The Morning Edition

Jordan Baker, Chief Reporter for The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald, shares gripping accounts of the Bondi shooting's aftermath. He highlights astonishing heroism, like the elderly couple who bravely confronted the gunmen, paying the ultimate price. Baker recounts how locals, including the courageous Ahmed Al-Ahmed, disarmed the attacker and sheltered victims, showcasing remarkable community solidarity. The surge in blood donations and fundraising efforts illustrates the powerful collective response, uniting individuals across different backgrounds in the face of tragedy.

Michael Visontay, an author and former senior editor at The Sydney Morning Herald, shares his compelling story as a descendant of Holocaust survivors. He reflects on the impact of the Bondi Beach shootings and how his family's history of persecution shapes their responses to modern threats. Visontay discusses Australia's unique position as a home for Holocaust survivors and the communal vigilance that stems from this legacy. His personal fears and the anxiety felt by the Jewish community reveal a profound connection to safety in everyday life.

We’re releasing an additional episode today featuring one of our reporters, Elias Visontay, who was at Bondi Beach with a friend on the day of the terror attack. Elias recounts his first-hand experience as the gunmen fired bullets at the unexpecting crowd. You can read his story on our websites here. And if you’re struggling with the bad news at the moment, support is available on Lifeline 13 11 14 or NSW Health mental health line, available 24/7 on 1800 011 511.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The recent mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration in Bondi Beach left the community shattered. Eyewitness accounts reveal harrowing moments as families fled for their lives. A heroic bystander bravely wrestled a gun away from a shooter, garnering national praise. Meanwhile, police discovered explosive devices linked to the attackers. The podcast delves into the shooters' backgrounds, their motivations, and troubling questions about gun access in Australia. Amidst the chaos, the Jewish community voices its fears and the need for unity and political action.

Jordan Baker, a chief reporter who provided on-scene coverage at Bondi Beach, shares his firsthand accounts of a devastating mass shooting during a Hanukkah celebration. He vividly describes the shock and chaos as two attackers opened fire, leaving multiple casualties. Eyewitnesses struggled to comprehend the horror, while emergency responders rushed to help the wounded. Baker highlights the scale of the incident and its profound impact on Sydney, emphasizing that this tragedy will resonate deeply within the community.

Today, we're delving into the expenses scandal, if indeed we are calling it a scandal, that has engulfed the Communications Minister Anika Wells. A $100,000 taxpayer funded flight to New York snow-balled into a drip-feed of information about flights to the Formula 1 grand prix, the Boxing Day tests and even a family reunion at Thredbo. All of this dropping at precisely the moment the minister wanted to be talking about the social media ban that was instituted this week.So, what are the rules around taxpayer-funded travel for MPs? And do the pass the 'pub test'? Joining host Jacqueline Maley is chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal, and chief political commentator James Massola.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The video is, according to those who have seen it, horrific to watch. Two sailors cling to the debris of a blown-up boat in the Caribbean, when they’re killed by a US military strike.  This occurred after the first strike on their boat failed to kill everybody on board. It has sparked outrage, and led to accusations – by Democrat and Republican lawmakers alike – that the US Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, has presided over a military mission that may have been marked by war crimes. Today, Andrew Bell, an expert on law and ethics in military operations, and a senior research scholar at the Center for International Security and Conflict at Stanford University, on why Donald Trump has ordered multiple boat strikes in the Caribbean, which have killed at least 80 people. And whether this could splinter the MAGA movement.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this fascinating discussion, senior reporter Chris Vedelago delves into the hidden risks of post-sentence supervision orders in Victoria. He reveals alarming cases of monitored sex offenders who have reoffended, including a gripping account of Theo Briggs' violent spree. Chris examines the legal barriers preventing public awareness and challenges the veil of secrecy protecting offenders. He raises critical questions about transparency and whether anonymity should be sacrificed to enhance community safety. The conversation highlights the urgent need for reform in the justice system.

Bronte Gosling, a tech and policy reporter for The Age/SMH, dives into the implications of Australia's social media ban for teens. She reveals how platforms will be handling account suspensions and the challenges of enforcing compliance. Gosling discusses the various methods kids might use to bypass restrictions and the responsibility of tech companies versus parents. With a focus on age verification methods, she highlights the potential legal challenges ahead and what success might look like.

Anne Applebaum, a staff writer at The Atlantic and noted historian on authoritarianism, shares her harrowing experiences from the frontlines of Sudan’s civil war. She discusses the grim realities of a country dominated by warring militias, emphasizing the shocking impact of the U.S. withdrawal of aid. Applebaum highlights poignant encounters with a dedicated doctor and mutual-aid volunteers, illustrating the resilience amidst chaos. She warns of the regional risks posed by Sudan's instability and underlines the importance of diplomatic engagement and support for local initiatives.