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Europol has warned that the ongoing Middle East conflict will have "immediate repercussions" for European Union security, leading to an increased threat of terrorism, organised crime, and cyberattacks. Europol spokesman Jan Op Gen Oorth said that he anticipates a rise in cyberattacks targeting European infrastructure, alongside sophisticated online fraud driven by artificial intelligence. He observed that groups linked to Iran may engage in "destabilising activities" within the EU, including terrorist attacks. "The level of terrorist threat and violent extremism in EU territory is considered high," he said, noting that the rapid spread of polarising content online could accelerate radicalisation among diaspora communities.

 

U.S. News

The Hidden Data Security Gap CISOs Can’t Ignore

Red Hat’s recent $100M lesson highlights a critical truth: data security isn’t just about encryption—it’s about protecting data in every state.

Many organisations assume their data is secure because it’s encrypted at rest or in transit. But when data is exposed during processing or analysis, that protection can disappear, leaving a costly vulnerability that many CISOs and CIOs overlook.

This article explores the overlooked security gap that could exist in your own environment. Learn why traditional encryption isn’t enough, how data becomes exposed during use, and what leaders must consider to protect sensitive information across its entire lifecycle.

Read the article

 

Drone strikes targeting Amazon Web Services (AWS) data centres in the UAE and Bahrain have highlighted the vulnerability of major cloud infrastructure in the Middle East. AWS has confirmed that two UAE sites were hit, disrupting regional services including banking apps. Analysts believe this marks the first military attack on major “hyperscaler” cloud providers, raising concerns for Gulf states such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia that are investing billions to become global artificial intelligence hubs. The incidents could increase perceived risk for investors and tech companies planning large-scale data centre projects in the region, though experts say such infrastructure expansion is still likely to continue despite the security challenges.

 

Financial Times

The Seattle Times

Eurozone retail sales declined 0.1% in January, missing expectations for a 0.3% increase and reversing December’s 0.2% growth, signalling continued fragility in household spending despite improving consumer confidence and record-low unemployment. The drop was driven by weaker sales of non-food goods and automotive fuel, with Germany seeing a 0.9% fall, while France, Spain and Italy recorded increases. Economists warn that rising energy prices and geopolitical tensions could further weigh on consumer sentiment, though consumption is still expected to grow modestly over the year.

 

Wall Street Journal

The UK Supreme Court has said Spain cannot claim state immunity in a dispute over a solar facility. Renewable energy investors are seeking to seize a Spanish government property in London to enforce a €120m arbitration award. They claim Madrid owes them millions after removing subsidies for solar projects. The court's decision means Spain's commercial assets in England may be seized if it refuses to pay. Richard Clarke, a lawyer at Kobre & Kim representing the investors, said the decision adds weight to the international consensus that arbitration awards must be complied with and enforced.

 

Bloomberg

Financier Crispin Odey is set to challenge the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in court over a £1.8m fine and ban from financial services. The FCA claims Mr Odey acted with "lack of integrity" during investigations into his alleged inappropriate behaviour at Odey Asset Management. The hedge fund manager denies the allegations, asserting that the FCA sought a "totemic case" amid its expansion into non-financial misconduct.

 

The Times

IG Metall, Germany's top industrial union, has failed to win a majority in the works council elections at Tesla's plant near Berlin. The union, which has been fighting for more influence ​at the US automaker's gigafactory in Gruenheide, the company's only European production site, said it secured 13 of the ⁠works council's 37 seats, leaving the committee's majority in non-unionised hands. "Unfortunately, ​it was not enough to secure a . . . majority," IG Metall's lead candidate Laura Arndt said. "We will continue to do our utmost in the new works council to bring about change for us and our colleagues at the Gigafactory."

 

Reuters

Transport for London (TfL) suffered a significant cyberattack in 2024. Analysis by the BBC shows that around 10m customers were affected. Hackers accessed TfL's systems, disrupting online services and stealing personal data, including names and addresses. TfL has informed over 7m customers about the incident, having previously noted that 5,000 people were at heightened risk due to potential access to data such as bank account numbers and sort codes. TfL was cleared of any wrongdoing by the UK Information Commissioner's Office.

 

Daily Mail

Dutch real estate fund Vesteda Residential has said almost all of its investors plan to reduce or offload their holding following a change in the law that means overseas investors face higher taxes on real estate investments. Vesteda, which has received redemption requests totaling €4bn, has up to three years to complete the redemption process and said it plans to "selectively" sell assets that are not aligned with strategy and seek opportunities to attract new institutional investors.

 

Bloomberg

Lloyds Bank is facing criticism for its plans to increase sales of customer data. The UK lender, which serves 28m customers in Britain, aims to expand its anonymised data sales as part of a strategy led by chief technology officer Vic Weigler. Unions and privacy advocates have reacted strongly. In a letter to Lloyds Bank staff, the Affinity union pledged to make MPs and watchdogs aware of the "ethical and trust implications" of the bank's new strategy.

 

The Daily Telegraph

Hungarian ultra-low cost airline Wizz Air has issued a profit warning, and is expecting a £43.5m hit due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The firm anticipates its full-year net profit will fall below previous guidance. The conflict has resulted in the cancellation of around 23,000 flights so far, according to analytics firm Cirium. Deutsche Bank's chief UK economist, Sanjay Raja, notes that travel fares are "highly sensitive to energy prices."

 

Daily Mail

The UK government is launching a new fraud squad to combat overseas scam compounds that defraud British citizens. Anti-Fraud minister Lord Hanson has announced that the Online Crime Centre will utilise AI to identify and disrupt these operations. The initiative aims to block scam websites and prevent fraudulent bank transfers. With an estimated £14bn lost to fraud annually, the government is investing £250m over five years to tackle the issue. A new Fraud Victims Charter will also establish standards for victim support.

 

Daily Mirror

A study published in JAMA Network Open suggests that preschool children who consume more ultra-processed foods may be more likely to experience emotional and behavioural problems, including anxiety, aggression, and hyperactivity. Researchers analysing data from nearly 2,100 children in Canada found that every 10% increase in calories from ultra-processed foods was associated with higher problem scores by age five. The findings indicate that replacing even small portions of ultra-processed foods with whole foods such as fruits and vegetables could support healthier emotional and behavioural development in early childhood.

 

US News and World Report