Ahmed al-Ahmed, 44, the hero of the Bondi Beach terror attack in Sydney, Australia, says the allegations are false and has confirmed he will fight them in court

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The man celebrated as a hero for his bravery during December’s Bondi Beach terror attack has pleaded not guilty to an assault charge in court.

Ahmed al-Ahmed, 44, pleaded not guilty to an allegation he assaulted his father at his dad’s Bankstown home in southwestern Sydney on March 9. The man hailed as the ‘Bondi hero’ also denied allegations that he placed his father in a headlock.

He pleaded not guilty to domestic violence common assault and stalking, intimidation at a court appearance in Bankstown on Wednesday (June 24).

“My client maintains his plea … the presumption of innocence should be maintained and upheld,” his Sakr said outside court, Sydney paper the Daily Telegraph reported.

“I believe the prosecution’s case bears some issues and over the next few weeks those issues will be lavished.”

Defence lawyer Mohamad Sakr outside Bankstown court said his client maintained his innocence.

“It’s been very difficult,” Mr Sakr said. “It is a family situation he never expected, one would never want to expect, and it must be really difficult for him.

“But there is one thing that should be upheld and that is the presumption of innocence.

“He is a heroic man and his honesty and dignity should be maintained until these matters are ultimately determined.”

Mr al-Ahmed’s father, Mohammad Fadeh al-Ahmed, told Australian national broadcaster the ABC that he was hopeful the case would soon be settled.

“God willing it will all be resolved,” he said. “After all there’s nothing more precious than your child.”

Earlier in June, NSW Police confirmed that officers received a report of an alleged assault at a property in Bankstown on March 9.

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“On Wednesday (June 3), a 44-year-old man was served with a Court Attendance Notice for common assault (DV) and stalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc harm (domestic),” police said in an official statement.

Australian broadcaster 7News reported that the assault charge related to allegations that he placed his father in a headlock. As a consequence, an apprehended violence order (AVO) has been issued against him. Al-Ahmed has also been ordered to stay 100m away from his father’s home and place of work.

In an interview with 2GB radio presenter Ben Fordham, he said: “I don’t deserve to be treated like this. Since the situation in Bondi, I’ve been given a second chance in life.”

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“I don’t deserve to be treated like this. Since the situation in Bondi, I’ve been given a second chance in life.”

In remarkable footage filmed on that devastating December day, the Syrian-turned-Sydneysider can be seen grappling the firearm from Sajid Akram’s grasp.

His son, Naveed Akram, has subsequently been charged with 59 offences including terrorism for his alleged role in the incident. Akram was later shot dead by police and his son, Naveed, was wounded and charged with 59 offences.

While al-Ahmed sustained multiple gunshot injuries, his swift intervention is widely acknowledged for preventing further casualties. As he recuperated in hospital, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid him a visit, hailing him as the “best of our country.”

In a post-attack interview, al-Ahmed explained: “My target was just to take the gun from him, and to stop him from killing a human being’s life and not killing innocent people. I know I saved lots, but I feel sorry for the lost.”

Al-Ahmed received the Keys to the City of Canterbury-Bankstown, his local area, and earlier this year walked onto the pitch ahead of play on the final Test of the Ashes series.

Waverley Mayor Will Nemesh, who bestowed the honour upon al-Ahmed, had previously stated: “What Ahmed did in that moment was remarkable. His courageous actions were motivated by his desire to save innocent lives.

“In the process, Ahmed himself was shot several times and sustained serious injuries. When evil came to Bondi Beach, Ahmed and countless ordinary heroes did not hesitate to confront it. His instinctive courage, his willingness to put others first, and his quiet bravery will never be forgotten. Our whole community is profoundly grateful.”

Al-Ahmed is scheduled to appear before Bankstown Local Court on July 29.

The BBC understands that if Andy Burnham becomes prime minister then he is expected to replace Rachel Reeves as chancellor and offer her a more junior cabinet position.

A spokesperson for Burnham said no decisions had been made.

It comes as the former Greater Manchester mayor begins to assemble a Downing Street team, assuming he wins the Labour leadership race in which, currently, he is the sole candidate.

Sir Keir Starmer announced he was standing down as prime minister days after Burnham won the Makerfield by-election, allowing him to return to Parliament.

The biggest decision Burnham will make as he begins to sketch out a possible cabinet is who will be his chancellor.

Most Labour MPs assume Reeves will not continue in that role but, as first reported by the Financial Times, external, she is expected to be offered a more junior cabinet position.

A close ally of Burnham told the BBC: “Andy really respects Rachel and I’m confident he’ll want her in his top team.”

James Purnell, who served as a minister in Gordon Brown’s government between 2007 and 2009, would be appointed Burnham’s Downing Street chief of staff.

But if the new MP for Makerfield becomes prime minister, how much to spend on defence will be an immediate challenge.

Burnham and his team have been discussing that with John Healey, the former defence secretary, who resigned earlier this month, warning the current planned increase in military funding fell “well short of what is required”.

The Food Standards Agency has issued an urgent Salmonella recall for apple and kiwi fruit pots sold in major UK supermarkets including Tesco, ASDA, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, M&S and Waitrose

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An urgent recall has been issued for apples and kiwi fruit sold in supermarkets across Britain after concerns they may be contaminated with Salmonella.

The alert was issued on Tuesday by the Food Standards Agency (FSA), which said fruit supplier PrepWorld had recalled several pre-packaged fruit items from major supermarkets following testing that detected Salmonella in apples and kiwi used in the products.

The affected items include ready-to-eat fruit pots and snack packs sold in ASDA, Morrisons, M&S, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose.

All products involved carry best-before or use-by dates of 23 or 24 June.

At ASDA, the only product affected is a 220g Pink Lady Apple, Mango, Strawberry & Blueberry fruit pot priced at £2.75, reports the Express.

Morrisons has pulled a single product — a 220g Kiwi, Melon & Strawberries pack priced at £2.50 with a use-by date of 24 June.

Tesco has the greatest number of affected items, with four products withdrawn from shelves. These include its 250g Melon, Kiwi & Strawberry pots (use-by 24 June, £2.50), 100g Kiwi Fruit Pot (£1.50), 290g Fruit Kebabs containing kiwi, watermelon, mango and pineapple chunks (£4.10), and 125g Melon, Kiwi & Strawberry packs (£1.50).

Sainsbury’s and M&S both have three recalled products apiece.

At Sainsbury’s, affected items include 220g Melon, Kiwi & Strawberry pots, Orange & Kiwi 240g packs, and Pink Lady Apple & Grape 240g packs, all with a use-by date of 23 June, according to the Daily Mail. M&S has recalled three apple-based products: 90g Café Pink Lady Apple slices, 90g (FTG) Pink Lady Apple packs, and 225g Pink Lady Apple Slices, all with a use-by date of 24 June.

Waitrose has also pulled its 115g Pink Lady Apple and Grapes packs from shelves, which carry a best-before date of 23 June.

In its statement, the FSA said: “Prepworld is recalling the above products. Point of sale notices will be displayed in all retail stores that are selling these products.

“These notices explain to customers why the products are being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the products. Please see the attached notices.”

Salmonella ranks amongst the leading causes of food poisoning across the globe and can trigger symptoms including fever, diarrhoea and stomach cramps.

While it is most commonly associated with raw or undercooked meat, poultry and eggs, fresh fruit and vegetables can also be a source of contamination.

According to FSA guidance, young children, those aged 65 and over, and individuals with weakened immune systems face a greater risk of becoming seriously ill.

The NHS states that symptoms typically begin within hours or days of consuming contaminated food, though in some cases they can take weeks to emerge.

It advises sufferers to drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration, alongside rest, paracetamol, and eating when able.

The FSA has urged consumers who have purchased the affected products not to consume them. Instead, customers are urged to take them back to the store where they were purchased in order to receive a full refund.

The recall comes just twelve months after a comparable warning was issued regarding Salmonella fears in a savoury snack sold by Lidl.

The supermarket withdrew its Sol & Mar Chicharricos BBQ Pork Scratchings from sale after potential contamination was identified.

The FSA cautioned at the time that the affected batches could trigger severe gastrointestinal symptoms, and shoppers were advised to return them for a full refund with no receipt required.

HOUSTON (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo had a simple but strong message as the final whistle sounded after Portugal’s big win at the World Cup on Tuesday.

“I’m back,” he said directly into the television camera. “I’m back.”

Ronaldo became the first player to score in six different World Cup tournaments by getting two goals in Portugal’s 5-0 win over Uzbekistan, quieting critics after his forgettable performance in the team’s 1-1 draw with Congo in the opener.

Even though criticism isn’t anything new to the 41-year-old superstar, he admitted that the intense negativity directed toward him this week was difficult.

“But it’s always like that,” he said in Portuguese. “It doesn’t matter, because it’s been 23 years on the job and when things go well, ’Cristiano is good,’ when things go bad, ‘Cristiano is a retired player, is old.’ It will always be like that. But we responded well today, me and my teammates, which is what we wanted.”

Ronaldo made history in the sixth minute when João Cancelo crossed the ball to him and he shot with his right foot to make it 1-0. He ran toward the bench and celebrated with his teammates.

He added another in the 39th minute when he got a pass from Bruno Fernandes and scored with his right foot just inside the near post to make it 3-0.

“As a defender you need to be ready and you need to be close to him in the box,” said Uzbekistan coach Fabio Cannavaro, a standout defender in his playing days who led Italy to the 2006 World Cup title. “If you give him one centimeter in the box you are dead.”

Ronaldo was named man of the match for his performance, the latest of many in his incredible career.

Portugal coach Roberto Martínez raved about the professionalism and poise Ronaldo showed this week amid calls from outsiders to bench him.

“He’s a human being,” Martínez said. “He’s allowed to have emotions. He’s allowed to have feelings. What is impressive with him is the answer. Whatever he feels, the answer is to get back on the training ground and practice and work and demand from himself. That professionalism is what’s (led) to the longevity.”

The goals on Tuesday make him the second-oldest player to score at a World Cup behind Cameroon forward Roger Milla, who was 42 when he scored at the 1994 tournament in the United States.

Ronaldo and Argentina captain Lionel Messi became the only men in history to play in six World Cup tournaments this year. Ronaldo’s scoring streak started in his debut in 2006 and he also netted goals in 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022.

While he shares the record for most tournaments with Messi, he stands alone in scoring a goal in each edition after Messi failed to score at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Ronaldo’s two strikes against Uzbekistan gave him 10 career goals in the tournament. Messi has 18 after a hat trick in Argentina’s opener against Algeria and two more goals Monday against Austria that made him the all-time leading scorer in tournament history.

Ronaldo’s latest performance extended his record by giving him 145 international goals, and his 10 career goals in the World Cup moved him past Eusébio’s nine to make him Portugal’s all-time scoring leader at the tournament.

Tuesday’s game was the 230th of Ronaldo’s international career, which is the most in history.

This is likely to be the final World Cup for Ronaldo, who won the European Championship with Portugal in 2016 and the Champions League five times with Manchester United and Real Madrid.

___

AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/fifa-world-cup

Liverpool could finally swoop for a forward that former manager Jurgen Klopp was reportedly a big admirer of

Liverpool’s decision to sign Mohamed Salah instead of Julian Brandt is arguably the most pivotal sliding doors moment in the club’s modern history. During the summer of 2017, former boss Jurgen Klopp was searching for a clinical winger who would eventually form one part of a devastating three-man attack alongside Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane.

It’s understood that Klopp was keen to bring German talent Brandt, then 21, to Anfield. On the face of it, he appeared an ideal match for Liverpool, having registered 12 goal contributions across 40 outings for Bayer Leverkusen.

However, Klopp was reportedly persuaded to pursue Salah, who arrived at the club for £36million from Roma. Two Premier League crowns, a Champions League trophy and 257 goals later, the Reds’ choice appears thoroughly justified after Salah departed the club this summer.

Brandt ultimately left Leverkusen and signed for Klopp’s former employers, Borussia Dortmund, in 2019. The German, now 30, is poised to exit the Black and Yellows following seven campaigns, during which he found the net 57 times in 307 matches and is available on a free transfer.

Is there an argument for Liverpool to finally pursue Brandt, a full nine years after the club were initially linked? There is.

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Brandt can operate across the frontline, primarily filling in at an advanced midfield role but he can also feature on both wings – a quality Liverpool are reportedly seeking this season as Andoni Iraola looks to reconstruct his team’s attack.

He also provides a significant goal threat. He has netted 48 times and registered 45 assists from the left throughout his career to date, while contributing 19 goals and 14 assists from the right.

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He has recorded 37 goals and an impressive 66 assists operating in the No. 10 position. As we’re aware, availability is equally crucial given Liverpool’s demanding fixture list.

Brandt’s injury record is encouraging, with the adaptable attacker having missed merely three matches for Dortmund last season and only five the campaign before that.

He’s also accustomed to pressure situations. A former Germany international, Brandt emerged onto the scene as a teenager, making his Leverkusen debut before turning 18 and was instantly linked with Manchester United, Chelsea and Bayern Munich, whom he reportedly rejected on two occasions.

Brandt also appears to possess genuine integrity. Speaking in 2017, during Klopp’s rumoured interest, he told Kicker: “My gut feeling and my head are telling me the time to move has not arrived yet. I have to straighten things out in Leverkusen.”

He remained faithful to his pledge and continued for another two seasons at the Bayer Arena. There is also the question of Brandt being available on a ‘free’ and in an environment where the Reds are prepared to spend upwards of £80m for the likes of RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande and PSG’s Bradley Barcola, this could be categorised as a ‘no-brainer’.

Klopp has downplayed suggestions that he championed Brandt over Salah in recent years, but did acknowledge speaking to the forward.

“There is always a story that I wanted to sign Julian Brandt or someone like that,” Klopp told The Anfield Wrap. “The situation with that is if you go for a winger, you talk to seven or eight. Yes, we spoke to him, but we spoke to Salah.”

There’s little question Liverpool made the correct decision in securing the man who’ll eternally be regarded as the Egyptian King on the Kop. Yet the very notion of Brandt potentially replacing Salah after all these years feels so improbable that it just might succeed.

When temperatures soar, many people find their appetite suddenly plummets. The idea of eating a hot meal becomes the last thing our minds when the heat becomes too much to bear.

This doesn’t happen because the body is being fussy. The key reason why the simple act of eating becomes so unappealing to us in the heat largely has to do with the body working to keep running, and avoid overheating.

In order for our metabolism and many other physiological functions to perform correctly, the body needs to maintain an average internal body temperature of 37°C. Body temperature is tightly controlled by the brain’s temperature control centre, the hypothalamus.

If our internal temperature ever gets too low or too high, the action of enzymes and other biochemical reactions will stall or stop working properly. This is why it’s integral that average internal temperature is closely regulated.

Numerous factors can impact core temperature. These can include infections, exercise and exertion, hormones, alcohol and drugs.

The ambient temperature of the environment matters, too. So during hot weather, the body deploys several cooling mechanisms to prevent the outside heat from making core temperatures rise.

Sweating, for instance, helps us cool down. The body also flattens the hairs on the skin to prevent them from retaining heat.

Blood flow is paramount, too. When trying to cool down, warm blood is directed towards the skin so that heat can radiate from it and into the outside surroundings. This also means that blood flow is subsequently directed away from other areas of the body – including the gut.

After eating, blood is normally diverted to the gut, where it would be used in digesting, absorbing and transporting nutrients. But in hot conditions, the body is trying to shed warmth – not conserve it. Digestion adds to the workload, as well. The absorption, transportation and storage of nutrients all consume energy and generate heat.

As such, the body suppresses gut blood flow and activity to dampen down these processes. This is one reason as to why appetite often plummets in the heat.

Heat and the gut

Our appetite is a balance between two opposing factors: hunger and satiety (the feeling of being full).

Part of this balance is driven by hormones – namely ghrelin (which makes you feel hungry) and leptin, PYY and GLP-1 (which make you feel full).

Some studies suggest that heat exposure can reduce ghrelin levels, while boosting satiety hormones – though results are inconsistent. It’s therefore unlikely that hormones are the sole contributors here.

There’s also an overlap between hunger and thirst. One can easily be mistaken for the other, as both are driven by the hypothalamus.

When it’s hot out and our body temperature rises, we sweat more to cool ourselves off. This means we lose more fluid and the mineral levels in our bloodstream fluctuate. To compensate and avoid dehydration, our brain triggers a feeling of thirst so we take on more fluids.

This thirst response also explains why we aren’t necessarily hungry when it’s hot, since we prioritise hydration over food. Although this helps to cool us down, drinking too much in one go we make us feel bloated, which can further discourage appetite.

This is why it’s better to prioritise lighter, low-temperature foods which are full of water – such as fruit, salad vegetables and light dairy products, including milk and yoghurt. High protein and carbohydrate-rich foods typically generate more metabolic heat when digested, which is precisely what the body is trying to avoid.

Heat stress also tends to cause the stomach to empty more slowly, which means we remain fuller for longer. The gut sends a message back to the brain as well, telling it that we’re full. This is another reason why you might feel bloated or full during the hot weather.

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The balance between heat and hunger is a dynamic one. In a heatwave, your body shifts its priorities – and cooling you down becomes much more important than digesting and absorbing a big meal.

But even when the heat is on, it’s good to remember that fuelling your body is still important. You may just need to shift your approach to top yourself up, and stay cool.

Cooling yourself down should help with appetite. Drinking plenty of water, avoiding excess physical activity, wearing loose-fitting clothes and applying cold packs can help you to cool down.

When approaching eating, try and have small, frequent meals with nutrient-dense components – particularly those which are rich in water and electrolytes to replenish what may have been lost in sweat.

Protein is still important to eat, too. Splitting it into smaller doses to consume throughout the day can help. Foods such as nuts, dairy, vegetables, pulses, avocados, olives and grains are all good energy-dense options – and feature heavily in many Mediterranean diets. They can help provide balanced nutrition, even when appetite is low and the heat is high.

The Labour government imposed 20 per cent VAT on top of fees from January 2025 after private schools had previously been exempt from the tax.

Concerns were raised in York at the time of the announcement that the move would put extra pressure on the city’s state schools which could face an influx of pupils.

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Latest Department for Education figures show that the number of pupils in private schools in England has fallen to the lowest point in at least a decade, with more than 22,000 fewer pupils in independent schools in January compared with the same point last year.

The number has decreased by 3.8 per cent from 582,477 in 2025 to 560,255 – the lowest figure in at least 10 years. It is the second consecutive year the number has dropped.

York private school St Peter’s speaks out on VAT on fees – the school has survived and adapted over nearly 1,400 years. (Image: Submitted)

Jeremy Walker is head master at St Peter’s School in Clifton, York, which has pupils from nursery through to sixth form. Founded in AD 627 by St Paulinus, alongside York Minster, the school will be celebrating 1,400 years of history next year.

Mr Walker said: “The impact of VAT on independent school fees has clearly had far more impact on pupils leaving the sector than the government forecast.

“St Peter’s is fortunate in being in a very strong position but no school is immune from the challenges and, while there are no easy decisions in such matters, we have realised a significant amount of cost savings in response.

“Our 1400th anniversary next year is a timely reminder that St Peter’s has adapted to changing circumstances over many centuries and we are very grateful to all our wonderful staff and supportive parents.”

Newly published admissions data for England showed there had been no influx towards state schools since the VAT change, with education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, saying it had failed to trigger an exodus of pupils into state schools.

Elsewhere in the country, a group of private schools, pupils and parents are to take their legal challenge over the introduction of VAT on to school fees to the Supreme Court.

Several schools, children who attend them, and their parents, previously brought legal action against the Treasury, claiming the policy of imposing the 20 per cent tax is incompatible with human rights law.

Three judges dismissed the High Court challenge last June.

The schools, children and parents then appealed, telling judges in January that the addition of VAT would render the schools “unviable”.

However, the Court of Appeal dismissed the challenge in February, and the group of schools and families later said they would make a bid to go to the Supreme Court.

In a decision late last month, Supreme Court justices Lords Reed, Hamblen and Richards ruled the challenge could be heard at the UK’s highest court.

No date for the hearing has been set.

Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre which is supporting the case, said: “At its heart, this challenge is about whether the state can impose a blanket policy that disproportionately harms families who are simply seeking to educate their children in accordance with their Christian faith.

“This is about fairness, freedom, and ensuring that the power of the state is exercised within proper limits.”

The VAT addition was a Labour manifesto pledge during the 2024 general election, with money raised to be invested in hiring another 6,500 teachers by the end of this parliament.

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