The father of the two boys, Ilya Neustadt, who is at the centre of the case

A Russian court has been asked to intervene in an international tug-of-love over two boys whose father is keeping them in Russia in breach of an order made by an English judge following a marriage break-up, lawyers say.

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A Mexican soldier stands guard beside a placard with pictures of alleged drug cartels members already arrested

The who's who of the murderous Mexican drug wars

After the capture of the notoriously brutal leader of the Zetas drug cartel, we look at the background to the slaughter that haunts the country where Miguel Angel Trevino Morales was a key player

Rory McIlroy

Rory McIlroy content with build-up for the Open

The world number two is continuing to struggle

Two weeks after Democrat State Senator Wendy Davis's filibuster, her opponents have regrouped

Republicans revive bill to severely curb abortion rights in Texas

Two weeks after Democrat State Senator Wendy Davis's filibuster, her opponents have regrouped

Miller Barber: Golfer known as ‘Mr X’ who was famed for his unique swing

Miller Barber: Golfer known as ‘Mr X’ who was famed for his unique swing

Miller Barber, who died on 11 June at the age of 82, was a golfer with a unique swing who made the most combined starts on the PGA and Champions tours. Nicknamed “Mr X,” he played in 1,297 tournaments on the PGA Tour and the 50-and-over circuit. He won 11 times in 694 PGA Tour starts and added 24 victories in 603 events on the Champions Tour.

Wait problem: Customs and Border Protection officers in action at Miami airport

Heading for America? Prepare for the longest US immigration queues ever

Expect the worst delays in the 'Sunshine State' of Florida

Andy McSmith's Diary: Gordon Brown's earning power is good news for good causes

In just two months, Gordon Brown has earned for his charities almost 50 per cent more than David Cameron is paid in an entire year as Prime Minister, thanks to lecture fees. A single speech delivered in Dubai earned Mr Brown a fee almost equal to his annual salary as an MP. His payments for just four speeches delivered in various parts of the world so far this year come to more than £210,000 – not counting payments in kind, in the form of free travel or hotel rooms for example. David Cameron’s annual salary is £145,000.

Texas Department of Public Safety Sgt. Jason Reyes confirmed 12 bodies had been pulled from the area of the plant explosion in West, Texas

Texas fertiliser plant blast: Death toll confirmed at 12

Many of those killed are thought to have been volunteer firefighters

Texas town of West begins to come to terms with news that at least 11 of its citizens are dead

As the fires were finally put out in West yesterday, this small Texas town was beginning to come to terms with news that at least 11 of its citizens were dead, following a huge blast at a fertiliser plant on Wednesday evening, which also injured around 160 people.

Rory McIlroy addresses the media in Augusta

The Masters 2013: Rory McIlroy insists he's '100 per cent there' with new Nike equipment

World number two appears to have arrested his recent slump

Dustin Johnson looked back to his best in Houston last week and the big-hitter could thrive at Augusta

The Masters 2013: Tiger Woods under threat as chasing pack bare their teeth

Stellar list of in-form players will vie for a slice of Masters glory at Augusta next week

Rory McIlroy’s second round in Houston was more consistent

Rory McIlroy faces nervous wait to make cut

Second-round 70 leaves former World No 1 on cusp of elimination in Masters warm-up event

SpaceX Dragon capsule leaves International Space Station

A Space Exploration Technologies' Dragon cargo capsule flew away from the International Space Station on Tuesday, loaded with experiment samples and gear for return to Earth.

Reginald Turnill: Veteran BBC journalist acclaimed for his coverage of space and aviation

Reginald Turnill: Veteran BBC journalist acclaimed for his coverage of space and aviation

His aim was to convey precise information rather than seeking to make our pulses race

Father charged with murder after 'shooting dead' drunk driver who crashed into his car, killing his two young sons

Brothers believed to have been pushing a broken down vehicle at the time of the incident

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Special report: How my father's face turned up in Robert Capa's lost suitcase

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Someone, somewhere has to write speeches for world leaders to deliver in the event of disaster. They offer a chilling hint at what could have been
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Funny business: Meet the women running comedy

Think comedy’s a man's world? You must be stuck in the 1980s, says Holly Williams
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Wilko Johnson: 'You have to live for the minute you're in'

The Dr Feelgood guitarist talks frankly about his terminal illness
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Entrepreneurs are giving vintage ice-cream vans a new lease of life
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Guest List: IoS Literary Editor suggests some books for your summer holiday

Before you stuff your luggage with this year's Man Booker longlist titles, the case for some varied poolside reading alternatives
What if Edward Snowden had stayed to fight his corner?

Rupert Cornwell: What if Edward Snowden had stayed to fight his corner?

The CIA whistleblower struck a blow for us all, but his 1970s predecessor showed how to win
'A man walks into a bar': Comedian Seann Walsh on the dangers of mixing alcohol and stand-up

Comedian Seann Walsh on alcohol and stand-up

Comedy and booze go together, says Walsh. The trouble is stopping at just the one. So when do the hangovers stop being funny?
From Edinburgh to Hollywood (via the Home Counties): 10 comedic talents blowing up big

Edinburgh to Hollywood: 10 comedic talents blowing up big

Hugh Montgomery profiles the faces to watch, from the sitcom star to the surrealist
'Hello. I have cancer': When comedian Tig Notaro discovered she had a tumour she decided the show must go on

Comedian Tig Notaro: 'Hello. I have cancer'

When Notaro discovered she had a tumour she decided the show must go on
They think it's all ova: Bill Granger's Asia-influenced egg recipes

Bill Granger's Asia-influenced egg recipes

Our chef made his name cooking eggs, but he’s never stopped looking for new ways to serve them
The world wakes up to golf's female big hitters

The world wakes up to golf's female big hitters

With its own Tiger Woods - South Korea's Inbee Park - the women's game has a growing audience
10 athletes ready to take the world by storm in Moscow next week

10 athletes ready to take the world by storm in Moscow next week

Here are the potential stars of the World Championships which begin on Saturday
The Last Word: Luis Suarez and Gareth Bale's art of manipulation

The Last Word: Luis Suarez and Gareth Bale's art of manipulation

Briefings are off the record leading to transfer speculation which is merely a means to an end