News

Exclusive – who is responsible for Shireen Abu Akleh’s death?

Published

4 years ago

May 13, 2022

A Reporter says it appears that the ammunition that killed her belongs to an M16 gun

A Veteran Palestinian Al Jazeera journalist, Shireen Abu Akleh, has been shot dead while covering an Israeli army raid on a refugee camp in the West Bank.

Who shot Abu Akleh?

There have been conflicting reports as to whether the Israeli army or Palestinian gunmen are responsible for the shooting.

Israel’s military’s Chief of Staff says it’s not yet determined which direction she was shot from, and has promised an investigation.

The Palestinian side is currently conducting an investigation to discover who is responsible for the 51-year-old’s death.

According to Middle East Reporter Adi Koplewitz, who has covered news in Israel, the west bank and the wider middle east, the type of ammunition will reveal who will be held accountable for this tragedy.

“It seems that the ammunition belongs to an M16 gun.”
He tells ticker news.

However, that does not provide a lot of information on who is responsible, as this is the most common gun used by both Palestinian militants and the Israeli military in these areas.

“So right now, it’s hard to tell if there ever will be a final concrete answer to who actually shot that bullet,” he says.

What does this mean for journalists on the ground in these areas?

Koplewitz says this event will deter journalists from arriving at these friction points in the future.

“The realisation of something like that happening to someone so professional, who has worked for so many years in dangerous zones is definitely shaking for journalists,” he says.

“But at the end of the day, this is where we belong and this is where we should be on the ground.”

Since Shireen Adi Koplewitz was wearing her full media vest, is it possible she was a target?

According to Koplewitz, it’s hard to believe that both Palestinians and the Israeli military would target a journalist on purpose.

“Even if it’s just for the cynical perspective of realising how bad the PR would be for both sides,”
he says.

Will Abu Akleh’s death lead to further unrest between Palestinians and Israelis?

Koplewitz says that there’s been a rise in tensions between Israel and the Palestinians in the last few weeks, these are very difficult times and they are seeing more casualties on both sides taking place.

“[The funeral] is going to be a very big event and we know that similar funerals of casualties from the Palestinian side have many times being the beginning of another escalation, as emotions are obviously very high,” he says.

“All that is needed for a complete flare up is one spark and that spark could definitely be taking place tomorrow at the funeral here in Jerusalem.”

Abu Akleh’s field producer was also shot and remains in a stable condition.

Eyewitnesses say the journalists were shot by Israeli troops and that there were no Palestinian militants anywhere near the journalists that would prompt such an attack.

Protestors gathered on the streets to condemn the shooting.

Savannah Pocock contributed to the report.

News

Newly unsealed Epstein emails raise questions about Prince Andrew

Epstein emails implicate Prince Andrew in inappropriate conduct as pressure mounts for his cooperation with U.S. authorities

Published

2 hours ago

December 26, 2025

Harvey Vargas

Epstein emails implicate Prince Andrew in inappropriate conduct as pressure mounts for his cooperation with U.S. authorities

In Short:
– The U.S. Justice Department released documents showing Ghislaine Maxwell’s emails linking Prince Andrew to Jeffrey Epstein.
– Andrew denies involvement with Epstein, settling a lawsuit without admitting guilt amidst rising scrutiny.

Nearly 30,000 pages of Jeffrey Epstein-related documents were released by the U.S. Justice Department, including emails from 2001 between Ghislaine Maxwell and an individual signing as “A” from Balmoral. One email, signed “The Invisible Man,” asked Maxwell for “new inappropriate friends,” sparking renewed scrutiny of Prince Andrew’s connections.

Subsequent evidence suggests the sender may have been Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, referencing personal details consistent with his life, including the death of his longtime valet and leaving the Royal Navy. A 2002 email further described “Andrew” as a “very English-sounding gentleman” coordinating a trip to Peru with requests for specific companions.

The documents reveal that U.S. prosecutors sought to interview Mountbatten-Windsor over two criminal investigations, citing evidence he engaged in sexual conduct involving one of Epstein’s victims. Despite mounting pressure and losing his royal titles, he has denied wrongdoing, settling a civil lawsuit without admitting guilt.

News

Pope Leo XIV addresses Gaza crisis during Christmas Mass

Pope Leo XIV highlights Gaza humanitarian crisis during first Christmas Mass, urging dialogue and addressing severe conditions for displaced Palestinians

Published

3 hours ago

December 25, 2025

Harvey Vargas

Pope Leo XIV highlights Gaza humanitarian crisis during the first Christmas Mass, urging dialogue and addressing severe conditions for displaced Palestinians

In Short:
– Pope Leo XIV urged awareness of the Gaza crisis and the hardships faced by Palestinians during his Christmas Mass.
– He expressed concern for global homelessness and called for dialogue as essential for achieving peace.

Pope Leo XIV used his first Christmas Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica to deliver a powerful and deeply human message, placing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza at the centre of his inaugural Christmas address. Drawing on the story of Jesus’ birth, the pontiff made a stark comparison to the lives of displaced Palestinians, asking how the world could ignore families living in tents, exposed to weeks of rain, wind and cold. His remarks set an early tone for his papacy — one grounded in compassion, moral urgency and advocacy for those caught in conflict.

Massive shortfall

The Pope’s comments come as conditions in Gaza continue to deteriorate sharply. An estimated 1.3 million Palestinians are in urgent need of shelter this winter, with recent storms destroying approximately 110,000 tents. Humanitarian organisations report deaths due to exposure among vulnerable groups, including children and the elderly. The Norwegian Refugee Council says just 15,600 tents have been delivered so far, leaving a massive shortfall, while restrictions on the entry of shelter materials have compounded the crisis and intensified suffering across the region.

Beyond Gaza, Leo widened his message to condemn the broader toll of war, speaking of the “fragile flesh of defenceless populations” harmed by global conflicts. He criticised those who send young soldiers into battle and stressed that peace can only be achieved through dialogue, not entrenched monologues. “There will be peace when our monologues are interrupted,” he said, urging leaders to recognise the humanity of the other. His upcoming Urbi et Orbi blessing is expected to address multiple global crises, reinforcing his diplomatic approach and his call for peace, solidarity and human dignity.

News

Bondi terror attack: Months of planning, extremist videos and a deadly plot exposed

Published

2 days ago

December 24, 2025

Harvey Vargas

Newly released court documents have revealed chilling details about the Bondi terror attack, marking one of Australia’s deadliest attacks in decades. Father-and-son duo Sajid and Naveed Akram allegedly spent months meticulously planning the assault, targeting the “Chanukah by the Sea” festival on Sydney’s Bondi Beach. Police say the pair rehearsed tactics, filmed extremist propaganda, and prepared multiple improvised explosive devices long before the attack that killed 15 people and injured dozens more.

Investigators allege the attack began with the men throwing four improvised bombs into a crowded festival of over 1,000 attendees. The devices, including pipe bombs and a “tennis ball bomb” packed with shrapnel, failed to detonate, but authorities have described them as “viable” IEDs. Moments later, the Akrams opened fire from a footbridge overlooking the festival, creating a scene of chaos and tragedy. Among the victims were a 10-year-old girl, a Holocaust survivor, and worshippers who attempted to confront the gunmen.

Court documents also reveal months of preparation, including firearms training in rural New South Wales. The pair was captured on video handling long-barrelled shotguns, moving tactically, and simulating an assault scenario. Additional footage shows the men seated in front of an Islamic State flag, guns and ammunition visible, as Naveed recites passages from the Quran and then outlines the ideological motivations behind the planned Bondi attack. Authorities say these materials demonstrate a pattern of premeditation and adherence to extremist ideology.

Overseas Islamist networks

Investigators also point to digital evidence recovered from Naveed’s phone, which includes a manifesto and detailed plans for the attack. Police allege the pair’s earlier month-long trip to the southern Philippines may have included contacts with overseas Islamist networks. Intelligence agencies previously reviewed Naveed for potential radicalisation in 2019, but concluded he did not pose a threat. Sajid Akram, meanwhile, legally owned six rifles and shotguns that were later used in the attack.

The human toll of the attack has had lasting impacts on the community. Survivors and witnesses recall the terror of that day as families gathered in celebration. Lawmakers have responded with urgency, including NSW Premier Chris Minns fast-tracked reforms to tighten firearm laws, ban public displays of terrorist symbols, and expand police powers. At a national level, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has secured agreement from state and territory leaders to review and strengthen post-Port Arthur gun laws and introduce measures targeting extremist propaganda and hate speech.

The Bondi terror attack stands as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of extremist planning and the importance of vigilant intelligence and community safety measures. While court proceedings continue, the public response underscores the shared grief and determination to prevent such tragedies in the future.