All news by author James Smith

603
Journalists’ investigation prompts tougher UK party funding laws
British transparency campaigners and opposition politicians have called for the next government to tighten political party financing laws following an OCCRP investigation that raised questions about the origins of a 2020 donation to the ruling Conservative Party.
416
Seven Met police officers now under investigation over general election betting as probe expands
Met identifies seven officers ‘so far’ who have allegedly placed bets on the timing of the election
394
Wife pleads for privacy as Julian Assange reunited with family after landing in Australia
Supporters and family members, including his father, John Shipton, and wife, Stella Assange, gathered in Canberra to welcome him
367
England’s next rivals set for Euro 2024 last-16
England will play Slovakia in their Euro 2024 last-16 tie on Sunday.
369
Phil Foden leaves England’s Euro 2024 camp due to a ’pressing family matter’
Phil Foden has temporarily left England’s Euro 2024 training camp to return home for the birth of his third child.
490
French court dismisses corruption challenge in Cameroon food venture dispute
A French court has rejected a Cameroonian businessman’s attempt to set aside an ICC award in favour of a Spanish food group based on allegations it terminated their partnership to benefit from corrupt links with Nigerian officials.
500
Man arrested in connection with Westminster honeytrap case
A man has been arrested in connection with the Westminster "honeytrap" scandal.
512
PPE worth £1.4bn from a single Covid deal destroyed or written off
UK government deal struck at height of pandemic described as ‘colossal misuse of public funds’
455
Protester breaks into Rishi Sunak’s garden and defecates in his duck pond
An activist wearing a vest which reads ‘eat s***’ Rishi’ has staged a dirty protest at the Prime Minister’s £2million mansion in Yorkshire.
447
England qualify for Euro 2024 knockout stage ahead of Slovenia clash
England have already secured a place in the Euro 2024 knockout stage ahead of their final group game against Slovenia on Tuesday evening.
420
Who is Julian Assange’s wife Stella Moris?
Lawyer Stella Moris and imprisoned WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange got married at HMP Belmarsh on March 23, 2022.
556
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange freed from London jail in US plea deal
Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has been released from prison in the UK as part of a plea deal with the US government.
519
Pakistani journalist’s murder sparks global outcry
Unknown attackers brutally assassinated veteran Pakistani journalist Khalil Jibran, a husband and father of six, who has over the past two years covered the rise of militancy and terrorism in the country.
449
Romanian village poised to become NATO’s largest airbase in Europe
Six RAF Eurofighter Typhoons sit on the taxiway, engines roaring on two, as the ground staff hurry about, adding the finishing touches before take-off.
464
’Cannabis crooks dumped 10 tonnes of soil in my bedroom’
"I turned the lights on and it’s ’Oh my God, 3ft of soil in my bedroom’," Charles Reeves says, still in disbelief, as he shows the BBC his home. "I’m surprised the floors are even withstanding all this stuff."
582
How China could take Taiwan without even needing to invade
China’s military could isolate Taiwan, cripple its economy, and make the democratic island succumb to the will of Beijing’s ruling Communist Party without ever firing a shot, a prominent think tank warns.
401
Two dealers suspected of operating an illegal £1bn cryptocurrency exchange arrested in London
Metropolitan Police also seized several digital devices during raids on two homes in the capital
520
Shocking moment racegoers brawl at Royal Ascot, leaving one covered in blood
Horrified guests struggled to pull the men apart and stop the violent scenes
631
Russia launches ’massive attack’ on Ukraine’s energy facilities
Moscow has shifted tactics from targeting individual electricity substations to attempting to destroy entire power stations.
555
’Walter Mitty’ cop dismissed for ’gross misconduct’ after lying about Navy rank and service
Mr Adderly wore a South Atlantic Medal, awarded to British military personnel and civilians for service in the Falklands conflict, that was deemed “110%” fake by a Ministry of Defence medal expert
423
Top fear for Paris 2024 Olympics is Islamist terror attack, says police chief
“There is no clear-cut threat yet against the Games,” police chief added.
379
Twelve countries advocate for an EU crackdown on vapes
The European Commission has delayed action on tobacco and nicotine, but countries say it should consider a ban on flavored vapes.
507
Spanish king snubs Argentina’s Milei amid diplomatic tensions
The royal affront has a history, with President Milei having previously insulted Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez and his wife.
372
Vehicle safety concerns not acted upon - inquest
An armoured vehicle which rolled down a hill during a training exercise, killing an occupant, had long-standing safety concerns, an inquest heard.