He was rarely silent. For over five decades, he transformed German cinema, directed more than 150 short and feature films, and influenced the LGBTQ+ movement. His work was often uncomfortable, colorful, angry, sometimes offensive, but always thought-provoking.

Rosa von Praunheim, who has died on December 17 in Berlin at the age of 83, leaves his mark as a pioneering figure of queer cinema.

Born as Holger Radtke, von Praunheim emerged as one of the most outspoken activists in the gay movement in Germany during the early stages of his career. He fought for visibility and demanded change, sometimes using forceful methods to achieve his goals.

One notable incident was his 1991 live broadcast, in which he publicly outed German television stars Hape Kerkeling and Alfred Biolek without their consent. This radical act generated significant scandal at the time and caused considerable distress to the entertainers involved; it remains controversial to this day.

This incident illustrates how uncompromising von Praunheim could be and highlights his belief that openness was essential for progress. While his critics accused him of crossing boundaries, his supporters praised his courage. Throughout his career, von Praunheim navigated the complex terrain between these two perspectives.

Rosa von Praunheim at the Berlinale’s Teddy Awards, which honors LGBTQ+ films, in February 2025Image: Christophe Gateau/dpa/picture alliance

His farewell film: ‘Satanic Sow’

He stayed artistically engaged throughout his life, creating films, writing books and directing plays. His final work, “Satanic Sow” (2025), became a legacy film: autobiographical and experimental, serving as both a reflection on his life and a farewell. Von Praunheim described the film as “a poem — and a very experimental one at that.” When asked why he made it, he responded simply, “I make films and plays all the time, so there’s no particular reason. I just do it to be creative.”

In ‘Satanic Sow,’ von Praunheim revisited his life and some of the 150 films he madeImage: Rosa von Praunheim Filmproduktion

In a December 2025 interview with DW, filmmaker Rosa von Praunheim, spoke candidly about his impending death: “It’s the end of my life, and I soon will die. I have a brain tumor and don’t have much time left.”

“I’m looking forward to dying. It’s a wonderful feeling to rest, not to be constantly running around and shooting one film after another. I’ll be glad when I find my peace,” he added.

A key figure in the LGBTQ+ movement

Von Praunheim was known as a person full of contradictions. Loud in his art, quiet in his personal life. When asked what he liked about filmmaking, he replied dryly, “Nothing, really. It’s always full of tension and fear of doing something wrong.”

Behind the enfant terrible filmaker was someone filled with doubts who chose to press on regardless.

With his drama film “It Is Not the Homosexual Who Is Perverse, But the Society in Which He Lives” (1971), von Praunheim became a crucial voice in the LGBTQ+ movement, shining a light on gay life and sparking meaningful discussions.

The avant-garde film ‘It Is Not the Homosexual Who Is Perverse, But the Society in Which He Lives’ called for equality in all areas of lifeImage: EuroVideo

An emancipatory call for gay men to organize and fight for their freedom, it inspired the formation of many homosexual activism groups in West Germany and Switzerland.

His films challenged societal norms, broke taboos and confronted audiences with various issues. In his later years, he adopted a calmer demeanor. “When I was young, I was radical. For a long while, I haven’t been so actively involved in the gay and political scene. I make my art, and that’s it.”

Rosa von Praunheim in 1973Image: Volkmar Hoffmann/picture alliance

For von Praunheim, art didn’t necessarily need to be experimental: “I think queer cinema can be like any other cinema, completely individual. There are hundreds of ways to go about it. But queer cinema should also be radical and give society the middle finger.”

This attitude shaped his work and that of many who followed him. He hoped for “peace and justice” for the future of the LGBTQ+ community. He knew that this task would remain challenging even in the 21st century: “Many people aren’t very progressive and want everything to stay the same. Change drives them crazy, so they hate anything that doesn’t conform to the ‘norm.'”

Rosa von Praunheim extended his artistic exploration of issues such as sexuality, identity and society in his paintingsImage: picture alliance/dpa

Expressing his queerness

He believed there was only one way to promote tolerance in society: “Expressing your queerness and supporting the feminist movement. It’s good to have a group of people who support each other.”

He didn’t expect his last film, “Satanic Sow,” to attract much attention. “I thought people wouldn’t understand it, and I’m glad that some people like it.”

‘Satanic Sow’ won a Teddy Award at the Berlin International Film Festival this yearImage: Rosa von Praunheim Filmproduktion

Just a few days before his death, Rosa von Praunheim and his long-time partner Oliver Sechting got married.

It is a quiet farewell to a loud life. Von Praunheim provoked, inspired, hurt and healed. He opened doors where others saw none and showed that art can serve as a tool for freedom, visibility and change.

The DW interview with Rosa von Praunheim was conducted by Dima Elagin.

This article was originally written in German.

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The Vatican on Thursday accepted the resignation of Cardinal Timothy Dolan and announced that Bishop Ronald Hicks of Joliet, Illinois, will become the next archbishop of New York.

This is a breaking news story; check back for updates.

Ashley Carnahan is a writer at Fox News Digital.

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Pope Leo XIV has made a key US appointment, naming Bishop Ronald Hicks as the new archbishop of New York. The fellow Chicagoan will lead one of the nation’s largest archdioceses, which faces the challenge of navigating relations with the Trump administration and its immigration crackdown.

Bishop Hicks, currently the bishop of Joliet, Illinois, replaces Cardinal Timothy Dolan, a prominent conservative figure in the US Catholic hierarchy. Cardinal Dolan recently finalised a plan to establish a $300 million fund to compensate victims of sexual abuse who had sued the archdiocese.

Cardinal Dolan had submitted his resignation in February, as is required upon turning 75. However, the Vatican often delays major leadership changes in dioceses if lingering abuse litigation or other governance issues need resolution by the outgoing bishop, implying his recent action cleared the path.

The handover, though, represents a significant new chapter for the U.S. Catholic Church, which is forging a new era with the Chicago-born Leo as the first American pope. Leo and the U.S. hierarchy have already shown willingness to challenge the Trump administration on immigration and other issues, and Hicks is seen as very much a Leo-style bishop.

A call for solidarity with immigrants

Hicks, 58, grew up in South Holland, Illinois, a short distance from the suburban Chicago childhood home of Leo, the former Robert Prevost.

Like Prevost, who spent 20 years as a missionary in Peru, Hicks worked for five years in El Salvador heading a church-run orphanage program that operated in nine Latin American and Caribbean countries.

“Taking a new position as archbishop of New York is an enormous responsibility, but I can honestly say that Bishop Hicks is up to the task,” said the Rev. Eusebius Martis, who has known Hicks since the mid-1980s and worked with him at Mundelein Seminary, the Chicago archdiocesan seminary.

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Bishop Ronald Aldon Hicks Preaching at the Seventy-Fifth Anniversary Regional Mass at Lewis University. (Matschreiner23/ CC BY-SA 4.0)

He said New York was lucky to have him.

“He is a wonderful man, always thoughtful and attentive to the needs of seminarians,” Martis, professor of sacramental theology at the Pontifical Liturgical Institute of Sant’Anselmo, the Benedictine University in Rome, said in an email.

In November, Hicks endorsed a special message from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops condemning the Trump administration’s immigration raids, which have targeted Chicago in particular.

In a statement then urging Catholics to share the message, Hicks said it “affirms our solidarity with all our brothers and sisters as it expresses our concerns, opposition, and hopes with clarity and conviction. It is grounded in the church’s enduring commitment to the Catholic social teaching of human dignity and a call for meaningful immigration reform.”

A similar hometown

Though they both hail from Chicago, Hicks only met the future pope in 2024, when then-Cardinal Prevost visited one of Hicks’ parishes and took part in a question and answer conversation for the public.

Hicks, who sat in the front pew, said he learned that day what sort of future pope Leo would be and said he liked what he saw both in his public remarks and then in their private conversation. “Five minutes turned into 10 minutes and the 10 minutes turned into 15 and the 15 turned into 20,” Hicks told local Chicago WGN-TV news after Leo’s May election.

He said he recognized their shared backgrounds and priorities to build bridges. “We grew up literally in the same radius, in the same neighborhood together. We played in the same parks, went swimming in the same pools, like the same pizza places.”

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Pope Leo XIV wearing a Chicago Cubs hat in the Vatican City (Getty Images)

Hicks served as a parish priest in Chicago and dean of training at Mundelein Seminary before Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich made him vicar general of the archdiocese in 2015. Three years later, Hicks was made an auxiliary bishop, and in 2020 Pope Francis named him bishop of Joliet, serving around 520,000 Catholics in seven counties.

Cupich, seen as a progressive in the U.S. church, has been a close adviser to both Francis and Leo, and Hicks’ appointment to such a prominent job likely could not have come without Cupich’s endorsement.

A pastor for New York

The New York archdiocese is among the largest in the nation, serving roughly 2.5 million Catholics in Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten Island in New York City, as well as seven counties to the north.

The gregarious Dolan is one of the most high-profile Catholic leaders in the United States and a prominent voice in the city.

Dolan is widely viewed as conservative, writing a 2018 Wall Street Journal column headlined “The Democrats Abandon Catholics.” Yet in 2023, he also wrote a letter of welcome to a conference at Fordham University celebrating outreach programs aimed at LGBTQ+ Catholics, and he welcomed LGBTQ+ participation in the city’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade.

Dolan has ties to the current Republican administration. As archbishop of New York, Dolan hosted the annual Al Smith white-tie dinner that raises millions of dollars for Catholic charities. It has traditionally offered candidates from both parties the chance to trade lighthearted barbs ahead of Election Day, though in 2024 only Donald Trump participated since Democratic nominee Kamala Harris declined the invitation.

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Cardinal Timothy Dolan sits next to Donald Trump at the annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Trump, who has long-standing connections to his native New York City, later had the cardinal pray at his inauguration and appointed Dolan to his new Religious Liberty Commission.

Dolan was Trump’s pick to succeed Pope Francis, though Dolan did criticize the president for sharing an AI-generated image of Trump, who is not a Catholic, dressed up as a pope before the May conclave that ultimately elected Leo.

Dolan was named archbishop of New York by Pope Benedict XVI in February 2009 after serving as archbishop of Milwaukee. He was made cardinal in 2012 and headed the U.S. bishops conference from 2010-2013.

A first task to oversee abuse settlements

In one of his biggest first tasks, Hicks will have to oversee the implementation of the abuse settlement fund that Dolan finalized, which is to be paid for by reducing the archdiocesan budget and selling off assets. The aim is to cover settlements for most, if not all of the roughly 1,300 outstanding abuse claims against the archdiocese.

Hicks is no stranger to managing the fallout of the abuse scandal, after the Joliet diocese under his predecessors and the rest of the Illinois church came under scathing criticism by the state’s attorney general in 2023.

A five-year investigation found that 451 Catholic clergy abused 1,997 children in Illinois between 1950 and 2019. Hicks had been appointed to lead the Joliet church in 2020. The attorney general’s report was generally positive in recognizing the diocese’s current child protection policies, but documented several cases where previous Joliet bishops moved known abusers around, disparaged victims and refused to accept responsibility for their role in enabling the abuse.

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If you’ve been searching for a pair of shoes for the gym, your daily walks, and everywhere else your day takes you, then check out one of the best sneakers we’ve tried: the Hoka Mach 6 Sneakers. 

Zappos currently has the style marked down to as little as $91 — a rare price drop, considering the brand’s shoes almost never dip below the $100 mark. After testing nine different Hoka models for overall comfort, stability, and everyday value, the Mach 6 sneakers easily came out on top for daily use.

We put them through long dog walks, errand-filled days, boxing classes, pickleball games, and tennis sessions over four months of consistent wear. We found them to be comfortable with “ample cushioning that supports steps and movement” — impressively, they held up nicely through it all. 

Hoka Macha 6 Sneakers

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The sneakers are built with a lightweight EVA midsole that provides comfortable support without weighing you down, and the rubber outsole adds the kind of durability you can feel. The mesh upper is a big plus, too. It lets your feet breathe so you don’t overheat halfway through the day.

During our testing, we were impressed by how well the shoes held up. Even after much wear, tear, and mileage they still looked surprisingly fresh. 

When it comes to fit, they ran true with generous toe room, though the overall width felt a touch snug. One downside is that there was a bit of rubbing at the back of the heel, so if you like a little more wiggle room, we recommend going up half a size.

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We aren’t the only fans of these shoes. They’ve racked up hundreds of perfect ratings from reviewers. “I am 68 years young and have never experienced such a comfortable athletic shoe,” one shopper wrote. “I have purchased numerous pairs of shoes in my lifetime but none can come close to this Mach 6.” 

“I have plantar fasciitis and the footbeds of these are so cushiony, supportive, and light,” another reviewer shared. 

A final customer called the Mach 6 shoes “the best,” then added that they “teach and walk three miles per day… [And] at the end of the day, my feet, knees, and hips feel no pain.”

If you’re ready to give your feet the support they deserve from morning to night then head to Zappos to scoop up the Hoka Mach 6 sneakers while they’re on sale. Then keep scrolling for more markdown Hoka shoes.

Hoka Kawana 2 Shoes

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Palestinians have called Ahmed al-Ahmed, the brave Syrian-Australian who risked his own life to disarm a gunman during the Bondi massacre, a ‘traitor’.

Ramallah News, one of the most popular news outlets in Palestine, shared a story about Mr al-Ahmed’s brave actions on Sunday.

It’s alleged two gunmen, father Sajid Akram and son Naveed, stormed a Jewish festival celebrating the first night of Hanukkah at Bondi Beach.

The pair allegedly killed 15 innocent people and injured dozens more before finally being shot by police, ending the attack. Sajid died while Naveed was hospitalised.

Mr al-Ahmed had confronted Sajid during the attack and wrestled his gun from him, risking his own life to save others.

Ramallah News’ post about Mr al-Ahmed was quickly spread around Arab communities, which overwhelmingly condemned him for saving Jewish lives.

According to analysis by a senior researcher for Palestinian Media Watch, Ahron Shapiro, of the 1,000 comments left under the article – 75 per cent were unsupportive of Mr al-Ahmed, 20 per cent were supportive and five per cent were neutral.

‘Treason comes to you from the closest people,’ one commenter wrote. 

Ahmed al-Ahmed (pictured with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese) bravely disarmed one of the gunmen during the Bondi massacre on Sunday and was shot twice in his arm

Mr al-Ahmed (left) wrestled the gun from terrorist Sajid Akram (right), in a move that saw hundreds of Palestinians call him a ‘traitor’

Other comments were just as appalling. 

‘He sold himself and his life for the safety of the Jews,’ one said.

‘I wish it (the bullet) hit (his) heart,’ another wrote.

Other commenters accused Mr al Ahmed, a 43-year-old Arab Muslim, of seeking money.

‘He played it right, he wants the money,’ one wrote, while another said, ‘He has received a million dollars in rewards … he acted ‘manly’ in the wrong place’.

Some comments were even threatening towards Mr al-Ahmed. 

‘By Allah we will surely chop you to pieces … we will not leave a trace of you,’ one said. ‘May God send you a disease,’ another wrote.

Fortunately, there were also several comments praising Mr al-Ahmed as a ‘hero who defended his brothers’.

Palestinians under a post by Ramallah News, slammed Mr al-Ahmed (pictured) for saving Jewish lives

‘He raised the banner of Islam and Muslims and proved to the world what Islam is,’ one said. 

Others wrote Mr al-Ahmed is ‘a hero, a Muslim in truth and reality’ and praised his ‘courage, chivalry and high morals’. 

A shocking number of commenters repeated a conspiracy theory that claimed the attack was orchestrated by Israeli intelligence agency, Mossad.

‘They want the world’s sympathy. They are the ones who commit these tricks,’ one said.

Dr Ran Porat, a research associate at Monash University’s Australian Centre for Jewish Civilisation, told The Australian the online reaction was indicative of the wider attitude towards Israel in the Middle East.

‘What connects these phenomena is a lack of self-reflection and a refusal to take responsibility for the extremism that emerges from education and incitement,’ he said.

Several Palestinians also praised Mr al-Ahmed (pictured) as a ‘hero who defended his brothers’

‘Even more disturbing is the fact that these views are being echoed in Australia by fundamentalist preachers in mosques, in media outlets targeting Australian Arabs and Muslims, and within universities.

‘The Australian authorities must crack down on individuals and organisations that spread such hate and conspiracy theories.’

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Part of the M54 in Shropshire is closed, with West Midlands Police officers rushing to the scene as motorists are told to expect delays



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Former industrial communities across Britain are facing “entrenched disadvantages” stretching back decades, the latest social mobility research has said.

It raises specific concern about the rising number of young people aged 16-24 not in education, employment or training (Neets), which was one in seven between 2022 and 2024.

The Social Mobility Commission’s state of the nation report also highlighted “extreme regional differences” when it came to conditions of childhood, fewer job opportunities, less innovation and lack of growth.

Yorkshire, the north-east, the Midlands, Wales and Scotland were still living with the impacts of deindustrialisation, it said, referring to “half a century of economic disadvantage and decline”.

However, it also identified “beacons of hope”, with favourable conditions for future innovation and growth in Aberdeen, Brighton, Bristol, Cheshire West and Chester, Edinburgh, Oxfordshire, Reading, West Berkshire and Manchester.

Alun Francis, the commission’s chair, said economic opportunities had become “over-concentrated” in specific places, even with the positive signs in some areas.

“Entire communities, often in post-industrial, seaside towns have been left behind with deep-rooted disadvantages. This is the defining social mobility challenge of our generation,” he said.

The report, the largest collection and analysis of data on social mobility in the UK, acknowledges that the percentage of younger people getting good jobs has grown, with 48.2% of 25- to 29-year-olds in professional careers as of 2022-24, compared with 36.1% in 2014-16. But it also highlighted a widening gap between those from privileged and those from working-class backgrounds who were getting these jobs.

Women from less well-off backgrounds also continue to experience more difficulty with getting higher-paid jobs than more privileged women, according to the commission, a statutory advisory body that reports on social mobility across the UK and makes recommendations relating to England.

International comparisons in the report show the UK stands alongside countries such as France and Japan in offering young people a good chance to exceed the educational achievement of their parents.

It also found that the UK has similar job mobility rates to other big western European countries, such as Germany and Sweden, which have had fewer people moving on to better jobs as the growth in professional roles has slowed down.

The annual report is being published after the commission presented evidence to parliament last week on what success looks like for people living in Britain today.

It found that people place less value on professional or managerial occupations, or even earning a high income, than they do on work-life balance, job security and doing work they care about.

The measures they regarded as the most important are health, physical and mental wellbeing, relationships with family and friends, education, and social connectedness. Owning a home and having savings was also valued by respondents, who said they did not believe that life in the UK was “fair”.

Statistics in that evidence found that people considered class identity to be “sticky”, with more than three in four describing themselves as the same class as their parents.

Those already at the top of the social class ladder were more concerned with climbing it than those at the bottom.

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Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Thursday promised to introduce measures aimed at banishing what he called “the evil scourge” of antisemitism from his country.

The pledge comes after Sunday’s deadly shooting at a Jewish festival at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach.

The attack on the celebration for the Jewish festival of Hanukkah killed 15 people, with one of the father-son gunmen also shot dead.

Hundreds of mourners gathered at a funeral in Sydney for a 10-year-old girl who was gunned down in the Bondi Beach attackImage: Saeed Khan/AFP

Albanese’s remarks come as his government faces renewed allegations of having done too little to combat antisemitism in the past years.

Australia has seen a marked rise in antisemitic incidents since the October 7, 2023, attacks in southern Israel and the ensuing war in the Gaza Strip. 

What measures has Albanese proposed?

Speaking to reporters, Albanese said: “Australians are shocked and angry. I am angry. It is clear we need to do more to combat this evil scourge.”

He conceded that “more could have always been done” to prevent such attacks.

Albanese announced “a package of legislative reforms to crack down on those who spread hate, division, and radicalization.” 

Among the measures he mentioned were:

• Introducing new powers to target extremist preachers
• Refusing or canceling visas for people who promulgate hate speech
• Making ‘serious vilification’ based on race a federal offense
• Development of a regime for listing organizations whose leaders engage in hate speech 

In the wake of the attack, Australian leaders have already agreed to tighten gun laws that allowed one of the two attackers to own six guns.

Although the country drastically reformed its gun laws after a 1996 deadly shooting in the state of Tasmania, there has been a steady rise in the number of privately owned firearms since then.     

Over 2 million Australian dollars raised for Bondi Beach hero

Al-Ahmed has been praised as a hero after tackling one of the gunmen, saving livesImage: Australian Prime Minister Office/AP Photo/picture alliance

Meanwhile, a crowdfunding campaign for Ahmed al-Ahmed, a bystander who tackled one of the gunmen and wrested his weapon from him, has raised more than 2.3 million Australian dollars ($1.5 million/€1.3 million) in donations.

The Syrian-born Al-Ahmed was hospitalized with several injuries that needed surgery after his courageous actions, which were captured in a video that has been viewed millions of times around the world.

He is expected to face a long road to recovery from his injuries, which he is believed to have sustained when the other gunman fired on him.

As a legal resident of Australia, he will not have to pay large medical bills under the country’s universal health care system.

Edited by: Farah Bahgat

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The families of seven victims of Sunday’s fatal Bondi Beach shooting released heartbreaking statements about their loved ones on Thursday, expressing profound grief and sharing touching memories.

The deadly terror attack at a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, left at least 15 dead. Authorities have identified the assailants as a father-son duo, and believe the attack was inspired by ISIS.

The father was killed on the scene, while the son was shot by police and taken for medical care. He has been slapped with dozens of charges, including 15 counts of murder.

Marika Pogany, 82, was a member of COA Sydney, a volunteer service for Jewish seniors, who was killed in the Bondi Beach attack on Dec. 14. (NSW Police)

POGANY FAMILY

Marika Pogany, 82, was a member of COA Sydney, a volunteer service for Jewish seniors.

“Marika, known lovingly to all as Omi, was a beautiful mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and steadfast friend, whose warmth and energy touched countless lives,” her family wrote. “Vibrant and full of life, she brought joy and energy into every room and found her greatest happiness surrounded by her adoring family. Her darling son Romy was her greatest achievement and her world.”

Pogany came to Australia in 1968 from Czechoslovakia with her son and brother, her family said, and she became a “proud” Australian citizen in 1972.

‘WE WARNED THEM’ JEWISH LEADER SAYS AFTER BONDI BEACH TERROR ATTACK THAT KILLS 15

“She had an extraordinary gift for connecting with people,” her family stated. “Her kindness, laughter, and generosity left a lasting mark on everyone she met, and her incredible network of friends was a true reflection of the love and loyalty she inspired.

“Deeply devoted to her community, she gave her time and heart in service to others, delivering meals and helping people in need, embodying love in action.”

Pogany’s family added, “Though she is gone, her light will continue to shine brightly through the family and friends who were so blessed to have her in their lives. Forever our gorgeous Darlink.”

Adam Smyth, 50, father of four children, was killed during the attack at Bondi Beach.

SMYTH FAMILY

Adam Smyth, 50, was a father of four children and husband to Katrina. His family said the couple was walking on Bondi Beach Sunday evening when they found themselves in the middle of the attack.

“No words can describe the pain of our loss,” Smyth’s family wrote. “Adam and Katrina were living their best lives together. Their shared love of family and friends, travel and sport — if not always the same team — made their time together truly special.”

Smyth loved many sports clubs, including the English Premier League football team Liverpool.

“We will forever cherish the time we have had with him. Adam was a generous and kind person who will be dearly missed and is forever irreplaceable,” his family wrote, adding, “You’ll never walk alone.”

Boris and Sofia Gurman were killed during the Bondi Beach shooting on Dec. 14. (NSW Police)

GURMAN FAMILY

Boris Gurman, 69, and Sofia Gurman, 61, were a Russian-Jewish couple who confronted one of the gunmen before the attack began, momentarily disarming the assailant before he grabbed another rifle and killed them.

The couple was going to celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary in January and were going to mark Sophia’s birthday just days after the attack, “a moment that now feels incredibly hard to comprehend,” the Gurman family wrote.

“Boris and Sofia were deeply devoted to their family and were well known in their community for their kindness, warmth and willingness to help others,” they wrote. “Boris was a retired mechanic, and Sofia was working at Australia Post for the past five years. They lived honest, hardworking lives and treated everyone with care and respect.”

They added, “We are deeply grateful for the love and support shown to our family during this unimaginable time.”

ELKAYAM FAMILY

Dan Elkayam, a 27-year-old French national, was playing football at Bondi Beach and celebrating the lighting of the Hannukah Candles.

“During a mass shooting, Dan was shot in the back while trying to run away,” Elkayam’s family wrote. “He was murdered because he was Jewish.”

Elkayam played football at the 2022 Maccabiah Games and for several teams in both France and Australia.

SURVIVING AUSTRALIA TERROR SUSPECT SLAPPED WITH CHARGES IN WAKE OF DEADLY ATTACK

Dan Elkayam, a 27-year-old French national, was killed on Dec. 14 during the attack at Bondi Beach.

“Dan loved life – fully and intensely,” his family stated. “He traveled the world and was known for his gentle, kind, fun and loving nature, making friends wherever he went. Alongside football, he had a deep connection with nature. He was a certified scuba diver and an explorer at heart, always eager to discover new places, cultures, and experiences.”

Elkayam’s family said his smile “could light up any room” and was someone “who truly wanted to do good in the world.”

“It is now our responsibility to carry forward the light that Dan spread,” his family stated. “He was surrounded by loved ones from all walks of life and all communities, and in times as dark as these, we all have a duty to continue spreading kindness, compassion, and joy — in his name.”

Boris Tetleroyd, who was killed in the Bondi Beach shooting, was remembered by his family as a “gentle man.” 

TETLEROYD FAMILY

Boris Tetleroyd “was loved by everyone he met,” his family said.

“He was profoundly loved and adored by his sons Yaakov and Roman and by his wife Svetlana,” they continued. “He is also deeply loved by his brother, aunt, nieces, nephews, cousins and all who had the privilege of knowing him.”

Tetleroyd’s family added that he was a “gentle man” and “gifted musician.”

Alex Kleytman, 87, was a Holocaust survivor from Ukraine killed in the Bondi Beach attack. (NSW Police)

KLEYTMAN FAMILY

Alex Kleytman, 87, was a Holocaust survivor from Ukraine. He was celebrating Hanukkah at Bondi Beach with his wife of 57 years, Larisa Kleytman, who is also a Holocaust survivor, when the shooting began.

“He was a fascinating person of many talents and an unwavering spirit,” his family wrote, adding that he was also “very stubborn.”

Kleytman “survived the hardships of World War II in frozen Siberia, carrying with him a lifetime of extraordinary stories of resilience, survival, and unexpected luck” and worked as a civil engineer and estimator, first in the former Soviet Union and then in Australia.

His family said he died “doing what he loved most: protecting Larisa, standing proudly as a Jew, and celebrating the Festival of Lights.”

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“The two gunmen killed him, but his memories, his legacy, and his books will bring light for generations to come,” his family added.

Fox News Digital’s Alex Nitzberg and Rachel Wolf contributed to this report.

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Police reveal where bodies of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer were found

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Jake and Romy Reiner, the children of Hollywood movie director Rob Reiner and his photographer-producer wife Michele Singer Reiner, issued a statement Wednesday in the wake of their parents’ deaths, according to The New York Times.

“Words cannot even begin to describe the unimaginable pain we are experiencing every moment of the day,” the statement reads. “The horrific and devastating loss of our parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, is something that no one should ever experience. They weren’t just our parents; they were our best friends.”

Nick Reiner, the couple’s middle child, made his first court appearance Wednesday morning after being charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with his parents’ deaths.

The 32-year-old, who is being held without bail, briefly appeared in court but did not enter a plea. His defense attorney, Alan Jackson, said it was “too early” and requested that his arraignment be moved back. He will appear in court again on January 7, 2026.

It has emerged that Romy, 27, was called to her parents’ house Sunday afternoon by the couple’s massage therapist after there was no answer at the Los Angeles estate, whereupon she found her father’s body, The New York Times said.

Jerry Seinfeld says Rob Reiner had a crucial role in saving his career

Here’s another warm tribute to Reiner from the stand-up legend, who says his classic sitcom Seinfeld may never have happened without the director and his production company Castle Rock Entertainment.

Joe Sommerlad18 December 2025 10:00

‘They were a special force together’: Rob and Michele Reiner’s friends honor their love of film and country

Some of Rob and Michele Reiner’s closest friends, including actors Billy Crystal, Albert Brooks, Martin Short and Larry David, have released a statement mourning the couple and celebrating their love of film and country.

The group said in a statement first released to The Associated Press: “Absorbing all he had learned from his father Carl and his mentor Norman Lear, Rob Reiner not only was a great comic actor, he became a master storyteller.

“There is no other director who has his range. From comedy to drama to ‘mockumentary’ to documentary, he was always at the top of his game. He charmed audiences. They trusted him. They lined up to see his films.”

It continued: “His comedic touch was beyond compare, his love of getting the music of the dialogue just right, and his sharpening of the edge of a drama was simply elegant.”

Joe Sommerlad18 December 2025 09:30

Tribute: Rob Reiner was joy personified – and his movies were warm hugs

As the creative force behind film classics including When Harry Met Sally, Stand By Me and The Princess Bride, the filmmaker proved himself an expert in creating astonishingly kind and humane cinema.

His death is a shocking, senseless end to a remarkable life, writes Adam White.

Rob Reiner was joy personified – and his movies were warm hugs

As the director behind classics including ‘When Harry Met Sally’, ‘Stand by Me’ and ‘The Princess Bride’, the filmmaker proved himself an expert in creating astonishingly kind and humane cinema. His death is a shocking, senseless end to a remarkable life, writes Adam White

Joe Sommerlad18 December 2025 09:00

Family friends said argument between Reiners hours before killing was ‘overblown’ as they provide new details on shocking murder

Nick Reiner, the youngest son of Hollywood director Rob and photographer Michele Reiner, appeared briefly in a Los Angeles court Wednesday morning after being charged with the murder of his parents.

The 32-year-old was arrested Sunday night after allegedly stabbing his parents to death in their Brentwood home. He did not enter a plea, but, if convicted, he could face the death penalty.

Reiner’s struggles with addiction were well-known, as were the lengths his parents went to in order to help and support him throughout their lives.

On the night before their deaths, guests at an A-list party recalled Rob Reiner chastising his son over his behavior – though accounts now differ as to how severe the argument were.

Mike Bedigan18 December 2025 08:30

Watch: Police reveal where bodies of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer were found

Police have revealed where the bodies of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner were found.

Officers discovered the couple in their bedroom, inside their Los Angeles estate.

Police reveal where bodies of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer were found

Katie Hawkinson18 December 2025 07:30

Jake and Romy Reiner release statement honoring parents: ‘They were our best friends’

Jake and Romy Reiner released a statement Wednesday addressing their parents’ deaths, according to The New York Times.

Their brother, Nick Reiner, briefly appeared in court today after he was charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with his parents’ deaths. He did not enter a plea, and his arraignment has been postponed to January 7.

“Words cannot even begin to describe the unimaginable pain we are experiencing every moment of the day. The horrific and devastating loss of our parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, is something that no one should ever experience. They weren’t just our parents; they were our best friends,” Jake and Romy Reiner said.

“We now ask for respect and privacy, for speculation to be tempered with compassion and humanity, and for our parents to be remembered for the incredible lives they lived and the love they gave,” they added.

Katie Hawkinson18 December 2025 06:00

What is the ‘special circumstance’ added to Nick Reiner’s charges?

Nick Reiner was charged with two counts of first-degree murder Tuesday in connection with his parents’ deaths.

These counts include a “special circumstance of multiple murders,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said.

Special circumstances typically elevate the level of punishment, according to the California law firm Eisner Gorin LLP.

In California, a person convicted of first-degree murder without a special circumstance could face 25 years to life behind bars.

But when a special circumstance is added, someone convicted of first-degree murder could be sentenced to death, or life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Hochman confirmed Tuesday that Reiner, if convicted, could face a maximum sentence of life in prison or the death penalty. However, no decision has been made about whether prosecutors will seek the death penalty, he noted.

A courtroom sketch shows Nick Reiner wearing handcuffs and a blue protective vest during his brief court appearance (Reuters)

Katie Hawkinson18 December 2025 04:30

Watch: Nick Reiner makes brief court appearance

Nick Reiner made a brief appearance in court Wednesday.

His defense attorney, Alan Jackson, asked the judge to postpone his arraignment. Jackson then gave a brief statement to reporters outside the courthouse.

Reiner is expected to appear in court again on January 7.

Nick Reiner’s attorney describes ‘complex and serious issues’ in case

Katie Hawkinson18 December 2025 03:00

Rob Reiner’s final film delayed

However, Variety reports that the planned theatre and IMAX release has now been postponed indefinitely. A source told the publication that distributors Bleecker Street will wait until “the best path forward is decided with those closest to Rob and his family.”

Kevin E G Perry18 December 2025 01:30

Behind the Headlines: The tragic truth about Rob Reiner’s son Nick and how his parents desperately tried to help him

Nick Reiner, the 32-year-old son of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with his parents’ deaths.

He has struggled with drug addiction since his teen years.

Katie Rosseinsky explores how the Reiners helped their son, and the heartbreak the family has endured:

Katie Hawkinson18 December 2025 00:00

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