It’s the 12-year anniversary of Michael Schumacher’s tragic skiing accident

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Mick Schumacher paid tribute to his legendary father on social media(Image: Getty Images)

Mick Schumacher posted a photo of his father Michael in a heartwarming tribute to the F1 icon on his birthday. It was on Schumacher’s 55th birthday last January that his son, Mick, and daughter, Gina, took to social media to show their love for him.

The seven-time world champion, now 56, hasn’t been seen in public since his life-altering skiing accident 12 years ago in December 2013. Schumacher suffered severe head trauma after hitting his head on a rock in the French Alps and was subsequently placed in a medically induced coma.

Updates on his health since have been scarce with his wife Corinna staunchly protecting him and the privacy of their family. However, it is understood that the German great requires constant care from his wife and medical professionals.

Despite the lack of information surrounding Schumacher’s state, it was last year when he was showered with love on social media from his two children. Mick, who formerly raced in F1 for two years with Haas and now competes in the IndyCar Series, posted a photo of himself as a child with his father on Instagram.

In the snap, they were both wearing racing helmet with Mick captioning the post with the message: “Happy birthday to the best Dad ever. Love you!” Gina, Schumacher’s first-born, also took to the platform to post a picture of herself, her brother and their father smiling with her caption reading: “Happy Birthday Papa! throwback to one of many of our adventures.”

At the height of his legendary F1 career, Schumacher won a record five consecutive titles with Ferrari from 2000 to 2004. The team’s former boss Jean Todt built a close relationship with the German during their time working together and Todt, 79, is one of very few select individuals allowed to visit him.

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The former Haas driver paid tribute to his father with the throwback post(Image: mickschumacher / Instagram)

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Corinna Schumacher has remained steadfast in her mission to keep her husband’s privacy intact(Image: Pool Interagences, Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)

Speaking recently about his Schumacher’s condition in an interview with Italian outlet La Repubblica, the Frenchman said: “The family has decided not to answer the question [about Schumacher’s health], a choice that I respect.

“I see him regularly and with affection, him and his family. Our bond goes beyond the past work. It is part of my life which today is very far from Formula 1.” In 2023, Todt revealed that the German is “no longer” the same man that dominated the race track in F1.

“Michael is here, so I don’t miss him,” Todt said. “He is different and is wonderfully guided by his wife and children who protect him. His life is different now and I have the privilege of sharing moments with him. That’s all there is to say.

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Gina Schumacher posted this photo to her Instagram with her dad Michael and brother Mick(Image: Instagram/Gina Schumacher)

“Unfortunately, fate struck him ten years ago. He is no longer the Michael we knew in Formula 1.” Todt is reportedly one of nine people allowed to see Schumacher, with that short list being controlled by Corinna.

Richard Hopkins, formerly head of operations at Red Bull, struck up a friendship with Schumacher during their careers as the Brit detailed the visiting arrangements set by Corinna to see the racing icon in his Lake Geneva home.

Speaking to SPORTbible, Hopkins said: “I think it’s fairly clear. There are only two, three, four people that we know of. There are probably others. Michael had friendships with people who weren’t owners of Formula One teams or racing drivers.

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It’s been 12 years since his tragic skiing accident(Image: Formula 1 / Netflix)

“So I’m sure there are people who probably see him that we just don’t know about, because we don’t know their names. But there are fairly strict rules, and we don’t talk about those rules.

“I’m not going to try and visit Michael, because I know that’s not going to happen, and I’m one of thousands in that position of knowing it’s not possible. If you’re Jean Todt, your friendship is at the point where that’s okay. I don’t think there’s a written rule or a list of names. It’s just one of those known things.”

 “SHE DIDN’T SCREAM”: Witness Reveals the Chilling Reason! Everything is finally making sickening sense! The crucial witness who first connected the monster Christian Brueckner to the crime has dropped a terrifying revelation. He is exposing the exact, bone-chilling reason why little Madeleine never let out a single sound when she was snatched from her bed. This ghastly detail fills in the blanks of that nightmare night, and the truth is absolutely haunting. See more in the comments below

“SHE DIDN’T SCREAM”: Witness Reveals the Chilling Reason!

The witness who first linked a sex offender prime suspect to the abduction of Madeleine McCann has told how he is convinced he knows what happened to her. Police in Portugal are this week making fresh searches for clues to Madeleine’s disappearance on land close to the former home of German paedophile Christian Brueckner. Helge Busching, a former friend of Brueckner, first linked the German to her abduction as long ago as 2008 – just a year after she disappeared.

Busching told MailOnline: ‘I am convinced Brueckner is involved. There has to now be some hope for Madeleine’s parents.’ The then three-year-old vanished from a holiday apartment in the Algarve resort of Praia da Luz in May 2007 and it has been 18 years of heartache for her parents Kate and Gerry as well as her now teenage two siblings. The following year at a musical festival in Portugal Brueckner made remarks that made his friend convinced to this day that he was responsible As he spoke out, searches in Portugal continued for a second day in the hope of finding vital evidence linking Brueckner to Madeleine. Busching’s evidence against his former friend has already proved vital in sending Brueckner to jail previously – for seven years in 2019 when he was convicted of raping an elderly American woman in Praia da Luz, just two years before Madeleine vanished. Former roofer Busching, who has also given a statement to Scotland Yard, claims Brueckner told him in 2008 at a Spanish festival that it was ‘strange Madeleine didn’t scream’ when she was taken.

Madeleine McCann vanished on May 3, 2007, while on holiday with her parents and sibling German paedophile Christian Brueckner in 2024. Police in Portugal are making fresh searches for clues to Madeleine’s disappearance on land close to the former home of the suspect A year after her disappearance Brueckner made remarks that made his friend Helge Busching, pictured, convinced to this day that he was responsible Busching told MailOnline: ‘That man is evil, he’s bad and he deserves to stay behind bars. ‘I know he is capable of taking Madeleine and I told Scotland Yard and the German BKA (police) the same thing. ‘When he said ‘she didn’t scream’ we were talking our language, German and I could tell from his voice and gestures what he meant, there is no misunderstanding. ‘I just pray to God that they find something to keep him in jail. The BKA wouldn’t spend all this money to send a team to Portugal of they didn’t think it was worth it ‘They have to find something because time is running out, Brueckner could go free in September and if he does, he will disappear, and justice won’t be done.’

Busching was interviewed by Scotland Yard in 2017 and spent three days with them but initially told the McCanns private investigator Dave Edgar about his suspicions in 2008 – a year after Madeleine was abducted. Busching was interviewed in Greece for three days with detectives from Operation Grange – the unit tasked with investigating Madeleine’s disappearance – flying out to see him and they were so concerned about leaks they swept the room for bugs. During the interviews he told them that Brueckner had ‘confessed’ to him he was Madeleine’s abductor saying, ‘she didn’t cry’ and this has what grabbed investigators attention. Fresh police searches are under way near the spot where Madeleine was last seen near Praia da Luz, Portugal Firefighters and search teams check a well at a derelict and abandoned property to the west of Praia De Luz, Portugal, where searches are being carried out by officers investigating the disappearance of Madeleine Kate and Gerry McCann stop to talk to the Press after a church service in Praia da Luz in 2007 British police then contacted German police and told them about Brueckner, and he was eventually announced as the prime suspect for Madeleine’s abduction and murder in June 2020. He is due to be released from jail in September but only if he pays outstanding fines of 1500 Euro although sources close to his legal team claimed he didn’t have any money so he would stay behind bars until January 2027. At the 2019 rape trial Busching told the court that he recognised Brueckner in a vile video he found at his house showing him raping and abusing an elderly woman and another young girl.

Brueckner has insisted that he is innocent of the 2005 rape and that DNA evidence used at his trial is flawed while he has also denied any involvement in Madeleine’s abduction. Searches of scrubland at Atalaia, around three miles from the Ocean Club complex where Madeleine vanished from continued on Wednesday and are expected to continue on Thursday. Officers using chainsaws and strimmers could be seen cutting away undergrowth surrounding abandoned buildings and then using shovels and pickaxes to break up soil which was taken away for examination.

Initial suggestions that police would also search former homes Brueckner used to live in while working and living in Praia da Luz also appeared to be wide of the mark. Police have significant amounts of circumstantial evidence linking Brueckner to the scene, his mobile phone was logged there and his profile as a convicted paedophile and rapist fits the bill but they are still lacking a ‘smoking gun’ to charge him with. Publicly Portuguese police are providing support and help but privately they are questioning the motive and have shrugged their shoulders and rolled their eyes when asked what they expect to find.

“A SPECIAL DUET…” – A Mother And Daughter Sit At A Piano, The Lights Are Low, The Room Goes Quiet, And A Christmas Moment Unfolds That Left Viewers Holding Their Breath

The Princess of Wales and her daughter Charlotte have teamed up for a ‘special’ piano duet – with the stunning performance airing on Kate’s star-studded Christmas carol concert tonight.

The royal duet delighted fans during the opening segment of the programme – ‘Together at Christmas’ – which was on ITV1 and ITVX from 7.25pm.

It was shown alongside a voiceover of Kate reading the letter that was given to guests at Westminster Abbey, and footage of people arriving for the service on December 5.

Kate, 43, and 10-year-old Princess Charlotte played Holm Sound by Erland Cooper – a Scottish composer and producer from the Orkney Islands – whose work is inspired by nature and connection, themes which are of deep importance to the Princess of Wales.

Holm Sound was written and composed by Erland for his mother, Charlotte.

The special moment was recorded in the Inner Hall at Windsor Castle last week and the royals were joined on the day by Erland himself.

Royal fans gushed at the pair’s ‘absolutely beautiful’ performance which ‘brought tears to people’s eyes’ with others noting ‘Catherine looks so proud of Princess Charlotte’.

One said: ‘Catherine the Princess of Wales knocks it out of the park with everything she does and she makes it seem so effortless. A lovely message to accompany the piano duet with Charlotte, superb.’

The Princess of Wales and her daughter Princess Charlotte have teamed up for a stunning ‘special’ piano duet

The duet feature during the opening segment of the programme – ‘Together at Christmas’ – which aired on ITV1 and ITVX at 7.25pm

Kate, 43, and 10-year-old Princess Charlotte played Holm Sound by Erland Cooper

Another added: ‘Prince William must be so proud of both his beautiful girls. Lovely lovely carol concert.’

The Prince and Princess of Wales teased the duet this morning by posting a cryptic surprise on their joint Instagram account.

The clip panned across a festively decorated room to show two hands, one with a large ring, resting on a piano.

They captioned the clip: ‘A special duet…’

In the voiceover, Kate said: ‘At its heart Christmas speaks of love taking form in the simplest most human ways.

‘Not in sentimental or grand gestures. But gentle ones. A moment of listening. A word of comfort. A friendly conversation. A helping hand. Presents.

‘These simple acts of care might seem small but they contribute to the beautiful tapestry of life to which we all belong.

‘Christmas is a time which reminds us how deeply our lives are woven together. Just as the roots of trees share strength between the soil, unseen but vital, so too do we.

A beaming Kate and Charlotte recorded the stunning performance in the Inner Hall at Windsor Castle last week

Both Kate and Charlotte wore golden bracelets on their wrists as they played Holm Sound

The Prince and Princess of Wales and children George (centre left), Charlotte and Louis (centre right) attended the service at Westminster Abbey on December 5

Prince William delivered a reading of the second chapter of the Gospel of Luke from the New Testament

Actress Kate Winslet, 50, also delivered a reading titled ‘A reflection of love and connection’

The royal couple posted a cryptic image of a piano on Instagram on Christmas Eve morning

‘We are drawn by an instinctive pull towards belonging and connection.

‘At a time when life can sometimes feel fragmented or uncertain, the Christmas season invites us to remember the power of reaching out to one another with generosity of heart, understanding and hope.

‘This carol service offers a moment of collective togetherness, a chance to celebrate the spirit of community and service and to honour the visible and invisible bonds which unite us all.

‘The time, care and compassion you give often quietly and unspoken and without any expection or recognition make an extraordinary difference to the lives of others.

‘As the year draws to a close I hope this season brings you moments of peace and clarity and that you too feel surrounded by the same love and care which you offer so freely.

‘Thank you for the warmth you have given and the kindess you have shown and the quiet constant light you bring to others.

‘Wishing you a very happy Christmas.’

Actress Vicky McClure, famous for her roles in Trigger Point and Line Of Duty, narrated the service after Kate’s introduction.

After the opening segment the programme continued with a performance of the hymns Once in Royal David’s City and a Sussex Carol by the Westminster Abbey choir, before a speech by The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, the 39th Dean of Westminster.

Prince William delivered a reading of the second chapter of the Gospel of Luke from the New Testament in front of a crowd of 1,600 attendees which included the Duke of Kent, whose wife Katharine, Duchess of Kent, passed away in September.

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, was also in attendance alongside Mike and Zara Tindall.

Actress Kate Winslet, 50, performed a reading titled ‘A reflection of love and connection’.

And there were musical performances from actor Hannah Waddingham, singers Katie Melua, Dan Smith, Griff and Cornish folk music group Fisherman’s Friends.

It also featured two community films, with one focusing on an artist from Fleetwood, Lancashire, who puts on a Christmas dinner for those alone at this time of year.

Kate has played the piano at previous festive concerts including in 2021 when she put on a touching performance at a Westminster Abbey service (pictured)

‘Together at Christmas’ aired on ITV at 7.25pm on Christmas Eve and was narrated by actress Vicky McClure

Kate, pictured, far left, and Tom Walker, right, gave an emotional performance by candlelight at Westminster Abbey in 2021

Sweet snaps showed Prince Louis sharing an adorable moment with his mother Kate at her Christmas carol service on December 5

Royal fans gushed at the ‘superb’ pair’s ‘absolutely beautiful’ piano performance

Another added: ‘Prince William must be so proud of both his beautiful girls. Lovely lovely carol concert’

The second involved students from London’s Platinum Performing Arts – who performed in the service.

Kate has played the piano at previous festive concerts, including in 2021 when she put on a touching performance at a Westminster Abbey service which aired on TV.

On that occasion, she stunned onlookers as she played the piano to accompany singer Tom Walker with a poignant song performed by candlelight at the service in London.

They played his Christmas single For Those Who Can’t Be Here together – and despite the duchess reportedly feeling ‘quite nervous’, fans rushed to praise her performance.

Others noted how Kate seemingly channelled her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, who surprised onlookers in 1988 in Australia with her own piano performance.

Meanwhile, sweet new pictures released on Tuesday showed Kate and Prince Louis sharing an adorable moment at her Christmas carol concert.

Royal fans swooned at the unseen snaps of the princess and her three children at her annual carol service at Westminster Abbey.

Their heart-warming bond was clear for all to see as Princess Charlotte, arrived to support her mother alongside her father, Prince William, 43, and brothers, Princes George, 12, and Louis, seven.

The whole family was sleek in navy and green, as the boys wore smart suits while Charlotte was adorable in a blue dress with a white collar – a perfect complement to her mother’s emerald.

Charlotte, who wore a navy dress, stayed close to her mother as they entered the event

Onlookers noted how during Kate’s 2021 performance she seemingly channelled her late mother-in-law Princess Diana

Kate was pictured beaming proudly at her children, leading them towards Westminster Abbey as they admired the festive light decorations ahead of the service – which will be aired on Christmas Eve.

And once inside, the Princess of Wales helped Louis balance a candle while she held onto an order of service in her other hand.

In adorable scenes, Kate could be seen speaking quietly to her youngest son, while he sat with a cheeky grin on his face.

Princess Catherine’s close relationship with her daughter Charlotte was also on show at the carol service, which is now in its fifth year.

The pair’s faces visibly lit up with joy as they spotted each other outside Westminster Abbey before the concert kicked off.

Bearing a wide grin, the Princess of Wales quickly held her arm out to embrace her daughter, who looked equally delighted to support her mother at the event.

The family were later photographed walking into the Abbey together, and Kate continued to lovingly direct her gaze at her daughter.

A Beɑutiful New Chɑpter Begins  Tess Dɑly ɑnd Vernon Kɑy Shɑre Their Hɑppiest News After Her Strictly Exit

Tess Daly and Vernon Kay could return to screens together (Image: Getty)

Strictly Come Dancing icon Tess Daly said an emotional goodbye to viewers on Saturday, December 20, as she and co-host Claudia Winkleman fronted their final-ever live show of the glittering BBC competition.

Tess, who joined the programme from its very first episode back in 2004, originally hosted alongside the late Bruce Forsyth before Claudia took over in 2014. Together, the pair became one of the most beloved presenting duos on British television, leaving fans in tears during the Series 23 finale.

Claudia and Tess hosted their final live Strictly show (Image: BBC)

Their departure came after Tess and Claudia stunned the nation in October by announcing their joint resignation in a statement. While the BBC is yet to confirm who will replace them, bookmakers are already convinced Tess won’t be off screens for long.

Tess Daly and Vernon Kay could present ITV’s This Morning (Image: Getty)

According to punters at Poker Scout, the 56-year-old could be swapping the Strictly dancefloor for ITV’s famous This Morning sofa — presenting alongside her husband Vernon Kay.

A spokesperson for Poker Scout said:
“Tess Daly and Vernon Kay are one of British television’s most popular couples, and it’s no surprise to see them emerge as strong contenders to present This Morning. They’re currently priced at 2/1 to take on hosting duties, and with Tess’s live TV pedigree and Vernon’s versatility, they have all the ingredients to become ITV’s next iconic daytime duo.”

Tess is best known for her two decades on Strictly, but her presenting CV stretches far beyond the ballroom, having previously fronted shows such as Get Your Kit Off, Singled Out, Smash Hits TV, SMTV Live, Back To Reality, Home On Their Own and the first series of Make Me a Supermodel.

Vernon, meanwhile, has been a familiar face on British screens since 2000, when he launched his career on Channel 4’s T4. He later went on to host All-Star Family Fortunes, Just the Two of Us, Beat the Star, The Whole 19 Yards, Splash! and 1000 Heartbeats across ITV and the BBC.

The married couple, who have been together for 22 years and share two daughters, could join the expanding This Morning presenting line-up following the departures of Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby in 2023. ITV subsequently named Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley as the show’s permanent weekday hosts, with Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary taking over on Fridays.

If the move is confirmed, Tess and Vernon would not be the first husband-and-wife team to front the programme. Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan were the faces of This Morning for its first 13 years, while former couple Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford hosted the Friday episodes for 14 years before their duties were reduced in 2020.

BREAKING NEWS  Pauline Hanson is furious as she targets the Labor Party and Anthony Albanese after Australian media reported that special forces police intercepted a vehicle near Bondi Beach, arresting seven men and possibly finding a gun. The arrested individuals are said to be subjects who had returned to Australia – the shocking part is that these people DID NOT NEED TO BE CHECKED before entering Australia. “How much money did he take to do this? A bunch of bastards pushing the people down the path to death.”FULL DETAIL

BREAKING NEWS  Pauline Hanson Furious as She Blasts Labor Party and Anthony Albanese After Australian Media Reports Special Forces Police Intercepted a Vehicle Near Bondi Beach, Arresting Seven Men and Possibly Discovering a Gun.

The Shock Is Even Greater Because These Arrested Individuals Are Among Those Repatriated to Australia — WITHOUT ANY PRIOR SECURITY CHECKS Before Entering the Country. “How Much Money Did He Take to Do This? A Bunch of Bastards Pushing the People Down the Path to Death!”

In a stunning escalation of political tension, One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has unleashed a blistering attack on the Labor Party and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese following reports of a high-stakes police operation near Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach.

Australian media outlets revealed that special forces police intercepted a suspicious vehicle, leading to the arrest of seven men and the potential discovery of a firearm.

Hanson, never one to mince words, accused the government of endangering Australian lives for political gain, questioning, “How much money did he take to do this? A bunch of bastards pushing the people down the path to death!”

This incident, unfolding on December 18, 2025, has reignited fierce debates over immigration policies, national security, and the competence of the Albanese administration. As details emerge, critics argue that this near-miss exposes the perilous flaws in Labor’s approach to repatriation amid global conflicts.

Albanese’s government has been under fire for facilitating the return of Australians from war-torn regions, including the Middle East, without stringent background checks. Proponents claim it’s a humanitarian effort, but detractors like Hanson see it as a reckless gamble with public safety.

The operation began when elite tactical units from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and New South Wales Police Force received intelligence about a vehicle exhibiting erratic behavior near Bondi Beach. Eyewitnesses reported seeing the  car speeding along the coastal road before being boxed in by unmarked vehicles.

Bodycam footage, leaked to select media, shows officers swarming the scene, detaining seven men of Middle Eastern appearance. Initial reports suggest a handgun was found concealed in the vehicle’s trunk, though authorities have yet to confirm if it was loaded or linked to any planned attack.

The arrests were swift and without incident, but the implications are profound.

What elevates this from a routine bust to a national scandal is the background of the detainees. Sources within the Department of Home Affairs confirm that at least four of the seven were repatriated Australians who had been stranded in Gaza amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.

Albanese’s government, in a bid to appear compassionate on the international stage, expedited their return in late 2024 without the mandatory security screenings typically required for individuals from high-risk zones. This decision, critics say, bypassed protocols established post-9/11 to prevent radicalized elements from infiltrating the country.

Pauline Hanson, speaking from her Brisbane office, didn’t hold back in her condemnation. In a fiery press conference streamed live on social media, she lambasted Albanese personally: “This is what happens when you put virtue-signaling ahead of Australian lives.

Anthony Albanese has blood on his hands if this had gone further.

These blokes waltz back in without a single check— no ASIO vetting, no interviews, nothing! And now they’re caught with a gun near one of our busiest beaches? How much money did he take to do this? Is it kickbacks from foreign lobbies or just sheer incompetence? A bunch of bastards in Canberra pushing everyday Aussies down the path to death while they sip lattes in their ivory towers.”

Hanson’s rhetoric, while inflammatory, resonates with a segment of the population frustrated by what they perceive as lax border controls. Her One Nation party has long advocated for stricter immigration measures, arguing that unchecked repatriation invites terrorism.

This incident comes on the heels of similar controversies, including the 2024 release of detainees from immigration detention centers following a High Court ruling, which led to several high-profile crimes. Albanese defended that move as upholding human rights, but opponents point to it as evidence of systemic failure.

To understand the depth of this criticism, one must delve into the policy framework under Albanese. Since taking office in 2022, the Labor government has prioritized humanitarian repatriation, particularly for dual citizens caught in overseas conflicts.

In the case of Gaza evacuees, over 200 individuals were flown back on chartered flights funded by taxpayers. While many were innocent families fleeing violence, intelligence reports—leaked by whistleblowers—suggested that some had ties to militant groups.
Family games
Yet, due to diplomatic pressures and a desire to align with international allies like the United States, security checks were waived or fast-tracked.

Experts in counter-terrorism have weighed in, amplifying the chorus of disapproval. Dr. Elena Vasquez, a security analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, stated, “This is a textbook case of policy over prudence. Repatriating individuals from conflict zones without thorough vetting is like playing Russian roulette with national security.

Albanese’s administration has prioritized optics—looking good on the world stage—over the safety of Australians. If a gun was indeed found, we narrowly avoided another tragedy like the Lindt Café siege.”

The Lindt Café reference is apt. In 2014, a lone gunman with a history of extremism held hostages in Sydney’s CBD, resulting in deaths. That event prompted a overhaul of anti-terror laws, including enhanced monitoring of repatriated citizens.

Under Albanese, however, funding for ASIO and AFP has been criticized as insufficient, with budget cuts redirecting resources to climate initiatives and social welfare. Hanson seized on this: “While Albanese is busy hugging trees and handing out welfare cheques, our cops are outgunned and under-resourced.

These repatriated radicals know it too—they’re exploiting the weaknesses he’s created.”

Public reaction has been polarized. Social media erupted with hashtags like #AlbaneseFail and #SecureOurBorders trending nationwide. A poll conducted by YouGov immediately after the arrests showed 58% of respondents believing the government bears responsibility for the incident.

In contrast, Labor supporters argue that Hanson is fear-mongering, pointing out that no attack occurred and that the arrests demonstrate the effectiveness of current intelligence operations.

Yet, the timing couldn’t be worse for Albanese. With federal elections looming in 2026, this scandal threatens to erode his already fragile approval ratings, which have dipped below 40% amid economic woes and housing crises.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has echoed Hanson’s sentiments, calling for an independent inquiry into the repatriation program. “Australians deserve answers,” Dutton said in Parliament. “How many more potential threats has this government let slip through the net?”

Delving deeper, the repatriation policy’s origins trace back to Albanese’s 2023 commitment at the United Nations to assist in global humanitarian efforts. In partnership with the Biden administration, Australia agreed to accept evacuees from Gaza, Syria, and Afghanistan. While noble in intent, implementation has been marred by bureaucratic shortcuts.

Internal memos, obtained through Freedom of Information requests, reveal that Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil overruled security advisors on multiple occasions to expedite processes, citing “urgent humanitarian needs.”

Critics argue this reflects a broader pattern of Albanese’s leadership: prioritizing progressive ideals over pragmatic governance. From the Voice to Parliament referendum’s failure to mishandled COVID-19 border closures, his tenure has been dogged by accusations of naivety.

Hanson, positioning herself as the voice of the “forgotten Australians,” has capitalized on this discontent. Her party’s support has surged in regional areas, where fears of urban terrorism loom large.

The Bondi incident also raises questions about community safety in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. Bondi Beach, a tourist hotspot, has seen increased patrols since the 2024 stabbing attack at Westfield Bondi Junction, which claimed six lives.

Locals are now demanding answers: Why were these men not monitored upon arrival? What intelligence led to the interception? And crucially, was this part of a larger plot?

In response, Albanese’s office issued a statement emphasizing that “all repatriations are conducted with the utmost care for national security.” The PM himself addressed the nation in a press briefing: “We will not let isolated incidents divide us.

Our agencies acted decisively, preventing any harm.” But such platitudes ring hollow to many, especially as Hanson counters with, “Isolated? This is the tip of the iceberg. Albanese’s open-door policy is inviting disaster.”

As investigations continue, the AFP has charged the seven men with possession of a prohibited weapon and conspiracy-related offenses. Their court appearances are scheduled for next week, where more details may emerge. Meanwhile, calls for Albanese’s resignation grow louder from conservative quarters.

This episode underscores a fundamental divide in Australian politics: compassion versus caution. While Albanese champions inclusivity, critics like Hanson argue it’s at the expense of safety.

As one voter in Bondi told me, “We want to help people, but not if it means risking our own families.” Whether this incident marks a turning point remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Anthony Albanese’s leadership is under siege, and Pauline Hanson’s unfiltered fury has struck a nerve.
Family games
In the end, Australians must ask themselves: How much longer can we afford a government that gambles with our security? Hanson’s words may be harsh, but in the wake of this near-catastrophe, they demand reflection.

The path to death, as she puts it, is paved with good intentions—and perhaps, as she alleges, a few illicit incentives.

SYSTEMIC INJUSTICE UNMASKED: THE POLL OF DOOM REVEALS 50% OF BRITONS DEMAND STARMER’S OUSTER AS INTERNAL LABOUR PLOTTERS PREPARE TO STAB HIM IN THE BACK!

British voters do not believe Sir Keir Starmer will spend next Christmas as Prime Minister, a damning new poll has revealed.

A new survey by polling firm YouGov found half of Britons expect the Prime Minister will be ousted within a year, including 19 per cent who are “definite” about Sir Keir’s departure.

The figure compared to just 35 per cent of voters who believe Sir Keir will remain in No10 next December.

However, the same survey suggested Labour has cut Reform UK’s lead in the opinion polls.

Reform UK’s support was down from 28 per cent to 25 per cent, putting Nigel Farage just five points clear of Sir Keir’s Labour Party.

Meanwhile, the Tory Party remains in third place on just 19 per cent, leaving the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party tied on 15 per cent.

Despite securing a landslide victory at the 2024 General Election, Sir Keir’s authority also appears to have slipped with Labour MPs.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner have been mooted as potential plotters against Sir Keir.

Sir Keir Starmer’s position appears increasingly vulnerable

 | PA

Meanwhile, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham yet again confirmed he would return to Westminster if called upon by Labour MPs.

During the last round of Prime Minister’s Questions before the festive recess, the Scottish National Party’s Westminster leader Stephen Flynn could not resist a swipe at Sir Keir about his future.

He said: “It’s the season of goodwill, so with that in mind, I don’t intend on asking the Prime Minister about his broken promises on energy bills, the 1,000 jobs being lost in the North Sea, and the fact that Peter Mandelson is still a member of the House of Lords.

“I won’t even ask him about the chaos engulfing the Labour Party, his Budget and his indeed his own leadership.

Angela Rayner, Wes Streeting and Andy Burnham have all been accused of plotting against the Prime Minister

“No, Mr Speaker, I simply want to wish the Prime Minister happy Christmas.

“How does he intend on spending his final one in Downing Street?”

Sir Keir responded by revealing he will receive an update from the Chancellor on the situation at Grangemouth.

The Prime Minister added: “The Right Honourable Gentleman is clearly not interested in Grangemouth.

Nigel Farage’s lead has been slashed as Reform’s support drops to 25 per cent

“I would have thought, on a day like this, that he would want to welcome the £120million investment into Grangemouth.

“It is a landmark investment protecting 500 jobs there and hundreds more across Scotland’s supply chain, and he cannot even bring himself to mention it.

“That is on top of the Typhoon defence jobs in Edinburgh and the shipbuilding jobs on the Clyde.

“After decades of SNP rule, its Members are totally out of ideas and they cannot even welcome the Grangemouth news. Scotland deserves change next year with Anas Sarwar.”

Stephen Flynn is the SNP leader in Westminster

Meanwhile, Labour Party Chairwoman Anna Turley insisted Sir Keir will remain as Prime Minister next Christmas.

“As we go into the new year, I’m really optimistic about delivering the kind of change that people voted for last year, and to see them starting to see and feel it in their pockets and in their local communities,” Ms Turley told Sky News.

She added: “Well, I think rightly, people are impatient for change. We all are. And people voted for change – that was on the front of our manifesto last year.

“But it takes time to deliver that. It takes time to stabilise things from the chaos that we inherited.”

SHOCK CLAIMS  Dɑvid Wɑlliɑms hɑs STRONGLY DENIED ɑllegɑtions of inɑppropriɑte behɑviour ɑfter being dropped by his publisher — ɑnd the fɑllout is growing fɑst.

David Walliams ‘strongly denies’ allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards women after publisher drops him

David Walliams is one of the UK’s highest-earning authors (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
David Walliams has been dropped by his publisher Harper Collins, reportedly over allegations of ‘inappropriate behaviour’ towards women.

Walliams ‘strongly denies’ the allegations, according to a statement via a spokesperson.

The actor, comedian and former Britain’s Got Talent judge, 54, wrote his first book in 2008 after signing a deal with the publisher and has gone on to become one of the UK’s highest-earning authors.

It was estimated that Walliams had sold £100million worth of books for Harper Collins, as of 2019.

A number of his titles, including Gangsta Granny and Mr Stink, have also been made into films for the BBC, while the books have been included in McDonald’s Happy Meals giveaways.

Yet Walliams is said to have faced accusations of ‘harassing’ junior female employees at the publishing outfit, which were investigated by the company.

It is understood that Walliams did not know about the Harper Collins investigation, but has since been dropped by the publisher.

A Harper Collins employee who reportedly raised concerns about his behaviour was given a five-figure payout and subsequently left the company, The Telegraph has reported in a new investigation.

A spokesman for Harper Collins told the Metro: ‘After careful consideration, and under the leadership of its new CEO, HarperCollins UK has decided not to publish any new titles by David Walliams.’

A statement to The Telegraph additionally noted: ‘The author is aware of this decision. HarperCollins takes employee wellbeing extremely seriously and has processes in place for reporting and investigating concerns.

‘To respect the privacy of individuals we do not comment on internal matters.’

A spokesperson for Walliams told PA: ‘David has never been informed of any allegations raised against him by Harper Collins.

‘He was not party to any investigation or given any opportunity to answer questions. David strongly denies that he has behaved inappropriately and is taking legal advice.”

He has sold an estimated £100million in Harper Collins books (Picture: Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
This comes after Walliams’ high-profile exit from ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent, following allegations he had made sexist comments about a contestant.

A leaked transcript in 2022, which was picked up on a hot mic, revealed Walliams called one auditioning contestant a ‘c**’ and said of another: ‘She thinks you want to f*** her, but you don’t’.

His best-selling children’s books have previously been accused of ‘racism and fat-shaming’, shortly after Walliams and his former Little Britain comedy partner Matt Lucas issued a statement apologising for using blackface in past sketches.

He wrote in a tweet in 2020: ‘Matt & I have both spoken publicly in recent years of our regret that we played characters of other races.

‘Once again we want to make it clear that it was wrong & we are very sorry.’

The Travel Ban That Raised Red Flags: Why This Girl Was Never Allowed to Leave the Country — And How It Could Tie to Madeleine McCann

For nearly 20 long years, she watched from the sidelines.

While her friends packed suitcases for sun-soaked holidays in France, Poland, and beyond, she stayed home — always with the same explanation.

“She’s too ill to travel.”

That’s what her parents told everyone.

But investigators now believe that story was a lie — and the real reason is far more disturbing.

The trips she was never allowed to take

According to sources close to the case, the woman — whose identity remains protected — grew up under strict, unexplained travel restrictions.

School trips? Denied.
Family vacations abroad? Cancelled.
Even short cross-border visits? Absolutely forbidden.

Friends reportedly questioned why her condition never required hospitalization — yet somehow made passport control “impossible.”

That contradiction would later haunt investigators.

It wasn’t about her health — it was about her identity

Insiders now claim authorities uncovered a chilling possibility:
Her parents weren’t afraid of planes. They were afraid of passports.

Because the moment she appeared at passport control, her face would have been scanned, logged, and compared.

And if she really was Madeleine McCann — the world’s most famous missing child — that single border crossing could have blown the secret wide open.

“One stamp. One scan. One look,” a source whispered.
“That’s all it would’ve taken.”

A secret allegedly hidden in plain sight

Investigators reportedly believe the isolation wasn’t accidental — it was strategic.

By keeping her inside the country, off official databases, and away from international scrutiny, whoever raised her may have believed they were buying time.

Time for what?

Time for the truth to stay buried.

Why the past is catching up now

As facial recognition technology advances and DNA testing becomes more accessible, experts say the walls are closing in.

What once could be hidden behind excuses and childhood illnesses is now being questioned — loudly.

And the most chilling question of all remains:

If she wasn’t allowed to travel…
What exactly were they so desperate to keep the world from seeing?

The Madeleine McCann mystery has taken many dark turns — but this one may be among the most unsettling yet.

Because sometimes, the biggest clue isn’t where someone went.

It’s where they were never allowed to go.

90 DAYS TO A FOOD CRISIS: WHY STARMER’S TAX RAID IS AN “EXTINCTION-LEVEL EVENT” FOR BRITISH AGRICULTURE!  Nigel Nelson warned of the extinction, and Gareth Wyn Jones is living it.  The “cunning tactic” of this Labour Government is to crush family farms with a tax burden they can’t survive. With no “new blood” able to afford to enter the industry, we are looking at the death of British farming. While imports flood our markets and food inflation rockets, Starmer is busy shutting the door on thousands of protesting farmers. This isn’t just a policy it’s a Systemic Erasure of our rural heritage. NO FARMERS, NO FOOD, NO FUTURE. FIRE THE REGIME!

Farmer Gareth Wyn Jones has demanded “respect” from Sir Keir Starmer after the Government’s “disgraceful” attack on Britain’s countryside.

Speaking to GB News, the sheep farmer hit out at Labour’s inheritance tax raid and declared things are getting “more ridiculous by the day”.

Highlighting the struggles he is facing just before Christmas, Mr Wyn Jones told GB News: “It’s getting more ridiculous by the day, I think. These champagne socialists are targeting the countryside. It’s a very sad time to be a farmer globally, to be honest with you.

“We’re seeing attacks now on the global community, the European farmers, with this influx of imports. We’ve got inheritance tax here. A lot of people don’t understand that food inflation is going up on a daily basis, and the poor people can’t afford good, nutritious, healthy food to feed their families. And this is all due to the Labour Government.”

Telling GB News about his father, Mr Wyn Jones stressed how hard his family have worked to keep the farm afloat.

He said: “My father sitting in the house behind me, he’s 89, he’s worked all his life. Never had the passport, never bought a new car, he’s always invested into the land.

“We can’t keep going. I’m going to be out here Boxing Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, New Year’s Eve. I’m going to be out here every day watching after my livestock.”

Calling on the Government to “respect” Britain’s farmers, Mr Wyn Jones told GB News: “I don’t want sympathy, I don’t want handouts at all. All I’m asking, and I think every other farmer is asking, is a little bit of respect.

Farmer Gareth Wyn Jones demanded ‘respect’ from the Government after their ‘disgraceful’ attack on the countrysid

“This Government needs to be careful. I got up at half past four this morning, had a cup of tea and then I’ve been out here feeding the cows, I’ve got a few turkeys to clean and for my family and friends later on, and then I’m going round the sheep onto the hill and just making sure everything’s all right and get everything fed.”

Praising Mr Wyn Jones, host Eamonn Holmes paid tribute to the hard work of farmers across Britain: “The thing about it is when Gareth talks about what he does there, it’s like we go to the supermarket and we get something in a packet and we open it up, and he has to get it already for that packet.

“It’s real work. It’s real graft, and real respect to you, Gareth.”

Responding to Eamonn, the farmer told GB News: “And can I say one thing as well? Every single Government across the world will regret what they’ve done to the farming communities in the years to come, because it’s disgraceful. We’ve got mental health issues, we’ve got people taking their own lives and they haven’t listened.

Farmers have been protesting the Inheritance tax rise since the last Budget | PA

“There have been thousands of farmers protesting down in London, trying to get our opinions across, and they don’t even open the door. They don’t even listen. It’s disgraceful.

“As they’re drinking their oatmeal lattes in their ivory towers down in Whitehall, the farmers are still at it every single day trying to produce food to feed this nation.”

Asked by Eamonn who the “next Gareth” will be in the family to take over his farm, Mr Wyn Jones admitted: “There isn’t anyone there. I’ve got a son who’s keen to come in, but, you know, at this point, he’s on the farm working, but we can’t give him a decent wage.

“The scary thing is, the majority of farmers are over their 60s and getting older, and in the next ten years, it’s going to be crucial to bring new blood, fresh blood. And who the hell would want to come into this industry as it is now on its knees, not being able to get a real return?”

Heaping praise on GB News for the support the channel has offered to farmers since the tax raid was announced, Mr Wyn Jones said: “You know what? Nobody else is showing the farming community struggle like GB News, I’ll be honest with you.

“And I’ve been on GB News since the beginning. When I came on right at the beginning, people would call me right-wing, this and that, and you can see you’ve built a channel around honesty and integrity, and I can only thank you. And another thing I’d like to say is we need to thank the great British public, because they have been behind us.”

Mr Wyn Jones hailed GB News for supporting farmers ‘from the beginning’

Warning of the catastrophic impact of a farmer’s strike on Britain, he said: “Now imagine if the farming industry went on strike. People, imagine if these farmers said, enough is enough, we’re going on strike, we’re going to start to pull back the food.

“Imagine what would happen to this country, it would go militant. People would go hungry, there would be shelves that would be empty. We’re not going to do that, we’re fighting for our industry, but we’re fighting for Great Britain to build a better Britain on our bellies.

“We need the farming communities working with Government, and at this moment, it’s not happening. There’s a targeted attack on our countryside, and things need to change.

“We need a farming food revolution, and definitely I’m with education to go forward, to teach people how to cook, how to eat seasonally, and how to find nutritious food from British farms.”

In a statement, a Treasury spokesman said: “We are backing farmers with a record £2.7billion a year to grow their businesses and put more British food on our plates.

“Our inheritance tax changes protect public services while keeping it fair. Three-quarters of farm estates will pay nothing, the rest pay half the usual rate spread over ten years interest free.”

RUSSELL BRAND SPEAKS OUT  After being hit with new ʀaթe & seҳual assault charges, Russell Brand has broken his silence — and his response is raising eyebrows worldwide. What did he actually say?

Russell Brand has been charged with two new offences, as reported by the Metropolitan Police.

The actor and comedian, 50, is facing two additional charges, one count of rape and one count of sexual assault, from two women.

Brand will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on January 20, 2026, in relation to these two additional charges.

Details about these charges have not been released, but they are two additional charges from two women who are not involved in Brand’s other charges from April 2025.

Lionel Idan, Chief Crown Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, confirmed that these were also historic incidents taking place around 16 years ago.

‘These new charges relate to separate reports of non-recent offences in 2009, involving two additional women.’

Brand has now spoken out in a video shared on social media, in which he addressed recent ‘time of great darkness’ and that he was looking forward to speaking about the ‘truth’.

Russell Brand is facing two new charges (Picture: AP)
In a video taken while he was driving in his car, Brand said: ‘You’re all aware of that, a time of confusion and dispute and conflict, but I’ve learned in my own life that attack can bring about grace.’

‘I’m so grateful for the opportunity in my own life that I get to participate in change and transformation and growth and love, and I feel so blessed that I have the opportunity to atone for the many things over the years that I did wrong, and the opportunity to ensure that people understand the truth of my situation and scenario,’ he said.

He then spoke about the media, stating that the UK ‘appears to be using bureaucracy increasingly to legitimise authority’, and then addressed those he had ‘harmed’.

‘I pray Lord, that anyone that I’ve harmed or hurt in my years of mindlessness in sin would be healed. Lord, I pray for infinite light and wonderful healing for them, and I pray, Lord, for the absolute truth of who I am to be abundantly revealed.’

He concluded: ‘There are going to be big staged…I don’t want to say battles, trials, is what I’m going to call them trials. But as it says in James, we consider it great joy when we face trials of any kind.’

He then wished his followers a Merry Christmas.

The comic is facing several charges (Picture: Brian Cahn/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock)
The previous five charges, involving four women, include two counts of rape, one count of indecent assault, and two counts of sexual assault.

Brand pleaded not guilty to rape and sexual assault earlier this year when facing these five previous charges, with a trial scheduled to begin at Southwark Crown Court on June 16, 2026.

Detectives began investigating in September 2023 after several allegations from alleged victims.

Channel 4’s Dispatches and The Sunday Times then alleged several offences taking place between the late 90s and early noughties.

The charges against him, as heard in court earlier this year, include allegedly raping a woman in a hotel room when she attended a Labour Party conference in 1999. Another woman accused Brand of indecent assault after being allegedly grabbed by her forearm by him as he tried to drag her into a male toilet at a television station in 2001.

The court heard from a third person, who was a TV worker Brand met in Soho 21 years ago. He is accused of grabbing her breasts before allegedly orally raping her after pulling her into a toilet.

The fourth complainant is a radio station worker who met Brand during his time working for Channel 4’s Big Brother’s Big Mouth between 2004 and 2005.

Brand is now facing a total of seven charges from six women (Picture: Lucy North/PA Wire)
Brand has maintained his innocence when it comes to previous charges, and claimed that any encounters were ‘consensual’, while declaring he was ‘never was a rapist’.

In a video posted on X, the comedian said: ‘I am now going to have the opportunity to defend these charges in court, and I’m incredibly grateful for that.’

He said in the clip: ‘I’ve always told you guys that when I was young and single before I had a wife and family, who are there just out of shot. I was a fool, man, I was a fool before I lived in the light of the Lord.

‘I was a drug addict, a sex addict, and an imbecile but what I never was, was a rapist.’

The actor and comic has denied other allegations (Picture: REUTERS)

Detective Chief Inspector Tariq Farooqi from the Metropolitan Police, who is leading the investigation, said in a statement to the press on December 23: ‘The women who have made reports, including those connected to the two new charges, continue to receive support from specially trained officers.

‘The Met’s investigation remains ongoing, and detectives urge anyone affected by this case, or anyone with information, to come forward and speak with police.

‘A dedicated team of investigators can be reached via email at [email protected].