标签： Europe

In a significant development in the Louvre jewels heist case, Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau revealed on Sunday that two of the suspects had previously been convicted together in a theft case a decade ago. Three of the four alleged members of the heist team are now in custody. The DNA of a 37-year-old man, charged on Saturday, was discovered inside the basket lift used to access the museum’s window. He faces preliminary charges of theft by an organized gang and criminal conspiracy, with a criminal record showing 11 prior convictions, 10 of which were for theft. Similarly, a 39-year-old suspect, charged on Wednesday, has a record of 15 convictions, including two for theft. Beccuau noted that both individuals were involved in the same 2015 theft case in Paris. A 34-year-old man, suspected of being part of the “commando” team, was also charged this week. Additionally, a 38-year-old woman, the longtime partner of the 37-year-old suspect, was charged with complicity. Beccuau highlighted a certain “closeness” among all suspects. While all four are in custody, Beccuau declined to comment on the progress of recovering the stolen jewels. She emphasized that investigators are exploring all possibilities, including the parallel market for selling the jewelry, which could be used for money laundering or trade. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez expressed optimism about the investigation but acknowledged that recovering the loot might take time. He also noted that at least one perpetrator remains at large, along with those who may have ordered the crime.

WARSAW, Poland — On Saturday, Poland observed All Saints’ Day, a deeply cherished Catholic holiday celebrated annually on November 1. The nation paused its daily routines as families gathered to honor their deceased loved ones, transforming cemeteries into vibrant yet solemn spaces of remembrance. Weeks before the event, supermarkets stocked up on candles, while street vendors near cemetery entrances sold chrysanthemums and traditional snacks like ‘obwazanki,’ a type of pretzel. Special bus routes were introduced in cities across the country, directing passengers to major cemeteries. Many urban residents traveled to suburban or rural areas to join their families in visiting ancestral graves. Police deployed special patrols, humorously dubbed ‘Operation Candle,’ to ensure road safety during the holiday. As dusk fell, the graves, illuminated by white and red candles and adorned with colorful flowers, created a poignant scene against the backdrop of autumn leaves, offering warmth and solace on this reflective day.

A mass stabbing attack on a London-bound train in eastern England has left ten people hospitalized, nine of whom are in critical condition, according to British police. The incident, which occurred on Saturday evening, caused widespread panic and chaos as bloodied passengers evacuated the train during an emergency stop in Huntingdon. Two suspects were apprehended at the scene, but their identities and motives remain undisclosed. Counterterrorism units have been called in to assist with the investigation, although the initial declaration of a potential ‘marauding terror attack’ was later rescinded. The attack took place on a long-distance train traveling from Doncaster to London’s King’s Cross station. Witnesses described scenes of terror, with passengers shouting warnings and fleeing for safety. Emergency services, including armed police and air ambulances, responded swiftly, and the situation was contained shortly after the train arrived at Huntingdon station. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his condolences, calling the incident ‘appalling,’ while local officials described the scenes as ‘horrendous.’ The London North Eastern Railway (LNER) confirmed the incident and warned of significant disruptions on the route until Monday.

Bella Culley, a 19-year-old British teenager, is currently awaiting sentencing in Georgia’s Rustavi Prison Number Five, charged with drug smuggling. Eight months pregnant, Culley has endured harsh conditions since her arrest in May, when authorities discovered 12kg of marijuana and 2kg of hashish in her luggage at Tbilisi International Airport. Her family has raised £137,000 to reduce her sentence, which could now be as short as two years. Recently transferred to a ‘mother and baby’ unit, Culley’s living conditions have improved significantly, allowing her more freedom and better facilities. Her mother, Lyanne Kennedy, shared with the BBC that Culley now has access to a communal kitchen, a proper toilet, and two hours of daily outdoor time. Culley has been learning Georgian and cooking meals for herself and other inmates. The case has highlighted Georgia’s strict drug laws and the prevalence of plea bargaining, with nearly 90% of drug-related cases resolved this way in 2024. Culley’s lawyer, Malkhaz Salakaia, claims she was coerced into carrying the drugs by gangsters who tortured her. Georgian law includes provisions for pregnant women, raising hopes for her release before giving birth. The family remains hopeful, with Kennedy stating they are doing everything possible to bring Culley home.

In a dramatic move signaling his continued fall from grace, Prince Andrew, the disgraced younger brother of King Charles III, is being relocated from the opulent Royal Lodge near Windsor Castle to a more secluded property on the Sandringham Estate in eastern England. This internal exile underscores the monarchy’s efforts to distance itself from the controversies surrounding Andrew, particularly his ties to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Despite maintaining his innocence regarding allegations of misconduct during his friendship with Epstein, including claims by Virginia Roberts Giuffre, Andrew’s public image remains deeply tarnished. His eviction from Royal Lodge, where he has resided for over two decades, marks a significant step in King Charles’s reign to protect the royal family’s reputation. While Andrew’s new residence at Sandringham, a private estate owned by the royal family since 1862, ensures he won’t burden British taxpayers, it also symbolizes his diminished role within the monarchy. The move, expected to occur after the Christmas festivities, will see Andrew settling in one of the estate’s smaller properties, far from the grandeur of his former home. This relocation not only isolates him from public scrutiny but also reflects the royal family’s broader strategy to mitigate the fallout from his scandals.

A series of tragic road incidents over the weekend resulted in the deaths of three pedestrians in different counties across the Republic of Ireland. The fatal collisions occurred in Galway, Kildare, and Carlow between Friday night and Saturday afternoon, leaving communities in mourning and authorities urging for public assistance.

The first incident took place on Friday evening shortly after 11:30 PM local time on the Tuam Road in Loughgeorge, County Galway. An elderly man in his 80s lost his life after being struck by a car. The following day, at approximately 3:30 PM, a man in his 30s was fatally hit by a bus on the N7 motorway in Kill, County Kildare. Just an hour later, another tragedy unfolded in Ballyroughan Big, County Carlow, where a man in his 40s died after being hit by a car.

In response to these incidents, Gardaí (Irish police) have launched investigations and are appealing to the public for any information or dashcam footage that could aid in understanding the circumstances surrounding these collisions. The authorities emphasized the importance of road safety and urged drivers and pedestrians alike to remain vigilant.

These incidents have cast a somber shadow over the affected communities, highlighting the need for continued efforts to improve road safety measures and prevent such tragedies in the future.

A violent incident unfolded on a train near Cambridge, England, on Saturday evening, leaving multiple individuals injured from stabbings. British Transport Police reported that the attack occurred on a train bound for Huntingdon, prompting an immediate response from law enforcement. The East of England Ambulance Service confirmed that a significant number of medical personnel were dispatched to the scene, with several victims being transported to hospitals for treatment. Cambridgeshire Constabulary, the local police force, revealed that armed officers were deployed to Huntingdon station after receiving reports of the incident at 7:39 p.m. Two suspects were apprehended at the station, which is located approximately 75 miles north of London. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his condolences on social media, stating that his thoughts were with those affected by the ‘appalling incident.’ Paul Bristow, the mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, described the event as involving ‘horrendous scenes’ on the train.

A solemn gathering marked the one-year anniversary of the Novi Sad railway station roof collapse in Serbia, where 16 lives were tragically lost. The disaster occurred on an unseasonably warm autumn day, as victims stood or sat beneath a recently renovated concrete canopy that gave way. Among the deceased were children as young as six and an elderly individual aged 77. The incident has since sparked widespread outrage and persistent anti-corruption protests across the country. On the anniversary, thousands gathered for a quiet commemoration, observing 16 minutes of silence—one for each victim—before laying flowers at the station. The site, though cleared of rubble, still bears scars of the catastrophe, with twisted metal and broken glass serving as grim reminders. The Novi Sad station, once a symbol of Serbia’s progress under President Aleksandar Vučić’s Progressive Party, has become emblematic of systemic failures. The government’s flagship infrastructure project, intended to modernize the high-speed railway connecting Belgrade to Budapest, turned deadly, fueling public fury. Protesters, led by university students, have demanded accountability and fresh elections, proposing a technocratic government to combat cronyism and corruption. In September, 13 individuals, including former Transport Minister Goran Vesić, were charged in connection with the collapse. The European Parliament has called for transparent legal proceedings and an investigation into potential corruption or negligence. Despite government denials, the student-led movement has gained momentum, earning respect even from opposition leaders. President Vučić, known for his combative stance, recently apologized for his harsh rhetoric towards protesters, but the students remain resolute, accusing him of bearing responsibility for the tragedy. While the day was one of remembrance, the underlying anger and demand for justice persist.