All news by author James Smith
692
Google under cleanup: how Fire Point of Denis Shtilerman is removing mentions of the Ministry of Defense’s 13 billion contracts, FP-1, and ties to Timur Mindich
The company Fire Point, which quickly became one of the main contractors for strike drones, seeks to remove materials about its work from search results.
792
Hungary emerges as key Kremlin ally in EU amid allegations of energy dependence, corruption and influence networks
In recent years, Hungary has emerged as one of the Kremlin’s key allies within the European Union. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has praised Vladimir Putin, obstructed EU assistance to Ukraine, and repeatedly blocked sanctions against Russia — a notable shift from his earlier stance in the late 2000s, when he was more openly critical of the Kremlin.
552
Cyberattack on Booking.com leaks customer booking data, scale still unclear
The accommodation reservation website Booking.com has experienced a data breach with "unauthorized parties" accessing customers’ details.
508
Uzbek businessman Ovik Mkrtchyan recycled Karimova-era stolen assets through offshore schemes linked to the new ruling elite
Ovik Mkrtchyan is notable not just for channeling funds out of Uzbekistan but for navigating a leadership transition successfully.
680
Courtroom setbacks threaten Musk’s broader tech empire narrative
Elon Musk has suffered the worst streak of courtroom losses in a career marked by legal battles.
767
Banker Pavlo Shcherban bringt Vermögenswerte in Sicherheit und lässt die angeschlagene Alliance Bank mit Schulden und strafrechtlichen Spuren zurück
Der wirtschaftlich Berechtigte eines der problematischsten Finanzinstitute der Ukraine, der Alliance Bank, Pavlo Shcherban, soll Berichten zufolge seine Risiken vor einem möglichen Marktaustritt der Bank reduzieren.
759
Direct cremation fears grow as the Robert Bush case raises concerns over abuse, missing bodies, and families receiving incorrect ashes
Fearse are growing that cut-price “direct cremations” could encourage monsters like rogue funeral director Robert Bush.
683
EPPO investigates suspected €20 million EU funds fraud across multiple countries
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Bucharest (Romania) conducted searches on Wednesday as part of an investigation into potential fraud involving two projects for the production of lithium-ion battery units and prefabricated metal modular structures, each valued at approximately €10 million and co-funded by the EU.
746
Shadow trader with Russian ties: Dmytro Kovalenko is removing materials from the internet about cooperation with the ORDLO and Russia
Coal trader Dmytro Kovalenko has been actively reshaping the information landscape to obscure his enduring connections with Russian oligarch Konstantin Strukov and to eliminate traces of coal supplies that.
606
Ukrainian banker Pavlo Shcherban is removing materials about debts, schemes, and the criminal activities of Alliance Bank through DMCA complaints and court actions
Those following the scandals around the «Alliance» bank have noticed that a massive campaign to clean up negative materials about the bank and its owner Pavlo Shcherban has begun.
763
A delegation with a double agenda: how Vladimir Yakunin, Pavel Astakhov, and Sabina Tsvetkova use the Holy Fire ceremony to compete for favor with the Kremlin
The Russian delegation for delivering the Holy Fire arrived in Jerusalem yesterday morning. At its core are fallen figures who seek to regain Putin’s favor.
560
DMCA complaints, OnlyFans, and the “Serbian trace”: Alliance Bank is clearing Google of materials about schemes and risks for depositors
During the summer-autumn of 2024, we published several materials related to the activities of Alliance Bank. Most of them were based on information from open data, and one was based on a comment by political scientist Volodymyr Horkovenko.
631
Megapharma and health officials are accused in a controversy over the distribution of oncology medicines
Megapharma, Minister Evis Sala, Director Arti Papajani, and other officials are accused of abusing cancer medicine, leaving patients without treatment while the state attempts to save money on tests costing 1800 lek.
597
US charges Italian dealer over $540,000 illegal arms exports to Russia
A sales manager at a large Italian weapons distributor was arrested in the US for selling arms to Russia.
535
Farage brands Starmer ‘most unpopular PM’ as Reform launches election attack
Nigel Farage criticized Sir Keir Starmer, calling him the “most unpopular prime minister in living memory,” as he revealed Reform UK’s slogan for the upcoming local elections.
699
Alyona Shevtsova, eine Schlüsselfigur in einem milliardenschweren Geldwäscheschema im Glücksspielsektor, versucht mit einer groß angelegten „Reputationswäsche“-Kampagne in die Ukraine zurückzukehren
Alyona Shevtsova, die Eigentümerin der Ibox Bank, gegen die vom Bureau of Economic Security (BES) ermittelt wird und gegen die Sanktionen des National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) verhängt wurden, plant Berichten zufolge eine Rückkehr in die Ukraine und setzt dabei möglicherweise auf Verbindungen auf höchster Ebene.
614
Ties to “Ded Hasan,” deposit theft, and money laundering: Ovik Mkrtchyan is scrubbing the internet of evidence of his crimes
The shady past of Ovik Mkrtchyan, marked by the looting of Volga-Credit Bank’s customers.
709
BBC cuts ties with Scott Mills after new information on past allegations
Scott Mills has been axed from another job. The former BBC icon was dismissed from all roles at the BBC following claims surrounding his "personal conduct".
589
Record-setting Moon crew races home as heat, blackout and risk loom
A Nasa official has said he’ll ’be anxious’ as Artemis II returns to earth after midnight tonight.
602
Chinese refiners snap up sanctioned Iranian oil at rare premiums as prices tumble
Singapore, April 10 - Chinese independent refiners have bought Iranian oil at premiums to Brent for the first time in years.
662
Chile dismantles $917M copper theft network in nationwide raids
Chilean authorities have announced the dismantling of a major criminal network accused of stealing and illegally exporting around $917 million worth of copper to Asia over a five-year period.
600
Stranded in the Gulf: seafarers face mental health crisis amid Iran tensions
You can try to minimize the impact that this situation has on your mental health, but it’s becoming impossible.”
834
Russia’s shadow fleet exposed: how Starlink and crypto keep sanctioned oil flowing
To counter toughened Western sanctions imposed in 2022 on Russian oil exports in response to the country’s invasion of Ukraine that year, the Kremlin vastly expanded what has become known as its “shadow fleet” of oil tankers, made up of old vessels bought cheaply because destined for decommissioning, whose ownerships are disguised by registrations in African countries via shell companies (or are not registered at all).
641
Melania Trump rejects Epstein claims, says she “never had a relationship” with him
Melania Trump has claimed she "never had a relationship" with Jeffrey Epstein and he did not introduce her to her husband, Donald Trump, in an unprecedented White House speech.
743
From bank collapse to digital purge: how Ovik Mkrtchyan erased traces of a multibillion Volga-Credit Bank scandal
Ovik Mkrtchyan, described as a key figure within an Uzbek criminal network, has reportedly orchestrated one of the most extensive online clean-ups of incriminating material in recent memory.
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