Australia to tighten gun laws after Bondi Beach Hanukkah massacre

SYDNEY (AP) — Australian leaders promised Monday to immediately overhaul already-tough gun control laws after a mass shooting targeted a Hanukkah celebration on Sydney’s Bondi Beach. At least 15 people died in the attack, which has fueled criticism that authorities are not doing enough to combat a surge in antisemitic crimes. Among the new measures proposed would be a limit on the number of guns someone can own and a review of licenses held over time. Those and other actions would represent a significant update to the landmark national firearms agreement, which virtually banned rapid-fire rifles after a gunman killed 35 people in Tasmania in 1996, galvanizing the country into action.

US officials say Washington has agreed to give Ukraine security guarantees in peace talks

BERLIN (AP) — U.S. officials say Washington has agreed to provide unspecified security guarantees to Ukraine as part of a peace deal to end Russia’s nearly four-year war, and more talks are likely this weekend. The officials spoke Monday following the latest discussions with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Berlin. European leaders there said they and the U.S. committed to work together to provide “robust security guarantees” including a European-led “multinational force Ukraine” supported by the U.S. They said the force’s work would include operating inside Ukraine. Questions over Ukraine’s postwar security and the fate of occupied territories have been the main obstacles in talks.

Former Hong Kong pro-democracy media mogul Jimmy Lai convicted

HONG KONG (AP) — Jimmy Lai, the former Hong Kong media mogul and outspoken critic of Beijing, has been convicted in a landmark national security trial in the city’s court. Three government-vetted judges on Monday found Lai, 78, guilty of conspiring with others to collude with foreign forces to endanger national security and conspiracy to publish seditious articles. He pleaded not guilty to all charges. Under Hong Kong’s sweeping national security law, Lai could face up to life imprisonment. A mitigation hearing was set for January. His family said they were saddened but not surprised by the verdict.

Dominican judge orders prison for 7 accused in $250M government corruption scheme

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — A judge has sentenced seven former officials in the Dominican Republic to over a year of preventive prison. Authorities are investigating a $250 million corruption case involving the country’s health insurance agency. At least 10 people have been arrested, including Santiago Hazim Albainy, the agency’s executive director since August 2020. Hazim is accused of leading the scheme, allegedly accepting over $31 million in bribes for fraudulent contracts. Three others, including businessman Eduardo Read Estrella, are under house arrest. Prosecutors call it the most serious corruption case they’ve presented, highlighting the impact on healthcare for the poorest citizens.