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What we know about the victims of the Bondi Beach, Australia shooting

December 15, 2025 by WDNY Radio

(LONDON) — At least nine of the 15 people who were killed in the mass shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, have been identified.

They include a young soccer player originally from France, a rugby team manager, a great-grandfather known for his “love of life” who died while shielding others and a Holocaust survivor.

Two gunmen — believed to be a father and son — opened fire on Sunday at an event marking the first night of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, according to authorities.

Here’s what we know about the victims:

Dan Elkayam, 27

Dan Elkayam, 27, a French citizen, was among those killed in the Bondi Beach shooting.

French President Emmanuel Macron posted on X, writing, “I learn with deep sadness of the death our compatriot, Dan Elkayam, during the antisemitic terrorist attack in Sydney,” according to an English translation. “I am thinking of his family and loved ones and express to them the full solidarity of the Nation.”

Elkayam was a player with the Rockdale Ilinden Football Club, a semi-professional football club in the Sydney suburb of Rockdale. Dennis Loether, president of the club, released a statement in response to Elkayam’s passing.

“To say we are shocked would be an understatement. We are [devastated] to learn that our PL1 Association Player — Dan Elkayam — was tragically and senselessly killed in the Bondi Beach massacre,” the statement read.

The statement described Elkayam as an “extremely talented midfield player,” who lived with his girlfriend in in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney.

“Those who were closest to him described him as a down to earth, happy go lucky individual who was warmly embraced by those he me,” the statement continued. “His smiling face and respectful nature will be sorely missed by his [teammates] and everyone that knew him. We pray for him and for his family.”

Alexander Kleytman, 87

Alexander Kleytman, an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor, was among those killed during the Bondi Beach attack, his wife, Larisa Kleytman, told reporters outside St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney.

“I think he was shot because he raised himself up to protect me,” Larisa Kleytman told the newspaper The Australian.

Rabbi Leibel Lazaroff

Rabbi Leibel Laaroff’s death was confirmed on X by his father, Yoosi Lazaroff.

“Please say Psalms 20 & 21 for my son, Rabbi Leibel Lazaroff … who was shot in a terrorist attack at a Chanukah event he was running for Chabad of Bondi in Sydney, Australia,” the post read. “The Chabad Rabbi he was working with Rabbi Eli Schlangerwas killed. Praying for all the victims and their families.”

Yaakov Levitan

Yaakov Levitan, secretary of the Jewish institution, the Sydney Beth Din, was killed in the attack. His death was confirmed to Guardian Australia by Sydney Beth Din senior member, Rabbi Yehoram Ulman.

”Yaakov Levitan was a profoundly beloved and active member of the Sydney Jewish community,” according to a post on the crowdfunding site Charidy being overseen by the non-profit organization Jewish House.

“He served as general manager of Chabad of Bondi, a dedicated secretary at the Sydney Beth Din, and was a key figure in educational initiatives at the BINA Centre in Sydney. He was a man of quiet devotion, known for his kindness and tireless work in assisting others, including his commitment to distributing tefillin as a sacred act of service,” the post read.

Peter Meagher

Peter Meagher, also known as “Marzo,” was a longtime volunteer at Randwick Rugby Club, which confirmed his death in a statement on Monday.

“It is with an extremely heavy heart that Randwick DRUFC can confirm the tragic passing of our much loved First Grade Manager and loyal club volunteer Peter Meagher yesterday,” the statement from general manager, Mark Harrison, said.

“Peter was working as a freelance photographer at the ill-fated Hanukkah event and for him it was simply a catastrophic case of being in the wrong place and at the wrong time,” the statement read.

The statement said Meagher served for almost four decades a police officer in the New South Wales police force and retired as a detective sergeant.

“Our deepest condolences go to his wife Virginia, his brothers Greg, David, Andrew and Paul, their extended families and mountain of friends across Randwick Rugby, NSW Police, Sydney Rugby Referees and our local community,” the statement continued.

Reuven Morrison, 67

Reuven Morrison’s death was confirmed in a post on X by Chabad.org, the flagship website of the Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidic movement.

Morrison, 67, emigrated from the former Soviet Union to Australia in the 1970s, according to the post.

Chabad.org reported he divided his time between Sydney and Melbourne and was a “successful businessman whose main goal was to give away his earnings to charities dear to his heart.”

Morrison leaves behind a wife and a daughter, Shaina, according to the post.

Marika Pogany

Marika Pogany’s death was confirmed in a post on X from Peter Pellegrini, president of the Slovak Republic.

“Already yesterday, I unequivocally condemned the brutal, deadly attack on innocent people during the Hanukkah celebrations at Australia’s Bondi Beach and expressed my deep solidarity with a nation plunged into grief and shock,” the statement read. “Today, that grief has reached Slovakia as well — among the victims of this senseless, violent rampage was a Slovak woman, Marika.”

“I extend my heartfelt and sincere condolences to Marika’s family and loved ones.”

Rabbi Eli Schlanger

Rabbi Eli Schlanger’s death was confirmed by his cousin, Zalman N Shterna Lewis, in a post on Instagram.

Schlanger was a 41-year-old father-of-five, according to the Instagram post.

“My dear cousin, Rabbi Eli Schlanger was murdered in today’s terrorist attack in Sydney. He leaves behind his wife & young children, as well as my uncle & aunt & siblings,” Lewis wrote on Sunday. “With confidence knowing that ‘joy breaks all boundaries,’ the positive light of Chanukah will triumph against the darkness for once and for all. I knew Eli well enough to know he’d concur.”

Tibor Weitzen, 78

Tibor Weitzen, a 78-year-old great-grandfather, was one of those killed in the attack, his granddaughter, Leor Amzalak, confirmed to Guardian Australia.

His grandson, Mendy Amzalak, told the Australian that Weitzen was a “man full of life, joy, smiles and laughter”, who died shielding others from the bullets.

COLlive.com, an Orthodox Jewish news outlet reporting on Chabad-Lubavitch communities around the world, wrote in a post on Instagram that Weitzen was known “for his warmth, kindness, and love of life. Tibor brought joy to everyone he met, especially the children at Shul, where he was famous for greeting them with lollipops and a smile.”

All she wants for Christmas: Mariah Carey sets all-time chart record with 20th week at #1

December 15, 2025 by WDNY Radio

There was just one thing Mariah Carey needed for Christmas, and now she has it: an all-time Billboard chart record.

Her 1994 holiday hit “All I Want for Christmas Is You” has just racked up its 20th overall week at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, setting a new mark for longest domination of the top spot on that chart. The previous record of 19 weeks was jointly held by Shaboozey‘s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” and Lil Nas X‘s “Old Town Road” featuring Billy Ray Cyrus.

Of course, Mariah didn’t rack up those 20 weeks in the same year. The first time “All I Want for Christmas Is You” topped the chart was in 2019, when it ruled for three weeks. Since then, it’s returned to #1 every year for multiple weeks; it finally added up to 20 this week.

This is actually the second time Mariah has set this record. Back in 1996, she and Boyz II Men did it when their collaboration “One Sweet Day” spent a 16th week at #1 on the Hot 100. That record stood until 2017, when it was tied by “Despacito,” then broken in 2019 by “Old Town Road,” then tied again in 2024 by “A Bar Song (Tipsy).”

On Instagram, Mariah reacted to the news by posting a photo of herself in a Christmas-themed jumpsuit, holding a fake torch. “Humbly taking back the torch!! 20 weeks at #1… I’m so grateful,” she captioned the pic.

Ice Cube says he ‘jumped at’ opportunity to be in ‘Anaconda’ remake

December 15, 2025 by WDNY Radio

Ice Cube appears in the Anaconda remake, an opportunity he says he didn’t want to turn down. At the LA premiere of the film, he said the movie was a full-circle moment after appearing in the 1997 original.

“It’s cool to do a cameo, to kind of make it go full circle in a way,” Cube told the crowd, according to Deadline. “When they asked me to do it, when I knew the kind of movie they were doing, I jumped at it. I’m like, ‘This is something different. It’s cool.'”

“People probably get a kick out of me popping on the screen,” he said.

Cube starred as cameraman Danny in the 1997 movie. The 2025 version of the film stars Jack Black and Paul Rudd as Doug and Griff, best friends who pursue their dream to remake their favorite movie, Anaconda, and actually encounter a deadly snake. Cube reprises his role as Danny in the film.

Anxiety level ‘has risen’ amid manhunt in Brown mass shooting, mayor says

December 15, 2025 by WDNY Radio

(NEW YORK) — The anxiety level among Rhode Islanders “has risen” since a person of interest was released from custody amid a manhunt for an assailant who fatally shot two Brown University students on Saturday, Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said.

As the investigation to identify a suspect stretched into its third day, the person initially detained in connection with the Brown University mass shooting has been “effectively cleared,” the Rhode Island state attorney general told ABC News on Monday.

“The evidence that we have, the scientific evidence that we have available to us, after it was analyzed, made clear that this was not someone who should be detained in connection with this case,” Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha said on ABC News’ “GMA3.” “So we released him and then moved on, looking at other evidence and pursuing other leads pointing at additional potential individuals.”

Investigators are now bringing additional teams to canvass for video, analyze images, and sweep the crime scene for fingerprints as they work to build a more detailed timeline and, potentially, identify a suspect.

ABC News observed members of the FBI evidence response unit using a K-9 on Monday to canvas the area around the crime scene at Brown University.

“We understand that there’s a high degree of anxiety and after this individual was released last night, I understand that anxiety level has risen in our community,” Smiley told ABC News on Monday. “But it’s no different than a day ago, which is that we’ve received — continue to receive zero credible threats to our community, Brown or the broader community.”

Smiley’s comments came as federal and local law enforcement officials were continuing their investigation early on Monday, two days after the mass shooting in an academic building in Providence on Saturday.

A person of interest in the case, who had been taken into custody early on Sunday, was released later in the day, after authorities said that there was no basis to continue detaining them.

“Tonight, we announced that the person of interest is being released. The investigation has been ongoing and remains fully active between all agencies,” the Providence Police Department said in a statement early on Monday. “Since the first call to 911, we have not received any specific threats to our community.”

Smiley wouldn’t on Monday definitely say whether the person of interest who was released was cleared of all connection to the case. He also declined to say whether the investigation was pointing toward a student or someone from off-campus.

“We cannot comment on that and we’re exploring all possible leads,” he said.

Two people were killed and nine were injured in the shooting, according to officials. The injured victims were transported to local hospitals amid a day of “devastating gun violence,” Christina H. Paxson, the university’s president, said in a statement posted early on Sunday.

“Every year, emergency responders and students drill for the unthinkable — a shooting at our schools,” Gov. Dan McKee said in his own statement. “Yesterday, that action became all too real when a gunman opened fire on a classroom of innocent Brown University students.”

The FBI and other law enforcement officials shared a short video clip of someone whom they described as a person of interest. The individual in the clip is seen dressed in dark clothing, including what appeared to be a hood, as they walk along Hope Street and take a corner heading north.

The person’s right hand appeared to be in their jacket pocket as they walked northward along Waterman Street before exiting from the frame.

Officials said they still believe the person seen in that video is a person of interest in the shooting.

The person of interest who was detained and released on Sunday was initially caught at about 3:45 a.m. at a hotel in Coventry, about 28 miles south of Providence, according to law enforcement sources and Coventry police.

Law enforcement sources described the detained person of interest as a man in his mid-20s from Wisconsin. At the time the person was detained, the individual was allegedly in possession of two guns, according to sources.

There was “no basis” to keep the person detained, Attorney General of Rhode Island Peter Neronha said.

“Sometimes you head in one direction and have to regroup and go in another,” Neronha said. “That’s exactly what’s happened over the last 24 hours or so.”

ABC News’ Sasha Pezenik, Aaron Katersky, Luke Barr, Pierre Thomas and Bill Hutchinson contributed to this report.

Barack Obama tells House Democrats that party should focus on the midterms, not ideological divides

December 15, 2025 by WDNY Radio

(WASHINGTON) — Former President Barack Obama told House Democrats at an event on Sunday in Los Angeles that as they focus on trying to win control of the House of Representatives, they should not get caught up in ideological differences within the party and can “sort through” them later, according to excerpts of his comments provided to ABC News.

Ideological arguments within the Democratic Party between its progressive and moderate wings came into sharp focus during 2025’s key elections — particularly in New York City, as Democrats debated over the candidacy of democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani. This past year, Obama campaigned on the ground for the Democratic Party’s Virginia and New Jersey gubernatorial candidates and spoke with Mamdani ahead of Election Day.

The party has also been divided over how to handle government funding and the expiration of Affordable Care Act subsidies.

Obama told the lawmakers to “focus” on winning back the Republican-controlled House in the 2026 midterm elections, indicating that after that the party could work more through those ideological divisions.

“Because I promise, when that gets done, we have enormous talent, and we are then going to be in a position, as the next presidential campaign ramps up, to sort through some of the differences,” Obama said, according to excerpts of his remarks obtained by ABC News.

Obama spoke in a conversation with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries at the event, which was hosted by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee to support House Democrats. The event was attended by Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, around a dozen members of the House, and other party supporters.

Obama said the Democratic Party’s “differences aren’t that big” — but “sometimes they get magnified because that’s the nature of social media.”

But, Obama said, more progressive Democrats such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders, and moderates such as Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer and the “Blue Dog” Democrats “actually agree in making sure that people have a living wage, they can support a family,” and on issues such as people having health care and not being discriminated against.

ABC News has reached out to the offices of Ocasio-Cortez, Schumer, Sanders and Jeffries about Obama’s remarks.

While some Democrats have “tactical differences,” he added, “that shouldn’t be our primary concern because we’re fighting a bigger fight.”

“Our job is to focus like a laser on this upcoming election. That’s the short term,” Obama said, according to the excerpts.

He also told House Democrats that while the short-term goal is to win back the House, the longer-term goal is to “tell a story” to “bring [Democrats] back in.” But, he added, they won’t be able to bring those people back in “if we don’t win the House of Representatives.”

Obama told lawmakers that the party’s wins in 2025, while not surprising for him, have reenergized the party and show a path forward for discussing issues such as affordability and health care.

“If we bring energy and clarity and commitment to talking about things like affordability and making sure people have health care when they need it, and that they have the ability, if they work hard, to be able to support a family and create a better future for their children and their grandchildren … when we deliver that message, it resonates with people, and we have to have confidence in that,” Obama said, according to the excerpts of his remarks.

The challenge ahead, he told lawmakers later, is how the party strategizes toward the future and what it should do if it does win the House in 2026.

“With that as a bulwark, we’re now able to block some of the worst impulses that are coming out of this White House,” he added, according to the excerpts of his remarks. “We have a platform now to highlight some of the damage that’s already been done, and we can make an argument about how we’re going to deal with some big, long-term problems.”

ABC News’ Benjamin Siegel contributed to this report.

Brad Paisley wraps 2025 by taking ‘Snow Globe Town’ to TV

December 15, 2025 by WDNY Radio

Brad Paisley‘s making the media rounds to promote his new Christmas album, Snow Globe Town, starting Monday on Late Night with Seth Meyers on NBC.

He’ll be on MLB Tonight on the MLB Network Tuesday, before stopping by to perform songs from Snow Globe Town Wednesday on NBC’s Today show.

Brad wrapped his 2025 Truck Still Works Tour in Ottawa, Ontario, on Saturday. He played 40 shows this year, including his One Man Six Strings run at The Wynn Las Vegas.

In 2026, Brad takes the Truck Still Works trek to Europe, starting June 8 in Helsinki, Finland, before continuing on to Norway, Sweden, Germany and Switzerland.

Black Eyed Peas reunite with Fergie for birthday celebrations

December 15, 2025 by WDNY Radio

Several members of Black Eyed Peas — including Fergie — turned 50 earlier this year, and they finally managed to reunite to mark the occasion.

On Saturday, Fergie posted a photo of herself hanging out with her former group mates Taboo, will.i.am and Apl.de.Ap. Together, they made up the group’s most successful lineup, thanks to hits like “Let’s Get It Started,” “I Gotta Feeling,” “Boom Boom Pow” and “Where Is the Love?”

“Finally got to break bread and celebrate our milestone birthdays together. What a special night with my brothers, filled with so much love,” she wrote. Fergie turned 50 on March 27. Will.i.am hit that milestone on March 15, while Taboo turned 50 on July 14. Apl turned 51 on Nov. 28.

“The best one yet!!! And I’m so happy,” will wrote in the comments. Apl added, “Sharing milestone birthdays with the family that’s been through so much together.”

Taboo wrote, “This is a beautiful way to start this holiday season w/ my familia.”

Fergie left the group around 2016, though they remained on good terms. She released her solo album, Double Dutchess, in 2017; she hasn’t put out an album since. In the comments, fans began clamoring for the foursome to reunite.

Black Eyed Peas have put out three albums since Fergie left, scoring a few minor hits like “Ritmo.” Their 2010 single “Rock That Body” went viral on TikTok in 2025.

Twisted Sister’s Dee Snider defends KISS accepting Kennedy Center Honor

December 15, 2025 by WDNY Radio

While some people have been criticizing KISS for accepting the Kennedy Center Honors from President Donald Trump, Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider has their back.

“There are a lot of people sh** talking @kiss for accepting their Kennedy Center Honor Medals from the current president,” he wrote on X. “You either think they are worthy or not (I think they are). An artist can’t wait for a president of their liking to be in office to receive it.”

He then pointed to the fact that the band’s founding guitarist, Ace Frehley, died before they received the honor.

“Most of the recipients are not young, Poor Ace Frehley – who was very excited to receive the award – died before the day came,” he noted. “You accept the honor when it is offered.”

Snider then congratulated Frehley and his bandmates, Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley and Peter Criss, adding, “You are worthy!”

KISS’ Kennedy Center Honors tribute featured performances by Garth Brooks, Marcus King and Cheap Trick. The ceremony will air Dec. 23 on CBS.

‘Stranger Things’ season 5 volume 2 trailer: Steve tells Dustin, ‘You die, I die’

December 15, 2025 by WDNY Radio

(SPOILER ALERT) The trailer for volume 2 of Stranger Things season 5 has arrived.

Netflix released the trailer for the second batch of episodes in the ongoing fifth and final season of the hit series on Monday.

It finds viewers back with Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) in the moments during and immediately after the discovery that he has telekinesis powers similar to those of Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown).

We also see snippets of Max (Sadie Sink) and Holly (Nell Fisher) navigating their escape from the mind trap that Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) has them confined in.

There also seems to be a revelation by Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo) about the terrifying dimension where Vecna resides.

“This whole time, everything we’ve ever assumed about the Upside Down has been dead wrong,” Dustin says in the trailer.

Notably, he and another fan-favorite character, Steve Harrington (Joe Keery), pledge to go out together or not at all.

“You die, I die,” Steve tells Dustin, who repeats back, “You die, I die.”

The fifth season of Stranger Things finds the gang united for the same mission: defeat the villainous Vecna once and for all.

“The final battle is looming — and with it, a darkness more powerful and more deadly than anything they’ve faced before. To end this nightmare, they’ll need everyone — the full party — standing together, one last time,” according to the show’s synopsis.

The first volume of the three-part drop of Stranger Things season 5 was released on Nov. 26. Volume 2 drops on Dec. 25, while the two-hour series finale premieres on Dec. 31.

Director Rob Reiner and wife Michele stabbed to death, son arrested for murder

December 15, 2025 by WDNY Radio

Director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer, were found killed in their Los Angeles home on Sunday, and the couple’s son Nick Reiner has been arrested for murder, according to police.

Nick Reiner, 32, was taken into custody on Sunday night and is being held in lieu of $4 million bail, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, hours after the couple was found stabbed to death in their Brentwood home, according to law enforcement sources.

“Our hearts go out to the family and friends of the Reiners,” Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell said Monday.

Rob Reiner — a famed director, producer and actor — is known for massive Hollywood hits, including The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally…, Stand By Me, This is Spinal Tap and A Few Good Men.

“It is with profound sorrow that we announce the tragic passing of Michele and Rob Reiner. We are heartbroken by this sudden loss, and we ask for privacy during this unbelievably difficult time,” the Reiner family said.

A neighbor told ABC News that actors Billy Crystal and Larry David were seen at the house after police arrived on Sunday.

“Billy looked like he was about to cry,” the neighbor said.

The Reiner family owns two houses across the street from each other. Rob and his wife lived in one and a daughter with kids lived in another, according to the neighbor.

“They’re a big presence on the block. They’re always having parties,” she said.

Rob Reiner, 78, and Singer, 68, married in 1989 and shared three children: Jake Reiner, Nick Reiner and Romy Reiner.

Rob Reiner is also survived by daughter Tracy Reiner, with his first wife, Penny Marshall, who died in 2018.

Rob Reiner — the son of comedian Carl Reiner and actress and singer Estelle Lebost — first became famous on the Norman Lear television sitcom All in the Family.

He played the role of Archie Bunker’s son-in-law, Michael Stivic, known as Meathead, from 1971 to 1978, winning two Emmys for the role.

“The Lear Family is devastated by the deaths of Rob and Michele Reiner,” the family said in a statement on Sunday night. “Norman often referred to Rob as a son, and their close relationship was extraordinary, to us and the world.”

“Lyn Lear had remained very close with them and said, ‘The world is unmistakably darker tonight, and we are left bereft,'” the statement added.

“This is a devastating loss for our city and our country,” Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said in a statement. “Rob Reiner’s contributions reverberate throughout American culture and society, and he has improved countless lives through his creative work and advocacy fighting for social and economic justice.”

California Gov. Gavin Newsom addressed Rob Reiner’s death, saying he is “heartbroken by the tragic loss.”

“His boundless empathy made his stories timeless, teaching generations how to see goodness and righteousness in others – and encouraging us to dream bigger,” Newsom said in a statement. “Rob will be remembered for his remarkable filmography and for his extraordinary contribution to humanity.”

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

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