In a groundbreaking move, Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) has unveiled a new dark web portal named ‘Silent Courier’ to recruit informants and securely receive classified information from agents worldwide, including Russia. The initiative, announced by MI6 chief Richard Moore during a speech in Istanbul, aims to leverage the anonymity of the dark web to gather intelligence on global instability, international terrorism, and hostile state activities. The portal will allow individuals to share details about illicit operations or offer their services to MI6 without compromising their identities. This marks a significant shift for MI6, which traditionally relied on face-to-face meetings for intelligence gathering. Instructions on accessing the portal will be available on MI6’s YouTube channel. Foreign Minister Yvette Copper emphasized the importance of staying ahead of adversaries in an evolving threat landscape. The announcement coincides with Moore’s impending departure after five years as MI6 chief, with Blaise Metreweli set to become the agency’s first female head.
标签： Europe
欧洲
-
Second migrant removed to France after court bid fails
An Eritrean man has been deported from the UK to France under the government’s ‘one in, one out’ migration agreement, marking the second such removal since the policy was introduced. The man, whose identity remains undisclosed, was escorted by Home Office officials on an Air France flight from Heathrow to Paris. This action follows a failed last-minute court appeal to delay his departure, with the presiding judge ruling there was no legal justification to halt the process. The ‘one in, one out’ scheme, a year-long pilot agreement between the UK and France, aims to deter illegal small boat crossings by returning migrants to France while allowing asylum seekers with strong cases to enter the UK in exchange. The first deportation under this policy involved an Indian national, who was returned to France earlier this month. The Eritrean man, who arrived in the UK via a small boat in August, had claimed to be a victim of human trafficking. However, the judge noted inconsistencies in his account, leading to the decision to proceed with his removal. The Home Office has confirmed that more flights are planned, though ongoing legal challenges may affect their execution. Since the scheme began in August, approximately 5,590 migrants have reached the UK, with around 100 currently detained in immigration removal centers near Heathrow.
-
Borussia Dortmund sorry for TikTok ‘mocking’ woman’s stammer
German football powerhouse Borussia Dortmund and triathlon organizer Ironman have issued public apologies after facing backlash for posting TikTok videos that appeared to mock Jessie Yendle, a Welsh influencer with a stammer. The controversial clips, which featured Jessie struggling to pronounce a sound before transitioning into a popular TikTok dance track, were widely criticized for their insensitivity. Both organizations have since removed the videos and expressed remorse for their actions. Borussia Dortmund has extended an invitation to Jessie to attend a UEFA Champions League match as a gesture of goodwill, while Ironman acknowledged their oversight and pledged to improve their content vetting process. Jessie, known online as Mimidarlingbeauty to her 3.5 million TikTok followers, has been a vocal advocate for raising awareness about speech impediments. Her spokesperson stated that the videos were deeply hurtful and highlighted the ongoing need for a more inclusive society. Jessie has also campaigned for the introduction of a universal symbol to assist the estimated 450,000 people in the UK with speech impediments.
-
Merz: Germany still to decide whether to back sanctions on Israel
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced on September 18, 2025, during a joint press conference in Madrid with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, that Germany will decide on supporting European Union sanctions against Israel before the EU meeting in Copenhagen in October. Merz criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza as disproportionate to its stated objectives but rejected claims of genocide. He emphasized that Germany’s recognition of Palestinian statehood is not currently under discussion. Merz’s remarks highlight Germany’s growing willingness to critique Israel while remaining hesitant to impose punitive measures, given its historical responsibility toward the nation. The European Commission recently proposed suspending a trade arrangement affecting €5.8 billion ($6.87 billion) of Israeli exports due to the Gaza conflict, though the measure lacks sufficient EU support. Merz stated that Germany’s final stance would be determined in the coming days, with discussions at the federal cabinet level ahead of the October 1 informal council meeting. Germany’s special obligation to Israel, rooted in its Holocaust history, faces increasing strain as European concerns over the Gaza conflict intensify. The conflict has resulted in approximately 64,000 Palestinian casualties, with Israeli tanks advancing in Gaza City and communication lines severed, signaling an imminent escalation in ground operations.
-
Historic tunnel created under the Alps to connect Italy and Austria
In a landmark achievement for European infrastructure, workers on Thursday breached the final layer of rock in the construction of the Brenner Base Tunnel, a monumental project set to become the world’s longest underground rail connection. This tunnel, linking Austria and Italy, is a cornerstone of the European Union’s strategy to reduce road freight traffic, lower pollution, and enhance cross-border trade. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni hailed the event as a “decisive step” in building one of the continent’s most ambitious infrastructure projects, calling it a historic milestone for Italy, Austria, and Europe as a whole. Scheduled to open in 2032—16 years behind schedule—the tunnel will span 55 kilometers (34 miles) and, when connected to an existing underground link to Innsbruck, extend to 64 kilometers. It promises to slash travel times between Fortezza, Italy, and Innsbruck, Austria, from 80 minutes to under 25 minutes. The Brenner Pass, one of Europe’s busiest freight routes, currently sees over 2.5 million trucks and 50 million tonnes of goods annually, contributing to severe congestion and environmental strain. The tunnel aims to shift 70% of trans-Alpine freight traffic from roads to rail, reversing the current imbalance. However, the project’s full potential could be hindered by Germany’s delay in finalizing crucial northern access routes to the tunnel, which are essential for maximizing its impact on reducing road traffic through the Alps. With a budget now exceeding 8.5 billion euros ($10 billion), the Brenner Base Tunnel represents a significant investment in Europe’s sustainable transportation future.
-
UN sanctions on Iran to be reimposed, France’s Macron says
French President Emmanuel Macron has confirmed that United Nations sanctions on Iran will be reinstated by the end of September, citing Tehran’s lack of seriousness in negotiations with European powers. Macron made the announcement during an interview with Israel’s Channel 12, where he addressed the so-called snapback mechanism designed to reimpose sanctions if Iran violates the 2015 nuclear deal. ‘Yes. I think so because the latest news from the Iranians is not serious,’ Macron stated. The decision comes ahead of a critical meeting at the U.N. General Assembly, where France and Saudi Arabia will co-host discussions on a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians. Macron’s remarks underscore growing frustration among European leaders over Iran’s reluctance to engage constructively in diplomatic efforts to salvage the nuclear agreement. The reimposition of sanctions is expected to escalate tensions in the Middle East, further complicating regional stability.
-
EU looks to accelerate ban on Russian LNG in 19th package of sanctions, EU official says
The European Commission is actively deliberating a proposal to expedite a ban on Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) as part of its 19th sanctions package against Moscow, according to an EU official. This move comes in response to heightened pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has urged European nations to take more aggressive measures to undermine Russia’s energy revenues and weaken its war economy. During a recent call with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Trump emphasized the need for Europe to halt all Russian oil purchases and impose tariffs on major buyers of Russian fossil fuels, such as China and India. The EU is already in the process of negotiating proposals to phase out Russian oil and gas imports entirely by January 1, 2028, with an immediate ban on short-term contracts set to take effect next year. The new sanctions package is expected to be presented to EU member states on Friday, marking a significant step in the bloc’s ongoing efforts to curtail Russia’s financial resources amid the Ukraine conflict.
-
UK’s Starmer says free speech must be protected, but there is a limit
At a press conference held at Chequers on September 18, 2025, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized the nation’s unwavering commitment to free speech while addressing the need to protect vulnerable individuals, particularly children, from harmful online content. The event marked the conclusion of U.S. President Donald Trump’s state visit to the United Kingdom. Starmer stated, ‘Free speech is one of the founding values of the United Kingdom, and we protect it jealously and fiercely and always will.’ However, he drew a clear line when it comes to content that promotes paedophilia or encourages self-harm, particularly on social media platforms. ‘I’m all for free speech, but I’m also for protecting children from things that will harm them,’ he added. The UK’s Online Safety Law mandates social media companies to remove illegal content, with encouraging self-harm now classified as a criminal offense. While the previous government’s attempt to ban ‘harmful but legal’ content was abandoned due to concerns over free speech restrictions, recent police actions, such as the arrest of Irish comedian Graham Linehan for comments on transgender issues, have sparked debates on the application of existing laws in the digital space. The police defended their actions but acknowledged the challenges in balancing free speech and criminal content moderation.
-
Why France is at risk of becoming the new sick man of Europe
France is grappling with unprecedented political instability, economic challenges, and social unrest, as the nation faces a deepening crisis that has drawn both domestic and international scrutiny. In less than two years, the country has seen five prime ministers, a record even surpassing Italy’s post-war political turbulence. The current political impasse stems from President Emmanuel Macron’s decision to dissolve the National Assembly in 2024, which backfired, leaving the parliament fractured into three factions: the center, the left, and the far-right. This division has paralyzed governance, with no single group able to form a functioning majority. The immediate challenge is passing a budget, a task made more daunting by a recent general strike that saw widespread disruptions, including school closures and halted public transport. Meanwhile, Italy’s media has reveled in France’s misfortunes, mocking its political chaos and questioning the nation’s once-celebrated grandeur. The economic situation is equally dire. France’s national debt has soared to €3 trillion, or 114% of GDP, with debt servicing costs estimated at €67 billion this year—more than the budgets of all government departments except education and defense. Fitch’s recent downgrade of French debt has further exacerbated concerns, raising fears of potential IMF intervention. Amid this turmoil, Macron’s leadership is under intense scrutiny. His new prime minister, Sébastien Lecornu, faces the Herculean task of forging a budget compromise between deeply divided political factions. However, concessions to one side risk alienating the other, making consensus nearly impossible. The stakes are high: failure could lead to another government collapse, further elections, and even Macron’s resignation. As France navigates this historic turning point, the question remains: will the nation emerge stronger or become Europe’s new ‘sick man’?
-
Kimmel said ‘horrible thing’ about Charlie Kirk, Trump says
U.S. President Donald Trump, during a press conference with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Chequers on September 18, 2025, commended ABC’s decision to remove ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ from its programming. Trump criticized the late-night host for making ‘a horrible thing’ about the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated on September 10 at a Utah university campus. ABC, owned by Walt Disney Co, announced the show’s cancellation following Kimmel’s controversial remarks, which suggested that conservatives were exploiting Kirk’s death for political gain. Trump emphasized that Kimmel’s dismissal was primarily due to poor ratings and a lack of talent, rather than solely his comments. The incident has sparked discussions about free speech and media responsibility, as state prosecutors in Utah have vowed to pursue the death penalty for Kirk’s accused killer.