Israeli police clashed with ultra-Orthodox protesters over army enlistment on Sunday, while a man accused of a terror attack at Bondi Beach appeared in court. Elsewhere, the family of an Iranian protester was reportedly forced to pay for the bullet that killed their son, and the Trump administration faced accusations of releasing names from the Epstein files to obscure the truth. These events unfolded on Monday, February 16, 2026, according to reports from various news outlets.
In Israel, the clashes occurred after ultra-Orthodox men protested military enlistment, with an angry crowd chasing two female soldiers, according to Al Jazeera. The issue of who is required to serve in the Israeli army is becoming increasingly contentious as the government seeks to reform the system, the outlet reported.
In Australia, Naveed Akram, the man accused of killing 15 people at a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach, appeared in a Sydney court via video link from prison. The 24-year-old, who wore a green prison-issued jumper, spoke briefly during the hearing, according to Sky News. His lawyer stated it was too early to indicate how Akram would plead to the charges.
Meanwhile, in Iran, the family of Hooman, a 37-year-old protester killed during recent demonstrations, was forced to pay for the bullet that killed him, according to Sky News. His aunt, Nasrin, shared the painful details, expressing anger and disbelief. Hooman had joined protests against the regime in Lahijan. Before his death, he told a friend that he was willing to die "so others could be free."
Also, the Trump administration was accused of "purposefully muddying the waters" by releasing a list of hundreds of names mentioned in the Epstein files, according to Sky News. A letter sent to Congress by Attorney General Pam Bondi included a list of high-ranking politicians and celebrities. However, being named in the files does not suggest wrongdoing.
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