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In a devastating incident, a father and son duo opened fire during a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, killing at least 15 people and injuring over 42. According to officials, the elder gunman, aged 50, was shot dead by police at the scene, while his 24-year-old son, who was also involved in the shooting, remains hospitalized and has not yet been charged.
The violence has struck a deep chord not just within the Jewish community of Australia, but the entire nation, as journalist Kristina Kukolja expressed on Up First. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the attack as both an act of antisemitism and terrorism. While the identities of the victims have not been disclosed, officials believe they range in age from 10 to 87.
In response to the tragedy, Albanese is set to meet with leaders across Australia's states and territories today. Despite Australia’s reputation for having some of the world's strictest gun laws, the Prime Minister is advocating for even stricter regulations following this horrific event.
Authorities are still on the hunt for the gunman responsible for a tragic shooting at Brown University, where two students were killed and nine others injured. This comes after police released a man in his 20s who had been briefly detained as a person of interest. Paul C. Kelly Campos from Ocean State Media reported that students on campus are shaken, with many expressing their emotional distress.
Medical student Anh Nguyen shared that he was in the middle of an exam when the lockdown was issued. This incident marks the second school shooting he has experienced, highlighting the alarming frequency of such tragic events.
In another heartbreaking development, renowned director Rob Reiner and his wife, producer and photographer Michele Singer Reiner, were found dead in their Los Angeles home. Known for iconic films like When Harry Met Sally and A Few Good Men, Reiner's passing has left a significant void in the film industry. Authorities have stated that preliminary autopsy results will be released soon, potentially shedding light on the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
In health news, a new approach to cervical cancer screening is gaining traction. Pap smears can be uncomfortable, especially for individuals with a history of trauma. A recent recommendation from the American Cancer Society suggests that patients can now swab their own vaginas for HPV testing, a significant step towards making cervical cancer screening more accessible and less invasive.
Research indicates that HPV testing can detect 90% to 95% of pre-cancerous abnormalities, compared to the 70% to 80% detection rate of traditional Pap smears, according to Dr. Rebecca Perkins from Tufts University. Although at-home testing kits were approved by the FDA in May 2025, they are currently only available through telehealth services like Teal Health.
As the holiday season approaches, calendars can become overwhelming. Psychotherapist Niro Feliciano, author of All is Calmish, offers practical strategies to mitigate stress and enhance connections during this festive time. She emphasizes a shift in perspective, encouraging individuals to focus on what they "get to do" rather than what they "have to do."
Feliciano also advises shortening your to-do list to prioritize meaningful moments and letting go of traditions that no longer bring joy. For more tips on how to maintain a calm mindset during the holidays, listen to the latest episode of NPR's Life Kit and subscribe to their newsletter for ongoing expert advice.
1. A new study published in Science Advances reveals that tanning bed users face significantly higher risks of melanoma and widespread DNA damage linked to cancer.
2. United Airlines flight bound for Tokyo safely returned to Dulles International Airport in Virginia after an engine failure during departure, as confirmed by the Federal Aviation Administration.
3. The annual Abortion Onscreen report indicates a notable decline in television characters opting for abortions over recent years, with only 65 related storylines appearing this year.