In the Samara Arena, situated on the banks of the River Volga in a far-flung corner of the sprawling Russian Motherland, an England team made history.

PETE JENSON IN OSLO: Bournemouth's Joshua King won a point for Norway against Spain scoring a penalty against Kepa Arrizabalga after the Chelsea keeper had given away the spot-kick.

MIKE DICKSON IN NEW YORK: Konta is relishing big tournaments like never before this year, and she clocked her twelfth victory in the Grand Slams this season by reaching the US Open third round.

MIKE DICKSON IN NEW YORK: Jo Konta emerged again as the last surviving British player when she powered into the last 16 of the US Open with a 6-2, 6-3 win over China's Shuai Zhang.

The actor, 38, looked enthralled as he watched Johanna Konta of Great Britain play against Karolina Pliskova of Czech Republic on Sunday.

MIKE DICKSON IN NEW YORK: Hardly anyone walks tightrope of deciding sets as well as Jo Konta this year, and she successfully did so once again to make the last eight of the US Open.

MIKE DICKSON IN NEW YORK: Words with negative connotations are out when it comes to the work she does with Dimitri Zavialoff. The hairdryer is strictly confined to the hotel room.

He's been taking advantage of his temporary American residency by enjoying the US Open. 

MIKE DICKSON IN NEW YORK: This time there were no recriminations or spats with the media, just the numbing disappointment of another missed opportunity.

British No 1 Jo Konta has recovered sufficiently from lingering knee issues and expects to be fully fit for the Australian Open.

SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon delivered a withering assessment of the would-be PM, saying he would 'damage the UK's reputation'.

Nicola Sturgeon said the case for breaking up the UK was 'stronger every day' after the research found 52 per cent would support the move.

The SNP leader vowed to pass the law on the issue by the end of 2019 with a view to holding the vote in the second half of next year.

The first minister of Scotland said that her party's message would be 'clear, simple and unambiguous - vote SNP to demand independence and secure Scotland's right to choose'.

Boris Johnson said the 2014 ballot - when Scots voted to stay in the union - was a 'once in a generation' decision.

Jeremy Corbyn made yet another attempt to clarify his stance on a Scottish independence referendum today, saying: 'Certainly not in the first two years.'

Labour's leader in Scotland, Richard Leonard, today suggested that if would only require 'the election of parties into a majority' to provide a mandate.

Nicola Sturgeon's plans for an independent Scotland suffered a hammer blow today after a leading think tank warned splitting from the UK would mean 'more not less austerity' north of the border.

The Liberal Democrats lost the East Dunbartonshire seat to the SNP's Amy Callaghan by just 149 votes. Nicola Sturgeon was filmed shaking her fists with joy at the news of her party's gain.

SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon said she had won overwhelming support north of the border in the election last week - and the PM had no right to block a new bid to break up the UK.

The vote was driven by the SNP First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who insisted a second vote on independence is necessary to protect the country from the consequences of Brexit.

The First Minister said that the Prime Minister's decision to block a new vote was 'a sign of weakness' as she continued to build her case the break up the UK.

Alex Salmond is tipped to make a dramatic SNP leadership comeback bid after he was cleared of sex assault charges this week. He could be deputy to MP Joanna Cherry, who led a bid to block Brexit last year.

Paul Leslie Quirk, 48, has been charged with murder after his wife Christina Khoo Gek Hwa, 43, was found dead in a third floor condo in the Singapore estate of Compassvale Bow last Friday.

Paul Leslie Quirk, 48, was charged with murder after his wife Christina Khoo Gek Hwa, 43, was found dead in a third floor condo in the residential estate of Compassvale Bow earlier this month.

A Chinese man diagnosed in Queensland with coronavirus also spent time in Melbourne, and four fellow travellers are now ill and being tested for the disease.

Switzerland (pictured: the old town of Zurich) was ranked first in a study of 132 nations which measured the cost of goods including groceries, clothes and taxi fares.

The man, who returned from Singapore by plane last week, took himself to A&E at the Royal Sussex in Brighton on Sunday before he was transferred to Guy's Hospital in London (pictured).

After the Disneyland trip for Quaden is paid for, the rest of the funds will be donated to charity.

Penguins at Singapore zoo are making the most of the country's partial virus lockdown, being given free run of the empty complex and revelling in the chance to do some exploring.

The Principality Stadium roof will be left open for Wales' Six Nations Grand Slam game in Cardiff against Ireland, despite yellow wind warnings set for Saturday.

The All Blacks lived up to their billing as red-hot favourites four years ago. But this year's World Cup in Japan promises to be the closest-fought ever. Here's why...

RORY KEANE: This Ireland squad were primed to reach a first-ever World Cup semi-final, and possibly more. But they have been seemingly in free-fall since the events of February 2 at the Aviva.

Sportsmail provide a breakdown of how points are won and lost during the Rugby World Cup as 20 teams look reach the final in Japan and how teams can obtain the bonus points in Japan.

Ireland delivered on their promise to hit form when it mattered most by stunning Scotland 27-3 with a bonus-point blitz to launch their Japanese World Cup quest in style.

Japan claimed one of the greatest upsets in rugby history, four years after their historic win over South Africa. 

Ireland picked up the bonus point they needed but were made to work hard for it by a stubborn Russian side. Russia spent 20 minutes down to 14 men in the middle of the match.

All Blacks take on Ireland in their Rugby World Cup quarter-final clash in Japan as they look to progress to the semi-final to take on either England or Australia. Follow LIVE ACTION RIGHT HERE.

RORY KEANE AT THE AVIVA STADIUM: Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend jumped to the defence of skipper Stuart Hogg for the incredible blunder which cost the visitors dear in Dublin.

Leading rider Jamie Spencer is facing sometime out of the saddle following an accident on the Newmarket gallops on Friday. The 39-year-old Irishman was returning to the David Simcock stable.

Marchisio and his wife were threatened 'with two pistols and a screwdriver' and he was forced to hand over money and other expensive possessions to the four robbers during the horrific incident.

Juventus defender Daniele Rugani was the first Serie A player to test positive for Covid-19, just days after he was in the matchday squad for the club's win over Inter behind closed doors.

The high-octane performance began with James singing as if he was in his dressing room before performers from various nominated shows joined him on stage.

Speaking to Zane Lowe on Apple Music's Beats 1, Selena, 27, told how she feels she was previously a 'people pleaser' until she had a 'huge moment' where she 'stopped caring'.

Selena Gomez gets personal when it comes to showing gratitude to her fans. Gomez spent her Christmas with pen in-hand as she autographed thousands of copies of her upcoming album Rare.

Philip Hammond is believed to be the first Chancellor to have ignored a three-line whip and not being sacked or forced to resign by the incumbent prime minister.

The Labour leader said he was not in favour of such a vote 'anytime soon' but did not rule one out in the future. Scottish Secretary Alister Jack accused him of 'already flirting with the SNP'.

MPs approved the Standards Committee, conclusions that there was 'compelling evidence' Keith Vaz had offered to buy the class A drug for male prostitutes.

JACK DOYLE: Here, in all its blood red socialist horror, we examine the manifesto that independent analysts say would hit millions of families in the pocket. ..

She's the Australian actress who has made it big in Hollywood.