By INDERDEEP BAINS, DEPUTY CHIEF REPORTER

Published: 16:17 GMT, 23 December 2025 | Updated: 01:34 GMT, 24 December 2025

Police are continuing to search for a seventh suspect in relation to the case of a former Tory councillor who is accused of drugging and sexually assaulting his wife with five men over 13 years.

A series of pictures of the large set man were released as part of a Crimewatch appeal earlier this year.

Wiltshire Police said on Tuesday that investigators ‘remain very keen to identify’ the individual who could be anywhere in the country.

As part of the original appeal, the alleged victim, who has now been identified as Joanne Young after she waived her right to anonymity, said in a statement: ‘I jump constantly at noises, movements, and even shadows.

‘I wake up having recurring nightmares that someone is there touching me, and although I am screaming, no sound comes out and nobody is coming to save me. I try to survive each day and hope the next one is better.’

Speaking at the time, DS Smith praised her bravery, and said it was ‘very important’ that anyone with information that may help to identify the man come forward.

He said: ‘We appreciate the graphic nature of these images and that they may be triggering to some people, however we need the public’s help to identify this man.

A series of pictures of the large set man were released as part of a Crimewatch appeal earlier this year

The pictures of the heavy set man who police would like to speak to connection with sexual assault were believed to have been taken in 2022

Ms Young’s former husband business consultant Philip Young (pictured), appeared in court accused of 56 sexual offences, including multiple counts of rape, against her

The seventh man police want to speak to has a distinctive tattoo on his chest

‘It is unknown whether he lives in Swindon or from outside the county, which is why we request that this is shared as widely as possible to assist our bid to identify him.’

Ms Young’s former husband business consultant Philip Young, appeared in court accused of 56 sexual offences, including multiple counts of rape, against her.

Ms Young, 48, can be named as the alleged victim after choosing to waive her right to anonymity, which is granted automatically to sexual offence complainants.

Six other suspects also appeared at Swindon Magistrates’ Court to face charges in relation to the investigation.

Norman Macksoni, 47, Dean Hamilton, 47, Connor Sanderson-Doyle, 31, Richard Wilkins, 61, and Mohammed Hassan, 37, have been charged with offences including rape, sexual touching, sexual penetration and possession of extreme images.

The man who features in the pictures which are believed to have been taken in April-May 2022, is wanted in connection with a ‘serious sexual assault’.

He is said to have scarring to the back of his head, prominent lips, hairy body, balding with short or shaved hair, and one distinctive tattoo on the left side of his chest at the time.

Anyone who recognises the man should call 101 and quote reference number 54240080286.

Information can also be left anonymously with Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.’

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Police seek SEVENTH man over alleged drugging and raping of wife as six people including her husband appear in court charged with more than 50 offences

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Doctors have reminded Brits of the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer and other big killers, such as heart problems, as families gather this week to celebrate Christmas

Brits are reminded to watch out for subtle signs of big killers in their loved ones this Christmas.

Families are set to gather for celebrations this week but, during these festivities, symptoms of some of the more serious health conditions are often dismissed. Experts, for instance, stress excessive bloating, napping or “feeling stuffed” can be signs of bowel cancer in rare cases.

Dementia can present itself in different ways, such as relatives getting family members’ names mixed up. Muscle stiffness and reduced mobility are symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, which typically affects men aged 50 or older.

Kiran Jones, a clinical pharmacist at Oxford Online Pharmacy, has stressed it is important to note how long these issues last before reading deeply into them. Medical advice, most likely from family GPs, should be sought in all cases if Brits are concerned for loved ones.

READ MORE: Adenovirus: Common symptoms in full as mystery disease sweeps globeREAD MORE: ‘I couldn’t get upstairs without gasping for air — and the truth was devastating’A pensioner struggles with her memory (file image)(Image: Getty Images)

Dr Jeremy Isaacs, NHS England national clinical director for dementia said while dementia might not be apparent during a brief interaction, gatherings of family and friends at Christmas — potentially for the first time in months — gives an opportunity to spot the signs.

And Duncan Reid, deputy superintendent pharmacist at Pharmacy2U, says being unable to smell the delicious cooking or mulled wine might signal early signs of Parkinson’s disease. Here, we look at the red flags for six big killers you can act on now for a healthier 2026.

The advice comes amid concern cases of adenovirus continue to rise across the globe and, though most bouts are mild, medics are urging both adults and children to be aware of the signs and symptoms. It can present itself in similar ways to Covid-19 or flu, as it is typical to experience a fever, sore throat and frequent sneezing.

READ MORE: Mum catches medieval disease scabies from a fox who watched Netflix on her sofa

1. Dementia

Family members typically spot red flags of undiagnosed dementia before the person themselves. Early signs of the condition “might be getting family members’ names mixed up or getting disoriented around someone else’s home, for example, not being able to find the main living room after using the bathroom,” according to Katie Puckering, information services manager for Alzheimer’s Research UK.

And changes in the daily routine can also be confusing. Katie explained: “Sitting down for a big family meal at 3pm can be disorientating in the early stages of dementia.”

Early dementia causes a person to repeat themselves or struggle to follow the conversation topic. It can also cause withdrawal and anxiety.

2. Heart problems

Studies suggest heart attacks are more common at Christmas time. Emily McGrath, who is a senior cardiac nurse at British Heart Foundation, told The Sun: “Never ignore chest pain and assume it’s caused by indigestion, especially if it continues over an extended period.

“Angina feels like pressure, tightness or squeezing in your chest and the pain may feel sharp or like a dull ache. You might also feel it in your shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, back or stomach. Heart attack symptoms vary for each person.”

They include sudden pain or discomfort in your chest that doesn’t go away. It can spread to your left or right arm, or to your neck, jaw, back or tummy.

A man experiences trouble with his heart after exercise (file image) (Image: Getty Images)

3. Diabetes

Diabetes occurs when the body doesn’t make enough insulin, or when the insulin it produces isn’t able to work properly to control blood sugar levels.

During Christmas, changes in routine, reduced activity, and extra treats can cause blood sugar levels to fluctuate. Natasha Marsland, a senior clinical adviser at Diabetes UK, explains: “There are two main types of diabetes – type 1 and type 2. For type 1 diabetes, we look for four key warning signs known as the 4Ts: toilet, thirsty, tired and thinner.”

You might notice your partner using the toilet more often than usual, even waking during the night. They may seem unusually tired, take daytime naps, or lose weight and appear thinner despite the festive season.

4. Addiction

Has a family member become noticeably more argumentative this Christmas?

Frecurrent arguments, tension at home, or a decline in personal hygiene can sometimes signal a problem with alcohol. Lester Morse, founder and director of Rehabs UK, explains: “Behavioural changes linked to addiction are often the first warning signs noticed by loved ones. A person may continue to use alcohol or drugs even when it’s clearly harming their health, relationships, and everyday life.”

Because heavy drinking is often normalised, the signs of alcoholism can be easy to miss. Many people with a problem also go to great lengths to hide how much they drink.

Mr Lester adds: “Loved ones might notice that the person has become more withdrawn or secretive about how they spend their time. New friends may suddenly appear, with little explanation of where they came from.”

A man srtruggles with chest pain (file image)(Image: Getty Images)

5. Parkinson’s Disease

Have you noticed changes in your intimate relationship?

Duncan Reid from Pharmacy2U explains: “Parkinson’s disease can impact many areas of life, including sexual health. A reduced sex drive may be linked to changes in dopamine levels, which play a role in movement and feelings of pleasure.

“Men with Parkinson’s may experience erectile dysfunction, while women may notice vaginal dryness, and both can find it harder to reach orgasm. Muscle stiffness and reduced mobility can also make physical intimacy more difficult.”

Changes in mood, such as the onset of anxiety or depression, can be early warning signs as well. However, the most recognisable symptom is tremor or shaking, particularly in the hands.

6. Bowel cancer

Surprised by how little your mum, dad, or grandparent ate at Christmas lunch?

A reduced appetite can sometimes be a warning sign of cancer, including bowel cancer. Kiran Jones, a clinical pharmacist at Oxford Online Pharmacy, explains: “A persistent feeling of fullness may occur if there’s a blockage or tumour in the bowel. Sharp or ongoing abdominal pain should always be taken seriously.”

Pain that feels concentrated in one area and doesn’t ease after digestion can be particularly concerning. Kiran stresses that it’s important not to put off seeking medical advice until the new year.

“Bowel cancer can also lead to anaemia,” he adds. “Blood loss in the bowel reduces red blood cells, which can cause extreme tiredness.”

As a result, struggling to stay awake, lacking energy to join in festive activities, shortness of breath, or headaches may also be warning signs.

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The military chief of Libya has been killed alongside four others in a plane crash in Turkey.

Wreckage has been found after a small private jet carrying General Muhammad Ali Ahmad al Haddad crashed near Ankara, the Turkish government said.

In a statement, Libyan Prime Minister Abdul-Hamid Dbeibeh said the loss of Haddad, chief of staff of the Libyan army, was a “great loss to the homeland”.

Image:
Pic: AP

He said General Haddad’s adviser, Mohammed al Asawi Diab, was also killed, along with General Al-Fitouri Ghraibil – chief of staff of Libya’s ground forces, General Mahmoud al Qatawi – director of the Military Industrialization Organisation, and military photographer Mohammed Omar Ahmed Mahjoub.

Posting on X, Mr Dbeibeh wrote: “This tragic and painful incident occurred during their return from an official trip from the Turkish city of Ankara.

“This grave affliction is a great loss to the homeland, to the military institution, and to all the sons of the people, as we have lost men who served their country with sincerity and dedication, and who were an example of discipline, responsibility, and national commitment.

“Our deepest condolences and sincere solace to the families of those we have lost, and to their comrades in the armed forces.”

Image:
Turkey’s Selcuk Bayraktaroglu (left) with General Haddad on Tuesday. Pic: AP

General Haddad had ‌met with Turkish defence minister Yasar Guler and Turkish counterpart Selcuk Bayraktaroglu, ⁠along with other Turkish military commanders, Turkey’s defence ministry said.

His Falcon 50-type jet took off from Esenboga airport in the capital, Ankara, at 8.30pm, according to the Turkish interior minister Ali Yerlikaya.

Shortly after, the plane issued an emergency landing signal near Haymana, south of the city, before communication was lost.

Read more:
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‘This is Europe’s problem’: The migrants stuck in Libyan detention

General Haddad, the top military commander in western Libya, was crucial to ongoing UN-backed efforts to unify the country’s military, which has split.

Libya itself is split, with rival administrations in the east and west, after the nation descended into anarchy following the fall of Muammar Gaddafi’s regime in 2011.

Mr Dbeibeh runs the internationally-recognised Tripoli-based government in the west, while former Gaddafi commander Khalifa Haftar runs a military dictatorship in the east.

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These are the key developments from day 1,399 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.

Published On 24 Dec 202524 Dec 2025

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Here is where things stand on Wednesday, December 24:

Fighting

• Russian forces began a “massive attack” on Ukraine on Monday night, killing three people and targeting 13 regions with 650 drones and 30 missiles, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a post on X.
• Those killed in the overnight attack included a four-year-old girl in the central Zhytomyr region, Governor Vitalii Bunechko said on Telegram. “Doctors struggled to save the child’s life, but in the end, they were unable to save her,” Bunechko said, adding that five people were also injured in the attack.
• Russian forces also launched drones and missiles at the Vyshhorod district of Ukraine’s Kyiv region, killing a woman and injuring three people, Governor Mykola Kalashnyk said.
• In Ukraine’s western Khmelnytskyi region, one person was killed by Russian shelling, Governor Serhii Tiurin said.
• Russian drone attacks on Kyiv’s Sviatoshynskyi district left five people injured, said Tymur Tkachenko, the head of the Kyiv City Military Administration.

An injured elderly woman looks out of her broken window after an apartment building was hit by a Russian drone during an aerial attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Tuesday [Efrem Lukatsky/AP Photo]

• Ukraine’s Ministry of Energy said that “emergency power outages” were introduced in several regions across the country due to Russian forces targeting energy infrastructure. The ministry said that it was working to restore electricity to the Rivne, Ternopil and Odesa regions. The ministry said that the situation was “most difficult” in the border regions, “as restoring electricity is complicated by continuous fighting”.
• Ukraine’s General Staff said Ukrainian troops have withdrawn from the Donetsk region’s ​​Siversk area after heavy fighting, noting that Moscow’s forces had a “significant advantage” there.
• Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Ukrainian F-16 fighter pilots shot down 621 of 673 Russian “aerial targets” on Tuesday night, including 34 of 35 cruise missiles.
• In Russia, a Ukrainian drone strike on a car killed three men in the Belgorod region on Monday, the region’s emergency response team reported.
• Another Ukrainian drone attack in Belgorod on Tuesday killed one person and injured three, the region’s operational headquarters said on Telegram.
• Russian forces shot down 56 Ukrainian drones in a day, as well as a guided bomb, Russia’s Ministry of Defence said, according to the state news agency TASS.

Ceasefire

• Zelenskyy said in his nightly address, “We sense that America wants to reach a final agreement” to end the war in Ukraine, and that “there is full cooperation” from the Ukrainian side.
• In an earlier post on X, Zelenskyy said that “several draft documents have now been prepared”, following talks in Miami. “In particular, these include documents on security guarantees for Ukraine, on recovery, and on a basic framework for ending this war,” he said.
• Pope ‍Leo said that Russia’s apparent refusal to agree to a ceasefire on December 25 is “among the things that cause me much sadness”.
• “I will make ​an appeal one ‌more time to people of goodwill to respect at least Christmas ‌Day as a day of ‌peace,” Leo told reporters outside his residence in Castel Gandolfo, Italy.

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Watch: The BBC reports on the latest Epstein file release

The US Department of Justice released its latest – and largest – tranche of Jeffrey Epstein files on Tuesday.

The 11,000-plus documents continue a stream of released information that began on Friday, the deadline mandated in a new law that required the department to publicly release all of its investigative files into the deceased paedophile and financier.

Many of the documents released on Tuesday are redacted with names and information blacked out, including names of people who the FBI appears to cite as possible co-conspirators in the Epstein case.

The justice department is facing criticism from lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle over the amount of redactions, which the law specifically states can only be done to protect the identity of victims or active criminal investigations.

President Donald Trump’s name appeared more in these new documents than in previous releases. Many were media clippings that mention him, but one notable email from a federal prosecutor indicated Trump flew on Epstein’s jet.

The justice department said some files “contain untrue and sensationalist claims” about Trump.

Being mentioned in the Epstein files does not indicate wrongdoing. BBC has requested comment from individuals named in our reporting.

Email exchange between ‘A’ and Ghislaine Maxwell about ‘girls’

Of the thousands of pages included in this latest release, one 2001 email sent by a person identified as “A” stands out.

The message, to Epstein’s accomplice and close associate Ghislaine Maxwell, says that “A” is at “Balmoral Summer Camp for the Royal Family”.

“A” then asks Maxwell, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2022 for sex trafficking of minors and other offences: “Have you found me some new inappropriate friends?”

In another email sent later that day, Maxwell writes back: “So sorry to dissapoint you, however the truth must be told. I have only been able to find appropriate friends.”

The “A” email was sent from the address abx17@dial.pipex.com, with the sender’s name shown as “The Invisible Man”.

An image from a prior Epstein files release showed a different, but similar email – aace@dial.pipex.com – listed in Epstein’s phone book under a contact titled “Duke of York”.

Another exchange in the new files between Maxwell and “The Invisible Man” discusses a trip to Peru.

In October, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor lost use of his Duke of York title following scrutiny over his links with Epstein.

He has repeatedly denied all wrongdoing, and said he did not “see, witness or suspect any behaviour of the sort that subsequently led to his [Epstein’s] arrest and conviction”.

The BBC has contacted Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s team for a response.

FBI email lists out 10 alleged co-conspirators to Epstein

US Department of Justice

Among the documents released are emails appearing to be sent between FBI personnel in 2019 that mention 10 possible “co-conspirators” of Epstein.

The emails said six of the 10 co-conspirators had been served with subpoenas. This included three in Florida, one in Boston, one in New York City, and one in Connecticut.

Four subpoenas were yet to be served when the emails were sent, including to one “wealthy businessman in Ohio”.

Another email sent to FBI New York gives an update on the co-conspirators. This time it appears to mention multiple names. Most are redacted from the file.

Two names were not redacted – (Ghislaine) Maxwell and Wexner.

An email says, “I do not know about Ohio contacting Wexner”.

The email is presumably referring to Former Victoria’s Secret CEO Les Wexner, who had a public friendship with Epstein. In 2019, Wexner said he was “embarrassed” by his ties to the financier.

Lawyers for Wexner told BBC News that “the assistant U.S. attorney in charge of the Epstein investigation stated at the time that Mr. Wexner was neither a co-conspirator nor target”.

“Mr. Wexner cooperated fully by providing background information on Epstein and was never contacted again,” they said.

Possible co-conspirators in Epstein’s crimes are a major focus for his victims, and for several lawmakers who have demanded more transparency from the DOJ.

“There’s 10 co-conspirators potentially that we knew nothing about that the DOJ had been investigating,” Democrat Congressman Suhas Subramanyam told BBC News on Tuesday.

Subramanyam, who sits on the House Oversight Committee, added that he was also “concerned” over the level of redactions that protect names of lawyers and people who are not victims. Lawmakers in both parties have said they are examining legal options to force more transparency.

The law passed by Congress and signed by President Trump states names and information that might be embarrassing or cause “reputational harm” are not allowed to be redacted and specifically asks the justice department for internal communications and memos detailing who was investigated and decisions concerning “to charge, not charge, investigate, or decline to investigate Epstein or his associates”.

Justice Department says Epstein letter to Larry Nassar is a fake

Getty Images

Larry Nassar

A letter included in the released batch of documents got a lot of attention online. But, according to the justice department, it is fake.

The handwritten letter and envelope at first appeared to show Epstein writing to Larry Nassar, the former USA Gymnastics doctor who is serving decades in prison for sexually abusing young female athletes.

“As you know by now I have taken the ‘short route’ home. Good luck!” the faux letter states. “We shared one thing…our love & caring for young ladies and the hope they’d reach their full potential.”

The writer signs it, “Life is unfair, Yours, J. Epstein.”

The letter had been deemed undeliverable, and was sent back to a Manhattan jail where Epstein was detained before his death.

The FBI was alerted to the returned letter and requested an analysis of it. That request was also included in the releases batch of documents.

The justice department on Tuesday called the letter a fake, noting several irregularities with the note and the envelope that held it.

“The writing does not appear to match Jeffrey Epstein’s,” the justice department wrote on X.

“The return address did not list the jail where Epstein was held and did not include his inmate number, which is required for outgoing mail,” they added.

Officials pointed out the envelope bore a postmark from northern Virginia – noting that Epstein was detained in New York. It was also postmarked on 13 August 2019, three days after Epstein died.

Even before the justice department’s announcement of it being fake, the documents raised immediate questions.

The return sender was listed as “J. Epstein” at “Manhattan Correctional” – but the correct name for the now-shuttered jail was “Metropolitan Correctional Center”.

The documents released on Tuesday also show the analysis request by the FBI.

A FBI laboratory request stated that in August 2019, a sender listed as “J. Epstein” at “Manhattan Correctional” tried to send a letter to “Larry Nassar at 9300 S. Wilmot Road, Tucson, Arizona, 85756”, the address of a federal prison.

Nassar is currently incarcerated in Pennsylvania, according to the Bureau of Prisons.

Trump’s travels aboard Epstein’s private jet

Getty Images

Trump’s name appears more in these files than in other batches of documents released by the justice department.

Notably, in a January 2020 email, a federal prosecutor in New York wrote that newly received flight records “reflect that Donald Trump traveled on Epstein’s private jet many more times than previously has been reported (or that we were aware)”.

The recipient of the email was redacted.

Trump was listed as a passenger on “at least eight flights between 1993 and 1996”, and Ghislaine Maxwell was present on at least four of those flights, the prosecutor wrote. Trump was also “listed as having traveled with, among others and at various times, Marla Maples, his daughter Tiffany, and his son Eric”.

Trump was previously married to Marla Maples, Tiffany’s mother, from 1993 to 1999.

The prosecutor also wrote that “on one flight in 1993, he and Epstein are the only two listed passengers; on another, the only three passengers are Epstein, Trump, and then-20-year-old”, with the third passenger’s name redacted.

“On two other flights, two of the passengers, respectively, were women who would be possible witnesses in a Maxwell case.”

The timing of the trips coincide with years in which federal prosecutors were examining Maxwell’s conduct and travels as part of the criminal case they brought against her. She was ultimately found guilty of conspiring with Epstein to recruit and sexually abuse minors.

But throughout the files released on Tuesday, many of the other mentions of Trump’s name are simply in press clippings mentioning him, his campaigns, and other news moments.

Trump has repeatedly denied wrongdoing in regards to Epstein.

In a statement accompanying Tuesday’s release, the Department of Justice said the new files “contain untrue and sensationalist claims made against President Trump that were submitted to the FBI right before the 2020 election”.

“To be clear: the claims are unfounded and false, and if they had a shred of credibility, they certainly would have been weaponized against President Trump already,” the justice department said.

Fake video of Epstein included

Among one of the odder entries in Tuesday’s document drop was a fake video showing an Epstein-like figure in a prison cell, which raised questions of how it had appeared in the department’s official files.

Other documents showed that a man from Florida sent an email to federal investigators in March 2021 with a link to the video. He asked if it was real, but it is not.

BBC Verify used a reverse image search to find a copy of the video had been uploaded to YouTube in October 2020. The user who posted it said the clip had been created using 3D graphics.

According to a 2023 report by the Bureau of Prisons, no video recording from inside Epstein’s cell on the day of his death exists.

The fake video’s inclusion in this release gives a glimpse of the questions that federal authorities have received from the general public, many of whom, having heard conspiracy theories or harboured doubts for years, want answers about Epstein’s life and death.

Shayan Sardarizadeh contributed to this report.

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German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier used his Christmas address on December 24 to highlight the importance of community, communication and cooperation, and called on his fellow Germans to work together and help each other in difficult times.

“In der Dunkelheit erstrahlt ein Licht,” he said in a televised speech: “A light is shining in the darkness.”

For Steinmeier (Germany’s head of state as opposed to Chancellor Friedrich Merz, the head of the current government), many worries big and small can make the world seem dark: illness, loss, loneliness, job insecurity, or global crises and wars.

But he also said light could be found in “community”: family, friends, groups, clubs and any experiences which make people feel welcome and accepted — especially at Christmas, which he said “makes our lives more hopeful, happier, warmer and more optimistic.” 

Early gifts, mulled wine make up German Christmas story

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Steinmeier: ‘We need community’

In a world increasingly dominated by social media and individualism, Steinmeier reminded Germans that “we need community” and encouraged them to reach out to one another.

“I believe that if we join others in the search for goals and guidance, we can gain a great deal, provided that we allow others to speak and listen intently to what they have to say, rather than simply reiterating what we ourselves have always thought was right,” Steinmeier said.  

“Finding a sense of direction by asking genuine questions, being open, engaging in dialogue and taking joint action can illuminate the path that lies ahead of us and give it a purpose.” 

Steinmeier said that Christmas is a time when friendships, partnerships and family ties are renewed via visits or festive greetings, a time when people are reminded of how “essential reliable companions are” as we go through life.

“And we know that we can trust in lasting connections on both good and bad days,” Steinmeier said, while later adding that “we also know that being there for others gives our lives fulfilment and meaning.”  

Germany’s single seniors seek connection amid winter chill

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Solidarity with Ukraine as Russia’s invasion approaches fifth year

There was a political note to Steinmeier’s address, too, as the president offered his solidarity to Ukrainians whose suffering at the hands of Russian aggression is approaching a fifth year.

“In recent days, intensive efforts were made to find ways to end the war,” he said. “Most of us will have followed the events with hope, but also skepticism and concern.”

Nevertheless, he said he drew hope from another form of community: Europe. He said Europeans are required to “become aware together once again of our strength and values and to take action accordingly.” 

“Over the course of centuries, we have learned how important – indeed essential – freedom, human dignity, a just peace and democratic self-determination are,” he said. “We will not give that up, not for ourselves and not for our friends and partners.” 

What could push Putin to accept a draft Ukraine peace plan?

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Edited by: Wesley Dockery 

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NEED TO KNOW

• Serena Williams shared photos from her sister Venus Williams’ wedding to Andrea Preti
• In a heartfelt Instagram caption posted on Tuesday, Dec. 23, Serena said that she “couldn’t be prouder” to stand beside her sister on her special day
• Leading up to the big day, Serena shared that she was busy with “so much planning,” and she’s known as someone who “get things done”

The Williams sisters have each other’s backs on the court — and down the aisle.

In a new Instagram post shared on Tuesday, Dec. 23, Serena Williams gushed about her older sister Venus Williams following Venus’ wedding to actor Andrea Preti. “My sister’s keeper,” Serena, 44, began the lengthy caption. “Venus, where do I even begin?”

Serena went on to describe the way she’s seen Venus lead with “grace, strength, and a heart bigger than any trophy” as the two professional tennis players grew from “backyard courts” to “the biggest stages in the world.”

“Watching you step into this next chapter surrounded by love felt like watching the sun rise…steady, powerful, and full of promise,” she continued.

“You’ve been my built-in best friend, my protector, my teacher, and my reminder to always walk in purpose. Seeing you this happy, this loved, this radiant… it means everything to me. To love, to partnership, to laughter, and to a lifetime of choosing each other every single day. I couldn’t be prouder to stand beside you, not just today, but always,” the caption concluded.

Serena wore a white strapless mermaid gown with a sweetheart neckline, flowing cape and detached lace sleeves. Pearl jewelry and pointed-toe heels accessorized the design, as did her old-Hollywood-inspired blonde waves and red manicure.

While usually taboo for anyone but the bride to wear white, the choice seemed intentionally made by Venus, 45, who also had their two other sisters, Lyndrea Price and Isha Price, niece Justus, and mom Oracene dressed in white.

In the months leading up to the wedding, Serena told PEOPLE during the launch of her and Venus’ new podcast, Stockton Street, in September 2025, that she was busy with “so much planning” ahead of her older sister’s wedding. She noted that Venus leaned on her for help as she’s known as someone who can “get things done.”

Serena also recalled one of their recent planning calls, saying her sister wanted her input on “literally 14 hairstyles.” She explained, “So she sent me her options and within 30 minutes I had them not only done, but in a PDF file what hairstyle looked best on everyone.”

Venus Williams and Serena Williams with Champagne Collet & OBC Wines as they celebrate the 27th Annual Critics Choice Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 13, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.

Michael Kovac/Getty

“I’m the person that arranges things, I’m like the planner. I plan everything like the event. I’m the person that gets things done,” she added of her role.

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Venus and Preti were first linked in July 2024 when they were seen boating in Nerano, Italy, along the Amalfi Coast. After months of rumors, she finally confirmed the relationship during a post-match interview in July 2025 when she referred to Preti as her “fiancé.”

In 2025, Venus and Preti actually got married twice. The first ceremony came in September, when they tied the knot in Italy. They were wed again on Dec. 19 in a courthouse ceremony in West Palm Beach, Fla., following a full week of festivities before the big day.

Prior to the courthouse ceremony, Venus, Preti, and their guests enjoyed a yacht day, romantic dinner, and a bridal shower.

“For me, the courthouse ceremony was very unique, emotional, and deep,” Preti told Vogue, adding that “it was the second-best day” of his life, after the wedding itself.

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In his own chilling words, would-be terror mastermind Walid Saadaoui boasted of his twisted desire to massacre British Jews, saying he wanted to ‘run rivers of their impure blood’ – with any murdered Christians ‘a bonus’.

The Tunisian-born former hotel entertainer, who was allowed to live in this country after marrying a British holidaymaker, said a knife would not be enough to satisfy his lust for what he saw as ‘revenge’ for Israel’s military operations in Gaza.

Telling a fellow extremist known as Farouk that ‘only the automatic gun’ would be capable of inflicting the slaughter he was planning, Saadaoui said: ‘I want to kill as many as possible.

‘I have an overwhelming urge. I feel sometimes I will go out and kill them with stones, then I say to myself it will be a waste.’

Thankfully, the plot – which he hatched with fellow migrant and Islamic State supporter Amar Hussein, who claimed to be a former Iraqi soldier – had been infiltrated by police.

Farouk – who Saadaoui believed was sourcing a stash of firearms and over 900 rounds of ammunition – was in reality an undercover operative.

In May last year, Saadaoui drove to the car park of a Lancashire spa hotel for the prearranged handover of the weapons.

Days earlier he and Hussein had scouted out potential targets in North Manchester’s Jewish community, Britain’s largest outside London – including nurseries, schools, restaurants, coffee shops and synagogues.

Seconds later armed officers who had been lying in wait pounced, arresting Saadaoui before he could get his hands on the haul, all of which had been safely deactivated.

Plotters Walid Saadaoui, 38, left, and Amar Hussein planned to slaughter British Jews in a twisted revenge for Israel’s military response to the October 7 attacks

Surveillance image showing Amar Hussein and Bilel Saadaoui walking together in Dover, Kent

His messages, voicenotes and secretly recorded calls would create a damning dossier of evidence again the plotters, who are facing life sentences after being found guilty of preparing a terror attack on Tuesday.

In a message to ‘Farouk’ as he sought to obtain a deadly arsenal, Saadaoui wrote: ‘I can use a knife on [the] operation but this will not be enough to take revenge; only the automatic gun.

‘I want to kill as many as possible.

‘I have an overwhelming urge. I feel sometimes I will go out and kill them with stones, then I say to myself it will be a waste.’

In a voice note on Christmas Day 2023 he said: ‘These matters of running someone over with a car or using a knife is ineffective, what is needed is an automatic gun.

‘We want to do the same as what [Paris attack mastermind Abdelhamid] Abaaoud done, god willing. We must run rivers of their impure blood.’

Later he told Farouk: ‘Here in Manchester, we have the biggest Jewish community.

‘God willing we will degrade and humiliate them (in the worst way possible), and hit them where it hurts.’

Hussein (left) and Saadaoui (right) are seen in Dover at an unknown date. The pair travelled to Dover, Kent, in March 2024 to conduct hostile reconnaissance, their trial heard

A selfie video taken by Amar Hussein during a trip to Dover in Kent

Walid Saadaoui is pictured in Dover on May 8 – the same day he was arrested

Footage issued by police showing the arrest of Walid Saadaoui 

In a subsequent bugged conversation he told ‘Farouk’: ‘The Muslims all over the world, if every brother implements on the Jewish people, honestly they wouldn’t do what they do in Gaza now.’

Then after he and Hussein carried out ‘hostile reconnaissance’ for targets in North Manchester, Saadaoui said: ‘We start with the Jews and if there any Christians caught in the act, that is a bonus but we start with the Jews.

‘We open fire on them, young, old, women, elderly, the whole lot, killing them all.’

Later he told ‘Farouk’: ‘My wish is martyrdom in the cause of Allah, the best thing I like is martyrdom in the cause of Allah. We pledge allegiance to death.’

On the date that he went to collect weapons which he intended to use in a gun attack, his brother Bilel messaged him: ‘May Allah Safeguard you.

‘If you see of them something that displease/disturb you or almost expose you, then dispense or return. This is better for you.’

Bilel Saadaoui denied knowledge of the plot but was found guilty of failing to disclose information about his brother’s plans.

The planned massacre – which police say could have been Britain’s ‘worst ever’ terrorist atrocity had it not been foiled – was a chilling echo of the Bondi Beach attack in which 15 innocent people were killed.

Jewish community leaders said it was another stark reminder of the lethal consequences of rising anti-Israeli rhetoric.

Bilel Saadaoui and his stepson holding swords. Saadaoui’s brother Bilel was found guilty of failing to disclose information about the plan 

A police officer standing guard outside Walid Saadaoui’s house near Wigan after the raids in May 2024

A photo issued by Greater Manchester Police of weapons seized during the arrest of Saadaoui 

A BB gun seized from the property of Saadaoui after his arrest 

Binoculars seized from the home of Saadaoui after he was arrested by police 

Now 38, Saadaoui ‘hero-worshipped’ Abdelhamid Abaaoud, mastermind of the Paris attacks.

His brother Bilel is understood to have gone to school with Seifeddine Rezgui, who gunned down 30 British tourists on a beach in Sousse in 2015.

Walid Saadaoui moved to Clacton-on-Sea, Essex on a spousal visa in 2012 after marrying a British holidaymaker called Jane.

After working at a holiday park, in 2018 the couple bought the Albatross Restaurant in Great Yarmouth for £25,000.

But they later split, selling their house for £169,000 – later using his share to fund his terror plot.

After moving to Wigan and marrying a second British woman, Saadaoui became obsessed with replicating the 2015 atrocity in which 130 people were killed.

He began plotting with Hussein, who claimed to be a former Iraqi soldier and came to Britain in 2007, setting up an electrical appliance business in Bolton.

After working briefly at a discount store, Saadaoui gave up work and claimed Universal Credit.

He came under suspicion in the wake of the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023 due to his hate-filled social media posts.

Footage of weapons sent by undercover operative ‘Farouk’ to Walid Saadaoui 

Saadaoui aimed to smuggle four AK-47 assault rifles, two handguns and 900 rounds of ammunition into the UK in what police chiefs said could have been Britain’s deadliest terrorist incident 

A knife found in the car belonging to Hussein following his arrest 

More weapons seized by police during the arrest of Saadaoui 

Cash seized from the home of Saadaoui after he was arrested by police

Having accepted a friend request from ‘Farouk’, Saadaoui said he wanted to ‘kill as many as possible’.

Told that contacts in Morocco could supply Kalashnikov assault rifles, Saadaoui demanded 1,200 rounds and four automatic weapons, saying one firearm was ‘not enough for us’.

He used one of his Facebook accounts to join a Jewish community page in order to stalk his targets online and work out when they might be holding gatherings.

He also began to ‘get his affairs in order’ ahead of possible ‘martyrdom’ as the plot developed, police said – making a will, and paying for his wife to have driving lessons.

Meanwhile he withdrew £90,000 from the sale of his business and property, keeping cash in safes, and attended an air rifle range.

In March last year Saadaoui and Hussein drove to Dover to look at the ‘security set-up’, posing as tourists.

The following day Farouk joined the plotters for ‘hostile reconnaissance around North Manchester’ – Saadaoui told him the area was ‘full of Jews’.

Searches after their arrest uncovered two safes at Saadaoui’s home, one containing £15,000 cash and a copy of his will.

A second, concreted into the ground, contained £77,000 cash.

Saadaoui’s younger brother, Bilel, 35, who was granted bail, was found guilty of failing to disclose information about the plan

Bilel Saadaoui was arrested by armed cops while he was working out at a gym

Counter terrorism officers, armed with pistols and wearing bandanas to cover their faces detained Bilel Saadaoui, handcuffing him and walking him out of the gym 

Bodyworn camera footage issued by police showing the arrest of Bilel Saadaoui 

Walid Saadaoui’s will uncovered by police searches, written as he made preparations for his anticipated ‘martyrdom’

During his trial, Saadaoui claimed a senior ISIS operative ‘took advantage’ of his kindness and forced him to plan the attack.

Hussein denied involvement in the plot but refused to turn up for his two-month trial, telling police: ‘Your Government, your Prime Minister has sent weapons to kill our children in Israel.

‘Terrorism is our religion. Koran say terrorism is normal.

‘We are proud, we say terrorism is proud.’

Walid Saadaoui and Hussein were convicted of preparing acts of terrorism between December 2023 and May 2024.

Saadaoui’s brother Bilel, 35, was found guilty of failing to disclose information about acts of terrorism.

All three will be sentenced in February.

Following the verdicts, Greater Manchester Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson condemned the ‘extraordinarily dangerous terrorists’ and their ‘vicious anti-Semitism’.

‘A terrorist attack upon our Jewish friends and neighbours is an attack upon us all, and is an affront to every decent person in our country,’ he added.

Community Security Trust chief executive Mark Gardner warned that since the October 7 attacks, sections of society had ‘turned against Jews’.

Comparing violent Islamic extremists to the Nazis, he said ‘they don’t stop to ask these Jews what their opinion is of Israel… they want to kill Jews, end of story’.

The Campaign Against Antisemitism said the plot was ‘a reminder that what happened on Bondi Breach could just as easily have happened here in Britain’.

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Latest Epstein files bombshells in full as email signed ‘A’ asks for ‘inappropriate friends’ – The Mirror

Need to know

The US Department of Justice released its largest drop of files so far today. The massive release includes some 30,000 pages of documents, snaps and material from federal investigations into Jeffrey Epstein

A photo of what appears to be a fake passport with Jeffrey Epstein’s picture, released today(Image: DOJ)

Everything you need to know

1. More than 11,000 Epstein files have emerged so far in the latest cache released on Tuesday, with the DoJ warning earlier that this latest release contained “untrue and sensationalist claims” about President Trump.
2. Among them is a 2001 email signed “A” from “Balmoral” to convicted child sex offender Ghislaine Maxwell, from an email address titled “The Invisible Man”. Photos show emails from “the invisible man” address asking for Ghislaine Maxwell to arrange meetings with “inappropriate friends”. Last week, thousands more documents from Epstein’s estate showcased the convicted paedophile’s associations with many high-profile figures. Among those pictured included Bill Clinton, Michael Jackson, Kevin Spacey and Mick Jagger. An image of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor – formerly Prince Andrew – was also released, showing him lying across the laps of five people. The former Prince has always denied any wrongdoing.
3. Ghislaine Maxwell asked if “Andrew” could be set up with “fun girls” while on a trip to Peru, according to another email from the Epstein files. The email from convicted child sex offender Maxwell, released in the files, was sent to an unknown recipient asking for help organising visits in the South American country. The email does not indicate any wrongdoing.
4. A letter, released in the tranche and allegedly written by Jeffrey Epstein to infamous serial child molester Larry Nassar, in which Epstein writes “Our president also shares our love of young, nubile girls” is a fake, the FBI has said. “The FBI has confirmed this alleged letter from Jeffrey Epstein to Larry Nassar is FAKE,” the department wrote in a post on X.
5. An email was sent by an assistant U.S. attorney in January 2020, saying: “For your situational awareness, wanted to let you know that the flight records we received yesterday reflect that Donald Trump travelled on Epstein’s private jet many more times than previously has been reported (or that we were aware), including during the period we would expect to charge in a Maxwell case.” The lawyer stated there were at least eight flights between 1993 and 1996 in which Trump was a passenger with Maxwell also present on at least four of those flights. Trump has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein, while his presence on the flights does not indicate wrongdoing.
6. Pictures in the latest release of files appear to show an Austrian passport with a picture of Jeffrey Epstein under the name Marius Robert Fortelni, born 30 July 1954 in Vienna. Epstein was born in 1953 in the United States. The holder’s residence is listed as Saudi Arabia and their nationality as Austrian.
7. One document, dated April 2020, is a formal request from the US Department of Justice (DOJ) to British authorities seeking help “to interview H.R.H Prince Andrew Albert Christian Edward” relating to the criminal investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. “Prince Andrew may have been a witness to and/or participant in certain events of relevance to the ongoing investigation”, it says. Andrew has consistently and strongly denied any wrongdoing connected to Epstein.

READ THE FULL STORY: The 12 questions FBI wanted to ask ex-Prince Andrew over Epstein allegations

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A trove of newly released Epstein files include emails that appear to involve Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, while another suggests Donald Trump travelled on the billionaire’s private jet “many more times than previously has been reported”.

The US Department of Justice released at least 11,000 more files on Tuesday.

It went on to claim that some of them “contain untrue and sensationalist claims” about President Trump.

Here are some of the latest news lines from this release of Epstein files. Being named in these papers does not suggest wrongdoing.

Who is ‘The Invisible Man’?

Among the documents released is an email sent to Ghislaine Maxwell that speaks about “the girls” being “completely shattered” at a Royal Family summer camp at Balmoral.

It is dated 16 August 2001 and sent by a person referred to only as “The Invisible Man”, but whom Sky News is reporting appears to be the former prince, Andrew.

We have come to that conclusion from reviewing the email address used, which is assigned to the Duke of York in Epstein’s contacts book and the chain of correspondence.

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Andrew pictured laying on women

In the correspondence, “The Invisible Man” asks Maxwell: “How’s LA? Have you found me some new inappropriate friends?”

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has previously denied any allegations against him.

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Watch: What’s in the largest batch of Epstein files?

The Peru trip

Another email appears to show Maxwell arranging “two-legged sight seeing” for “The Invisible Man” during a trip to Peru.

She appears to forward to “The Invisible Man” part of a conversation between herself and another person.

The email says: “I just gave Andrew your telephone no. He is interested in seeing the Nazca lines. He can ride but it is not his favorite sport ie pass on the horses.”

“Some sight seeing some 2 legged sight seeing (read intelligent pretty fun and from good families) and he will be very happy. I know I can rely on you to show him a wonderful time and will only introduce him to friends that you can trust,” Maxwell said.

The context of the email is unclear and there is no suggestion of any wrongdoing.

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Epstein survivor speaks to Sky News after latest release of files

Trump on Epstein’s jet?

The latest bunch of files also includes an email from an unidentified prosecutor dated 7 January, 2020, in which President Trump is mentioned.

The email accuses him of travelling on Epstein’s private jet “many more times than previously has been reported”.

It adds that President Trump “is listed as a passenger on at least eight flights between 1993 and 1996, including at least four flights on which Maxwell was also present”.

The email’s sender and receiver have been redacted. However, at the bottom of the email it says assistant US attorney, Southern District of New York. The name has also been redacted.

President Trump has denied any wrongdoing in relation to his relationship with Epstein, and being on any of Epstein’s flights does not indicate any wrongdoing.

Read more:
Trump defends ‘big boy’ Clinton after Epstein files release
Why Andrew photo in Epstein files is awkward for Royal Family

Limousine driver report about Trump

One of the documents in the release shows a report made to the FBI that was recorded on 27 October 2020.

It includes an unverified claim by a limousine driver that he overheard the US president discussing “abusing some girl” in 1995.

The driver also mentions Trump said “Jeffrey” while on the phone during a journey to Dallas Fort Worth Airport in Texas.

A significant part of the statement, along with the driver’s identity, has been redacted.

The US justice department has said that some of the documents in the latest Epstein files release “contain untrue and sensationalist claims made against President Trump that were submitted to the FBI right before the 2020 election”.

“To be clear: the claims are unfounded and false, and if they had a shred of credibility, they certainly would have been weaponized against President Trump already,” it said.

Postcard mentions ‘our president’

Also among the documents is a postcard that claims to have been sent by Jeffrey Epstein, but has been refuted by the justice department.

In it, the sender tells the recipient: “Our president also shares our love of young, nubile girls.”

It’s not clear who “our president” refers to and the context of the postcard is also unclear.

The US justice department initially said it was “looking into the validity” of the postcard but later said on X that the “FBI has confirmed” the postcard is “FAKE”.

It cited reasons including a claim that the writing does not appear to match Epstein’s and another that the letter was postmarked three days after his death.

Row over unreleased documents

It is believed that many files relating to Epstein are yet to be made public.

There has been anger at the justice department’s slow release of the files, with politicians threatening to launch legal action against Attorney General Pam Bondi.

The deadline for the release of all the documents has passed.

“The DOJ needs to quit ⁠protecting the rich, powerful, and politically connected,” Republican congressman Thomas Massie said.

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Other countries, including Brazil, Colombia, Ireland, Mexico, Spain and Turkiye, have already joined the case in The Hague.

Published On 23 Dec 202523 Dec 2025

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Belgium has formally joined the case launched by South Africa at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) alleging Israel is committing genocide in the Gaza Strip.

In a statement on Tuesday, the ICJ – The Hague-based highest court of the United Nations – said Belgium had filed a declaration of intervention in the case.

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Other countries, including Brazil, Colombia, Ireland, Mexico, Spain and Turkiye, have already joined the proceedings.

South Africa brought the case in December 2023, arguing that Israel’s war in Gaza violates the 1948 UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.

Israel has rejected the allegations and criticised the case.

While a final ruling could take years, the ICJ issued provisional measures in January 2024 ordering Israel to take steps to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza and to allow unimpeded access for humanitarian aid.

The court’s orders are legally binding although it has no direct mechanism to enforce them.

The ICJ also said Israel’s presence in occupied Palestinian territory is unlawful and its policies amount to annexation.

Israel has continued its assaults in Gaza and the occupied West Bank despite the rulings and growing international criticism while advancing plans to seize large parts of Palestinian territory.

Meanwhile, the United States and several of its European allies continue to provide military and financial support to Israel.

Washington has rejected the merits of South Africa’s case, and US lawmakers have criticised the country and issued threats against it.

The US has also imposed sanctions on members of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which has issued arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.

Belgium was also among a group of countries that recognised the State of Palestine in September. Nearly 80 percent of UN member states now recognise Palestine.

Since a ceasefire began on October 10, the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza said, Israel has killed at least 406 Palestinians and injured 1,118 in the enclave. Since the start of the war on October 7, 2023, the ministry said, at least 70,942 Palestinians have been killed and 171,195 wounded.

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UN experts and 400 prominent women have urged Iran not to execute Zahra Tabari, a 67-year-old electrical engineer and women’s rights activist.

Ms Tabari was arrested in April and accused of collaborating with a banned opposition group, the People’s Mujahideen Organisation of Iran (PMOI), according to her family.

In October, she was convicted of “armed rebellion” by a Revolutionary Court in Rasht after a trial via video link that lasted less than 10 minutes. Her family said the verdict was based on extremely limited and unreliable evidence: a piece of cloth bearing the words “Woman, Resistance, Freedom”, and an unpublished audio message.

Iranian authorities have not yet commented on the case.

At least 51 other people are known to be facing the death penalty in Iran after being convicted of national security offences including armed rebellion, as well as “enmity against God”, “corruption on Earth” and espionage, according to the UN experts.

The UN Human Rights Council’s special rapporteurs on human rights in Iran, violence against women and arbitrary executions, as well as the five members of the working group on discrimination against women and girls, warned in a joint statement that Ms Tabari’s case showed “a pattern of serious violations of international human rights law”.

She was arrested during a raid on her home without a judicial warrant, and was interrogated for a month while held in solitary confinement and pressured to confess to taking up arms against the state and to membership in an opposition group, according to the experts.

Ms Tabari was denied access to a lawyer of her choosing and was represented by a court-appointed lawyer, they said, adding that her death sentence was issued immediately after a brief hearing.

“The severe procedural violations in this case – including the unlawful deprivation of her liberty, the denial of effective legal representation, the extraordinarily brief trial, the lack of adequate time to prepare a defence, and the use of evidence that appears insufficient to support a charge of [armed rebellion] – render any resulting conviction unsafe,” they said.

They also noted that international law restricted the death penalty to the most serious crimes, meaning intentional killing.

“To execute Tabari under these circumstances would constitute arbitrary execution,” the experts added. “Criminalising women’s activism for gender equality and treating such expression as evidence of armed rebellion constitutes a grave form of gender discrimination.”

More than 400 prominent women – including several Nobel laureates, the former presidents of Switzerland and Ecuador, and former prime ministers of Finland, Peru, Poland and Ukraine – also signed a public appeal for Ms Tabari’s immediate release on Tuesday.

“Iran is today the world’s number one executioner of women per capita. Zahra’s case lays bare this terror: in Iran, daring to hold a sign declaring women’s resistance to oppression is now punishable by death,” it said.

The appeal was organised by Justice for the Victims of the 1988 Massacre in Iran, a UK-based group that represents the families of the thousands of political prisoners who were executed in Iran three decades ago.

Another Iranian woman, Kurdish rights activist and social worker Pakhshan Azizi, is also facing the death penalty on the same charge as Ms Tabari.

UN experts have previously said Ms Azizi’s sentencing appeared to be “solely related to her legitimate work as a social worker, including her support for refugees in Iraq and Syria”.

According to Iran Human Rights (IHR), at least 1,426 people – including 41 women – were executed in Iran in the first 11 months of 2025 – a 70% increase on the same period last year.

Almost half of those put to death as of the end of November were convicted of drug-related offences, while 53 were convicted of national security offences, the Norway-based group said.

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Libyan Prime Minister Abdul-Hamid Dbeibah on Tuesday confirmed the death of Libyan military chief Muhammad Ali Ahmad al-Haddad and four others in a plane crash in Turkey. 

Turkey’s interior minister said earlier that air traffic controllers lost contact with a Dassault Falcon 50-type jet carrying the Libyan military chief and others home after a visit to Turkey.

The plane departed from Ankara’s Esenboga Airport at 8:10 p.m. local time, Ali Yerlikaya posted to X. Contact with the jet was lost 40 minutes after, he said.

Burhanettin Duran, head of the Turkish presidency’s communications directorate, said the private jet had reported a technical failure, requesting an emergency landing as a result.

The plane then lost contact with air traffic control before crashing 70 kilometers (43.5 miles) south of Ankara.

A security camera caught the private jet’s explosion when it hit the ground near AnkaraImage: AA/Anadolu/picture alliance

Ankara holds close relations with the UN-backed Libyan government, and provides the Tripoli-based administration with military support.

Libya’s prime minister confirms death of country’s military chief

Libyan Prime Minister Abdul-Hamid Dbeibah said in a statement on Facebook that the “tragic accident” took place as the Libyan delegation was “returning from an official trip to Ankara.”

Libya’s Minister of State Communications and Political Affairs Walid Ellafi named the other four passengers on board as Al-Haddad’s advisor Mohammed Al-Assawi, Major General Al-Fitouri Ghraibil, Major General Mohammed Jumaa, and their escort, Mohammed Al-Mahjoub.

The privcate jet carrying Libya’s military chief Muhammad Ali Ahmad al-Haddad took off from Ankara’s Esenboga AirportImage: Tunahan Turhan/REUTERS

Libya has been ravaged by a civil war since the fall of Moammer Gadhafi in 2011.

The North African country has suffered from inner power struggles, also involving foreign states, with Dbeibah’s government being based in the west, while Prime Minister Osama Hammad’s rival government, which has Russia’s support, being located in the east.

Edited by: Roshni Majumdar

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Airspace over Turkey’s capital was shut down Tuesday night after a business jet carrying Libya’s top military commander crashed south of Ankara shortly after takeoff, prompting flight diversions, an emergency security response, and an ongoing investigation in a NATO member state.

The Falcon 50 business jet was carrying Chief of the General Staff of Libya’s armed forces Muhammed Ali Ahmed Al-Haddad and four others when it lost contact roughly 30 minutes after departing Esenboga International Airport, according to Turkish officials cited by Al-Monitor. Libyan and Turkish authorities have since confirmed Al-Haddad’s death.

The temporary shutdown of airspace over Ankara elevated the incident beyond a routine aviation accident. Such measures are typically reserved for situations involving unresolved security risks or the need to secure the nation’s capital while authorities assess potential follow-on threats.

TRUMP EYES LIFTING SANCTIONS, POTENTIAL SALE OF PRIZED FIGHTER JET TO TURKEY

Libya’s army chief of staff, Muhammed Ali Ahmed Al-Haddad, shaking hands with Turkish chief of general staff, Selcuk Bayraktaroglu. Turkish Defense Ministry via Reuters (Reuters)

Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said contact with the aircraft was lost at 8:52 p.m. local time after it transmitted an emergency landing notification near Haymana, approximately 75 kilometers south of the capital. The jet, tail number 9H-DFJ, had taken off at 8:10 p.m. bound for Tripoli.

Following the loss of contact, Turkish authorities closed Ankara’s airspace as a precaution and diverted multiple commercial flights away from Esenboga Airport, according to Turkish broadcaster NTV and flight tracking data cited by TRT. Search and rescue teams were deployed to the suspected crash area.

The crash came just hours after Al-Haddad concluded an official visit to Ankara. Turkey’s Defense Ministry had earlier announced that the Libyan army chief met with Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler, Turkish Chief of General Staff Selcuk Bayraktaroglu, and other senior commanders as part of ongoing military and security coordination between Turkey and Libya, according to TRT.

US GENERAL WARNS OF KREMLIN INTERFERENCE IN LIBYA AMID REPORTS OF RUSSIAN MERCENARIES

Falcon 50 sent emergency signal after takeoff from Ankara; search underway near Haymana, Turkey. Photo: Anadolu Agency Video via Reuters. (Anadolu Agency Video via Reuters)

Türkiye Today reported that the visit underscored deepening defense ties between Ankara and Libya’s Tripoli-based government, adding sensitivity to the incident given the seniority of those aboard the aircraft and the timing immediately following high-level meetings.

The prime minister of Libya’s U.N.-recognized Government of National Unity, Abdulhamid Dbeibah, said he had received news of the death of Libya’s army chief of staff after Al-Haddad’s plane lost radio contact above Turkey’s Ankara, Reuters reported.

Dbeibah, who said he was mourning Al-Haddad’s death, added that the army chief had been accompanied by others on board the aircraft, including military officials. No additional details about the other passengers’ identities or conditions were immediately released.

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Ankara Airport, Turkey, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. (AP Photo)

Turkish officials have not yet publicly detailed the cause of the crash. No official statements have indicated sabotage or hostile fire, and any conclusions beyond a reported in-flight emergency remain pending verification.

Search and recovery efforts were continuing, and Turkish authorities said further information would be released as it is confirmed.

Efrat Lachter is an investigative reporter and war correspondent. Her work has taken her to 40 countries, including Ukraine, Russia, Iraq, Syria, Sudan and Afghanistan. She is a recipient of the 2024 Knight-Wallace Fellowship for Journalism. Lachter can be followed on X @efratlachter.

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A Delaware state trooper is dead following reports of an active shooter at a Division of Motor Vehicles office in Wilmington.

The suspect was also killed, though authorities have released few details about the incident.

Delaware State Police responded to the DMV office around 2 p.m. Tuesday. Shortly afterward, state police said a trooper was killed during the incident. The names of the trooper and the suspect involved in the shooting have not been released.

“I want to be clear that there is no active threat to the public at this time. Law enforcement acted swiftly to secure the scene, and the shooter has been confirmed deceased,” Governor Matt Meyer wrote on X.

There are now major delays on Route 13, near the DMV office, according to the Delaware News Journal. FBI agents were at the scene, along with state police and prosecutors from the Delaware Department of Justice, the outlet reports.

Surveillance footage from inside the DMV obtained by NBC 10 shows a bullet hole in a window behind the waiting area. The footage also shows a group of officers moving through the office.

All Delaware DMV locations are now closed, the agency said in a statement.

It’s still unclear what events led up to the shooting, or if there were any additional injuries or deaths.

Representative Sarah McBride, who represents the state’s at-large district, said she has been briefed on the incident.

“I am praying for all of those impacted, including our brave law enforcement officers. I continue to be in touch with state officials as we all gain more information,” she wrote on X.

Senator Chris Coons said he was “horrified by the tragic reports of a shooting there,” while Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester said she was “appreciative of the courageous effort from law enforcement and praying for those involved.”

This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.

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