标签： Europe

Three weeks following the audacious theft of €88 million worth of jewels from the Louvre, the museum faces severe criticism for its neglect of security measures. A report by the Court of Auditors, prepared prior to the heist, revealed that for years, the Louvre prioritized acquiring new artworks and enhancing exhibition spaces over essential maintenance and security upgrades. The theft, which occurred in broad daylight on October 19, saw thieves using an angle-grinder to break into display cases in the Apollo Gallery, making off with priceless jewels once owned by 19th-century queens and empresses. The report highlighted that between 2018 and 2024, the Louvre spent €105.4 million on new acquisitions and €63.5 million on exhibition spaces, while allocating only €26.7 million to maintenance and €59.5 million to the restoration of the palace building. This imbalance has drawn sharp criticism from figures like Culture Minister Rachida Dati and art expert Didier Rykner, who accused the museum of favoring ‘eye-catching initiatives’ over fundamental security. The incident has also cast doubt on the Louvre’s ambitious New Renaissance project, which aims to expand the museum’s facilities but has been criticized for lacking proper feasibility studies. The Louvre has acknowledged most of the court’s recommendations but defended its long-term vision. Meanwhile, one of the suspected thieves, Abdoulaye N, a former guard at the Center Pompidou, has been identified, with French media suggesting the heist may have been orchestrated by a wealthy third party. The investigation continues as authorities search for the missing jewels and the fourth suspect.

In a glaring administrative error, two inmates were mistakenly released from HMP Wandsworth, a Victorian-era prison in London, drawing sharp criticism of the UK’s overcrowded and under-resourced prison system. Billy Smith, 35, who was sentenced to nearly four years for multiple frauds, surrendered himself on Thursday after being accidentally freed on Monday. Meanwhile, Brahim Kaddour-Cherif, 24, a registered sex offender serving time for trespass with intent to steal, remains at large after his erroneous release on October 29. The Algerian national, who had overstayed his visa, was in the initial stages of deportation. These incidents have reignited scrutiny of Wandsworth, which faced similar criticism two years ago when another inmate escaped by clinging to a food delivery truck. The blunders follow stricter controls implemented after Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, an asylum-seeker convicted of sexual assault, was mistakenly released from Chelmsford Prison in October. Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister David Lammy expressed outrage, blaming the previous Conservative government for systemic failures. Government data reveals a 128% increase in erroneous releases, with 262 cases recorded in the year ending March 2025. Critics argue the Labour government’s decision to release prisoners early to alleviate overcrowding has exacerbated the issue.

A disturbing incident has shaken the German city of Hanau, located near Frankfurt, as approximately 50 vehicles, walls, and postboxes were defaced with a reddish liquid suspected to be human blood. The vandalism, which included the application of swastikas, was first reported late Wednesday night by a resident in the Lamboy district. The liquid was smeared in the shape of the banned Nazi symbol, prompting a widespread police investigation. Preliminary tests indicate the substance is likely human blood, though its origin remains unknown, and no injuries have been linked to the incident. Local authorities have launched an urgent appeal for public assistance to solve the case. The incident has drawn sharp condemnation, with Bundestag Vice President Omid Nouripour describing it as a painful reminder of the far-right terrorist attack in Hanau five years ago, which claimed nine lives. The community is now grappling with the emotional and symbolic weight of this act, which has reignited fears of far-right extremism.

In a disturbing incident that has shaken the central German town of Hanau, police are investigating the appearance of swastikas painted with human blood on nearly 50 cars, mailboxes, and building facades. The offensive symbols were discovered late Wednesday night, prompting a swift response from law enforcement. A special test confirmed that the substance used was human blood, though the source of the blood and the perpetrators remain unknown. Police spokesman Thomas Leipold stated that the motive behind the act is unclear, and it is uncertain whether specific targets were chosen or if the swastikas were applied randomly. The display of Nazi emblems, including the swastika, is illegal in Germany, and authorities are treating the case as property damage and the use of symbols of unconstitutional organizations. The swastika, a symbol of hate associated with the Holocaust and Nazi Germany, continues to be used by white supremacists and neo-Nazi groups to incite fear and division. The incident has evoked painful memories for Hanau, which was the site of a racially motivated mass shooting in 2020 that claimed nine lives. Mayor Claus Kaminsky expressed deep shock and condemnation, vowing that such symbols have no place in the city and will not be tolerated.