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Tragic Hotel Collapse in Kröv, Germany Claims Two Lives and Leaves Others Trapped

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In Kröv, Germany, a partial collapse of a hotel building late Tuesday night resulted in the deaths of two individuals, with several others still trapped under the debris. Rescue operations are underway, involving over 200 emergency personnel at the scene.

The incident occurred around 23:00 local time (21:00 GMT), when the hotel’s roof fell, causing the upper floor to crash down onto the lower one and shattering windows. Fourteen people were in the hotel at the time, according to local police. Among those rescued on Wednesday morning was a young Dutch family visiting the area.

While five guests managed to escape unharmed late Tuesday, nine others were trapped. In a news conference on Wednesday, fire inspector Jörg Teusch confirmed that the two fatalities—a man and a woman—occurred overnight due to the building’s collapse. Dutch media reported that a 23-year-old woman from Urk and her infant son were rescued early Wednesday and taken to the hospital. Her 26-year-old husband was rescued later, though his condition remains unknown.

Approximately 250 emergency personnel, including firefighters, police, rescue dog teams, and medics, are involved in the rescue efforts. Two individuals are still buried under the rubble, but emergency teams maintain contact with them.

Local broadcaster SWR noted that the hotel, which dates back to the 1600s, underwent significant renovations in the 1980s when an additional floor was added to the now two-story structure. The Moselle valley is a well-known tourist spot, celebrated for its vineyards and charming old towns. One hotel guest reported being in the toilet when the floor collapsed beneath him. Nearby residents have been evacuated due to concerns about potential further collapses of the hotel building.

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Freed Russian Dissidents Decline to Sign Mercy Plea to Putin

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Two Russian dissidents, Vladimir Kara-Murza and Ilya Yashin, recently released in a prisoner swap, stated they refused to sign a petition for mercy directed to Russian President Vladimir Putin, as requested by prison officials. At a news conference in Germany, both men emphasized their innocence and made it clear they did not consent to their removal from Russia, vowing to return one day.

Kara-Murza noted that the exchange saved “16 human lives” and expressed his belief that he might die in prison. He also mentioned that many Russians oppose Putin’s war in Ukraine. The swap involved 24 individuals held in various countries, including US journalist Evan Gerschkovich and former Marine Paul Whelan. Among the Russians released by the West was convicted assassin Vadim Krasikov, who was serving a life sentence in Germany for murdering a Chechen dissident.

Kara-Murza and Yashin, along with another dissident, Andrei Pivovarov, pledged to continue their work for a “free” Russia and for those still imprisoned. Yashin expressed mixed feelings about the swap, acknowledging gratitude for his freedom but stating his desire to return to Russia. He noted that an exiled opposition is easier for Putin to manage, as their voices carry more weight when they are imprisoned.

Yashin also pointed out the ethical dilemma faced by the German government in releasing Krasikov, while acknowledging that his return to Russia might complicate the negotiation of future exchanges for political prisoners. Russian rights group Memorial reports that hundreds of political prisoners are currently detained. Kara-Murza referred to the exchange as a “drop in the ocean,” given the number of innocent people suffering in harsh conditions.

Kara-Murza, a dual Russian-British citizen, shared his experience of being in solitary confinement for over ten months, fearing he would never see his family again. He recounted how surreal it felt to finally be released and expressed determination to return to Russia one day. Another dissident, Sasha Skochilenko, also expressed relief and joy at her release, eager to reunite with her loved ones.

The group paid tribute to Alexei Navalny, a prominent critic of Putin who died in prison, asserting that his death is a crime for which Putin is directly responsible. Kara-Murza emphasized the distinction between Russia and Putin’s regime, stating his commitment to advocating for a better future for his country, one that is modern and democratic.

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One dead after armed gunmen storm French wedding

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A man in his 30s was killed, and several others were wounded in a shooting at a Turkish wedding in north-east France, police reported. French media indicate that three armed, masked men arrived at the reception in Thionville late on Saturday night and began firing at the guests. According to Le Figaro newspaper, citing police sources, the incident occurred at 1:15 AM local time and was linked to a conflict between well-known gangs in Moselle.

Among the wounded was a pregnant woman, and three of the injured are in critical condition at Bel-Air hospital. Approximately 100 people were celebrating at Eden Palace when the gunmen, who arrived in a 4×4 vehicle, opened fire.

A police source told AFP that a group had gone outside to smoke when three heavily armed men started shooting in their direction with automatic weapons and shotguns. Nancy prosecutor Francois Capin-Dulhoste stated that the attackers fired “several dozen times,” injuring four people aged between 25 and 50.

The attackers fled the scene before emergency services arrived. Local newspaper Le Républicain Lorrain reported that police are investigating if the attackers’ vehicle came from Germany or Luxembourg, which are about 15 km away. The Lorraine border region has a history of violent incidents linked to drug trafficking, and according to Le Parisien, the victims were known to authorities for drug-related cases. In May 2023, a shooting between rival gangs in the nearby town of Villerupt injured five people.

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Germany Starts Euro 2024 with Commanding 5-1 Win

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Germany got off to an excellent start in their Euro 2024 campaign with a dominant 5-1 victory over Scotland at home, marking their largest-ever win in the Euros. The match saw Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala, and Kai Havertz (from a penalty) securing a commanding 3-0 lead by halftime, aided by Ryan Porteous’s red card for Scotland due to a reckless challenge.

In the second half, Germany maintained control, with Niclas Fullkrug adding a fourth goal and having a fifth disallowed. Despite an own goal by Antonio Rudiger giving Scotland a brief moment of relief, Emre Can sealed Germany’s victory with a final score of 5-1.

Reflecting on the match, pundits like Chris Sutton and Pat Nevin praised Germany’s performance, noting their high-pressure tactics reminiscent of top clubs like Manchester City. Julian Nagelsmann, Germany’s coach, highlighted his team’s strong start and acknowledged room for improvement, expressing satisfaction with their opening win in front of their home fans.

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New knife attack wounds local German politician

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In Mannheim, Germany, a local politician was attacked just days after a police officer was fatally stabbed in the city’s market square. The victim, Heinrich Koch, a 62-year-old candidate for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, sustained cuts in the incident, according to the German press agency DPA. The police confirmed that the attack took place on Tuesday evening, near the site of the previous deadly assault on rally organizers against radical Islam, which resulted in the death of a 29-year-old officer.

Koch was hospitalized for treatment but his injuries were not life-threatening. The local AfD association reported that the altercation occurred after Koch pursued a man who was tearing down election posters. The assailant then cut Koch with a knife. The police arrested a 25-year-old suspect who exhibited signs of mental illness and was subsequently taken to a psychiatric hospital. Authorities indicated that there was no solid evidence the attacker knew Koch was an AfD politician.

This recent violence follows the stabbing of a police officer by an Afghan asylum seeker, which led to the officer’s death and injuries to five others during preparations for an anti-radical Islam rally. The 25-year-old suspect, who arrived in Germany as a refugee in 2013 and has two children, was detained. In response to the killing, which incited widespread outrage, the German government has indicated it might resume deportations to Afghanistan, halted since the Taliban regained control three years ago.

These incidents occur as Germany gears up for European Parliament elections and municipal elections in seven states, including Baden-Württemberg, where the AfD is competing against the centre-left Social Democrats of Chancellor Olaf Scholz for second place. The AfD’s campaign has been marred by various scandals. Markus Frohnmaier, a senior AfD official in Baden-Württemberg, expressed shock and dismay at the attack on Koch.

Violent incidents have also been reported in other parts of Germany in the run-up to Sunday’s European elections. Chancellor Scholz recently warned of threats to democracy following attacks on political figures, including Matthias Ecke of Scholz’s party in Dresden and a female Greens politician in the same city. Berlin senator Franziska Giffey, a prominent former minister from Scholz’s party, was also assaulted last month during a visit to a local library.

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German anti-Islamic activist hurt in a stabbing incident

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A man attacked six people, including a police officer, with a knife in Mannheim, a city in southwestern Germany, as confirmed by police. One of the injured was anti-Islam activist Michael Stürzenberger, who was preparing for a rally in the market square, organized by the Citizens’ Movement Pax Europa (BPE). The incident was livestreamed on YouTube, showing the attacker stabbing a man and then a police officer who tried to intervene. The officer is in critical condition.

The attacker was shot and injured by another police officer. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned the attack, emphasizing that violence is unacceptable in a democracy and calling for severe punishment for the perpetrator. Mannheim police confirmed a major operation in the market square, with a rescue helicopter dispatched to the scene.

The attack occurred at 11:35 AM (10:35 BST) during the rally hosted by Michael Stürzenberger’s group. Stürzenberger was injured in the leg and face and requires surgery, though his life is not in danger. The attack, which seemed premeditated, took place before the rally began. The attacker injured five BPE members and one police officer, with the officer in critical condition requiring emergency surgery.

The suspect, whose identity has not been officially released, is a 25-year-old Afghan-born resident of Germany. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser suggested the possibility of an Islamist motive behind the attack.

Michael Stürzenberger, a far-right activist known for his Islamophobic blog and involvement with BPE, is a former politician previously affiliated with the Christian Social Union (CSU) before leading the now-dissolved right-wing party Die Freiheit.

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Beckham scores Euros deal with China tech giant

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David Beckham recently secured a significant deal as a global ambassador for AliExpress, an online retail platform owned by the Chinese tech giant Alibaba. This partnership coincides with the imminent Euros football tournament set to take place in Germany. While specific financial terms remain undisclosed, Beckham’s involvement will see him spearheading AliExpress’ promotional activities during the tournament, particularly through their Score More campaign in collaboration with UEFA.

This announcement places AliExpress among other notable Chinese firms sponsoring the Euros, including electric vehicle manufacturer BYD and electronics giant Vivo. Beckham’s post-football career has seen him actively engaged with various brands and major sporting events, demonstrating his enduring appeal as a public figure. Alongside his wife Victoria, Beckham’s wealth is estimated at £455m ($581.6m) according to the Sunday Times Rich List.

The Euros tournament, following the Paris Olympics and Paralympics, is anticipated to be one of the biggest sporting events of the year. Spanning from June 14 to July 14 across multiple cities, including Munich and Hamburg, a total of 2.7 million tickets have been made available for the competition. UEFA reports staggering global viewership figures for the 2020 edition, with the final match alone attracting 328 million viewers worldwide.

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Czech president injured while racing motorcycle

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Czech President Petr Pavel has been hospitalized following a motorcycle accident, with his office reassuring the public that the injuries are not severe, necessitating only a short observation period. The incident occurred on a closed racing circuit, leading authorities to abstain from launching an investigation. Despite the accident, President Pavel’s love for motorcycles is well-known, particularly his fondness for riding a BMW R1200 GS.

President Pavel’s enthusiasm for motorbikes has occasionally landed him in controversy. Last year, he publicly apologized after being caught riding without a helmet. Nonetheless, his passion for biking remains undeterred, with the president often seen enjoying rides, even to neighboring countries like Germany. Pavel’s commitment to strengthening diplomatic ties, combined with his love for motorcycles, has made headlines throughout his tenure.

This recent accident marks another addition to President Pavel’s list of extra-curricular mishaps. Just last April, he sustained a minor injury while practicing shooting at a range. Despite these incidents, President Pavel continues to engage actively in both official duties and personal interests, illustrating a dynamic and multifaceted leadership style.

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German far right in disarray after AfD Nazi remark

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Maximilian Krah, a prominent far-right German politician from the Alternative for Germany (AfD), announced he would scale back his campaign efforts for the upcoming EU elections while remaining the party’s lead candidate. This decision followed a controversial interview with the Italian newspaper La Repubblica, where Krah remarked that not all SS members were automatically “criminals” and emphasized assessing individual culpability. He referenced Günter Grass, the German novelist who served in the Waffen SS, to support his point.

The SS, or Schutzstaffel, was a Nazi paramilitary group notorious for its central role in the Holocaust and other war crimes. Krah’s comments provoked a strong reaction, leading France’s far-right National Rally (RN) to sever ties with the AfD in the European Parliament. RN leader Marine Le Pen called for a “cordon sanitaire” to distance her party from the AfD, stating the urgency of this separation due to the extremity of Krah’s views.

The relationship between RN and AfD had already been strained following a secret meeting involving AfD members discussing the mass deportations of non-ethnic Germans. Marine Le Pen had previously condemned such ideas.

Facing mounting pressures ahead of the EU elections in June, Krah declared on social media that he would step back from public campaign appearances and resign from the federal executive board to preserve party unity. This decision comes amid various scandals, including the arrest of one of his staffers for alleged espionage for China and an ongoing investigation into Krah over purported payments from Russia and China, which he denies. Despite these controversies, the AfD remains a significant political force, polling second or third nationally and leading in some states set for local elections later this year.

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German group accused of plotting coup go on trial

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In Germany, trials have begun for individuals allegedly connected to a coup plot involving a German aristocrat, a significant arsenal of weapons, and the belief that Queen Elizabeth II’s death was a covert “signal” to act. These individuals are associated with the Reichsbürger movement, which denies the legitimacy of the modern German state, claiming it was installed by the Allied powers after World War II.

The most high-profile trial is taking place in Frankfurt, following extensive raids across the country in 2022. This trial, one of three, is crucial for understanding far-right networks due to its scale and potential insights.

The Reichsbürger movement, comprising around 23,000 followers, espouses antisemitic views and a strong affinity for weapons. Authorities allege that members plotted to violently overthrow the German government, planning to storm the national parliament in Berlin and arrest MPs on a so-called “Day X”. The indictment suggests they even debated if Queen Elizabeth II’s death was a signal to act.

A key figure in the trial is Heinrich XIII Prince Reuss, a 72-year-old former real estate developer from Frankfurt and a descendant of the aristocratic House of Reuss. He allegedly hosted the group’s ‘central council’ meetings and was designated as the future ‘head of state’ post-coup. He was also reportedly involved in attempts to establish contact with Moscow, appearing at the Russian consulate in Leipzig.

Another notable defendant is Birgit Malsack-Winkemann, a former judge and member of the far-right Alternative for Deutschland party. She allegedly used her parliamentary access to help co-conspirators scout government buildings and was slated to manage the justice department in the new regime.

Prosecutors claim the group intended to reorganize Germany’s political structure by taking over institutions at both state and local levels, aware that this might require violence. Their central council would have coordinated these efforts, supported by a ‘military arm’ comprising 286 units tasked with enforcing the new order nationwide.

The indictment reveals the group’s access to a substantial cache of weapons, including firearms, ammunition, night vision devices, and handcuffs, and financial resources of around 500,000 euros. Members reportedly became increasingly isolated from the outside world over time.

Jan Rathje, a senior researcher at the extremism monitoring agency CeMAS, notes that such conspiratorial, sovereigntist movements trace back to desires among some former Nazis to reestablish a National Socialist German Reich. He warns that the Reichsbürger movement, with its violent far-right tradition, has been dangerously underestimated, emphasizing that, despite the coup’s likely failure, it could have caused significant harm. The symbolic impact of a violent strike against the government could have emboldened radical forces by portraying the government as weak.

The trials are being conducted in Stuttgart, Frankfurt, and Munich due to the case’s complexity and size.

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