Good evening. It has been a bloody weekend with deadly attacks and continuing winter weather and travel disruptions.
Australia attack
Two men opened fire at a Hanukkah celebration near Bondi Beach in Sydney, police say, killing at least 15 people and wounding dozens. Authorities identified the attackers as a father and son. Video showed gunmen firing for several minutes; one attacker was tackled by a bystander before police engaged. Australian police later engaged in a shootout; the father was killed and the son critically wounded. Authorities found undetonated explosives in a vehicle. Australia’s prime minister called the attack “pure evil,” and leaders around the world condemned what officials described as an anti‑Semitic terrorist strike. Victims included a wide age range, from children to elderly.
Providence, Rhode Island — Brown University shooting
In Providence, a gunman opened fire inside an engineering classroom at Brown University during finals. Two people were killed and nine others were hospitalized. Police released surveillance footage showing a masked person on campus shortly after the shooting. A 24‑year‑old person of interest, Benjamin Erickson, was taken into custody at a hotel about 20 miles away after FBI cellphone data helped investigators locate him. Erickson is not a student at Brown, law enforcement sources told CBS News. The campus and community held vigils as first responders and investigators continued their work; survivors described the terror of an active‑shooter situation and, in some cases, credited prior active‑shooter training with helping them respond.
White House and national response
President Trump addressed the attacks during a White House reception, calling the Sydney shooting “purely anti‑Semitic” and offering condolences for the Brown University victims. Near the White House, thousands gathered for the national menorah lighting amid rising global concerns about anti‑Semitic violence.
Politics — health care subsidies
On Capitol Hill, lawmakers face pressure to act on health care subsidies that help many Americans afford insurance. A GOP House plan expected to be voted on this week would allow small businesses to join together to buy employee insurance but would not extend Affordable Care Act premium subsidies, which are set to lapse at year’s end without congressional action. Without an extension, millions could face large premium increases in January; experts have warned premiums could more than double for some consumers.
Weather — snow, arctic plunge, travel impacts
An early winter arctic blast and snowstorm swept across the East, with travel made treacherous in many areas. Eastern states saw heavy snow and plunging temperatures, with some places experiencing life‑threatening cold and wind chills in the single digits. Cold advisories and freeze watches stretched down to the Gulf Coast, including New Orleans. In the Pacific Northwest, an atmospheric river brought heavy rain and mountain snow, raising flood concerns. CBS meteorologists warned that dangerous cold would persist for parts of the East while above‑average temperatures return for other regions in the coming week.
Holiday economy and shopping
A new Associated Press poll found many Americans feeling pinched this holiday season: higher prices, rising credit card debt and dipping into savings were common. About half said they found holiday gifts harder to afford than usual, 40% reported tapping savings, and 68% rated the national economy poorly. Shoppers reported using coupons and buy‑now‑pay‑later options to stretch budgets, and charities like the Salvation Army reported donations down while demand rose.
Travel — airport delays and record holiday travel expected
Despite economic strains, AAA projected a heavy holiday travel season, with an expected record number of travelers for Christmas and New Year’s. Winter storms and an arctic system caused thousands of flight delays and cancellations, slowdowns at major airports and long lines at terminals. Airfares remained elevated in many markets; domestic travelers faced higher average round‑trip prices than last year. Travelers were urged to plan and expect delays.
Other news
– Powerball jackpot: The jackpot climbed to $1.1 billion after no one matched all numbers; the lump‑sum option would be more than $500 million.
– NFL: The Indianapolis Colts, dealing with injuries, started former quarterback Philip Rivers, 44, a grandfather who last played in 2020.
– WWE: John Cena, the wrestling star turned actor, formally ended his two‑decade wrestling career with a televised retirement match in Washington, D.C.
– Travel tips: With the holiday rush, airports like LaGuardia and Newark saw delays; AAA recommended booking earlier flights and checking airport reliability ratings for departure choices.
– Local feature — Yuletide Carolers: A long‑running group of carolers in New York performs seasonal programs, visiting hotels, hospitals and nursing homes to bring holiday cheer and connect people to comfort and memories during the season.
That is the CBS Weekend News for Sunday. Good night.