Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has praised Ahmed al-Ahmed for his extraordinary bravery during the deadly Bondi Beach shooting, describing him as a reflection of &ldquo;the best of Australia.&rdquo;&nbsp;On Tuesday, the Australian prime minister visited Ahmed in the hospital, where he is recovering from multiple gunshot wounds sustained while confronting an armed attacker during a public Hanukkah gathering on Sunday evening. The incident is being described as one of the most serious gun attacks Australia has seen in decades.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 945px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2000740227783205030&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=3291b09401bb5b76346b35cdc2db932fa8a3321d&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" data-tweet-id="2000740227783205030"></iframe></div></div>Posting a photo of the visit on social media platform X, Albanese called Ahmed an Australian hero, commending him for running towards danger to protect innocent lives. He said Ahmed&rsquo;s actions demonstrated courage, selflessness and unity in the face of terror. The attack began around 6:45 pm when two gunmen opened fire from a footbridge overlooking the crowd. Despite being shot, Ahmed reportedly charged at one of the attackers, wrestled away his rifle and prevented further bloodshed. Authorities believe his intervention saved many lives, according to AFP.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 753px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2000752120509948229&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=3291b09401bb5b76346b35cdc2db932fa8a3321d&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" data-tweet-id="2000752120509948229"></iframe></div></div>Speaking after the hospital visit, Albanese said Ahmed&rsquo;s response sent a powerful message against division. &ldquo;We are a brave country,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Ahmed al-Ahmed represents the very best of who we are. We will not be divided by hate or terror.&rdquo; Originally from Syria, Ahmed arrived in Australia in 2006 and became an Australian citizen in 2022. His lawyer has said efforts are now underway to seek residency for Ahmed&rsquo;s elderly parents in recognition of his heroic actions, according to Australian media. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has also publicly acknowledged Ahmed&rsquo;s bravery, while public support has surged nationwide. A GoFundMe campaign launched to assist with his medical recovery has raised more than $570,000 from thousands of donors, including a major contribution from US businessman Bill Ackman. Ahmed al-Ahmed&rsquo;s actions have been widely hailed as a powerful example of courage, unity and humanity during one of Australia&rsquo;s darkest moments.

Australasia

Albanese says Ahmed’s actions sent a powerful message of unity, stressing that Australia would not allow terror to divide the nation.

Australian PM praises Bondi hero Ahmed al-Ahmed as ‘best of our country’

ROME: Hundreds of metres of dinosaur tracks with toes and claws have been found in the Italian Alps in a region that will host the 2026 Winter Olympics, authorities said Tuesday.&nbsp;&quot;This set of dinosaur footprints is one of the largest collections in all of Europe, in the whole world,&quot; Attilio Fontana, head of the Lombardy region in northern Italy, told a press conference.&nbsp;The tracks, which are over 200 million years old, were discovered in the Stelvio National Park, in an area between the towns of Bormio and Livigno, which host part of the games.&nbsp;Nature photographer Elio Della Ferrera first spotted the imprints in September in an almost vertical rocky slope.&nbsp;Some measured up to 40 centimetres (16 inches) in diameter.&nbsp;The collection &quot;extends for hundreds of metres and also represents a series of animal behaviours, because in addition to seeing animals walking together, there are also places where these animals meet&quot;, Fontana said.&nbsp;Della Ferrera called in palaeontologist Cristiano Dal Sasso from Milan&#39;s Natural History Museum, who assembled a team of Italian experts to study the site.&nbsp;&quot;It&#39;s an immense scientific heritage,&quot; Dal Sasso said in the region&#39;s press release.&nbsp;&quot;The parallel walks are clear evidence of herds moving in synchrony, and there are also traces of more complex behaviours, such as groups of animals gathered in a circle, perhaps for defence.&quot; Sharp claws The tracks, currently covered by snow and off the beaten track, are preserved in Upper Triassic dolomitic rocks, dating back approximately 210 million years.&nbsp;Most of the footprints are elongated and made by bipeds. The best-preserved ones bear traces of at least four toes.&nbsp;That suggests they belong to prosauropods, herbivorous dinosaurs with long necks and small heads, which are considered the ancestors of the large sauropods of the Jurassic period like the Brontosaurus, the experts said.&nbsp;Prosauropods had sharp claws, and adults could reach up to 10 metres in length.&nbsp;There may also be tracks of predatory dinosaurs and archosaurs, the ancestors of crocodiles, the press release said.&nbsp;The prints are on an almost-vertical slope due to the formation of the Alpine chain.&nbsp;But when the dinosaurs walked through the area, it was formed of tidal flats that stretched for hundreds of kilometres, and the environment was tropical.&nbsp;&quot;The tracks were made when the sediments were still soft and saturated with water, on the broad tidal flats surrounding the Tethys Ocean,&quot; ichnologist Fabio Massimo Petti said, referring to a prehistoric ocean.&nbsp;&quot;The plasticity of those very fine calcareous muds, now transformed into rock, has in areas preserved truly remarkable anatomical details, such as impressions of the toes and even the claws,&quot; he said.&nbsp;The footprints were then covered by sediments which protected them, but with the uplift of the Alps and the erosion of the mountainside, they have been brought back into view.&nbsp;&quot;As the layers containing the tracks are diverse and overlapping, we have a unique opportunity to study the evolution of animals and their environment over time,&quot; geologist Fabrizio Berra said.&nbsp;&quot;Like reading the pages of a stone book.&quot;

Wildlife

Hundreds of metres of 210-million-year-old dinosaur footprints were discovered in Italy’s Alpine Stelvio National Park, revealing herd behaviour and sharp-clawed prosauropods in an area set to host the 2026 Winter Olympics, officials said Tuesday authorities.

'Immense' collection of dinosaur footprints found in Italy

BEIRUT: An Israeli strike on southern Lebanon killed one person on Tuesday, the Lebanese health ministry said, with a security source reporting a second deadly strike near Beirut and Israel saying it had targeted Hezbollah operatives.&nbsp;Despite a November 2024 ceasefire that was supposed to end more than a year of hostilities between Israel and Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, Israel has kept up strikes on Lebanon and has also maintained troops in five southern areas it deems strategic.&nbsp;A Lebanese security source told AFP that a strike on a truck near the town of Siblin, around 30 kilometers (20 miles) south of Beirut, killed one person and wounded four others.&nbsp;An AFP photographer saw a damaged goods truck with rescuers and army personnel deployed at the scene.&nbsp;Earlier on Tuesday, the Lebanese health ministry reported that an &quot;Israeli enemy strike&quot; on a vehicle in Odaisseh near the border with Israel killed one person.&nbsp;In separate statements, the Israeli army said it targeted two Hezbollah members, without giving additional details.&nbsp;On Sunday, Israeli strikes killed three people in separate parts of Lebanon according to the health ministry, with Israel saying it killed Hezbollah members.&nbsp;Around 340 people have been killed by Israeli attacks on Lebanon since the ceasefire agreement went into force, according to an AFP tally of health ministry reports.&nbsp;Israel usually says the strikes target Hezbollah members and infrastructure, and aim to stop the group from rearming.&nbsp;Tuesday&#39;s attacks come as the ceasefire monitoring committee, which includes France and the United States, is set to meet later this week.

Middle East

An Israeli strike on southern Lebanon killed one person, with a security source reporting a second strike near Beirut. Israel said it targeted Hezbollah operatives, continuing attacks despite a 2024 ceasefire that aimed to end hostilities.

Lebanon says Israel launches deadly strike on south

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is pursuing an agreement with Russia on oil and gas exploration and refinery modernization as bilateral trade between the countries more than doubled last year, Pakistan&#39;s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said on Tuesday. In an interview with Russian state-owned channel, RIA Novosti, at the Momentum conference in Riyadh, Aurangzeb said that &quot;All these areas are the strengths of Russia. And we would be very happy if they agreed on an agreement in this industry with Pakistan.&quot; The State Bank of Pakistan data shows trade volume between the two countries rose to $1.81 billion in the fiscal year ending June 2024. It was largely driven by imports of discounted Russian crude oil. Russian Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev said in November 2024 that Russia is discussing the possibility of Russian companies participating in a project to modernize a refinery in Pakistan, according to Pakistan&rsquo;s Ministry of Energy. He stated that the two countries would continue cooperation in hydrocarbon exploration and development. Pakistan&#39;s Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervez Malik has held meetings with heads of Gazprom and ROSGEO to boost cooperation during his visit to Russia for the 14th St Petersburg International Gas Forum in October 2025. Both sides agreed to improve partnership between Pakistan&#39;s state-owned Oil and Gas Development Company Limited and Gazprom. Similarly, the 10th session of the Russian-Pakistani Intergovernmental Commission focused on expanding trade, easing customs barriers and advancing new joint projects. Russian Consul-General Andrey V Federov said in July that Russia seeks to double the volume of bilateral trade with Pakistan. In the interview, Aurangzeb identified energy, oil and gas, minerals and mining as the main areas of trade potential. He noted Pakistan&#39;s interest in a steel plant project, saying the country&#39;s previous large steel facility was created with Russian support. He stated that Pakistan aims to attract foreign investment by ensuring macroeconomic stability. The country&#39;s foreign exchange reserves now &ldquo;cover imports for two and a half months&rdquo; and are &ldquo;approaching a three-month&rdquo; indicator. Aurangzeb also said Pakistan is an active member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and has expressed interest in joining BRICS. He mentioned that Pakistan was studying alternative payment systems as relations with BRICS develop.

Economy

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb says Pakistan pursues Russia energy agreements, refinery modernization and exploration, as bilateral trade surges, driven by discounted oil imports and cooperation.

Pakistan in talks with Russia on oil sector agreement: finance minister

BAGHDAD: Iraq&#39;s transport ministry said Tuesday that a flight operated by Greece&#39;s Aegean Airlines had been the first European aircraft in 35 years to land at Baghdad&#39;s international airport.&nbsp;In a statement, the ministry said the arrival signaled &quot;Iraq&#39;s return to the European aviation map&quot; and ushered in &quot;a new phase of recovery for Iraq&#39;s aviation sector&quot;.&nbsp;European airlines have not operated direct flights to Baghdad International Airport for security reasons since the early 1990s, when Iraq&#39;s long-time ruler Saddam Hussein invaded neighbouring Kuwait.&nbsp;Hussein was toppled by the US-led invasion in 2003, which was followed by a civil war, sectarian violence.&nbsp;But, after decades of turmoil, Iraq has recently begun to regain a sense of stability, and the government is striving to attract foreign investment to bolster the country&#39;s economy.&nbsp;The Baghdad&ndash;Athens&ndash;Baghdad route will operate two flights a week with the possibility of adding more depending on demand, the ministry said.&nbsp;Earlier this year, the Greek carrier started flights to Erbil, the capital of the northern autonomous Kurdistan region, which presents itself as a relative oasis of stability in volatile Iraq.

Asia

Aegean Airlines became the first European carrier in 35 years to land in Baghdad, signaling Iraq’s aviation recovery, security, and investment push, with twice-weekly Baghdad–Athens flights, following decades of conflict and earlier service to Erbil.

First EU airline flight in 35 years lands in Baghdad

ISLAMABAD: Global forced displacement is projected to reach a record 139.3 million people by the end of 2025 across 136 countries, despite a brief mid-year decline, as severe funding cuts threaten humanitarian response and aid agencies warn donor fatigue has become the biggest crisis facing refugees worldwide. UNHCR forecasts that 139.3 million people will be forcibly displaced by year-end, up from 123.2 million at the end of 2024. Mid-year figures showed 117.3 million displaced, a temporary dip of 5.9 million that masked the worsening crisis. Sudan became the world&#39;s largest displacement crisis with 14.3 million refugees and internally displaced people, replacing Syria at 13.5 million, followed by Afghanistan with 10.3 million and Ukraine with 8.8 million. The modest decline masks a deepening humanitarian catastrophe. Up to 11.6 million refugees risk losing UNHCR assistance in 2025, representing one-third of those reached last year. UNHCR&#39;s funding requirements for 2025 are $10.6 billion, yet only 23% have been met by mid-year. UNHCR projects ending 2025 with $3.9 billion available, a decrease of $1.3 billion compared to 2024. High Commissioner Filippo Grandi noted the last time UNHCR had less than $4 billion was in 2015, when forcibly displaced people numbered half today&#39;s total. The consequences The funding crisis has forced brutal choices.&nbsp;The UNHCR reduced its global staffing by 30%, eliminated 3,500 permanent positions, terminated hundreds of temporary roles, and downsized or closed offices worldwide. In South Sudan, 75% of safe spaces for women and girls supported by UNHCR closed, leaving 80,000 refugee women and girls without access to medical care or psychosocial support. In Afghanistan, protection services primarily for women and girls were cut by more than half, while in Lebanon, over 83,000 refugees lost shelter assistance, according to UNHCR. In Uganda, malnutrition rates are soaring in reception centers with limited clean water and food. Education for 230,000 Rohingya refugee children in Bangladesh risks suspension, while UNHCR&#39;s entire health programme in Lebanon may shut down by year-end. Nine of the top 20 humanitarian donors announced Official Development Assistance (ODA) cuts by mid-2025, including three of the four largest donors. Germany&#39;s draft 2025 budget proposed a 53% reduction in humanitarian assistance, while the UK government plans to cut foreign assistance from 0.5% to 0.3% of Gross National Income (GNI) by 2027. UN aid coordination took in $15 billion in 2025 funding, the lowest level in a decade, reaching 25 million fewer people than in 2024. The climate crisis The decrease in displacement figures stems largely from Syrian returns. Nearly one million internally displaced Syrians returned between January and June 2025, reducing Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) by 13% to 6.5 million, while at least 526,100 Syrians returned from abroad. However, many returns happened under adverse conditions. A UNHCR report released on Nov. 10 revealed a troubling &quot;climate trap&quot;: 75% of displaced people are living in countries with high-to-extreme climate exposure. In early 2025, about 1.2 million refugees tried to return home, but half returned to climate-vulnerable drought and flood zones, risking secondary displacement. The report warns that by 2050, the world&#39;s 15 hottest refugee camps, mainly in the Sahel, will experience 200 days of dangerous heat per year, effectively making them uninhabitable. It remains unclear how sustainable current returns will be as active conflict has abated, but insecurity persists, and basic services remain inadequate. Low and middle-income countries host 73% of the world&#39;s refugees, with 67% staying in neighboring countries and 60% never leaving their own country. Looking ahead to 2026, donors pledged $1.161 billion to UNHCR, slightly above last year&#39;s all-time high and covering almost 18% of projected needs. Yet the percentage of unrestricted funding dropped to 17%, nearly half of what it was in 2023, limiting UNHCR&#39;s capacity to allocate resources where needs are greatest. UN aid chief Tom Fletcher said disease outbreaks spiked, millions went without essential food and healthcare, and programmes protecting women and girls were slashed as hundreds of aid organizations shut. Grandi warned that whether the decline in displacement continues or reverses depends largely on achieving peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, and Ukraine, preventing deterioration in South Sudan, improving return conditions in Afghanistan and Syria, and securing adequate funding to address displacement crises globally.

Photo from the Global Appeal 2025 report (UNHCR)

Europe

Americas

UNHCR warns global forced displacement will reach a record 139.3 million by the end of 2025, as conflicts, climate risks, and severe funding cuts deepen humanitarian crises, leaving millions of refugees without protection, aid, and basic services worldwide.

Forced displacement to reach 139M by end-2025, warns UNHCR

ISLAMABAD: Women around the world face a heightened risk of violence, exploitation, and discrimination at every stage of migration, from recruitment and transit to work abroad and return to their home countries, according to a report by UN Women on Monday. Crossing borders in search of safety or opportunity can expose women to unsafe recruitment practices, human trafficking, forced labor, and gender-based violence, particularly for those traveling without legal documentation or reliable information.&nbsp; &quot;Violence is omnipresent at all stages of migration &ndash; from journeys and border crossings to life in destination countries, and eventual return,&quot; the UN report states.&nbsp; &quot;Migrant women often suffer violence multiple times by different perpetrators,&quot; the report notes.&nbsp; Trafficking in persons remains one of the most severe human rights violations affecting migrant women and girls. &quot;More than 60 per cent of trafficking victims detected worldwide are women or girls,&quot; many of them exploited in poorly regulated sectors such as &quot;domestic and care work,&quot; UN Women said. Dependence on employers for wages, housing or residency status can further silence women and limit access to justice. Migrant domestic workers are especially vulnerable. Most work inside &quot;private homes often means limited visibility and protection...Many migrant workers are excluded from national labour laws, denied rest days or fair wages, and are deeply dependent on their employers for income, housing, and residency status.&quot; Sponsorship systems that tie visas to employers often prevent women from leaving abusive situations or reporting violations, according to the report. Even after reaching their destination, they face &quot;discrimination based on gender, race, nationality, and migration status&quot; which &quot;shapes every aspect of life.&quot;&nbsp; Fear of detention or deportation discourages many from seeking help, while women in immigration detention face elevated risks of abuse and limited access to health care and complaint mechanisms. &quot;Many women report sexual abuse, poor or no access to sexual and reproductive health care, and a lack of privacy in sanitation and shower areas.&quot; Survivors of exploitation or trafficking may encounter &quot;stigma and exclusion,&quot; making reintegration and recovery more difficult without tailored support. Central role of women Against this backdrop, UN Women stated on Wednesday, ahead of International Migrants Day, observed on Dec. 18, that women play a central role in migration and that their rights must be protected. In its statement, UN Women described migration as &ldquo;a powerful story of resilience, connection and shared progress,&rdquo; noting that this year&rsquo;s theme, &ldquo;My Great Story: Cultures and Development,&rdquo; highlights how human mobility enriches societies and supports sustainable development when grounded in dignity and rights. &ldquo;At the heart of this story are women,&rdquo; the statement said, adding that women&rsquo;s earnings sustain families, their care work supports communities and their leadership helps societies adapt and flourish. UN Women said it is working with governments, civil society and migrant-led organizations worldwide to uphold the rights and dignity of migrant women and girls and ensure their voices shape policies. The organization cited an example from Ethiopia, where a young woman who survived exploitation as a domestic worker abroad rebuilt her life after returning home with support from a UN Women partner, accessing shelter, health care, legal aid and vocational training. &ldquo;Her journey toward justice and recovery shows what&rsquo;s possible when services are survivor-centred and gender-responsive,&rdquo; UN Women said.

Displaced Sudanese women carry their belongings as the walk toward a camp near the town of Tawila in North Darfur on February 11, 2025 (AFP)

Central Asia

Women around the world face a heightened risk of violence, exploitation, and discrimination at every stage of migration, from recruitment and transit to work abroad and return to their home countries.

Women face risks at every stage of migration: UN Women report

ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani digital rights advocate has received an international award for her work engaging youth in peacebuilding initiatives. Sonal Dhanani,&nbsp;the founder of Parindey Wellbeing &amp; Development Foundation, received the Individual Award for engaging youth in peacebuilding dialogues at a ceremony in Geneva, Switzerland. She received the award from the Geneva Centre for Human Rights and Dialogue, a Switzerland-based organization that promotes human rights education and dialogue initiatives globally. <figure class="fr-media"><img src="https://paktv-assets-7d41fab8.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/d900dac2-f3e2-4a5c-aa19-f50e0f6aa5fa-1f75c1b9-a4a2-48a9-b39a-122d18a4ed8a.jpg" alt="1f75c1b9-a4a2-48a9-b39a-122d18a4ed8a.jpg" class="fr-fil fr-dib"><figcaption class="caption-cover-image text-sm text-gray-600 italic" style="line-height: 2;">(Handout)</figcaption></figure>&quot;This award represents the incredible work of thousands of young Pakistanis who are using digital platforms to participate in civic life, share their communities&#39; stories, and contribute to national conversations,&quot; Dhanani&nbsp;said. Parindey works on digital rights and civic participation in Pakistan. It has reached more than 15,000 people through programs focused on digital literacy, civic engagement, and community storytelling. The foundation&#39;s programs include Shehri Guftugu (Civic Dialogue Platform) and the Jaari Women Peacebuilders Fellowship, which has trained 40 women from 16 cities who have led 35 community initiatives. Another initiative, the Guftugu Mental Health Fellowship, engaged more than 300 students across five campuses. <figure class="fr-media"><img src="https://paktv-assets-7d41fab8.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/5fb69c8d-21ca-4f64-a4fa-4287459e5e3c-2f7e1ddb-5b1d-4ed7-877d-d92f35dd1857.jpg" alt="2f7e1ddb-5b1d-4ed7-877d-d92f35dd1857.jpg" class="fr-fil fr-dib"><figcaption class="caption-cover-image text-sm text-gray-600 italic" style="line-height: 2;">Sonal Dhanani posing with her award (Handout)</figcaption></figure> Parindey also operates Floating Voices, a climate memory project that documents community experiences with climate change.

Culture

Sonal Dhanani, the founder of Parindey Wellbeing & Development Foundation, has received the Individual Award for engaging youth in peacebuilding dialogues.

Pakistani digital rights advocate wins Geneva human rights award

Web Desk/AFP

ISLAMABAD: Indian police said on Tuesday that one of the two gunmen behind Australia&#39;s Bondi Beach mass shootings, Sajid Akram, was an Indian citizen who had left the country 27 years ago. Akram and his son Naveed &mdash; who is listed on Australian immigration records as an Australian citizen, according to authorities &mdash; opened fire on people celebrating the Jewish festival of Hanukkah on Sunday, killing 15. &quot;Sajid Akram is originally from Hyderabad, India. He... migrated to Australia in search of employment approximately 27 years ago, in November 1998,&quot; police in India&#39;s southern state of Telangana said in a statement. &quot;As per information available from his relatives in India, Sajid Akram had limited contact with his family in Hyderabad over the past 27 years,&quot; the statement added. &quot;He visited India on six occasions after migrating to Australia, primarily for family-related reasons such as property matters and visits to his elderly parents. It is understood that he did not travel to India even at the time of his father&#39;s demise.&quot; Australia&#39;s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the father and son who carried out one of the country&#39;s deadliest mass shootings were driven by ISIS &quot;ideology.&quot; Authorities said the attack was designed to sow panic among the nation&#39;s Jews. Telangana police said they had &quot;no adverse record&quot; against Sajid while he had been in India before his departure. &quot;The family members have expressed no knowledge of his radical mindset or activities, nor of the circumstances that led to his radicalisation&quot;, the statement read. &quot;The factors that led to the radicalisation of Sajid Akram and his son, Naveed, appear to have no connection with India or any local influence in Telangana&quot;, it added.

Indian police said Sajid Akram, one of two gunmen in the Bondi Beach shooting, is from Hyderabad and migrated to Australia in 1998. Meanwhile, his son Naveed is an Australian citizen. 

Australia Bondi gunman was Indian citizen: Telangana police

ISLAMABAD: YouTube has begun rolling out a redesigned video player for its TV apps, introducing new playback controls, interface changes, and additional features aimed at improving navigation on large screens.&nbsp;The update, first previewed during YouTube&rsquo;s 20th anniversary earlier this year, includes on-screen play, pause, and skip buttons, a permanently visible Subscribe button, and options for multiview in live sports or display modes for Premium users.&nbsp;While YouTube says the changes aim to streamline the viewing experience, early user reactions reveal a mixed response.&nbsp;Several users have reported technical issues. Steve Kaufman tweeted, &ldquo;YouTube on Samsung Smart TV is just playing grey. Tried unplugging TV, uninstalling and reinstalling app. Other apps are all working.&rdquo;<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 273px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2000393968983638250&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2Fnew%2F&sessionId=db397395b13220a672a116a3eaf1c9e85a61b467&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px"></iframe></div></div>Similarly, Signius shared frustrations about frequent glitches and reconnection prompts, writing, &ldquo;Not impressed with the latest update to the YouTube app on my Samsung TV&hellip;loads of videos glitching that never did before.&rdquo;<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 417px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2000204986953724302&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2Fnew%2F&sessionId=db397395b13220a672a116a3eaf1c9e85a61b467&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px"></iframe></div></div>Beyond technical problems, some users are unhappy with the redesigned interface. LaxerFL expressed frustration on X (formerly Twitter): &ldquo;I HATE the new UI layout. Please allow me to use the original, totally fine for years UI! I have it memorized!&rdquo;<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-2" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 369px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-2&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1999340836245443053&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2Fnew%2F&sessionId=db397395b13220a672a116a3eaf1c9e85a61b467&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px"></iframe></div></div>Others, like Ashish Nimrot, called for more family-friendly options, urging YouTube to provide a permanent &ldquo;Disable Shorts&rdquo; feature on TV apps, citing concerns about disruptive, addictive content.&nbsp;Despite the criticism, the updated player is rolling out across multiple devices, including Google TV Streamer and Apple TV, with YouTube likely monitoring feedback to improve the user experience. As the redesign reaches more viewers, it highlights the challenge of balancing innovation with usability, particularly on devices where users have long-standing habits and shared family screens.

Gadgets

The update, first previewed during YouTube’s 20th anniversary earlier this year, includes on-screen play, pause, and skip buttons, a permanently visible Subscribe button, and options for multiview in live sports or display modes for Premium users.

YouTube rolls out redesigned TV video player, users voice mixed reactions

ISLAMABAD: &nbsp;War, artificial intelligence, and climate catastrophe dominated Google&#39;s year-end searches, revealing a world gripped by uncertainty as billions of users turned to Google seeking understanding amid unprecedented turmoil. The Google Year in Search 2025 list, which analyzes billions of queries made across the platform, shows users repeatedly turned to the internet to make sense of geopolitical conflict, economic pressure, rapid technological change, and escalating environmental crises. Gemini, Google&#39;s AI assistant, claimed the top spot as the year&#39;s most-searched term globally. Chinese AI company DeepSeek also ranked in the top 10, reflecting widespread fascination with rapidly advancing technology. Users searched phrases like &lsquo;AI replacing jobs,&rsquo; &lsquo;AI regulation,&rsquo; and &lsquo;how safe is AI,&rsquo; signaling deep anxiety about automation&#39;s impact. War-related searches surged throughout the year. Queries such as &lsquo;World War 3,&rsquo; &lsquo;Middle East war,&rsquo; and &lsquo;global security&rsquo; ranked among the most searched topics globally, reflecting persistent concern over instability in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, and beyond. The assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk topped global news searches, followed by Iran, which saw heightened interest during a 12-day conflict with Israel in June. The death of Pope Francis and the election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pontiff, also generated massive traffic. Environment, tech, and entertainment searchesClimate disasters pushed environmental searches to record levels. In the United States, the LA Fires and Hurricane Melissa dominated, while heatwaves, floods, and wildfires triggered spikes across Asia, Europe, and North America. Tech leaders remained under intense scrutiny. Elon Musk topped business-related searches, followed by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and NVIDIA&#39;s Jensen Huang, whose company became central to AI chip supply amid US-China semiconductor rivalries. American singer d4vd emerged as the most searched person globally after Los Angeles police found a 14-year-old girl&#39;s body in his Tesla over the summer, triggering widespread media attention and an ongoing investigation. Entertainment offered escapism. Oscar-winning film &quot;Anora&quot; led movie searches, while &quot;Monster: The Ed Gein Story&quot; and &quot;Squid Game 3&quot; dominated television. Even consumer culture reflected authenticity concerns, with &quot;How do I know if my Labubu is real?&quot; spiking as collectors sought genuine designer toys. Cricket searches dominated sports, with India vs England matches ranking second globally, alongside the Club World Cup and Asia Cup. In a statement accompanying the release, Google said Year in Search offers &ldquo;a snapshot of what mattered most to people around the world in 2025,&rdquo; capturing moments of crises as well as collective curiosity. &quot;Tell me about...&quot; searches surged 70% year-over-year, while &quot;How do I...&quot; queries increased 25%, suggesting people are seeking a more profound understanding rather than quick facts, according to Google.

Charlie Kirk's assassination, Iran's 12-day conflict with Israel, and Pope Francis's death topped news queries in 2025. American singer d4vd became the year's most searched person globally following a death investigation.

Australian PM praises Bondi hero Ahmed al-Ahmed as ‘best of our country’

Related Articles

Indian, Israeli media misreport Sydney beach shooters, bystander identities

Christmas fireworks falsely blamed on 'Islamists' after Australia shooting

Who is Ahmed al Ahmed, man who disarmed Sydney gunman

Bondi Beach shooter suspect arrived as 'Indian national': Philippine immigration

Latest News

'Immense' collection of dinosaur footprints found in Italy

Lebanon says Israel launches deadly strike on south

Pakistan in talks with Russia on oil sector agreement: finance minister

First EU airline flight in 35 years lands in Baghdad

Forced displacement to reach 139M by end-2025, warns UNHCR