The UK’s Ministry of Defence has said Russian president Vladimir Putin is flooding the frontline with “poorly trained troops”, noting “the reluctance of some elements to fight” in the war. In its daily intelligence briefing, the government highlighted that Russia is convicting nearly 100 soldiers a week for refusing to fight, adding there will be around 5,200 convictions this year. “The high rate of convictions demonstrates the poor state of morale in the Russian Army and the reluctance of some elements to fight,” the MoD added. “Although some soldiers have refused to fight and attrition rates remain high, Russia highly likely mitigates their loss by committing a mass of poorly trained soldiers to the frontline.” Meanwhile, an accident involving two Ukrainian helicopters killed six servicemen aboard the aircraft, Ukrainian media reported on Wednesday. The news site Ukrainska Pravda said the incident on Tuesday involved widely used Mi-8 military helicopters and occurred near the town of Kramatorsk in the Donetsk region, near the front line, but gave no indication of how it occurred. Read More Ukraine launches ‘massive’ drone strikes on six regions of Russia – destroying war planes What next for the Wagner Group as leader presumed dead in plane crash? Putin jails Russian soldiers for refusing to return to Ukraine

Global prices for food commodities like rice and vegetable oil have risen for the first time in months after Russia ended a deal allowing Ukraine ship grain and India restricted some rice exports

Let's get the week started with some NBA rumors. Taking a look at Arturs Zagars, Steve Kerr's thoughts on USA's loss to Canada, and the familiar face returning to the Rockets.

Maria Sakkari was bothered by the smell of marijuana during her loss at the U.S. Open

Morocco made history in multiple ways during its 1-0 victory over South Korea in the Women’s World Cup

The UK government on Sunday hailed what it said was its biggest trade deal since Brexit, as it formally signed a treaty to...

China’s central bank unexpectedly lowered a key interest rate in a bid to invigorate an economy beset by

New guidance urging parents not to buy smartphones for their primary school age children is set to be introduced. Education minister Norma Foley has drawn up a memo for Cabinet colleagues outlining the proposal. The new guidance, if approved by the Government, will be sent to all primary schools in the country. It is based on a project involving eight schools in Greystones in Co Wicklow that saw parents of primary school pupils collectively agree not to buy smartphones for them. Ms Foley’s proposal has been prompted by concerns around the potential exposure of younger children to cyber bullying, violent and sexual content and other harmful content on phones. The minister’s party leader, Tanaiste Micheal Martin, used his speech at the Fianna Fail ard fheis on Saturday to flag the move. He told party members why he felt it was important to limit children’s exposures to smartphones. “One of the greatest challenges of today is helping children to navigate an online world – one which brings new threats and affects the ability to maintain healthy connections,” he said. “That is why we will be expanding guidelines and controls on smartphone access in schools – and every family and school will receive guidance on how to navigate this challenge with their children to keep them safe and healthy.” Read More William ‘blown away’ by futuristic technology from Singapore start-ups Return of original Fortnite map causes record traffic on Virgin Media O2 network NatWest creates new AI-powered chatbot capable of ‘human-like’ conversations

The UK government should raise taxes to help the Bank of England tame soaring prices if it’s serious

The acting legend is reported to have eight children, and Morgan Eastwood is one of his six daughters

World champion Francesco Bagnaia claimed pole for the Catalunya MotoGP with a new track record...

Jamie Lynn Spears has finally addressed her relationship with her sister Britney, as she appears on I'm A Celebrity alongside a host of other famous faces. Spears got into a deep chat with First Dates' Fred Sirieix, over where she stands with Britney following the fallout of her conservatorship ending. "I think every family fights and has their stuff but I talked to her before I came here and we love each other", she confirmed. Rumours are swirling about whether the actor and singer will last in the conditions of the jungle. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter