LEIPZIG (Germany), May 5 — A car ploughed into a crowd in the historic centre of the eastern German city of Leipzig yesterday, killing two people and injuring several others, authorities said.

The driver, a 33-year-old German man, was arrested at the scene and officials said his motivation was unclear.

Germany has been shaken by a series of car-ramming attacks in recent years, including one targeting a Christmas market in 2024 in Magdeburg, and also in Berlin and Munich.

In the latest incident in Leipzig, a Volkswagen Taigo car careered from a major square in the old town down a busy pedestrian zone, travelling hundreds of metres.

Hosam Algaer, a Leipzig resident originally from Libya, told AFP he narrowly avoided being hit by the vehicle before running after it to try and help the injured until the car came to a stop.

“The car braked, it stopped,” he said. “There was a woman on top and she ended up under the car, dead. She fell from the roof.”

“Luckily, things were not worse than they were thanks to the screaming,” he added. “People understood very quickly that an idiot was driving and they fled.”

Michael Kretschmer—the leader of Saxony state, where Leipzig is located—said two people were killed, adding that the incident “shakes me to the core”.

“We will do everything in our power to investigate it quickly and fully,” he said. “The rule of law will act with all due rigour.”

While officials did not draw firm conclusions on his motive, several described the incident as an “Amokfahrt”—a German term suggesting a rampage driven by some kind of madness.

This kind of act was “often associated with psychological instability,” said Armin Schuster, the interior minister in the Saxony state government.

Police said late yesterday said there was “no basis on current knowledge” to assume a political or religious motive on the part of the perpetrator.

A 63-year old woman and a 77-year old man, both German citizens, died in the incident, they added.

At least two people were seriously injured and about 20 others were more lightly hurt, according to the fire service.

Police said the car ploughed into people on Grimmaische street, a major pedestrian zone in the old town lined with shops and historic buildings.

The driver stopped of his own accord, they added.

Series of rammings 

TV pictures showed a white vehicle with a badly damaged windshield and hood, and the street cordoned off and surrounded by emergency vehicles.

Police deployed in large numbers in the city, which has a population of around 600,000, along with firefighters, emergency medical personnel and two helicopters.

Authorities said the driver was being investigated on suspicion of offences including murder and attempted murder.

He was believed to have acted alone, police said, and there was no ongoing danger in the city.

Leipzig appeared to be coming back to life quickly, with people sitting at outside tables a short distance from where the incident happened, an AFP correspondent at the scene said.

Germany has been on high alert for vehicle ramming attacks since December 2016, when an Islamic State group sympathiser ploughed a truck through a Berlin Christmas market.

In 2024, a Christmas market in Magdeburg was targeted by a Saudi man, who drove a car into the crowd, killing six people and injuring more than 300.

The Saudi man, now on trial, was a psychiatrist who adhered to conspiracy theories, held strongly anti-Islam views and repeatedly expressed his fury at German authorities.

In February 2025, a mother and her daughter were killed and around 30 people injured by the Afghan driver of a vehicle that rammed into a march in Munich.

The attacks come as sensitivities around migrants have grown in parts of Germany following a large influx of asylum seekers and refugees in 2015.

Immigration and security have risen up the political agenda in German political debate, helping fuel the rise of the far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD). — AFP

MAY 4 — The State of Negeri Sembilan is indeed unique. The State Constitution – the Laws of the Constitution of Negeri Sembilan, 1959 – is in two parts, which were agreed to by the then Yang di-Pertuan Besar, Undangs of the Luaks of Sungai Ujong, Jelebu, Johol and Rembau as well as the Tengku Besar of Tampin.

The First Part “constitutionalises” the adat perpatih on the customary ruling structure. There is no First Part in the other state constitutions.

There are eight Chapters and 32 Articles in the First Part.

Chapter 3 is on the Yang di-Pertuan Besar, starting with Article 7. Chapter 5 is on the Ruling Chiefs, who are “the Undang of the Luak of Sungai Ujong, the Undang of the Luak of Jelebu, the Undang of the Luak of Johol, the Undang of the Luak of Rembau and the Tengku Besar of Tampin.

Chapter 6 makes provisions on the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang (DKU) or The Council of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar and the Ruling Chiefs. 

The DKU is “to advice on questions relating to Malay Custom in any part of the State including questions relating to the election or succession to or removal from or vacation of office of any of the Ruling Chiefs referred to in Article 14 or on other matters which may be referred to it by His Highness or any of the Ruling Chiefs and to exercise such functions as may be conferred upon it by this Constitution or any other written law”.

Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir delivers his royal address during the opening of the third session of the 15th Negeri Sembilan State Legislative Assembly in Seremban on April 24, 2025. — Bernama pic

The last chapter, Chapter 8, is on General Provisions, ending with Article 32 which reads as follows:

“Except as expressed herein, this Part shall not affect the ancient constitution and ancient custom of the State of Negeri Sembilan but such ancient constitution and ancient custom, where not inconsistent with this Part, shall continue as heretofore.”

Article 7(1) says that there shall be a Yang di-Pertuan Besar of the State to exercise the functions and powers of a Ruler in accordance with the State Constitution.

Under Article 7(2), the Yang di-Pertuan Besar shall be such person as shall be elected by the Undangs of the territories of Sungei Ujong, Jelebu, Johol and Rembau in the manner provided by the State Constitution and in accordance with the custom of the State.

The Undangs means the Ruling Chiefs of the Luak of Sungei Ujong, Luak of Jelebu, Luak of Johol and Luak of Rembau – the so-called four Undangs. Luak means the area or territories ruled respectively by each of the Undangs.

Under Article 10(1), the Undangs may call upon the Yang di-Pertuan Besar (a) to withdraw from performing His Highness duties for a period to be determined by the Undangs; or (b) to abdicate and relinquish His Highness prerogatives, rights, powers and privileges “if it is considered and determined after full and complete enquiry by the Undangs that His Highness has developed any great and serious defect derogatory to the qualities of a Yang di-Pertuan Besar such as insanity, blindness, dumbness or has become possessed of any base quality on account of which His Highness would not be permitted by the Hukum Syarak to be Yang di-Pertuan Besar or that His Highness has done any overt act detrimental to the sanctity, honour and dignity of a Yang di-Pertuan Besar or has deliberately disregarded the provisions of this Constitution”.

Whatever may be the adat on removing the Yang di-Pertuan Besar, the State Constitution is clear and explicit that there must be a “full and complete enquiry by the Undangs”.

On being called upon to withdraw from performing his duties as aforesaid, Article 10(2) states that His Highness “shall cease to exercise the functions and powers of Ruler of the State for the period so determined” and during such period a Regent or a Council of Regency appointed in the manner provided by the State Constitution “shall exercise such functions or powers” or on being called upon to abdicate His Highness “shall thereupon cease to be Yang di-Pertuan Besar”.

There is an important proviso though, which says that as soon as possible after His Highness has been called to withdraw or to abdicate and relinquish, a proclamation to that effect “shall be issued under the hands of the Undangs and the Menteri Besar”.

Clearly, there must be the concurrence of the Menteri Besar for a proclamation that His Highness “cease to exercise the functions and powers of Ruler of the State”.

One may consider the full and complete enquiry by the Undangs and the concurrence of the Menteri Besar as checks and balances on the power of the Undangs to remove the Yang di-Pertuan Besar.

As for the Undangs, the State Constitution is also clear and explicit that the Undangs “shall be persons lawfully elected in accordance with the custom of their respective luaks” and “removed from office in accordance with the custom of his luak”. The DKU is there to advise on such a custom.

The Menteri Besar may refer to the DKU for its advice on the custom, and when the DKU gives its advice, the advice “shall be final and shall not be challenged or called in question in any court on any ground”.

The DKU is comprised of “His Highness, the Ruling Chiefs, the Tengku Besar of Sri Menanti, Dato Shahbandar of Sungai Ujong and such other Malay member or members as may from time to time be appointed for such period as may be prescribed by His Highness and the Undangs”.

One may also consider the above provisions as checks and balances on the ruling structure in Negeri Sembilan.

Are there checks and balances on the Yang di-Pertuan Besar?

The short answer is: Yes.

Article 28(1) says that subject to Clause (2), the expression Ruler “wherever it occurs in the Second Part of the Constitution shall mean His Highness and the Ruling Chiefs who are available and holding office at the material time”. Clause (2) says “for the purpose of Article 40(2) in the Second Part of the Constitution the expression Ruler shall mean His Highness and at least three of the four Undangs”.

No other State Constitution has the above provisions. The synergy between the powers in the ruling structure of the State of Negeri Sembilan is unique.

The checks and balances in the State Constitution safeguards against abuse of power, upholding the rule of law where no one is above the law.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.

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Syrian officials say a group Australians ‘awaiting a solution’ as Albanese government refuses to repatriate them

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The Trump administration says it is in “active communication” with countries, urging them to repatriate citizens stranded in Syria, while the Australian government maintains its hardline stance towards Australian women and children detained since the fall of Islamic State.

A group of four women, their nine children and grandchildren left al-Roj camp, in Syria’s north-east, last Friday in a bid to return to Australia, with reports on Thursday morning that the Albanese government’s refusal to help them has left them stuck in Damascus.

The RSF leadership, accused of committing genocide, used UAE as a ‘safe haven’ for family members and their wealth, records show

A network linked to the leadership of a militia accused of genocide has amassed a vast property portfolio in Dubai as part of a sprawling “paramilitary-industrial complex” across Africa and the Middle East, an investigation has revealed.

Family members, sanctioned individuals, and entities linked to the leader of Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, have acquired more than 20 luxury properties, worth £17.7m, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), according to the Sentry, a US investigative group.

Soaring cost of building materials, lack of affordability and planning bottlenecks are some of the obstacles thwarting housing target

At South and City College in Birmingham, dozens of young people clad in hi-vis vests and hard hats are building mini-walls and plastering half-formed rooms.

Some weave in and out of stacks of bricks with wheelbarrows, while others use spirit levels to check the walls are straight and flat. In a few days time, these walls will be demolished and the plastering scraped away, for a new class to come in and try their hands.

Al-Qaida-linked group JNIM claims responsibility for strikes on airport in capital, Bamako and four other cities

Islamic militants and separatists attacked several locations in Mali’s capital and other cities on Saturday in one of the largest coordinated attacks in the country in recent years.

The al-Qaida-linked militant group JNIM claimed responsibility for the attacks on Bamako’s international airport and four other cities in central and northern Mali on its website, Az-Zallaqa. It said the attacks were carried out jointly with the Azawad Liberation Front, a Tuareg-led separatist group.

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Repatriation attempt comes after group was turned around when leaving camp in February. Albanese government says it’s not assisting cohort

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Four Australian women and nine of their children and grandchildren have left al-Roj camp in north-east Syria, seeking to return to Australia.

The group is reportedly travelling across Syria by road to the capital Damascus, under the control of the Syrian government.

There is a recurring pattern in the biographies of people who own property in Marbella. Many of them visited first as tourists, either on holiday or accompanying someone who owned property there. They enjoyed the experience. They started thinking about it. They came back. And eventually, sometimes after years of deliberation, they bought.

This pattern reveals something important about how the Marbella property market actually works. It is not primarily a market of spreadsheet-driven investors calculating cap rates and projected appreciation. It is a market of people who have experienced the place and want to own a piece of it. Understanding the lifestyle dimensions of this market is as important as understanding the financial ones for anyone trying to make sense of why Marbella maintains its gravitational pull decade after decade.

The Experience of Being There

What visitors consistently report about Marbella, and what distinguishes it from other European sun destinations, is the sense of being somewhere that works at a genuinely high level. The infrastructure functions. The hospitality is polished without being pretentious. The range of dining, leisure, and cultural options is broader and deeper than the town’s size would suggest. The climate is generous. And the combination of mountain backdrop and Mediterranean coastline creates a physical setting of real beauty that photographs well but is better experienced in person.

This quality of experience is not accidental. It is the product of decades of investment, both public and private, in the physical and service infrastructure of the town. Marbella has benefited from a virtuous cycle in which the concentration of wealthy international residents and visitors has attracted the businesses, restaurants, and services that those residents and visitors want, which in turn has attracted more of them.

The Social Fabric

One of the features of Marbella that is difficult to communicate in property listings but is among the most valued by those who live there is the social infrastructure. The town has a genuine year-round international community, not simply a summer influx of tourists who vanish in September. There are established networks of residents from across Europe, the Middle East, and elsewhere who have built lives in Marbella and who form the social environment that new arrivals enter.

For buyers who are relocating rather than simply purchasing a holiday property, this community dimension is often the deciding factor. Knowing that there is a ready-made social world to enter, that schools are established and well-regarded, and that the services and support networks necessary for comfortable daily life are in place reduces the friction of the transition considerably.

Crinoa Marbella has been operating in this environment long enough to understand the community dynamics as well as the property market, and they share this contextual knowledge freely with buyers who are navigating both dimensions of the decision.

Seasonal Rhythms

The experience of living in or visiting Marbella changes significantly across the seasons, and buyers benefit from understanding this variation before committing to a property whose appeal may be calibrated to a particular time of year.

July and August are the peak summer months, when the population swells dramatically, the restaurants and beach clubs operate at maximum intensity, and the area has the full beach resort energy that its international reputation is built on. The Golden Mile and Puerto Banus are lively to the point of being overwhelming for some visitors during this period.

Spring and autumn, by contrast, are many long-term residents’ favourite seasons. The temperatures are comfortable rather than hot, the crowds have thinned, and the town’s actual character, rather than its tourist-facing performance, becomes more accessible. October in particular has a loyal following among residents who regard it as the best month of the year.

Winter is mild by Northern European standards and genuinely liveable, with an active local scene, manageable traffic, and easy access to amenities that summer overcrowding can obscure. The outdoor pools may be too cool for swimming, but the walking, golf, dining, and social life continue without significant interruption.

According to Statista, Spain receives more than 80 million international visitors annually, making it one of the world’s most visited countries, and the Costa del Sol accounts for a significant share of those arrivals. This sustained visitor flow underpins both the lifestyle quality and the property values that make Marbella such a consistent destination for international buyers.

Making the Move

For buyers who have reached the point of translating their Marbella interest into an actual property search, the key is approaching the process with the same care and diligence they would bring to any significant acquisition, while also giving themselves the time to experience the market rather than simply study it from a distance.

Visiting different areas in different seasons, spending time in neighbourhoods that represent genuine lifestyle options rather than simply viewing specific properties, and building a relationship with a local team who can offer honest contextual guidance all contribute to a decision that is well-founded rather than simply well-intentioned.

For buyers ready to explore Marbella properties for sale, Crinoa offers the combination of market expertise, portfolio depth, and genuine client focus that makes that exploration productive. Contact their team today to begin the conversation.

The Investment Rationale Alongside the Lifestyle One

It would be incomplete to discuss the pull of Marbella purely in lifestyle terms without acknowledging that many buyers are also motivated, at least in part, by the investment case. The Marbella market has delivered meaningful long-term capital appreciation for buyers who entered at sensible valuations, and the structural factors that have supported that performance, international demand diversity, supply constraint, infrastructure quality, and fiscal incentives for non-resident ownership, remain in place. For buyers who combine a genuine lifestyle motivation with a rational assessment of the investment case, Marbella offers the relatively rare combination of a place they genuinely want to be and an asset that has a reasonable prospect of holding or growing its value over their ownership horizon. Crinoa’s team is ready to help buyers think through both dimensions of the decision and to find properties that serve both objectives well.

The post Marbella’s Pull: Why International Buyers Keep Returning to the Same Market appeared first on Social Lifestyle Magazine.