Akram, 24, is charged with opening fire at a Jewish Hanukkah gathering at Bondi Beach in December, killing 15 people in what police have described as one of the country’s worst mass shootings and an attack inspired by Islamic State.

The accused had sought a 40-year suppression order to block publication of the names, images and identifying details of his mother, brother and sister, arguing that publicity could endanger their safety.

Several Australian media organizations opposed the application, saying it would unduly restrict reporting in a case of significant public interest.Judge Hugh Donnelly ruled against the request, stating that suppression orders should be granted only in exceptional circumstances and that transparency in judicial proceedings was fundamental.

He noted the case had generated “unprecedented public interest, anger, outrage and grief.”The court heard that personal details of Akram’s family had already circulated widely online, while his mother had spoken to local media shortly after the attack.

Donnelly added that any order limited to Australian jurisdiction would be ineffective given the reach of social media and international publications.Akram appeared via video link from a maximum-security prison and did not contest the ruling further.

His lawyer, Richard Wilson, told the court there were no plans to appeal the decision.The December attack shocked Australia, a country with strict gun control laws, and has prompted renewed debate over firearm regulation and rising antisemitism.

The government has since launched a national inquiry into antisemitism and social cohesion, with findings expected later this year, alongside measures to strengthen hate speech legislation.

Speaking in an interview with conservative podcaster Benny Johnson, Vance said he intended to use his remaining time in office to examine classified materials related to UFOs. I’ve still got three more years as vice president. I will get to the bottom of the UFO files,” he said.

The remarks come after President Donald Trump in February ordered federal agencies to begin identifying and releasing government files related to UFOs and alleged alien encounters, citing strong public interest in the subject.

The directive followed comments by former President Barack Obama, who said publicly that aliens were “real,” while adding he had not personally seen evidence of them. Trump later criticized those remarks, saying Obama had disclosed classified information.

Vance rejected the extraterrestrial explanation during the podcast, describing UFO-related sightings as potentially “demonic” in nature. He framed the issue within a Christian worldview, referring to “celestial beings who fly around who do weird things to people.”

His comments diverge from official government assessments, which have not identified any supernatural or alien origins for such sightings.

In March 2024, the Pentagon released a report stating there was no evidence that unidentified aerial phenomena were linked to alien technology.

Many reported incidents were attributed to conventional sources, including weather balloons, surveillance aircraft, satellites and other routine aerial activity.U.S. authorities have nonetheless continued to investigate such sightings amid concerns that some incidents could involve advanced technologies developed by rival states.