Today, NewsForKids.net looks at important stories from Australia and the Americas. Australians are shaken after two men shot at people celebrating Hanukkah on a popular beach. And last Wednesday, the US took control of a tanker carrying Venezuelan oil, raising tensions between the US and Venezuela.
Australia Shocked by Shooting at Popular Beach
On Sunday, two men began shooting at a large group of people gathered for a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia.
Hanukkah is an important Jewish holiday. This year, hundreds of people had gathered on Bondi Beach, a popular tourist spot, to celebrate.
😕
This image has not been loaded because of your cookie choices. To view the content, you can accept 'Non-necessary' cookies.
On Sunday, two men began shooting at a large group of people gathered for a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia. The attack left at least 16 people dead and over 40 others injured. Above, police cars are seen parked at the location of the shooting.
Around 6:45 in the evening, two men – a father and son – began shooting at the crowd, leaving at least 16 people dead. Over 40 others were injured. The older attacker was killed by police. The younger shooter is in the hospital. Police say they found two bombs nearby.
Australia’s government says the shooting was a terrorist attack, and that the men were targeting Jewish people. Worldwide, attacks on Jewish people have increased since the war between Israel and Hamas broke out over two years ago.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, “An attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian.”
😕
This image has not been loaded because of your cookie choices. To view the content, you can accept 'Non-necessary' cookies.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, “An attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian.” Above, people gather on Monday to remember those who lost their lives in the shooting.
A man called Ahmed el Ahmed is being celebrated as a hero after he tackled one of the gunmen and took his weapon away. Mr. el Ahmed, who came to Australia from Syria in 2006, was unarmed.
The leader of New South Wales, Chris Minns, says Mr. el Ahmed “saved countless lives”.
After a terrible shooting in 1996, Australia passed some of the strictest gun laws in the world. Mr. Albanese says the country will now work to make its gun laws even stricter.
Note: This article discusses sad and upsetting events. If this news brings up worrying thoughts for you, you should talk about those worries with a parent, teacher, or other adult you trust.
US Takes Control of Tanker with Venezuelan Oil
The US government has reported that it took control of a large tanker carrying oil from Venezuela. The move is part of an effort by US President Donald Trump’s government to put pressure on Venezuela’s president, Nicolás Maduro.
The ship, called Skipper, has a long history of smuggling oil illegally. In 2022, the US Treasury Department put the ship under sanctions for helping terrorist groups.
(Source: Screenshot US Coast Guard [Public Domain], via Wikimedia Commons.)
On December 10, members of the US armed forces lowered themselves onto the ship from a helicopter, and took control. The US said it had the right to take the ship, since it was flying the flag of Guyana, but the ship wasn’t actually from that country.
Mr. Maduro accused the US of stealing the ship and kidnapping its crew.
The US government also wants to take the oil the ship was carrying – about 1.8 million barrels (75.6 million gallons / 284.4 million liters). But so far, it doesn’t have a legal reason to do this.
The oil is worth tens of millions of dollars. The loss is serious for Venezuela, which depends on money from oil sales to buy basic supplies, like food.
(Source: Screenshot US Coast Guard [Public Domain], via Wikimedia Commons.)
In recent months, the US has attacked 22 small boats near Venezuela, killing 87 people or more. The US claims it’s stopping drug smugglers, but many people say the attacks are illegal. The US has also sent several warships and thousands of soldiers to the Caribbean.
Many people believe Mr. Trump wants to force Mr. Maduro from power.