Beach

A city in the UK has seen a rise in demand for holidays – and it is surprisingly affordable.

Despite its nickname the ‘Granite City‘ Aberdeen is filled with pretty shopping streets as well as sandy beaches.

Booking.com revealed it to be the biggest hotspot for UK travellers in 2025 with an increased search of 36 per cent – and it will no doubt continue to be visited next year.

Union Street was once used to connect medieval streets to the Scottish countryside, but now it’s filled with shops and restaurants and is close to the train station.

One writer who visited Aberdeen recommends heading to Thistle Street for boutique and trinket shops.

And you must try a buttery for breakfast – which is a crispy, flat, flaky pastry, rich in salt, and one great spot to pick one up is Ross Bakery on Chapel Street.

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Other impressive spots nearby include the Aberdeen Maritime Museum, art gallery, Duthie Park and St Machar’s Cathedral.

Despite it being a big city, Aberdeen actually has very impressive beaches too and they are just 20 minutes away from the city centre if you walk – and even quicker by car.

If you’re lucky enough, there’s a chance of spotting a Bottlenose dolphin which live off the coast in the north east of Scotland.

Aberdeen Beach could soon get a new attraction too with a ‘play factory’ for kids and an outdoor performance area.

As part of a multi-million pound project called the ‘Beach Masterplan’, Aberdeen Beach is set to introduce a huge play area for kids called The Rope Factory, with images showing climbing structures, swings and slides.

There will be interactive displays as well as activities and events taking place at the park.

For places to stay, check out UK’s best value hotel which you’ll also find in Aberdeen.

Earlier this year, The Marcliffe Hotel and Spa in Scotland was crowned ‘the best ever we’ve ever stayed at’ by Which? thanks to its rock bottom prices.

The luxury Aberdeen hotel opened in 1993 and was given top praise, thanks to its value for money.

Which? sent in an undercover inspector to scope out the hotel, where they anonymously scouted out everything from cleanliness, to room quality, facilities, location, customer service and value for money.

The five-star hotel is found on the outskirts of Aberdeen and is a huge Victorian manor house.

Inside, the hotel has 40-rooms and suites, gym, an on-site spa and even a billiard room where guests can try their hand at snooker.

It has two restaurants, the Conservatory and the Drawing Room Bar and Lounge – both of which have over 300 wines and 100 whiskies.

Marcliffe impressed Which? with its “value”, “elegance” and “exceptional staff” as well as  “locally caught” food from langoustines to steak – the start from £25.

A stay in one of Marcliffe’s ‘classic’ rooms costs £180 per night.

For more on Scotland find out one man’s favourite of the 100 Scottish islands – and the ones that rival Skye.

Plus, Scotland’s most unmissable places according to a local – from lesser-known lochs to ‘magical’ islands.

Dec. 21 (UPI) — Seven days after a mass shooting devastated Bondi Beach, Australians gathered on Sunday for a national day of reflection.

The commemorations come as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese faces intense public scrutiny and has ordered an urgent investigation into the nation’s intelligence and police frameworks.

The tragedy, which claimed 15 lives during a Hanukkah seaside event, is the deadliest mass shooting Australia has seen in nearly three decades.

Authorities have officially classified the massacre — which killed a 10-year-old girl, a British rabbi and a Holocaust survivor, among others — as a terrorist act aimed at the Jewish community.

As the clock struck 6:47 p.m., marking the exact moment the first shots rang out the previous Sunday, a minute of silence was observed. Mourners at Bondi Beach and across the country stood in unison to honor the fallen, according to the BBC.

The atmosphere in Sydney was one of high alert, NBC News reported, with a massive security detail involving rooftop snipers and water patrols.

The Sydney Opera House also paid tribute, illuminating its iconic sails with candle projections to mark the day of mourning.

Despite the somber occasion, Albanese met a hostile reception, NBC News reported. Sections of the crowd booed the prime minister upon his arrival, a sign of the growing friction between the government and the grieving Jewish community.

The BBC also reported that one protester shouted, “Blood on your hands,” while security personnel had to intercept an individual attempting to approach the prime minister.

In an acknowledgment of the criticism, Albanese said during the observation that he accepts his share of responsibility as the nation’s leader.

Addressing the crowd, David Ossip, president of the New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies, delivered a eulogy.

“Like the grass here at Bondi was stained with blood, so, too, has our nation been stained,” Ossip said, per NBC News. “We have landed up in a dark place.”

Ossip also shared a message of resilience from Ahmed al-Ahmed, a Syrian-Australian shop owner who was injured while heroically disarming one of the gunmen.

From his hospital bed, al-Ahmed’s message to the mourners was, “The Lord is close to the broken-hearted. Today I stand with you, my brothers and sisters.”

Unlike Albanese, New South Wales Premier Chris Minns was met with applause, the BBC reported.

Minns offered a blunt apology for the state’s inability to prevent the shooting, stating, “The government’s highest duty is to protect its citizens. And we did not do that one week ago.”

He further warned that the tragedy exposed a “deep vein of antisemitic hate” that the country must now confront.

After the ceremony, the federal government pivoted toward legislative action.

Albanese announced a comprehensive review of federal intelligence and law enforcement to determine if current powers are sufficient for the modern security landscape. He characterized the “ISIS-inspired” attack as proof of a shifting threat environment.

Additionally, the government has committed to a massive national gun buyback initiative, the scale of which has not been seen since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre.

UCLA women’s basketball coach Cori Close could not have imagined a better way for her team to wrap up nonconference play than Saturday afternoon’s 106-44 trouncing of Long Beach State at Pauley Pavilion.

Coming off Tuesday’s 115-28 triumph over Cal Poly San Luis Obispo — UCLA’s largest margin of victory during the NCAA era — the Bruins picked up where they left off, leading wire-to-wire for their fifth consecutive win since suffering their lone loss to Texas on Nov. 26.

“We’re growing … we had a couple of lapses today and we’re not there yet, but we’re heading in the right direction,” Close said. “I love the selflessness of this team.”

Senior guard Gabriela Jaquez led the way with 17 points and made five of six three-point shots. Angela Dugalic added 13 points while Gianna Kneepkens had 10 points and 10 rebounds. All 11 Bruins who played scored at least one basket.

UCLA forward Sienna Betts, top, and Long Beach State forward Kennan Ka dive for the ball during the Bruins’ win Saturday.

(Jessie Alcheh / Associated Press)

Playing their last game in Westwood until Jan. 3, when they will host crosstown rival USC, the Bruins (11-1 overall, 1-0 in Big Ten) looked every bit like the No. 4 team in the country, improving to 6-0 at home. They are ranked fourth in both the Associated Press and coaches polls behind Connecticut, Texas and South Carolina.

“I’m really proud of our nonconference schedule. Not many local teams are willing to play us, so I want to compliment Long Beach State,” Close said. “Our starting guards [Charlisse Leger-Walker and Kiki Rice] combined for 17 assists and one turnover. We have depth and balance and that’s a great luxury to have.”

Jaquez scored nine of the Bruins’ first 12 points. She opened the scoring with a three-pointer from the top of the key and added triples on back-to-back possessions to increase the margin to eight points. Her fourth three-pointer, from the right corner, extended the lead to 21-5.

Sienna Betts’ jumper in the lane put UCLA up by 19 at the end of the first quarter. The sophomore finished with 14 points and senior Lauren Betts added 17. The sisters’ parents, Michelle and Andy, played volleyball and basketball, respectively, for Long Beach State. Sienna wears her mom’s No. 16 while Lauren dons her dad’s No. 51.

Rice’s steal and layup made it 46-18 with 3:28 left in the first half and Leger-Walker’s tip-in at the buzzer gave the Bruins a 34-point advantage at halftime. Rice had a complete game, contributing 15 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, four steals and one block.

The result continued the Bruins’ recent dominance against the Beach. UCLA has won six straight head-to-head meetings, including a 51-point blowout in the schools’ previous matchup last December, when Close became the all-time winningest coach in program history by earning her 297th victory to surpass Billie Moore (296-181). Long Beach State has not beaten the Bruins since 1987 under Joan Bonvicini, who posted a 16-1 record versus UCLA in her 12 seasons at the Beach from 1979 to 1991.

The Bruins’ primary focus on defense was slowing down sophomore guard JaQuoia Jones-Brown, who entered Saturday averaging 17.2 points per game. She scored 10 of the Beach’s 11 points in the first quarter but was held scoreless the rest of the way. She has scored in double figures in nine of 10 games. Guard Christy Reynoso added six points for Beach (0-10 overall, 0-2 in Big West).

The Bruins travel to Columbus on Dec. 28 to face No. 21 Ohio State (9-1).

THERE’S a special kind of contentment that washes over you as you sink into a cushy lounge chair at Celebrity Xcel’s Sunset bar. 

A very dry martini in hand, I exhale and drink in the endless blue of the ocean, glittering as the sun slips slowly down beneath the horizon.

The warm Caribbean breeze envelops me as the sky turns vivid pink, orange and red — I’m as relaxed as I have ever been. 

There’s a chic beach club vibe to this al-fresco bar right at the back of the ship, and after just a few days onboard, it’s my favourite spot for a sundowner. 

Mind you, it’s got plenty of competition. 

Around every corner of this sparkling new £764million, 15-deck beauty — the latest in Celebrity’s Edge series — there is something to delight or amaze. 

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And sometimes they come in the most surprising of places. 

I loved the new Country & Western show in The Club — brilliant vocalists and musicians bringing some barnstorming classics to life.

However, hiding in a dark corner of the hip venue, I spy a little photo booth.  

We sit down for our selfie and smile but just as the photos are delivered, a secret door slides open. 

Following the corridor of sparkling lights, we discover a fabulous 1920s-inspired speakeasy.

Flapper girls and gangsters welcome you into the low-lit, smoky joint where the bartenders mix up killer cocktails and live jazz fills the air. 

You’ll get just an hour to enjoy the illicit fun before you’re asked to depart — before the police raid the joint! 

It’s just one of the seven new spaces you’ll only find on Celebrity Xcel and the premium cruise line knew just who to turn to when designing the new ship — their loyal customers.

More than 650,000 votes were cast by regular cruisers to decide on everything from the entertainment (that Country & Western show got the thumbs-up) to the food and cocktails. 

There are two new speciality restaurants onboard. Bora sits alongside the Rooftop Garden on deck 15 and features upscale Mediterranean seafood.  

By day, there’s a decadent brunch in the beautifully decorated al-fresco space featuring shakshuka, steak and eggs, fried chicken with waffles and more. 

Don’t miss the Bloody Mary Bar where you can personalise your cocktail with over- the-top garnishes, premium spirits and spicy mixes. 

As night falls, the space transforms with live music and some stand-out dishes including plump carabinero prawns, razor clams and lamb tagine. Brunch costs £27pp and dinner £49pp. 

When it sails the Mediterranean next summer, all will be transformed to reflect the European ports of call.

Mosaic, the second new speciality restaurant, sits in the transformed Eden area at the back of the ship.

Now dubbed the Bazaar, this spectacular space aims to blur the line between ship and shore — highlighting the destinations Xcel cruises to. 

With an inaugural winter season in the Caribbean, this means interactive cooking classes, craft workshops, entertainment and live music direct from the tropical islands. 

The entrance to the new area — complete with a mind-bending LED tunnel — is a treat for shopaholics, with jewellery, clothes and food from local artists and producers.

When it sails the Mediterranean next summer, all will be transformed to reflect the European ports of call. 

There’s also local flavours to enjoy at casual dining venue Spice — included in the price.

But for a real treat, Mosaic offers even more upscale dining alongside triple-height glass windows looking out over the ocean. 

At £70pp, it’s one for a special occasion but you can expect the best — from a delicious lobster casserole to filet mignon steak and Celebrity cruise fan favourite, spiced lamb loin. 

Towers of seafood 

What did surprise me, though, was the standard of food throughout the included restaurants onboard.

Towers of seafood, superb French cheeses and spectacular roasts were on offer in the Oceanview Cafe buffet restaurant. 

The main dining is not one big restaurant but four beautifully decorated separate spaces, each with their own theme, from French fine dining to Italian classics. 

Even the slices of pizza and burgers on the top deck were a step above your normal poolside snacks. 

The Spa has also had some upgrades, including a first-ever outdoor ‘Vitamin D’ deck for sunbathing spa fun, a new hydrotherapy pool and a ‘Bubbles Bar’, where you can enjoy a glass of sparkling wine while having your nails done. 

Celebrity’s Edge-class ships have become known for their quirky poolside animal sculptures but Xcel takes it to another level. 

Entertainment onboard again is taken to another level in The Theatre with Broadway-style shows in a high-tech venue featuring an eye-popping 110ft curved LED backdrop.

Presiding over the new pool deck is a sparkling 14ft-tall silver sculpture of a monkey and its baby — and this latest Edge ship has upped the ante poolside, too.  

The pool concierge proffers everything from sunscreen and cold towels to board games.

When not in port, this beach club turns into ‘The Poolest Day Ever’, with live music, DJ sets, pop-up shows and after dark, the Shine The Night pool party.

And the entertainment onboard again is taken to another level in The Theatre with Broadway-style shows in a high-tech venue featuring an eye-popping 110ft curved LED backdrop. 

I loved The Attic at The Club — a mezzanine level where morning, noon and night you can challenge your partner and pals to everything from pool and golf to retro arcade games. 

For me, this felt like the ultimate adult cruise liner. Fabulous food, thoughtfully- designed sophisticated spaces, energetic entertainment and just the right amount of laid-back fun. 

Just get me back to that Sunset bar . . .  

Looking for a cosy UK weekend getaway this winter? This award-winning country pub ticks all the boxes, our writer Sam Kistamah found out on a recent stay there

Approaching The Gunton Arms, we quickly realised it’s not your average local. It is a pub, but one set in a 1,000-acre deer park near Cromer in rural Norfolk, kitted out in furnishings to rival posh department store Liberty and with walls covered in art by the likes of Tracey Emin and Damien Hirst. And there’s a restaurant that’s in the Michelin Guide too. The deer park surrounds the 18th-century Gunton Hall, and The Gunton Arms was originally a farm that became the second house to Gunton Hall.

After careful restoration by art dealer Ivor Braka (hence the amazing collection), The Gunton Arms opened as a pub with bedrooms in 2011, and earlier this year was listed in the top 20 of The Good Food Guide’s best British pubs.

The food at The Gunton Arms

The Elk Room restaurant is dominated by a giant Irish elk skull, which hangs over an open fire. That’s where chef Stuart Tattersall cooks local fare, including venison from the deer park and beef from the Blickling Estate. Being four miles from the coast, The Gunton Arms also offers seafood, including a popular Cromer crab pasta dish.

We began with fried cod cheeks with caper and bronze fennel mayonnaise, and mixed beets with pickled walnuts and Binham blue. We loved the tender nuggets of cod with their zingy sauce, and the sweet beets were beautifully contrasted by creamy blue cheese and tangy slivers of walnut.

For mains, we devoured the sirloin steak, which had been perfectly cooked on the fire, and came with roast potatoes and a jug of Béarnaise sauce, and the roasted halibut special, accompanied by a buttery spinach and chive sauce and tasty Portland cockles. As keen dessert fans, we inhaled the Norfolk treacle tart with clotted cream and buttermilk pudding with honeyed fig.

The next day, we had lunch at The Gunton Arms’ sister pub The Suffield Arms, which serves outstanding Mediterranean tapas. Highlights included the corn ribs with mojito mayonnaise, and the white Andalusian prawns with garlic and chilli.

The rooms at The Gunton Arms

There are 16 rooms and we stayed in the stunning Rocksavage suite, which gave us some major inspiration for our own home renovation with its muted tones and carefully chosen pieces of art and dark wood furniture. Everything, from the marble bathroom with its roll-top tub to the sumptuous bed, oozed elegance. While the suite was traditionally decorated, we appreciated the Nespresso machine and Roberts radio, and the Norfolk Natural Living toiletries were a nice touch too.

What is there to do around The Gunton Arms?

You can explore the deer park but we were told not to approach the herd as it was rutting season when we visited – we loved watching them from the pub garden while enjoying a glass of chilled Gavi. The pretty seaside town of Cromer is a 10-minute drive away, and the pub is an ideal base for visiting the beautiful North Norfolk coast. With its towering sand dunes, Holkham Beach is a must-see spot that’s loved by the royals as it’s close to Sandringham.

How much does it cost to stay at The Gunton Arms?

Rooms at The Gunton Arms start from £145 per night.

Looking for a cosy UK weekend getaway this winter? This award-winning country pub ticks all the boxes, our writer Sam Kistamah found out on a recent stay there

Approaching The Gunton Arms, we quickly realised it’s not your average local. It is a pub, but one set in a 1,000-acre deer park near Cromer in rural Norfolk, kitted out in furnishings to rival posh department store Liberty and with walls covered in art by the likes of Tracey Emin and Damien Hirst. And there’s a restaurant that’s in the Michelin Guide too. The deer park surrounds the 18th-century Gunton Hall, and The Gunton Arms was originally a farm that became the second house to Gunton Hall.

After careful restoration by art dealer Ivor Braka (hence the amazing collection), The Gunton Arms opened as a pub with bedrooms in 2011, and earlier this year was listed in the top 20 of The Good Food Guide’s best British pubs.

The food at The Gunton Arms

The Elk Room restaurant is dominated by a giant Irish elk skull, which hangs over an open fire. That’s where chef Stuart Tattersall cooks local fare, including venison from the deer park and beef from the Blickling Estate. Being four miles from the coast, The Gunton Arms also offers seafood, including a popular Cromer crab pasta dish.

We began with fried cod cheeks with caper and bronze fennel mayonnaise, and mixed beets with pickled walnuts and Binham blue. We loved the tender nuggets of cod with their zingy sauce, and the sweet beets were beautifully contrasted by creamy blue cheese and tangy slivers of walnut.

For mains, we devoured the sirloin steak, which had been perfectly cooked on the fire, and came with roast potatoes and a jug of Béarnaise sauce, and the roasted halibut special, accompanied by a buttery spinach and chive sauce and tasty Portland cockles. As keen dessert fans, we inhaled the Norfolk treacle tart with clotted cream and buttermilk pudding with honeyed fig.

The next day, we had lunch at The Gunton Arms’ sister pub The Suffield Arms, which serves outstanding Mediterranean tapas. Highlights included the corn ribs with mojito mayonnaise, and the white Andalusian prawns with garlic and chilli.

The rooms at The Gunton Arms

There are 16 rooms and we stayed in the stunning Rocksavage suite, which gave us some major inspiration for our own home renovation with its muted tones and carefully chosen pieces of art and dark wood furniture. Everything, from the marble bathroom with its roll-top tub to the sumptuous bed, oozed elegance. While the suite was traditionally decorated, we appreciated the Nespresso machine and Roberts radio, and the Norfolk Natural Living toiletries were a nice touch too.

What is there to do around The Gunton Arms?

You can explore the deer park but we were told not to approach the herd as it was rutting season when we visited – we loved watching them from the pub garden while enjoying a glass of chilled Gavi. The pretty seaside town of Cromer is a 10-minute drive away, and the pub is an ideal base for visiting the beautiful North Norfolk coast. With its towering sand dunes, Holkham Beach is a must-see spot that’s loved by the royals as it’s close to Sandringham.

How much does it cost to stay at The Gunton Arms?

Rooms at The Gunton Arms start from £145 per night.

Long Beach City College’s performing arts center is officially being named after Long Beach legend and LBCC alumna Jenni Rivera.

Last week LBCC’s Board of Trustees unanimously voted to name the new facility the Jenni Rivera Performing Arts Center.

“This naming recognizes not just an extraordinary performer, but a daughter of Long Beach whose voice and spirit transcended borders,” said Uduak-Joe Ntuk, president of LBCC’s board of trustees in a press statement. “Jenni Rivera inspired millions through her music, resilience, and advocacy. We are proud that future generations of artists will learn and create in a space that bears her name.”

Jenni Rivera Enterprises will donate $2 million over the next 10 years to the LBCC Foundation, with the bulk of the funds going toward scholarships and education programs, the Long Beach Post reported.

“Our family is deeply honored that Long Beach City College has chosen to memorialize Jenni in this extraordinary way,” said Jacqie Rivera, Rivera’s daughter and CEO of Jenni Rivera Enterprises, in a press release. “Long Beach shaped who Jenni was — as an artist, a mother, and a woman — committed to her community. Knowing that young performers will grow, train, and find their creative voice in a center that carries her name is profoundly meaningful to us.”

The performing arts center, which is scheduled to open in spring 2026, is the second honor the “Inolvidable” singer has received from LBCC. Earlier this year, Rivera was inducted into the LBCC Hall of Fame alongside actor/activist Jennifer Kumiyama and attorney Norm Rasmussen.

Rivera was born and raised in Long Beach, attending Long Beach Poly High School in the 1980s, where she got pregnant as a sophomore. She later graduated from Reid Continuation High School as class valedictorian. She went on to attend LBCC before transferring to Cal State Long Beach to get a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

She immediately put that degree to use as a real estate agent, while simultaneously working at her father’s recording studio and record label.

Her father, Pedro Rivera, was a noted singer of corridos. In the 1980s he launched the record label Cintas Acuario. It began as a swap-meet booth and grew into an influential and taste-making independent outfit, fueling the careers of artists such as Chálino Sanchez. Jenni Rivera’s four brothers were associated with the music industry; her brother Lupillo, in particular, is a huge star in his own right.

She released her first album, “Somos Rivera,” in 1992, launching a prolific career that was tragically cut short when Rivera and six others were killed in a plane crash in Mexico on Dec. 9, 2012.

The self-proclaimed “Diva de la Banda” was a self-made star with a veritable rags-to-riches story. She was a true trailblazer, a U.S.-born woman who took up plenty of space in the male-dominated world of música mexicana.

In 2015, Long Beach city officials honored the singer’s legacy by bestowing her name on a park in Long Beach. On display along a brick wall at the Jenni Rivera Memorial Park is a 125-foot-long mural honoring Rivera’s life and heritage.

The Hollywood Walk of Fame also honored Rivera with a star in 2024, which her five children accepted on her behalf.

“One of my mom’s favorite exes used to work in this vicinity. We would come and check in on him and she always dreamt — I remember sitting in the car, in her Mercedes, and she always dreamt, ‘I’m gonna have my star here one day,’” Rivera’s daughter Jenicka Lopez said at the star unveiling ceremony.

“I thought it was impossible after she passed away, but God has a beautiful way of proving people wrong.”

Albanese said Australia has more guns now than 30 years ago, when the country’s deadliest-ever mass shooting took place.

Australia will launch a national gun buyback scheme, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced, as the country continues to come to terms with the deadly attack on a Jewish holiday event at Sydney’s Bondi Beach that left 15 people dead.

Albanese called the plan the country’s biggest gun buyback since 1996 – the year of Australia’s deadliest mass shooting in modern history, the Port Arthur massacre in the island state of Tasmania – and said authorities will purchase surplus, newly-banned and illegal firearms.

“Right now, there are more guns in Australia than there were during Port Arthur. We can’t allow that to continue,” Albanese told a news conference on Friday, adding that there are currently more than four million firearms in the country.

“Non-citizens have no need to own a gun. And someone in suburban Sydney has no need to own six … The terrible events of Bondi show we need to get more guns off our streets,” he said.

Albanese added that authorities in Australia’s states and territories will be tasked with collecting the weapons and processing payments for surrendered firearms under the scheme. Federal police will then be responsible for destroying them.

“We expect hundreds of thousands of firearms will be collected and destroyed through this scheme,” Albanese added.

Aided by some of the toughest gun restrictions globally, Australia has one of the lowest gun homicide rates in the world.

Restrictions were tightened after a lone gunman, armed with semiautomatic weapons, killed 35 people at the Port Arthur tourist site almost 30 years ago.

The massacre shocked the country, with authorities soon after launching a major gun amnesty and buyback scheme that removed more than 650,000 newly-prohibited firearms from circulation.

‘We need to do more to combat this evil scourge’

Sunday’s shooting in Sydney’s Bondi Beach area – in which two attackers, named as father and son Sajid Akram and Naveed Akram, went on a shooting spree and killed 15 people – has had a similarly jolting impact on Australian society as the Port Arthur massacre and prompted self-reflection.

Albanese said 50-year-old Sajid – who was shot dead at the scene – and 24-year-old Naveed – who was charged with “terrorism” and murder offences after he awoke from a coma on Tuesday – were inspired by “Islamic State ideology”.

On Thursday, Albanese announced tougher hate speech laws as he acknowledged the country had experienced a rising tide of anti-Jewish hate since the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel, and Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza.

Albanese said rising anti-Semitism in Australia “culminated on Sunday in one of the worst acts of mass murder that this country has ever seen”.

“It was an attack on our Jewish community – but it was also an attack on the Australian way of life,” he said.

“Australians are shocked and angry. I am angry. It is clear we need to do more to combat this evil scourge, much more,” he added.

The prime minister also announced on Friday that Australia will hold a national day of reflection this Sunday – one week after the mass shooting.

Albanese urged Australians to light candles at 6:47pm (07:47 GMT) on Sunday, December 21 – “exactly one week since the attack unfolded”.

“It is a moment to pause, reflect, and affirm that hatred and violence will never define who we are as Australians,” he told reporters.

Earlier on Friday, hundreds of people plunged into the ocean off Bondi Beach in another gesture to honour the dead.

Swimmers and surfers paddled into a circle as they bobbed in the gentle morning swell, splashing water and roaring with emotion.

“They slaughtered innocent victims, and today I’m swimming out there and being part of my community again to bring back the light,” security consultant Jason Carr told the AFP news agency.

“We’re still burying bodies. But I just felt it was important,” the 53-year-old said.

“I’m not going to let someone so evil, someone so dark, stop me from doing what I do and what I enjoy doing,” he said.

A PRETTY UK seaside town will be getting trains from London for the first time.

The operator Grand Central has launched the first-ever direct trains between Seaham and London.

There are now four direct services between Seaham and London King’s Cross in each direction, every day.

Before the service was launched, passengers travelling from Seaham would have to change trains to travel into London, taking the total journey time to four hours.

The new direct service sheds 30 minutes off of that journey time, taking around three and a half hours in total.

One-way tickets cost from £30.50 per person, when booked in advance.

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Chris Brandon, director at Grand Central, said: “For the first time in history, residents here have a direct, reliable connection to London — a connection that reflects the town’s growing ambition and needs.

“This launch reflects our mission to continue investing in the North East: through our £300million order of new trains, and through seeking increased track access rights, which will allow us to provide more services in the region for years to come.”

Grahame Morris, Member of Parliament for Easington, said: “The East Durham Coastline has been underused for decades, and I’m delighted that Grand Central has recognised the enormous potential of this route and worked hard to make it a reality.”

Seaham is located around a 17-minute drive from Sunderland in County Durham.

And the town is even home to a famous beach that stretches a mile-long and often features lots of sea glass, ideal for collecting.

Sea glass is man-made glass that at some point or another has ended up in the sea.

And when it does, it is ground down over the years and eventually washes up on the shore.

In fact, there’s more sea glass in Seaham than in other beach destinations.

This is because during the Victorian era there was a bottle factory nearby that used to put waste directly into the sea.

There is even a beach called Glass Beach, located at the front of the town.

One recent visitor said: “If you’re looking for a place to find treasure then this is the one!

“There’s loads to see here from beautiful glass and fossils to a friendly little robin that comes and sits with you while you hunt for treasure.”

But if you want to explore a sandy spot, then head to The Slope Beach which looks out at Seaham Lighthouse.

A recent visitor said: “A hidden Seaham gem, with a gently sloping sandy beach leading down to a protected sea, with great views of the lighthouse at the far end of the pier.

“Great parking, a freshwater tap at the top of the beach, and all the facilities of the marina right next door, including toilets and a fantastic array of cafes.

“A great trip out for the kids, or a peaceful few hours to one’s self when they’re in school. Lovely!”

The town itself then also features a number of places to grab a bite to eat, including a Wetherspoons pub.

Or just up from Seaham Beach you can head to the Crows Nest pub, where you can order mac and cheese or Hunter’s chicken for £11.79.

If you fancy fresh seafood, head to The Lamp Room with options including a surf and turf salad for £16.95 or a seafood linguine for £15.95.

One diner commented: “The food was amazing, fresh, and very tasty.

“We had fresh mussels with fries, and the sauce was delicious.”

In other UK destination news, the English seaside towns and cities getting multi-million pound upgrades next year – with new rides and attractions.

Plus, the 2,700-mile path that runs along pretty UK seaside towns is set to be the longest in the world.

At this time of year, thoughts turn to warmer days and dreamy holidays on sun-drenched beaches. We’d love to hear about favourite beaches you’ve discovered on your travels in Europe (excluding the UK). We’re interested in places beyond the usual tourist haunts – lesser-known bays, coves and sandy stretches overlooked by the holiday crowds. Tell us where it is and what makes it special.

The best tip of the week, chosen by Tom Hall of Lonely Planet wins a £200 voucher to stay at a Coolstays property – the company has more than 3,000 worldwide. The best tips will appear in the Guardian Travel section and website.

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A POPULAR Spanish beach city is set to get new flights from the UK.

Valencia is known for its vibrant culture and being the birthplace of paella, and soon the city will get new Wizz Air flights from London Gatwick Airport.

The new flights will be daily and launch on March 29, next year.

Return flights will cost from £40 per person.

Wizz Air also recently announced that there will be a route between London Luton Airport and Valencia, starting in March next year as well.

This route will operate five times a week.

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It takes just under three hours to get to Valencia, which experiences high temperatures of 17C during the winter months and 300 days of sunshine a year.

The city features a charming old town – also known as Ciutat Vella – home to Gothic architecture including the cathedral where you can climb the bell tower and the Silk Exchange – a UNESCO World Heritage site.

For history lovers, there is also St. Nicholas Church, which is often dubbed as Valencia’s ‘Sistine Chapel’ due to its Baroque frescoes.

Visitors note the ornate ceilings inside and the light show that takes place, called ‘The Light of Saint Nicholas’, which highlights the numerous Baroque frescoes.

It costs €15 (£13.15) per person to visit.

Head to El Carmen too, to see medieval walls and experience a vibrant nightlife.

Of course, there are pretty beaches too, such as beaches Malvarrosa, which is the best-known beach in the city and has lots of deck chairs for hire, kiosks selling drinks and inviting waters.

For a bite to eat, make sure to visit Mercado Central, which is Europe‘s largest fresh produce market.

Visitors can pick up a variety of produce or grab a takeaway, including fresh oysters and raw shrimp with lemon juice and chilli.

One recent visitor said: “Everything was fresh and very tasty.

“We did a little shopping for vegetables and meats and drank Aqua di Valencia at two different stands, before finishing with empanadas and a roll with jamon and queso.

“The market itself is very large, with interesting architecture both inside and outside.”

Other top foodie destinations in the city include Fum De Llum, where diners can try the tasting menu for €28 (£24.53) with citrus-marinated tuna tartare, Iberian pork shoulder and a number of homemade desserts.

One visitor said: “As I walked in, I was instantly greeted by a delicious aroma that filled the air, creating a wonderful atmosphere for my experience.

“The generous portions only enhanced my enjoyment, and it was clear that the ingredients were fresh.

“Each bite was packed with authentic flavours that transported me to a special place.

“I left feeling thoroughly satisfied and pleased with my choice, eagerly anticipating the next opportunity to indulge in such a delightful meal.”

And if you happen to be in the city on March 19, you’ll get to see Las Fallas – a festival where giant cardboard sculptures are burned.

In 2026, Las Fallas will celebrate its 10th anniversary and will last 19 days.

The festival dates back to the 18th century when carpenters used to burn pieces of wood.

Next year, the city will also be hosting Gay Games from June 27 to July 4.

In total, there will be more than 3,000 people involved in the games across 37 events.

And later in 2026, the Sorolla Museum at the Palace of Communications will open.

The new museum will feature more than 220 works by the famous Valencia painter, Joaquin Sorolla.

There are also hotels for all budgets, including the adults-only Axel Hotel Valencia, which has city views and a spa and costs from £106 per night.

Alternatively, you could stay at the Vincci Mercat, which is less than 100 metres from Mercado Central, from £125 a night.

For more inspiration on where to travel to in Spain, these are five of the best Spanish foodie destinations with direct UK flights and cheap holiday packages.

Plus, a couple has been to Benidorm over 100 times – they go back for Christmas for Chinese buffets and unlimited drinks for £16.

In the winter, you can enjoy the seafront paths without the crowds, and enjoy views of snow-capped mountains on the coldest days.

A coastal path in Wales has been hailed as the UK’s top Christmas walk, thanks to its breathtaking mountain vistas and close proximity to snug pubs. The ranking, compiled by GO Outdoors, utilised TripAdvisor reviews and data on average December snowfall, along with festive factors such as nearby watering holes.

Using this information, the outdoor retailer curated a list of the top ten spots for a brisk December amble or a post-Christmas dinner saunter. Barmouth Beach, nestled on the fringes of Eyri National Park (Snowdonia), clinched the number one position. The area is enveloped by natural splendour, offering panoramic views across Cardigan Bay and the Mawddach Estuary.

During the summer months, this sandy expanse has a classic seaside atmosphere. A land train chugs along the promenade, children enjoy donkey rides on the sand, and the shallow waters are perfect for a paddle.

However, winter also presents an ideal opportunity for exploration, allowing visitors to savour the seafront paths without the throngs of people and admire views of snow-dusted mountains on the chilliest days, reports the Express.

While a tranquil stroll along the promenade is always an option, there’s also a more demanding route for those wishing to soak up some of the surrounding landscape.

The four-mile-long Panorama Walk commences at the beach and meanders through dense woodland and winding country lanes along the Mawddach Estuary.

However, it’s recommended for seasoned walkers, as it can be hilly and tricky to navigate, particularly in cold, damp conditions.

After exploring the coast, venture inland to find a cosy pub for some warmth. Just 500 metres from the beach, The Royal is a traditional stone-clad pub that’s a welcome sight after a chilly walk.

Settle into a leather chair and soak up the old-world charm while sipping on a pint and savouring classic pub grub, from roasts to a Welsh cheeseboard.

If you’d rather warm up with a hot brew, Davy Jones Locker is worth a visit. This harbourside café serves everything from hearty breakfasts to fish and chips.

Enjoy the sunshine at an outdoor table or head inside to appreciate the quirky, nautical-themed décor.

Although it only operates seasonally, usually from April to October, consider booking a ticket on the ferry departing from Barmouth Harbour. At just £4 per adult, it offers breathtaking views of the Afon Mawddach estuary.

The ferry also links with Fairbourne Railway, a vintage train service running along the mid-Wales coast.

Passengers can take in the coastal scenery as they journey along, with day passes available for those who wish to hop on and off at their leisure.

Stroll into town to discover a handful of independent shops, alongside numerous hotels and restaurants in the centre.

If you’re planning a festive getaway, The Sandbanks Hotel is a great choice, boasting direct beach access, rooms with sea views, and Christmas-themed entertainment.

Australia’s spy agency has revealed that one of the men who carried out the country’s worst massacre in three decades was investigated for links to ISIL. Police say Naveed Akram and his father Sajid targeted Jewish Australians celebrating Hanukkah at the country’s most famous beach.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has described hearing gunshots during Sunday’s terrorist attack at Bondi Beach as “terrifying”.

Vaughan, who is in Australia commentating on the Ashes, was locked inside a restaurant “a few hundred yards from Bondi” for several hours alongside his wife, sister-in-law, two daughters, and a friend.

The 51-year-old, who is staying in nearby Coogee and had spent the day with his family watching his son’s cricket match, was on his phone outside the restaurant when he heard what he thought was “fireworks” coming from the beach before being told to get inside by a bouncer.

Authorities have confirmed that at least 15 civilians, including one child, have been killed in the attack, which targeted a Hanukkah celebration on the beach held by Sydney’s Jewish community.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Vaughan said: “Yesterday was a surreal day that I don’t really want to go through again.

“I’m deeply saddened by everything that has gone on.

“To be 300 yards away, in a pub locked away, scary times.

“I look at Bondi and Sydney in particular – it’s like my second home. Australia is an amazing country, and it’s probably one of the countries in the whole world where I always say it’s the safest. It’s the safest place.”

Police have confirmed a father and son were the alleged shooters, with the older man killed at the scene and the other in hospital in a critical condition.

Writing in The Telegraph, external, Vaughan added: “Like most people, I have been at home watching terrorist attacks unfold in London, or Manchester, near where I live.

“That all feels very close to home, and is scary. But to be so close that you can hear it happening is terrifying.”

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has pledged a review of his country’s gun laws and added support for Jewish Australians, as his government faces scrutiny following a deadly shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach.

On Monday afternoon, Albanese faced reporters to answer questions about the shooting, which took place a day earlier, during a local Hanukkah celebration. At least 15 people have died, including a 10-year-old girl, and dozens are reported injured.

“What we saw yesterday was an act of pure evil, an act of terror, an act of anti-Semitism: an attack on the first day of Hanukkah, targeted at the Jewish community,” Albanese said in prepared remarks, after visiting the crime scene.

“A dark day in Australia’s history, on what should have been a day of light.”

The Australian government has yet to name the suspected attackers, identifying them only as a 50-year-old man and his 24-year-old son. The father died in a shootout with police, while the son is currently being treated at a local hospital.

Hanukkah is sometimes called the Festival of Lights, and in Monday’s news conference, Albanese encouraged Australians to participate in a show of solidarity with the country’s Jewish community.

“I would urge and join with others who have urged Australians across the country to light a candle, put it in their front window tonight at 6:47pm [19:47 GMT] to show that light will indeed defeat darkness – part of what Hanukkah celebrates, of course,” he said. “We are stronger than the cowards who did this.”

But while Albanese and other officials urged calm, critics questioned whether the government had done enough to curtail both anti-Semitism and gun violence.

Netanyahu spurs scrutiny

One of Albanese’s highest-profile critics in the wake of the attack was Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The right-wing Israeli leader blamed Albanese’s centre-left government for failing to protect Australia’s Jewish community. He also linked the shooting to Australia’s recent decision to recognise Palestinian statehood.

“Your call for a Palestinian state pours fuel on the anti-Semitic fire,” Netanyahu said in remarks directed at Albanese, voicing sentiments he later repeated in a social media post.

“It emboldens those who menace Australian Jews and encourages the Jew hatred now stalking your streets.”

Those remarks fuelled outrage and accusations that Netanyahu was leveraging the tragedy for political aims.

In a post on social media, UN special rapporteur Ben Saul also criticised Netanyahu for linking Australia’s recognition of Palestinian statehood to Sunday’s shootings.

“I am disgusted that the Israeli PM links Australia’s principled support for a Palestinian State with yesterday’s terrorist attack in Bondi,” said Saul, who also serves as an international law chair at the University of Sydney.

“Australia has taken extensive measures to prevent anti-semitism,” Saul added.

When asked on Monday morning about Netanyahu’s remarks, Albanese said his focus was on bringing people together.

“This is a moment for national unity,” the Australian prime minister told reporters in Sydney. “This is a moment for Australians to come together. That’s precisely what we’ll be doing.”

He also said his government would beef up funding and support to protect Jewish community members, including covering the costs of guard services.

“We’re extending the funding for the National Council for Jewish Community Security and its state-based community security groups, to provide overall security cover to the Jewish community,” Albanese said.

“We’re also working with Jewish community organisations to see how we can best support charity efforts, including through tax-deductible status for donations.”

Australia’s gun reforms under scrutiny

Albanese also told reporters on Monday afternoon that he would be convening a meeting of state premiers to discuss “tougher gun laws, including limits on the number of guns that can be used or licensed by individuals”.

“People’s circumstances change. People can be radicalised over a period of time. Licences should not be in perpetuity,” said Albanese.

His remarks follow questions about the six guns recovered from the scene of the shooting and the revelation that the 24-year-old suspect had previously come under police scrutiny.

Officials have repeatedly said the 50-year-old suspect had “met the eligibility criteria for a firearms licence”, and that the 24-year-old was previously not deemed to be a threat.

Australia introduced some of the world’s strictest gun laws, including bans on automatic and semiautomatic rifles and shotguns, after a shooter killed 35 people in the Tasmanian town of Port Arthur in 1996.

The 1996 reforms, introduced under former Prime Minister John Howard, were hailed as a success after Australia saw no mass shootings occur for close to two decades.

However, according to a recent report from the Australia Institute, the implementation of the laws has lapsed in recent years, with more guns now in the country than before 1996.

On Monday, Albanese said the reforms had “made an enormous difference” and were a “proud moment” of bipartisan action, but that reviews were now needed to ensure better coordination between states.

Chris Minns, the premier of New South Wales, where the shooting took place, also told reporters on Monday he would be reviewing gun laws.

“We want to make sure that prospective reform and change in New South Wales has a lasting impact,” Minns said. “It’s not the last time I’ll be mentioning it, and you can expect action soon.”

Sunday’s shooting at Bondi Beach follows several other mass shootings in recent years, including a 2022 attack in Wieambilla, Queensland, linked to Christian fundamentalist ideology that left six people dead.

An Australian man was also responsible for the attack in 2019 that killed 51 people at a mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand, where semiautomatic weapons are still sold.

Australia’s PM said gun laws would be discussed by the national cabinet today after deadly shooting in Sydney.

At around 18:47 local time (07:47 GMT) on Sunday, New South Wales Police received reports that shots had been fired at a park in Bondi Beach, Sydney.

In the minutes that followed, footage filmed by bystanders shows two gunman appearing to fire a volley of shots towards a park from a bridge.

Police say 15 people, including 10-year-old girl, were killed in the shooting. One of the gunman is also dead.

World news correspondent Joe Inwood pieces together verified footage of the incident to show how Australia’s worst mass shooting in nearly three decades unfolded.

A mass shooting at a Jewish festival at Bondi Beach in the Australian city of Sydney has killed at least 11 people and wounded 29 in what was a grisly, rare occurrence for the country.

Authorities said the “terrorist” incident on Sunday was “designed to target Sydney’s Jewish community on the first day of Hanukkah” as hundreds of people gathered for an event called Chanukah by the Sea.

Countries around the world condemned the deadly attack.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

The Australian leader condemned the “targeted” attack, saying: “What was unleashed today is beyond comprehension.”

Albanese also addressed the Jewish community directly.

“As prime minister, on behalf of all Australians, to the Jewish community: We stand with you, we embrace you and we reaffirm tonight that you have every right to be proud of who you are and what you believe,” Albanese said. “You have the right to worship and study and work and live in peace and safety.

“You should never have to endure the loss that you have suffered today. We will dedicate every resource required to make sure you are safe and protected.”

New Zealand

In neighbouring New Zealand, Chris Luxon, its prime minister, reiterated the two countries’ close bond.

“Australia and New Zealand are closer than friends. We’re family. I am shocked by the distressing scenes at Bondi, a place that Kiwis visit every day. My thoughts and the thoughts of all New Zealanders are with those affected,” Luxon said.

United States

The US “strongly condemns” the attack, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.

“Antisemitism has no place in this world. Our prayers are with the victims of this horrific attack, the Jewish community, and the people of Australia,” he wrote in a post on X.

United Nations

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was “horrified” by the “heinous” shooting.

“I am horrified and condemn today’s heinous deadly attack on Jewish families gathered in Sydney to celebrate Hanukkah,” he posted on X.

“My heart is with the Jewish community worldwide on this first day of Hanukkah.”

Israel

Israeli President Isaac Herzog described the attack as “cruel”.

“Our brothers and sisters in Sydney have been attacked by vile terrorists in a very cruel attack on Jews who went to light the first candle of Hanukkah on Bondi Beach,” Herzog said in a statement.

“Time and again we called on the Australian government to take action and fight against the enormous wave of antisemitism that is plaguing Australian society,” he also said in a post on X.

At least one Israeli national is among those who have been killed in the shooting, according to a statement by Israel’s Foreign Ministry.

It also said that an Israeli national was wounded.

Palestine

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry condemned the shooting and said it “reiterates its firm rejection of all forms of violence, terrorism and extremism, which contradict humanitarian values”.

It expressed its “full solidarity” with “friendly Australia”.

United Kingdom

Keir Starmer, the UK’s prime minister, stated: “Deeply distressing news from Australia. The United Kingdom sends our thoughts and condolences to everyone affected by the appalling attack in Bondi Beach.”

Britain’s King Charles

Charles, the ceremonial head of state for Australia, reacted to the deadly shooting in Bondi Beach.

“My wife and I are appalled and saddened by the most dreadful antisemitic terrorist attack on Jewish people attending Chanukah celebration at Bondi Beach,” the king said in a statement posted on X.

Germany

Friedrich Merz, Germany’s chancellor, said he was shocked by the incident.

“The anti-Semitic attack at Bondi Beach during Hanukkah leaves me utterly shocked. My thoughts are with the victims and their families. This is an attack on our shared values. We must fight anti-Semitism – here in Germany and around the world,” Merz said.

France

Emmanuel Macron, France’s president, said his country would continue to fight against anti-Semitism.

“France extends its thoughts to the victims, the injured and their loved ones. We share the pain of the Australian people and will continue to fight relentlessly against anti-Semitic hatred, which hurts us all wherever it strikes,” Macron said.

The Netherlands

Dick Schoof, the Dutch prime minister, stated: “Shocking and alarming reports from Australia of a horrific attack in Sydney that has left many people dead or injured. I have conveyed my sympathy and support to Prime Minister Albanese on this dark day for Australia.”

Finland

Alexander Stubb, Finland’s president, extended his condolences to Australia’s Jewish population.

“Tonight’s terrorist attack on the Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach was shocking and devastating. Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of the victims as well as the whole Jewish community in Australia,” Stubb said.

Iran

Tehran denounced the “terror” incident, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said.

“We condemn the violent attack in Sydney, Australia. Terror and killing of human beings, wherever committed, is rejected and condemned,” Baghaei said on X.

European Union

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she was “shocked” by the shooting.

“I send my heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims.”

Kaja Kallas, the EU’s foreign policy chief, said the “appalling act of violence against the Jewish community must be unequivocally condemned”.

Norway

Jonas Gahr Store, Norway’s prime minister, said he was “shocked by the horrific attack at Bondi Beach, Australia, during a Jewish Hanukkah event”.

Italy

Giorgia Meloni, Italy’s prime minister, said she “firmly” condemns “any form of violence and anti-Semitism”.

“Italy expresses its sorrow for the victims, stands in solidarity with their relatives, the injured and the Jewish communities, and renews its friendship towards the Australian people,” Meloni said.

Spain

Jose Manuel Albares, Spain’s foreign minister, said he was “horrified” by the attack.

“My solidarity with the victims and their loved ones, with the people and government of Australia. Hate, anti-Semitism and violence have no place in our societies.”

Republic of Ireland

Helen McEntee, Ireland’s foreign minister, said: “I want to express my shock and horror at the anti-Semitic attack on a Jewish community celebrating first day of Hanukkah. … All my thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones and the people of Australia.”

Qatar

Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs denounced the attack and extended its condolences to the families affected.

“Qatar renews its position condemning violence, terrorism and criminality whatever the motives,” the ministry said.

Turkiye

The Turkish Foreign Ministry “strongly condemned” the attack.

It offered condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and to the Australian people, and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.

“As Turkiye, we reiterate our principled stance against all forms and manifestations of terrorism and our commitment to cooperation in combating this global threat,” the ministry said in a statement.

Lebanon

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said: “Just as we condemn and reject attacks on any innocent civilian in Gaza, southern Lebanon, or any region of the world, we condemn, by the same principle and duty, what happened in Sydney.

“The responsibility for these tragedies lies with the systems that spread ideas of hatred, extremism, rejection of the other, and the violent pursuit of religious, ethnic, or political monopoly systems … Just as it falls on what fuels those contexts of injustice, oppression, and absence of justice in our current world.”

UK’s chief rabbi

The UK’s chief rabbi has called the shooting an “unspeakable tragedy”.

In a social media post, Ephraim Mirvis, who serves as the head rabbi for the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth, said: “Absolutely heartbreaking news is emerging of an unspeakable atrocity.”

The rabbi called for people to “join me in praying for everyone affected by this heinous act.”

Australian National Imams Council

A major Australian Muslim organisation condemned the Bondi Beach shooting as a “horrific” act of violence.

“Our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and all those who witnessed or were affected by this deeply traumatic attack,” the Australian National Imams Council said in a statement.

“This is a moment for all Australians, including the Australian Muslim community, to stand together in unity, compassion, and solidarity,” it added.

Muslim World League

The Muslim World League said it “strongly condemns the terrorist attack targeting a gathering of Australian citizens in Sydney”.

In a statement, the international non-governmental Islamic organisation quoted its Secretary General Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa as saying that Muslim people “reject terrorism and violence in all their forms”.

Saudi Arabia

The Saudi Foreign Ministry said the kingdom condemns the “terrorist attack” in Sydney and reaffirmed its stance against all “forms of violence, terrorism and extremism”.

The kingdom said it wished a speedy recovery to those injured.

United Arab Emirates

The UAE’s Foreign Ministry said the country “strongly condemns such criminal acts” and maintains its consistent rejection of “all forms of violence and terrorism” aimed at undermining security and stability.

“The Ministry also expressed its sincere condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims, and to the government and people of Australia, as well as its wishes for a speedy recovery for the injured,” it said in a statement.

Jordan

Jordan’s Foreign Ministry condemned the attack, with ministry spokesperson Fouad al-Majali affirming the country’s full solidarity with “friendly Australia” and its rejection of “all acts of violence and terrorism” that seek to destabilise security.

New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani

Mamdani called the attack a “vile act of anti-Semitic terror”.

“Another Jewish community plunged into mourning and loss, a holiday of light so painfully reduced to a day of darkness,” he said. “This attack is merely the latest, most horrifying iteration in a growing pattern of violence targeted at Jewish people across the world.”

At least 11 people have been killed and more than two dozen wounded in a mass shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, Australian officials said, adding that one of the suspected attackers was killed while another one was in critical condition.

New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said on Sunday, 29 people were injured, including two police officers, in what he declared a “terrorist incident”.

The shooting occurred at about 6:47pm (07:47 GMT) near the Bondi Pavilion during a Hanukkah celebration attended by more than 1,000 people, Lanyon said.

“I’ve also authorised special powers under Section 5 and Section 6 to ensure that if there is a third offender – and we are currently investigating that at the moment – we will make sure that we prevent any further activity. Section 6 allows us to investigate today’s incident,” he said.

In a televised news conference, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the deadly shooting a “targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah”.

Albanese said the “evil” that was unleashed at Bondi Beach is “beyond comprehension”.

“An attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian, and every Australian tonight will be – like me – devastated by this attack on our way of life.”

One of the world’s most famous beaches, Bondi is typically crowded with locals and tourists, especially on warm weekend evenings.

IF you want the Croatia holiday without the crowds, then you need to ditch the popular islands for their quieter neighbours.

One of those is Korčula, right by Hvar and Dubrovnik.

Yet despite being easy to get to – via a short boat from the mainland – it is often overlooked by tourists.

The main place to visit is Korcula Town, nicknamed ‘Little Dubrovnik’.

It’s here where you’ll find the Marco Polo museum, with rumours that the famous figure was born on the island, when it was part of the Republic of Venice in 1254.

Make sure to grab a glass of Grk too – a white wine made on the island that you can’t get anywhere else.

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If you love a gimmick, head up the Massimo Bar, which is on the rooftop of a 15th-century turret.

Guests can climb by ladder, before their drinks are served to them byb pulley system.

Otherwise if you are more of a beer fan, pints can be found for under £3.

You might even spot some Moreska, a local sword dance on the island.

But the beaches are also worth a visit, not just for some time to swim.

Earlier this year, loggerhead turtles were spotted hatching on Pržina Beach on the island, before they headed out to see.

Even without the turtle spotting, the beach is one of the largest and most popular on the island, especially families.

And if you want some more of the luxury holiday lifestyle, head over to Korčula’s Vrink islet.

Accessible by water taxi, this is where you spot some of the celebs hanging out.

Everyone from Beyoncé and Jay-Z to Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson have previously been spotted there.

Jet2 has a number of holidays for under £700 each on the island too, which come with seven nights and return flights.

Otherwise you can fly to Dubrovnik for around £15 with Ryanair, followed by a two hour ferry ride to the island.

Here is another Croatia island to add to your travel list.

And we’ve rounded up 20 of the best islands in Europe which have direct flights.

Video shared on X shows the dramatic moment a bystander disarms a gunman during a mass shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach that has left a dozen people dead and injured. The suspect gets away then joins another shooter who continues firing from a bridge.

Police in Australia say they are responding to a developing incident at Sydney’s Bondi Beach after media outlets reported a shooting incident.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported shots at the beach on Sunday, saying multiple people had been injured. Television networks Sky and ABC aired footage showing people lying on the ground.

The New South Wales (NSW) police said two people were in custody, adding that the operation was ongoing.

“Anyone at the scene should take shelter,” they posted on X, calling on the public to avoid the area.

A spokesperson for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the government was aware “of an active security situation in Bondi”.

“We urge people in the vicinity to follow information from NSW Police,” said the spokesperson.

More to come…