Russia is losing its war against Ukraine. Proof of this has come from Vladimir Putin himself, who has issued a desperate call for a return to peace talks while his oil refineries burn and his bridges to occupied territory are pounded by Kyiv’s missiles.

Russia’s president has been badly rattled; his airports are closed, his military logistics chain has dangerously snapped, and public support is waning for a war he started, and for which Russia’s national media can no longer generate artificial enthusiasm.

His minions have been whining that an agreement they believe was struck with Donald Trump at the Anchorage summit with Putin last year – giving Moscow colonial ownership of 20 per cent of Ukraine – has been abandoned by the US president as he prepares to meet Nato’s secretary general Mark Rutte.

Trump likes to back a winner. So far he has backed Russia, which invaded a democratic European nation at full scale in February 2022.

Now may be the time for Rutte to explain to the 47th president of the US that his Nato allies are indeed pulling their weight without US help (aside from intelligence) in Ukraine.

All he needs to do is repeat what Putin said earlier this week, when he asserted that Ukraine’s attacks on Russia’s oil infrastructure and other logistics operations are an attempt to “destabilise society”.

And clearly, Putin believes this is working.

“Russia, as has been stated repeatedly, is ready for peace negotiations with Ukraine,” he said on Monday, in what amounted to a plea to get back to the days when Ukraine’s Western allies believed that Kyiv was losing and that some kind of peace should be agreed with Moscow.

“It is ready to proceed on the basis of the agreements reached back in Istanbul – agreements which, I would remind you, were initiated at the time by the Ukrainian delegation.”

Back then, the view endorsed by many in the British Foreign Office, and by serving officers in Britain’s armed forces, was that Ukraine should sue for peace. It was wrong back then, as The Independent argued – and it is evidently wrong again now.

Further proof comes in the repeated complaints from Kremlin officials that Trump does not appear to be the same enthusiast for Russia as he has been for most of the last 18 months – when he cut all military aid to Kyiv, and exaggerated what the US had spent by almost three times, saying it was $300bn (it was closer to $120bn), not to mention the repeated insults and bullying sessions endured by Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine’s president.

This week we have seen Russian Soviet-style revisionism on what the Anchorage summit delivered. It had been seen as a capitulation to Moscow by America’s allies.

But now, as Ukraine has gained momentum against Russia with complete domination of the Black Sea, and forced Moscow to consider a ban on diesel exports after Russian refineries were hit with long-range missiles, the Kremlin’s spokesmen sound hurt and outraged.

Trump has been distracted by his war against Iran, which has also enhanced Ukraine’s reputation after Kyiv offered anti-drone defences to America’s Gulf allies.

He has lost his war in the Middle East so far. Now he may be looking for an easy win, and this, the Kremlin knows, is an opportunity for Zelensky.

Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said on Sunday that only one side had remained committed to the understanding agreed in Anchorage that Moscow could grab a chunk of Ukraine in return for “peace”.

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“The other side, as it now appears, has not been fully able to do its part,” he said, referring to the US – not Ukraine.

On Tuesday, Russia’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov suggested that the Anchorage summit might have been a US “ploy to buy time to rearm the Kyiv regime”.

His deputy, Sergei Ryabkov, also accused the US of departing from the “fundamental understandings” reached in Alaska, according to Interfax.

“We also see Washington’s line moving closer to the most rabid anti-Russian policies pursued by the US’s closest European allies – namely, the UK and France,” Moscow’s news agency RIA quoted Ryabkov as saying, after Zelensky and Trump met at the G7 last week.

Crimea, illegally seized by Russia in 2014/15 and occupied ever since, has been especially badly hit by Ukraine’s air campaign.

Mikhail Razvozhayev, the Russian-installed governor of Sevastopol, home to Russia’s Black Sea fleet, announced “enforced temporary measures” this week, including the shutting down of public transport at 10pm, and the closure of large shops and cafes at 8pm.

Fuel shortages are beginning to cripple Russia’s greatest prize in Ukraine.

The UK and European allies have been struggling with how to expand their defence capabilities rapidly without crippling their national budgets.

Britain’s former defence secretary, John Healey, and his deputy, Al Carns, contributed to the collapse of Keir Starmer’s government when they resigned over what they said was inadequate funding for their ministry.

Turmoil in No 10 was seen in Moscow as a victory for the Kremlin’s destabilising efforts.

When Starmer resigned, Kirill Dmitriev, the Kremlin’s main envoy to the US, said on X: “We did this jointly by exposing Starmer’s warmongering and consistently wrong policies on immigration, crime, energy and economy. He failed to protect Britain and was destroying Western civilisation.”

Russia is already engaged in hybrid warfare against the UK and other allies of Kyiv. It has sabotaged efforts to support Ukraine, across the continent and inside the UK, with bombs and arson attacks.

On social media, it is leading the world in disinformation that undermines leaders, foments far-right extremism, and perpetuates lies that, for example, London is a hotbed of violent crime, when in fact violent crime in the capital is at its lowest point for decades.

But Russia has the West rattled, and grappling with defence spending it can ill afford in order to see off the threat even from a relatively small Russian economy, which itself is being crippled by war and sanctions on its oil economy.

There is an alternative, though, which Europe, and even the US, may seize. That is to reinforce Ukraine’s success against Russia; to help Kyiv not merely to freeze the front lines, but to break the spine of the Russian logistics operations so that Moscow’s front collapses entirely.

Ukraine may be able to achieve this anyway, with what is already a ferocious medium-range campaign of attacks inside Russian-occupied territory.

A defeated Russian army is dangerous to the tenants in the Kremlin. Putin knows that: as a student of his country’s history, he will be mindful of when Moscow’s forces returned from ignominy in WWI and helped topple the tsar.

Russia is a federation of states – an empire run from Moscow, mainly by white men. The leaders and citizens of Ingushetia, Dagestan, Tartarstan, Bashkortostan, Sakha, Tuva, and Buryatia may welcome a Russian military collapse, and rise against Moscow’s colonial rule over their lives. They are, after all, supplying a vast amount of the men who are being slaughtered at a rate of around 35,000 a month in Putin’s war against Ukraine.

Far from agreeing to restart talks based on absurd demands for Ukrainian neutrality, perpetual military weakness and territorial loss, Ukraine’s allies (plus America) can seize the opportunity noted by Putin, and help rid the West of this threat from the Kremlin – for the time being, anyway.

The number of deaths from alcohol, drugs and suicide in the US fell sharply in 2024, led by a huge fall in overdoses, new research shows. 

Data from Trust for America’s Health (TFAH), a non-profit public health body, found that alcohol deaths declined by 4%, drug deaths by 26%, and suicides by 3% in 2024 – a positive trend that researchers said had continued into 2025.

Improved access to health services and the rollout of early intervention programmes were among the reasons cited for the decline. But TFAH warned progress risked stalling due to recent cuts to health services, including substance abuse programmes. It also warned that suicide deaths remain high in some demographics, notably among American Indians.   

“Sustaining and building on recent progress requires the federal government to invest even more in programs that reduce and prevent harm — not cut them,” said Dr Nadine Gracia, president of TFAH. 

“We are also seeing specific groups of people not experiencing the same progress, especially when it comes to deaths from suicide. We need to do even more to build strong policies and programmes that help to improve everyone’s mental health and wellbeing.”

Image: Jack Finnigan

The restaurant, which has existing sites in Barnard Castle and Darlington, is taking over Unit 17 at The Riverwalk in Durham city centre, a space that has sat empty since plans for a Casa Peri Peri restaurant fell through in 2021.

Pictures of the site show the Babul’s branding already in place above the entrance at The Riverwalk, with window graphics advertising jobs for bartenders, hosts, servers, food runners and kitchen assistants.

A spokesperson said the process had started in January last year, with the deal to move in agreed earlier this year, before an extensive refit of the site was needed.

“It has been over a year in the making,” they said. “We are really excited that we have finally got there.”

The venue has been in the works since early 2025. (Image: BABUL’S)

Babul’s, which describes itself as ‘different to the usual curry house’, says it plans to develop a bespoke menu for the Durham venue once it has established which dishes prove most popular with local customers.

However, the spokesperson struck a cautious note about the wider trading environment facing smaller hospitality businesses.

“There are lots and lots of restaurants closing and it is very uncertain,” they said.

“We have to be optimistic, but we have to keep an eye on events around the world.

“It is very tricky for small businesses now.”

The restaurant previously applied for a licence to serve alcohol from 11am to midnight Monday to Thursday, and until 1am on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, with extended hours until 2am on special occasions including New Year’s Eve, Christmas Eve, Boxing Day and bank holiday weekends.

Ian was last seen in Leverhulme Park, Bolton, on the afternoon of 24 June 2026.

He is described as a white man of stocky build, 5ft 5in to 5ft 6in tall, with short black shaved hair, stubble, and tanned skin.

He is missing his right hand, and was last seen wearing black joggers that he has reportedly worn for two weeks.

The joggers feature ‘KWD’ in grey lettering on the left upper leg, and he has a dark blue Voodoo bike which should be with him.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said, via social media: “Officers are becoming increasingly concerned about him and want to make sure he is safe and well.”

Dog and cat owners are full of praise for the bed that has been slashed in a double deal, beating Amazon’s Prime Day Price

Our furry friends can never have too many beds. At minimum, most dogs and cats have at least two beds – one upstairs and one downstairs.

However, as all pawrents know, our four-legged friends can get bored easily and occasionally they will stop sleeping in their designated beds. One of the newer popular styles is sofa beds, but these are much more expensive than regular designs.

However, Yimbly (a marketplace owned by this title’s parent company, Reach Plc) has a double deal on this PawHut Dog Sofa Bed. Normally £56.99, the pet sofa is on general sale for £48.44 – but there’s a way to get it for even less.

Shoppers can use the discount code SUMMER10 for 10% off, taking the price down further to £43.60, which beats Amazon’s Prime Day offer of £56.99 (down from £73.33). The PawHut Dog Sofa Bed is for extra-small dogs, features a spacious design, and is made with thick, padded material for comfort, so pets can rest and stretch with ease.

The zippered cushion cover is washable, whilst the water-resistant sofa is easy to clean. Meanwhile, the solid wooden structure keeps it strong and durable.

PawHut Sofa Bed

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Normally £56.99, the one-size pet sofa is on general sale for £48.44. Additionally, shoppers can use the discount code SUMMER10 for 10% off, taking the price down further to £43.60.

Elsewhere, Dunelm also has plenty of pet beds, including this newly released Beatrice Stripe Box Pet Bed, priced between £45 and £60 for medium, large, and extra-large sizes. Featuring a removable, machine-washable cover, it’s easy to keep clean, while the non-slip base ensures it stays safely in place.

Cat owners may like this feline-shaped Maple Seagrass Multi-use Basket (£35), which also doubles as a bed when the cushion is purchased. The matching pillow is £15.

Prospective buyers of the PawHut Dog Sofa Bed can find reviews and ratings of it on Amazon. In the comments, one person said: “I don’t know how many beds I have bought for this little dog… far too many… but this one was used straight away, and he often goes in it. So I think it’s one of my best buys. Not sure how easy it will be to keep clean, but he doesn’t get very dirty. He is a large mini verging on full-size dachshund and doesn’t like big beds. So this is perfect.”

Another pleased fan added: “It was easy to put the feet on and you’re done, it’s that easy. But the proof is in the cat, well, mine dived straight on and is always on it, totally worth the money.”

A third shopper commented: “I rarely write reviews but for this lovely bed I had to. I bought it for my large cat and he now spends every moment he can in it. Perfect size for a small dog/large cat, really smart and well-made but comfortable. Super easy, just to put the legs on, and arrived really quickly. Definitely would recommend.”

Another was not as pleased, noting downsides on the cushioning. They explained: “Lovely looking bed and good quality. The cushion, though, is very thin and hard. I had to put in a softer bed cushion before my dog would use it.”

Someone else had a better experience, saying: “I loved this bed, it’s well made, stylish, nice material, nice colour, strong, our dogs, chihuahuas (6) all pile in and sleep in it together. It’s good value for the money.”

In a detailed review, a penultimate user wrote: “Got this for my mum and dad’s wee tiny Yorkiepoo and it’s plenty of room for her to stretch out. My Cavapoo is a bit on the big side, but when she’s at her gran and grandad’s, she loves being in the bed. She can cuddle up in it. Not stretch fully out as you can see by photos, though she can still get comfy. I’m definitely going to be purchasing a bigger one for my wee girl at home!”

However, they did go on to add: “Only slight negative is the legs weren’t 100% even/level and the bed was a little wobbly. Tried to move them too but my Dad ended up having to put washers on them.”

A final buyer remarked: “I have a Maine Coon and struggle to find things suitable for them that don’t look like it’s for a dog. These are absolutely perfect! As you can see, she loves it and it was a good price for the quality too.”

As Arsenal also discuss a move for wonderkid Jeremy Monga, amid interest in Ayyoub Bouaddi, Bradley Barcola, Eli Junior Kroupi, and Christos Tzolis, Tottenham want to sign Guimaraes’ team-mate Sandro Tonali for around £85m, and are said to have had a second bid rejected, but could first sign Mateus Fernandes from West Ham for around the same figure. Chelsea have booked a medical for Marco Palestra and hope to sign Maxence Lacroix for a combined £100m.

It looks as though we’ve let it slip through our fingers, again.

It feIt feels like a horror movie we’ve all seen far too many times before.

The same old script. The same sinking feeling. The same ending that we were all desperate not to relive.

With the World Cup expanded this year to 48 teams, this felt like a golden opportunity to finally reach the knockout stages of a major tournament for the first time ever. Instead, it looks as though we’ve let it slip through our fingers, again.

We all celebrated long into the night after the 1-0 win over Haiti – but, in hindsight, that performance probably wasn’t enough.

Goal difference was always likely to be crucial if Scotland were going to progress on three points, and we needed a far more convincing display against the Caribbean outfit, whose only World Cup appearance before this summer came back in 1974.

The first half against Morocco wasn’t good enough either – and we failed to turn up again against Brazil, albeit in punishing conditions in the heat at the Hard Rock Stadium.

If this is the end of our World Cup adventure, it will be a particularly painful exit – knocked out on goal difference alone.

Once again, we’ll be left reflecting on the fine margins that went against us. Scott McTominay’s effort that struck the post in the opener. John McGinn’s penalty claim waved away in the following match.

Had just one of those moments fallen in our favour, who knows what might have been.

The harsh reality is that we simply didn’t perform well enough across the three matches – and our supporters deserved more.

The Tartan Army, as ever, have been magnificent throughout their time in the United States.

From the friendships forged in Boston to the parties shared with Colombians, Brazilians and locals in Miami – they have been the tournament’s best ambassadors.

Even after Wednesday’s agonising 3-0 defeat – a result that may well have ended Scotland’s campaign – supporters were still picking up bin bags and clearing rubbish from the fan zone before making their way home.

We now face an anxious wait to see whether other results can offer a lifeline – but if this is where the journey ends, the Tartan Army can hold their heads high. Their reputation as the best supporters in the world remains intact and firmly cemented for another four years, at least.

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He will appear in court on Friday

Police have charged a 14-year-old boy with murder after the body of a missing girl was found near a park in Blaenau Gwent. The discovery was made after a huge search operation was carried out to find missing 14-year-old girl Lilly Jones.

The body, believed to be Lilly, was found in the Duffryn Park area of Blaina shortly after 10pm on Monday. Police said that though no formal identification has taken place, Lilly’s family have been informed and are being supported.

On Tuesday a 14-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of murder. The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has now been charged and is in police custody. He will appear before Newport Magistrates Court on Friday, June 26.

Cordons remain in place across Blaina, including in Duffryn Park. Police say to expect an ongoing police presence as their investigation work continues.

A police spokesperson said: “Gwent Police has charged a 14-year-old boy with murder as part of our investigation in Blaenau Gwent.

“The teenager from the Blaenau Gwent area, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was remanded in police custody to appear before Newport Magistrates Court on Friday 26 June.

“The white British boy was arrested after the body of a female was found in the Duffryn Park area of Blaina on Monday 22 June, at about 10.10pm.

“While formal identification has yet to take place, the body is believed to be Lilly, a 14-year-old girl who was reported as missing.

“We are releasing Lilly’s name at this point, with her family’s knowledge, because it will form part of the court proceedings and be a matter of public record.”

Detective Chief Inspector Steven Thomas said: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Lilly at this difficult time.

“We understand that there has been a great deal of interest in this ongoing investigation.

“It is vital that people consider how their language, especially comments made online, could affect our ability to bring anyone found to have committed a criminal offence to justice.

“Even though we’ve reached this significant development in our investigation, our enquiries continue and you will still see a significant police presence in the area.

“Examinations of scenes will be continuing over the coming days, including at Duffryn Park, where cordons remain in place.

“I would like to thank local residents for their continued support and those impacted by the cordons for their patience during this time.”

Brymawr Foundation School described 14-year-old Lilly Jones as someone who was known for “kindness, warmth, and bubbly personality”.

In a tribute to Lilly shared with WalesOnline the head teacher of Brynmawr Foundation School, where Lilly was a pupil, said her loss will be felt “profoundly” by all those who knew her. She was described as a “valued member of the school community”.

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An Old Trafford legend has given the green light for Marcus Rashford to leave for one of Manchester United’s fiercest rivals

A Manchester United icon has suggested Marcus Rashford could move to arch-rivals Liverpool – while acknowledging it would represent the “ultimate betrayal”. The 28-year-old is expected back at Old Trafford this summer after an impressive season-long loan at Barcelona, where he claimed a La Liga title while contributing 14 goals and 14 assists.

The winger had hoped to complete a permanent transfer, but the Catalan club chose to spend £70 million on his England colleague Anthony Gordon instead. This places Rashford in an uncomfortable situation as he prepares to return to Manchester after the World Cup.

The England forward lost his place during Ruben Amorim’s tenure at United, ultimately acknowledging he was “ready for a new challenge” elsewhere. Rashford was then included in Amorim’s notorious “bomb squad” – a group of five players the Portuguese manager was keen to offload – leading to temporary moves to Aston Villa and Barcelona.

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Recent speculation has linked Tottenham Hotspur with an approach for Rashford as Roberto de Zerbi pursues an ambitious overhaul in north London. However, United icon Teddy Sheringham, who famously netted the equaliser and provided the assist for the winner in the 1999 UEFA Champions League final, reckons a surprising switch to Liverpool remains a possibility.

“Marcus Rashford to Liverpool would feel like the ultimate betrayal to Manchester United fans but what if Manchester United don’t want him?” Sheringham told ComeOn. “Then as a player you’ve got to do what’s best for you.”

Despite floating the prospect of a sensational move to Anfield, the former England striker stopped short of ruling out a future for Rashford at Old Trafford. Sheringham indicated there might still be a path back for the Manchester-born forward, who has two years remaining on his bumper £325,000 per week contract and will return to a vastly different Old Trafford under new manager Michael Carrick.

“Manchester United should be in control of the Marcus Rashford situation, not Marcus Rashford. He is still a Manchester United player,” Sheringham said. “That’s what happens when you sign these big, long contracts, and he was happy to sign it at the time to get more money.

“All of a sudden, he’s not happy and he wants to leave. Back in my days as a player, if you had a contract, you weren’t going anywhere, and it works both ways too. If there’s a contract that’s been signed, both parties should honour that contract.

“But United can try and manipulate the situation to get the best outcome for what they need. He’s a United player so why not utilise that situation to get that extra forward back in the squad that Michael Carrick needs? Can they ease the situation and make it work? He’s playing at a World Cup and scoring goals. He’s in your squad. Make the most of it.

“If Rashford came back firing on all cylinders for Manchester United, working hard for the team at Old Trafford, then everyone is going to be happy, aren’t they? These things can quickly be forgotten in football.”

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Melissa Coombs, 40, whose based at Manchester Airport, admitted driving to Morrisons where police officers took her keys – but she has avoided a driving ban

An easyJet air stewardess who faced a drink driving ban after she was arrested for drunkenly loitering next to her car has been allowed back on the roads after insisting she had no intention to drive.

Melissa Coombs, 40, tested more than twice the alcohol limit after police called to Morrison’s supermarket in Winsford, Cheshire, found her holding the keys to her Vauxhall Mokka whilst stood in the car park.

When quizzed Coombs, of East Avenue, Rudheath, Northwich, and who is based at Manchester Airport, admitted driving to the store but said she had been waiting a friend to pick her up.

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She claimed she had only started drinking when she arrived at the supermarket and added that she had been in a ”distressed state” after splitting from her partner whom she said was abusive to her.

At Chester Magistrates’ Court, mum-of-one Coombs faced a six month ban after she admitted being drunk in charge of a motor vehicle – but her driving licence was endorsed with 10 penalty points.

Prosecutors accepted her not guilty plea to the more serious charge of drink driving which would have resulted in a mandatory disqualification had she been convicted.

Earlier Nigel Jones, prosecuting, said: “On July 11 last year, police officers hastened to Morrisons car park in Winsford following reports that they had received and located the defendant who had a set of car keys to a Vauxhall Mokka.

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”The keys were taken from her and it was clear that the defendant had been in control of that vehicle at that time. She was subsequently arrested.”

‘She is a good person’

Tests showed Coombs had a reading of 171 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood, the legal limit being 80mg. Her solicitor David Swingler said: “She is a good person, she lives a good life and has many many positives.

“On this day she met a friend and something was weighing heavily on her. She was coming to the end of an incredibly abusive relationship, a manipulative abusive relationship.

”There were elements of control and coercion and she left the property where she resided with her partner. She returned to collect belongings and she became distressed and was in such a state she left the property in tears.

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“She contacted her friend who she was going to see and arranged to go over but it was agreed she was in such a state she should not be on the road. She pulled over into the car park at Morrisons and arranged for her friend to pick her up and whilst there she drinks.

“Police attended and she is approached. She has to accept that there would have been a risk of driving if her friend had not turned up. She does not have to be in the car. Just being in possession of the keys means there could be a likelihood of driving. This whole experience is not something she intends to repeat again.

Mr Swingler added: “She is now back living with her mum who’s in her late 60s and has severe mobility issues. She is effectively a carer for her. She works as cabin crew for easyJet based at Manchester Airport so a driving licence is essential, as she needs to get there for 4am and there is no public transport. Without the ability to drive she has no job.”

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He asked: “Where does the greater good lie? Disqualifying her for six months for up to six months, where she loses her job, she goes on to benefits, her life becomes difficult and in a few months she is back on the road.

”Ten points puts her on a knife edge and for three years she will not be able to obtain one set of penalty points otherwise she is off the road for six months. I would suggest that the greater good lies in having the sword hanging over her for three years.”

Coombs was also fined £300 and ordered to pay £270 in costs and a surcharge.

JP Mrs Frances Miller told her: “As your solicitor has said you have to be extremely careful when driving. Having a bald tyre will attract three points and 12 points is the magic number. So you have to have to be very careful.”

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