Author: INDEPENDENT

Russian gas pipeline explodes in huge fireball blast amid series of ‘Ukrainian strikes’For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emailsSign up to our free breaking news emailsThe Kremlin has begun preparing for the final day of elections as Vladimir Putin is set to resume office for what will be his fifth term ruling over Russia. Images showed a stage being constructed in Moscow’s red Square and billboards being put up honouring the 10-year anniversary of the illegal annexation of the occupied Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea, which will take place…

Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for freeSign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter Erik ten Hag is relishing the challenge of overcoming Liverpool in Sunday’s crunch FA Cup quarter-final as Manchester United look to save their season.All eyes will be on Old Trafford as Jurgen Klopp makes his penultimate visit as Reds boss against a side looking to keep their final route to silverware alive.Liverpool have already won the Carabao Cup and would love to pile further misery on injury-hit United, who are looking to avoid their campaign heading into…

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emailsSign up to our free breaking news emailsA state of emergency has been declared in Iceland after a volcano erupted for the fourth time spewing bright orange lava metres into the air.The dramatic event marks the fourth “alarming” volcanic eruption in three months along the Reykjavik peninsula, nearby the abandoned town of Grindavik. The Icelandic Met Office said on Saturday night that the fissure had opened as livestreams of the event saw fountains of lava spewing into the sky.“Warning: An eruption began…

Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for freeSign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter Harry Kane could be an injury concern for England after twisting an ankle during Bayern Munich’s 5-2 win over Darmstadt.The former Tottenham striker broke the record for most goals scored in a debut Bundesliga season by netting his side’s second just before half-time on Saturday.But the 30-year-old was substituted eight minutes from time, with England set to face Brazil and Belgium in friendlies over the next 10 days.After England double-header with Brazil and Belgium in the international…

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inboxGet our free Inside Washington emailA former FBI informant has been charged with lying about President Joe Biden and his son’s business dealings — but his reputation as a “liar” dates back to at least 2016, according to a report.The Republican-led impeachment inquiry into the president hinged on details that Alexander Smirnov provided — which have now been deemed as “false derogatory information.”But long before these recent revelations, Mr Smirnov’s credibility was called into question.There was a criminal case in which Mr Smirnov…

Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for freeSign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter Two deflected strikes from Bernardo Silva saw Manchester City become the first team in the history of the FA Cup to reach the semi-finals six seasons running with a 2-0 win over Newcastle.Pep Guardiola may not want to talk about the prospect of a second treble, but his side are now unbeaten in their last 22 games in all competitions going into the international break after what turned into a Saturday evening stroll in the Manchester rain.Newcastle…

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emailsSign up to our free breaking news emailsRussia’s governing party said it was hit by a cyberattack on the second day of presidential elections as the Kremlin accused Ukraine of trying to disturb the voting process to curry favour with its Western allies.United Russia, for which Vladimir Putin acts as its de facto ruler but is not representing in these elections, claimed it faced a widespread denial of service attack – a form of cyberattack aimed at paralysing web traffic – and…

Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for freeSign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter Wolves boss Gary O’Neil described the behaviour of Coventry counterpart Mark Robins “disgusting” after he celebrated his side’s remarkable FA Cup quarter-final win in the face of a 13-year-old ball boy.The Championship outfit stunned their Premier League opponents with two goals in added time to seal a 3-2 victory and book a first semi-final in this competition since they won it in 1987.It was after Haji Wright’s winner at the death that Robins showed a rare sight…

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inboxGet our free Inside Washington emailFormer New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani could be forced by creditors to sell his Florida condo to pay off his massive debts.The Committee of Unsecured Creditors – which represents individuals and entities to whom Mr Giuliani owes money or soon could — has filed a motion in bankruptcy court asking the court to compel the former mayor to sell his Florida condo.Mr Giuliani valued his home in Palm Beach at $3.5m in previous court filings. It is…

Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for freeSign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter The FA Cup semi-finals are due to take place on the weekend of 20 April.It remains to be seen yet which of the eight teams in the competition will qualify, with four fascinating quarter-finals set for this weekend.The tournament itself held the first round of fixtures as far back as Saturday 5 August 2023, with the extra preliminary round. The first round proper started on 4 November 2023, and the Premier League clubs entered the tournament at…