Latest News
- FBI seizes devices from Eric Swalwell in sexual misconduct investigation
- Woman, 38, arrested for posing as a 12-year-old to gain couple’s trust
- Risk of drones entering Finland increases due to Ukraine war, says official
- Pirates hijack cargo ship carrying Turkish weapons off Somalia’s coast
- FBI conducts raid on former Representative Eric Swalwell’s home amid misconduct probe
- Two boys assaulted while running lemonade stand, woman charged: Windsor police
- Iran executes Afghan national convicted of police officers’ deaths during protests
- First image of 42-year-old man shot dead in car in east London
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
FBI seizes devices from Eric Swalwell in sexual misconduct investigation
11:00 pm
Get you up to speed: FBI seizes Swalwell’s devices, executes search warrants in sexual misconduct probe
FBI agents executed search warrants targeting former Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell in San Francisco and Washington, D.C., over the weekend as part of a criminal investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct. During the searches, agents seized an iPhone and a MacBook Pro from Swalwell.
FBI agents seized an iPhone and a MacBook Pro from Eric Swalwell as part of a criminal investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct. Investigators are examining potential violations of Section 242 of Title 18, which pertains to the willful deprivation of rights while acting under the colour of law.
The FBI conducted searches at former Rep. Eric Swalwell’s residences, seizing electronic devices as part of a criminal investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct. Swalwell has acknowledged making “mistakes in judgment” but maintains that an assault allegation is “false” and intends to contest it.
What remains unclear — It is uncertain what specific charges the FBI may ultimately pursue against Swalwell following the investigation into the allegations of sexual misconduct.
FBI seizes devices from Eric Swalwell in sexual misconduct investigation
Washington — FBI agents executed search warrants targeting former Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell over the weekend and seized his electronic devices, two sources familiar with the matter told WTX US News, as part of a criminal probe into allegations of sexual misconduct by the former lawmaker.
One of the warrants was executed Saturday night after Swalwell landed at San Francisco International Airport, the sources said. The second targeted his residence in Washington, D.C., and was executed on Sunday. The Daily Mail first reported the searches.
According to a court filing Tuesday in the Northern District of California, an iPhone and a MacBook Pro were seized from Swalwell during the searches.
Multiple sources familiar with the investigation told WTX US News that one potential charge federal investigators are looking into regarding Swalwell is Section 242 of Title 18, which makes it “a crime for a person acting under color of any law to willfully deprive a person of a right or privilege protected by the Constitution or laws of the United States.”
According to the law, those “include acts not only done by federal, state, or local officials within their lawful authority, but also acts done beyond the bounds of that official’s lawful authority, if the acts are done while the official is purporting to or pretending to act in the performance of his/her official duties.”
News of the warrants comes months after Swalwell ended his gubernatorial bid and resigned from Congress in April over allegations of sexual assault and other misconduct from several women.
Swalwell, who represented Bay-Area districts from 2013 until his resignation, faced accusations from multiple women, including rape and unsolicited explicit messages and nude photos, prompting the bipartisan House Ethics Committee to launch an investigation. But the probe ended with Swalwell’s resignation from Congress, since the committee only has jurisdiction over current members and staff.
Swalwell acknowledged making “mistakes in judgment,” but said an assault allegation was “false” and vowed to fight it.
On Monday, the White House also released declassified documents on the FBI’s investigation into Swalwell regarding his alleged relationship with a suspected spy more than a decade ago. The 97-page documents stem from the FBI’s investigation into Swalwell and his 2015 relationship with Christine Fang, a suspected Chinese intelligence operative. Many of the details provided by the administration were already publicly known, and Swalwell was never charged in the matter.
Sources told WTX US News that FBI Director Kash Patel had been pressing to release the files from the investigation into Swalwell, a detail that was first reported by The Washington Post.
Woman, 38, arrested for posing as a 12-year-old to gain couple’s trust
10:00 pm
Get you up to speed: Woman, 38, posed as 12-year-old using teddy and high child’s voice to get couple to adopt her | News World
Amanda Maria Souza de Oliveira, 38, was arrested in Joinville, Brazil, for allegedly posing as a 12-year-old girl and living with a couple for over a year. She faces charges of fraud and false identity after creating a fictional persona to elicit care and support from the family.
Amanda Maria Souza de Oliveira was arrested on June 2 and has been held in custody, with a verdict expected within five days following the judge’s consideration of her release request. The investigation revealed a pattern of deception, with Amanda previously using multiple identities and claiming to be a vulnerable teenager over several years.
Brazilian prosecutors have charged Amanda Maria Souza de Oliveira with fraud and false identity after she allegedly posed as a 12-year-old girl for over a year. The trial is expected to conclude within five days, with the judge indicating that a request for her release will be considered alongside the verdict.
What remains unclear — It is uncertain whether Amanda Maria Souza de Oliveira’s true intentions were to defraud the couple or simply to seek emotional support.
Woman, 38, arrested for posing as a 12-year-old to gain couple’s trust
Amanda Maria Souza de Oliveira posing as a 12-year-old teenager (Picture: NX)
A woman has been arrested for posing as a child and tricking a couple into looking after her for more than a year.
Amanda Maria Souza de Oliveira allegedly scammed the couple to get her own bedroom filled with toys and even throw a ’12th birthday party’ for her despite being 38.
She was charged with fraud and false identity for allegedly moving in to to the family’s home for 14 months disguising herself as a vulnerable girl 26 year’s younger.
A hearing at Joinville, in northern Santa Catarina, Brazil heard from the couple who had taken Amanda in, their son, a police officer, experts and two professionals presented by the defence.
Prosecutors accused Amanda of creating the identity of Gabriele Ferreira dos Santos and initially presenting herself as 11 before claiming she was 12.
She had allegedly approached a religious community after claiming she had fled home after being mistreated and had no ID on her.
Sign up for all of the latest stories
The woman poses with a child’s bottle to maintain the alleged deception
(Picture: Newsflash/NX)
The family believed they were helping a traumatised child and eventually treated her as a daughter, preparing a bedroom decorated with children’s paintings and paying for her to live.
They even organised a party to celebrate what they believed was her 12th birthday.
According to investigators, Amanda used an infantilised voice, children’s toys, pacifiers and baby bottles to maintain the alleged deception.
She also claimed to have autism and said her adult appearance was the result of being forcibly given hormones during childhood.
Amanda admitted lying about who she was but denied that she had intended to defraud anyone.
According to police, she said: ‘It is clear that I deceived people, I lied. But I did not intend to scam anyone.’
A mugshot of the 37-year-old woman suspected of posing as a 12-year-old in Brazil
(Picture: Newsflash/NX)
Her defence lawyer Lucio Sousa argued during the opening of the trial that Amanda had not caused financial losses and said the identity was instead a survival strategy.
Sousa said: ‘It was the way she found to survive. But she has been a vulnerable person for more than 20 years.’
He added that there had been no allegation that Amanda had obtained financial advantage through robbery or theft, arguing that the elements of fraud had not been established.
Amanda’s lawyer Sarita de Paiva told reporters she had told investigators that she was seeking the attention, affection and protection missing from her childhood.
De Paiva also said that Amanda believed revealing she was an adult would mean she would no longer receive the same care.
But police said the Joinville case was only the latest in a pattern dating back more than a decade.
Social worker Delma Soares said Amanda had stayed with her in Belo Horizonte in 2017 while using the name Karolina and presenting herself as a vulnerable teenager.
Delma said Amanda contacted her after a presentation and asked whether she helped people affected by prostitution and child abuse.
Delma said: ‘She had the posture and behaviour of a teenager.
‘She liked to wear children’s clothes with childish designs.’
The social worker later became suspicious, saying Amanda’s physical strength and sudden changes in behaviour did not fit the age she claimed.
Delma said: ‘When I said she was an adult, people thought I was mistaken.
‘I had no proof, only the conviction I had built through living with her.’
Amanda had reportedly arrived at the project with injuries caused by needles and pieces of wire and was taken to hospital, where examinations found objects in her body.
Another alleged victim, nutritionist Renata Magalhaes, said Amanda used the name Duda when they met in Rio de Janeiro in 2023 and claimed to be an autistic teenager who had suffered abuse.
Renata said the alleged deception was carefully constructed using childish behaviour, drawings and emotional episodes.
Renata said: ‘Her phone was full of searches. She researched how an autistic person behaves and how to make drawings to move evangelical people.’
Renata also alleged that Amanda had inserted needles into herself and later vomited them in front of her.
Renata said: ‘She vomited the needle. She vomited, she did it in front of me. It is bizarre.’
She added: ‘I have seen many people laughing and making jokes on the internet, but she is a fraudster, a narcissist, a dangerous woman. She is a person who puts on a character like a coat and creates a totally fake narrative.’
A psychologist who encountered Amanda in Recife in 2023 said she also carried a teddy bear, spoke in a childlike voice and claimed to have suffered sexual abuse.
The psychologist said: ‘She demonstrated childish behaviour in her body language and an infantilised voice, but we could see the traits of an adult woman.
‘We could see there was a performance there; it was not something genuine or natural.’
Amanda also allegedly used another identity, Emily, in Parana during the Covid-19 pandemic, claiming to be a 13-year-old girl suffering from terminal leukaemia.
One woman who became emotionally attached to the supposed child reportedly even had the name Emily tattooed on her wrist.
In another case in Jundiai, Sao Paulo, in 2022, Amanda allegedly identified herself as Ana Clara dos Santos Oliveira, claimed to have been born in 2009 and told authorities she had escaped a house of prostitution where she had allegedly been sexually exploited since childhood.
Amanda was arrested at the Joinville family’s home on June 2 and has remained in custody since then.
The judge said the request for Amanda’s release would be considered alongside the verdict, which is expected within five days.
Comment now
Comments
Add WTX as a Preferred Source on Google
Breaking News
Never miss the biggest stories with breaking news alerts in your inbox.
Risk of drones entering Finland increases due to Ukraine war, says official
9:00 pm
Risk of drones entering Finland increases due to Ukraine war, says official
Drones Risk
The head of Finland’s military intelligence service reported an increasing risk of drones drifting into the country due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The head of Finland’s military intelligence service reported an increasing risk of drones drifting into the country due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Droning Concerns
The increasing risk of drones entering Finnish airspace highlights the strategic tension in the region amid ongoing geopolitical conflicts.
The increasing risk of drones entering Finnish airspace highlights the strategic tension in the region amid ongoing geopolitical conflicts.
Drones Risk
“The risk of drones drifting into Finland has increased due to the ongoing war in Ukraine,” stated the head of Finland’s military intelligence service.
“The risk of drones drifting into Finland has increased due to the ongoing war in Ukraine,” stated the head of Finland’s military intelligence service.
Finland suspects Russian aircraft of violating its airspace, defence ministry says
The risk of drones drifting into Finland as a result of the ongoing war in Ukraine is rising, the head of the country’s military intelligence service said in January.
Pirates hijack cargo ship carrying Turkish weapons off Somalia’s coast
8:02 pm
Media Lens: Pirates hijack cargo ship carrying Turkish weapons off Somalia’s coast
Pirates hijacked a cargo ship carrying Turkish weapons off the coast of Somalia, according to an official report. The incident highlights the challenges of maritime security in the region.
Quick links: What has happened | Status quo | Confirmed facts | Preconceptions | Elisions | One story, four angles | Related links
What has happened
Pirates have hijacked a cargo ship off the coast of Somalia that was reportedly carrying Turkish weapons. This incident has raised concerns about the resurgence of piracy in the region, which had decreased significantly in recent years due to international naval efforts.
The hijacking follows a broader context of heightened tensions in the region, particularly related to ongoing conflicts involving Iran and U.S. interests. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation, which could lead to increased enforcement actions against piracy along the Somali coast.
Status quo
Somalia has faced ongoing piracy issues since the early 2000s, primarily off its coast, which is strategically located near key maritime routes. Attacks on vessels have significantly impacted international shipping, prompting various naval operations by multiple countries. Recent developments in the region, particularly related to U.S.-Iran tensions, have contributed to a resurgence of piracy, raising concerns over security in maritime activities and the enforcement of anti-piracy measures.
Confirmed facts
- Pirates hijacked a cargo ship carrying Turkish weapons off the coast of Somalia.
- The incident was reported by the Associated Press and Politico.
- This hijacking is part of a resurgence of piracy in the region, attributed in part to the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict.
- A tanker off the coast of Yemen was boarded by armed individuals and diverted towards Somalia.
- This information was reported by Reuters, CNBC, and Politico.
Preconceptions
- AP News prioritizes the story of pirates hijacking a cargo ship carrying Turkish weapons, presenting it as a significant international security threat.
- Politico emphasizes the broader implications of piracy related to the Iran war, framing it as a geopolitical consequence rather than a mere criminal incident.
- CNBC highlights the return of the Somali pirate menace in the context of U.S.-Iran tensions and its impact on enforcement resources, suggesting a connection to regional chaos.
- Reuters reports on the immediate incident of a tanker being boarded and diverted towards Somalia, focusing more on the event itself rather than its geopolitical implications.
- While AP News and Reuters provide immediate headlines related to piracy, Politico and CNBC delve into the underlying factors contributing to this increase in piracy, thus offering a more analytical perspective.
Elisions
- AP News reports on a pirate hijacking of a Turkish weapons cargo ship off Somalia’s coast but lacks specific details about the crew’s status and potential ramifications on maritime security.
- Politico discusses the broader implications of piracy in the context of the Iran war but misses individual incidents and direct pirate actions occurring recently, which might inform the urgency of the situation.
- CNBC highlights the resurgence of piracy due to enforcement resource fatigue amid U.S.-Iran tensions, yet doesn’t address the historical context of piracy in the region or prior measures that led to reductions in such incidents.
- Reuters mentions that armed people boarded a tanker near Yemen, redirecting it towards Somalia, but does not connect this event to the increased pirate activities reported by other sources, creating a gap in understanding the current threat landscape.
One story, four angles
AP News – Pirates hijack cargo ship carrying Turkish weapons off Somalia’s coast, official says
Publication: AP News | Intensity: (7/10) | Sentiment: Neutral | Legal precision: Moderate
Expand
Espresso Shot: Readers are immediately drawn to the act of piracy and the potential implications of hijacking a weapons shipment.
Key differences:
1. **Focus on national concern:** AP emphasizes “Turkish weapons,” suggesting geopolitical stakes, while others might highlight piracy as merely a crime.
2. **Direct language usage:** AP uses “hijack,” a straightforward term, unlike others which may choose euphemisms or complex phrases.
3. **Specific phrasing of authority:** The phrase “official says” suggests a credible source while hinting at further context not yet provided, enhancing urgency.
Bias: Selection: Focuses primarily on the hijacking’s specifics rather than broader implications of piracy. | Language: Uses direct wording to convey immediacy. | Omission: Lacks discussion on the pirates’ motivations or international response.
Assessment: The reader perceives a significant national security threat tied to piracy.
Politico – One beneficiary of the Iran war? Pirates.
Publication: Politico | Intensity: (8/10) | Sentiment: Critical | Legal precision: Moderate
Expand
Espresso Shot: The headline positions piracy not just as crime, but as a consequence of wider geopolitical conflict, directing attention to motivations.
Key differences:
1. **Geopolitical framing:** Politico frames piracy as a “beneficiary” of geopolitics, implying deeper social contexts behind criminal acts.
2. **Critical language choices:** The term “beneficiary” infers a complex relationship, unlike AP’s straightforward account of an event.
3. **Context of conflict:** The reference to the “Iran war” grounds the narrative in current events affecting piracy, shifting focus from the act to its environment.
Bias: Selection: Emphasizes political context for piracy rather than isolated incidents. | Language: Uses provocative language to portray a multifaceted issue. | Omission: Does not focus on the actual events of piracy, concentrating instead on broader excuses.
Assessment: Readers are led to associate piracy with international conflict and instability.
CNBC – Somali pirate menace returns as U.S.-Iran war stokes regional chaos and saps enforcement resources
Publication: CNBC | Intensity: (9/10) | Sentiment: Alarmist | Legal precision: High
Expand
Espresso Shot: The language immediately evokes a sense of urgency and danger concerning piracy due to external geopolitical influences.
Key differences:
1. **Alarmist tone:** The phrase “menace returns” paints piracy as a newfound threat, setting a tone of fear unlike straightforward news.
2. **Implicit causes:** CNBC points directly to the “U.S.-Iran war,” attributing blame for the resurgence of piracy, which is a more analytical approach.
3. **Societal implications hinted:** The focus is on “regional chaos” and resultant dwindling enforcement resources, suggesting systemic failures.
Bias: Selection: Prioritizes alarm over historical context and nuance. | Language: Intentionally charged wording to evoke fear or concern. | Omission: Lacks examples of positive responses or prevention to piracy.
Assessment: Readers perceive piracy as an escalating crisis tied to global conflict.
Reuters – Tanker off Yemen boarded by armed people, diverted towards Somalia, UKMTO says
Publication: Reuters | Intensity: (6/10) | Sentiment: Neutral | Legal precision: High
Expand
Espresso Shot: The emphasis on a “tanker” and “armed people” draws attention to the tangible threat to international shipping.
Key differences:
1. **Focused report on shipping:** Reuters presents a clear picture of commercial risks, steering focus towards economic implications compared to others invoking geopolitical arguments.
2. **Direct presentation style:** The straightforward phrasing avoids sensationalism, portraying facts over narrative.
3. **Contextual reference:** “UKMTO says” provides a source for the information, emphasizing accountability and creating a verification aspect not as prevalent in some outlets.
Bias: Selection: Focus on shipping issues rather than wider pirate impacts or motivations. | Language: Factual and concise language reduces emotional weight. | Omission: Does not explore the political context of piracy explicitly.
Assessment: Readers may believe this incident is one of many affecting commercial interests rather than a broader pirate resurgence.
AP News presents a factual account of the piracy incident, emphasizing the act itself without delving deeply into broader implications. In contrast, Politico frames the event as a consequence of the Iran war’s tumultuous impact, insinuating a strategic context that positions piracy within global geopolitics. Similarly, CNBC escalates the narrative by linking regional chaos to a diminishing enforcement capacity, suggesting a serious security crisis. Among them, AP News offers the strongest framing, while CNBC’s analysis escalates the framing the most, intensifying the narrative of insecurity. The facts do not change. What changes is where scrutiny lands.
Related links
AP News
Pirates hijack cargo ship carrying Turkish weapons off Somalia’s coast, official says
Politico
One beneficiary of the Iran war? Pirates.
CNBC
Somali pirate menace returns as U.S.-Iran war stokes regional chaos and saps enforcement resources
Reuters
Tanker off Yemen boarded by armed people, diverted towards Somalia, UKMTO says
FBI conducts raid on former Representative Eric Swalwell’s home amid misconduct probe
7:00 pm
Get you up to speed: FBI raids ex-US Representative Swalwell’s home amid sexual misconduct probe
Federal agents raided the Washington, DC, home of former US Representative Eric Swalwell amid an investigation into alleged sexual misconduct. The FBI also seized Swalwell’s electronic devices at San Francisco airport over the weekend, with reports confirming the ongoing investigation.
The FBI has not disclosed the specific details surrounding the ongoing investigation into Eric Swalwell, nor have they indicated a timeline for when the investigation might conclude. This operation coincides with a special election to fill Swalwell’s vacated congressional seat, which is currently being contested between Aisha Wahab and Melissa Hernandez.
The FBI’s recent raid on Eric Swalwell’s home has drawn attention amid ongoing investigations into allegations of sexual misconduct, with his lawyer asserting that the release of related documents was intended to intimidate a critical voice against the administration. Meanwhile, a special election to fill Swalwell’s vacated seat is underway, with progressive candidate Aisha Wahab currently leading by approximately 300 votes.
What remains unclear — The FBI has not disclosed the specific nature of the allegations against Swalwell beyond the public accusations.
FBI conducts raid on former Representative Eric Swalwell’s home amid misconduct probe
News|PoliticsFBI raids ex-US Representative Swalwell’s home amid sexual misconduct probe
Swalwell, a vocal Trump critic, resigned from Congress and dropped out of California governor’s race amid allegations.
Published On 20 Aug 202620 Aug 2026
Published On 20 Aug 202620 Aug 2026Federal agents have raided the Washington, DC, home of former US Representative Eric Swalwell amid an investigation into alleged sexual misconduct, according to US media.
The FBI also seized the former legislator’s electronic devices at San Francisco airport over the weekend, according to multiple reports on Thursday. The FBI declined to comment following a request from WTX News.
The raid comes months after Swalwell, seen by some as a rising star in the Democratic Party and a vocal critic of US President Donald Trump, resigned from Congress in April. One woman has publicly accused Swalwell of sexual assault during his time in office, while four others have said he engaged in other forms of sexual misconduct.
Swalwell subsequently dropped out of California’s gubernatorial race in which he was seen as a frontrunner.
Beyond the sexual assault allegations, Swalwell has also come under scrutiny for a past relationship with a woman, Christine Fang, believed by US authorities to be a Chinese spy.
He was removed from the House Intelligence Committee in 2023 due to concerns over the relationship, which Swalwell said he ended after being alerted by federal agents. A House Ethics Committee investigation was eventually closed with no action.
Swalwell rose to prominence during Trump’s first term, when he was a Democratic prosecutor in impeachment proceedings against Trump for his alleged role in fomenting the January 6, 2021 riot at the US Capitol.
The White House released FBI documents this week related to Swalwell’s relationship with Fang. His lawyer said the release was “meant to punish an outspoken critic of the current administration”, as reported by the San Francisco Chronicle.
Trump has repeatedly vowed retribution against his political opponents. Several have since been targeted by the Department of Justice, including, most prominently, former FBI director James Comey, who has been charged in relation to a social media post federal prosecutors said amounted to a direct threat of violence against the president.
The latest FBI raid comes as election authorities continue to count ballots in a closely contested special election for Swalwell’s open seat in Congress.
As of Thursday, progressive Aisha Wahab led by about 300 votes over fellow Democrat Melissa Hernandez, who saw a surge in late spending by the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).
Two boys assaulted while running lemonade stand, woman charged: Windsor police
6:00 pm
Get you up to speed: Kids running lemonade stand assaulted, woman facing charges: Windsor police
Two boys, aged eight and 13, were operating a lemonade stand near an intersection when a woman approached them and became hostile. Police confirmed the incident but did not provide further details on the immediate situation.
Police are investigating the incident involving the two boys, aged eight and 13, who were operating the lemonade stand at the intersection. No further information has been released regarding any charges or actions taken against the woman involved.
Local authorities are investigating the incident involving two boys operating a lemonade stand after reports of aggressive behaviour from an adult woman. The police have stated they will take appropriate action based on the outcome of their inquiry, ensuring the safety and rights of children in the community are upheld.
What remains unclear — Police have not disclosed the cause of the woman’s hostility toward the boys.
Two boys assaulted while running lemonade stand, woman charged: Windsor police
Two boys, ages eight and 13, had set up a lemonade stand near the intersection when a woman approached ‘and became hostile toward them,’ police said.
Local insights
Related Election News
© 2026 WTX News.