WORLD NEWS
Why Croatia’s capital wants to hold the best Christmas market
Guy Delauney Balkans correspondent
AFP via Getty Images
Zagreb’s Christmas market was voted the best in Europe three years in a row
Christmas markets are not just tradition across Europe, they are big businesses that give cities a huge economic boost every December. For Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, it is an effective way of attracting tourists outside of the country’s main summer season.
The words “tourism” and “Croatia” are likely to conjure visons of sparkling Adriatic vistas during the hottest months of the year.
Tourism accounts for more than a fifth of the economy of this Balkan country, and it is keen to encourage more visitors to arrive outside of the height of summer. Yuletide frolics are a key part of that strategy.
“We’re making a transformation,” says Croatia’s Tourism Minister, Tonci Glavina.
“We are developing as a year-round tourism destination – we are not a summer destination anymore. Croatia has really made a significant development. At some point way back it was just sun and sea, but now Croatia offers many tourism products all across the country.”
Zagreb Advent, as the capital’s Christmas markets and events are collectively known, is the poster child for this approach, with billboards in neighbouring countries urging people to attend. In fact, this year the campaign has spread as far as London’s tube stations and Milan’s buses.
There are even special trains to bring visitors from Slovenia and Hungary. All of it is part of Zagreb’s push, in a very crowded field, to become one of Europe’s most popular Christmas markets.
While some cities might limit their offering to a single location, Zagreb Advent is a multi-venue spectacular that takes over large chunks of the centre.
“The entire city has become a festive ground for celebrating Christmas throughout the whole of December,” says Slavica Olujic Klapcic, who manages one of the Christmas market areas.
“What’s really special around here is that each of the locations has its own theme, and it’s a little bit different in decoration, and in the content that it offers. So for a visitor, I think it’s a good deal, because by taking a walk through Zagreb, you can see many different spots.”
Like other Christmas markets across Europe there are no shortages of the usual seasonal staples, such as sausages and mulled wine. But there are also multiple music stages, craft stalls, vendors offering traditional Croatian food, art installations, and an enormous ice rink.
Slavica Olujic Klapcic, who manages one of the market areas, says that Zagreb offers festive variety
“It brings life to Zagreb,” reckons Zrinka Farina, who is involved with putting on Christmas market events outside the city’s historic Hotel Esplanade, as well as a food and music market at nearby Strossmayer Square called Fuliranje – which roughly translates as “fooling around”.
But she says that Croatians are deadly serious about trying to offer Europe’s best Christmas market. “We are such a sporty nation, we love to compete – and when we do something, we really want to be the best in the world in it.”
Such has been the effort that the city has put into Zagreb Advent since it was first held in 2014 that it was voted the best Christmas market in Europe for three years in a row, from 2015 to 2017.
The competition is organised by travel website European Best Destinations, and Zagreb’s success has helped to drive visitor numbers to the city every December.
Back in 2014, the city saw 100,198 people stay for at least one night during the last month of the year. By 2024 this had more than doubled to 245,352, which the tourist board says gave the city a €100m ($117m; £88m) economic boost.
The Zagreb Advent event is spread across the centre of the city
However, Zagreb has a long way to go if it wishes to catch up with Europe’s Christmas market heavyweights.
The one held in the German city of Cologne is widely reported to be the most popular. It is expected to attract four million visitors this year, with an economic impact of €229m.
Meanwhile, Austria’s capital Vienna attracts around 2.8 million visitors to its Christmas market, and France’s Strasbourg gets two million people.
Zagreb’s event also has a limited history – it is only in its 11th year. By contrast, Dresden’s Christmas market, widely considered to be the world’s oldest, was first held in 1434. Strasbourg’s began in 1570, Vienna in 1764 and Cologne in 1820.
Despite its infancy, Zagreb Advent is said to be attracting visitors from across Europe. “They come here from Italy, Spain, Bosnia, Slovenia and even the UK,” says Lucija Vrkljan, who is working as a steward at the ice rink.
“It’s a great place to be,” says Dario Kozul, the founder of BioMania, a bistro with a stall offering vegan and gluten-free food at the Hotel Esplanade Christmas market. “We have a cross-marketing situation all the time,” he adds.
“People walk into this event and test our food – they’re really very pleased with it. Then we talk about our restaurant, and within the next couple of days, we see them there.”
AFP via Getty Images
Dresden’s Christmas market was first held in 1434
Marko Peric, dean of the Faculty of Tourism at Croatia’s University of Rijeka, agrees that Zagreb Advent brings “unusually high” numbers of arrivals and overnight stays in December.
But he cautions that the rest of Croatia’s heavy reliance on the summer season is a weakness that still needs to be addressed. “We need to work and develop our tourist offer in other parts of the year, including the winter,” he says.
“We don’t have snow, but we can offer a lot. We should rely on our gastronomy, which is well known, with many tourists arriving just because of that. And we could use other types of events like carnival in February, or sporting events.”
Tourism Minister Tonci Glavina insists that Croatia is making moves in the right direction. He points out that visitor numbers over July and August were actually slightly down on the same period in 2024.
But the country is still on course for a record-breaking year, thanks to significant growth either side of the summer peak, with around 5% more arrivals in June and September. This, says the minister, is “just perfect”, as is the 10% year-on-year rise over the first week of December.
“We are transforming Croatia to be a sustainable tourism destination, meaning about the same number of guests in peak season, developing the shoulder seasons, and of course developing other parts of the country to be main tourism destinations.”
Zagreb Advent has already shown the benefits. Although that may not be the first thing that springs to a visitor’s mind with all the traditional Croatian treats on offer.
After all, what could be better than a post-skate fritule doughnut, except perhaps a fritule with chocolate sauce.
Germany has registered over 1,000 suspicious drone flights so far in 2025, the head of Germany’s Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) told German newspaper Bild in comments published on Sunday.
BKA chief Holger Münch said the drone sightings represent a “significant situation of danger.”
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said in October that the German government believes Russia is behind many of the drone sightings over German territory.
Münch told Bild that it cannot be assumed with “100% certainty” that all of the suspicious drones are being guided by Russia. However, he said he suspects the drones are being steered by a state actor aimed at sowing uncertainty in Germany.
Drones spotted at Berlin, Munich airports
Drone sightings this year have disrupted German airports, canceling flights and causing headaches for travelers.
Munich Airport, for example, halted air traffic control operations on October 3 as the city held its world-famous Oktoberfest event. In November, Berlin Brandenburg Airport also had to suspend operations for nearly two hours due to unidentified drone sightings.
Drones are also sometimes sighted over German military installations.
German news outlet Der Spiegel reported that four drones were spotted on October 13 at a German military base in the northeastern town of Gnoien, near the major city of Rostock. The report said that Ukrainian soldiers were being trained at the Gnoien base at the time of the incident.
Drones made in Bavaria to boost German army’s air defenses
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German authorities seek more effective drone response
German authorities are now seeking to combat the unmanned aerial vehicles in a more effective and rapid fashion.
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt on Wednesday opened the joint counter-drone center (GDAZ) in Berlin, which will coordinate federal and state capabilities when it comes to drone defense.
“The joint counter-drone center operates around the clock and is designated to respond quickly and in a coordinated manner to security threats,” a German government statement said. “It combines the technical expertise of the federal and state governments, creaking a robust framework for ongoing communication, joint situation assessments and coordinated action in drone defense.”
Dobrindt has also commissioned a drone defense unit to assist airports and other sites when drone incidents occur.
Germany’s Armed Forces, the Bundeswehr, has also ordered special anti-aircraft tanks that are effective in fighting swarms of drones.
Drones and AI: How technology is changing warfare
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Edited by: Sean Sinico
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Iranian officials executed a man over the weekend who was convicted of spying for Israel’s intelligence arm and its army, according to state media.
The man was Aghil Keshavarz, who was put to death on Saturday, state media reported.
Keshavarz, 27, had “close intelligence cooperation” with the Mossad — the national intelligence agency for Israel — and captured photos of Iranian military and security areas, according to state media.
IRAN’S EXECUTION RATE TOPS 1,000 THIS YEAR AS DEATH ROW INMATES LAUNCH HUNGER STRIKE
Iran executed Aghil Keshavarz, 27, after he was convicted of spying for Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency. (Getty Images)
Keshavarz was arrested in May while taking pictures of a military headquarters in the city of Urmia, located about 371 miles northwest of Iran’s capital of Tehran.
He was accused of engaging in more than 200 similar assignments for the Mossad in various Iranian cities, including Tehran.
Keshavarz was tried and sentenced to death in connection with the spying accusations. The country’s Supreme Court later upheld the sentence, according to state media.
Smoke rises from the building of Iran’s state-run television after an Israeli strike in Tehran, Iran, on June 16, 2025. (AP Photo)
Iran has executed 11 people for espionage since a 12-day air conflict in June that was kicked off by Israel, killing roughly 1,100 people in Iran, including military commanders and nuclear scientists. Iran countered with a missile barrage that killed 28 people in the Jewish State.
In October, Iran executed an unknown person convicted of spying for Israel’s intelligence agency in the city of Qom.
IRAN HANGS A MAN CONVICTED OF SPYING FOR ISRAEL
A police officer stands guard as demonstrators wave flags and cheer during a gathering following the announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, on June 24, 2025, in Tehran, Iran. (Majid Saeedi/Getty Images)
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Various others have been executed in Iran in recent years before the June conflict on allegations of spying for the Mossad, including multiple earlier this year.
Iran routinely conducts closed-door trials of people accused of espionage, with the suspects often unable to access the evidence prosecutors used against them in their case.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
WORLD NEWS
SNL mocks Trump over Epstein file redactions, cognitive tests and renaming Kennedy Center in scathing Christmas episode cold open
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Saturday Night Live‘s cold open mocked President Donald Trump over the heavily redacted Epstein files and his renaming of the Kennedy Center in a scathing Christmas episode.
James Austin Johnson continued his streak as the president and ridiculed the Trump administration over its claim to be the “most transparent in history” after hundreds of pages of the long-awaited documents were redacted when they were partially released Friday by the Justice Department.
Trump only appeared in the tens of thousands of documents a handful of times, and one of the photographs that appeared to show the president was removed by the DOJ Saturday, Democrats said. Trump is not accused of any wrongdoing.
“With regard to files, we’re being very transparent,” Johnson’s Trump began. “Because Jeffrey Epstein was a terrible man, and I didn’t know him, and I liked him a lot.”
“We released all the files, and I come out looking, frankly, very good,” he parodied. “We had to redact a few sensitive things, but you’ll get the gist here…”
open image in gallery
Saturday Night Live ‘s cold open mocked President Donald Trump over the heavily redacted Epstein files (SNL/NBC)
Johnson then turned to a giant file beside him that was redacted, apart from the words: “Trump Didn’t Do Nothing Bad.”
“See, it’s all there. Can you believe it?” he said.
The comic version of Trump joked that he was renaming so many government buildings after himself “because we had to take it off of so many files.”
“We had to put them somewhere,” Johnson said.
The December 20 cold open also ridiculed Trump’s hand-picked board that voted to rename the iconic Kennedy Center: The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.
“We are renaming the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, which will now be called the Trump-Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts No Homo,” Johnson said.
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“I’m actually going to be renaming a number of our other monuments as well…Trump-Washington Monument…Trump Lincoln Memorial,” Johnson reeled off, holding up mocked-up images of the historic sites with the president’s name plastered across them.
The near-five minute skit mimicked the style of Trump’s meandering speeches, where he has often bragged about his cognitive test scores.
open image in gallery
The cold open also skewered Trump’s hand-picked board voting to rename the Kennedy Center The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)
“I’m doing my own version of Nativity now, where kings from the Middle East bring gifts for me, like gold and airplane and casino deal in Dubai,” the actor said. “But unlike nativity, they’re not showing up on camel. And I know camel, I know it very well. I know it from my mandatory daily cognitive test.”
“I always get camel right. It’s bumpy horse,” he went on. “That’s how I know camel bumpy horse.”
Saturday’s show, hosted by Ariana Grande, marked Bowen Yang’s last as he earlier announced his mid-season exit after seven years.
The actor and comedian, 35, shared a carousel of images on Instagram that showed him at 30 Rock alongside his fellow cast members.
“I loved working at SNL, and most of all i loved the people. i was there at a time when many things in the world started to seem futile, but working at 30 rock taught me the value in showing up anyway when people make it worthwhile,” his lengthy caption began.
“I’m grateful for every minute of my time there,” he added.
NEED TO KNOW
- Lucas Bravo told PEOPLE about something he hates doing
- He also shared what he loves discussing during conversations
- The actor plays Gabriel, a “hot chef,” in Netflix’s Emily in Paris
Lucas Bravo has a relatable pet peeve.
Speaking with PEOPLE in an exclusive conversation at the Emily in Paris season 5 world premiere event in Paris on Dec. 15, the 37-year-old actor revealed what he loves — and especially hates — in his daily life.
“I hate small talk. I hate talking about the weather and stuff like that,” Bravo confessed, adding, “I don’t have time for this.”
Lucas Bravo and the rest of the ‘Emily in Paris’ cast in Paris on Dec. 15, 2025.
Blanca CRUZ / AFP via Getty
Instead, The Seduction star said he enjoys “going deep” when talking.
“So what is my Roman Empire? I can’t get enough deep conversations — talking about unconditional love and boundaries and self-love and patterns and how to evolve and grow and and the ways to do it,” he shared. “I love having those conversations with people.”
On-screen, Bravo does the talking in Netflix’s Emily in Paris as “hot chef” Gabriel, a role he admitted that he was initially rejected for.
He previously told PEOPLE that he didn’t land it because Paramount, the parent company of the studio behind Emily in Paris, didn’t “want to take a chance” on him due to his lack of “background.”
However, after a fateful chemistry read with Lily Collins, who plays the titular character, show creator Darren Star “fought” to cast Bravo.
Lucas Bravo (right) and William Abadie in ‘Emily in Paris’ season 5.
Caroline Dubois/Netflix
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Aside from Emily in Paris and The Seduction, the French actor is looking forward to a booked and busy 12 months ahead in 2026.
“I have some great, great projects lined up — I’m booked until next December,” Bravo shared. “So I honestly can’t wait to get to those projects, because I’m getting into a lot of diverse, crazy challenging roles, and I’ve been waiting for that for a long time. I’ve been working hard to get here.”
All 10 episodes of Emily in Paris season 5 premiered on Netflix on Dec. 18.
WORLD NEWS
Disturbing cache of photos emerges of Bondi Beach alleged gunmen posing with rifles – as images are released of ‘improvised bombs’ for the first time
Paul Doyle, was jailed for 21 years and six months on Tuesday after he pleaded guilty to 31 offences relating to the crash on Water Street, Liverpool, became involved in a fight with Stuart Lucas
02:14, 22 Dec 2025
Father-of-three Paul Doyle was jailed on Tuesday
A former Royal Navy reservist who had his ear bitten off by Liverpool parade attacker Paul Doyle more than 30 years ago has broken his silence.
Stuart Lucas bravely stepped in to stop the well-built thug, then in the Royal Marines, from assaulting younger colleagues. He said today how trouble flared at motorway services when Doyle decked two young naval ratings with a flying kick after being challenged about his drunken behaviour.
Doyle then turned on Mr Lucas, sinking his teeth into the man’s his ear. Mr Lucas, who at the time was a Royal Navy sailor, said: “It was so painful I let go and then when I did let him go, he bit through it, chewed it up and spat it out.”
Last week, Doyle, 54, was sentenced to 21 years and six months in prison for driving into crowds at Liverpool FC’s title victory parade in the city last May, injuring 130 people. The thug admitted dangerous driving, affray and 29 other GBH-related charges in connection with the incident.
READ MORE: Liverpool Parade crash driver Paul Doyle ‘knocked man out’ over McDonald’s jokeREAD MORE: Paul Doyle ‘held in Monster Mansion jail’ where 2 prisoners were recently killed
Doyle is seen on a still from bodycam footage being taken to the custody suite(Image: PA)
Speaking in the wake of the sentencing, Mr Lucas described how “all hell broke loose” when Doyle – who had been drinking heavily – kicked off with the sailors at Charnock Richard services on the M6 in Lancashire 31 years ago. Doyle was one of two marines in a bus with 28 sailors being taken to Barry, south Wales to sail the minesweeper HMS Dovey to Glasgow as Mr Lucas’ group was short of crew.
Just as prosecutors described in the Liverpool incident, Doyle “lost his temper” and his flying kick left two sailors stricken on the ground. He then bit Mr Lucas, who remains disfigured from the attack.
Doyle, then 23, was later jailed for 12 months over the incident. Mr Lucas, a Masters student at Strathclyde University at the time, testified at Preston Crown Court, reports the Daily Mail.
Doyle drove his car into the Liverpool parade crowds in May(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
Mr Lucas, now 68 and a retired teacher, told the publication: “It was exceptional I guess; you have two guys on the bus with 28 navy guys and they shouldn’t have been trying to take over or cause trouble. It was most strange and I couldn’t believe it. It was all a bit crazy the way it happened.
“I controlled him till he bit my ear off. He just floored the two of them. He was a pretty fit guy. I think when I came out he didn’t see me, I was just a wee one and therefore I could just walk round the back of him while he was focussed on the other two and put the bear hug on him.”
Dad-of-one Mr Lucas served in the Royal Navy for 12 years, reaching the rate of leading radio operator before joining the Royal Naval Reserve, which was when the incident in 1994 happened. The pensioner, who lives in East Lothian, turned down the chance of having his ear rebuilt, as it would have taken months.
“Speaking of the Liverpool attack, there’s your link. Everyone at the parade was all happy and he was the one that was unhappy. And in our little scenario everyone was happy, we were going to earn some money, have a drink going down to do what we do at weekends and then all hell broke loose. And that has never happened before, or since.”
Welcome to The Blueprint, where we break down the celebrity looks we want to wear right now and build them back up, piece by piece.
Pamela Anderson proved that sometimes the simplest looks make the biggest impact. While debuting a dramatic hair transformation in Paris recently, the supermodel’s all-black outfit showed how pared-down basics can make winter dressing easy.
Anderson’s practical look included staples that can help you create endless outfit inspiration this winter, making them worthwhile to stock up on. Her black turtleneck is a simple outfit starter that keeps you warm and is easy to layer under cardigans or jackets. And her black pants, which had a slim silhouette, are a comfy and polished style you can wear from your desk to dinner. Recreate her everyday look with similar styles at Amazon, Quince, Spanx, Everlane, and more starting at $20.
Pamela Anderson’s Outfit Blueprint
TheImageDirect.com
Anrabess Turtleneck Sweater
Amazon
A warm turtleneck becomes a closet essential as temperatures drop. It’s an easy foundation piece to build outfits around, and the cozy knit keeps your neck protected so you can skip the scarf. This Amazon option mirrors the slim fit of Anderson’s top, offering a more polished look than an oversized sweater — especially when styled with tailored black pants or a sleek skirt.
Spanx PerfectFit Ponte Ankle Slim Pant
SPANX
Anderson isn’t the only star embracing slim-fitted pants: We’ve previously spotted Jennifer Aniston wearing a pair, too. The sleek silhouette of these Spanx pants is a good in-between for those who aren’t a fan of baggy or wide-leg options. And because they skim the ankles, you’ll be able to show off your winter boots. The ponte fabric offers four-way stretch and built-in compression, and the pants come in three seam lengths (tall, regular, and petite), as well as in sizes XS through 3XL.
Quince Ponte Straight-Leg Pants
Quince
The double knit fabric of these ponte pants has built-in wrinkle resistance, making them a practical travel companion to bring on vacations or work trips. The fabric stretches to move with you, and the pants come with a stretchy waistband to make slipping them on a breeze. “These are the only pants I’m wearing these days,” one Quince reviewer wrote, calling them “comfy” and professional-looking.
The verdict is in: Pamela Anderson showed us how winter style can be effortless and look sophisticated with just a few minimalist staples. Find more styles inspired by The Naked Gun star below, including a sleek cotton Everlane Turtleneck that’s less than $100.
Everlane The Luxe Rib Turtleneck
Everlane
Zeagoo Knit Turtleneck
Amazon
Old Navy SoSoft Turtleneck Sweater
Old Navy
iChosy Straight-Leg Dress Pants
Ichosy
Banana Republic High-Rise Slim City Ankle Pant
Banana Republic
WORLD NEWS
Parkland school shooting survivor Donovan Metayer dies after years battling mental health struggles
A Parkland school shooting survivor has died by suicide after spending years battling mental health issues.
Donovan Joshua Leigh Metayer, 26, was a senior at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, when gunman Nikolas Cruz opened fire and killed 17 people on Valentine’s Day 2018.
Metayer struggled with mental health issues in the years that followed and was diagnosed with schizophrenia.
He took his own life on December 15, his sister, Coral Springs Vice Mayor Nancy Bowen, announced on Facebook the following day.
‘It is with a heavy heart that we share the loss of my baby brother, Donovan JL Metayer,’ she wrote. ‘He was deeply loved.’
An online fundraiser set up by his family described how Metayer was a ‘radiant’ child’ who ‘always excelled academically, with an intellect matched only by a magnetic humor and warmth that could light up any room, effortlessly.’
‘But beneath that light, Donny carried unimaginable sorrow.’
The fundraiser then goes on to explain that the trauma of the school shooting and the loss of his classmates ‘lingered long after graduation and profoundly altered the course of his life.’
Donovan Joshua Leigh Metayer, 26, has died of suicide after spending years battling mental health issues
Metayer was a senior at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida when convicted gunman Nikolas Cruz opened fire on Valentine’s Day 2018, killing 17 people
Maria Reyes, Stacy Buehler and Tiffany Goldberg light candles around a cross as they attend a candlelight memorial service for the victims of the shooting
‘In the months that followed, Danny began to withdraw,’ it says. ‘Depression, guilt, emotional instability and long periods of isolation replaced the vibrant young man we once knew.’
‘Though he had dreamt of college and a future in computer science, his worsening mental health made those dreams difficult to reach.’
In the years that followed, the family said, Metayer would be hospitalized multiple times for suicidal ideation as he ‘struggled to accept a mental health diagnosis.’
‘Treatment – therapy, medication and constant adjustments – was a journey marked by exhaustion,’ the fundraiser says, noting that Metayer ‘often masked his pain to not burden those he loved, even as our family fought alongside him.’
The family finally seemed to find some hope when Metayer was admitted to the Henderson Clinic and started seeing a private psychiatrist, who they said offered ‘guidance, compassion and hope for his future.’
‘With their support, Donny began to heal, earning an IT certificate and joining the team at Office Depot in Coral Springs, where he was quickly promoted.
‘After years of challenges, he was beginning to carve out a sense of independence and a future he could believe in,’ the fundraiser says. ‘His progress was a sense of immense pride for his family.’
But then, Metayer took his own life inside the family home.
He had dreamed of attending college and pursuing a career in computer science
‘The loss of our family’s youngest child is a sorrow beyond words – one that will echo through our lives forever,’ the family wrote.
‘Yet even in our grief, we are choosing to speak Donovan’s truth so that other families do not have to suffer in silence the way we have.’
They called Metayer’s death a ‘heartbreaking reminder of the mental health crisis plaguing our youth and the lasting trauma of gun violence on our community.
‘Though Donny’s life was brief, his impact will be everlasting,’ the Metayer family said as they asked for monetary donations to assist with his celebration of life service.
The money will also be used to endow a fund at the Henderson Clinic ‘that will provide healthcare, housing and hope for people of all ages with behavioral health conditions throughout Florida.’
His family is now asking for donations to start a fund in his name at the Henderson Clinic to help other Floridians who are battling mental health issues
His sister also shared the fundraiser online, thanking the community for their love and support.
‘I see your messages, hear your voicemails and [am] deeply grateful for every expression of remorse,’ Bowen wrote on Facebook over the weekend.
‘To honor Donovan’s life and legacy, our family is establishing a mental health fund in his name,’ which she said ‘will expand access to mental health services and support for individuals and families who need it most.
‘Your generosity, compassion and continued support mean more than words can express during this time,’ she wrote.
‘Thank you for holding our family in your thoughts and for honoring Donovan’s memory with such grace, compassion and love.’
As of Sunday night, the fundraiser had already amassed more than $19,000.
If you or someone you know needs help, please call or text the confidential 24/7 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the US on 988. There is also an online chat available at 988lifeline.org.
Dale Williams says he was left ‘on the floor getting laid into’ during the attack in Mapperley, which is in Nottingham, and believes he was abandoned by the Uber driver
00:37, 22 Dec 2025
Dale Williams said he thought he was going to die during the attack(Image: Joseph Raynor/ Reach PLC)
A Nottingham student has claimed he was “left for dead” by an Uber driver after attempting to break up a road rage incident.
Dale Williams said he was pursued and attacked by two men who had been rowing with his driver following a heated exchange on the road, reports Nottinghamshire Live..
The 30 year old said he feared for his life during the assault, which took place in Blyth Street, Mapperley, on Monday, December 8.
Uber said it takes safety “extremely seriously” and confirmed it had launched an investigation into its driver, whilst police said they were investigating the assault.
Mr Williams had just clocked off work in the city centre when he booked an Uber to his mate’s housewarming in Mapperley at around 11.30pm.
“On the way there, we came across some guys driving really erratically and swerving,” he recalled.
Mr Williams suffered bruising to his body and face(Image: Dale Williams )
After the Uber driver overtook the vehicle, the trailing motorist “got right behind” them, which prompted the taxi driver to go into a “road rage” and start brake-checking, Mr Williams said.
“They’d pulled up next to us, and I stood between them and the driver,” he said.
“They turned on me instead, and I caught a punch to the face. Another guy got out and chased me down the street.
“He got me on the floor and started kicking and stomping on me and stuff.”
Mr Williams then raised his head off the pavement to see the Uber driver fleeing the scene.
“I thought I’m going to die here. I was on the floor getting laid into,” he added. “He left me for dead. I was immediately trying to peace-keep. I hadn’t been drinking or anything.”
Mr Williams, who sustained facial and arm bruising, sought medical attention where he was informed he may have fractured two ribs.
Since the incident, he claims Uber has not assisted him in gathering information to aid an investigation into the assault.
He alleges that the firm has closed the case and is also denying him access to the route data, which would allow him to review CCTV footage, and has yet to respond to his Subject Access Request for pertinent data.
Uber has also reportedly blocked his account and is withholding information about any action taken against the driver, according to Mr Williams.
Despite later liaising with the police, he says he hasn’t given a statement yet and fears that inaction will enable his assailants to evade justice.
An Uber spokesperson stated: “What’s been described has no place on the Uber app. Our specialist team is investigating the matter and the appropriate action will be taken with the driver.
“We take safety extremely seriously, and this isn’t the kind of experience we want anyone to have when using the Uber app. We stand ready to support the police in their investigation.”
A Nottinghamshire Police spokesperson said: “Police were called to Blyth Street just before midnight on Monday 8 December following an assault. Officers located the victim at a house party. Our records show that contact has been made with the victim.
“A number of lines of inquiry have already been established to locate those responsible, and more inquiries will be conducted over the coming days. We take all reports of assaults seriously.”
WORLD NEWS
‘Alarming’ medicine shortages in Gaza amid Israeli restrictions | Israel-Palestine conflict News
Gaza’s Ministry of Health has appealed for increased drug, medical consumables and laboratory supplies, warning of severe shortages after more than two years of Israel’s genocidal war against the Palestinian people in Gaza and a crippling blockade.
The ministry said on Sunday that the shortages were making it difficult to provide diagnostic and treatment services.
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Doctors in the war-ravaged Palestinian territory have long warned that they are struggling to save lives because Israel is not allowing the most essential medical supplies in. During Israel’s genocidal war, which has spanned more than two years, nearly all of Gaza’s hospitals and healthcare facilities were attacked, with at least 125 health facilities damaged, including 34 hospitals.
“The number of items completely out of stock on the essential medicines list has reached 321, representing a 52 percent shortage,” the Health Ministry said in a statement.
“The number of items completely out of stock on the medical consumables list has reached 710, representing a 71 percent shortage. The shortage rate for laboratory tests and blood bank supplies has reached 59 percent,” it added.
The most critical drug shortages are in emergency services, particularly life-saving intravenous solutions, intravenous antibiotics, and pain killers, the ministry said.
The shortage in emergency and intensive care services is potentially depriving 200,000 patients of emergency care, 100,000 patients of surgical services, and 700 patients of intensive care, it added.
The ministry cited additional shortages in kidney, oncology, open-heart surgery, and orthopedic supplies, among others.
“Given these alarming figures, and with the continued reduction by the occupation of the number of medical trucks entering Gaza to less than 30 percent of the monthly need, and with the insufficient quantity of supplies available, the Ministry of Health urgently appeals to all relevant parties to fully assume their responsibilities in implementing emergency interventions,” it said.
Despite a United States-backed ceasefire that took effect on October 10, Israel continues to violate its agreement with Hamas by failing to allow in the agreed quantities of medical aid trucks, deepening what the Gaza Health Ministry has described as a critical and ongoing health emergency.
Amid the shortages of medical supplies, 1,500 children are awaiting the opening of border crossings to travel and receive treatment outside Gaza.
Zaher Al Waheidi, the head of the Information Unit at Gaza’s Health Ministry, said on Sunday that 1,200 patients, including 155 children, have died after being unable to be evacuated from Gaza for medical treatment.
Palestinian detainees released
Meanwhile, six Palestinian detainees released from Israeli detention arrived at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir el-Balah on Sunday for medical treatment, according to medical sources. A correspondent for the Anadolu news agency said the men were transferred via the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
Rights groups say Israel had detained the men without clear legal procedures. The ICRC says it has not been granted access to Palestinians held in Israeli detention since October 2023, warning that international humanitarian law requires humane treatment and family contact.
The releases are part of sporadic Israeli actions involving Gaza detainees held for months. Many former prisoners report malnutrition and injuries from abuse.
About 1,700 detainees were released in October under the ceasefire deal, but more than 10,000 Palestinians – including women and children – remain in Israeli prisons, where rights groups report widespread abuse, starvation and medical neglect.
Elsewhere in the enclave, Gaza’s Civil Defence said it rescued five people, including a child and two women, who were trapped under the collapsed roof of their house in Sheikh Radwan, northwest of Gaza City.
The roof collapse killed four people, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Interior and National Security.
At least 18 people have been killed due to the collapse of 46 buildings in Gaza since the ceasefire came into effect, according to the ministry.
More than 70,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed, and more than 171,000 others have been wounded in attacks in Israel’s war on Gaza since October 2023.