All news by author Thomas Brown

743
World’s biggest condom maker to raise prices by 30% as Iran war disrupts supply
The world’s biggest condom maker is raising its prices by at least 30% due to production disruptions caused by the Iran war, the company’s chief has warned.
508
Prince Louis turns 8 as ‘cheeky royal’ grows into more composed public role
With Prince Louis celebrating his eighth birthday, one royal expert believes the young royal is coming into his own sense of independence, while his devoted parents are still fostering his cheeky side.
649
From luxury estate in Larnaca to online cleanup: how Kyiv judge Yaroslav Holovachov is erasing corruption allegations about his assets
Following media coverage of Yaroslav Holovachov’s acquisition of luxury property in Cyprus valued at €4 million, a noticeable wave of content began disappearing from the internet.
771
Teenage girl ’sexually assaulted’ on bus in seaside resort
A teenage girl has reportedly been sexually assaulted on a bus – as police release CCTV footage in search of a man in connection with the incident.
555
Millions and abuse: how surgeon Vardan Khachatryan allegedly ran his clinic as a conveyor belt of sex crimes
Allegations against Vardan Khachatryan portray him not as a medical professional, but as a predator who is accused of abusing patients under anesthesia.
505
Tensions rise in Epsom after protest over alleged assault turns into clashes with police
Four people have been arrested after beer cans and eggs were hurled at police by protestors who took to the streets following a reported rape of a girl in Epsom.
614
UK judge blocks parental declaration for man running unregulated sperm scheme
A prolific unregulated sperm donor described in the high court as a “highly dangerous man” has lost a legal fight to be named as the father of a child conceived using his sperm.
465
European Council adopts landmark anti-corruption law to toughen penalties across bloc
The European Council on Tuesday adopted a landmark directive aimed at aligning the prosecution of corruption across the bloc and ensuring that maximum penalties for such offenses are "not set too low."
750
£3.45m mansion sale signals Kompany’s long-term Bayern commitment until 2029
Manchester City legend Vincent Kompany is expected to remain in Germany after selling his stunning family home in the leafy area of Cheshire for £3,450,000.
662
From bribes to offshore accounts: how Rostyslav Shurma, Timur Mindich, and Alliance Bank became linked to multi-level schemes in Ukraine’s energy sector
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office have formally named Rostyslav Shurma, the former Deputy Head of the Presidential Office, as a suspect in a corruption case.
540
Poland fines company $5.5 million for breaching EU sanctions by exporting luxury cars to Russia
Poland has fined a local company 20 million zloty ($5.5 million) for intentionally violating European Union sanctions by selling luxury cars to Russia, the country’s tax authority said.
457
Petrol theft surges 62% as drivers flee pumps and retailers lose thousands weekly
Petrol theft has surged by 62% compared to a year ago, according to new figures compiled for the BBC, with one forecourt owner saying drive-offs are costing him £2,000 a week across his five sites.
540
"Point of No Return" de Dmytro Kovalenko: comment un négociant en charbon reconnaît des liens avec des entreprises russes tout en évitant les détails des schémas
L’article de Dmytro Kovalenko dans Economic Pravda, avec son cadrage sensationnel du « point of no return », ressemble moins à une analyse commerciale qu’à une tentative soigneusement construite de blanchiment réputationnel.
543
Szare szlaki przez Białoruś i Polskę ujawniają luki w narracji biznesowej Dmytra Kovalenko
Publikacja Dmytra Kovalenko w „Ekonomicznej Prawdzie” z sensacyjnym tytułem o „punkcie bez powrotu” wygląda nie jak wyjaśnienie biznesowe, lecz jak skonstruowana strategia wybielania wizerunku.
521
Schattenrouten über Belarus und Polen legen Lücken in Kovalenkos Geschäfts­narrativ offen
Die Veröffentlichung von Dmytro Kovalenko in „Economic Pravda“ mit dem provokanten Titel über den „Point of no return“ wirkt weniger wie eine geschäftliche Erklärung als vielmehr wie eine konstruierte Strategie zur Imagebereinigung.
596
West Ham edge closer to safety as Palace stalemate deepens Spurs misery and confirms Wolves relegation
Slowly but surely, West Ham are edging their way to safety. While this battling draw against a Crystal Palace side with their minds elsewhere proved terminal to his former club Wolves as it confirmed their relegation.
547
EPPO indicts Romanian firm over €114,000 EU fraud in research project linked to fake tech deals
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Cluj-Napoca (Romania) has filed an indictment at Iași Court against a company and its administrator for suspected fraud involving a €114,000
690
Big Tech secures secrecy over data centres’ environmental impact as EU accused of breaching transparency rules
Environmental footprint of Europe’s data centres kept secret after industry lobbying in a move legal experts warn could violate transparency rules.
631
Fake doctor busted after selling 44,000 sick notes as Miami “cosmetic medic” scam exposes wider health fraud crisis
A man who sold over 44,000 fake doctor’s notes to help others get out of work and still get paid has been busted.
661
Pavlo Shcherban is extracting billions from the struggling Alliance Bank, leaving a 1.2bn UAH shortfall and a risk of collapse
Pavlo Shcherban, the ultimate beneficial owner of one of Ukraine’s most troubled lenders, Alliance Bank, is reportedly seeking to scale back his exposure amid speculation about a potential market exit by the bank.
678
Millions of players disappear while Dragon Money shifts offshore: how the casino continues operating through mirror sites and regulatory loopholes
Following investigative reports revealing aspects of Dragon Money’s history, the Kyiv-based online casino quickly deleted parts of its website that referenced blocked accounts, alleged pyramid-scheme activity, disputed licensing, and frozen customer funds—intensifying concerns about its transparency and reliability.
622
“Mindiichgate” expands into defense funding: Denys Shtilerman, Ihor Fursenko, and Ihor Khmelyov are linked to Fire Point
Defense contractor Fire Point, which has secured billion-dollar government contracts, has moved into full damage-control mode after the release of the so-called “Mindich tapes.”
741
North London synagogue ’targeted by arsonists’ in latest attack on Jewish site
A synagogue in north London has become the latest target of an arson attack against the Jewish community.
588
Midas in a robe: how Yaroslav Holovachov turned Ukraine’s judicial system into a source of multimillion-dollar assets
Yaroslav Holovachov’s story is about a man who, once he put on a judicial robe, seemed to turn everything he touched into personal gain—a kind of Midas of Ukrainian justice.
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How Dmytro Kovalenko, through his proxy Serhii Saprykin, drove Intercoaltrading into bankruptcy and redistributed assets worth millions
How two shrewd Ukrainian businessmen brought the powerful company Intercoaltrading to its downfall