All news by author David Wilson

776
MGM cuts hotel prices after backlash over $26 water and $12 coffee
MGM Resorts President and CEO Bill Hornbuckle had a simple message for his company this week after exorbitant prices have kept people away from his hotels in Las Vegas: “Shame on us.”
622
Israel required Google and Amazon to use a secret “winking mechanism” in $1.2bn cloud deal
When Google and Amazon negotiated a major $1.2bn cloud-computing deal in 2021, their customer – the Israeli government – had an unusual demand: agree to use a secret code as part of an arrangement that would become known as the “winking mechanism”.
693
Two government employees and company agents jailed for forgery and bribery in civil ID scandal
The Criminal Court has sentenced two employees of the Public Authority for Civil Information and an expatriate representative to five years in prison.
711
China accuses the UK of ‘lack of credibility’ over stalled embassy plans
Boris Johnson approved China’s super-embassy proposal in 2018 and welcomed the fact it would represent “China’s largest overseas diplomatic investment” anywhere in the world, the Guardian can disclose.
814
Pakistani farmers plan to sue German polluters for flood damage linked to climate change
A group of Pakistani farmers whose livelihoods were devastated by floods three years ago has initiated legal action against two of Germany’s most polluting companies.
892
Reeves secures £6.4 billion trade and investment package with Saudi Arabia
Brexit is partly responsible for high inflation in the UK, according to Rachel Reeves, as she advocated for rebuilding ties with the EU.
725
Trial of Shinzo Abe’s assassin begins in Japan, with defense citing tragic past for clemency
The much-awaited trial of the man accused of murdering former prime minister Shinzo Abe starts on Tuesday.
604
Keir Starmer seals £8 billion fighter jet deal with Turkey during visit to Ankara
The agreement is the largest fighter jet deal in nearly 20 years.
868
Romanian gang jailed for raping and exploiting vulnerable women in Scotland
Five members of a Romanian grooming gang have been jailed for raping and sexually exploiting vulnerable women in Scotland.
845
Brazilian singer Vanessa Rios dies at 42 after battle with rare lung cancer
Singer Vanessa Rios has died aged 42 after a battle with a rare and aggressive form of lung cancer.
720
British commentator Sami Hamdi detained in US, faces deportation over alleged praise of Oct 7 Hamas attack
A British commentator allegedly applauding the Oct 7 massacre has been detained by US authorities and is facing deportation back to the UK.
586
Trump to raise US tariffs on Canada by 10% after Ontario’s anti-tariff ad
Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he will raise US tariffs on Canada by 10% in retaliation for an anti-tariff advertisement sponsored by the Ontario government, which has further strained one of the world’s largest trade partnerships.
930
Economic cost of crime hits £478 per person in Britain
Crime costs Britain £33 billion a year in treatment for victims, damaged or lost property, and preventative measures, according to analysis by the Tories.
688
UK alcohol tax hikes hitting small distilleries and hospitality sector hard
London’s famous distilleries have warned they are being “crushed” by Government tax hikes.
736
Spain’s eastern city marks anniversary of floods that killed 229 people
More than 50,000 people took to the streets of Spain’s eastern city of Valencia on Saturday to mark the first anniversary of last year’s deadly floods and denounce the authorities’ handling of the disaster.
638
Japanese tourist dies after falling from Pantheon wall in Rome
A Japanese tourist has died after falling from the outer wall of the Pantheon in Rome.
628
US authorities seize $15 billion in cryptocurrency linked to Chen Zhi and Prince Group
He is a youthful-looking tycoon who ascended to the highest levels of power in his adopted home of Cambodia, where he awards scholarships and manages philanthropy programs while overseeing one of the country’s largest and most well-connected conglomerates.
825
Metro train held at Tynemouth following passenger fall
A Tyne and Wear Metro train was held at Tynemouth station after a man fell and was taken to hospital as a result.
817
Canadian singer Nelly Furtado steps back from music for the foreseeable future
Pop icon Nelly Furtado has revealed she’s stepping back from music for the ‘foreseeable future’ in a shock online announcement.
792
Possible Trump–Kim reunion sparks speculation amid tense US–China talks
US President Donald Trump has expressed willingness to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during his whirlwind Asia tour.
825
Georgia arrests three Chinese citizens over uranium purchase plot
Georgia’s internal security service said on Saturday that it had arrested three Chinese citizens in the capital Tbilisi for attempting to illegally purchase two kilograms of "nuclear material" uranium, Georgia’s Interpress news agency reported.
771
British pilot faces up to 20 years in jail for drug-fueled murder in Spain
A British man is facing up to 20 years in jail after he was found guilty of the drug-fueled murder of a man he met for a weekend of passion.
860
Woman found dead a year after her death – only conversations on phone were with ChatGPT
The remains of a young woman were discovered in her flat, a year after she died.
581
Turkey sidelined from 5,000-strong Gaza force despite role in Trump ceasefire deal
Turkey is likely to be excluded from the 5,000-strong stabilization force that is to be established inside Gaza, as Israel made it clear it did not want Turkish troops involved.
764
EU sanctions Russian prison doctor Ilya Sorokin for torturing Ukrainian POWs
The European Union has imposed sanctions on Ilya Sorokin, a prison doctor exposed by OCCRP and RFE/RL’s “Schemes” program in July as having systematically humiliated, tortured, and denied medical assistance to Ukrainian prisoners of war.