France
French customs officer with affinity for Russia barred from working for Chinese firm

A former customs official for Paris's main wholesale market Rungis and then Orly Airport, who was heavily involved in Franco-Russian networks, has seen his plans to work for a strategic Chinese customs clearance company thwarted by a report from his supervisory ministry.

France
Woman appointed to head internal security at France's DGSE

The recently overhauled internal security directorate at France's foreign intelligence agency has appointed a woman as its new head. She replaces a general with over 20 years of service.

UAE
From grappling mat to boat building empire: the story of the UAE spy chief's former jiu jitsu partner turned top shipping exec

Turkey
Mystery remains over provenance of Turkish drones used in India-Pakistan clashes

India claims Pakistan used Turkish Songar drones during the May conflict between the two countries. But the manufacturer itself claims not to have sold any such aircraft to Pakistan and has launched an investigation into the matter.

Indonesia
Chinese fighter jets ready to land in Jakarta

Although not officially confirmed by the Indonesian and Chinese authorities, the contract for the delivery of J-10 fighter jets to Jakarta is gradually being put in place. Meanwhile, Paris and Ankara are also hoping to finalise their own fighter jet sales to Indonesia.

France, United States
Lockheed Martin's agent in France wins case against defence ministry

Although the French defence ministry was concerned about the risk of information leaks to the United States, French courts once more ruled in favour of the general who acts as an adviser to Lockheed Martin in France.

United Kingdom
Audere-Viceroy: UK ombudsman studying MP's involvement in black PR campaign

Short seller Fraser Perring's complaint to the House of Commons' Standards Commissioner last month upped the ante in a long-running campaign against Liam Byrne MP, who is accused of abusing parliamentary privileges during a speech in 2023.

Australia, UAE
Dubai money laundering trial explores nexus of Western financiers and lawyers in UAE

A Dubai criminal court has been hearing evidence of fraud and money laundering against more than 12 individuals and entities in the UAE litigation sector. Among the accused are lawyers, Gulf law firms and the CEO of London-listed dispute funder Litigation Capital Management.

Poland, Ukraine
Gladius, the Polish strike system covertly created on Ukrainian battlefields

Germany, Israel
Israeli spyware champion has eyes on reviving German market

The German government wants to forge alliances with Israeli cyber companies, bringing relief to the ailing sector. Israel's Candiru appears to be in an ideal position to heed its call.

France, United States
French start-up Alta Ares crosses American threshold by joining US Army exercise

The US military conducted a secret large-scale exercise over the summer to train in drone warfare. Only one European company was invited to participate, Alta Ares, a French start-up specialised in onboard artificial intelligence.