MI5 has for the first time published an open “espionage alert” accusing the China General Technology Research Institute (CGTRI), also known as the China Academy of General Technology, of acting in the interests of China’s Ministry of State Security. According to MI5, the institute has “very strong ties” to China’s...
Bundeswehr to set up first drone regiment in 2027
Germany’s armed forces will form their first regiment for unmanned systems. Defence Minister Boris Pistorius announced this on Thursday at the Bergen training area. He said an independent unit for unmanned systems will be established in the course of 2027. The regiment is planned to have up to 600 service...
UK imposes a new package of sanctions against Russia
The UK Foreign Office announced a new package of sanctions against Russia on 1 October. It covers 23 individuals and entities and eight vessels. According to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, the package is aimed at restricting funding for the war, putting pressure on networks that London describes as...
Couple detained in Latvia on suspicion of spying for Russian military intelligence
Latvia’s State Security Service (VDD), together with the Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIDD), has detained two Latvian citizens — a man and a woman — on suspicion of gathering information about the country’s defence sector on behalf of Russian military intelligence. The VDD announced this on 1 October. Criminal...
Burnham says Iran was involved in incident at US-used base in Gloucestershire
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said the authorities have “convincing grounds” to believe Iran was involved in an incident at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. The base is used by US forces for operations linked to Iran. Burnham made the remarks on Wednesday, 30 September, in interviews with the BBC and...
Berlin airport activates early-warning drone detection system
A new drone detection system has entered service at Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER), Germany’s Federal Ministry of Transport said. The system is designed to detect unmanned aircraft at an early stage in approach and departure zones and promptly alert the authorities responsible for air traffic safety. Germany’s air navigation service...
Spanish Senate rejects friendship treaty with France on the day of Macron’s visit to Madrid
Spain’s Senate on 29 September 2026 rejected ratification of the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation with France. The vote was 142 against, 106 in favour and one abstention. The vote took place on the first day of French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to Madrid. The document was signed by...
Police from four countries carry out Europe’s largest raid against Hells Angels
Early on Wednesday, 30 September, more than 1,000 police officers launched coordinated raids in Germany, Belgium, Bulgaria and the Netherlands. The operation targeted an international money-laundering network linked to members of the Hells Angels motorcycle gang. According to Duisburg police and the dpa news agency, 14 arrest warrants were executed....
The United States has left the Council of Europe’s anti-corruption body
The United States has formally withdrawn from the Group of States against Corruption (GRECO). The Council of Europe announced this on September 29, saying Washington had submitted the notification the day before. Before the United States, only Russia and Belarus had left GRECO. The United States joined the group in...
Russia sends nuclear warning to NATO in informal diplomatic note
Russia has delivered an informal diplomatic document to NATO warning that it is prepared to use its entire arsenal, including nuclear weapons, if alliance countries attempt to isolate the Kaliningrad region from the rest of Russian territory. The document, seen by Reuters, accuses NATO of a “dangerous and reckless course”...