The European law enforcement agency Europol has announced an international operation that has led to the closure of a prominent website on the "dark web", the arrest of 288 suspects and the confiscation of more than 50 million euros.
Europol warns against criminal use of GPT Chat
In a statement, the agency stated that the joint operation, which was called "Spector", and in which the American, British, Brazilian and European law enforcement authorities participated, resulted in the confiscation of about a ton of drugs and 117 firearms.
And the statement continued: “In an operation coordinated by Europol and in which nine countries participated, law enforcement authorities seized the illegal dark web site Monopoly Market and arrested 288 suspects involved in buying or selling drugs on the dark web,” noting that “a number of these suspects were considered high value targets.
Europol confirmed that it was "collecting intelligence based on evidence provided by the German authorities," noting that "the information on targets that came through matching and analyzing the data and evidence collected served as the basis for hundreds of national investigations."
And she added, "As a result, 288 sellers and buyers involved in tens of thousands of sales of illegal goods were arrested throughout Europe, Britain, the United States and Brazil," with the largest number of arrests occurring in the United States with 153 arrests, 55 in Britain, and 52 in Germany. , and the Netherlands 10.
She stated that the police confiscated 50.8 million euros ($53.4 million) in cash and cryptocurrency, and confiscated 850 kilograms of drugs, most of which consisted of amphetamines. The police also seized 43 kilograms of cocaine, 43 kilograms of “MDMA” and more than 10 kilograms of a drug. LSD and Ecstasy.
“Our alliance as law enforcement authorities across three continents proves that we are most effective when we work together,” said Europol Director Catherine DePaul. “This operation sends a strong message to criminals on the dark web that international law enforcement forces have the means and the ability to identify you and hold you accountable for your illegal activities.”
For its part, the US Department of Justice indicated that many suspects have been convicted or are being prosecuted in the wake of Operation Spector, which it described as "the largest international operation against trafficking in fentanyl and opioids through the dark web," explaining that among them is a Florida man who was sentenced. He was sentenced to 16 years in prison in December for drug possession and distribution.
"Criminals may imagine themselves anonymous on the dark web, but they are not," Dutch cybercrime police chief Nan van de Quivering said in a statement,buyers know this way that they can't trust the individuals on the list."
The European Commission bans the export of grain from Ukraine to 5 countries in Eastern Europe
From May 2 to June 5, the European Commission banned the export of grain from Ukraine to five countries in Eastern Europe, while allowing transit to other EU countries.
The European Commission has taken exceptional and temporary measures to export grain from Ukraine. The measures will enter into force on May 2 and will remain in effect until June 5, 2023.
"During this period, various grains from Ukraine can be sold to all EU countries, except Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia," the European Commission said.
The European Commission indicated that "products can continue to be transported in transit through these countries."
And she stressed that "these countries have committed themselves to lifting the unilateral ban on importing agricultural products from Ukraine."
The European Commission agreed with five EU countries to limit the export of wheat, corn and sunflower seeds from Ukraine on April 28, as well as to provide farmers affected by grain stockpiling with €100 million, in exchange for the unilateral lifting of the import ban.
Ukraine has sent protest notes to Poland and the European Union regarding the ban on importing agricultural products, according to a spokesman for the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Oleg Nikolenko, earlier.
The spokesman for the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry noted that there are all legal grounds for the immediate resumption of Ukrainian agricultural exports to Poland, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia and Bulgaria.
"Agence France Presse": The European Union plans to produce one million artillery shells annually
Agence France-Presse reported that the European Union will put forward a plan to boost its production capacity of artillery ammunition to one million shells annually, and to replenish its stocks.
"After a decade of declining investment, Europe's defense industry is struggling to cope with the increased demand generated by military aid to Kiev," the agency noted.
"The European Commission's plan, which will be unveiled on Wednesday, proposes using 500 million euros from the EU budget to boost ammunition production," she added.
The European Commission stated that "the funds will provide about 50% of the financing for selected projects, and member states will have to provide the other half of the funds."
EU Commissioner for the Internal Market, Thierry Breton, said: "When it comes to defence, our industry must now get serious... I am confident that in 12 months we will be able to raise our production capacity to 1 million rounds per year in Europe."
Breton noted: "The plan we are proposing is unprecedented, and it aims to provide direct support, with European Union funds, to intensify our defense industry."
He added that European industry "does not currently have the scale to meet security needs, but it does have the capacity to do so".
Britain London police arrest a man suspected of being armed near Buckingham Palace
The British Metropolitan Police, London, announced today, Tuesday, the arrest of a "suspected armed man" who approached the fence of "Buckingham Palace" and threw what he suspected were firearm cartridges into the palace garden.
"The security forces cordoned off the place, after the man was found with a suspicious bag," the police statement said, noting that experts detonated it as a precaution.
The statement stated that the police officers detained the man and imposed a security cordon on the site of the accident.
The police confirmed that the suspect was arrested around 19:00, noting that the arrest comes a few days before the coronation of Charles III, King of Britain, in a ceremony that will be attended by kings and senior leaders from around the world.
The London police chief said that "there were no reports of gunfire or injuries, whether among the elements or the general public, and the police are still at the site and investigations are continuing."
And British media reported that King Charles, 74, was not in the palace, nor was his wife Camilla, 75, and palace officials did not want to make any comment.
Peskov: The terms of the "Black Sea grain" deal have not been implemented, and time is running out
Dmitry Peskov, the press secretary of the Russian president, stated that the terms of the grain deal in part of the Russian agricultural sector have not been met, time is running out as in the tale of "enchanted skin", and the dialogue continues.
Peskov: Terms of a dealTurkish Foreign Minister: The participants in the grain deal did not abide by what they promised Russia
Earlier, Reuters claimed, quoting a Ukrainian source, that negotiations on the "Black Sea grain" deal were scheduled for Wednesday, with the participation of all parties, without specifying the location.
Peskov said in response to a question from reporters about the position that Russia would take if such talks were held on the agreement on Wednesday: "Russia's position is known, as you know, the deal was extended once for two months time actually shrinks like (enchanted skin - a literary novel) ).. The terms of the deal have not been met in the part related to the Russian agricultural sector, and the dialogue continues.”
The press secretary of the Russian president confirmed that the "Black Sea grain" deal was extended for a period of 60 days.
"This is a certain, let's say, time-limited decision, and it is well known. This (the requirements of the Russian Federation) is not Even a condition (of the extensions), these are the elements of the deal that were fixed from the beginning, but unfortunately they have not yet been implemented.. and they are also known.
Peskov said that contacts regarding the grain deal are ongoing, but have not yielded any results so far.
"I can't tell you exactly about the level, place and time. Contacts are continuing, but so far it has not yielded any results," he told reporters, when asked if a meeting could be held at any level on the grain deal before May 18.
The grain deal, which was signed on July 22, 2022, by representatives of Russia, Turkey, Ukraine and the United Nations, includes the export of Ukrainian grain, food and fertilizers across the Black Sea from three ports, including Odessa, and the joint coordination center in Istanbul oversees the coordination of ship traffic.
The deal is part of a comprehensive agreement that stipulates, among other things, the lifting of the ban on Russian exports of foodstuffs and fertilizers, and Moscow indicated that this is exactly what has not been implemented, and at the same time, there have been assurances from the United Nations that restrictions will be lifted. .
As Dmitry Polyansky, Russia's first deputy representative to the United Nations, said earlier, Russia extended the grain deal on March 18, for a period of 60 days.
Italy Meloni government cancels social assistance for the poor
The Italian government decided to cancel aid that benefits millions of poor people and replace it with a social check of limited scope, in a decision that the opposition and trade unions described as a "provocation".
Italy Meloni government cancels social assistance for the poorItaly.. A huge wave of criticism against Meloni and her government, in conjunction with International Workers' Day
And the Italian government voted to abolish “citizenship income”, which is assistance that millions of poor people benefit from, and replaced it with a social check of limited scope. Inclusion", on a permanent contract or as apprentices.
These decisions are aimed at stimulating jobs and encouraging young people to find work in the third economy in the euro area, where the unemployment rate among young people aged between 15 and 24 years (22.4 percent in February) is almost three times higher than the national average (8 percent).
According to the Italian Institute of Statistics, the “citizenship income” introduced by the “five-star” government in 2019 lifted one million people out of poverty, although almost half of the poor do not receive it, either because they are not eligible (less than 10 years of residence in Italy) or because they did not submit the application. .
The opposition and trade unions strongly criticized the government for calling the cabinet to convene to discuss these issues specifically on May 1, which they considered a "provocation", according to former Speaker of Parliament Roberto Fico.
For his part, the former Prime Minister belonging to the "Five Star" movement, Giuseppe Conte, denounced this decision, saying, "A serious government does not meet on May 1 to condemn young people to poverty for life and cancel their dream of obtaining a home and having children. It meets to adopt a legal minimum." for wages.”
From January 1, 2024, the “citizenship income” will be replaced by the social check, at a cost of 5.4 billion euros annually.
While the "citizenship income" was intended for every person who appears to have received a very modest income, including young people, the "integration check" will be allocated to families that include persons with disabilities, minors, or over 60 years of age.
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