Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has resisted calls for a national royal commission in the wake of the mass shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach. Photo: ReutersThe Jewish families of the Bondi Beach terror attack victims are demanding the Prime Minister set up a national royal commission, saying he owes Australians "the truth". But with a well-led Commonwealth Royal Commission and strong action, you may be able to save many more," the families said. Opposition frontbencher James McGrath said it was not just the coalition that was demanding a royal commission. The organisation had been in contact with NSW Police weeks before the Bondi attack over heightened risks to Hanukkah celebrations, the premier confirmed.

Owners of 66 luxury vehicles damaged in Auckland’s 2023 Anniversary Weekend flooding have been given three months to have their cars inspected and re-certified or face de-registration, following an administrative error that left the vehicles improperly registered. Administrative error discoveredStar Insure, which specialises in insurance for high-performance, luxury and classic vehicles, notified NZTA of the issue in late August after discovering the error internally. Star Insure chief executive Roger Wallace says the company acted immediately upon discovering the problem. “On discovering the error, Star Insure was immediately concerned about the potential safety of these vehicles. Dealership involvementSome of the affected vehicles were sold by Star Insure to the Tristram Auckland dealership group.

Trump, who had promised to finish the war on day one of his presidency, said he had no deadline but is embarking on a year-end diplomatic sprint. US President Donald Trump welcomes Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida, on December 28, 2025. Photo / Jim Watson, AFPBefore the talks began, Trump posted on social media that his conversation with Putin was “very productive”. At their October meeting, Trump refused Zelenskyy’s request for long-range Tomahawk missiles as Trump again said that Putin was showing positive signs. Trump and Putin are also set to hold another phone call later Sunday.

Page explained his decision was based on weather conditions, and knowledge that MCG pitches typically don’t deteriorate a lot over the course of a match. The 2017 Boxing Day Ashes Test ended in a deathly dull draw and prompted the MCC to replace its drop-in pitches and the base they sit in. Australia coach Andrew McDonald inspects the MCG pitch on Christmas Eve. Credit: Getty Images“So the longer the grass, the more chance as [the ball] pitches, something will interact with the seam, and it will be more likely to deviate. “The thickness of the grass, the ball was sitting in the grass, if that makes sense to you.

During the 12-day war launched by Israel against Iran in June, the country’s missile defence system failed to intercept all the projectiles fired by Tehran towards Israeli territory. During the 12-day war launched by Israel against Iran in June, the country’s missile defence system failed to intercept all the projectiles fired by Tehran towards Israeli territory. Photo / Getty ImagesIsrael’s Defence Ministry said today that it had deployed a new “Iron Beam” laser system for the Air Force to intercept aerial threats. The laser system’s main developers, the ministry’s research and development department and defence contractor Rafael, delivered it to the Air Force at a ceremony in northern Israel. “For the first time globally, a high-power laser interception system has achieved full operational maturity, successfully executing multiple interceptions,” Defence Minister Israel Katz said in a statement.

Kate Bush has paid tribute to a “special” antiques dealer who remains missing after a Christmas Day swim in Devon. The singer said she had been friends with Matthew Upham, 63, for 30 years and that he “lived life to the full”. He was extraordinarily kind, thoughtful and lived life to the full. “His family are heartbroken and, along with many of his friends, so am I. Matthew was a very strong swimmer. Thank you, Matthew, for being one of the best friends anyone could have.”

Auckland's central city may face delays in vehicle extractions after a fire engine crash. Photo / SunLiveBy RNZThe Professional Firefighters Union says there will be delays extracting anyone who may become trapped in a vehicle in Auckland’s central city, after a fire engine was damaged in a crash. Police were called at 9.38am on Sunday morning to the intersection of Hobson St and Victoria St West. Fire and Emergency’s northern communications shift manager Ryan Geen told RNZ the crash occurred while a local crew was responding to a fire call under lights and sirens. “While they’re on the way, they’ve had an incident involving another vehicle,” he said.

Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka, her goddaughter Nicole, and Australia's Nick Kyrgios celebrate with trophies after the match. PHOTO: REUTERSNick Kyrgios has beat Aryna Sabalenka 6‑3 6‑3 in a "Battle of the Sexes" exhibition match billed as a modern take on Billie Jean King's famous win over Bobby Riggs over 50 years ago, but one that ignited controversy over its relevance and meaning. The match that gave the event its name was the 1973 "Battle of the Sexes" when women's tennis pioneer King beat 55-year-old former Grand Slam winner Riggs, who had said that the standard of women's tennis could never match that of the men's game. "I don't think many people would have put their hand up to be in this position, especially in my position," Kyrgios said. 'GREAT OPPORTUNITY'"It was a really tough match," Kyrgios added.

Former Black Caps allrounder Doug Bracewell has announced his retirement from all cricket. Just three years later he made his ODI, T20 International and test debuts for the Black Caps. Doug Bracewell bowls for Central Districts against the Otago Volts at the University Oval in January 2024. Central Districts Cricket CEO Lance Hamilton thanked Bracewell for his loyalty and service to Central Districts Cricket over his extensive career. Central Districts Cricket will confirm a replacement on its 2025/26 season roster of contracted players in the coming weeks.

Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios embrace at the net after the Battle of the Sexes match in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Photo / Getty ImagesAryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios embrace at the net after the Battle of the Sexes match in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Photo / Getty ImagesNick Kyrgios beat women’s world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the “Battle of the Sexes” today, in a highly-publicised showdown with modified rules that divided tennis fans. Former Wimbledon finalist Kyrgios won 6-3, 6-3 in an exhibition match in Dubai that bore little resemblance to the era-defining 1973 encounter between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs. Each player received only one serve and the dimensions of Sabalenka’s side of the court were 9% smaller, in an attempt to restrict Kyrgios’ power and speed advantage.

A strong wind watch is in place for the upper South Island tonight, although much of the island will escape the severe weather forecast to batter the North Island. "While it has its things going on, it's definitely much better than than the North Island," she said. Auckland, Great Barrier Island and Coromandel are currently under a strong wind watch, as will be the central North Island from 10am. A warning of severe gales has been issued for Manawatu, Horowhenua and Kapiti coast from 4pm, while the Tararua district and Wairarapa will be under a heavy rain watch from 6pm. Northland and Whanganui are the places to be in the North Island today for the best weather.

REPORT & PHOTO: NIC DUFFFelicity Montgomery rounds the final barrel on her way to winning the Junior Barrel Racing at the Omarama Rodeo yesterday. The annual event featured a full programme of bull riding, barrel racing, breakaway roping and more rodeo events from juniors right through to the open sections. There were plenty of food and drink vendors on site to keep everyone happy as well as apparel stalls selling hats and equestrian gear. There was also a bouncy castle for the younger children to enjoy. The National Rodeo Finals will be held in Waikouaiti in March.

$28m each - Rawene Ave, Westmere & Ronaki Rd, Mission BayTwo homes sold for combined $56mThis Rawene Ave property was involved in a $56m house swap. They were soon connected with the owner of an impressive home in the city’s east in Ronaki Rd, Mission Bay. Well, $22m in the case of another grand mansion sold this year in Ronaki Rd, Mission Bay. $15m - Jervois Rd, Herne BayThe buyers of this $15m Herne Bay home in Jervois Rd can now enjoy a landscaped garden with mature jacaranda trees. Photos of the home show gorgeous landscaped gardens with mature jacaranda trees, a pool and pool house, and indoor-outdoor entertaining.

Delight your friends and family, captivate our readers and share your favourite holiday images in our Magic Moments competition. The winners will be announced in the Otago Daily Times on January 12. First prize: $100 voucher and an A3 canvas of the winning photographSecond prize: A3 canvas print of the second prize photograph. Third prize: ODT puzzle of the Dunedin Railway Station. Also: Everyone who has a photo published in our competition can take the original file to Jonathan's Photo Warehouse in Dunedin and receive a free enlargement.

PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERYIf you yell the name "Bella" out at a Dunedin dog park, expect a swarm of labrador retrievers to answer the call. As 2025 wraps up, the Dunedin City Council has released what names the city’s residents are dishing out to man’s best friends. A council spokeswoman said the name Bella came in at No1, with 192 dogs in the city claiming the name. Bella is a long-standing favourite for dog owners and has taken the top spot multiple times over the past eight years. Their highlight however, was holding 105 dog safety sessions in Dunedin schools and kindergartens — up from 96 sessions in 2024.