- Car crashes into crowd in Leipzig, killing two and injuring several others
- Sweden reports 23 bystander deaths in gangland shootings since 2023
- Small plane crashes into building in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, killing two
- Russia declares ceasefire for 8-9 May amid escalating Ukraine conflict
- UAE reports drone attack on Fujairah oil port as oil prices surge again
- Austria expels three Russian diplomats over espionage claims in Vienna
- Unheard Diana Recordings to Expose Secrets of Charles’s Marriage and Camilla
- US announces withdrawal of 5,000 troops from Germany amid NATO tensions
LIVE German 2025 Election Results as they come in and analysi on who will be the next German Chancellor.
Knowledge Hub
Global Reaction to DE Elections
When are the German Elections?
The Elections are on Sunday the 23rd of Feb 2025
Why are they having a snap election?
The German coalition government failed a no confidence vote
Do Germans vote?
Germans vote in big numbers, usually as high 70+ percent voter turnout
Car crashes into crowd in Leipzig, killing two and injuring several others
Get you up to speed: Car crashes into crowd in Leipzig, killing two and injuring several others
A grey SUV ploughed into a crowd in Leipzig city centre, resulting in the deaths of two people and injuries to numerous others. The alleged driver, a 33-year-old German national, was arrested after the vehicle sped away from the scene.
Two people are dead and numerous others injured after a car struck a crowd in Leipzig, according to Sachsen Police. Mayor Burkhard Jung expressed his devastation, stating, “All I can do right now is express my solidarity with the victims’ families,” while authorities continue to investigate the incident.
Sachsen Police have arrested the alleged driver, a 33-year-old German national, and confirmed that he no longer poses a danger. Mayor Burkhard Jung stated that further developments will depend on the work of the police and investigating authorities.
Two dead and at least 20 injured after car ploughs into crowd in German city | News World
Two people are dead and numerous others are injured after a car ploughed into a busy pedestrian area in Germany.
The grey SUV smashed into a crowd of people in Leipzig city centre on Monday afternoon.
The vehicle then sped away before the alleged driver, a 33-year-old German national, was arrested, Sachsen Police said.
The city’s mayor said two people were killed. Officials added that two others were seriously injured, with 20 other casualties.

CLeipzig mayor Burkhard Jung confirmed the deaths, adding nothing was known about the motive of the alleged vehicle driver (Picture: Jens SCHLUETER / AFP via Getty Images)
Major Mayor Burkhard Jung told reporters at the scene that they did not know anything about the alleged driver or their ‘motivation’.
Sign up for all of the latest stories
He added: ‘We are devastated. All I can do right now is express my solidarity with the victims’ families.
‘Everything else will now depend on the work of the police and investigating authorities.’
The car had turned into the pedestrian zone at Augustusplatz in the east German city, near Grimmaische Straße, which leads to the main shopping district.
A person was seen on top of the vehicle as it sped through the area, local broadcaster Radio Leipzig reported
The SUV – which local Leipziger Volkszeitung reports was a grey VW Taigo – then reportedly drove approximately 500metres all the way to Leipzig’s market square.

The car turned into a busy pedestrian area in the heart of Leipzig (Picture: dts News Agency Germany/Shutterstock)
Emergency services declared a mass casualty incident as it was unfolding, and a large number of police officers were on the scene.
At least 10 ambulances and two helicopters have been deployed.
Leipzig is located southwest of Berlin and has more than 630,000 inhabitants, making it one of the biggest cities in eastern Germany.
Comment now
Comments
Add WTX as a Preferred Source on Google
Sweden reports 23 bystander deaths in gangland shootings since 2023
Sweden reports 23 bystander deaths in gangland shootings since 2023
Twenty-three innocent bystanders have been killed and 30 wounded in gangland shootings in Sweden over the past three years, according to recent statistics.
Twenty-three bystanders have been killed and 30 wounded in gangland shootings over the past three years, underscoring Sweden’s escalating struggle with violent crime.
“We are dealing with very young perpetrators who, in many cases, have no previous experience of violent crime,” said Alexander Wallenius of the Swedish police.
Key developments
Statistics show that gangland shootings in Sweden have resulted in 23 innocent bystanders being killed and 30 injured over the last three years, underscoring the escalation of violent crime.
Alexander Wallenius of the Swedish police indicated that many perpetrators are young individuals lacking experience in violent crime, increasing the likelihood of incorrectly targeting bystanders.
The minority right-wing government is pushing for new legislation to mandate social media platforms remove gang-related content promptly to combat this rising violence.
More than 20 bystanders killed in Sweden gangland shootings in three years, police say

Published on
Twenty-three innocent bystanders have been killed and 30 wounded in gangland shootings in Sweden in the past three years, according to statistics released on Monday that highlighted its battle to rein in violent crime.
The country has struggled for more than a decade to contain gang violence linked primarily to score-settling and battles to control the drug market.
The innocent victims include people hit by stray bullets, cases of a mistaken identity by the shooter and relatives of targeted gang members, according to police statistics.
Alexander Wallenius, operations coordinator at the Swedish police’s department of national operations, told news agency TT that one reason for the number of bystanders injured was that many of the shooters were young.
“We are dealing with very young perpetrators who, in many cases, have no previous experience of violent crime, which means a greater risk that third parties or the wrong target will be hit,” Wallenius said.
Swedish gangs often use social media and encrypted apps to recruit teens who are paid to carry out crimes.
The recruits are often under the age of 15, Sweden’s age of criminal responsibility, meaning they cannot be prosecuted and fall under the responsibility of social services, making them valuable assets to gangs.
The minority right-wing government, propped up by the far-right Sweden Democrats, has been pushing through proposals cracking down on crime and immigration ahead of a general election on 13 September.
Last week it said it planned to introduce legislation requiring social media platforms like TikTok and Snapchat to take down gangs’ “murder adverts” within an hour or face hefty fines.
The government has previously announced plans to lower the age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 13 for crimes punishable by at least four years in prison.
Additional sources • AFP
Small plane crashes into building in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, killing two
Get you up to speed: Small plane crashes into building in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, killing two
A small plane crashed into a building in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, on May 4, 2026, resulting in the deaths of the pilot and a passenger. The aircraft, which took off from Pampulha Airport, had reported problems to the control tower before the crash.
The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) announced that investigators from the Centre for Investigation and Prevention of Aeronautical Accidents (CENIPA) will examine the incident following the crash. Additionally, the Civil Police from Minas Gerais (PCMG) have initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Investigators from the Centre for Investigation and Prevention of Aeronautical Accidents (CENIPA) will examine the incident, with the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) overseeing the process. Additionally, the Civil Police from Minas Gerais (PCMG) have launched an investigation into the crash.
Moment plane crashes into building in Brazil city centre killing two people | News World
This is the moment a small plane crashed into a building in the middle of a packed Brazilian city.
The aircraft was carrying five occupants when it slammed into a building in Belo Horizonte, the country’s sixth-largest city with a population of around 2.4 million people.
The pilot and a passenger died, while the remaining passengers were in serious condition.

This picture released by the Minas Gerais Fire Department shows a small plane after it crashed into a building in the city center of Belo Horizonte (Picture: / MINAS GERASIS FIRE DEPARTMENT / AFP via Getty Images)
There were no injuries reported from inside the building.
Sign up for all of the latest stories
The plane took off from Pampulha Airport at 12.16pm and the pilot had reported to the control tower that he was facing problems taking off.
Lieutenant Raul of the Fire Department said: ‘It [the aircraft] hit between the third and fourth floors, in the stairwell.
‘If it had hit the sides, it could have struck some residences; those apartments were occupied.
‘What we saw was the structure of the aircraft projected inside the stairwell, without hitting any other apartments.’
One resident inside the block said she thought ‘the world had ended’.
Avani Soares, told Globo: ‘Everything went dark, a lot of debris fell, and I thought, ‘The world has ended.’

There were no injuries inside the building (Picture: GLEDSTON TAVARES / AFP via Getty Images)
‘On the other floor, there were people screaming for help. I didn’t know what to do.’
She said there was a strong smell of fuel as she ran out with just her phone and glasses.
Investigators from the Centre for Investigation and Prevention of Aeronautical Accidents (CENIPA) will examine the incident, according to the Brazilian Air Force (FAB).
The Civil Police from Minas Gerais (PCMG) have also launched an investigation into the crash.
Comment now
Comments
Add WTX as a Preferred Source on Google
Russia declares ceasefire for 8-9 May amid escalating Ukraine conflict
Russia declares ceasefire for 8-9 May amid escalating Ukraine conflict
Russia has declared a unilateral ceasefire with Ukraine from 8-9 May during its World War II Victory Day commemorations, threatening a “massive missile strike” on Kyiv if violated.
Russia’s unilateral ceasefire from 8-9 May corresponds with significant commemorative events, indicating its strategic intent to influence public perception during the World War II Victory Day celebrations.
“In accordance with a decision of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Armed Forces, Vladimir Putin, a ceasefire has been declared from May 8–9 2026,” stated the Russian defence ministry.
Key developments
Russia has announced a unilateral ceasefire with Ukraine from 8-9 May, coinciding with its Victory Day celebrations, warning of significant retaliation if violated. President Putin emphasised the importance of compliance from Ukraine.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared an earlier ceasefire beginning at midnight on 5-6 May, citing a need for genuine steps to conclude hostilities. He expressed skepticism regarding Russia’s formal notification of its ceasefire.
In ongoing conflict, a Russian missile strike in Merefa resulted in seven civilian deaths, with regional authorities confirming several others injured, including a two-year-old boy. Zaporizhzhia also reported two fatalities from a separate Russian attack.
Russia unilaterally declares Victory Day ceasefire while Zelenskyy tables own truce

Russia has declared a unilateral ceasefire with Ukraine between 8-9 May, when Moscow marks its annual World War II Victory Day commemorations and threatened a “massive missile strike” on Kyiv if Ukraine violated it.
Russian President Vladimir Putin first proposed the truce last week, during a phone call with US counterpart Donald Trump.
“In accordance with a decision of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Armed Forces, Vladimir Putin, a ceasefire has been declared from May 8–9 2026…We hope that the Ukrainian side will follow suit,” the Russian defence ministry said in a post on state-backed messaging app MAX.
“If the Kyiv regime attempts to implement its criminal plans to disrupt the celebration of the 81st anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, the Russian Armed Forces will launch a retaliatory, massive missile strike on the centre of Kyiv.”
“We warn the civilian population of Kyiv and employees of foreign diplomatic missions of the need to leave the city promptly,” it added.
In a post on X on Monday night, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced his own ceasefire, that would start earlier than the one outlined by Russia, which he says has still not been officially communicated to Kyiv.
“We are announcing a ceasefire regime starting at 00:00 on the night of May 5–6. In the time left until that moment, it is realistic to ensure that silence takes effect. We will act reciprocally starting from that moment. It is time for Russian leaders to take real steps to end their war, especially since Russia’s Defence Ministry believes it cannot hold a parade in Moscow without Ukraine’s goodwill,” he wrote.
Russia’s defence ministry said last week that there would be no military hardware at the annual parade this year because of fears of long-range attacks by Ukrainian drones.
Monday strikes
Meanwhile, a Russian missile attack killed seven people in an eastern Ukrainian town and a separate attack left two others dead in a southern village, Kyiv said on Monday.
A Russian ballistic missile attack on the town of Merefa, outside Ukraine’s second city of Kharkiv, killed seven civilians and wounded dozens, regional authorities said.
Kharkiv regional governor Oleg Synegubov first reported that five people had been killed but later said that two men had died from their wounds in hospital.
The other victims were two more men and three women, Synegubov said.
Synegubov said a two-year-old boy was among the wounded but that he was not taken to hospital.
The strike targeted “civilian infrastructure in a city located quite far from the front line,” he added.
Russian forces have focused on taking territory in the Kharkiv region, from where they were pushed back by Ukrainian forces in 2022.
Separately, the governor of the southern Zaporizhzhia region, Ivan Fedorov, said a Russian strike killed two people in the village of Vilnyansk.
“Unfortunately, a married couple was killed: a 51-year-old man and a 62-year-old woman,” Fedorov said.
He added that their 31-year-old son was wounded in the strike, along with three other people.
Vilnyansk lies close to the regional capital of Zaporizhzhia, towards which Russian forces have been grinding.
In Russia, the governor of the Belgorod region, Vyacheslav Gladkov, said a Ukrainian drone killed a civilian in a border area.
Gladkov said the attack wounded seven others, including a 10-year-old boy.
US-led talks on ending the conflict have been sidelined by the Iran war and deadly attacks have spiked in recent weeks.
Additional sources • AFP
UAE reports drone attack on Fujairah oil port as oil prices surge again
Get you up to speed: UAE reports drone attack on Fujairah oil port as oil prices surge again
A large fire broke out at Fujairah oil port in the United Arab Emirates after a drone attack from Iran. Authorities reported that three Indian nationals were taken to hospital for treatment following the strike on the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone.
A large fire erupted at Fujairah oil port in the United Arab Emirates following a drone attack from Iran, with three Indian nationals requiring hospital treatment, according to local authorities. The UAE has labelled the strikes from Iran as ‘treacherous’ and stated it reserves the right to respond to these attacks.
Oil prices have increased to $115 a barrel following a drone attack at Fujairah oil port in the United Arab Emirates, while the UAE has stated it reserves the right to respond to Iranian attacks. This incident marks the first targeting of the UAE since the ceasefire between Iran and the U.S. took effect nearly four weeks ago.
Oil prices soar after ‘treacherous’ Iran strikes UAE for first time since ceasefire | News World

A large fire broke out at Fujairah oil port in the United Arab Emirates after a drone attack (Picture: @WarScopeGlobal/X)
Oil prices have soared again after Iran struck the United Arab Emirates in the first attack since the ceasefire.
The Gulf state said its air defences intercepted three missiles launched from Iran, while a fourth fell into the sea.
A large fire broke out at the key UAE oil port after a drone attack from Iran, officials said.
Authorities said that three people – all Indian nationals – were taken to hospital for treatment after the strike on the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone.
The news sent Brent crude oil prices spiking to $115 a barrel – its highest level of the day.
Fujairah lies on the east coast of the UAE, beyond the Strait of Hormuz.
Sign up for all of the latest stories
Oil prices had hit $114 earlier today after reports that Iran’s military had struck an American destroyer, but fell when the US confirmed its ships had not been hit.
The UAE said it reserves the right to respond to Iranian attacks, labelling the strikes ‘treacherous’.
The attack is the first the UAE has been targeted since the shaky ceasefire between Iran and the U.S. took hold almost four weeks ago.
Iran handed over its latest proposal for negotiations with the U.S. to mediators in Pakistan, Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency reported Friday.
Trump subsequently said he’s “not satisfied” with it, but did not elaborate on the proposal’s apparent shortcomings.
This is a breaking news story, more to follow soon… Check back shortly for further updates.
Follow WTX.co.uk on Twitter and Facebook for the latest news updates.
Comment now
Comments
Add WTX as a Preferred Source on Google
Austria expels three Russian diplomats over espionage claims in Vienna
Austria expels three Russian diplomats over espionage claims in Vienna
Austrians expelled three Russian Embassy employees suspected of espionage, who utilised antennas on diplomatic buildings to intercept satellite data from international organisations in Vienna.
Austria’s expulsion of three diplomats underscores a significant shift in its stance on national security regarding foreign espionage amid rising tensions with Russia.
“Espionage is a security problem for Austria… it is unacceptable for diplomatic immunity to be used to engage in espionage,” stated Austria’s Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger.
Key developments
Austria expelled three Russian Embassy employees suspected of espionage involving antennas on the diplomatic buildings, confirmed by the Foreign Ministry on Monday.
The Russian ambassador was summoned in April regarding these activities, but Moscow refused to lift the diplomats’ immunity, prompting their expulsion.
Austria is currently revising its espionage laws to extend protections to international organisations, amidst rising tensions with Russia.
Austria expels three Russian Embassy staff over suspected antenna spying in Vienna

Published on
Austria expelled three Russian Embassy employees who were suspected of espionage by using antennas on Russian diplomatic buildings, the Foreign Ministry said on Monday.
The ministry confirmed a report aired on Sunday by the Austrian public broadcaster ORF, which said authorities suspected the three diplomats of engaging in spying activities using antennas on the roofs of the Russian Embassy in Vienna and a diplomatic compound in the Donaustadt district.
The installations allowed Russia to intercept data transmitted by international organisations based in Vienna via satellite internet, ORF reported.
Austria hosts several UN agencies, including the International Atomic Energy Agency, as well as the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
“Espionage is a security problem for Austria. In this government, we have changed course and are taking decisive action against it,” Austria’s Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger said in a statement.
“We have made this unequivocally clear to the Russian side, also with regard to the array of antennas at the Russian embassy. One thing is clear: it is unacceptable for diplomatic immunity to be used to engage in espionage.”
Western European nations and Russia have expelled each others’ diplomats on several occasions since Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Austria, a European Union member with a policy of military neutrality, was initially hesitant to take such action but has recently expelled more Russian diplomats.
According to ORF, the Russian ambassador was summoned to the Foreign Ministry in April over the diplomats’ activities. The Russian side was asked to lift their immunity in order to allow prosecutors to pursue an investigation, but it refused, leading to the expulsions, ORF reported. They have already left Austria, it said.
In her statement, the foreign minister said that Austria was currently tightening the espionage law to prevent such cases.
The legislation now in place punishes espionage by foreign services only if it targets Austrian interests. According to the Austria Press Agency, changes proposed by the government would call for the similar protections when it comes to international organisations.
The Russian Embassy said in a statement on Monday that it had taken note of Austria’s “outrageous” decision concerning its employees.
Moscow will respond strongly, the statement said, adding, “Vienna bears full responsibility for the further deterioration of bilateral relations, which are already at a historical low.”
Additional sources • AP
Local insights
Related Election News
LIVE German 2025 Election
Subscribe to Updates
Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.








