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Ahmed al-Ahmed, 43, is seen tackling one of the Bondi gunmen in this screengrab from a social media video. Photo: X

Bondi Beach attack hero wanted to protect ‘innocent people’

Recovering from gunshot wounds, Syrian Ahmed al Ahmed says he ‘saved lots’ but mourns the 15 victims of the tragedy.

4 hours agovideocam

Sectarian tensions flare and turn deadly in Syria after mosque bombing

29 Dec 2025 - 12:40PM

Why young people are turning to Gen Z and millennial Christian influencers

27 Dec 2025 - 12:15PMvideocam

Blast in Syria kills 8 at mosque targeting Alawite minority in Homs

Authorities investigate explosive devices planted during Friday prayers, heightening sectarian tensions and fears among minorities.

27 Dec 2025 - 12:45AMvideocam

The aftermath of the explosion inside Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib Mosque in the Wadi al-Dahab neighborhood of Homs. Photo: SANA/AFP

Malaysia’s Perlis state in turmoil after chief minister’s shock resignation

Mohd Shukri Ramli resigned due to health reasons amid a withdrawal of support from eight PN state assemblymen.

26 Dec 2025 - 4:50PM

US launches strike on Islamic State targets in Nigeria, Trump says

US strikes targeting militants were carried out in cooperation with the Nigerian government.

26 Dec 2025 - 4:39PM

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‘Starting anew’: Indonesians in flood-struck Sumatra hold Christmas mass

Many in the congregation are still sheltering at evacuation sites after the fatal disaster wreaked havoc on the island four weeks ago.

25 Dec 2025 - 5:03PMvideocam

The Angkola Protestant Church is seen amid flood devastation at Aek Ngadol village in North Sumatra province on Christmas Day. Photo: AFP

Hair-raising: Malaysia arrests 2 over video of man in headscarf drinking alcohol

The pair are being investigated for causing religious disharmony and misusing social media.

25 Dec 2025 - 11:41AM

Pope calls for end to all wars in first Christmas as pontiff

‘May the clamour of weapons cease … and may the parties involved find the courage to engage in sincere, direct and respectful dialogue’.

25 Dec 2025 - 7:54PMvideocam

Israel-Gaza war

Bethlehem celebrates first festive Christmas since Gaza war

After two years of cancelled festivities, the ‘City of the Nativity’ revives its iconic parades and tree lighting as a fragile truce holds in Gaza.

25 Dec 2025 - 10:59AM

People celebrate in Manger Square in Bethlehem, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on December 24. Photo: AFP

South Korean politicians agree to Unification Church special probe in rare move

The ruling DPK has accepted the opposition’s proposal to appoint special prosecutors to look into the church’s political meddling and bribes.

23 Dec 2025 - 9:30AM

The entrance to the Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja’s residence in Gapyeong in South Korea. Photo: AFP

Nigeria says ‘spat’ with Trump over killing of Christians ‘largely resolved’

However, Nigeria remains on Washington’s list of countries of ‘particular concern’ regarding alleged religious freedom violations.

22 Dec 2025 - 10:45PM

Australian PM Albanese booed as Bondi Beach attack victims honoured

Tens of thousands attended Sunday’s memorial. The Sydney event was heavily guarded by police, including snipers on rooftops and police boats.

22 Dec 2025 - 12:25PMvideocam

Jews worldwide urged to ‘come home’ to Israel after Bondi massacre

Gideon Saar says ‘Jews are being hunted across the world’ following the December 14 Isis-inspired shooting at a Hanukkah event in Australia.

22 Dec 2025 - 10:40AM

A person with Israel’s flag and other people attend a ceremony to mark the National Day of Reflection for victims and survivors, at Bondi Beach in Sydney on Sunday. Photo: AP

Nigeria secures release of 130 children abducted from Catholic school

Presidential spokesman confirms ‘none left in captivity’ after an operation frees students taken by gunmen in November.

22 Dec 2025 - 2:14PM

Freed students at a reception in Minna on December 8. An additional 130 children were released in recent days. Photo: AFP

Malaysia allows halal hotels, eateries to deck halls with boughs of holly

The multiracial country’s religious affairs minister says festive decorations or images are allowed where halal food is served.

20 Dec 2025 - 1:04PM

Anwar’s coalition revives Chinese school certification debate, sparking row

The sensitive issue in the Malay-Muslim majority country has caused a row between Umno and DAP, an insider says.

19 Dec 2025 - 9:08PM

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Paws for thought: Malaysian mall reverses pet-friendly policy after uproar

The reversal comes after videos of a dog being wheeled through the mall in a trolley stirred anger in the Muslim-majority country.

18 Dec 2025 - 7:08PMvideocam

A sign outlining Sunway Square Mall’s pet-friendly house rules, and a dog-themed installation at the Selangor shopping complex. The mall has since barred pets from enclosed indoor areas following a backlash online. Photos: Facebook/Sunway Square Mall

Millions raised for ‘hero of Australia’ who stopped gunman at Bondi Beach

Over 40,000 people have donated about US$1.5 million to Ahmed al Ahmed, the Syrian-Australian Muslim hero who saved Jewish lives.

17 Dec 2025 - 8:38PMvideocam

Malaysian religious authorities clear woman of ‘2 husbands’ allegations

A Kelantan official said the woman divorced her first husband in 2022 before remarrying in Thailand.

17 Dec 2025 - 1:14PM

Kick-off in Kolkata: how Lionel Messi was dragged into an Indian election battle

The BJP has latched on to the crowd chaos during Messi’s visit to West Bengal to demand the resignation of the state’s chief minister.

16 Dec 2025 - 6:02PMvideocam

A man ducks to avoid chairs being thrown by fans after Argentine football star Lionel Messi leaves the Salt Lake Stadium during his tour in Kolkata on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

Video | Mourners lay flowers for Bondi shooting victims

Hundreds of mourners gathered at Sydney’s Bondi Pavilion to pay tribute to the victims of Australia’s worst mass shooting in decades.

16 Dec 2025 - 11:45AM

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Isis-inspired Bondi gunmen visited Philippines before shooting: police

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Sajid Akram and his son Naveed had been radicalised by an ‘ideology of hate’.

16 Dec 2025 - 2:30PMvideocam

Malaysian religious authorities probe viral claim of woman having ‘2 husbands’

The allegation has renewed focus on cross-border marriages between Malaysia and southern Thailand that are used to bypass domestic approvals.

15 Dec 2025 - 2:19PMvideocam

Video | Bystander tackles, disarms gunman in Australia

Shooting happened in the popular tourist area of Bondi Beach.

15 Dec 2025 - 12:23PM

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World leaders express horror at Bondi Beach attack as vigils held for victims

Israel’s Herzog condemned the ‘cruel attack on Jews’ by ‘terrorists’; Trump branded the shooting that killed 15 people ‘purely antisemitic’.

15 Dec 2025 - 6:28AM

People hold a vigil outside the Australian High Commission in central London, Britain on Sunday following a terrorist attack on a Jewish celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia. Photo: PA Wire / dpa

Benjamin Netanyahu

Netanyahu accuses Australia’s PM of inaction in tackling antisemitism

After the Bondi Beach shooting, the Israeli PM said he warned Albanese months ago that Australia’s policy was ‘encouraging antisemitism’.

15 Dec 2025 - 2:41AM

‘Make Christmas Great Again’: hundreds join far-right Robinson’s London rally

UK bishops express grave concern over the use of Christian symbols to ‘justify racism and anti-migrant rhetoric’.

14 Dec 2025 - 6:23AM

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