Mr Putin’s tough statements follow several rounds of talks this week between Ukrainian, American and European officials on a US-drafted peace plan.

Members of the public, the armed forces and the police paid their respects as the body of Lance Corporal George Hooley was returned to the UK.

Christmas is just a week away, and Britain’s supermarkets are set to become a real-life game of Supermarket Sweep.

Efforts have been made to sell the Mossmorran plant which is due to close early next year but a “viable offer” has not been received, bosses have said. The Fife Ethylene Plant will close in February, ...

Grant Hunter grinned and gave a thumbs-up to the public gallery as he was taken down from the dock after sentencing.