Danny Cox

Just days before Christmas and what should have been a festive event, a Christmas market in the East German city of Magdeburg has ended in tragedy as a car drove into the crowd at top speed. Dozens of ambulances were on the scene shortly after the incident. As we record this podcast, officials say a number of people have been killed, including a young child. Dozens of others were injured.

Just days before Christmas and what should have been a festive event, a Christmas market in the East German city of Magdeburg has ended in tragedy as a car drove into the crowd at top speed. Dozens of ambulances were on the scene shortly after the incident. As we record this podcast, officials say a number of people have been killed, including a young child. Dozens of others were injured.

The German state premier, Rainer Haseloff, had this to say. This is a terrible tragedy. It's a catastrophe for the city of Magdeburg and for Germany in general. For this to happen at a Christmas market, it is hard to comprehend. Local officials say they suspect it was a deliberate attack. TV pictures showed a suspect being arrested by police with guns drawn.

The German state premier, Rainer Haseloff, had this to say. This is a terrible tragedy. It's a catastrophe for the city of Magdeburg and for Germany in general. For this to happen at a Christmas market, it is hard to comprehend. Local officials say they suspect it was a deliberate attack. TV pictures showed a suspect being arrested by police with guns drawn.

I heard more from our Berlin correspondent, Damien McGuinness.

I heard more from our Berlin correspondent, Damien McGuinness.

And sadly, not the first attack on a Christmas market in Germany.

And sadly, not the first attack on a Christmas market in Germany.

And briefly, Germany in political turmoil anyway just now, with an election just weeks away.

And briefly, Germany in political turmoil anyway just now, with an election just weeks away.

Damien McGuinness in Berlin. Officials say the perpetrator was a 50-year-old Saudi doctor who arrived in Germany in 2006 and had indefinite right to remain. The police believe he was acting alone. Our security correspondent Frank Gardner has this assessment of the incident.

Damien McGuinness in Berlin. Officials say the perpetrator was a 50-year-old Saudi doctor who arrived in Germany in 2006 and had indefinite right to remain. The police believe he was acting alone. Our security correspondent Frank Gardner has this assessment of the incident.

Frank Gardner, a senior US diplomat, has said that Washington is scrapping a reward... for the arrest of Syria's new leader, Ahmed al-Sharah. Barbara Leaf was speaking after the first meeting between senior American diplomats and de facto leaders of Syria. It was described as positive. Other Western diplomats have already met officials from the HTS Islamist group which overthrew President Assad.

Frank Gardner, a senior US diplomat, has said that Washington is scrapping a reward... for the arrest of Syria's new leader, Ahmed al-Sharah. Barbara Leaf was speaking after the first meeting between senior American diplomats and de facto leaders of Syria. It was described as positive. Other Western diplomats have already met officials from the HTS Islamist group which overthrew President Assad.

It's still designated as a terrorist group by Washington, but delisting it would ease the path towards sanctions relief that the new Syrian authorities need. Our correspondent Lina Sinjab is in Damascus. She gave us this update.

It's still designated as a terrorist group by Washington, but delisting it would ease the path towards sanctions relief that the new Syrian authorities need. Our correspondent Lina Sinjab is in Damascus. She gave us this update.

And the Americans say they're also hoping there'll be no role for Iran in the new Syria.

And the Americans say they're also hoping there'll be no role for Iran in the new Syria.

What are the Americans hoping to achieve with these talks?

What are the Americans hoping to achieve with these talks?