2 hours ago ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS: What is the story of the disputed Republic of Abkhazia which borders Georgia?

Abkhazia is in the South Caucasus, along the eastern coast of the Black Sea. It borders Georgia to the southeast and Russia to the northwest. The ethnic Abkhaz people are indigenous to the region.

Politics

2 hours ago The terrible secret I can never tell my husband: I slept with his brother before I met him... and I still get a rush of desire over the family dinner table even 25 years later

This year's Christmas dinner was the hardest so far; I could barely handle the tension. As the roast potatoes were handed down the table at my in-laws', excitement passed through me.

Society

2 hours ago This monster raped and murdered my sister just a few months after he was released from jail

Jean Whitfield was brutally attacked and murdered by rapist Michael Wade (pictured) in 1999, after allowing him into her home in Gateshead, near Newcastle.

Events

3 hours ago Surfing the internet in middle age can cut risk of dementia in later life by more than half, study shows

Scientists think processing the vast amounts of information encountered online can benefit people's brains, while social media use may help to combat loneliness

Events

4 hours ago Women who get less than seven hours sleep during pregnancy are at greater risk of diabetes, study claims

Researchers have discovered a link between sleep duration during these crucial periods and a higher risk of a range of health problems.

Events

4 hours ago Coronation Street spoilers: Rob Donovan return, devastating stabbing and scary health news

Coronation Street spoilers for early January have teased devastating scenes, with huge twists airing on the ITV soap including a killer's return and a horror stabbing

Politics

4 hours ago Homeless shelters and food banks to get better access to leftover food on farms

Homeless shelters, food banks and charities will receive leftover food from farms after ministers announced a £15million funding boost to help with collections

Society

4 hours ago I have been left in a lifetime of debt after fighting the council to get my son in school... we had to remortgage our home

EXCLUSIVE: Suzanne Hollinshead, 53, from Flitwick, Bedfordshire, had to remortgage her home to help pay off a 'lifetime of debt' from the fight with Central Bedfordshire Council.

Economics

4 hours ago Special needs pupils will be forced out of private schools into homeschooling as a result of Labour's tax raid, education boss claims

Suzanne Hall, proprietor at Farrowdale House Preparatory School, said the new VAT on fees being introduced next month will be particularly punishing for children with conditions such as autism and ADHD.

Economics

5 hours ago Dua Lipa 'engaged' to actor Callum Turner after one year as she flashes huge ring

Pop star Dua Lipa is reportedly tying the knot with her famous actor boyfriend Callum Turner after the singer hinted she'd gotten engaged with snaps on Instagram

Politics

5 hours ago Arteta backs Martinelli to thrive in ‘bigger role’ at Arsenal after Saka injury

Manager plays down claims Arsenal could buy in January Saka out for ‘many weeks’ after injury at Crystal PalaceMikel Arteta is hoping Gabriel ­Martinelli can help to fill the void created by Bukayo Saka’s hamstring injury, with the England forward likely to miss key fixtures including the north London derby next month.Arteta confirmed on Monday that Saka was expected to be absent for “many weeks” after tearing a hamstring during the first half of Arsenal’s win at Crystal Palace. That would rule him out of Premier League ­fixtures including Arsenal’s game with Totten­ham on 15 January, the ­Carabao Cup semi‑final first leg against Newcastle and an FA Cup third‑round tie with Manchester United. Continue reading...

Events

6 hours ago Judge tells court to respect pronouns of rapist who now wants to be known as a woman

Madera County Judge Katherine Rigby ruled last week that prosecutors must refer to transgender prisoner Tremaine Carroll, 52, by female pronouns.

Events

6 hours ago Dua Lipa engaged to actor Callum Turner as she flashes huge diamond ring

Pop singer Dua Lipa is set to marry actor and model Callum Turner after they became engaged over the festive season - less than a year after they were first linked together

Politics

6 hours ago Philippe Clement's Rangers 'consistency' claim blown apart as form guide tells a very different story

The Belgian's assessment of the last two months is at odds with actual results in all competitions across 12 games

Politics

6 hours ago Sean Everitt concedes he is under Edinburgh pressure as David Nucifora talks revealed and injury issues

Head coach facing big moment when Glasgow Warriors come calling

Events

6 hours ago Bus passenger legs it back to investigate '50ft spinning disc' after driving by

Gary Dixon had been on a bus trip to Llangollen when he spotted the huge white disc spinning on the River Dee in Denbighshire, so he walked a mile back to the river to take a closer look

Events

6 hours ago I'm a psychologist, here's how you can tell if someone is a psychopath just by the way they stand

Susan Krauss Whitbourne (left), a former professor of psychological and brain sciences, revealed how you can determine if someone is a manipulator just based on their posture (stock image right).

Politics

7 hours ago Teenage boy, 17, fled home screaming 'he's stabbed me' after double murder in Christmas Day stabbing that also left a dog dead

Neighbours said the 17-year-old, who has not been named, suffered wounds to his head and chest in the attack in which the women, aged 38 and 24 also died.

Events

7 hours ago Horror moment reitred cop guns down neighbour over loud music on Christmas Day

Rafael Moreno, 74, can be seen approaching one of the attendees of a house party in Buenos Aires on Wednesday around 6am and pulling out a .38 caliber revolver before the victim, Sergio Díaz, 40, intervened

Events

7 hours ago Rudy Giuliani tells judge ‘I gave everything I have to give’ as he braces for contempt hearing

Giuliani pleads to federal judge to reject proposed sanctions in flurry of Christmas Eve court documents

Sport