Precise figures about the numbers of illegal firearms in the European Union (EU) are lacking, but several indicators point to their widespread availability and accessibility. According to the Small Arms Survey, over half of the estimated total number of firearms held by civilians in the EU in 2017 were unlicensed. While most of these citizens had no criminal intentions, their illicit firearms could be used for self-harm or domestic violence, or end up in the hands of criminals or terrorists. Most criminals and terrorists have more sophisticated ways to get hold of illicit firearms. They can be trafficked from source countries, diverted from legal supply chains, illegally manufactured or assembled in the EU, converted from legally available weapons, or sourced on the internet. Firearms seizures suggest that the EU illicit firearms market is made up mostly of shotguns, pistols and rifles, with converted or convertible weapons also appearing frequently. Illicit firearms trafficking is driven by criminal demand, with organised crime groups that engage in firearms trafficking also involved in other forms of criminality. The EU considers illicit firearms a key crime threat precisely because they are used in many crimes and terrorist attacks. Even people who lack extensive criminal connections can access illicit firearms due to increased online trafficking and the availability of easy-to-convert weapons. The EU is actively involved in addressing the threat posed by illegal firearms by means of legislative and policy measures, and provides operational assistance to the Member States in the fight against firearms trafficking. The EU is also active in the international fight against firearms trafficking, working closely with the United Nations (UN) in its work to combat the proliferation of small arms and light weapons and engaging in the UN's global firearms programme. Although the export of arms remains a national competence, the EU has defined common rules governing the control of exports of military technology and equipment and works actively with third countries that are viewed as source or transit countries for illicit firearms. This is an update of a briefing by Ann Neville, published in 2022. Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

Paula Attwood-Rees assaulted a Monmouthshire couple both inside and outside their home in May while using dangerous weapons during the attacks.

The Stryker armored personnel carrier is a light armored wheeled fighting vehicle designed to delivery infantry to the battlefield, support troops by fire and accomplish combat and special support objectives

«In just five months, we have launched mass production of Supercam drones, which have proven their effectiveness, so the military is eagerly awaiting them,» Sergey Chemezov said

Earlier in the year, Azerbaijani Ambassador to Moscow Polad Bulbuloglu said that Azerbaijan wanted to join BRICS and in August Baku submitted an official application to gain membership in the organization

Background radiation in the vicinity of the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant remains normal

According to Viktor Khrenin, as a result, «the prospects for the development of Russia-Belarus military cooperation were clearly defined»

Four Democratic presidents, among other leaders, are all in for Harris. On the Republican side, Trump embraces his break with the party establishment.

How the fight for Oregon’s 5th Congressional District could determine the balance of power on Capitol Hill.

The relationship between the two nations has stood the test of time, Indian analyst Nitin Gokhale has said Read Full Article at RT.com

A motorcyclist died following an accident with a lorry and a trailer along the Kranji Expressway (KJE) on Wednesday (Oct 23) morning. In dashcam footage shared on Facebook, a group of bikers can be seen lane splitting on the expressway. As the motorcyclist speeds up, however, a trailer travelling in the lane to his left accelerates while the lorry in the right lane brakes suddenly. This causes the motorcyclist to collide with the lorry on his right before being crushed between the two vehicles. Multiple chunks of debris are sent flying following the crash and the rider is seen lying on the road. The vehicles involved in the accident as well as the car that captured the footage can be seen stopping along the road. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) told AsiaOne that it was alerted to a road traffic accident that occurred along the KJE before Senja Road exit at about 7am on Wednesday. A person was pronounced dead at the scene by an SCDF paramedic, it added. Responding to AsiaOne's queries, the police said that the motorcyclist was a 52-year-old man.

The national examinations, originally scheduled for November 11 to 22, will now take place from November 25 to December 6, 2024.

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Beatrice, who recently announced she was pregnant with her second child, was photographed with Nicky, 41, and Australian designer Rebecca, 44, at Mayfair hotspot Gaia on Tuesday.

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The yuan-to-ruble exchange rate amounted to 13.553 rubles (+1.1 kopecks)

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Meanwhile, Yury Ushakov noted that the text of the final declaration regarding the Ukrainian issue had been agreed upon

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One of two men arrested and slapped with gun charges in August after they were reportedly held in the Cherry Tree Lane community, Clarendon, with an illegal gun, a day after the deadly mass shooting, is to remain in custody after the High Court...

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In a shocking development, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has publicly accused the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) of being implicated in a series of violent acts and suspicious deaths, igniting tensions in the already polarized political landscape of Malawi. In a statement issued by DPP’s Presidential Spokesperson and National Publicity Secretary, Shadric Namalomba, the party […] The post DPP accuses MCP of violence, political murders: Says behind death of Chimwaza, Chilima, Mia appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

Airtel Malawi Plc has reiterated its dedication to transparency and growth in a bid to address the concerns of its minority shareholders. This commitment was made during the company’s 25th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on October 22, 2024, which followed a prior adjournment related to the revision of its financial results for the year […] The post Airtel Malawi Plc Reaffirms Commitment to Transparency and Growth appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

Seychelles has received approval of $2.76 million for a project proposal by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to advance its National Adaptation Planning (NAP) process. In a press release on Monday, the Ministry of Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment (MACCE), said this landmark project, approved on October 10, will be implemented over the next three years. It will focus on enhancing the island nation's capacity to respond to the growing challenges of climate change. The project aims to address key barriers hindering effective adaptation planning, developed with the support of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in collaboration with the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub (CCFAH). These include limited institutional capacity, insufficient collaboration, and inadequate funding mechanisms. By building on the progress made in national strategies such as the Seychelles National Climate Change Policy and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), this project will ensure that Seychelles is equipped to plan for a sustainable, climate-resilient future. Flavien Joubert, Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Climate Change, said access to climate finance is one thing but the implementation and execution of the project is another milestone that the country has to achieve. «The project represents a significant step forward for Seychelles in our journey toward climate resilience. It will enable us to build the necessary structures and engage stakeholders across all sectors to ensure that climate adaptation is integrated into our national development planning,» he said. The MACCE will serve as the executing entity, while UNEP will be the implementing partner. Seychelles, as a small island developing state, faces unique vulnerabilities to climate change, with vital sectors such as tourism, fisheries, and agriculture directly affected by rising sea levels, changing weather patterns, and extreme climate events. This project will ensure a comprehensive approach to adaptation planning, benefitting both government institutions and communities at all levels. Key outcomes of the project will include, strengthening adaptation planning governance and institutional coordination as well as developing a robust evidence base to design impactful adaptation solutions, catalysing private sector engagement in climate adaptation and increasing adaptation finance to support resilience efforts. The NAP project will also engage the private sector and civil society to foster investment in adaptation-related initiatives, ensuring that all stakeholders are equipped to contribute to building resilience to climate change. Additionally, it will focus on building resilience in the country's health systems through health adaptation planning and creating awareness on the three main islands, with a special focus on vulnerable communities.