Mr Fifty Percent Kherson's ex-mayor takes on new role for Russia

The Russians were Volodymyr Saldo's salvation. The wealthy Ukrainian in his 50s had done a stint in the national parliament T and won three terms as the mayor of the southern city of Kherson, but at the start of 2022 police had opened a case against him for ordering a contract killing.

Zelenskiy defiant, Putin buoyant as Ukraine war heads towards third year

The leaders of Ukraine and Russia have both struck a defiant tone and vowed to reach their military goals as the war heads toward its third year.

Rantzen reignites debate on assisted dying as activists push for law change

Campaigners for assisted dying are pinning hopes of a law change on a new cohort of MPs expected to be voted in at the next general election, as senior Labour and Conservatives expressed hesitancy over reform.

TikTok allowing under-13s to keep accounts on the platform, investigation suggests

TikTok faces questions over safeguards for child users after a Guardian investigation found that moderators were being told to allow under13s to stay on the platform if they claimed their parents were overseeing their accounts.

"The Earth opening up': Iceland volcano erupts after weeks of intense activity

A volcano on the Reykjanes peninsula in southwest Iceland has erupted after weeks of intense earthquake activity, spewing glowing orange jets of lava surrounded by billowing clouds of red smoke.

PM refuses to say if any airline is willing to sign up for flights to Rwanda

Rishi Sunak has refused to disclose whether any airline would be willing to fly asylum seekers to Rwanda amid concerns they could face reputational damage if the deportation plan gets off the ground.

Mills & Boon to launch 'spicy' new series to woo younger book lovers

While the longstanding publisher of romantic fiction sells a book every second in the UK, according to its website, there is not yet much appetite for its titles among users of the video-sharing app.

Manuscripts of CS Lewis and Tolkien among items donated to the nation

Manuscripts and books belonging to CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien - creators of two of the most popular fantasy worlds in literary history - are being made available to the public this year.

Global pinch point Trade disrupted by higher costs and diversions

The Red Sea, one of the world's most densely packed shipping channels, lies south of the Suez Canal, the most significant waterway connecting Europe to Asia and east Africa.

'You promised' Families of Israeli hostages plead with ministers as war support remains high

Friday nights in many parts of Israel are quiet; during Shabbat, there is no public transport, and more observant Jewish believers refrain from F using electricity or doing anything that could resemble work.

Ex-wife of French serial killer convicted over murder of British student

The ex-wife of the French serial killer Michel Fourniret has been found guilty of complicity in the murder of British student Joanna Parrish and two other French victims.

'It's a bit ridiculous': jubilant England star Earps picks up BBC award after stellar year

The England goalkeeper Mary Earps. was last night named the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year for 2023 after 12 months of success both on and off the field.

Revealed Maker of Mone film worked as a private investigator on her behalf

For two consecutive Sundays, the PPE scandal involving the Conservative peer Michelle Mone has F made waves. First came the release of a YouTube documentary on 10 December about Mone, her husband, Douglas Barrowman, and PPE Medpro, a company they helped to win more than £200m in government contracts.

'Astonishingly out of touch': campaigners criticise British Museum's new deal with BP

Campaigners have called the British Museum \"astonishingly out of touch\" after it announced a 10-year £50m partnership with BP to help fund one of the biggest redevelopments in its history.

Schools told; consider social media influence if pupils ask to transition

Teachers should consider if students wanting to socially transition to another gender were \"influenced by social media or peers\", under new government guidelines for how schools and colleges in England deal with transgender children and young people.

Pressure on Israel rises as Gaza deaths near 20,000

Palestinian fatalities in the Israel-Gaza war neared 20,000 yesterday as IDF forces continued their offensive amid growing international concern about the devastating effects of the conflict.

Mavididi at the double to give Foxes cheer and leave Rooney feeling blue

Ultimately, a game that until last week, was sold - and let's face it, overegged as a mouthwatering meeting between the partners of the protagonists in the Wagatha Christie libel case turned out to be about the 22 players on the pitch, after all. Jamie Vardy's absence through injury meant a faceoff of sorts against Wayne Rooney, the Birmingham manager, was never on the cards - and no detective work was required to identify which of these teams are favourites to win promotion.

England on high alert after fatal shooting outside hotel

England's players have been sequestered in their Port of Spain hotel after a man was shot dead yards from the front door of the building during their first night in Trinidad.

'I've never been on a sunbed in my life and I've never had a perm'

You've obviously seen the video of me in the Jacuzzi,\" Steve Beaton says in a languid, assumptive tone.

Australian military sent to assist after floods devastate north Queensland

The Australian military has been sent in to assist desperate communities in Queensland's far north, where flood waters from ex-tropical cyclone Jasper have cut off towns, leaving residents without access to power, food and drinking water, and prompting warnings of crocodiles swimming through inundated streets.

Heavy security as landmark trial of Hong Kong activist gets under way

The media mogul and pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai went on trial at a heavily guarded Hong Kong court yesterday on national security charges that could lead to life imprisonment.

Artist Perry fired up as electricity bill rises from £300 to £39,000

One is a Turner prize-winning artist, the other a well-known journalist and broadcaster, but both have been brought together by a seemingly evergreen gripe - enormous energy bills.

Two accused of murdering Ghey were in it together, jury is told

Two teenagers blaming each other for the \"frenzied\" murder of Brianna Ghey in a Warrington park were \"in it together\", jurors have been told before starting their deliberations.

Fascist fever dreams of Sunak’s lovestruck Roman holiday are brought to a rather brutal end

Rishi Sunak hadn't felt this loved up since his early days with Akshata. He'd only gone to the Brothers R of Italy convention in Rome out of curiosity and to return a favour.

Counter-terrorism police suspected arrest two over bombing of Ulez camera

Two men have been arrested by counter-terrorism police after an ultra-low emission zone (Ulez) camera in south-east London exploded, damaging vehicles and property.

Church deaths Killings were 'cold-blooded’, says cardinal

The shooting of a mother and daughter allegedly by an Israeli military sniper in a church compound in Gaza City was a \"cold-blooded killing\", the most senior Roman Catholic cleric in England said yesterday.

Plan to destroy wills after 25 years is 'sheer vandalism', say historians

\"Sheer vandalism\" and \"insane\" were two of the views of leading historians yesterday on government plans to destroy millions of historical wills to reduce storage costs.

Dreaming of a white Christmas? The cold Statistics aren't good

Bing Crosby may have been dreaming of a white Christmas, but it seems such nostalgia might end up becoming a thing of the past in the UK.

Go easy on Amazon, TikTok tells staff

TikTok staff were told they should avoid flagging potential problems on Amazon accounts to protect the video platform’s lucrative commercial relationship with the e-commerce firm, according to internal communications seen by the Guardian.

US defence secretary urges Israel to change tactics in Tel Aviv talks

The US defence secretary, Lloyd Austin, held talks with Israeli officials yesterday about shifting away from large-scale aerial and ground operations in the Gaza Strip to a new phase in the war focused on the precise targeting of Hamas leaders.