Latest News
- Martin Ney sentenced to life for killing three boys from 1992 to 2001
- EU rebuffs Italy’s calls for more lenient budget rules amid tensions.
- Abusers are Misusing Doorbell Cameras and Smart Sunglasses as Weapons | News UK
- International Rescue Committee launches emergency response to Ebola outbreak in Central Africa
- EU improves preparedness for quarantine measures six years on.
- Maldives government recovers bodies of five Italian divers after tragedy
- Spain’s conservatives solidify power after key regional votes in 2023
- Factory worker defeats robot in package-sorting challenge at Figure AI
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Martin Ney sentenced to life for killing three boys from 1992 to 2001
11:00 am
Martin Ney sentenced to life for killing three boys from 1992 to 2001
Life Sentence
Martin Ney, who wore masks and balaclavas during his attacks, was jailed for life in 2012 for killing three boys aged 13, eight, and nine between 1992 and 2001.
Martin Ney, who wore masks and balaclavas during his attacks, was jailed for life in 2012 for killing three boys aged 13, eight, and nine between 1992 and 2001.
Judicial Impact
Martin Ney’s life sentence in 2012 demonstrates the legal system’s capacity to deliver severe punishment for heinous crimes against minors.
Martin Ney’s life sentence in 2012 demonstrates the legal system’s capacity to deliver severe punishment for heinous crimes against minors.
Official Reaction
“Martin Ney’s heinous acts shocked the nation, and his life sentence reflects the gravity of his crimes against innocent children,” stated a spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice.
“Martin Ney’s heinous acts shocked the nation, and his life sentence reflects the gravity of his crimes against innocent children,” stated a spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice.
Key developments
Martin Ney, imprisoned for life since 2012, confessed to the murders of three boys aged 13, eight, and nine, occurring between 1992 and 2001, while wearing masks and balaclavas.
His confession led to a high-profile trial, emphasising the brutal nature of the attacks, which shocked the public and raised concerns over child safety during that period.
German serial killer 'Man in Black' on trial for murder of 10-year-old French boy in 2004
Martin Ney, who wore masks and balaclavas during his attacks, was jailed for life in 2012 after he confessed to killing three boys aged 13, eight and nine between 1992 and 2001.
EU rebuffs Italy’s calls for more lenient budget rules amid tensions.
10:01 am
EU rebuffs Italy’s calls for more lenient budget rules amid tensions.
In a significant move, the European Parliament has approved a resolution aimed at strengthening EU defence capabilities in response to escalating threats, including the ongoing war in Ukraine. This vote aligns with the EU’s commitment to enhance military integration among member states and bolster its strategic autonomy. The measure emphasizes increased funding for military interoperability and collaborative defence projects, reflecting a shifting geopolitical landscape where security concerns are paramount.
On the economic front, market analysts are closely monitoring EU inflation trends following the European Central Bank’s latest policy announcements. There are indications that inflation may lead to adjustments in fiscal policy as the EU prepares for a critical summit on growth forecasts set for next month. This gathering will be crucial in determining the Union’s economic direction amidst global uncertainty.
Key developments across Europe
Fears of new China shock as EU industry’s reliance on imports grows
EU BUSINESS — The EU faces a growing dependence on imports from China, raising concerns about future shocks.
Increased reliance on Chinese imports has sparked fears among EU industry leaders regarding potential economic disruptions. This situation has led to discussions about securing local production and diversifying supply chains, particularly in critical sectors such as technology and manufacturing.
Opinion | A European rule could devastate American farmers
EU TRADE — New EU agricultural regulations could significantly impact American farmers and trade relations.
The proposed regulations by the EU surrounding agricultural products might lead to higher compliance costs for American farmers, risking their competitiveness in the European market. This has prompted discussions on protecting transatlantic trade relations while addressing EU sustainability goals.
Top European Parliament honor to be awarded for first time
EU POLITICS — The European Parliament will introduce a new prestigious award to recognise outstanding contributions.
This unprecedented initiative aims to highlight influential figures or organisations that have made significant impacts in European society. The award reflects the parliament’s commitment to fostering civic engagement and recognising contributions to European integration.
Ukraine is our ‘number one priority’ – top EU military chief
EU DEFENCE — Ukraine remains the top priority for EU military strategy amidst ongoing tensions.
The EU’s military leadership has emphasised a renewed commitment to supporting Ukraine as it faces external threats. This statement aligns with broader EU defence strategies aimed at enhancing military cooperation and readiness among member states.
EU rebuffs calls from Italy for more lenient budget rules
EU ECONOMY — The EU has resisted Italy’s request for relaxed budget restrictions, prioritising fiscal stability.
Italy’s appeal for more flexible budget rules was declined by the EU, highlighting tensions over fiscal policies. The EU’s commitment to maintaining strict budgetary controls underscores its aim to ensure economic stability across member states, which may have repercussions for Italy’s fiscal planning.
What to watch — The EU’s ongoing discussions on agricultural trade regulations with the US could impact future trade relations significantly.
Further reading from across European news sources
The Guardian
US tech firms successfully lobbied EU to keep datacentre emissions secret
Reuters
EU extends sanctions on former Assad regime for one year, delists Syrian ministries
Politico Europe
Von der Leyen uses Orbán defeat to push for end of veto in EU foreign policy
Euronews
Ukraine is our ‘number one priority’ – top EU military chief
Financial Times
EU ambitions risk getting stuck in the sands of inflation
Abusers are Misusing Doorbell Cameras and Smart Sunglasses as Weapons | News UK
6:00 am
Get you up to speed: Abusers are Misusing Doorbell Cameras and Smart Sunglasses as Weapons | News UK
TECH-ENABLED VIOLENCE
Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan announced a £6 million fund to combat tech-facilitated abuse, which has seen a significant rise in recent years according to Refuge and UCL research.
Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan announced a £6 million fund to combat tech-facilitated abuse, which has seen a significant rise in recent years according to Refuge and UCL research.
TECH ABUSE FUNDING
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has launched a £6 million fund to combat the rising instances of tech-related abuse, highlighting its urgency and complexity.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has launched a £6 million fund to combat the rising instances of tech-related abuse, highlighting its urgency and complexity.
TECH FUNDING INITIATIVE
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has announced a £6 million fund aimed at addressing tech-enabled violence against women and girls in collaboration with Refuge and UCL.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has announced a £6 million fund aimed at addressing tech-enabled violence against women and girls in collaboration with Refuge and UCL.
What we know so far
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has announced a £6 million fund to combat the rise of tech-facilitated abuse, which he describes as a ‘global emergency’. The initiative aims to address serious threats posed by devices like doorbell cameras and smart glasses, which can be exploited by perpetrators to harass women and girls.
Khan’s remarks highlight a significant shift in domestic abuse, with recent research from University College London (UCL) and domestic abuse charity Refuge revealing a staggering 207% increase in referrals for tech-related abuse between 2018 and 2024. This includes abuses like AI-generated deepfakes and coercion through digital means.
The funding is part of a broader strategy to engage with survivors, campaigners, and tech leaders to create effective solutions. Emma Pickering from Refuge welcomed the announcement, stating that sustainable funding is crucial for providing necessary support to victims of tech-facilitated abuse. She emphasised the need for ongoing commitments and a proactive approach from tech companies to design safer products.
Khan underscored the urgent necessity for a collective response, stating that the rapid advancement of technology has created new avenues for abuse, warning that this trend must be tackled before it spirals further out of control.
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Doorbell cameras and smart sunglasses are being ‘turned into weapons’ by abusers | News UK
New tech that allows people to surreptitiously film their surroundings and monitor movements are being wielded as ‘weapons’ by abusers, Sadiq Khan has warned.
Doorbell cameras, smart glasses and mobile phones have made it easier than ever for people to capture images without anyone else knowing.
Research from University College London (UCL) and domestic abuse charity Refuge shows these new capabilities have been a boon for harassers, stalkers and gaslighters.
Between 2018 and 2024, Refuge reported a 207% increase in referrals for tech-related abuse – including AI-generated deepfakes, revenge porn and sextortion.
Referrals rose a further 62% between 2024 and 2025, and the charity said most cases of domestic abuse now involve the ‘weaponisation of technology’.
UCL researchers found examples of doorbell devices that could livestream footage without giving any clear signal to those around it that it is active.
Another smart home hub had a blinking green LED to show when someone was actively watching the livestream images, but left no notifications or record once the person stopped.
The researchers wrote: ‘Individuals with this smart home hub in their household thus have no immediate, on-device means of checking if their camera was accessed, by whom or when.’
Today, Khan has announced a £6 million fund to help tackle the horrifying issue.
The Mayor of London said: ‘Tech-enabled Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) is a global emergency.
This Is Not Right
On November 25, 2024 WTX launched This Is Not Right, a campaign to address the relentless epidemic of violence against women.
With the help of our partners at Women’s Aid, This Is Not Right aims to shine a light on the sheer scale of this national emergency.
You can find more articles here, and if you want to share your story with us, you can send us an email at [email protected].
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‘It transcends borders and the rapid pace of technology has provided new spaces and means for men to monitor, harass and control women and girls using everyday devices.
‘It is turning doorbell cameras, social media, sunglasses and mobile phones into weapons used by perpetrators to target, harass and abuse in the digital age.
‘The growth of other forms of tech enabled abuse such as revenge porn, online harassment and AI deepfakes underlines the urgent need to respond.’
Khan said his fund will ‘spearhead an urgent new approach’, working with survivors, campaigners, academic experts, policy makers and tech leaders.
Emma Pickering, the head of the tech-facilitated abuse team at Refuge, told WTX: ‘With services being chronically stretched to their limits, sustainable funding for specialist support is vital.
‘The announcement of a funding boost to support survivors of tech-facilitated abuse is a much-needed step in the right direction, signifying welcome recognition of the seriousness of this horrific form of VAWG, which continues to grow in scale and complexity.’
She added: ‘To provide survivors with the lifesaving support they deserve, we need to see ongoing commitments to sustainable funding.
‘This must come alongside meaningful efforts from tech companies to prevent abuse by taking a safety by design approach to the development of services and products.’
International Rescue Committee launches emergency response to Ebola outbreak in Central Africa
5:00 am
Get you up to speed: International Rescue Committee launches emergency response to Ebola outbreak in Central Africa
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) has launched an emergency response to the Ebola outbreak in Central Africa. The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain, has resulted in 88 deaths across the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared a global emergency regarding the Ebola outbreak, highlighting “significant uncertainties” over the true number of infections and their geographical spread. Heather Kerr, the IRC Democratic Republic of Congo county director, stated that “Every delay has a human cost” as the outbreak escalates in densely populated areas like Goma.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is launching emergency prevention and control activities in close coordination with government health authorities to combat the Ebola outbreak, including the distribution of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Heather Kerr, IRC Democratic Republic of Congo county director, highlighted that rapid action on infection prevention and control is critical to preventing further spread.
Rare incurable Ebola outbreak sparks emergency response by global crisis group | News World
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) has launched an emergency response to the deadly Ebola outbreak in Central Africa.
The rare strain of the virus, which has no vaccine, has killed 88 people across the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda.
Yesterday, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared a global emergency over the outbreak.
Authorities have confirmed the current outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain. It currently has no licensed vaccine or treatment.
The IRC says the spread could accelerate due to insecurity, displacement, fragile health systems, and high levels of population movement across the region if containment if not ramped up.
A health worker uses a thermometer to screen people in front of Kibuli Muslim Hospital in Kampala, Uganda, Saturday, May 16, 2026 (Picture: AP Photo/Hajarah Nalwadda)
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Heather Kerr, IRC Democratic Republic of Congo county director, said: ‘Every delay has a human cost. The confirmation of cases in Goma raises serious alarm – a densely populated transport hub where the virus can spread fast and far.
‘Eastern DRC’s years of conflict and displacement have left health systems on their knees, and that makes containing this outbreak all the harder. With dozens of lives already lost and an already overstretched health system, we need to act fast.
A close up of the Ebola virus.The Bundibugyo has no vaccine (Picture:: Getty Images/Image Source)
‘The IRC has extensive experience responding to Ebola outbreaks, and our teams know that rapid action on infection prevention and control, community engagement, safe isolation, and support to frontline health workers is critical to preventing further spread.
‘In response to the current escalating outbreak, whilst working in close coordination with the government health authorities who are leading the response, IRC is immediately launching emergency prevention and control activities including distribution of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).’
The outbreak was announced by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday. However, it is not clear when it had begun.
In a statement released by WHO on Sunday, it said there are ‘significant uncertainties’ over the true number of infected people or its geographical spread.
It added: ‘The event requires international coordination and cooperation to understand the extent of the outbreak, to coordinate surveillance, prevention and response efforts, to scale up and strengthen operations and ensure ability to implement control measures.’
According to the European Centre of Disease Prevention and Control, the likelihood of infection for people in Europe is considered very low.
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EU improves preparedness for quarantine measures six years on.
4:00 am
EU improves preparedness for quarantine measures six years on.
EU Preparedness Steps
The EU is taking steps to improve its preparedness for future quarantine measures, aiming to address shortcomings from six years ago.
The EU is taking steps to improve its preparedness for future quarantine measures, aiming to address shortcomings from six years ago.
Preparedness Measures
Steps taken by the EU aim to enhance future preparedness for quarantine measures, marking a shift from past responses to health crises over the last six years.
Steps taken by the EU aim to enhance future preparedness for quarantine measures, marking a shift from past responses to health crises over the last six years.
Future Preparedness
“The EU has made significant strides to enhance its readiness for future challenges, yet the question remains: will these measures be sufficient?”
“The EU has made significant strides to enhance its readiness for future challenges, yet the question remains: will these measures be sufficient?”
Key developments
The EU has initiated preparations for improved quarantine measures in response to lessons learned over the past six years. This effort aims to enhance readiness for future health crises.
Despite the absence of a unified European playbook for quarantine, member states are actively discussing protocols to ensure a coordinated response during pandemics.
Amid growing hantavirus worries, how prepared is Europe for new health threats?
Although there is still no single European playbook for quarantine measures, the EU has taken steps to be better prepared in the future than it was six years ago. Will it be enough?
Maldives government recovers bodies of five Italian divers after tragedy
1:00 am
Get you up to speed: Maldives government recovers bodies of five Italian divers after tragedy
The bodies of five Italians who went missing during an underwater caving trip in Vaavu Atoll have been located. The victims included Monica Montefalcone, an associate professor of ecology at the University of Genoa, and her daughter, Giorgia Sommacal.
Italy’s Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, expressed condolences to the family of Mohamed Mahudhee, a local military diver who died due to underwater decompression sickness while searching for the missing divers. An investigation is underway to establish the cause of death after the Italian tour operator denied any knowledge of the group’s deep dive, which exceeded local limits.
An investigation is underway to establish the cause of death for the five Italian divers who perished during the cave diving excursion in Vaavu Atoll. Italy’s foreign minister, Antonio Tajani, has expressed condolences and stated that everything possible would be done to repatriate the bodies of the victims.
Bodies of four missing Maldives divers found in ‘shark cave’ | News World
The bodies of four divers who went missing during an underwater caving trip have been found.
Five Italians died exploring a cave in Vaavu Atoll on Thursday, Italy’s Foreign Ministry said.
The victims were identified last week and included a mother and daughter.
Only one of the bodies was initially recovered before the search was suspended after a local military diver, Mohamed Mahudhee, died searching for the remaining four and rough weather impacted rescue efforts.
However, the search resumed on Monday and all five bodies have been located, the Maldives government said.
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The victims were Monica Montefalcone, an associate professor of ecology at the University of Genoa; her daughter, Giorgia Sommacal; marine biologist Federico Gualtieri; researcher Muriel Oddenino; and diving instructor Gianluca Benedetti.
Monica Montefalcone was in the Maldives on a research trip, but undertook the tour privately.
Monica Montefalcone’s daughter, Giorgia Sommaca, died alongside her mother on the expedition
Mr Benedetti was the first to be recovered from near the mouth of the Thinwana Kandu cave on Thursday. The cave is known as Shark Cave.
Authorities believe the other four entered the cave before they lost their lives.
The diving limit in the Maldives is 30m. However, the group is understood to have died at a depth of around 50m below the surface.
The Italian tour operator that managed the diving trip has denied authorising or knowing about the group’s deep dive, which exceeded local limits, its lawyer told Italian local publication Corriere della Sera.
An investigation is underway to establish the cause of death.
Federico Gualtieri, a marine biologist, died during the cave dive on Thursday.
Divers prepare to search for the missing five (Picture: Maldives President’s Media Div)
Italy’s foreign minister, Antonio Tajani, offered his condolences to Mr Mahudhee’s family and said everything possible would be done to bring the bodies of the victims home.
Mr Mahudhee, a member of the Maldivian National Defence Force, was recovered from the water and transferred to a hospital in the country’s capital, Malé.
However, he died of underwater decompression sickness on Saturday. He was buried with military honours in a funeral which took place that evening, attended by the president of the Maldives, Mohamed Muizzu.
Gianluca Benedetti’s body was the first to be recovered last week
Researcher Muriel Oddenino had been on an official scientific mission with Ms Montefalcone prior to the dive (Picture: Facebook)
In a statement on Friday, the University of Genoa said Ms Montefalcone and Ms Oddenino had travelled to the Maldives on an official research trip to monitor marine environments and study the effects of climate change on tropical biodiversity.
The scuba diving trip was not a part of the trip and was ‘undertaken privately’, the statement added.
Two other victims were not part of the official mission.
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