James Pearson @pearswick.press · 01/05/2026🚨 NEW: The sons of a powerful family with close ties to Iran’s new supreme leader control the country’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, transforming it from a startup into a conduit to the global economy used by both blacklisted state institutions and ordinary citizens. 131
Reposted by James PearsonPhilip O'Connor @philipoconnor.bsky.social · 23/03/2026I just learned this morning that the late Ryan Evans was credited with additional reporting for this story. Ryan was a security adviser to Reuters journos (including me) & was killed in a Russian missile attack. He was part of the team that found the Banksy work near Bucha. May he rest in peace. 0132
James Pearson @pearswick.press · 21/03/2026Inside the Arrest That Led to Banksy’s Possible Unmasking Decades Later www.nytimes.com/2026/03/20/n...nytimes.comInside the Arrest That Led to Banksy’s Possible Unmasking Decades Later 000
Reposted by James PearsonThe Guardian @theguardian.com · 18/03/2026Banksy has been unmasked (again). But does this major Reuters investigation actually tell us something new?theguardian.comBanksy has been unmasked (again). But does this major Reuters investigation actually tell us something new?British street artist’s ‘real’ name reported after an investigation stretching from Ukraine to New York and London. Kelly Burke explains all to Nick Miller 85611
James Pearson @pearswick.press · 20/03/2026“That is what makes this story so delicious for the broader art world. Banksy spent decades embodying anti-establishment energy, yet the name now sits inside a highly organized commercial ecosystem of authentication, resale value, corporate structures, and elite demand.” 110
James Pearson @pearswick.press · 19/03/2026Fact Check: London man misidentified as street artist Banksy www.reuters.com/fact-check/l...reuters.comFact Check: London man misidentified as street artist BanksySome media outlets and others online have misidentified photos of a London man as the British street artist Banksy. The man, George Georgiou, is not Banksy. 001
Reposted by James PearsonRaphael Satter @raphae.li · 12/03/2026The girls' school likely destroyed by an American missile had colorful murals *visible from space* as far back as 2018. By @pearswick.press & Ryan McNeil: www.reuters.com/investigatio...reuters.comBombed Iranian girls school had vivid website and yearslong online presenceAn Iranian girls school that took a direct hit on the first day of the war had a yearslong online presence, including dozens of photos of the children and their activities, before it was bombed along ... 14428173
Reposted by James PearsonMaximillian Potter @maxpotter.bsky.social · 13/03/2026Trump repeatedly called journalists “the enemy of the people,” “human scum,” “very dangerous and sick.” Here is the painstaking work of a couple of #journalists doing the job of presenting facts, pursuing the truth for America & the world. So many journalists doing incredible work right now. 02712
Reposted by James PearsonRobert Smith @bondhack.ft.com · 14/03/2026I'd normally be annoyed at Reuters for doing a fake out where they focus on Rob from Massive Attack, before explaining that Banksy is actually the guy the Daily Mail named years ago, but it's so well written and richly reported I didn't care www.reuters.com/investigates...reuters.comIn search of Banksy, Reuters found the artist took on a new identityAnonymity has become part of a lucrative brand for the artist Banksy, but records we unearthed prove his true identity and show the new name he used to travel to Ukraine. 55817
Reposted by James PearsonAuman @infinitebelly.bsky.social · 13/03/2026A terrific, well written exploration of Banksy. Tells a great story. Probably the best long form journalism I’ve read this year. 101
Reposted by James PearsonBrad Heath @bradheath.bsky.social · 13/03/2026Who is Banksy? Reuters found a signed confession. www.reuters.com/investigates...reuters.comIn search of Banksy, Reuters found the artist took on a new identityAnonymity has become part of a lucrative brand for the artist Banksy, but records we unearthed prove his true identity and show the new name he used to travel to Ukraine. 34310
Reposted by James PearsonReuters @reuters.com · 13/03/2026Banksy is one of the world's most popular, profitable and enigmatic artists. His identity has been debated — and closely guarded — for decades. Until now reut.rs/4cGMYnb 85326
James Pearson @pearswick.press · 13/03/2026In 2022, my colleague was on assignment in Ukraine for @reuters.com when he unearthed a tantalising clue which pointed to the identity of world famous street artist Banksy. 1/7 🧵 1042
Reposted by James PearsonRyan McNeill @mcneill.bsky.social · 12/03/2026There, on March 2, the dead children were buried, creating row after row of 20 tidy rectangular holes in the earth. The strike killed 150 children, according to Iran's ambassador to the U.N. in Geneva (Reuters has not independently confirmed the death toll). 122
Reposted by James PearsonRyan McNeill @mcneill.bsky.social · 12/03/2026Our analysis intended to detect areas of potential strikes, using sat data from visible & invisible light spectrum, highlighted another area of ground upheaval: the town cemetery. 132
Reposted by James PearsonRyan McNeill @mcneill.bsky.social · 12/03/2026A Reuters analysis of multispectral satellite imagery also found no indications of other strikes within 5 km, suggesting the buildings were specifically targeted, rather than struck as part of a broad bombing campaign on the southern city. 142
Reposted by James PearsonRyan McNeill @mcneill.bsky.social · 12/03/2026🚨Reuters investigation by @pearswick.press & me: Iran school struck on 1st day of war had yearlong online presence, including many photos of children & their activities, before it was bombed with at least 6 other buildings along 325m axis. www.reuters.com/investigatio...reuters.comBombed Iranian girls school had vivid website and yearslong online presenceAn Iranian girls school that took a direct hit on the first day of the war had a yearslong online presence, including dozens of photos of the children and their activities, before it was bombed along ... 54438
James Pearson @pearswick.press · 12/03/2026NEW: An Iranian girls school that took a direct hit on the first day of the war had a yearslong online presence, including dozens of photos of the children and their activities, before it was bombed along with at least six other buildings in an adjacent military compound. 141
James Pearson @pearswick.press · 11/03/2026A foreign hacker compromised files relating to the FBI’s investigation of the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during a break-in at the bureau’s New York office three years ago, according to a source familiar with the matter and recently published Justice Department documents reviewed by Reuters. 115
James Pearson @pearswick.press · 18/02/2026Reuters has launched a new Visual Investigations unit, which I'll be joining on secondment for the next six months. I'll be drawing on the threat intelligence techniques I've studied on the cyber beat, as well as leaning on the various OSINT skills I've developed in information-scarce datelines. 0102
James Pearson @pearswick.press · 12/02/2026WASHINGTON, Feb 12 (Reuters) Palo Alto Networks opted not to tie China to a global cyberespionage campaign the firm exposed last week over concerns that the cybersecurity company or its clients could face retaliation from Beijing, according to two people familiar with the matter.reuters.comExclusive: Palo Alto chose not to tie China to hacking campaign for fear of retaliation from Beijing, sources sayPalo Alto Networks opted not to tie China to a global cyberespionage campaign the firm exposed last week over concerns that the cybersecurity company or its clients could face retaliation from Beijing... 253
James Pearson @pearswick.press · 26/01/2026NEW: Iran has secretly shipped vast amounts of jet fuel to Myanmar’s military. As the junta ramps up bombing raids against civilian targets, Iran is now the military’s primary supplier of jet fuel and urea, which is an ingredient in Myanmar’s munitions. www.reuters.com/graphics/IRA...reuters.comIranian ships deliver jet fuel, urea to Myanmar juntaIranian ships falsifying their journeys deliver jet fuel, urea to Myanmar junta, circumventing sanctions in both countries. 001
James Pearson @pearswick.press · 16/01/2026Musk's Starlink faces high-profile security test in Iran crackdown - www.reuters.com/world/musks-...reuters.comMusk's Starlink faces high-profile security test in Iran crackdownHow SpaceX withstands Iranian attacks on Starlink is expected to be closely watched by U.S. military forces and intelligence agencies. 011
James Pearson @pearswick.press · 09/12/2025Australia social media ban takes effect in world first - www.reuters.com/legal/litiga...reuters.comAustralia social media ban takes effect in world firstAustralia at midnight (1300 GMT) on Wednesday became the first country in the world to ban social media for children under 16, blocking them from platforms including TikTok, Alphabet's YouTube and Met... 111
James Pearson @pearswick.press · 25/11/2025US labels another Venezuelan group as terrorist, ramping up pressure - www.reuters.com/world/americ...reuters.com 000
James Pearson @pearswick.press · 25/11/2025BBC is not 'institutionally biased', says author of explosive memo - www.reuters.com/world/uk/bbc...reuters.com 000
James Pearson @pearswick.press · 25/11/2025Romania scrambles fighter jets after drones breach airspace - www.reuters.com/world/romani...reuters.com 000
Reposted by James PearsonAlex Partridge @alexpartridge87.bsky.social · 23/11/2025Ultimately quite sad piece about AI and freelance writing thelocal.to/investigatin...thelocal.toInvestigating a Possible Scammer in Journalism’s AI Era | The LocalA suspicious pitch from a freelancer led editor Nicholas Hune-Brown to dig into their past work. By the end, four publications, including The Guardian and Dwell, had removed articles from their sites. 033
James Pearson @pearswick.press · 21/11/2025Love letter, ID card point to Russian units that terrorised Bucha www.reuters.com/investigates...reuters.com 000
James Pearson @pearswick.press · 29/10/2025NEW: Hackers working for an unnamed nation state breached networks at Ribbon Communications, a key U.S. telecommunications services company, and remained within the firm’s systems for nearly a year without being detected (!) 34212
James Pearson @pearswick.press · 07/10/2025Two years of warfare have brought death, misery and ruin to the 2 million inhabitants of Gaza. With a new ceasefire plan under discussion, @reuters.com looks at one family’s story of terrible loss and fragile hope. www.reuters.com/investigates...reuters.comThe Gaza twins whose whole lives have been warTwo years of warfare have brought death and ruin to the 2 million inhabitants of Gaza. Reuters looks at one family’s story of terrible loss and fragile hope. 021
James Pearson @pearswick.press · 02/10/2025The latest episodes of the @restisclassified.bsky.social podcast with @gordoncorera.bsky.social and David McCloskey is a fascinating look inside Mossad's sprawling campaign to infiltrate and weaponise pagers used by Hezbollah. 151
Reposted by James PearsonOlly O'Conor @ollyoco.bsky.social · 01/10/2025Great latest series from @restisclassified.bsky.social on this mindblowing operation - and the investigation itself by Reuters Very much looking forward to the Club members episode @gordoncorera.bsky.social , @pearswick.press is a good friend of mine and know he’s going to be an excellent guest 🎙️ 021
James Pearson @pearswick.press · 01/10/2025Traders at their stalls minutes after an exploding Russian drone hit the roof of an indoor market in Kramatorsk, Ukraine. 📸REUTERS/Thomas Peter 164
Reposted by James PearsonSwearsky Index @swearsky.bagpuss.org · 26/09/2025🤬 The Swearsky Index has increased to 3.7% 152
James Pearson @pearswick.press · 26/09/2025COPENHAGEN, Sept 26 (Reuters) - Denmark's second-biggest airport, Billund, was briefly shut early on Friday following a report of illegal drone activity that police later identified as "a shining star in the sky," amid heightened concern over drone sightings nationwide. 020
James Pearson @pearswick.press · 24/09/2025Reuters: Britain's National Crime Agency says a man has been arrested in the UK as part of an investigation into a cyber incident impacting Collins Aerospace. The man was arrested on suspicion of Computer Misuse Act offences on Tuesday and has been released on conditional bail. 010
James Pearson @pearswick.press · 22/09/2025Exclusive: US could hit entire International Criminal Court with sanctions soon - www.reuters.com/world/europe...reuters.comExclusive: US could hit entire International Criminal Court with sanctions soonThe United States is considering imposing sanctions as soon as this week against the entire International Criminal Court, putting the court's day-to-day operations in jeopardy in retaliation for investigations of suspected Israeli war crimes. 020
James Pearson @pearswick.press · 19/09/2025British spies turn to dark web to recruit Russian agents, access secrets - www.reuters.com/world/uk/bri...reuters.com 011
James Pearson @pearswick.press · 12/09/2025Secret Report Undercuts U.K. Condemnations of Pro-Palestinian Group www.nytimes.com/2025/09/12/w...nytimes.comSecret Report Undercuts U.K. Condemnations of Pro-Palestinian Group 010
James Pearson @pearswick.press · 12/09/2025Who is Tyler Robinson, the suspect in Charlie Kirk's murder? www.reuters.com/world/us/who...reuters.comWho is Tyler Robinson, the suspect in Charlie Kirk's murder?The suspect in Charlie Kirk’s shooting, Tyler Robinson, is a 22-year-old native of Utah who authorities say had allegedly criticized the conservative influencer in a recent conversation and was living with his family at the time of the shooting. 010
James Pearson @pearswick.press · 05/09/2025How a Top Secret SEAL Team 6 Mission Into North Korea Fell Apart www.nytimes.com/2025/09/05/u...nytimes.comHow a Top Secret SEAL Team 6 Mission Into North Korea Fell Apart 001
James Pearson @pearswick.press · 22/08/2025Exclusive: Syria to revalue currency, dropping two zeros in bid for stability - www.reuters.com/business/fin...reuters.comExclusive: Syria to revalue currency, dropping two zeros in bid for stability, sources sayThe Syrian pound has lost more than 99% of its value since war erupted in 2011, with the exchange rate now at around 10,000 pounds to the U.S. dollar, compared to 50 before the war. 110
James Pearson @pearswick.press · 14/08/2025WhatsApp accuses Moscow of trying to block secure communication for millions of Russians www.reuters.com/sustainabili...reuters.comWhatsApp accuses Moscow of trying to block secure communication for millions of RussiansWhatsApp accused Moscow of trying to block millions of Russians from accessing secure communication after calls on the messaging app were restricted, as Russia promotes home-grown social media platforms and seeks greater control over the country's internet space. 120
James Pearson @pearswick.press · 14/08/2025Meta’s flirty AI chatbot invited a retiree to New York. He never made it home. - www.reuters.com/technology/m...reuters.comA flirty Meta AI bot invited a retiree to meet. He never made it home.Impaired by a stroke, a man fell for a Meta chatbot originally created with Kendall Jenner. His death spotlights Metaâs AI rules, which let bots tell falsehoods. 24729
James Pearson @pearswick.press · 12/08/2025A dating app, a niqab and a 9mm gun - how a US woman was hired to end a UK family feud www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukAimee Betro: The Wisconsin woman hired to kill in Birmingham, UKUS woman Aimee Betro was hired to come to the UK to kill a Birmingham man as part of a family feud. 010
James Pearson @pearswick.press · 22/07/2025Microsoft knew of SharePoint server exploit but failed to effectively patch it www.reuters.com/sustainabili...reuters.comMicrosoft knew of SharePoint server exploit but failed to effectively patch itA security patch released by Microsoft last month failed to fully fix a critical flaw in U.S. tech giant's SharePoint server software that had been identified in May, opening the door to a sweeping global cyber espionage operation. 020
James Pearson @pearswick.press · 18/07/2025UK discovers Russian 'espionage tool', sanctions GRU officers over cyberattacks www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-...reuters.comUK discovers Russian 'espionage tool', sanctions GRU officers over cyberattacksBritain said on Friday it had discovered a sophisticated digital espionage tool and sanctioned more than 20 Russian spies, hackers and agencies over what it called a "sustained campaign of malicious cyber activity" targeting governments and institutions across Europe. 000
James Pearson @pearswick.press · 18/07/2025Russian lawmakers say 'security threat' WhatsApp should prepare to leave Russia www.reuters.com/business/rus...reuters.comRussian lawmakers say 'security threat' WhatsApp should prepare to leave RussiaWhatsApp should prepare to leave the Russian market, a lawmaker who regulates the IT sector said on Friday, warning that the messaging app owned by Meta Platforms was likely to be put on a list of restricted software. 001
James Pearson @pearswick.press · 16/07/2025Thousands of Afghans secretly moved to Britain after data leak - www.reuters.com/world/uk/tho...reuters.comThousands of Afghans secretly moved to Britain after data leakBritain set up a secret scheme to bring thousands of Afghans to the UK after their personal details were disclosed in one of the country's worst ever data breaches, putting them at risk of reprisals from the Taliban after their return to power. 010