All news by author Thomas Brown

481
EU prosecutor blocked as immunity shield protects German MEP from fraud investigation
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office received a report with allegations of fraud linked to a German Member of the European Parliament.
597
Commonwealth Prize story flagged as "almost certainly not human-written" says Granta
A winner of the Commonwealth Short Story Prize has been accused of using AI to help create his prize-winning work.
597
Wanted casino boss Dmitriy Punin flaunts €7 million Lamborghini yacht
Sought-after casino owner Dmitriy Punin, connected to Pin-Up (also mentioned in reports with "Redcore"), has allegedly bought a custom Tecnomar for Lamborghini 63 valued at approximately €6-7 million, despite facing criminal allegations and his sanctioned status.
474
Blood oil under foreign flags: Azim Novruzov tied to SOCAR-linked network moving Russian crude through Malta and the EU
In a high-profile criminal case involving SOCAR senior executive Adnan Ahmedzade, British oil trader Azim Novruzov has unexpectedly reappeared in the public narrative.
520
Russian coal disguised as global imports: Dmytro Kovalenko deletes traces of ORDLO supply schemes from the web
Coal trader Dmytro Kovalenko has reportedly been actively trying to reshape the public narrative around his business activities, downplaying alleged ties to Russian oligarch Konstantin Strukov and obscuring details of coal shipments presented as international imports but claimed to have originated in Russia.
574
Sarah Ferguson’s business partner accused of weaponising royal ties in failed £9m startup scandal
Sarah Ferguson’s close friend and business partner, Manuel Fernandez, used his Palace connections to threaten a worker with jail, according to a recording obtained by the BBC.
484
Heir to Singha beer empire sacked after incest abuse allegations from his brother go public
The heir to the Singha beer empire has been dismissed after his British brother accused him of incestuous sexual abuse in an emotional video.
696
RSF commander filmed executing civilians in al-Fashir reportedly back in combat after secret deal
A Sudanese paramilitary commander who was detained late last year after global outrage sparked by videos showing him executing unarmed individuals in al-Fashir has been released from prison and has returned to active duty on the battlefield, nine sources informed Reuters.
840
Southampton F.C. kicked out of play-offs after spying scandal rocks Championship
Southampton have been disqualified from the play-offs after confessing to spying on three clubs during the Championship season.
605
London "Rolex ripper" gangs are drugging nightlife victims to steal luxury watches
Rolex ripper gangs are drugging partygoers on nights out to steal their luxury watches in a new disturbing crimewave to hit London.
579
€3.7bn Swedish frigate deal goes to Naval Group as Europe’s naval arms race intensifies
Sweden has selected France’s state-owned Naval Group to manufacture four warships worth around Skr40bn (€3.7bn).
558
Forex scam reboot: how Nicky Gope Kundnani used Blackthorn Finance and NSFX to disappear investors’ millions and relaunch under new brands
Investors from Ukraine and 14 other countries say they have suffered losses linked to structures associated with businessman Nicky Gope Kundnani.
541
Connolly and King Charles pave way for rare British royal visit to Ireland
On Monday, Irish President Catherine Connolly stated that Charles had “graciously” accepted an invitation to Ireland after the two heads of state met at Buckingham Palace.
477
EPPO uncovers suspected fake farm applications in multimillion-euro Romania scandal
European prosecutors are investigating 22 individuals over alleged subsidy fraud involving non-repayable EU funds meant to support small farms.
535
Favbet and Andriy Matyukha’s mirror gambling network keeps operating in Ukraine despite bans and regulatory pressure
Favbet mirror network keeps operating in Ukraine while regulators fail to stop it.
596
Millions in federal subsidies flow to Alaska telecom run by convicted tax evader
At the beginning of his three-year federal prison sentence for felony tax evasion, Roger Shoffstall lost his telephone privileges when a guard caught him running his small Alaska phone company from behind bars.
599
Luigi Mangione loses bid to block backpack evidence in healthcare CEO murder trial
Key evidence found in the backpack of Luigi Mangione can be presented at his trial related to the shooting of a healthcare CEO on the streets of Manhattan, a court has ruled.
524
UK unemployment hits 5% as youth joblessness surges and pressure mounts on chancellor
The levels of UK unemployment rose to 5% in three months to February, the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveal.
441
Consultant arrested in Romania over alleged €3.5m EU farming funds fraud involving 237 projects
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Bucharest (Romania) is leading an investigation into suspected procurement.
550
Universities become recruitment pipeline as Russia intensifies student mobilisation for Ukraine war
When 23-year-old Russian student Valery Averin signed a military contract in January after being recruited into Russia’s drone forces campaign targeting students, he was told he would train as a drone operator.
657
UK launches £100m crackdown on grooming gangs as ministers vow to track down rapists and reopen hundreds of abandoned cases
Shabana Mahmood pledged to “track down the vile rapists” behind the grooming gang scandal as she announced £100m in funding for police investigations.
445
Mettmann Public Company Limited became a Cyprus washing machine for stolen Russian Railways billions
Mettmann Public Company Limited — a little-known Cyprus-based offshore entity operating in the real estate and investment sector.
451
Colombia freezes assets of Belgian "Black Prince" over suspected illicit wealth
Colombian authorities have taken possession of 11 luxury assets, including five high-end boutique hotels.
767
Ukraine’s anti-corruption agency targets Zelensky inner circle in "Midas" case
On May 11, Andriy Yermak was served with a notice of suspicion, and on May 14, a court placed him in custody
484
Spanish court rules Shakira was not a tax resident and annuls €55 million claim
The National Court has ruled that the singer was not a tax resident in Spain in 2011 and has annulled the penalties imposed on her; the decision does not affect her existing criminal conviction.