HolidayBlogging

Tag: European

  • EU airports set to ditch 100ml liquid limit for hand baggage

    New model screening equipment will allow passengers to bring bigger bottles on board, but not everywhere in Europe.

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    Airport security screening equipment capable of scanning the contents of large liquid containers could be deployed soon across the EU, meaning passengers would no longer need to ensure they have no bottles containing more than 100ml when travelling.
    The European Commission confirmed to Euronews that the change, first reported by the Italian newspaper Il Corriere della Sera, is in the pipeline.

    Under current EU rules, liquids, aerosols, and gels (LAGs) included in hand baggage must generally be packed in containers holding no more than 100ml, though exceptions are made for special diets, baby products, and medicines, because traditional security equipment, like X-ray machines, cannot effectively detect liquid explosives.
    But new explosive detection systems are now available for cabin baggage, and these have now been installed in some EU airports – such as in Rome and Milan – which would enable passengers to carry larger liquid containers on board.
    For technical reasons, however, the European Commission imposed a temporary restriction on the new liquid screening detection systems last summer, which meant the 100ml rule persisted.
    The Commission has since then tried to solve the issue by working with the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) to develop appropriate technical solutions.
    A screening solution that has been successfully tested was approved by ECAC in June 2025. Now it’s up to individual manufacturers to submit their airport equipment to the tests. Once detection equipment gets ECAC’s nod, it can be stamped for EU approval, permitting the screening of liquid containers larger than 100ml.

    After receiving this approval, the equipment may be deployed for use at airports, which could happen “in the coming days”, according to a Commission spokesperson.
    ECAC did not immediately respond to Euronews’ request for comment.
    However, not all the EU airports are equipped with the new explosive detection systems, which are generally more expensive than traditional screening systems. 
    Seven terminals in Italy have this system at their disposal, Corriere della Sera reports. Other airports in Germany, Ireland, Lithuania, Malta, Sweden, and the Netherlands could also deploy the technology after its final approval.

  • Europol-led operation takes down pro-Russian cybercrime network

    Operation Spotlight

    Who’s in the Crosshairs?

    Pro‑Russia outfit: The shadowy crew thought to have set fire to several town halls and meddled with the bodies linked to a NATO summit.

    What the Raid Achieved

    • An ambush on local government offices.
    • Attacks on groups connected to the NATO summit.
    • A mission to dismantle the group’s reach.

    Global Crackdown on the NoName057 Cyber Squad

    Europol’s “Operation Eastwood” has finally taken down the infamous pro‑Russian cybercrime network that’s been sneakily blasting servers around the world. This digital gang, officially dubbed NoName057(16), has been infamous for targeting Ukraine and any nation that backs it—especially NATO allies.

    What Went Wrong?

    • Stolen service attacks on Dutch municipalities preparing for a NATO summit.
    • Messy DDoS assaults across Sweden, Germany and Switzerland.
    • Off‑the‑wall disruption of a 100‑plus‑system, worldwide attack infrastructure.

    All of the backbone servers that powered the gang’s onslaught were taken offline, sending a loud “ban you!” to their digital playhouse.

    The Arrests – The Human Story

    • Germany announced six arrest warrants targeting suspects—two core leaders, four more hands.
    • The suspects appear on Europol’s Europe’s Most Wanted list.
    • France held one suspect in pre‑trial detention; Spain waves a flag on another.
    • In the United States, the FBI joined the rescue mission.

    From Ukraine to NATO Allies: The Shift in Targeting

    Initially, NoName057’s firehose aimed straight at Ukrainian institutions. But as the global war‑tongue turned, their focus broadened: “They’re now weaponizing attacks against any country that’s pressing the brakes on Russian aggression—many of which are marching in the NATO parade.”

    The People Behind the Attack

    Members are not high‑tech prodigies or corporate spies. Rather, they’re mostly Russian‑speaking sympathizers using automated tools for distributed denial‑of‑service (DDoS) raids.

    “They love the hype, the ideology, and the side‑kick cashback,” said Europol. “Their toolkit is simple but deadly.”

    Who Else Will Listen?

    Law enforcement countries reached out to hundreds of suspected supporters, waving a cautionary flag about being part of the con‑art. The message? Join the crackdown or risk your name appearing in the next most‑wanted list.

    In short, the world’s net‑savvy police forces did a grim yet glorious wrap‑up on a digital gang that thought they could hide in the shadows. The NoName057 siege is over, and a new era of cyber‑justice is crawling into cyberspace, one cleared server at a time.