“Australia’s spy agency previously investigated Bondi Beach gunman Naveed Akram over his alleged ties to Islamic State. The 24-year-old and his father Sajid Akram, 50, have been named as terror suspects responsible for killing at least 15 in an attack targeting Jewish families celebrating Hanukkah in Sydney on Sunday. The pair, carrying hunting rifles, opened fire on hundreds of people gathered at Australia’s most famous beach in what became one of the nation’s worst massacres. Anthony Albanese, Australia’s prime minister, confirmed that Naveed Akram had been investigated for six months in 2019 by ASIO, Australia’s domestic intelligence agency. Authorities believed he had pledged allegiance to the IS terrorist group, the ABC reported. ASIO and local police confirmed he was “known” to them but they did not consider him an “immediate” threat. His father, a small business owner, was licensed to own six guns. Officials have declared Sunday’s shooting a targeted anti-Semitic attack. Police recovered a black and white IS flag in a car linked to the men. Naveed Akram is in hospital under police guard. His father was shot dead by police.” – Daily Telegraph
Comment:
> Yesterday:
“The Conservatives will scrap millions of pounds of net zero car subsidies if they win the next election. Kemi Badenoch said Labour’s rush to carbon neutrality was having a “disastrous effect” on the British car industry and insisted the pledge could save the public finances £3.8bn over the next decade. Over the weekend the Conservative Party leader said that she would scrap the mandate on manufacturers forcing them to produce a growing number of electric vehicles and end the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel cars. In addition she said the Tories would end the large taxpayer subsidies used to back up the mandate, saving the Treasury £440m a year over the next decade. They would scrap subsidy programmes associated with the Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate, except those concerned with research and development. Ms Badenoch said: “Labour’s rush to net zero is having a disastrous effect on the UK car industry. The Conservatives will ensure that we protect the environment but we will do so without forcing families to bear the brunt of the costs, and forcing car makers to meet deadlines that don’t reflect consumer demand.”” – Daily Telegraph
Comment:
> Today:
> Yesterday:
“Pro-democracy campaigner Jimmy Lai has been found guilty of national security offences in Hong Kong. The media tycoon and British citizen, 78, was arrested in August 2020 after China imposed a national security law following massive anti-government protests in Hong Kong. Sky News’ Asia correspondent Helen-Ann Smith, who is at West Kowloon Law Courts Building, said Lai looked “drawn and thin” as he listened to the verdict being delivered. He had previously been sentenced for several lesser offences during his five years in prison. Lai, who founded the now-defunct pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, was charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit collusion with foreign forces to endanger national security, as well as one count of conspiracy to distribute seditious publications. He has been found guilty of all three charges and could be sentenced later to life in prison.” – Sky News