Traces of explosives have been found in the wreckage of one of two airliners that crashed almost simultaneously in Russia.

RUSSIAN emergency workers last night searched heaps of twisted metal and tall grass amid fears a terrorist attack caused two airliners to plunge to earth within minutes of each other, killing all 89 people aboard.

A German has been arrested as he attempted to buy 485 pounds of explosives in Russia so he could blow up his home and that of his neighbours in a bid to collect the insurance money.

A British couple taken hostage when Chechen gunmen stormed a Moscow theatre have been reunited after the 58-hour siege ended in a dramatic rescue bid by Russian special forces.

Hopes for the safe release of dozens of foreigners, including two British citizens, being held hostage by Chechen rebels in a Moscow theatre, appeared dashed today amid claims of a deadlock in negotiations.