu, head of the Chadema party, has been jailed for months on treason charges after calling for electoral reforms necessary for free and fair polls. Luhaga Mpina of the ACT-Wazalendo party was barred from contesting. The ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party has maintained its decades-long hold on power despite the emergence of popular opposition figures calling for political change. A landslide victory of this magnitude is uncommon in the region, comparable only to Rwandan President Paul Kagame’s repeated overwhelming wins. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have documented patterns of enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests, and extrajudicial killings in Tanzania ahead of the election. A UN panel noted over 200 enforced disappearances since 2019, expressing alarm at the repression leading up to the polls. The International Crisis Group highlighted Hassan’s “unprecedented crackdown on political opponents,” citing restrictions on freedom of expression, including bans on social media platforms like X, limitations on the Tanzanian digital forum JamiiForums, and intimidation or arrests of critical voices. Despite Tanzania’s long history of single-party dominance since the introduction of multi-party politics in 1992, Hassan’s style has been described as authoritarian, contrasting with previous leaders who tolerated opposition while retaining firm control. The CCM, which has maintained ties with the Communist Party of China, has governed Tanzania since its independence from Britain in 1961. Hassan rose to the presidency as vice president following the sudden death of her predecessor John Pombe Magufuli early in his second term, ensuring a smooth transition. The orderly handover reinforced Tanzania’s reputation for political stability and relative peace, contributing to CCM’s continued popularity, particularly among rural voters.   Source: AP

Dozens of high school students in northeastern Australia were excused from sitting their ancient history exam after teachers discovered they had studied the wrong Roman ruler — Augustus Caesar instead of Julius Caesar. The confusion affected students at nine high schools in Queensland, where teachers realized only days before the statewide exam that they had been following the wrong curriculum. Queensland Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek said the situation had been “extremely traumatic” for the students and ordered an investigation into how the mix-up occurred. “I’m very unhappy about the situation,” Langbroek told reporters, assuring that the 140 senior students involved would not be disadvantaged. “They will be given credit for the work already completed and won’t have to sit for the exam.” The ancient history test, which counts for 25% of the students’ final marks, was canceled for those affected. Their grades will instead be based on their internal assessments, which account for the remaining 75%. Parents expressed frustration, saying the last-minute panic over the mistake had disrupted students’ preparation for other exams scheduled the same week. According to the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA), schools were notified two years ago that the exam topic would shift from Augustus to Julius Caesar beginning in 2025. The Augustus module had been used for the past four years. Langbroek said his department will review communication processes to ensure such an oversight does not happen again.   Source: AP

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced Monday that Australia will recognize a Palestinian state, joining France, Britain and Canada in expressing similar intentions. The move follows weeks of pressure from members of his Cabinet and other voices in Australia urging recognition, amid mounting criticism from within his government over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The Albanese administration has also denounced recent plans by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a large-scale new military offensive in the territory. Vance says US has 'no plans' to recognize Palestinian state ahead of talks with UK Foreign Secretary Speaking to reporters after a Cabinet meeting, Albanese said the formal recognition will be made at the United Nations General Assembly in September. He noted that the decision is based on commitments from the Palestinian Authority, including the exclusion of Hamas from any future government, the demilitarization of Gaza, and the holding of elections. “A two-state solution is humanity’s best hope to break the cycle of violence in the Middle East and to end the conflict, suffering and starvation in Gaza,” Albanese said. Source: Agency 

A female has died after being shot by police in Melbourne, the capital city of southeast Australia's state of Victoria, on Saturday evening. The Victorian Police said in a statement on Friday evening that officers were called to Cecil Street in south Melbourne following reports of a male with a machete at around 5 p.m. local time.  Record floodwaters in eastern Australia 4 dead, 1 missing The police located the male and whilst he was being arrested, a vehicle was driven at a police officer. The officer shot at the offending vehicle, striking a female driver and her male passenger. The 34-year-old female has died at the scene, while the 26-year-old male has been taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The male senior constable has been taken to the hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.  Record floodwaters in eastern Australia, 1 dead and 3 missing The matter will be investigated with oversight from the Professional Standards Command, as is standard procedure for a fatal police shooting, said the statement.  

Record floodwaters on Australia’s east coast have left four people dead and one missing, officials said Friday as rain eased over the disaster area. 50,000 people have been isolated by flooding along the coast of New South Wales state north of Sydney after days of heavy rain. The low-pressure weather system that brought the deluge had moved further south to Sydney and its surrounds Friday.  Record floodwaters in eastern Australia, 1 dead and 3 missing Four bodies have been retrieved from floodwaters in New South Wales since Wednesday. Three of the victims had driven into floodwaters, while a man’s body had been found on the veranda of his flooded home. The latest victim was a man in his 70s whose body was found in a car in floodwater Friday near Coffs Harbour, a police statement said. The car had run off the road. A 49-year-old man remains missing after walking near a flooded road at Nymboida on Wednesday night. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and New South Wales Premier Christopher Minns on Friday were inspecting devastated communities, some of which had been inundated by the highest floodwaters on record. Minns praised emergency services and volunteers for rescuing 678 people from floodwaters in recent days, including 177 in the past 24 hours. “It’s an amazing, heroic logistical effort where, in very difficult circumstances, many volunteers put themselves in harm’s way to rescue a complete stranger. And over the coming days and weeks, we will hear scores of stories of locals being plucked out of impossible, desperate situations,” Minns told reporters in Maitland in the flood area. “Without the volunteers, we would have had hundreds of deaths and we’re in deep, deep gratitude to those people who volunteered their time,” Minns added. Despite the easing rain, State Emergency Service Commissioner Mike Wassing said crews were still looking out for floodwaters potentially rising due to water continuing to flow into catchments. “We still do have active flood rescues still coming into the system and we’re dealing with those on a case-by-case" basis, Wassing said. “We have seen that tempo drop off, and that’s a good thing.” Bellingen Shire Council Mayor Steve Allan said landslides and damaged roads and bridges were complicating the process of reaching isolated communities in his rural local government region southwest of Coffs Harbour. “We’ve woken up to blue skies which is a great thing,” Allan said. Australians start voting in general elections as pope's death overshadows campaigning “Our rivers are slowly receding and I think we’re probably transitioning from the response phase into the recovery phase this morning,” he added.