According to the UK Office for National Statistics, there were only 499 homicides, including murder, manslaughter, and infanticide, recorded in England and Wales between September 2024 and September 2025. This is the lowest figure since 1977—almost half a century. Compared to the previous year, the number of murders decreased by...
The Italian government wants to give the police more powers
The Italian government has approved a package of measures to strengthen public safety, significantly expanding police powers. The corresponding decree was adopted by the Council of Ministers on February 5, 2026, under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The main innovations concern preventative detention: police will now be able...
Incidents around Berlin’s hospitals are on the rise
In recent months, suspicious incidents around Berlin's medical facilities have increased sharply. The Berlin Hospital Association reports unidentified drone overflights, cyberattacks, door break-ins, unauthorized filming, and arson. The most high-profile incidents of recent months include: an explosion at the entrance to the Charité; a massive arson attack at the Vivantes...
The USA is prepared to tighten sanctions against Russia if peace talks fail
The Trump administration has prepared a new package of sanctions against Russia but is holding off on implementing them immediately. Bloomberg reports this, citing European officials familiar with the situation. According to agency sources, the restrictions will primarily affect Russia's energy sector, including measures against the so-called "shadow fleet"—ships used...
The UK and the USA have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Critical Minerals and Rare Earth Elements
The UK and the United States signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Securing the Supply of Critical Minerals and Rare Earth Elements. The document was signed on February 4, 2026, in Washington, D.C., during a major international summit on critical minerals organized by the administration of US President Donald Trump....
Portugal bans Polymarket platform after suspicious bets worth over €4 million ahead of presidential election
The Portuguese gambling regulator Serviço de Regulação e Inspeção de Jogos (SRIJ) has taken tough measures against the popular crypto prediction platform Polymarket, completely banning its activities in the country. The decision followed a sharp surge in bets on the outcome of the 18 January 2026 presidential election. According to...
France leads in number of major cyber attacks in January 2026
According to cybersecurity analysts and European media reports, France was the European country most affected by major cyber attacks and data leaks in the first month of 2026. According to the Journal du Dimanche (JDD), more than 100 incidents of varying scale were recorded in the first four weeks of...
Italy accuses Russia of attempting cyber attacks on 2026 Olympic facilities
Ahead of the Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italian authorities announced that they had prevented a series of cyber attacks, which they believe originated in Russia. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told reporters in Washington that Italian intelligence services had managed to thwart several hacking attempts. The attacks...
The EU has praised the effectiveness of its sanctions against Russia
The European Union's Special Envoy for Sanctions, David O'Sullivan, said that the restrictions imposed on Russia are having a significant impact on the Russian economy. According to him, the sanctions have already led to a noticeable distortion of the Russian economy in favour of the military sector, which could make...
Four suspects arrested in France on suspicion of spying for China
French law enforcement agencies have arrested four people, including two Chinese nationals, on suspicion of spying for the People's Republic of China. This was reported by the Paris Public Prosecutor's Office. The arrests took place on 31 January in the Gironde department (south-western France). According to the investigation, two Chinese...