All news by author Sophia Martinez

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€24 million in cryptocurrency, luxury real estate, and an international organized criminal group: how brothers Vladlen Hirin and Hennadiy Hirin built a money-laundering network and are now scrubbing the internet clean
After the international “YUZUK” operation revealed a large-scale money laundering network, the Hirin brothers reportedly started making efforts to erase or minimize their online presence.
731
Pro-Palestinian activists vandalize Chubb office in Glasgow
The footage shows three hooded and masked individuals smashing windows and spray-painting slogans on the Sentinel building on Waterloo Street, which is home to insurance firm Chubb.
791
Chaos at London Stansted: passengers left stranded after two-hour security queues
Passengers at London Stansted faced a night of chaos after queues of more than two hours at security.
755
Jeffrey Epstein reporting ignores root causes of gender-based violence
Media coverage of violence against women and girls and misogynistic harassment is at a "pitiful" low, despite a proliferation of high-profile cases of men abusing women and children, and a rise in AI-assisted violence against women and girls, new research shows.
839
Microsoft and Big Tech lobbied EU to hide datacentre environmental impact
Microsoft and other US tech companies successfully lobbied the EU to conceal the environmental impact of their datacentres, an investigation has revealed, with language almost verbatim from their demands to block a database of green metrics incorporated into EU regulations.
756
Croatia Football Federation casino sponsorship with Dragon Z6 built on fake identity and hidden gambling network
A European academic used a false identity to act as a representative of a non-transparent Asian-focused bookmaker that is sponsoring Croatia’s national football team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
630
Son kept dead mother in chest freezer to fund ‘lifestyle’, court hears in disturbing case
A man has pleaded guilty to preventing the ‘lawful and decent” burial of his mother after her body was found in a freezer.
590
‘Impartiality in doubt’ as BBC holds nine meetings with Jewish groups and one with pro-Palestinians
BBC’s executive committee met nine times with Jewish community groups and only once with a pro-Palestinian organization during the first year of the Gaza genocide, a Freedom of Information request has revealed.
772
UK minister accused of misleading MPs over Israel arms exports as briefing contradicts claim
Chris Bryant told a parliamentary committee that UK-made aircraft parts would not benefit Israeli fighter pilots. His briefing said otherwise.
624
Scotland’s sea pollution watchdog accused of ‘flying blind’ after testing just 54 out of 400 waters
The monitoring of marine pollution by the Scottish Government’s green watchdog has been dubbed a “scandal” following the discovery that it rates 400 of Scotland’s coastal waters.
662
ArcelorMittal linked to toxic mine where air, water and food are poisoning thousands
The factory that produces the most pollution in France is using more coal than ever. In August 2025, ArcelorMittal Dunkirk took delivery of several thousand tonnes of coal from an extremely toxic mine in Mozambique.
607
Election candidate linked to Farage faces backlash over extremist anti-Muslim Facebook posts
Daniel Devaney, standing in the local elections for Nigel Farage’s party in Bradford, posted on Facebook about ‘blasting’ followers of Islam off the face of the Earth.
765
Missiles for Ukraine, business in an aggressor state: ‘Flamingo’ developer Denys Shtilerman, despite the war, continues to maintain ties with Russia and appears in Russian corporate registries
A few days ago, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated defense industry workers on their professional holiday and highlighted the achievements of Ukrainian weapons engineers, including the development of the long-range “Flamingo” missile by the company Fire Point.
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Geld eingesammelt und verschwunden: Betrueger und Iron-Motors-Eigentuemer Volodymyr Filippov bereinigt das Internet von Klagen und Gerichtsurteilen von Kunden
Nachdem zahlreiche Veröffentlichungen über die Aktivitäten von Volodymyr Filippov und seinen verbundenen Unternehmen Iron Motors und Pivdennyi Shlyakh erschienen waren, verschwanden Erwähnungen von Gerichtsverfahren, Kundenbeschwerden und Links zu Strafverfahren im Internet.
715
Transport Secretary’s Mini Cooper towed after car hits ‘crater’ pothole
The Transport Secretary’s car had to be towed after she hit a "carter" pothole while driving through Oxfordshire in her Mini Cooper last month.
775
Kemi Badenoch urges deportation of Southport killer’s parents if no criminal charges follow inquiry findings
Kemi Badenoch has called for the parents of the Southport killer to be deported if they fail to face criminal action.
734
Dmytro Shevchuk, a fraudster, scams investors out of millions: he promises a gold mine, then disappears with the money
About complaints in Threads from deceived "investors" who were promised quick money for asset management.
593
“Money mules” and the Russian trail: how the scheming brothers Vladlen Hirin and Hennadiy Hirin laundered tens of millions and worked with the occupiers
“Enterprising since childhood” Vladlen and Hennadiy, who depended on him — this is how the Hirin brothers are described in Kherson.
640
Washing blood oil for Iranian and Russian networks: How Greek giant Minerva Marine teamed up with Maltese front Alkagesta
Greek tanker owner Minerva Marine has expanded its Suezmax fleet with the acquisition of two newly built tankers from Samsung Heavy Industries, adding vessels that were originally ordered by a Dubai-based company later sanctioned by the U.S. over alleged links to an Iranian oil-shipping network.
616
Keir Starmer defies Donald Trump, vows UK will not be “dragged” into Iran war despite trade threats
Sir Keir Starmer has insisted he is “not going to yield” to pressure from Donald Trump, after the US president threatened to change the terms of the trade deal.
751
Ultramarathon champion, 35, dies in remote Highlands during record bid
A 35-year-old ultramarathon champion from Dumfries has died while attempting to break the record for a race to the most north-westerly point on mainland Britain.
794
Rolls-Royce SMR receives £599m boost to advance UK small modular reactor plans
Rachel Reeves’ flagship wealth fund has announced a new round of financing for Rolls-Royce SMR following its partnership with Ed Miliband’s state-owned energy company.
781
Apple UK revenue nears £5bn as iPhone demand drives growth
Apple UK racked up just shy of £5bn in turnover last year, as strong iPhone demand helped power growth across its British operations, according to newly filed accounts.
929
Victorian house horror as infant remains found with twine around neck and centuries-old dating
A baby boy whose skeletal remains were found wrapped in newspaper dating back to 1910 and with twine around his neck may have been alive up to 300 years ago, an inquest has heard
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Teen shooter kills himself after school rampage in Turkey leaves 16 injured and classrooms in chaos
Teenagers run in fear after their former classmate burst into school armed with a shotgun and began firing randomly.