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.

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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

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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.

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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 2025Updated 00:43, 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.”

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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.

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The US Coast Guard is in “active pursuit” of another vessel in international waters near Venezuela as tensions in the region continue to escalate.

US authorities have already seized two oil tankers this month – one of them on Saturday.

Sunday’s pursuit related to a “sanctioned dark fleet vessel that is part of Venezuela’s illegal sanctions evasion”, a US official said. “It is flying a false flag and under a judicial seizure order.”

Washington has accused Venezuela of using oil money to fund drug-related crime, while Venezuela has described the tanker seizures as “theft and kidnapping”.

US President Donald Trump last week ordered a “blockade” of sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving the country.

Venezuela – home to the world largest proven oil reserves – has accused the Trump administration of trying to steal its resources.

US authorities have not yet officially confirmed Sunday’s pursuit, and the exact location and name of the tanker involved is not yet known.

As of last week, more than 30 of the 80 ships in Venezuelan waters or approaching the country were under US sanctions, according to data compiled by TankerTrackers.com.

Saturday’s seizure saw a Panamanian-flagged tanker boarded by a specialised tactical team in international waters.

That ship is not on the US Treasury’s list of sanctioned vessels, but the US has said it was carrying “sanctioned PDVSA oil”. In the past five years the ship also sailed under the flags of Greece and Liberia, according to records seen by BBC Verify.

“These acts will not go unpunished,” the Venezuelan government said in response to Saturday’s incident. It added that it intended to file a complaint with the United Nations Security Council and “other multilateral agencies and the governments of the world”.

Venezuela is highly dependent on revenues from its oil exports to finance its government spending.

In recent weeks, the US has built up its military presence in the Caribbean Sea and has carried out deadly strikes on alleged Venezuelan drug-smuggling boats, killing around 100 people.

Sanctions also were placed on some of President Maduro’s relatives and on businesses associated with what the US calls his illegitimate regime.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters on Friday: “It is clear that the current status quo with the Venezuelan regime is intolerable for the United States.”

He added that the goal of the Trump administration is to change that dynamic.

His comments were criticised by Venezuela’s foreign minister who accused Rubio dragging the US down the path of “regime changes”.

It has provided no public evidence that these vessels were carrying drugs, and the military has come under increasing scrutiny from Congress over the strikes.

The Trump administration has accused Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro of leading a designated-terrorist organisation called Cartel de los Soles, which he denies.

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Another 130 children abducted in November in a raid on a school in Niger state in north-central Nigeria have been released, Nigerian authorities said on Sunday.

“The remaining 130 schoolchildren abducted ⁠by terrorists…have now been released. They are expected to arrive in Minna on Monday and rejoin their parents ⁠for the Christmas celebration,” President Bola Tinubu’s ⁠aide Bayo Onanuga said in a post on X. “The freedom of the schoolchildren followed a military-intelligence driven operation.”

He said the total of freed students is now 230.

What do we know about the attack on St Mary’s boarding school?

Gunmen abducted 315 students and staff on November 21 from the St Mary’s Catholic boarding school in Papiri village.

It was not yet clear which group carried out the kidnappings or how Nigerian authorities secured the release of those abducted.

Some 100 pupils of the school were released on December 8.

Some 50 children managed to escape at the time of the attack, the Christian Association of Nigeria said.

The AFP news agency cited a UN source on Sunday as saying that all those taken appeared to have been released.

How insecurity is disrupting education in Nigeria

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Nigeria’s kidnapping crisis

Nigeria has for years grappled with armed groups, known locally as “bandits,” that raid villages and abduct people for ransom, particularly in the northwest of the country.

The West African country’s kidnapping crisis has intensified in recent months, with Nigeria’s Punch newspaper reporting early in December that some 490 people had been abducted in two weeks.

On December 2, Defense Minister Badaru Abubakar resigned amid the spate of abductions.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s northeast has been beset by an Islamist insurgency, with militants also carrying out kidnappings.

The Boko Haram militant group abducted some 300 schoolgirls in 2014, with some of the students still missing.

Edited by: Sean Sinico

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A suspected shoplifting incident at a Walmart turned terrifying when a 21-year-old suddenly pointed a gun at an Ohio police officer, bodycam footage shows.

Shane Newman, 21, and Katerina Jeffrey, 23, were detained after being accused of shoplifting at a Walmart on December 18. The situation quickly escalated when the 21-year-old suddenly cocked a gun at an officer.

At the Walmart Supercenter in Canton, Ohio, the pair were escorted into the store’s “loss prevention office,” where an officer patted down Newman, asking if he had “anything on him that I need to know about,” according to bodycam footage obtained by NBC News. The 21-year-old said just his phone.

Sitting on a bench in the office, the young duo was questioned as an officer sat across from them.

At one point, Newman put his face in his hands and dropped to his side, visibly distressed. At another, he says: “I told her not to steal.” An officer replied: “You did it, too.”

open image in gallery

Shane Newman, 21, pulled out a gun and aimed it at a Canton police officer at an Ohio Walmart after he was suspected of shoplifting (Canton Police Dept.)

A few minutes later, the Canton police officer’s bodycam footage captured Newman turning around, apparently reaching something out of his bag, and then pulling out a firearm, which he aimed directly at the officer.

“No! No! No!” Jeffrey, who remained seated next to Newman, shouted

“Hey!” a Walmart employee standing near by shouted before he lunged toward Newman. The employee then grabbed the 21-year-old’s arms and wrestled with him, eventually dislodging the gun from his grip.

As the tussle ensued, another officer grabbed a gun and pointed it at Newman.

“No, Shane, please, no!” Jeffrey yelled, before rising off the bench and running away from the violent scene.

That officer appeared to kick Newman, grab him by the head and then punch him while the 20-something was still sitting on the bench. The officer then brought him to the ground.

open image in gallery

A Walmart employee intervened, ultimately disarming Newton as Katerina Jeffrey, sitting next to him, yelled for him to stop (Canton Police Dept.)

No shots were ever fired. The chilling chain of events — from the time Newman reaches for the firearm until he’s tackled to the ground — spanned just 20 seconds.

Newman now faces several criminal charges, including ​attempt to commit murder, felonious assault on an officer, and robbery, court records show. Jeffrey was charged with complicity to commit robbery, records show.

Both have yet to make a plea and are next due in court on December 23.

“This incident is a reminder of the ever-present threat of violence against police officers and the gracious provision of God’s protection,” Canton Police Chief John Gabbard told NBC News in a statement.

The Independent has asked the Canton Police and Walmart for comment.

“The safety and security of our customers and associates is always a top priority,” Jessie Carpenter, Walmart Asset Protection Operations Coach, told WAFB in a statement. “We’re proud of the brave action our asset protection associate took to maintain the safety of everyone in our store. We’ll continue to work with police as they investigate.”

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NEED TO KNOW

• Supermodel Anok Yai, 28, is opening up about discovering she has a congenital defect that was “overworking” her heart and “slowly destroying” her lungs
• She said the condition left her “struggling to breathe”
• “What started as something asymptomatic for the majority of my life turned into a lingering cough, which turned to chest pains, bouts of coughing up blood, then at times, struggling to breathe,” Yai shared

Supermodel Anok Yai is opening up about a serious health diagnosis that she says was “overworking” her heart and “slowly destroying” her lungs.

On Friday, Dec. 19, the 28-year-old Model of the Year winner shared a candid post on Instagram, detailing her “silent” health battle.

“For the past year, I’ve been dealing with this silent battle,” she began the lengthy caption. “I incidentally found out I had a congenital defect overworking my heart and slowly destroying my lungs.”

Photos and videos included in the post show Yai resting in a hospital bed at New York University Langone Health in New York City, reading books and inhaling from an oxygen machine as she recovered from surgery.

“What started as something asymptomatic for the majority of my life turned into a lingering cough, which turned to chest pains, bouts of coughing up blood, then at times, struggling to breathe,” Yai continued.

“I chose to work through this while trying to find the right doctor and the right time,” she wrote. “I quickly realized there was never going to be a ‘right time’ — my health would continue to worsen.”

Although the model did not disclose her exact diagnosis, she revealed that she underwent robotic lung surgery — a minimally invasive lung operation technique that utilizes small incisions and a robotic system to perform the surgery, according to the American Lung Association.

“I’ve always thought I could outwork or outrun anything,” she added, “but the universe has a way of slowing you down and waking you up.”

In her post, Yai also took a moment to thank her surgeons, as well as the facilities where she has received treatment for her condition.

“[Thanks] to Dr. Robert Cerfolio and his gracious and talented team who I am forever indebted to for giving me more time,” she wrote. “And I am forever grateful for Dr. Harmik Soukiasian and everyone at the @beverlyhillsconciergehealth for discovering my condition. Thank you to all the doctors and amazing nurses at @NYULangone.”

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“And thank you to my friends and family for being the first thing I saw when I woke up,” she concluded. “For now I’m healing … but I’ll be back. See ya ❤️.”

Other videos included in the Instagram post show the model waking up for surgery, and her family chuckling as she asked, “Does my hair look good?”

Anok Yai attending the 2025 Fashion Awards in London on Dec. 1.

Lucy North/PA Images via Getty

A number of celebrities and fellow models shared their well-wishes in the comments, including Naomi Campbell, who wrote, “Sending you love, light and healing… may God cover and protect you ❤️❤️‍🩹.”

“Get well soon ❤️,” added Heidi Klum, as Iman chimed in, “Sending you much love & prayers ❤️.”

“Praying for you my sweet love. you are strong & will win this battle. i love you sister 💗,” WNBA star Angel Reese wrote.

Just weeks ago, Yai accepted the coveted title of Model of the Year at the 2025 Fashion Awards, which took place at London’s Royal Albert Hall on Dec. 1.

The event, which is presented by the British Fashion Council and Pandora, “recognizes the global impact of a model who has dominated the industry over the last 12 months,” per a press release.

In the release, Yai shared what the award means to her.

“Being named Model of the Year is such an honor,” she said. “My journey — from Egypt to South Sudan to the U.S. — is one of resilience and community. This recognition is for everyone who’s ever seen their story in mine. Thank you for celebrating us.”

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Criminal migrants are avoiding justice by being smuggled out of the UK in lorries.

A Daily Mail investigation found an Albanian, who should be behind bars himself, running a network helping crooks flee for £2,500.

The mastermind brazenly operates his ‘Returns from England’ business on social media, offering a ‘stress-free’ express service for migrant fugitives, with ‘passage 100 per cent secured’.

He boasted his team of corrupt drivers had trafficked at least 50 people to France after they ‘commit crimes and want to go fast’.

Our shocking exposé comes amid growing concerns about the number of newly arrived small-boat migrants accused of serious offences.

This month, two Afghan teenagers were jailed for the rape of a 15-year-old schoolgirl in Leamington Spa soon after crossing the Channel. And an audit found 11 others were recently convicted for attacking women in Britain.

There are more than 1,000 foreign criminals – including rapists, killers and terrorists – at large in the UK, according to the latest figures.

On Saturday, 800 migrants arrived in the country on small boats – the biggest December day on record.

The ruthless mastermind boasted his team of corrupt lorry drivers had already trafficked at least 50 people to France after they ‘commit crimes and want to go fast’

The kingpin brazenly operates his ‘Returns from England’ business – previously advertised on a now deleted TikTok account – offering a ‘stress-free’ express service for migrant fugitives with ‘passage 100 per cent secured’ 

An undercover reporter, acting as a middleman, made contact with the smuggler, who gave his name as Alfons and said one man he was helping to escape was facing 16 years in jail if caught. He added that he was happy to help murderers flee justice. Criminals awaiting sentence or suspects anticipating charges run the risk of being captured if they try to flee by booking a flight or ferry. But, unlike lorries coming into the UK, there are ‘no checks’ on those leaving, Alfons claimed, and none of those he had smuggled had been intercepted.

Now seemingly based in Belgium, he started his operation after cutting off his ankle tag and fleeing the UK to avoid jail over a cannabis factory.

The ‘Returns from England’ TikTok account used a video from an Albanian influencer with tens of thousands of followers. In it, the influencer – known as ‘Bandit’ – says: ‘Hey, contact our countryman and you’re out by paying just £2,000.

‘Contact our patriot – for people who commit crimes and want to go fast, fast, before entering the mouse hole [prison].’

Alfons, who raised the price to £2,500 for our reporter, said: ‘I left on a lorry. If I had stayed, I was going to be in prison for one year.

‘They arrested me inside a cannabis house. I had a fight with people who came to rob the house. The neighbours alerted the police.’ Asked why he wasn’t held on remand ahead of the trial, he said: ‘Prison was full. There wasn’t any space, so they put an ankle tag on me. I cut it off.’

He boasted: ‘I have taken 50 people out so far. No one has been caught yet.’

The fugitive would be hidden in a ‘dedicated place’ in the back of the lorry.

Giving his name as Alfons, he explained that one man he was helping to escape was facing 16 years in jail if caught – and was happy to help wanted murderers flee justice

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: ‘It looks like the government can’t control who comes in or who leaves this country. This criminal gang is making a mockery of our border laws and allowing dangerous criminals to escape’

‘Do not worry. He will not be found,’ the smuggler said. ‘There are no dogs or controls. It’s not like when lorries are getting into the UK. We have a journey every week and not one will be found.’

Alfons, who was unconcerned when told by our reporter that the man planning to escape was a wanted murderer, said he used four drivers, all Kosovan-Albanians. He later sent our reporter a link to the meeting spot on the Maidstone M20 Services, in Kent, the last refuel and rest stop before the Eurotunnel terminal connecting to the Continent.

The drop-off point was set to be Aire de Saint-Hilaire-Cottes, 40 minutes inland from Calais.

When the reporter was uncertain about what day he could leave, the smuggler bluntly told him: ‘We do not have journeys on demand, like taxis. There aren’t journeys every day.’

Asked about the trustworthiness of the drivers, he replied: ‘Are you provoking me? Do you know who I am?’

On the planned journey date, he rang frantically, with the lorry driver on another line, as he tried to direct our reporter to the waiting driver. Our reporter did not go ahead with the journey. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: ‘It looks like the Government can’t control who comes in or who leaves this country.

‘This criminal gang is making a mockery of our border laws and allowing dangerous criminals to escape. This man needs to be jailed. Foreign criminals need to be prosecuted and once they’ve served time in prison, deported permanently.

‘We cannot allow dangerous criminals to avoid justice.’

Last week it emerged that another gang had smuggled more than 240 migrants to France from the UK. Alfons’ account was removed before the Daily Mail approached TikTok for comment. The Home Office said: ‘We apply targeted checks to outbound vehicles, and our work with law-enforcement partners has already led to arrests and convictions for hundreds of offences this year.’

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