INTERNACIONAL
Families mourn loved ones lost in Bondi Beach terror attack: ‘No words can describe the pain’
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
The families of seven victims of Sunday’s fatal Bondi Beach shooting released heartbreaking statements about their loved ones on Thursday, expressing profound grief and sharing touching memories.
The deadly terror attack at a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, left at least 15 dead. Authorities have identified the assailants as a father-son duo, and believe the attack was inspired by ISIS.
The father was killed on the scene, while the son was shot by police and taken for medical care. He has been slapped with dozens of charges, including 15 counts of murder.
Marika Pogany, 82, was a member of COA Sydney, a volunteer service for Jewish seniors, who was killed in the Bondi Beach attack on Dec. 14. (NSW Police)
POGANY FAMILY
Marika Pogany, 82, was a member of COA Sydney, a volunteer service for Jewish seniors.
«Marika, known lovingly to all as Omi, was a beautiful mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and steadfast friend, whose warmth and energy touched countless lives,» her family wrote. «Vibrant and full of life, she brought joy and energy into every room and found her greatest happiness surrounded by her adoring family. Her darling son Romy was her greatest achievement and her world.»
Pogany came to Australia in 1968 from Czechoslovakia with her son and brother, her family said, and she became a «proud» Australian citizen in 1972.
‘WE WARNED THEM’ JEWISH LEADER SAYS AFTER BONDI BEACH TERROR ATTACK THAT KILLS 15
«She had an extraordinary gift for connecting with people,» her family stated. «Her kindness, laughter, and generosity left a lasting mark on everyone she met, and her incredible network of friends was a true reflection of the love and loyalty she inspired.
«Deeply devoted to her community, she gave her time and heart in service to others, delivering meals and helping people in need, embodying love in action.»
Pogany’s family added, «Though she is gone, her light will continue to shine brightly through the family and friends who were so blessed to have her in their lives. Forever our gorgeous Darlink.»
Adam Smyth, 50, father of four children, was killed during the attack at Bondi Beach.
SMYTH FAMILY
Adam Smyth, 50, was a father of four children and husband to Katrina. His family said the couple was walking on Bondi Beach Sunday evening when they found themselves in the middle of the attack.
«No words can describe the pain of our loss,» Smyth’s family wrote. «Adam and Katrina were living their best lives together. Their shared love of family and friends, travel and sport — if not always the same team — made their time together truly special.»
Smyth loved many sports clubs, including the English Premier League football team Liverpool.
«We will forever cherish the time we have had with him. Adam was a generous and kind person who will be dearly missed and is forever irreplaceable,» his family wrote, adding, «You’ll never walk alone.»
Boris and Sofia Gurman were killed during the Bondi Beach shooting on Dec. 14. (NSW Police)
GURMAN FAMILY
Boris Gurman, 69, and Sofia Gurman, 61, were a Russian-Jewish couple who confronted one of the gunmen before the attack began, momentarily disarming the assailant before he grabbed another rifle and killed them.
The couple was going to celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary in January and were going to mark Sophia’s birthday just days after the attack, «a moment that now feels incredibly hard to comprehend,» the Gurman family wrote.
«Boris and Sofia were deeply devoted to their family and were well known in their community for their kindness, warmth and willingness to help others,» they wrote. «Boris was a retired mechanic, and Sofia was working at Australia Post for the past five years. They lived honest, hardworking lives and treated everyone with care and respect.»
They added, «We are deeply grateful for the love and support shown to our family during this unimaginable time.»
ELKAYAM FAMILY
Dan Elkayam, a 27-year-old French national, was playing football at Bondi Beach and celebrating the lighting of the Hannukah Candles.
«During a mass shooting, Dan was shot in the back while trying to run away,» Elkayam’s family wrote. «He was murdered because he was Jewish.»
Elkayam played football at the 2022 Maccabiah Games and for several teams in both France and Australia.
SURVIVING AUSTRALIA TERROR SUSPECT SLAPPED WITH CHARGES IN WAKE OF DEADLY ATTACK
Dan Elkayam, a 27-year-old French national, was killed on Dec. 14 during the attack at Bondi Beach.
«Dan loved life – fully and intensely,» his family stated. «He traveled the world and was known for his gentle, kind, fun and loving nature, making friends wherever he went. Alongside football, he had a deep connection with nature. He was a certified scuba diver and an explorer at heart, always eager to discover new places, cultures, and experiences.»
Elkayam’s family said his smile «could light up any room» and was someone «who truly wanted to do good in the world.»
«It is now our responsibility to carry forward the light that Dan spread,» his family stated. «He was surrounded by loved ones from all walks of life and all communities, and in times as dark as these, we all have a duty to continue spreading kindness, compassion, and joy — in his name.»
Boris Tetleroyd, who was killed in the Bondi Beach shooting, was remembered by his family as a «gentle man.»
TETLEROYD FAMILY
Boris Tetleroyd «was loved by everyone he met,» his family said.
«He was profoundly loved and adored by his sons Yaakov and Roman and by his wife Svetlana,» they continued. «He is also deeply loved by his brother, aunt, nieces, nephews, cousins and all who had the privilege of knowing him.»
Tetleroyd’s family added that he was a «gentle man» and «gifted musician.»
Alex Kleytman, 87, was a Holocaust survivor from Ukraine killed in the Bondi Beach attack. (NSW Police)
KLEYTMAN FAMILY
Alex Kleytman, 87, was a Holocaust survivor from Ukraine. He was celebrating Hanukkah at Bondi Beach with his wife of 57 years, Larisa Kleytman, who is also a Holocaust survivor, when the shooting began.
«He was a fascinating person of many talents and an unwavering spirit,» his family wrote, adding that he was also «very stubborn.»
Kleytman «survived the hardships of World War II in frozen Siberia, carrying with him a lifetime of extraordinary stories of resilience, survival, and unexpected luck» and worked as a civil engineer and estimator, first in the former Soviet Union and then in Australia.
His family said he died «doing what he loved most: protecting Larisa, standing proudly as a Jew, and celebrating the Festival of Lights.»
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
«The two gunmen killed him, but his memories, his legacy, and his books will bring light for generations to come,» his family added.
Fox News Digital’s Alex Nitzberg and Rachel Wolf contributed to this report.
world,australia,mass shootings
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
The National Guard will be removed from Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland, for now, following efforts to reduce crime in those Democratic-run cities, but it was «only a question of time» when troops will return, President Donald Trump said Wednesday after a series of legal setbacks.
«We are removing the National Guard from Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland, despite the fact that CRIME has been greatly reduced by having these great Patriots in those cities, and ONLY by that fact,» Trump wrote on Truth Social. «Portland, Los Angeles, and Chicago were GONE if it weren’t for the Federal Government stepping in.»
The National Guard was deployed to the cities in an effort to curb crime, which Trump said had gotten out of control in those cities.
DEMOCRATS TRY TO FLIP THE SCRIPT ON ‘STATES’ RIGHTS’ TO DEFY, UPEND TRUMP’S NATIONAL GUARD PLAN
Members of the Texas National Guard assemble in Elwood, Illinois, at the Army Reserve Training Center in the southwest suburb of Chicago, on Oct. 7. 2025. The Trump administration on Wednesday said it will remove National Guard troops from Chicago, Los Angeles and Portland, Oregon. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
California, Illinois and Oregon responded with lawsuits seeking to block the move, arguing that federalizing the troops was an unlawful overreach. Federal judges eventually blocked the deployments.
Fox News Digital has reached out to California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek, as well as the mayors of Los Angeles, Portland and Chicago.
In a tweet, Newsom said Trump’s federalization of the National Guard was illegal.
«About time @realDonaldTrump admitted defeat,» he said. «We’ve said it from day one: the federal takeover of California’s National Guard is illegal.»
«Trump is backing away because there was never a legal justification for deploying troops in L.A. and cities across the country,» Karen Bass, mayor of Los Angeles, wrote on X. «The Constitution still applies to presidents who wish it didn’t. Angelenos stood together. We saw through it. The courts saw through it.»
«My office has not yet received official notification that the remaining federalized Oregon National Guard troops can return home,» Kotek said in a statement to Fox News Digital. «They were never lawfully deployed to Portland and there was no need for their presence. If President Trump has finally chosen to follow court orders and demobilize our troops, that’s a big win for Oregonians and for the rule of law.»
On X, Pritzker accused Trump of lying about why the troops will be removed.
«Donald Trump’s lying again,» he wrote. «He lost in court when Illinois stood up against his attempt to militarize American cities with the National Guard. Now Trump is forced to stand down.»
In his post, Trump said the federal government would be back, «in a much different and stronger form, when crime begins to soar again.»
TRUMP SAYS HE’D CONSIDER INVOKING INSURRECTION ACT AS COURTS, GOVERNORS SEEK TO BLOCK HIS CRIME CRACKDOWN
«The Atlantic» contributing writer Juliette Kayyem said Trump endangered U.S. National Guard soldiers when he deployed in Washington, D.C. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty)
«Only a question of time! It is hard to believe that these Democrat Mayors and Governors, all of whom are greatly incompetent, would want us to leave, especially considering the great progress that has been made???» he added.
The National Guard typically operates under the control of governors, but can be called into federal service by the president only under certain circumstances.
On Dec. 10, a federal judge blocked the deployment of National Guard troops to Los Angeles and ordered them returned to the control of Newsom.
As of Dec. 28, Chicago recorded 412 murders, down from 585 in the same time frame in 2024, according to police data.
«Chicago recorded the fewest homicides in 2025 than in any year this century, with totals far below previous spikes. The city hasn’t recorded figures this low since the mid 1960’s,» Johnson wrote Wednesday on X.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Portland saw reoccurring anti-ICE protests in late 2025, with demonstrators clashing with authorities.
In Los Angeles, federal authorities were sometimes met with violent resistance during anti-ICE protests earlier in the year as the Trump administration tamped up its mass deportation program targeting criminal illegal immigrants.
national guard,los angeles,chicago,portland,us,donald trump,military
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
France is planning to ban children under 15 from social media and to restrict cellphone use in high schools starting next year, local media Le Monde reported on Tuesday.
The proposal aims to curb excessive screen time and shield minors from online risks such as inappropriate content. President Emmanuel Macron has repeatedly cited social media as a contributing factor to violence among young people.
«Many studies and reports now confirm the various risks caused by excessive use of digital screens by adolescents,» a draft law stated, according to Le Monde.
The document added that children with unrestrained access online have been exposed to «inappropriate content» and could suffer from cyber-harassment or experience changes to their sleep patterns, according to the outlet.
AFTER AUSTRALIA PASSES SOCIAL MEDIA BAN, LAWMAKERS PROBED ON WHY CONGRESS HASN’T DONE MORE TO PROTECT KIDS
President Emmanuel Macron is planning to ban social media use among children under 15 years old. (TERESA SUAREZ/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
The proposal follows Australia’s lead after the country introduced a world-first ban on social media for children under 16 years old in December, restricting access to platforms such as Facebook, TikTok and YouTube.
Macron is aiming for Parliament to debate the proposal in January, with a potential start date of September next year, according to the local outlet.
In June, Macron said he wanted to push for similar regulations across the European Union (EU), following a fatal school stabbing in eastern France that shocked the nation in April, Reuters reported.
TEXAS FAMILY SUES CHARACTER.AI AFTER CHATBOT ALLEGEDLY ENCOURAGED AUTISTIC SON TO HARM PARENTS AND HIMSELF
A 13-year-old girl is using her smartphone in a dark room. (iStock)
Macron has previously taken numerous steps to protect minors digitally. However, technical challenges, including EU legal constraints and weak enforcement, have limited the effectiveness of such measures.
Cellphones have already been banned in French elementary and middle schools since 2018, according to Le Monde.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese enacted a world-first social media ban in December, barring children under 16 from using major platforms. (Brent Lewin/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
In 2023, France reportedly attempted to pass a law calling for a «digital legal age,» which required parental consent for social media users under 15 years old. The law, however, was blocked by EU regulations.
In November, the European Parliament urged the EU to set minimum social media ages to tackle adolescent mental health issues, though final decisions rest with its member states, Reuters reported.
france,kids,regulation,world
INTERNACIONAL
Año Nuevo en el mundo EN VIVO: Europa recibió al 2026 con espectáculos de fuegos artificiales y DJs
Las festividades comenzaron en el remoto atolón de Kiritimati y avanzaron desde Asia hasta el continente europeo. Los americanos aguardan por las celebraciones
Las celebraciones de Año Nuevo recorrieron el planeta este miércoles y jueves mientras miles de millones de personas despiden un 2025 marcado por conflictos geopolíticos, crisis climáticas y tensiones económicas. El remoto atolón de Kiritimati en Kiribati inauguró las festividades a las 10:00 GMT, seguido por Auckland, Sídney y las principales capitales del este asiático en una cadena global de fuegos artificiales, ceremonias y reflexión.
Sídney ofreció uno de los espectáculos más emotivos: nueve toneladas de fuegos artificiales iluminaron el icónico puerto ante cientos de miles de espectadores, pero las celebraciones incluyeron un minuto de silencio y proyecciones de “Paz” y “Unidad” en el puente del puerto en memoria de las 15 víctimas del tiroteo masivo en Bondi Beach ocurrido hace dos semanas. En Seúl, fuegos artificiales estallaron sobre la Lotte World Tower mientras la histórica campana del pabellón Bosingak sonó 33 veces, una tradición arraigada en la cosmología budista que simboliza los 33 cielos.
China recibió el nuevo año con un espectáculo de tambores tradicionales en la Gran Muralla, horas después de que el presidente Xi Jinping defendiera la paz global y reiterara el objetivo de “reunificación” con Taiwán. Hong Kong, Taiwán, Malasia, Singapur y Filipinas se sumaron simultáneamente a las festividades. Las celebraciones continuarán su avance hacia el oeste rumbo a Tailandia, India, Europa y finalmente las Américas.
Europa no se quedó atrás con las celebraciones y las principales capitales del continente lanzaron fuegos artificiales para recibir el Año Nuevo. París, Londres, Berlín y Edimburgo fueron las ciudades que destacaron por sobre el resto.
Grecia celebró la llegada de 2026 e iluminó el cielo sobre la antigua Acrópolis de Grecia
Los fuegos artificiales iluminaron el cielo sobre la colina de la Acrópolis en Atenas la noche del miércoles, marcando la llegada del nuevo año. El espectáculo, que tiñó de colores los antiguos monumentos y el templo del Partenón, reunió a miles de personas en la capital griega para celebrar la víspera de Año Nuevo.
El templo del Partenón recibió 2026 en un ambiente tranquilo, con fuegos artificiales limitados. El alcalde de Atenas explicó que la ciudad optó por pirotecnia silenciosa y respetuosa con el medio ambiente, atendiendo a las molestias que los espectáculos ruidosos pueden causar a mascotas, animales y personas sensibles al ruido.
Las mejores imágenes del recibimiento de Londres al 2026
El espectáculo de fuegos artificiales de Año Nuevo iluminó la Torre Elizabeth y el London Eye durante las celebraciones que marcaron la llegada de 2026 en Londres.
El evento, organizado por la alcaldía, reunió a más de 100.000 personas a lo largo del río Támesis, uno de los puntos más emblemáticos de la ciudad en estas fechas.
Los berlineses recibieron al 2026 en la Puerta de Brandeburgo
Unas 20.000 personas se congregaron en la Puerta de Brandeburgo de Berlín para dar la bienvenida al Año Nuevo, disfrutando de un espectáculo de fuegos artificiales sobre el emblemático monumento histórico de la capital alemana.
Además, DJs animaron la celebración en Alemania.
Los fuegos artificiales iluminaron el cielo de Edimburgo para dar la bienvenida al Año Nuevo
Las icónicas celebraciones en Europa recorrieron el mundo y en Escocia los festejos de “Hogmanay” en Edimburgo atraen a decenas de miles de personas a la capital escocesa para disfrutar de fiestas callejeras y fuegos artificiales.
Dubái recibe al 2026
Dubái da la bienvenida al Año Nuevo con un impresionante espectáculo de fuegos artificiales en el rascacielos más alto del mundo, Burj Khalifa.
Hong Kong dio la bienvenida a 2026
Taiwán recibió el año nuevo
Tokio recibió el 2026 con ceremonias budistas y celebraciones callejeras
La capital japonesa dio la bienvenida al nuevo año con tradiciones centenarias y festividades modernas que llenaron las calles minutos después de la medianoche.
Monjes budistas tocaron la gran campana del templo Zojoji en Tokio, siguiendo la costumbre ritual que marca el inicio del shōgatsu, el festival de Año Nuevo más importante del calendario japonés. La ceremonia forma parte de las celebraciones que se extenderán hasta el 3 de enero, cuando millones de japoneses visitarán templos en todo el país.
En otras partes de la ciudad, bailarines actuaron frente al edificio del Gobierno Metropolitano de Tokio durante un evento de cuenta regresiva justo antes de la medianoche.
Las fotos del Año Nuevo en Corea del Sur
Seúl despidió el 2025 con celebraciones que combinaron tradiciones centenarias, modernos despliegues visuales y un tono de sobriedad tras la tragedia aérea de Jeju Air en diciembre de 2024 que cobró 179 vidas.
La Lotte World Tower, el edificio más alto de Corea del Sur, se iluminó con un espectáculo de rayos láser y fuegos artificiales a medianoche, mientras decenas de miles de personas se congregaron en el pabellón Bosingak para presenciar la ceremonia de las campanas. La histórica campana de bronce sonó 33 veces, en una tradición arraigada en la cosmología budista que busca disipar la mala fortuna y dar la bienvenida a la paz y prosperidad.
Miles de fieles budistas visitaron el templo Jogyesa, caminando bajo linternas decoradas con deseos de Año Nuevo mientras rezaban por el año venidero. Las imágenes desde Seúl muestran también a ciudadanos fotografiándose frente a letreros luminosos de “2026” en las calles de la capital, en celebraciones marcadas por medidas de seguridad reforzadas.
Beijing recibió el 2026 con un espectáculo de tambores en la Gran Muralla
China dio la bienvenida al nuevo año a las 16:00 GMT (medianoche hora local) con una celebración en la sección Juyongguan de la Gran Muralla, que incluyó una cuenta regresiva y un tradicional espectáculo de percusión.
La ceremonia en uno de los monumentos más emblemáticos del país se sumó a las celebraciones que se extendieron simultáneamente por toda la región: Hong Kong, Taiwán, Malasia, Singapur y Filipinas también recibieron el 2026 en esta hora, horas después de que el presidente Xi Jinping pronunciara su mensaje de fin de año defendiendo la paz global y reiterando el objetivo de “reunificación” con Taiwán.
China y sus vecinos del este y sudeste asiático se unen así a Japón y Corea del Sur en la cadena de celebraciones que continúa su avance hacia el oeste rumbo a Tailandia, India y el resto del continente.
Anniversaries,General Society,Human Interest,Europe,Anniversaries,Human Interest / Brights / Odd News
Tras seis meses de sanción, Emilio Nsue regresó con un gol en la Copa Africana
Senado: la no integración en comisiones vuelve a convertirse en un problema para el interbloque kirchnerista
Uno por uno, cuáles fueron los 10 autos 0 km más vendidos de 2025 en la Argentina
María Vázquez y Adolfo Cambiaso con amigos en la playa: mates y charlas al atardecer
Trump withdraws National Guard from Chicago, LA and Portland, for now
Anunciados geniales teclados de Sonic – Nintenderos
Calor extremo en el AMBA: cuándo la temperatura rozará los 40 grados
Calendario de pagos de ANSES de enero 2026: cuándo cobran jubilados, pensionados y beneficiarios de planes sociales
Patricia Bullrich destacó la aprobación del Presupuesto 2026 y la ruptura del peronismo en el Senado
Quién era Charlie Menditéguy, el millonario argentino que conquistó a Brigitte Bardot y renunció a la Fórmula 1 por ella
SOCIEDAD3 días agoCalor extremo en el AMBA: cuándo la temperatura rozará los 40 grados
- POLITICA2 días ago
Axel Kicillof insistirá con la reelección indefinida de intendentes, pero evita el debate de la Boleta Única
- CHIMENTOS2 días ago
Jorge Lanata, a un año de su muerte: el periodista más original, influyente y popular de su generación
