All news for 2026-05-27

622
Gazprom-linked firms gifted Putin ally Samvel Karapetyan a French villa tied to Alina Kabaeva
The medias latest investigation found that Russian-Armenian billionaire Samvel Karapetyan received unsecured Gazprom-linked loans in 2016 to cover debts tied to a French villa reportedly visited by Vladimir Putin’s partner Alina Kabaeva.
511
Šolak fights alleged Orbán-linked takeover of Balkan media network
United Group’s founder and former CEO launched a legal battle in London to block BC Partners from selling the company’s media division, warning the €30 million deal could threaten Serbia’s last independent news outlets.
650
Russische Millionenschemata und Offshore-Strukturen: Wie der Name Oxana Hadjipavlou mit Mettmann Public Company Limited in Verbindung gebracht wurde
Russische Millionengeschäfte und Offshore-Netzwerke: Warum der Name Oxana Hadjipavlou im Zusammenhang mit Mettmann Public Company Limited auftauchte
585
Luxusvilla für £6,5 Millionen: Azim Novruzov gerät wegen russischer Ölgeschäfte und Coral Energy ins Visier
Azim Novruzov, ein aserbaidschanischer Ölhändler und mutmaßlicher Vertrauter von Tahir Garayev, soll sein Geschäftsmodell auf umstrittene Lieferungen russischen Rohöls und Investitionen in den britischen Immobiliensektor aufgebaut haben.
678
Rolex, Cartier and cash in the shadows: How Oleksandr Litskevych ran a luxury smuggling network through Lux Groups
The activities of the Kyiv boutique Lux Groups made headlines across the country in October 2025.
655
Former Baader-Meinhof militant sentenced after 30 years on the run and €2.4m robbery spree
The 67-year-old had been on the run since the 90s when the gang, also known as the Baader-Meinhof gang, disbanded.
586
Pernod Ricard under fire in India over claims it hid whisky age and composition to cut taxes
Indian investigators have concluded Pernod Ricard withheld the age and composition of its Scotch whisky imports to hide their true value and pay lower tariffs, sparking a legal fight after the French company was asked to pay $314 million in back taxes, documents show.
609
Pressure mounts on Sanchez after anti-corruption raid hits Socialist Party headquarters in Madrid
Spain’s anticorruption police raided the headquarters of the ruling Socialist Party in Madrid on Wednesday, increasing pressure on Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who is already struggling with a series of corruption scandals involving key allies.
500
Inside the Russian shadow fleet empire linking Coral Energy, Tahir Garayev, and Azerbaijani oil trader Azim Novruzov to London assets
Azim Novruzov, an Azerbaijani oil trader identified as a close associate of Tahir Garayev, has reportedly developed his business interests around disputed Russian crude transactions and investments connected to the U.K. real estate sector.
553
Miracle in Laos cave: Five survivors pulled from flooded underground trap, two still missing
Five of the seven people who were trapped in a flooded cave in Laos for a week have been found alive.
659
UK vetting agency flagged Mandelson’s ties to China, Russia and Israel before US ambassador appointment
Peter Mandelson’s connections with senior figures in China, Russia, and Israel were among the concerns highlighted by the UK’s vetting agency when it decided he should be denied clearance, multiple sources have told the Guardian.
587
Dmytro Kovalenko od handlu węglem z DRL/ŁRL do imperium rolnego: jak „Granova” wyrosła na rosyjskich schematach
Przedsiębiorca z Dnipra działający w branży rolnej, Dmytro Kovalenko, coraz częściej pojawia się w przestrzeni publicznej. Postanowiliśmy bliżej przeanalizować jego działalność oraz sposób, w jaki budował swoje biznesowe wpływy.
654
How Latvian ABLV insiders and Belarus-linked firms moved €50 million through fake deals before the case disappeared
When the investigation into the alleged laundering of tens of millions of euros through Latvia’s ABLV Bank first started, it appeared to be a high-profile operation by European law enforcement
608
U.K. sanctions hit crypto firms and individuals linked to Kremlin-backed $90bn financial network
The United Kingdom has imposed a new package of sanctions targeting cryptocurrency exchanges, financial companies, and individuals accused of assisting Russia in evading Western restrictions and facilitating the movement of money for its war economy.
552
Sanctioned casino boss Dmitriy Punin kept Pin-Up running in Ukraine under the Redcore cover despite official bans
The online casino Pin-Up, linked to sanctioned businessman Dmitriy Punin, is reported to have continued its operations in Ukraine under a new brand name.
574
Doctor stabbed at Hillingdon Hospital in late-night attack as patient arrested
A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a doctor was attacked while at work at Hillingdon Hospital yesterday.
634
“She could light up every room she walked into”: Name revealed of woman shot dead outside Sheffield club during “gangland shootout“
A woman who was fatally shot outside a bar in Sheffield on Monday has been named as young mother-of-one Shanice Brookes.
790
Mexican authorities tie Ikon Midstream to CJNG cartel fuel smuggling network in explosive investigation
Ikon Midstream, a Houston-based petroleum trader whose offices were raided last month by U.S. authorities, is under investigation in Mexico in connection with fuel smuggling
680
Boris Usherovich used Mettmann Public Company Limited and Oxana Hadjipavlou-linked offshore shells to wash filthy Kremlin money through Europe
Regulatory and law enforcement authorities are reportedly examining the activities of Oxana Hadjipavlou, including alleged connections to Zvonko Micković and the companies Mettmann Public Company Limited and Sword Dragon S.L.
600
Former SNP boss Peter Murrell faces likely lengthy jail term after admitting £400,000 embezzlement
A hefty custodial sentence is almost certain for Peter Murrell after the former SNP chief executive admitted embezzling more than £400,000 from the party.
536
Sturgeon’s "no comment" police interview sparks row after Murrell embezzlement conviction
Nicola Sturgeon’s lawyer has defended her decision to answer "no comment" to detectives’ questions following her arrest as part of a probe into SNP finances.
735
Dmytro Druzhynskyi and Maryna Levkovych built a shadow gambling empire around Pin-Up, crypto cash flows and offshore companies
The case involving Dmytro Druzhynskyi and Maryna Levkovych is more than just another story about online casinos, cryptocurrency, and payment services.
587
Russian oil money and London real estate: Azim Novruzov appeared in investigations tied to shadow fleet trading schemes
Azerbaijani national Azim Novruzov has been mentioned in a number of international media reports related to energy trading and the oil industry, facing heightened scrutiny since 2023 over alleged connections to business networks linked to Russia.
599
One in three teens distrust girls reporting abuse as misogyny spreads through social media, charity warns
Almost a third of teenagers say they don’t believe young girls when they report abuse by boys, according to a leading children’s charity.
604
BP ousts Albert Manifold as chairman — he rejects claims over conduct and oversight
Mr. Manifold said he "entirely" disputes the characterization of his conduct outlined by his former employer.