Sydney holds moment of silence on New Year's for Bondi Beach victims

A celebratory moment turned more somber as Australia welcomed 2026.

Ahead of Sydney's festivities to ring in the New Year, attendees held a moment of silence to remember the victims of the Bondi Beach shooting, in which two gunmen fatally shot 15 people and wounded 40 others at the Sydney Jewish festival at the popular beach on Dec. 14.

At 11 p.m. local time on Dec. 31, the Sydney crowd was watching a fireworks display over the Harbor Bridge when a menorah was projected onto the structure's pylons along with the words "peace" and "unity." In response, those in attendance held up their phone flashlights in solidarity.

An hour later, the city rang in the New Year with a spectacular fireworks display. The show, titled "Calling Country," was dedicated to the country's Indigenous history.

Thousands of armed police officers were present at the event to ensure its safety following the attack.

Watch the moment of silence at the top of this story.

In this aerial view, members of the Bondi community paddle and swim into the ocean and form a circle to pay respect during a Paddle Out to honour victims, survivors and first responders of the December 14th Bondi Shootings on December 19, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. At least 16 people, including one suspected gunman, were killed and more than 40 others injured when two attackers opened fire near a Hanukkah celebration at the world-famous Bondi Beach, in what authorities have declared a terrorist incident. The government is moving to tighten gun laws across the country.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Maddy and Rani embrace as hundreds participate in a paddle-out and swim during sunrise at Bondi Beach to honor the victims of the Bondi Beach mass shooting from December 14, on December 19, 2025 in Sydney, Australia.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Hundreds participate in a paddle-out and swim during sunrise at Bondi Beach to honor the victims of the Bondi Beach mass shooting from December 14, on December 19, 2025 in Sydney, Australia.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> In this aerial view, members of the Bondi community paddle and swim into the ocean and form a circle to pay respect during a Paddle Out to honour victims, survivors and first responders of the December 14th Bondi Shootings on December 19, 2025 in Sydney, Australia.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> In this aerial view, members of the Bondi community paddle and swim into the ocean to pay respect during a Paddle Out to honour victims, survivors and first responders of the December 14th Bondi Shootings on December 19, 2025 in Sydney, Australia.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Hundreds participate in a paddle-out and swim during sunrise at Bondi Beach to honor the victims of the Bondi Beach mass shooting from December 14, on December 19, 2025 in Sydney, Australia.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> People watch as hundreds participate in a paddle-out and swim during sunrise at Bondi Beach to honor the victims of the Bondi Beach mass shooting from December 14, on December 19, 2025 in Sydney, Australia.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> A father and son from the Cussen family participate in a paddle-out and swim during sunrise at Bondi Beach to honor the victims of the Bondi Beach mass shooting from December 14, on December 19, 2025 in Sydney, Australia.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Mish, right, embraces her friend, Ingrid, as hundreds participate in a paddle-out and swim during sunrise at Bondi Beach to honor the victims of the Bondi Beach mass shooting from December 14, on December 19, 2025 in Sydney, Australia.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

See the massive heart surfers formed to honor the Bondi Beach victims

In this aerial view, members ofthe Bondi communitypaddle and swim into the ocean and form a circle to pay respect during a Paddle Out to honour victims, survivors and first responders of the December 14th Bondi Shootings on December 19, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. At least 16 people, including one suspected gunman, were killed and more than 40 others injured when two attackers opened fire near a Hanukkah celebration at the world-famous Bondi Beach, in what authorities have declared a terrorist incident. The government is moving to tighten gun laws across the country.

Details on the Bondi Beach attack

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese promised the country would crack down on hate speech following the attack. The youngest of the 15 victims was a 10-year-old girl named Matilda, who was laid to rest earlier this month. The eldest victim was 87-year-old Holocaust survivor Alex Kleytman.

Speaking at the service honoring the girl's life, Rabbi Yehoram Ulman said: "The tragic, so totally cruel, unfathomable murder of young Matilda is something to all of us as if our own daughter was taken from us. Matilda grew up like a child would, loving what children love. She loved the outdoors, animals. She went to school, she had friends, everybody loved her."

The two men suspected of carrying out the attack are 50-year-old Sajid Akram, who was killed exchanging gunfire with police, and his 24-year-old son, Naveed Akram. Authorities have said the attack appears to have been inspired by the Islamic State.

Michelle Del Rey is a trending news reporter at USA TODAY. Reach her at mdelrey@usatoday.com

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Sydney goes silent on New Year's for Bondi Beach victims

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

December 31, 2025

Sydney holds moment of silence on New Year's for Bondi Beach victims

A celebratory moment turned more somber as Australia welcomed 2026. Ahead of Sydney's festivities to ring in...

Read More

Law enforcement ramps up New Year's security measures across the country

Washington— As cities and towns across the U.S. prepare for New Year's Eve and New Year's Day celebrations, local, state and national law enforcement agencies are on the lookout for potential threats — concerns that are heightened in the wake of the recentBondi Beach terror attackin Australia and the deadly attack on last year's celebrations onBourbon Street in New Orleans.

Lone actors and small groups with a range of ideological motives pose the most significant threat to New Year's Eve celebrations, according to a joint bulletin from the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security reviewed by CBS News.

The assessment, which is done routinely ahead of large public gatherings, notes there is no specific, credible threat this holiday. But the bulletin describes the persistent risk of small groups of people "seeking to commit acts of violence motivated by a broad range of racial, ethnic, political, religious, anti-government, anti-immigration, societal or ideological beliefs and grievances."

In New York City, the NYPD has been working on security for the Times Square area since last year's festivities, said NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch. There are "no known specific credible threats" to the celebration, Tisch said Wednesday, but the public should expect to see "thousands" of NYPD officers in the area.

Intelligence teams will also be monitoring social media for threats, Tisch said. Times Square is expecting more than a million visitors from around the world, she noted, making it "one of the largest and the most complex safety operations anywhere in the world."

In Las Vegas, Andrew Walsh, undersheriff for the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department told reporters at a news conference this week that the National Guard will be present in Vegas, as they have been in years past.

Recent memory serves as a sobering reminder of how critical it is for law enforcement to be vigilant.

Earlier this month, the FBI announced it hadfoiledan alleged New Year's Eve bombing plot in Southern California. The four people who face charges in the alleged plot are members of a group known as the Turtle Island Liberation Front. Attorney General Pam Bondi described the organization as a "far-left, pro-Palestine, anti-government, and anti-capitalist group."

Hundreds of National Guard troops have deployed toNew Orleansone year after the devastating New Year's Day attack there, at the request of Louisiana's Republican Gov. Jeff Landry. On Jan. 1, 2025, investigators say Shamsud-Din Jabba rammed a pickup truck into the crowd onBourbon Streetin New Orleans, killing 14 people and leaving many more injured in an act of terror. The FBI said the attacker, a U.S. Army veteran, was radicalized by ISIS.

Police report details charges against Patriots' Stefon Diggs, who denies the allegations

DHS conducting "massive investigation" after viral video alleges fraud at Minnesota day care centers

New Orleans boosts New Year's security 1 year after deadly truck attack

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

December 31, 2025

Law enforcement ramps up New Year's security measures across the country

Washington— As cities and towns across the U.S. prepare for New Year's Eve and New Year's Day celebrations, local...

Read More

Palestinians watch as Israeli bulldozers claw down their West Bank homes

NUR SHAMS REFUGEE CAMP, West Bank (AP) — Palestinians in theIsraeli-occupied West Bankwatched as Israeli military bulldozers pulled down their homes Wednesday as part of a nearly year-long incursion into the territory's northern refugee camps.

The scene in Nur Shams has been repeated often across the northern West Bank in the roughly 11 months since Israeli troops launched operation "Iron Wall" there in early 2025. During that time, the military has demolished or heavily damaged at least 850 structures across the refugee camps of Nur Shams, Jenin and Tulkarem, according to an analysis of satellite imagery by Human Rights Watch.

Troops have also forced out the camps' populations, leading to thelargest displacementin the West Bank since Israel captured the territory in 1967. Tens of thousands of residents areliving with relatives,cramming into rental apartments or living in public buildings.

Israel says the operation aims to root out armed groups and says the demolitions are needed to destroy militant infrastructure or to clear routes for troops.

Israel has said its troops will stay in some camps for a year, and its unclear when, if ever, Palestinians will be able to return.

Rights groups and Palestinians say the raids are destroying homes. AP video showed bulldozers tearing down several houses out of a total of 25 the military said it planned to demolish.

"Our home is dear to us, the memories are dear to us, the family, the neighbors, and the good people are dear to us," said Motaz Mohor, whose home was set to be destroyed as he watched the bulldozers. "The first time our grandparents were displaced, and this is the second time."

His grandparents had moved to Nur Shams after their original displacement from the cities of Jaffa and Haifa during the 1948 war surrounding Israel's creation, when some 700,000 Palestinians were expelled from their homes by forces of the nascent state or fled as troops advanced, an event Palestinians call the Nakba, or "catastrophe."

Mohor said he was sheltering with roughly 25 of his relatives in a 100-square-meter (1,070-square-foot) apartment after being displaced from the camp.

The military said troops had allowed residents to get their belongings from homes beforehand. It said it had only taken down structures where there existed a "a clear and necessary operational need" and after examining alternate courses of action.

The military said the camp was still an area of militant activity even almost a year after the start of the operation and that troops had located explosives in the camp within the last month.

Ahmed al Sayyes, 60, said his home was also slated for demolition. He was surprised to wake up and see the bulldozers beginning work.

"It's very difficult and painful," he said. He said the house where he is sheltering is for sale and he'll have to leave it. "It's a tragedy after tragedy. Very difficult. Only God knows where we will end up."

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

December 31, 2025

Palestinians watch as Israeli bulldozers claw down their West Bank homes

NUR SHAMS REFUGEE CAMP, West Bank (AP) — Palestinians in theIsraeli-occupied West Bankwatched as Israeli military bulldoz...

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Pope asks that Rome welcome foreigners as he closes out 2025

ROME (AP) —Pope Leo XIVclosed out 2025 on Wednesday with a prayer that the city of Rome might be a welcoming place for foreigners and fragile people, young and old.

Leo presided over aNew Year's Evevespers service in St. Peter's Basilica, giving thanks for the2025 Holy Yearthat brought millions of pilgrims to Rome in the once-every-quarter-century celebration of Christianity.

Leo will officially close out the Jubilee on Jan. 6. But in his homily, he thanked the city of Rome and the volunteers who helpedkeep crowds movingas they visited St. Peter's and passed through its Holy Door.

He recalled that Pope Francis, who inaugurated the Holy Year on Dec. 24, 2024, had asked that Rome be a more welcoming place. "I would like it to be so again, and I would say even more so after this time of grace," Leo said.

"What can we wish for Rome? That it may be worthy of its little ones. Of children, of lonely and fragile elderly people, of families who struggle to get by, of men and women who have come from afar hoping for a dignified life," he said.

In the pews was Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri and other dignitaries.

In addition to the Jubilee, 2025 was momentous because of the papal transition afterFrancis died in Apriland cardinals elected history's first pope from the United States.

The Vatican this week released statistics showing 3.2 million people had participated in Vatican liturgies, audiences, Angelus prayers and Jubilee audiences this year. The numbers were small in the first quarter, given Francis' long hospitalization and illness, and then greatly shot up afterLeo's May election.

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP'scollaborationwith The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

December 31, 2025

Pope asks that Rome welcome foreigners as he closes out 2025

ROME (AP) —Pope Leo XIVclosed out 2025 on Wednesday with a prayer that the city of Rome might be a welcoming place for fo...

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Sydney holds moment of silence on New Year's for Bondi Beach victims

A celebratory moment turned more somber as Australia welcomed 2026.

Ahead of Sydney's festivities to ring in the New Year, attendees held a moment of silence to remember the victims of the Bondi Beach shooting, in which two gunmen fatally shot 15 people and wounded 40 others at the Sydney Jewish festival at the popular beach on Dec. 14.

At 11 p.m. local time on Dec. 31, the Sydney crowd was watching a fireworks display over the Harbor Bridge when a menorah was projected onto the structure's pylons along with the words "peace" and "unity." In response, those in attendance held up their phone flashlights in solidarity.

An hour later, the city rang in the New Year with a spectacular fireworks display. The show, titled "Calling Country," was dedicated to the country's Indigenous history.

Thousands of armed police officers were present at the event to ensure its safety following the attack.

Watch the moment of silence at the top of this story.

In this aerial view, members of the Bondi community paddle and swim into the ocean and form a circle to pay respect during a Paddle Out to honour victims, survivors and first responders of the December 14th Bondi Shootings on December 19, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. At least 16 people, including one suspected gunman, were killed and more than 40 others injured when two attackers opened fire near a Hanukkah celebration at the world-famous Bondi Beach, in what authorities have declared a terrorist incident. The government is moving to tighten gun laws across the country.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Maddy and Rani embrace as hundreds participate in a paddle-out and swim during sunrise at Bondi Beach to honor the victims of the Bondi Beach mass shooting from December 14, on December 19, 2025 in Sydney, Australia.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Hundreds participate in a paddle-out and swim during sunrise at Bondi Beach to honor the victims of the Bondi Beach mass shooting from December 14, on December 19, 2025 in Sydney, Australia.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> In this aerial view, members of the Bondi community paddle and swim into the ocean and form a circle to pay respect during a Paddle Out to honour victims, survivors and first responders of the December 14th Bondi Shootings on December 19, 2025 in Sydney, Australia.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> In this aerial view, members of the Bondi community paddle and swim into the ocean to pay respect during a Paddle Out to honour victims, survivors and first responders of the December 14th Bondi Shootings on December 19, 2025 in Sydney, Australia.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Hundreds participate in a paddle-out and swim during sunrise at Bondi Beach to honor the victims of the Bondi Beach mass shooting from December 14, on December 19, 2025 in Sydney, Australia.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> People watch as hundreds participate in a paddle-out and swim during sunrise at Bondi Beach to honor the victims of the Bondi Beach mass shooting from December 14, on December 19, 2025 in Sydney, Australia.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> A father and son from the Cussen family participate in a paddle-out and swim during sunrise at Bondi Beach to honor the victims of the Bondi Beach mass shooting from December 14, on December 19, 2025 in Sydney, Australia.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Mish, right, embraces her friend, Ingrid, as hundreds participate in a paddle-out and swim during sunrise at Bondi Beach to honor the victims of the Bondi Beach mass shooting from December 14, on December 19, 2025 in Sydney, Australia.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

See the massive heart surfers formed to honor the Bondi Beach victims

In this aerial view, members ofthe Bondi communitypaddle and swim into the ocean and form a circle to pay respect during a Paddle Out to honour victims, survivors and first responders of the December 14th Bondi Shootings on December 19, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. At least 16 people, including one suspected gunman, were killed and more than 40 others injured when two attackers opened fire near a Hanukkah celebration at the world-famous Bondi Beach, in what authorities have declared a terrorist incident. The government is moving to tighten gun laws across the country.

Details on the Bondi Beach attack

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese promised the country would crack down on hate speech following the attack. The youngest of the 15 victims was a 10-year-old girl named Matilda, who was laid to rest earlier this month. The eldest victim was 87-year-old Holocaust survivor Alex Kleytman.

Speaking at the service honoring the girl's life, Rabbi Yehoram Ulman said: "The tragic, so totally cruel, unfathomable murder of young Matilda is something to all of us as if our own daughter was taken from us. Matilda grew up like a child would, loving what children love. She loved the outdoors, animals. She went to school, she had friends, everybody loved her."

The two men suspected of carrying out the attack are 50-year-old Sajid Akram, who was killed exchanging gunfire with police, and his 24-year-old son, Naveed Akram. Authorities have said the attack appears to have been inspired by the Islamic State.

Michelle Del Rey is a trending news reporter at USA TODAY. Reach her at mdelrey@usatoday.com

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Sydney goes silent on New Year's for Bondi Beach victims

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

December 31, 2025

Sydney holds moment of silence on New Year's for Bondi Beach victims

A celebratory moment turned more somber as Australia welcomed 2026. Ahead of Sydney's festivities to ring in...

Read More