WHAT HAPPENED
Today, people are laying flowers to honour the victims of a deadly terror attack that happened on Sunday the 14th of December at Bondi Beach in Sydney. Two men with guns fired at an event in a park where members of Sydney's Jewish community had gathered to celebrate Hanukkah, an ancient Jewish festival. At least 15 people have been killed and more than 40 are in hospital receiving treatment. Officials have confirmed that one gunmen is dead and the other is in police custody. At the scene, emergency services responded quickly, with police in the water up above and on the ground, while ambulances rushed to the area to help the injured. Throughout all this, there have also been reports of acts of kindness and bravery. One local man named Ahmed Al Ahmed has been called a hero by the NSW Premier, after he helped disarm one of the gunmen.
HOW TO DEAL WITH UPSETTING NEWS
Trying to make sense of what happened and why can be really confusing, and it's normal to feel overwhelmed and upset. But there are some things you can do… that can help make you feel better. For starters, it's important to remember that this is in the news because for Australia, it's an incredibly rare event, and seeing something like this in the news doesn't mean it will happen to you. Police say they've stopped the active threat and that they want everyone to feel safe. During and after events like this, news providers often highlight the most frightening images to get people's attention, which can make already upsetting events look even worse. But it's also important to focus on the good things happening. There are already examples of people coming together to help each other. Sharing how you feel and asking questions can also be a big help. If there's something you're worried about, you can talk to your parents, your teacher, or your friends, and there are also organisations you can reach out to if you need help, like Kids Helpline. And remember, if you need a break from the news, it's always okay to switch off - it doesn't mean you don't care.
GLOBAL REACTIONS
Leaders here in Australia and around the world have reacted to the attack, and shown their support to those affected and those who have helped, including US President Donald Trump. King Charles and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer have also posted messages of support.
SUPPORT AND SOLIDARITY
Today, thousands of people gathered at Bondi in Sydney. Across Australia, it was a similar story. Flags were flown at half mast and memorials appeared on city streets. Online, there have been messages of support, including some from famous Aussies, while vigils have been held in many cities around the world.