Thomas Markle, the estranged father of the Duchess of Sussex, has been arrested in Florida and charged with possessing child sexual abuse material after investigators searched two storage units in California. The case began with a disturbing discovery among his belongings in the Philippines, reportedly made by a family member, and has now become a federal investigation involving the FBI.

Markle, 82, was taken into custody on Friday, November 6, and faces one federal count of possession of child pornography. Prosecutors say officers seized around 78 items from the two storage units, including slides, film negatives and books containing suspected abuse material. The allegations have caused further distress for Meghan, who has previously said she kept her father away from her children to protect them. 

FBI traced the investigation to two storage units

According to the criminal complaint, US investigators received information in October from witnesses about suspected material among Markle’s possessions in the Philippines. One person had signed an affidavit describing its discovery, while another told the FBI that Markle rented a storage unit in the Los Angeles area. Agents obtained search warrants and examined two units registered to Markle. He had rented both since 2008 and had continued paying for them, with the latest payments made in October this year, according to the Justice Department.

The FBI seized approximately 27 items from one unit and 51 from the second. The materials included slides, film negatives and books. The affidavit says investigators identified suspected child sexual abuse images among the film negatives and describes photographs which they allege show Markle with prepubescent girls. A witness who had known him since the 1970s identified the adult man in two images as Markle, according to the court document.

The investigation is continuing and the material has not all been reviewed. The affidavit says agents had identified around 18 suspected images in one collection of film negatives at the time it was prepared. The 78 items seized should not be mistaken for 78 confirmed images. The criminal complaint sets out allegations supporting the charge; it is not a finding of guilt.

Arrested at Florida care facility

Markle was arrested in Lakeland, Florida, where he had been living after returning from the Philippines earlier this year. He appeared before a federal magistrate in Tampa on Friday and did not enter a plea. He was released on bond and returned to his assisted-living facility under home detention and electronic monitoring. Conditions also restrict his travel and access to internet-connected devices, according to reports of the court hearing.

He is required to undergo health evaluations. The case is expected to proceed in California, where the charge was filed.  If convicted, Markle could face a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court. The US Department of Justice has stressed that the complaint contains allegations only.

Meghan said she kept her children away to protect them

The arrest follows weeks of reports about the investigation in the Philippines, where Markle had been living. The Associated Press reported that Meghan’s half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr, found a collection of suspected abuse images while clearing out their father’s former home in Cebu City and contacted police and the FBI. Markle previously denied the accusations, describing them as “sick lies”, according to Reuters. Meghan said she was “deeply distressed” by the allegations and referred to a letter sent to London police in 2018 which contained what she described as troubling claims about her father.

She said she had been assured the allegations were being investigated. Meghan also addressed years of speculation about the estrangement, saying her decision to keep her father away from her and her children had been made to protect them.  There has been no public comment from Meghan’s representative on Friday’s arrest. The FBI investigation remains active, while the criminal case will determine whether the allegations can be proved in court.

American investigators warn of growing cyber threats to essential services as bomb alerts reach British broadcasters and Spain’s Foreign Minister raises concerns about psychological warfare across Europe.

Passengers have faced flight diversions, television staff have been evacuated and businesses across Europe are being warned that hackers could interfere with equipment protecting food and medical supplies. Now the FBI has issued an international cybersecurity warning, while Spain’s Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, has suggested that the wave of disruption could be part of a wider campaign of hybrid aggression and psychological warfare. With Britain’s Sky among the broadcasters receiving threats on Friday, November 6, the concerns extend well beyond airports and computer networks.

FBI warns hackers could disrupt essential services

In an official warning issued on November 5, FBI Cyber Division chief Brett Leatherman urged businesses to strengthen security around industrial refrigeration and temperature monitoring systems used to protect food, medicine and other essential supplies. Investigators highlighted outdated equipment, exposed internet connections and unchanged factory passwords as weaknesses that could allow attackers to manipulate temperatures remotely, potentially destroying valuable stock and disrupting vital services.

The warning follows attacks already affecting European businesses and medical facilities, including the incident involving three French blood service sites previously covered in Euro Weekly News’ investigation into the blood bank cyberattack. Rather than focusing on that incident again, the FBI’s latest message is about prevention, urging organisations to restrict remote access, update vulnerable equipment and ensure temperature alarms can alert staff before serious damage occurs.

Bomb threats spread to British and European broadcasters

The cybersecurity warning comes as European authorities investigate a separate wave of bomb threats that has disrupted passenger flights and reached television stations. On Friday, Ireland’s RTÉ, Britain’s Sky and Bulgaria’s Nova TV received threats, prompting evacuations and security investigations. According to Reuters, RTÉ temporarily suspended normal programming, while the alerts followed several days of aviation disruption involving flight diversions and emergency security checks. No explosives were discovered in the reported incidents, and investigators have not established who was responsible.

Spain’s Foreign Minister raises fears of psychological warfare

Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares has raised the possibility that the bomb threats are part of something more deliberate. Speaking to Spanish broadcaster RTVE on November 6, he described the aviation alerts as a possible form of hybrid aggression and psychological warfare, suggesting that spreading fear and disrupting everyday life could be among the objectives. His remarks, reported by Reuters, come as European authorities investigate whether the incidents share a common origin.

The developments add urgency to concerns previously examined in Euro Weekly News’ report on hybrid warfare and security threats across Europe. However, the FBI has not established any connection between the refrigeration attacks and the bomb alerts, and investigators have not identified a government or organisation responsible for the wider incidents.

For people living in Britain, Spain and elsewhere in Europe, the immediate concern is how quickly everyday services can be disrupted, whether through hackers exploiting vulnerable technology or security threats that force authorities to take precautionary action. The FBI’s warning is a reminder that protecting essential infrastructure is no longer just a concern for governments and major corporations, but also for the businesses and services millions of people depend on every day.

Picture a horse nuzzling your hand in search of a carrot, or a table covered in ribbons, glitter and handmade stars. Saturday, November 14 brings two wonderful reasons to visit an animal sanctuary and help animals that were once given up on.

Two events, one lovely Saturday

Todos los Caballos del Mundo or “All the Horses in the World”, is hosting a guided visit for all the family and a Christmas crafts workshop on the same morning at Ctra. de Borrajo, s/n, 29120 Alhaurin el Grande, Malaga

This guided visit runs entirely in English, from 10:30am to 12:30. You can wander the paddocks, hear the animals’ stories and meet the people who look after them with children are very welcome.

Entry is by donation: €10 for adults and €5 for children under 12, and under-threes go free. All of it goes towards the animals’ care. Please bring carrots for the horses and leave pets at home so the residents stay calm.

Limited spaces are available so you need to book at todosloscaballosdelmundo.com. Go to the “Visits” section and select 14 November.

Make your own Christmas decorations

Prefer something creative? The sanctuary’s Christmas workshop, is a morning of festive crafting surrounded by nature and animals. Organisers promise personalised ornaments and some surprises. Think stars, snowflakes, Christmas trees and reindeers. No experience is needed, only a willingness to have fun.

Tickets cost €30 per person, and is open to everyone so friends, couples and families can all join in. Everyone takes home their own handmade creations, which makes this a lovely way to get ahead on tree decorations or gifts.

Capacity is also limited for this event. To reserve, send a WhatsApp message on 660 092 092.

The sisters behind the sanctuary

Sisters Concordia and Virginia Marquez Garcia founded the charity roughly two decades ago, after moving to Malaga and finding horses abandoned and mistreated. Today it cares for hundreds of animals, including donkeys, dogs and cats, many of them rescued from neglect or illness. It is one of the country’s largest equine sanctuaries.

Can’t make it? You can still help

Anyone unable to attend has other ways to lend a hand. The sanctuary welcomes donations of food, blankets, towels and other useful items. Volunteers are always appreciated, and following and sharing @todosloscaballosdelmundo on social media helps spread the word.

Whichever event you choose, you will leave with a warm feeling, and perhaps a new four-legged friend to sponsor. For more information visit the charity website or social media channels.