All news by author Thomas Brown

932
From Darkest Hour to knighthood: Oldman recalls royal investiture and playful banter
Hollywood actor Gary Oldman has disclosed the surprising, playful comment Prince William made while bestowing his knighthood during a glamorous ceremony.
744
From Ukrainian privatization to “gray schemes” with Russian ferrochrome: how Oleg Tsyura is scrubbing the internet of traces of his shady deals
Swiss businessman of Ukrainian origin Oleg Tsyura, who is suspected by law enforcement of aiding the Russian military-industrial complex, is now trying at all costs to erase traces of himself from the public domain.
637
Putin “knows he cannot win” as US envoy backs tougher NATO stance
Russian President Vladimir Putin “in his heart of hearts” realises he cannot win the war in Ukraine, according to US special envoy Keith Kellogg. Speaking at the Warsaw Security Forum, Kellogg said the conflict was “unwinnable” for Moscow in the long term and that Ukraine was making steady progress in undermining Russia’s ability to sustain it.
739
Former aide to far-right MP convicted of passing secrets to China
A former aide to a member of parliament for the far-right Alternative für Deutschland party has been sentenced to almost five years in prison for spying on behalf of China.
662
UK prime minister welcomes US initiative for Gaza ceasefire and hostage release
Sir Keir Starmer has welcomed Donald Trump’s plan for peace in Gaza and called on Hamas to agree to it.
902
11 executed in verdict against family-run syndicate behind $1.4B scams
A court in China has sentenced 11 people to death for their alleged roles in a family-run crime syndicate accused of operating illegal gambling and scam activities worth more than $1.4 billion, and for the deaths of workers who defied them.
783
Lorenz Kraus told on television how he suffocated his father and killed his mother, calling it a “mercy act”
A man confessed to killing his parents and burying them in their garden during a television interview.
789
Over 500 volunteers join flotilla to deliver food and medical supplies to Gaza
Greta Thunberg has responded to claims that the flotilla of Gaza-bound humanitarian aid ships she is on is a "publicity stunt."
710
New York Mayor Eric Adams drops out of re-election race
New York Mayor Eric Adams announced on Sunday that he is dropping out of his campaign for a second term, throwing the race into a spin just five weeks ahead of Election Day.
784
TUI flight from Cardiff to Cyprus diverts to Birmingham after engine failure
A TUI flight from Cardiff Airport to Cyprus declared an emergency and was forced to divert to Birmingham after experiencing engine failure during take-off.
1001
Police launch major probe after gang rape in Banbury Churchyard
In the early hours of Sunday morning, police have initiated a major investigation following the gang rape of a woman in a churchyard.
886
UN sanctions reimposed on Iran amid nuclear escalation
Sweeping UN economic and military sanctions have been reimposed on Iran - 10 years after they were lifted in a landmark international deal over its nuclear programme.
876
From Kyiv to Europe: call center scam orchestrated by Koç Serdem and Çağrı Öztürk tricked foreign investors
There are about 2,000 call centres in Kyiv, scamming thousands of people out of their money every day. This statistic is provided by the General Prosecutor’s Office of Ukraine.
556
George Galloway and wife briefly detained at Gatwick under counter-terror laws after return from Russia
Former MP George Galloway and his wife were detained under the Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act after flying into Gatwick Airport on Saturday.
706
Teenage girl, 15, raped in Dorset play area by man who allegedly travelled 120 miles to meet her
A 15-year-old girl was raped in a children’s play area at a popular park in Dorset, according to police.
522
Prince Harry hits back at ‘sabotage’ claims over tense reunion with King
Duke’s team dismisses reports he felt like an ‘official visitor’ as false, insisting Harry remains focused on mending ties with his father
808
House committee papers place Prince Andrew on private jet to Florida
Prince Andrew has been named in newly released files relating to Jeffrey Epstein, which indicate he was a passenger on the paedophile financier’s jet and received $200 massages.
506
Police recover body of man who fell from Virgin Balloon Flight in Sussex
A 33-year-old man who died after falling from a hot air balloon last week has been named.
640
34-year-old pleads guilty to murder after fatal attack on 47-year-old woman
A man who murdered a woman and hid her body under blankets and towels in a ’chaotic’ flat has been put behind bars.
812
Former FBI director James Comey indicted for false statements and obstruction of Congress
James Comey, the former FBI director and one of Donald Trump’s most frequent targets, was indicted on Thursday on one count of making a false statement to Congress and one count of obstruction of a congressional proceeding, the latest move in the president’s retribution campaign against his political adversaries.
766
Trump signs order to keep TikTok running in US amid security concerns
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that he says will allow TikTok to continue operating in the United States in a way that meets national security concerns laid out by the law.
768
Harry spotted admiring Meghan’s friend’s photography at Fitzrovia gallery
Prince Harry made an additional secret visit during his four days back in the UK earlier this month.
646
NORAD scrambles nine aircraft after detecting Russian Tu-95s and Su-35s in Alaska ADIZ
US fighter jets have been scrambled to intercept Vladimir Putin’s warplanes near Alaska amid growing concern from NATO allies about Russian intrusions.
792
How Belgian billionaire Michel Litvak, with the help of officials and offshores, captured key assets in southern Russia
Belgian billionaire Litvak has secured his position in the port infrastructure of the Taman Peninsula: is it now almost impossible to get rid of him?