Hubert Aiwanger, the deputy premier of the German state of Bavaria and leader of the Free Voters party, has died at the age of 55.

What happened

Aiwanger was found dead in his hotel room in central Berlin on the evening of Wednesday, 4 November 2026, police and prosecutors confirmed. On Thursday, prosecutors said an autopsy had found no evidence that anyone else was involved in his death. He had reportedly been due to speak at the opening of his party's new Berlin office on Wednesday afternoon, but pulled out, citing health concerns.

Who he was

Aiwanger became leader of the Free Voters in Bavaria in 2006 and national party chairman in 2010. Under him, the party entered the Bavarian state parliament in 2008, and since 2018 it has governed Bavaria as the junior coalition partner of the Christian Social Union (CSU), with Aiwanger serving as deputy premier and economy minister. Known for his blunt, folksy style, he presented his party as an alternative to the CSU, but it never won seats in the national parliament.

Tributes

Bavarian premier Markus Söder described his sudden death as an absolute tragedy. Aiwanger is survived by his partner, Free Voters politician Tanja Schweiger, and their two children.

What happens next

The Free Voters will need to choose a new leader, and the Bavarian government will appoint a new deputy premier and economy minister.

At least 25 passenger flights across Europe were hit by bomb threats on Thursday, 5 November 2026, causing diversions, emergency landings and security checks at several airports.

What happened

According to reports, an Aer Lingus flight from Dublin to Rome carrying 151 passengers and six crew was diverted to a French military air base at Évreux, where bomb disposal experts inspected it. Three Ryanair flights to Bulgaria from Copenhagen, Madrid and London were also targeted. Two landed in Sofia and the third was diverted to Plovdiv. Italian fighter jets escorted a Finnair flight from Helsinki to Rome after a bomb alert. Flights operated by Wizz Air, LOT Polish Airlines and Aegean Airlines were also affected, with incidents reported in countries including France, Spain, Poland, Denmark, Italy, the Czech Republic, Austria and Romania.

No explosives found

No explosives were found on any of the aircraft searched so far, and all the affected planes landed safely. The threats followed another wave on Tuesday, when at least seven flights across Europe were targeted.

Background

Hoax bomb threats against airlines cause major disruption and cost, as pilots and authorities must treat every threat as real. Investigators have not said publicly who is behind the latest threats or whether the incidents are linked. European security agencies have warned in recent years of attempts to disrupt transport and infrastructure.

What it means for travellers

Passengers flying in Europe, including Nigerians travelling for the holidays, may face extra security checks and delays while investigations continue.

The United Kingdom says it will not invite Russian President Vladimir Putin to the G20 summit it is hosting in 2027, setting it apart from the United States.

What was said

In an interview reported on Thursday, 5 November 2026, Prime Minister Andy Burnham was reportedly asked whether Putin would be invited to the summit in Manchester in November 2027, and replied that he would not. He said the guest list was handled by the G20, but that Putin would not be coming because of an outstanding sanction.

A contrast with Washington

President Donald Trump has invited Putin to this year's G20 summit in Miami in December. The Kremlin has not confirmed whether the Russian leader will attend.

Background

Britain has avoided direct engagement with Russian ministers since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and has imposed wide sanctions on Russian officials. Tensions over Russia's role in the G20 were on display at a meeting of foreign ministers in October, when a planned group photo was cancelled after European ministers refused to pose with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. The G20 includes the world's largest economies, and the African Union became a full member in 2023.

Why it matters

The disagreement highlights divisions among Western allies over how to deal with Russia as the war in Ukraine continues.

It was an emotional scene at the Trade Fair International Market in Lagos as former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, the NDC presidential candidate and Labour Party candidate in the 2023 election, arrived to pay his last respects to the late Chief Sir Okey Ezibe, popularly known as Omeluora.

Chief Ezibe, widely regarded as one of the founding fathers of the famous Balogun Market in Lagos, was honoured by traders, associates, friends and well-wishers who gathered to celebrate his life and his contribution to commerce.

"My leader! My leader!"

Something remarkable happened when Obi arrived. The atmosphere suddenly changed. Traders stepped away from their businesses, and a large crowd gathered around him, cheering and calling out, "My leader! My leader!"

Many raised their phones to capture the moment, while members of his team, wearing T-shirts printed with "Rest in Peace Omeluora", waved to the crowd from his car.

For those watching, the reception was another reminder of the strong support Obi continues to enjoy among sections of the trading community, particularly in Lagos. He had come for a solemn occasion, yet his presence drew the kind of attention usually seen at major political gatherings.

Who was Chief Okey Ezibe (Omeluora)?

To many traders, the late Chief Sir Okey Ezibe was more than a successful businessman. He was a respected figure whose contributions helped shape the business community around Balogun Market, one of Nigeria's busiest commercial centres.

For years, Balogun Market has provided opportunities for thousands of traders, importers, wholesalers and small business owners. People like Omeluora are remembered for building business networks, encouraging younger entrepreneurs and strengthening the trading community. His passing marks the loss of a respected figure in that community.

Obi's reception gets people talking

Despite the disagreements and controversies that surround Nigerian politics, Obi still draws enthusiastic crowds in parts of the country, and the scenes at Trade Fair appeared to reflect that connection.

Some will see the reception as a sign of his political popularity ahead of the 2027 general election. Others may simply see it as a warm welcome for a familiar public figure attending the funeral of a respected businessman.

Whatever the interpretation, the excitement around his arrival became one of the memorable moments of the day.

Remembering Omeluora

Beyond the cheers and the political talk, the gathering was ultimately about remembering Chief Okey Ezibe and the legacy he left behind.

A man can build wealth, businesses and influence in his lifetime, but what people say about him after his death often tells another story. For Omeluora, the respect shown by the trading community speaks to the place he held in their lives.

Rest in peace, Omeluora. A great iroko has fallen. His name will continue to be remembered among those who helped commerce grow in Lagos.

Over to you

Is the reception Peter Obi received at Lagos Trade Fair another sign of his political strength ahead of 2027, or was it simply a show of respect from traders? Share your thoughts.