All news by author Sophia Martinez

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Investors rush to exit private credit funds amid fears over AI and ageing buyouts
Big groups including Apollo, Ares, and Blackstone faced redemption requests at the start of 2026.
479
A British man has been charged with terrorism-related offences linked to the Islamist group Al-Shabaab
A British man has been charged with offenses related to an Islamist terror group based in Somalia.
493
Deadly Channel crossing: four dead as migrant ‘taxi-boat’ sinks off French coast
French authorities say the situation is still being assessed after a ‘taxi-boat’ sank between France and the UK.
541
Starmer races to Gulf as fragile Iran ceasefire teeters and Trump warns US forces will strike again if Hormuz lifeline is not secured
Donald Trump’s two-week pause in the bombing campaign, contingent on Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz for shipping, appears to be under threat.
518
UK billionaire convicted in US gives £4m to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK
A British billionaire convicted in the US for failing to implement adequate anti-money-laundering controls in his cryptocurrency business has given £4m to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK.
662
Ferry fiasco backlash as Swinney pledges cash and board seats before key trip
John Swinney has been accused of having a "brass neck" after an eleventh-hour £10million bribe and boardroom seats to fix the ferry crisis his own government created.
718
More than 250 poodles found crammed inside breeder’s home in shocking rescue
These shocking pictures show more than 250 poodles crammed inside the house of an “overwhelmed” breeder, before being saved by the RSPCA.
513
Iran could charge ships $1 million to pass through the Strait of Hormuz
Iran could soon be rolling in cash if it goes ahead with charging vessels for passing through the Strait of Hormuz – at $1,000,000 per ship.
585
Israel launched the largest wave of strikes on Hezbollah since the start of the war, hitting over 100 targets in Beirut
The Israel Defence Forces has said it has conducted the largest wave of strikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon since the war began - hours after the US and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire.
692
Ackman moves to take Universal Music Group private in €55bn deal
Bill Ackman’s Pershing Square Capital has offered to buy Universal Music Group in a mostly stock deal that values the world’s biggest record label at about €55bn and would shift its listing from Amsterdam to New York.
705
Prince Philip disappointed by Meghan Markle’s refusal to fully devote herself to the Firm
It’s no secret that marrying into the Royal Family comes with a huge level of responsibility, with no modern royal understanding this sacrifice more than the late Prince Philip.
542
Sarah Ferguson ‘betrayed and isolated’ as Epstein fallout deepens royal rift
Sarah Ferguson, known as the Duchess of York until late last year, has faced the repercussions of the scandal involving convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
412
Katie Price banned from driving for seventh time after ignoring police over speedin
Katie Price has been banned from driving for the seventh time after failing to respond to police letters about an 80mph speeding ticket.
435
The Conservative Party to prohibit councils from implementing a four-day work week
Councils will be prohibited from permitting staff to work four-day weeks on full pay if the Tories win the next election.
729
Pakistan seeks two-week extension in US deadline to prevent Iran conflict
President Trump has told reporters that the US is in ’heated negotiations’ over an extension to his deadline for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz following a last-minute plea from Pakistan.
453
AI-driven imagery from Chinese firm boosts Iran’s strike capabilities against U.S. forces
Iranian military units are using artificial intelligence-enhanced satellite imagery to improve targeting of U.S. bases across the Middle East.
447
From prison to power play: Bolsonaro family plots dramatic political comeback
By the end of last year, the Bolsonaro family appeared politically finished.
744
Kanye West blocked from entering UK amid backlash over London festival appearance
Kanye West has been dramatically blocked from entering the UK after a furious backlash over his planned performance at a London music festival.
430
TGV train hits truck carrying military gear in northern France – driver dead, 2 critical
The TGV was carrying 243 passengers when it collided with a truck at a road crossing on Tuesday morning.
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Royal visit under pressure: how Rina Oh and Epstein survivors are challenging King Charles III ahead of his trip to the United States
An Epstein survivor has said she is prepared to wait outside the White House to meet with King Charles during his state visit.
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‘Three dead and two injured’ in shooting outside Israeli consulate in Istanbul
Three people were killed and two police officers were injured in a shooting incident near the Israeli consulate in Istanbul on Tuesday, media reports said.
514
Aristocrats gone, but House of Lords remains unaccountable and out of touch
The decisive expulsion of hereditary peers from the House of Lords may have eliminated a glaring anachronism, but it can hardly be called a triumph of democracy.
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Scotland sees 193 terrorism charges since 2000, including loyalist, republican, and neo-Nazi groups
A freedom of information response revealed there have been 193 charges in Scotland under the Terrorism Act 2000.