Delegates from Russia’s ruling party have unanimously backed President Vladimir Putin’s bid for re-election at a conference in Moscow, state agencies reported. The move came just a day after the Kremlin leader’s supporters formally nominated him to run in the 2024 presidential election as an independent. A little-known Russian presidential hopeful who calls for peace in Ukraine also inched closer […]

Italy “gazumped” Britain when it struck a deal with Albania to process asylum applications, a source has claimed. London had proposed an agreement with Tirana earlier this year by which the Baltic state would handle applications from migrants who cross the English Channel. The plan stalled when the British Embassy in Albania and UK Foreign Office advised the Government it was […]

As Christmas Day nears once more, Brits across the country are bracing for the prospect of a blanket of snow on the big day. The UK hasn’t seen a proper White Christmas since 2010, but this year forecasts are showing the possibility of a good covering in large areas of the country. As Christmas Eve dawns, weather maps from WX […]

Britain has confirmed its backing for Guyana in a bitter dispute with Venezuela over a vast border region rich with oil and minerals. David Rutley, minister for the Americas and Caribbean, will meet Guyana president Irfaan Ali as tensions grow over the Essequibo region following a referendum in Venezuela claiming two-thirds of its neighbour’s territory. Mr Rutley said: “The border […]

A woman has been left with horrific injuries after she was mauled by a troop of monkeys. Yusufi Hussain, 35, was sitting on the roof of her home with daughter Sunawwar, eight, in India's Sambhal district when the animals struck. The child was able to run to safety, but her mother didn't manage to get away, the Times of India […]

The Met Office has issued an urgend wind warning – with some parts of Britain to be blasted by gusts of up to 80mph. The forecaster confirmed there is a small chance of “danger to life” as a result of heavy winds across large parts of the country. The weather warning currently covers most of the UK, including northern Ireland, […]

Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron has called for the release of pro-democracy campaigner Jimmy Lai, on the day the publisher and activist goes on trial in Hong Kong accused of sedition. The landmark national security trial opened today, with Mr Lai facing a possible life sentence if convicted under a law being imposed by China in an attempt to silence dissent […]

Bookmark For out-of-this-world news, sign up for the Spaced Out newsletter For out-of-this-world news, sign up for the Spaced Out newsletter We have more newsletters Top boffins have claimed that humans meeting aliens will cause “greater anxiety” as we are not ready for it. The claim comes from a new study created by Andreas Anton from the Institute for Frontier […]

An evil mum who abused her 12-year-old daughter was caught out after making a horrifying request to her doctor. The South Australian woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was found to have allowed her partner, the child's stepfather, to abuse the girl between the ages of 12 to 16 before becoming involved in the abuse herself. The abuse […]

The United States will “pull the plug” on its support for Israel’s war effort against Hamas in Gaza if it doesn’t achieve its goals by the end of the year, an expert claims. Nader Hashemi, an associate professor of Middle East and Islamic Politics, says without Washington’s support, Israel would be forced to withdraw. “International pressure is growing on the […]