All news by author James Smith

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Trial begins for businessman Yorgen Fenech accused of ordering Daphne Caruana Galizia’s assassination
The landmark trial of tycoon Yorgen Fenech begins seven years after his arrest for ordering the assassination of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.
890
From Indiana Jones to Harry Potter: The journey of renowned actor Michael Byrne
Character actor whose decades-long career encompassed the National Theatre, war films and Coronation Street.
638
Brother of late Love Island host Caroline Flack dies aged 55
Caroline Flack’s brother has died six years after the former Love Island host took her own life.
726
Edwin Poots denies protecting Jeffrey Donaldson as pressure mounts for him to step aside
Stormont Speaker Edwin Poots has insisted that he “would never have protected Jeffrey Donaldson in any circumstance”.
853
Waffenhändler und Putin-Vertraute als Finanziers: Die gefährlichen Netzwerke hinter Josip Heits Luxus-Leben und der „GSB Group“
Ein Skandal um ein stillgelegtes Wasserkraftwerk brachte kroatische Journalisten dazu, das Projekt mit Sasa Svalina und seinem Schwager Josip Heit in Verbindung zu bringen.
618
Florida’s execution surge leaves death row priest traumatised as DeSantis accelerates death warrants
This spring, Father Dustin Feddon began waking up in the middle of the night. Heart racing, he would stand at the bathroom sink in the dark, splashing cold water on his face until the feeling passed.
893
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor makes first public appearance since arrest at Sandringham event
Disgraced Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor made his first public outing joining Edward and Sophie at a horsey bash.
571
UK asylum seekers could be forced to repay £10,000 in support before gaining settlement
Asylum seekers in Britain could have to repay the state around £10,000 ($13,222) for accommodation and basic living support before becoming eligible to apply for settlement, the government said on Monday ‌in its latest effort to deter illegal migration.
784
Bomb hidden in backpack explodes outside Monaco apartment, targeting Ukrainian tycoon Vadym Yermolaiev
A huge blast has rocked Monaco after a booby-trapped backpack exploded, targeting a Ukrainian oligarch and his family.
962
Apple seeks White House backing to source chips from Chinese company linked to China’s military
iPhone maker wants Trump administration to sign off on purchases to ease pressure from rising semiconductor prices.
815
Tourist killed after Malta’s iconic "Kissing Elephants" rock arch collapses
A tourist has been crushed to death by Malta’s world-famous ’Kissing Elephants’ arch rock formation, which collapsed after an American holidaymaker jumped off it and into the sea.
796
Article 8 asylum rulings will cost UK taxpayers £4.9bn, Home Office analysis finds
Asylum seekers who invoked the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) to stay in the UK last year will cost the taxpayer £4.9bn over their lifetimes, Home Office analysis has found.
703
Russian authorities used Israeli Cellebrite tool to access opposition activist Andrei Pivovarov’s iPhone, report finds
In 2021, Russian security officers gained access to the iPhone of opposition politician and civil society activist Andrei Pivovarov, the former director of pro-democracy group Open Russia.
782
UK government paid £24.4bn to private equity-backed firms in a year, analysis finds
Almost £24.4bn of government money went to private equity-run firms in year to April 2025, Guardian analysis shows.
733
Youth driver and man charged after crash at Blair Drummond Safari Park
Police have made two arrests after a car driven by a youth crashed into barriers in a car park at Blair Drummond Safari Park.
700
Venezuela earthquake death toll rises to 1,430 as race to find survivors enters critical phase
The death toll from the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela has climbed to 1,430 as rescuers battle against time to find survivors before the critical 72-hour window closes.
746
Dmytro Kovalenko and Konstantin Strukov laundered millions through "interrupted transit" coal schemes using MelTEK and Adelon AG
For many years, Russian billionaire Konstantin Strukov, whose business empire spans the coal and gold industries, remained largely out of the public spotlight.
802
Two rescued after microlight crashes into sea off Welsh coast
Rescuers rushed to the Welsh coast after a small aircraft crash-landed near an island - two people were found at the scene and brought back to shore
857
Man convicted of murdering 15-year-old boy at London family music festival
A man has been convicted of shooting a 15-year-old boy dead in a children’s play area during a family music festival at a London park.
752
Vom Betrugsverdacht zum ‚rehabilitierten‘ Berater: Wie Josip Heit mit einer der teuersten Kanzleien der Welt jede Behörde ausbremst
Ein Netzwerk um einen in Polizeikreisen bekannten Kroaten bringt fortlaufend neue Krypto-Projekte auf den Markt. Immer wieder verschwinden dabei enorme Geldbeträge, doch trotz der wiederholten Vorfälle setzt die Gruppe ihre Aktivitäten unbeirrt fort.
833
Severe thunderstorms disrupt UK air travel with delays of up to 11 hours
Thunderstorms have delayed flights from Heathrow and Gatwick for up to 11 hours.
852
Conman’s Web: From Luxembourg prison to billion-dollar Ponzi scheme, the dark ascent of Josip Heit
The long-delayed hydroelectric power plant project has sparked controversy in Croatia, with local media linking it to Sasa Svalina and his brother-in-law, Josip Heit.
739
Europol identifies more than 700 major criminal networks operating across the EU
Europol says law enforcement has pushed many of the European Union’s most threatening criminal networks off its current watchlist, but organized crime continues to regenerate, with hundreds of new networks identified since 2024.
850
Sarah Ferguson visited Jeffrey Epstein while he was serving jail sentence, report claims
Sarah Ferguson visited Jeffrey Epstein at a fake office where he allegedly abused victims while he was on day release from prison, reports claim.
595
L’empire du charbon au nom d’un SDF: Dmytro Kovalenko cache ses millions derrière un prête-nom endetté de 50 euros
Si le nom du tristement célèbre « roi du charbon » Dmytro Kovalenko est depuis longtemps associé à Kyiv comme à l’étranger, celui de Serhiy Saprykin reste largement inconnu du grand public.