news today: King pressed over brother's arrest as ex-prince released after 12-hour custody

The King's visit to London was overshadowed by questions about his brother after the former duke was arrested and then released following almost 12 hours in police custody on his 66th birthday. Elsewhere, a suspect in the Bondi Beach attack appeared in court by video link, and members of the Board of Peace pledged more than $7 billion toward Gaza relief.

Royal fallout: arrest, searches and a muted birthday

The former duke was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office on his 66th birthday and spent almost 12 hours in custody before being released. He left the police station in a vehicle and appeared to recline slightly in his seat. Police searches of properties linked to him, including premises at Sandringham and the Windsor estate, have intensified public scrutiny of his long-running fall from public life.

The King's public engagements were punctuated by questions about the arrest while he was in London. He had previously said that the law must take its course, and officials were asked about the situation as he carried out duties. The royal household kept the day notably low-key: there was no public birthday message from the family this year, a departure from earlier times when such milestones were acknowledged on official channels.

Voices connected to the case described the arrest as a significant development. A relative of one of the late accuser's family called the move "a piece of justice, " while broadcasters and commentators suggested the day had been difficult for the monarch, who faces reputational and personal strain as the situation unfolds. The ex-prince has repeatedly denied wrongdoing in relation to the long-running allegations that have shadowed him.

Bondi Beach suspect appears in court video link

A man accused of opening fire at a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach, killing 15 people, made his first court appearance by video link from prison. The hearing was brief and procedural, with the accused remanded while the legal process continues. The scale of the attack and the number of fatalities have shocked the community and prompted increased security and investigative activity.

Authorities have emphasized that the legal process will take its course as they prepare evidence for further hearings. The appearance by video is part of routine courtroom procedure in serious cases where defendants are held in custody pending trial, and additional court dates are expected to address remand and pre-trial matters.

Board of Peace members pledge over $7bn for Gaza relief amid questions on reconstruction

Members of the Board of Peace pledged more than $7 billion toward a Gaza relief package at the body's first meeting, with contributions coming from a range of countries in the region. The figure was announced as part of a plan that links humanitarian aid with a broader phased approach, which includes proposals for ceasefire and the disarmament of militant groups.

The move arrives against a backdrop in which the cost of damage in Gaza has been estimated at roughly $70 billion, and leaders have insisted reconstruction will be tied to security guarantees. One leader stated that there would be no reconstruction before the demilitarisation of Gaza, while organisers said the UN would remain part of coordination and would provide a separate $2 billion for humanitarian assistance. Critics warn that delivering large-scale reconstruction will be difficult while control on the ground remains contested, with reports that local armed groups are reasserting influence over security and services.

As governments and organisations work to translate pledges into aid on the ground, the competing priorities of stabilization, humanitarian access and political demands will shape whether the promised funds can address immediate needs and longer-term reconstruction challenges.

The developments across the royal household, the Australian legal system, and international relief efforts underline a day of high-stakes public and political pressure that is likely to produce further developments in the coming days and weeks.