63 minutes ago The mysterious novelist who foresaw Putin’s Russia – and then came to symbolise its moral decay

Victor Pelevin made his name in 90s Russia with scathing satires of authoritarianism. But while his literary peers have faced censorship and fled the country, he still sells millions. Has he become a Kremlin apologist?Fiction has a habit of coming to life in Russia. On the evening of 2 April 2023, the military blogger Vladlen Tatarsky appeared at an event in St Petersburg organised by Cyber Front Z, a group of semi-professional keyboard warriors who boost Kremlin war propaganda online. With more than half a million followers, Tatarsky was a mid-tier celebrity on Telegram, the social media app that has become a hub of Russian news and political debate.As guests mingled, a young woman with long, salon-waved blond hair approached Tatarsky. She presented him with an unusual gift: a gold-painted statue of himself. About two minutes later, the statue exploded, killing Tatarsky and injuring 42 people. The blond woman – 26-year-old St Petersburg native Darya Trepova – was arrested the next ...

Politics

3 hours ago Simon Cowell submits plans for massive 'party barn' that is the size of a new build house to entertain A

Cowell, 64, is joining the likes of neighbours Kate Moss, Princess Beatrice and others by planning a new addition to his mansion in the fashionable rural enclave.

Society

12 hours ago Trump to declare national economic emergency in order to push through tariffs, report says

President-elect has threatened nations including Canada, Mexico and China with steep duties on their products even before taking office

Economics

4 hours ago Arsenal transfer briefing: SAMI MOKBEL reveals the latest on Alexander Isak pursuit and the reasons why Gunners did not sign a striker last summer

SAMI MOKBEL: Mikel Arteta has built a superb squad, one that can more than hold its own against the finest in Europe, but it's missing something - a certain magic.

Sport

2 hours ago Britain MUST take back Shamima Begum and other Isis members from Syrian prisons, Trump's terror chief says

Sebastian Gorka, a British-American, called on Sir Keir Starmer to bring the citizens home as part of his 'commitment' to the international fight against the jihadist group.

Events

25 hours ago The UN wants to influence a pluralist Syria – but will the country listen?

Syrians are suspicious after allegations of complicity with the brutal Assad regime during 14 years of civil war The UN special envoy for Syria will urge the security council to back a transition to a pluralist democratic Syria, but faces resistance within the country. The interim government fears the lifting of sanctions will be tied to excessive demands imposed by the west, with suspicion of the UN deeply embedded after what are seen as its failures during 14 years of civil war.Ahmed al-Sharaa, the country’s de facto leader, has told Gulf and western states that his group, Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), long ago transformed itself from a Salafi jihadi group in Idlib province to a technocratic force willing to accommodate all Syrians. Continue reading...

Science

63 minutes ago American Primeval review – this samey Western is far less clever than it thinks it is

Like all modern takes on frontier life, this drama focuses on its brutish nature. We’ve seen it all before – even if it is a gripping yarnAmerican Primeval opens in Utah Territory, 1857. “Wild and untamed,” says the caption, which is good to know. Furthermore, “the United States army, Mormon militia, Native Americans and pioneers are all locked in a brutal war for survival. Caught in the bloody crossfire are every man, woman and child who dare to enter this American primeval.”And there, pretty much, you have it. The six-part series is clearly a prestige project – gorgeously photographed, ably directed (by Painkiller and Friday Night Lights’ Peter Berg), priding itself on the authenticity of the physical realities of exercising your manifest destiny, and strewn with fine actors giving fine performances. It is set a little earlier than we are used to seeing our westerns, at the tail end of the Indian Wars and before settlers apparently transformed into rootin’-tootin’ cowboys. Even so...

Politics

13 hours ago Mason Greenwood's rocketing transfer price could leave Man United with £4.5m hole

Mason Greenwood left Manchester United to join Marseille last summer but the Premier League outfit could still profit from any future move by the player

Economics

23 hours ago Manchester United learn Matheus Cunha transfer 'stance' as release clause update emerges

Latest Manchester United transfer news and gossip with updates on the futures of Wolves forward Matheus Cunha and Velez Sarsfield midfielder Christian Ordonez

Sport

4 hours ago Longshoremen reach tentative agreement with ports, shippers, averting a potential strike

U.S. longshoremen have reached a contract agreement with ports and shippers, averting a potential strike that could have damaged the American economy

Events

63 minutes ago ‘A very dicey situation’: Arctic rivalry behind Trump’s push for Greenland

The island has long been vital to US security and its importance is only increasing

Politics

14 hours ago Labour 'offering to pay Mauritius nearly £9billion' as part of Chagos Islands deal in bid to rush through agreement before Donald Trump re

The Government is currently scrambling to save its agreement to surrender control of the Indian Ocean archipelago, which hosts a strategically vital UK-US military base.

Economics

25 hours ago Kobbie Mainoo contract 'stance' made clear with Manchester United 'monitoring' PSG striker

Manchester United transfer news as MEN Sport takes a look at the latest transfer news on Kobbie Mainoo and a potential striker incoming

Sport

7 hours ago Fire hydrants ran dry in California, highlighting a major problem in firefighting

Some Los Angeles fire hydrants have run dry as demand soared for water to quell wildfires that broke out across the county

Events

94 minutes ago Thursday’s briefing: Spurs claim controversial win as West Ham look to new era

Graham Potter is set to be announced as the new Hammers boss on Thursday.

Politics

15 hours ago Trump considers declaring national economic emergency to impose tariffs

Move would allow president-elect to implement broad tariffs after threatening Panama, Greenland and CanadaDonald Trump is mulling over the idea to declare a national economic emergency to impose widespread tariffs, CNN reports, as the president-elect escalates threats to seize the Panama Canal, acquire Greenland and force Canada into becoming a US state.The emergency powers move would allow Trump to implement broad tariff measures against both allies and adversaries through the International Economic Emergency Powers Act, according to four sources familiar with the discussions. Continue reading...

Economics

7 hours ago North Korea learning from fighting with Russia against Ukraine, US warns

Diplomatic and military ties with Moscow making Pyongyang ‘more capable of waging war’, official saysNorth Korea is benefiting from its troops fighting alongside Russia against Ukraine, gaining experience that makes Pyongyang “more capable of waging war against its neighbours” a senior US official has warned.Russia has forged closer diplomatic and military ties with North Korea since Moscow’s full invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Continue reading...

Events

5 hours ago DAN MCLAUGHLIN: Trump's 'crazy' scheme to take Greenland and Panama by force is really his most ingenious real estate deal yet

There are three things to remember in real estate: location, location, location. It's all you need to know about Trump's vows to take Greenland and the Panama Canal, by any means necessary.

Politics

16 hours ago Amazon launches 'cheapest' meal deal as it joins Iceland and Poundland

Amazon Fresh stores use Amazon's Just Walk Out technology, which allows customers to walk out of the store without queuing at the till or using a self-service checkout

Economics

8 hours ago Elon Musk uses wildfires to attack California’s DEI practices — as MAGA faithful spread wild conspiracies

Musk joined President-elect Donald Trump in lashing out at state officials and pointing fingers over the devastating fires

Events

5 hours ago Trump and Justice Alito spoke just hours before urging Supreme Court to block hush money sentencing

The president-elect called the conservative justice the night before a last-ditch demand to stop his sentencing in New York

Politics

17 hours ago Trump ‘considering national economic emergency declaration’ to allow new tariffs; UK borrowing costs rise again – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsRise in UK borrowing costs could push Reeves to new public spending cutsTwo UK investment trusts have urged their shareholders to resist an attempt by a US hedge fund to take control.Janus Henderson’s European Smaller Companies Trust, and its Henderson Opportunities Trust, both recommended that investors vote against Saba Capital’s attempt to shake-up their boards and appoint its own directors instead. “The European Smaller Companies Trust is a well-managed investment company whose strategy has delivered long-term outperformance.“Saba is attempting to take control of your Company by removing a highly qualified, independent board that acts in all shareholders’ interests. It’s clear that Saba’s motives are self-serving. It would like to install directors who would not be independent of the Company’s largest shareholder and has indicated that it may appoint itself as investment manager.The cleverness of Weinstein’s campaign is t...

Economics

9 hours ago Man arrested for trying to bring a machete into the US Capitol Visitor Center

Police say a man has been arrested for trying to bring a machete and knives into the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center

Events

5 hours ago British IS members in Syria should be allowed home, says Trump’s counter

Sebastian Gorka says letting people in prison camps return to Britain would benefit the ‘special relationship’ with USBritish nationals being held in Syrian prison camps for fighting on behalf of Islamic State should be allowed to return to the UK, Donald Trump’s incoming counter-terrorism chief has said.Any country that wants to be a “serious ally” to the United States should commit to the international fight against the extremist group by repatriating its citizens, according to Sebastian Gorka. Continue reading...

Politics

23 hours ago Joshua Zirkzee shows his true character with stance over Man United exit and swap deal

Joshua Zirkzee has been linked with a move away from Manchester United during the January transfer window but the forward is reportedly determined to stay at Old Trafford

Economics

10 hours ago 'I spent a day in the Love Island All Stars villa – one change will cause chaos'

Join us as we take the first look around the new Love Island All Stars series 2 villa, with tour guides host Maya Jama and Executive producer Mike Spence revealing all about the bombshell changes and ‘never done before’ launch night

Events

6 hours ago Melania Trump joins Donald in the Capitol Rotunda to pay respects to Jimmy Carter ahead of his funeral

The 78-year-old president-elect said it was 'great' to be back in Congress before heading in for talks.

Politics

24 hours ago Joshua Zirkzee's stance on Man Utd exit and January swap deal shows his true colours

Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford during the January transfer window, just months after signing from Bologna

Economics

10 hours ago Ohio Supreme Court hears arguments in watchdog group's records dispute with state attorney general

The Ohio Supreme Court has heard arguments in a long-running public records dispute involving state Attorney General Dave Yost and a watchdog group

Events

7 hours ago ESPN’s Stephen A Smith claims Americans can ‘relate’ to Trump ‘talking smack’ about Canada

Trump has also been calling for the US to acquire Greenland since his first term

Politics

25 hours ago Stock market today: Asian shares slip after Wall St slumps despite strong US economic data

Asian markets are mostly lower after shares slumped on Wall Street despite better-than-expected reports on the U.S. jobs market and business activity

Economics

12 hours ago Exactly how much Greenland would cost Donald Trump to buy after military action threat

EXCLUSIVE: After Donald Trump repeated his desire to try and 'buy' Greenland, the Daily Star spoke to an expert who hinted at the amount the autonomous Danish territory might cost the incoming president

Events

7 hours ago Canadian politician urges THREE U.S. states to join their country in response to Trump... with an enticing offer

Another Canadian politician suggested that some states leave the U.S. and join the neighbors to the north.

Politics

13 hours ago Horrific Russian airstrike leaves at least 13 dead and dozens more injured with fireball blast leaving victims strewn across road in Ukrainian city

The bodies of the dead and injured were strewn across a road and adjacent pavements next to damaged public transport.

Events

7 hours ago How much did it cost U.S. to acquire its territories? What to know as Trump escalates calls to take Greenland

The U.S. has purchased multiple territories and states since it’s formation

Politics

13 hours ago The Good Ship Murder season 2 stars break silence as Beverley actress quits series

The Good Ship Murder stars Shayne Ward and Catherine Tyldesley have opened up on their former co-star Claire Sweeney's exit from the Channel 5 series, as they're joined by her replacement Ross Adams.

Events

7 hours ago Meta rolls back hate speech rules as Zuckerberg cites 'recent elections' as a catalyst

It wasn’t just fact-checking that Meta scrapped from its platforms as it prepares for the second Trump administration

Politics

13 hours ago Trump asks Supreme Court to block hush money sentencing as he ramps up threats to seize Greenland and Panama Canal: Live

Incoming commander-in-chief holds alarming press conference at Mar-a-Lago, wandering from topic to topic and threatening allied nations

Events

7 hours ago ‘It would be like Hawaii’: Republicans open to Trump’s Canada and Greenland proposal

‘There’s some good arguments,’ one Republican senator tells The Independent ahead of Trump’s return to Capitol Hill

Politics

13 hours ago EastEnders' Natalie Cassidy joins hit BBC series in new role away from soap

The show is set to make a comeback on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer this February.

Events

7 hours ago Major change to small boats clampdown to treat smugglers like Russian oligarchs

Foreign Secretary David Lammy will unveil new plans to seize millions of pounds in assets from people smuggling gangs - making the UK the first country in the world to do so

Politics

14 hours ago Les crisis talks! Embattled Starmer and Macron to discuss their woes over dinner at Chequers

The two leaders will hold talks at the Prime Minister's Chequers country estate, with an official to-do list set to include support for Ukraine, illegal migration and AI.

Events

7 hours ago Mexican president hits back at ‘misinformed’ Trump: ‘Why don’t we call it Mexican America?’

‘I think that yesterday, President Trump was misinformed, with all due respect to President Trump,’ Claudia Sheinbaum stated after his Gulf of America suggestion

Politics

14 hours ago Tributes as Second World War 'Desert Rat' who spent whole life in Manchester dies aged 103

A proud Manc, Donald McCaig fought in Egypt and North Africa

Events

8 hours ago The cosmetics billionaire behind Trump’s obsession with buying Greenland

Trump’s interest in aquiring Greenland has a long and storied history

Politics

14 hours ago State of emergency declared in Russian city after Ukraine 'drones hit oil depot for Putin's nuclear bombers'

A huge fire exploded at the ‘Kristal’ oil complex in the city of Engels after long-range strikes, said Ukraine’s military

Events

8 hours ago Biden used LA fire briefing to tell the ‘good news’ of becoming a great

Biden is the first sitting president to become a great-grandparent

Politics

14 hours ago Moment Ukrainian troops mow down Russian soldiers after chasing them down in US

In the footage, taken from a nearby drone, a Stryker infantry carrier can be seen driving across the snowy landscape of the Kursk battlefield before it starts speeding towards a soldier.

Events

9 hours ago ITV Grantchester's Rishi Nair confirms appearance as Tom Brittney's exit looms

The new season of ITV's Grantchester boasts a new addition to the cast with Rishi Nair joining as Alphy, but he doesn’t appear as early on in the series as fans were hoping

Politics

14 hours ago Geordie Shore stars AT WAR as lads come to blows in 'most explosive series ever'

Geordie Shore has returned to our screens for its 25th series - and according to the cast it is the 'most explosive series ever'. The season see the stars travel to Thailand to celebrate Kyle's stag-do.

Events

9 hours ago Trump blasted for ‘obsession’ over Greenland by Democrats as he returns to Capitol Hill: Live

Congressional Democrats suggest president-elect focus on cost of living over fantasies about US territorial expansion as he returns to D.C. to meet with GOP senators

Politics

14 hours ago War launched on troop of 200 aggressive monkeys by hitting them where it hurts

The macaques took over the police station in Lopburi in central Thailand, but the authorities have come up with a cunning plan to deal with their hairy and lairy neighbours

Events

9 hours ago Republican already calling Gulf of Mexico ‘Gulf of America’ after Trump speech

A Republican representative has already started calling the Gulf of Mexico the "Gulf of America" after President-elect Donald Trump declared he wants to change the name of the ocean basin.

Politics

15 hours ago Israeli strikes kill at least 22 people in Gaza as US steps up ceasefire push

It comes as the US is said to be pushing for a truce before Donald Trump’s inauguration on 20 January

Events