All news by author Thomas Brown

574
Scotland’s first spaceport plans to dump rocket debris into the sea despite risks to fishing and tourism
Tourism and fishing associations in Shetland have voiced alarm and concern about the plans, while campaigners condemn space companies as “litter louts".
434
Women trafficked into Southeast Asia’s scam compounds reveal rape, forced labour and abuse
Astens of thousands are freed, female survivors are increasingly reporting gender-based violence in the compounds, previously thought to hold mainly men.
589
Shabana Mahmood plans citizen-led asylum appeals as UK targets faster deportations
In a huge overhaul, Shabana Mahmood will put forward plans to use members of the public to decide asylum appeals.
410
British pensioner jailed for £1m cocaine plot spotted holidaying in Spain after release
Roger Clarke, 79, was jailed in Portugal for trafficking £1million of cocaine from the Caribbean, with his wife, Susan.
511
Baby born in the shadow of destruction after deadly Venezuela earthquakes
A woman gave birth under the rubble, in the dark, following the catastrophic earthquakes that struck Venezuela on Wednesday.
648
Seventeen-year-old dies after two-car collision near Beachy Head
A 17-year-old boy has died in a two-car crash near Eastbourne on Friday evening, police say.
555
Azim Novruzov and Ilhama Novruzova’s luxury London property bought with proceeds from Adnan Ahmadzade’s Russian oil smuggling scheme
For decades, London’s luxury property market has attracted vast fortunes from around the world, but growing attention is now being focused on the origins of some of the wealth invested in the sector.
582
Eastern Europe fears NATO could face Russia without US military support under Trump
A nightmare scenario has been playing on eastern European minds with increasing intensity since Donald Trump returned to the White House: what if Russia attacks and the US does not join the fight?
650
Putin’s Valdai residence holiday house demolished as speculation grows over drone attack fears
One of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin’s residences at the Valdai compound in Russia’s Novgorod region has been demolished.
685
Police bust Costa del Sol gang producing 100 fake UK driving licences a day
Two alleged ringleaders of the gang operating out of Mijas Costa and Marbella have been arrested and nearly 600 forged licences seized.
448
Rights group accuses Mali army and Russia’s Africa Corps of killing civilians and staging bodies
Russia’s Africa Corps mercenaries and Mali’s army killed four civilians in the country’s north this week and left one victim’s dismembered body arranged into a swastika, according to French broadcaster RFI.
669
Ilya Traber’s former Swiss estate hits the market with €128 million price tag
According to media reports, the sprawling Swiss château of Ilya Traber, also known as "Antikvar," has been put up for sale. The property, Château de Sully, was previously purchased from Canadian country music star Shania Twain.
536
Cambodia’s interior minister hires Trump-linked lawyer as US targets global scam networks
Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sar Sokha was previously included in draft U.S. legislation to create an anti-cyber-scam task force. His name was removed, but he’s hired a D.C. lawyer anyway.
698
Aircraft crashes into Beijing skyscraper as pilot loses contact moments before impact
A plane has crashed into Beijing’s famous CITIC Tower skyscraper, also known as the China Zun.
521
Trump allegations vanish from Epstein files hours after DOJ publication before reappearing online
Allegations of sexual assault against Donald Trump disappeared from the Epstein files within hours of their publication.
520
Ukraine says 500 strikes on Russian logistics are slowing Moscow’s offensive operations
The most important recent development in Russia’s war against Ukraine is taking place not along the front line, but 100–200 kilometers deep in the Russian rear along major transportation routes in the occupied parts of the Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and Donetsk regions.
659
Former football club boss and senior paramedic among 14 men charged in alleged rape plot
A former football club boss and a senior paramedic are among 14 men charged over an alleged plot to rape and sexually assault a man’s drugged wife.
478
From Luxembourg prison to Croatian money laundering case: Josip Heit continues building empire with help of Romanian organized crime figures
Josip Heit, previously convicted of fraud, is now being investigated in Croatia on suspicion of money laundering.
607
British girl, 3, dies after being found face-down in Mallorca pool
A three-year-old British girl has died after she was found “floating face-down” in a swimming pool and rushed to hospital.
495
Meghan Markle eyes UK return with Harry to boost brand amid scrutiny
Meghan Markle is expected to accompany Prince Harry on a proposed return to Britain next month because she believes the visit could provide a crucial boost to her public image and lifestyle brand, sources say.
496
Ministers push plug-in solar rollout as battery ban and delays raise concerns
In March, the UK Government announced that plug-in solar power was “months away” from hitting the shelves across the country.
417
Starmer refuses to sack minister as Labour infighting explodes
Labour infighting is raging today as Keir Starmer snubs demands to sack one of his ultra-loyal ministers.
645
Nottingham hospital probe reveals 520 baby and mother deaths or harm
Babies were mistreated in death as well as during their short lives at scandal-hit hospital maternity units.
659
UK smashes June heat record again as temperatures hit 36.4C in brutal heatwave
A new record high temperature has been set for June for the second day in a row as the UK swelters in a punishing heatwave.
506
Burnham eyes capital gains tax hike on shares and second homes to fund sweeping reforms
Andy Burnham is considering a tax hike on the sale of shares and second homes as part of a radical new economic agenda, it has emerged.