标签： Europe

The recent daylight theft at the Louvre Museum has sparked a national reckoning over France’s ability to safeguard its cultural treasures. Paris Police Chief Patrice Faure revealed significant vulnerabilities in the museum’s security systems during a Senate hearing on Wednesday. He highlighted outdated technology, including analog video networks that produce low-quality images and slow real-time sharing. A long-awaited $93 million security upgrade, involving 60 kilometers of new cabling, is not expected to be completed until 2029–2030. Alarmingly, the Louvre’s authorization to operate its security cameras expired in July and was not renewed, a lapse that underscores broader negligence. On October 19, thieves exploited these weaknesses, breaking into the Apollo Gallery and stealing eight pieces of the French crown jewels valued at $102 million. The theft was first reported by a cyclist, not the museum’s alarms, further exposing flaws in the alert system. Two suspects were arrested, but their custody is set to expire, raising concerns about the investigation’s progress. The incident has also revealed an insurance blind spot, as the jewels were not privately insured, leaving the Louvre to bear the total financial loss. Faure emphasized the need for advanced tools like AI-based anomaly detection to enhance security, while rejecting calls for a permanent police post inside the museum. The heist has intensified scrutiny on the Louvre’s management, already strained by chronic understaffing and mass tourism. Experts fear the stolen jewels may be irreversibly altered, adding urgency to France’s debate on protecting its cultural heritage.

France is poised to take a monumental step in its fight against sexual violence as the Senate prepares to give its final approval to a landmark bill on Wednesday. The legislation redefines rape and sexual assault as any non-consensual sexual act, marking a significant shift in the country’s legal framework. This move follows the harrowing trial of Gisèle Pelicot, whose case exposed systemic issues in France’s approach to sexual violence and consent. The bill, introduced in January, gained momentum after 51 men were convicted of raping and abusing Pelicot over nearly a decade, sparking a national reckoning on rape culture. Lawmakers Marie-Charlotte Garin and Véronique Riotton, who spearheaded the initiative, emphasized the urgency of addressing sexual violence, stating, ‘It’s time to take action and take a new step forward.’ The legislation explicitly defines consent as ‘freely given, informed, specific, prior, and revocable,’ and clarifies that silence or lack of resistance does not imply consent. It also stipulates that any sexual act involving violence, coercion, threat, or surprise is non-consensual. The bill received overwhelming support in the National Assembly last week, with only the far-right opposing it. Once enacted, France will join other European nations like Germany, Belgium, and Spain in adopting consent-based rape laws. The Pelicot case, which revealed the role of pornography, online chatrooms, and misconceptions about consent in perpetuating rape culture, has made her a global symbol in the fight against sexual violence.

A tragic incident unfolded in the early hours of Wednesday in Gebze, a northwestern city in Turkey, when a seven-story apartment building collapsed, leaving five members of a single family trapped beneath the debris. Gebze Governor İlhami Aktas confirmed the identities of those trapped, though the status of their survival remains uncertain. Rescue operations are currently underway, led by teams from the Disaster and Emergency Management Directorate (AFAD). The cause of the collapse is still under investigation, with no definitive answers yet. However, Gebze Mayor Zinnur Büyükgöz speculated that ongoing metro construction in the vicinity might have contributed to the disaster. Gebze, situated along the north Anatolian fault line, has a history of seismic activity, most notably during the devastating 1999 earthquake that claimed approximately 18,000 lives. The incident has raised concerns about building safety and urban development practices in the region.

On 29 October 2024, eastern Spain was struck by catastrophic floods, known as the Dana, which claimed the lives of 237 people across the Valencia region and neighboring areas. The disaster, the worst of its kind in decades, left an indelible mark on communities such as Benetússer and Paiporta, where entire families were swept away by the torrential waters. Toñi García, a resident of Benetússer, tragically lost her husband, Miguel, and their 24-year-old daughter, Sara, when floodwaters engulfed their home’s basement. ‘They didn’t reach the garage door,’ she recalls, ‘because it was so much water, so many metres deep.’ A year later, the region continues to grieve, with a state memorial service attended by King Felipe VI and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. The emotional scars remain, particularly among children, with nearly a third still experiencing fear of rain and loud noises, according to Save the Children. Despite significant progress in reconstruction, questions linger about the handling of the crisis. The regional government’s delayed emergency alarm, issued after 20:00 on the day of the floods, has drawn widespread criticism. Regional President Carlos Mazón’s actions during the disaster, including a lengthy lunch with a journalist, have fueled public outrage. Tens of thousands protested in Valencia, demanding his resignation. Mazón, supported by the far-right Vox party, has defied calls to step down, blaming the central government for insufficient support. A judicial inquiry into possible negligence is ongoing, with Mazón set to face a parliamentary commission later this month. As Valencia rebuilds, the threat of future weather events looms large, prompting calls for improved preparedness and resilience.

BELGRADE, Serbia — Dijana Hrka’s life was irrevocably altered on November 1 last year when a catastrophic partial building collapse at a train station in Serbia’s northern city of Novi Sad claimed the life of her 27-year-old son, Stefan, along with 15 others. The tragedy, which also left one woman severely injured, has since ignited widespread anti-government protests across the country, challenging the autocratic rule of President Aleksandar Vucic. Hrka, 47, has emerged as a vocal advocate for justice, joining tens of thousands of protesters demanding accountability for the lives lost and an end to systemic corruption in construction and governance. The protests, which have rattled Vucic’s administration, are set to intensify on the first anniversary of the disaster. Authorities have yet to address the underlying grievances, with discontent simmering over the government’s crackdown on dissent, including detentions and job losses. Hrka, who has faced threats for her activism, remains resolute, drawing strength from the youth-led movement. “Once you lose what is dearest to your heart, you lose fear,” she said. The anniversary protest aims to pressure Vucic to call for early parliamentary elections and ensure those responsible for the collapse face justice. While prosecutors have charged 13 individuals, including engineers and officials, skepticism remains about the transparency of the judicial process. The protest, though intended as a peaceful commemoration, carries the risk of violence, given previous clashes between police and demonstrators. Amid the tension, university students have embarked on a cross-country trek to Novi Sad, symbolizing unity and resilience. Hrka’s unwavering determination and the youth’s activism continue to challenge the status quo, keeping the memory of the victims alive and demanding systemic change.