Colchester Killer 'Won't Stop Until Caught'

The brutality of the two murders in Colchester suggests that police are hunting the same killer for both crimes, a leading criminologist has told Sky News.

Professor David Wilson told Sky News that both Nahid Almanea and James Attfield were "overkilled" - meaning they were stabbed many more times than was necessary to take their lives - indicating a link.

And he warned the murderer is unlikely to stop killing until they are caught.

He said: "Luckily murder is a very rare event in Britain and usually we discover that there is some kind of relationship in the past between the perpetrator and the victim.

Prof Wilson said Mr Attfield's murder could hold the key to both killings

"So here we've got something really unusual happening in Colchester - we've got two random attacks in a very concentrated geographic area and both victims have been 'overkilled'.

"They've been stabbed numerous times - more times than would be necessary to actually take their life.

"Clearly there is some link between these two, although the police don't want to make that link because it scares people to think there might be somebody of this background at loose in the community."

CCTV footage issued by Essex Police of Nahid Almanea

He said the killer is likely to be a local man with mental health problems who may be known to social services in the area - and even getting help from someone in the community.

He told Sky News: "Murder is an overwhelmingly male phenomenon so I would have thought this is a man we're dealing with and a man who's living locally and possibly being given support locally. 

"Usually when you're dealing with someone who stabs in this overkill way, you're dealing with somebody who's got mental health problems and this person is likely to be known to mental health outreach teams in Essex, perhaps also has a criminal record already.

"This type of person I think will be well known in the area and quite odd - the sort of person people would notice. I imagine the police are already aware of who those kinds of people in Colchester might be.

People living in the area should follow advice from the police to avoid walking alone in isolated areas because the killer is likely to strike again, Prof Wilson said.

The killer probably lives in the local area, Prof Wilson said

He said: "One has to balance scaring people - the police have been quite good at telling people not to go into isolated areas by themselves but yes, this kind of person doesn't stop attacking, this kind of person continues to attack until they are caught."

He added that in most multiple murder cases, the first killing is key to tracking down the murderer.

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Thousands Mark Summer Solstice At Stonehenge

More than 30,000 people have turned out at Stonehenge overnight to see the sun rise on the longest day in the calendar.

The Summer Solstice has a long tradition of attracting people to the monument, off the A303, where latter-day Druids gather to witness the event.

Stonehenge is one of Britain's most popular tourist attractions.

Crowds began gathering at the monument last night

It was built between 3,000 BC and 1,600 BC, and its original purpose is still debated.

Solstices were an important part of Europe's pre-Christian calendar and many speculate that Stonehenge's orientation offers clues to its creators' pagan traditions.

Wiltshire Police said 25 people were arrested during celebrations, largely for drugs-related offences.

Marking the Summer Solstice at Stonehenge has become a tradition for many

A spokesman said: "We are pleased that the Solstice celebrations at Stonehenge and Avebury have been enjoyable events for the majority of people attending.

"There were 25 arrests at Stonehenge and two at Avebury which were mainly for drug-related offences.

One reveller gets into the spirit of things

"The road system worked well with minimum delays and many people used the public transport as we advised people to do.

"Every year there are new challenges for us at Solstice but it is always a pleasure to see so many people enjoying the event."

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Colchester Murder: Police Ask 'Can You Help?'

Police investigating the brutal stabbing of a Saudi student have appealed for the public's help after releasing a 19-year-old man they were questioning.

Nahid Almanea was stabbed 16 times while walking along a path in Colchester, Essex, on Tuesday morning.

The man had been arrested on Friday after a female jogger said someone had approached her and tried to grab her near Peache Road on June 19.

But after several hours of questioning he was released and Essex Police tweeted: "19-year-old man interviewed, eliminated from enquiries and released. Investigation into #Colchester murder continues. Can you help?"

Police at the scene of Nahid Almanea's killing

Ms Almanea had been taking an English language course at the University of Essex as part of her studies for a life sciences PhD.

Police released a CCTV picture of the 31-year-old taken moments before her death and a map of her likely route from the home she shared with her brother to the spot on the Salary Brook trail where her body was found.

Officers called for calm, warned local people not to go out alone and to be vigilant, as they confirmed they were investigating threats of revenge attacks on social media.

The location of the attacks on Nahid Almanea and James Attfield

Police numbers were boosted in the town centre on Friday night as police sought to reassure residents and on Saturday morning large numbers of police continued to hunt for clues.

They said the fact that Ms Almanea was stabbed multiple times bore "obvious similarities" to the murder of James Attfield, a vulnerable man with brain damage who was stabbed more than 100 times in a park in Colchester in March.

But police have stressed the cases remain separate investigations.

James Attfield was stabbed more than 100 times in March

Colchester councillor Tim Young told Sky News: "Until they find a motive for this latest attack they can't rule anything in and they can't rule anything out."

Essex University has expressed its condolences to the family and friends of Ms Almanea and opened a blog where people could leave tributes.

Richard Barnard, head of the unversity's International Academy, said: "Nahid was a student on the Essex English Language Programme, which develops students' English language skills.

"Nahid joined this programme and was a very hard-working and conscientious student, who was making excellent progress.

"She was a quiet, considerate and well-respected member of the programme and had ambitions to move on to further academic study. She will be greatly missed by her teachers and her fellow students."

:: Anyone with information is asked to contact the Major Investigation Team on 01245 282103, Essex Police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

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Music Festival Killing: Man Arrested By Police

A 31-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murdering a festival-goer in a row over an inflatable doll.

Robert Hart, 26, was punched to the ground at the Parklife music event in Heaton Park, Manchester, last Saturday.

It followed an altercation triggered by an inflatable doll striking his girlfriend, Gemma.

The pair were at the front of the festival's main stage when the incident took place at about 9.15pm.

Mr Hart, from Macclesfield, Cheshire, was knocked unconscious and died later in hospital.

Police said the suspect was arrested in Cheshire and taken into custody where he is being questioned.

Detective Inspector Richard Eales said: "Over the last two weeks, we have received a huge amount of support by both the public and the media for the appeal to help find the person responsible.

"We now have a man in custody but that doesn't mean the investigation is at an end. We are continuing to investigate and we are renewing our appeal for information or any relevant footage."

Anyone with information is asked to contact the incident room direct on 0161 85 69283 or email the incident room with any relevant footage. The email address is: mit.syndicate8@gmp.police.uk.

In a tribute to Mr Hart, an avid Manchester City fan, his family said he had "a love of music and a love of life" and was "simply awesome".

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Ian Wright Burglars: We'll Cut Off Kids' Fingers

Former England international Ian Wright's MBE was among prized possessions taken from his home by an armed gang.

The ex-Arsenal striker's wife was held at knifepoint during the attack at their home in St John's Wood, northwest London, while he was working as a World Cup pundit for ITV in Brazil.

He is now back at home after arriving at Heathrow Airport on Thursday.

Wright described his family's ordeal, saying it left him "really upset and angry".

He told The Sun: "There was a knock on the door - it was around 9.15pm, not even dark outside, so Nancy felt safe answering.

"As soon as she opened the door, they barged in, four of them wearing masks and holding Stanley knives.

"Next thing they were holding a knife to her throat and yelling at her to show them where our safe is."

The couple's two children were asleep in a separate room while all this was happening, Wright said.

Ian Wright's home in northwest London

He told the newspaper that the men threatened to cut off his wife's fingers and then do the same to his children as the gang became "louder and more desperate".

"She was even physically dragged upstairs as they thought the safe was up there," he said.

"Then they dragged her back down and forced her to hand over the key.

"She was begging them to stop shouting - she was saying 'I'll open the safe so long as you stop pushing me around and yelling'.

"They were out of control and hysterical - Nancy was calm."

Other items taken in the burglary included cash and a number of rare watches owned by Wright.

Police are carrying out house-to-house inquiries and are reviewing CCTV.

Detective Chief Inspector Mick Gornall, of the Metropolitan Police, said yesterday: "We are trying to trace these four men, and I'd ask anyone who may know anything to get in touch with my team and help us.

"Fortunately no one was injured during the burglary, but it is still very frightening to have people force their way into your home and threaten you."

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British Honeymoon Couple Killer On The Run

One of the killers of a British couple murdered on their honeymoon has escaped from prison, police in Antigua have said.

Ben and Catherine Mullany, from Pontardawe, South Wales, were shot dead in their hotel room on the holiday island in 2008.

The couple, both aged 31, had been married for little more than a fortnight.

Five weeks after witnessing the couple's wedding at St John The Evangelist Church in Cilybebyll, their parents were attending their funeral.

Local men Avie Howell and Kaniel Martin were convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison.

Police confirmed that Howell has escaped from Her Majesty's Prison on the island, along with another inmate who had been detained on fraud charges.

Kaniel Martin and Avie Howell after being found guilty in 2011

Counsellor Jamal Wright, who is based at St John's police station, said: "Avie Howell escaped from Her Majesty's Prison at about 6am on Thursday along with Kenroy Laurie Marshall.

"Apparently they used a sharp implement to cut out a portion of mesh and jumped over the northern prison wall, which is about 30ft (9m) high."

The couple's family were said to be "extremely shocked" at the news and concerned Howell might flee the island.

A source said: "You would have thought they would have kept him under lock and key."

Sergeant Raymond Finley said he believed Howell, who is in his early 20s, was still on the island and a search was under way.

"I understand the victims' families will be very concerned," he said.

The couple were buried in the grounds of the church where they were married

Howell and Martin broke into Mr and Mrs Mullany's chalet at the Cocos Hotel in a dawn raid in July 2008.

The pair, who lived in Rhos, near Pontardawe, were both shot in the head before their killers made off with their phones, a digital camera and cash.

Mrs Mullany, a qualified doctor, died instantly. Her husband, a physiotherapy student, was flown home on a life-support machine.

The former South Yorkshire Police officer died a week after the shooting, despite the best efforts of his wife's colleagues at Morriston Hospital in Swansea.

Three years to the day after the killings, Howell and Martin were found guilty of the couple's murder and also the shooting of 43-year-old shopkeeper Woneta Anderson.

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Colchester Police Hunt 'Brutal' Murderer

Police have promised to "unrelentingly" pursue all lines of inquiry as they continue to investigate the brutal murder of a Saudi Arabian student who was stabbed 16 times.

Nahid Almanea was walking along a path in Colchester, Essex, on Tuesday morning when she was attacked.

Police are investigating whether the 31-year-old's clothing - an abaya robe and hijab headscarf - was a factor in the stabbing, but stressed they do not yet know for sure.

There are other possible motives, officers say, but they are calling for calm, and have confirmed they are investigating threats of revenge attacks made on social media.

The locations of the two murders

Police have warned people not to go out alone and to be vigilant.

The fact that she was stabbed multiple times bore "obvious similarities" to the murder of James Attfield, a vulnerable man with brain damage, the force said.

He was stabbed more than 100 times in a park in Colchester in March, but Essex Police stressed the cases remain separate investigations.

Sky's Emma Birchley, who is at the scene of MIss Almanea's murder, said: "The police presence is enormous, there are police cars patrolling everywhere, not just here close to the scene."

Salary Brook Trail, where Ms Almanea was attacked

Chief Inspector Richard Phillibrown said: "I see this murder as an attack on the entire community of Colchester and I believe we will all pull together to respond to it.

"I am confident that the vast majority of people in this town will pay no attention to those trying to stir up trouble."

He added: "What we would also ask is for people to look out for each other, for neighbours to keep an eye on the vulnerable and for everyone to remain vigilant."

In a joint statement, Chief Constable Stephen Kavanagh and Essex Police and Crime Commissioner Nick Alston said: "We would urge everyone to work with Essex Police, who will, supported by local communities, do everything possible to find the person or people responsible for both these awful crimes.

The bag Ms Almanea was carrying when she was murdered

"I know that everyone in Colchester will come together, and remain strong and united in ensuring that the town and the district continues to be safe and welcoming to all."

Ms Almanea, who has been described as a "very intelligent" student, had been studying an English language course at the University of Essex as part of her studies for a life sciences PhD.

A 52-year-old man arrested in connection with the incident has been released after police said he had been positively eliminated from their enquiries.

CCTV footage taken from a newsagent, which shows Ms Almanea's last movements as she headed towards the footpath, has been released.

The killing of James Attfield remains unsolved

Police have also released a map of her likely route from nearby Woodrow Way to the Salary Brook trail where she was stabbed, as well as a photograph of the bag she was carrying.

Officers said Ms Almanea would usually walk to the university with her brother, who she also lived with.

But because he had earlier lectures that day she was walking alone.

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Garden Murders Pair Guilty Of Killing Parents

By David Crabtree, Midlands Correspondent

Susan and Christopher Edwards have been found guilty of murdering her parents and burying them in their own back garden.

Susan Edwards shot Patricia and William Wycherley twice at close range before she and her husband hid their bodies in the back garden of their home in Blenheim Close, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire.

The debt-ridden Edwards then carried out a 15-year-long deception, pretending to neighbours and the authorities that they were still alive.

They sent Christmas cards, forged signatures and set up timers in the house where Susan's parents had lived to keep up the pretence for a decade and a half.

The Wycherley's bank accounts were closed and a new one set up which allowed the couple to syphon nearly £250,000 from her parents, from state benefits payments, pensions and the eventual selling of their home.

The couple were only discovered after a group tried to get in touch with Mr Wycherley, at the point he would have turned 100, prompting them to flee to France.

The police dug up the back garden after Christopher Edwards contacted his stepmother to ask for help and she tipped them off.

The two-and-a-half-week trial at Nottingham Crown Court heard that until they were exhumed in 2013, relatives and officials had no idea the Wycherleys had died in 1998.

One letter written by the Edwards in December 2007, nine years after the killings, reads: "Actually, my father is remarkably fit for his age - as well as being more adventurous than in younger years, as his Ireland travels would show!"

The Edwards stole more than £173,000 from the Wycherley's bank accounts benefits and pensions. They made a further £66,000 from selling the couple's home.

Police found the bodies wrapped in bedding in a grave beside a fence near the back door of the property.

Susan Edwards had claimed that she heard a bang whilst staying with her parents and found her father lying on the bedroom floor and her mother with a gun in her hand.

She claimed a row broke out and Mrs Wycherley said she'd had a sexual relationship with Christopher Edwards.

Christine Edwards, 58, claimed she 'flipped' and shot her mother after grabbing the gun, hence her plea of guilty to manslaughter.

The Edwards fled to France after they received a letter from the Centenarian Society asking to speak to Mr Wycherley at the approach of what would have been his 100th birthday.

Christopher Edwards' mother contacted police after he asked her for money and confessed to helping his wife bury her parents 15 years earlier.

The couple were traced to France. Then on October 30 the couple contacted the officer in charge, Detective Chief Inspector Rob Griffin and gave themselves up to UK Border force authorities.

DCI Griffin said: "To think that a couple such as the Edwards can plan to kill their parents, parents in law, bury them in their own garden and then maintain the pretence that they were still alive for 15 years whilst stealing all their money is exceptionally unusual.

"It was straightforwardly about money. There was a history of financial fall out between Susan and her parents where they, in her eyes, took her life inheritance from her step-grandmother spending that money on a house and then going on to sell the house and banking the money for themselves. She was aggrieved."

In another bizarre twist it was revealed that Susan Edwards had an obsession with celebrities. She faked a decade long writing relationship with French film star Gerard Depardieu and spent thousands of pounds buying letters written by the Hollywood star Gary Cooper.

They  were found to be  £160,000 in debt, depsite stealing a total of £245,000 from the Wycherley's. When arrested Police found they held only one euro in cash

More follows...

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One Direction's Louis In Doncaster Takeover

A takeover of Doncaster by One Direction singer Louis Tomlinson and former club owner John Ryan has been completed.

A spokesman for Ryan told Press Association Sport that the deal had been completed and would be explained in detail at a press conference in London.

Twenty-two-year-old Tomlinson is a global star as one member of One Direction and is a lifelong fan of his hometown club.

He played for their reserve side against Barnsley earlier this year and had been close to a takeover before, but a move was twice delayed because of negotiations over image rights.

They have now been resolved and Ryan's spokesman said: "It's done, the takeover is complete."

One Direction are one of the world's biggest bands

Businessman Ryan, who ended his 15-year association with Rovers in November, has extensive football experience and oversaw Doncaster's rise from non-league to the Championship as well as their move from Belle Vue to the Keepmoat Stadium before stepping aside in November to allow Terry Bramall and Dick Watson to take over.

The initial delay had related to Tomlinson's image rights, which are owned by his management team and would entitle them to a share of any money generated from the use of his image or name.

They believe that interest in the club will increase as a result of Tomlinson's ownership and it is understood they battled for a share of any extra revenue made through merchandise and extra ticket sales.

Tomlinson signed on as a player at the start of the season in a move to make money for the Bluebell Wood charity and turned out in front of nearly 10,000 fans for the reserve team in February.

One Direction, also made up of Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Niall Horan and Zayn Malik, are currently on the European leg of their tour.

Their next concert is in France on Friday.

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Virgin Trains To Boost West Coast Mainline

Virgin Trains has promised to boost rail service on the West Coast mainline network, after winning an extension to its franchise.

It said "significant improvements" would be brought in as part of the franchise continuation until March 2017.

The increases will include conversion of first class to standard seating, free super-fast Wi-Fi and new services.

Virgin previously lost the franchise to FirstGroup as part of a new 13-year West Coast contract.

However the award process was stopped by the Department for Transport (DfT) over irregularities in the bidding process.

The decision allowed Virgin to run the line on a temporary basis until November.

Virgin is to pay £430m to the Government during the new extended contact, at a rate of £155.3m a year.

That is a 58% increase on the £98.1m a year paid in the temporary contract.

The West Coast service carries more than 30 million passengers a year between London, the West Midlands, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Strathclyde and Lothian.

The operator said 21 trains would have a first class carriage reconfigured to standard class, boosting seating capacity by 2,100 per day.

It also plans to launch a direct services between Shrewsbury, Blackpool and London before Christmas.

The Office of Rail Regulation has previously rejected an application by Virgin to run additional services because of limited capacity.

Virgin will fit 76 of its Pendolino and Super Voyager trains with 4G superfast Wi-Fi.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: "This deal will provide thousands more seats and better journeys for the tens of thousands of passengers who use these services every day.

"The West Coast provides a vital artery between London and Scotland and it is crucial we do everything we can to improve services on this much-used route."

Virgin Trains executive chairman Patrick McCall added: "We're delighted to have reached a deal after some tough negotiations with the DfT.

"It puts the problems of 2012 firmly behind us, and shows the clear benefits of a well-run franchise system."

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Npower Risks Telesales Ban Over Billing Woes

By Poppy Trowbridge, Consumer Affairs Correspondent

The energy regulator has given 'big six' supplier nPower until August to remedy "major billing issues" amid a threat of massive penalties over customer service failings.

Ofgem said nPower will be required to publish monthly progress updates until the problems are resolved.

The watchdog also announced it has launched an investigation into nPower's customer service failings.

It said that if it was found to have broken rules on customer service it risks fines of up to £300m - 10% of its sales - as a result.

It is the first case opened under the regulators' new standards of conduct and could lead to a financial penalty or redress payment if they are found to have broken rules.

With about 15% of the market, nPower has struggled with its billing system for the past year.

Many customers have been left not knowing what they owed and when as delays in billing mounted.

Npower has topped the 'big six' complaints table every quarter since the end of 2012, amid promises to improve service.

Ofgem senior partner in charge of enforcement Sarah Harrison said: "Ofgem has been monitoring nPower's service closely and we have been increasingly concerned about the slow progress to tackle failings.

"Npower's recovery plan has not delivered as far and fast as is necessary.

"Our analysis of complaints data also raises some serious concerns which will be thoroughly examined in our investigation."

In December, nPower was fined £1m by Ofgem and banned from door-to-door selling.

Since then the energy giant has halved the number of billing problems, according to Ofgem.

In response to the Ofgem decision, nPower chief executive Paul Massara said: "We are committed to getting things right for our customers but recognise that despite the progress we have made our current billing standards have fallen short of where everyone wants them to be.

"We are happy to provide the assurances agreed with Ofgem, with whom we share the same objective of getting our customer service to where it needs to be.

"We will cooperate with Ofgem on the investigation they have announced.

Mr Massara added: "We are confident that the measures we are already taking and the additional resource announced today will bring our customer service back to normal levels of performance by the end of August.

"If we have not met this late bill target by then, we will suspend all outbound telesales activity to new customers and not sell additional fuels to existing single fuel customers until we do."

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Miliband Under Pressure Over Unpopularity

Ed Miliband's leadership is under increasing pressure after a slew of negative polls and comments from former New Labour stalwarts.

The Labour leader's popularity is now at its lowest, behind even Nick Clegg, who was previously seen as the barometer of unpopularity.

A YouGov poll on Thursday found that 60% of voters think Mr Miliband is not up to the job of prime minister - of those 43% were Labour voters.

The survey for Prospect magazine also found more people thought Mr Miliband's brother, David, would make a better premier.

An IPSOS Mori poll for the Evening Standard yesterday found 49% of voters thought Mr Miliband should be replaced.

Former cabinet minister Lord Mandelson failed to back Mr Miliband firmly saying he was the "leader we have".

Voters think Ed Miliband's brother David would be the better leader

Alan Johnson, former home secretary, further highlighted Mr Miliband's unpopularity by saying the Labour leader was not a hit on the doorstep.

Speaking as he unveiled a new tough policy on benefits, Mr Miliband said he was happy he could "defy the odds" and win next year's election.

He said he would not provide "continuity Labour" and said he was happy to listen to the advice of people like Lord Mandelson, but added that while the 2015 election would be a tough fight, he was determined to win.

The results of the poll will, however, make worrying reading for the Labour party just a year out from the General Election.

Mr Miliband suffered a gaffe-prone local and European election campaign, forgetting the name of the Labour Party council leader he was campaigning for in Swindon and failing to get a handle on his shopping bill.

Lord Mandelson: 'He's the leader we have'

He was also mocked over unflattering pictures of him eating a bacon sandwich.

And more recently he apologised for posing with the copy of The Sun to promote its World Cup edition.

Asked on the BBC's Newsnight whether Mr Miliband was the best leader for the party, Lord Mandelson said: "In my view he is the leader we have and therefore the leader I support, and somebody who I believe is capable of leading the party to victory."

He said: "What Ed is trying to do is approach politics in a rather different way from the way in which Tony Blair and New Labour approached it.

"It may work. It may well be successful. I would say to you that electoral arithmetic is probably on his side."

He said the leader had some good policies but had failed to win through with his personality and needed to create a "convincing vivid narrative" about what he stood for.

Alan Johnson told the New Statesman magazine the Labour leader was "not as able to connect (with people) as strongly" as his brother David.

He said: "It's not his strong point I can't pretend that, knocking on doors, people come out and they're really enthusiastic about Ed."

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PM Warns Iraq Terrorists Will 'Hit UK At Home'

Timeline: How The Iraq Crisis Unfolded

Updated: 2:12pm UK, Tuesday 17 June 2014

A look back at the main events in the Iraq crisis, which has seen Sunni insurgents from the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terror group move to within 50 miles of the capital Baghdad.

December 2011: US troops complete their withdrawal after the 2003 invasion which led to the removal of Saddam Hussein.

August 2013: More than 70 people are killed in attacks at the end of Ramadan. ISIS claim responsibility.

January 2-4, 2014: ISIS declares itself in control of the western city of Fallujah and parts of Ramadi following clashes sparked by the clearing of a Sunni-Arab protest camp.

February: al Qaeda formally disowns ISIS, which was at one time an affiliate, because of its extreme methods.

April: Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki wins the most seats in a general election.

June 10: ISIS seizes all of Nineveh province in the north, including the capital Mosul - Iraq's second city. Mr Maliki asks parliament to declare a state of emergency.

June 11: The militants launch a wave of attacks further south, taking Tikrit and freeing hundreds of prisoners in Baiji. An assault on Samarra, 70 miles (110km) north of Baghdad, is repelled by security forces.

June 12: Iraq's air force strikes fighters' positions near Mosul and Tikrit.

US President Barack Obama says he is looking at "all the options" to help the government, which fails to secure authorisation for a state of emergency.

The army abandons its bases in Kirkuk, leaving Kurdish Peshmerga troops to take control.

June 13: A top Shia cleric issues a call to arms, telling the population to take up arms and defend their country.

Mr Maliki claims government forces have started to clear cities of "terrorists" and implements an emergency plan to protect Baghdad.

President Obama rules out sending back troops to fight ISIS.

The rebels move into the towns of Saadiyah and Jalawla in eastern province of Diyala.

June 14: Iran offers to work with the US to tackle the crisis, as Britain pledges an initial £3m in emergency aid to help refugees fleeing the violence.

The Iraqi army's fightback continues, with forces retaking the towns of Ishaqi, al-Mutasim and Duluiyah in Salaheddin province.

Troops also regain much of Tikrit, Saddam Hussein's home town.

US aircraft carrier USS George HW Bush is ordered to the Persian Gulf.

June 15: Photos emerge appearing to show an ISIS massacre of 1,700 captured government soldiers. Baghdad says number is exaggerated.

Reports say militants have overrun Tal Afar, the largest town in Nineveh province.

A bombing in central Baghdad leaves 15 people dead and dozens injured.

Former PM Tony Blair tells Sky News that critics who believe the violence is the result of the 2003 invasion are "profoundly mistaken".

June 16: Video footage purporting to show an ISIS fighter questioning and killing unarmed Iraqi soldiers draws condemnation.

ISIS takes control of Tal Afar and the al Adhim area of Diyala province.

US Secretary of State John Kerry says Washington is "open to discussions with Iran".

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Croydon Rave Death: CCTV Images Released

Police investigating the death of a teenager who died after attending an illegal rave have released photographs of seven men they want to speak to.

Rio Andrew died after falling ill at the illegal party at a disused sorting office in Cherry Orchard Road, Croydon, south London, in the early hours of Sunday.

Rio Andrew collapsed at the rave and died a day later in hospital

The 15-year-old, from Notting Hill in London, was at the party with friends.

He collapsed during the event and was taken to hospital where he died on Monday.

A 19-year-old remains in hospital after also falling ill.

Scotland Yard have stressed they do not believe any of the men captured on CCTV images were involved in the teenager's death.

They have appealed for the men to come forward because they believe they might have information about disorder during and after the rave.

Commander Simon Letchford said: "The behaviour of some of those attending this illegal rave and the direct attacks on officers who were there to maintain public safety is completely unacceptable.

"We will identify all those responsible and bring them to justice."

Nine people were arrested during the rave - and a further five people have been arrested today - bringing the total to 14.

Offences range from violent disorder and money laundering to drugs offences, handling stolen goods and criminal damage.

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Primodos Row: Watchdog Took Years To Warn GPs

By Jason Farrell, Political Correspondent

The Government medicines watchdog took years to warn doctors about a pregnancy test drug that may have caused deformities in babies in the womb, Sky News has learned.

The drug Primodos, a hormone pregnancy test, was prescribed by GPs across England in the 1960s and 70s - and was taken by 1.5 million British women.

But Sky News has found it was not licenced to be used in pregnancy after 1970 amid concerns about its effect on the foetus.

Freedom of Information Requests to the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) revealed letters were written to doctors - but not until five years later in 1975 when a warning was also placed on the packet. 

Then called the Committee on Safety of Medicines, the watchdog warned GPs of concerns about "an increased incidence of congenital abnormalities" in babies born to women who took the drug.

They wrote: "On the present evidence, the Committee believe that it is possible that the use of these preparations for the diagnosis of pregnancy could on occasion lead to abnormalities of the foetus."

Even after this, thousands of prescriptions were given to women until 1977 when the Committee sent a second letter to GPs saying the association had been confirmed. After this prescriptions ceased.

However, the MHRA said in a statement: "We do not hold any such letters and are not aware that any were sent by the CSM about Primodos or hormone pregnancy tests at that time. Nor are we able to comment on whether a letter should have been sent."

For years campaigners with deformities allegedly caused by the drug have challenged the German drug company Shearing, now owned by Bayer, to accept responsibility. The company however insists no link has been shown.

The MHRA says it's not aware of letters about Primodos

Three years ago Sky News conducted an exclusive investigation speaking to retired researchers who originally raised concerns about the drug.

One of them, Dr Isobel Gal who conducted research at Queen Mary's Hospital for Children in Surrey, told Sky News how she spent a decade trying to persuade people of the link.

Documents seen by Sky News, that have been sealed in the National Archives for 30 years, show CSM officials admitted they made mistakes while rudely dismissing Ms Gal and her research.

They, along with other letters about the drug, were found by an alleged victim of Primodos, Nichola Walton, who suffers from stomach and spinal abnormalities.

Campaigners want the drug company to admit responsibility

She said: "They've covered so many things up so many times. So many victims have already passed.

"So many parents have buried their children and they've not been able to see the evidence. They've not been able to explain. I just think it is appalling."

In a statement Bayer, which took over Shering, told Sky News: "UK litigation in respect of Primodos, against Schering (which is now owned by Bayer), ended in 1982 when the claimants' legal team, with the approval of the court, decided to discontinue the litigation on the grounds that there was no realistic possibility of showing that Primodos caused the congenital abnormalities alleged."

They also said that any use of Primodos as a pregnancy test after 1970 would have been "off-label".

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Fatal Attack Victim Was Wearing Muslim Dress

A woman has died after being attacked in Colchester - and police say her full Muslim dress and veil may have been a factor.

The unnamed woman was walking on the Salary Brook Trail at 10.40am yesterday when she was violently beaten.

Paramedics tried to save her but she died at the scene from injuries to her head and body.

Essex Police have said the woman, who was in her 30s, was wearing a dark navy blue full length robe (known as an Abaya) and a patterned multi-coloured Hijab headscarf.

More follows...

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McCanns Angry As Libel Trial Is Delayed Again

The McCanns have described a delay to a libel trial against a Portuguese policeman which had been due to end as "cynical".

Kate and Gerry, the parents of Madeleine McCann, had been due to speak at the trial of former police chief Goncalo Amaral, who was accused of making defamatory statements about them in a book he wrote.

At the last minute, Mr Goncalo's lawyers submitted a letter to the court asking for a postponement.

The couple had been expected to deliver emotional statements in the trial of Mr Amaral, which they had been unable to do until the trial's end.

The McCanns claim Mr Amaral's 2008 book The Truth Of The Lie included allegations they had hidden Madeleine's body after she died in an accident and faked an abduction which damaged the search for the missing girl and added to their anguish.

Madeleine went missing in May 2007 from the couple's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz on the Algarve and despite a worldwide hunt, she has never been found.

British and Portuguese police have been examining patches of ground in Praia da Luz in the last few weeks but have had no success.

Gerry McCann said: "Today is a blatant and cynical attempt to wear us down.

"The hearing has been cancelled once again at Mr Amaral's request. This is the fourth time that this has happened and we've travelled to Portugal.

Kate McCann shows the strain as she is interviewed by Portuguese media

"The legal case has been running now for five years and we want to get justice for Madeleine. It's Madeleine who is suffering. We are not going to give up. We are going to keep going."

Mrs McCann, her voice cracking with the strain as she was surrounded by the Portuguese media, added: "We need to make it clear to people that we took on this case because of the pain and distress that Mr Amaral has brought to us and our children.

"Every time he postpones the case like this it brings us more pain and distress. Every time we come here we have to make arrangements for our children to be looked after, we have to book flights, we have to book hotels, we have to take time off work.

"Mr Amaral apparently handed that letter in at nine o'clock this morning. That letter could have been handed in before we left the country. As Gerry said, can this be seen as anything but blatant and cynical?

"We just want justice. This is not fair."

In October, Mr McCann's sister Trish Cameron told the libel trial the couple's pain was "multiplied 100 times" by the book.

If the court rules against Mr Amaral, the McCanns could receive around £1m in damages.

Mr McCann later said that no evidence had been found to show Madeleine had been injured or killed and, as a result they believed that, "as far as we are concerned there's a good chance she's still alive".

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Forced Marriage Becomes Criminal Act In UK

A new law criminalising forced marriages which comes into effect today could protect thousands of potential victims.

Forcing someone into marriage in England and Wales will carry a maximum seven-year jail sentence under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

The change also criminalises forcing a British national into marriage outside the UK.

Home Secretary Theresa May said: "Forced marriage is a tragedy for each and every victim, and its very nature means that many cases go unreported.

"I am proud to say that the UK is already a world-leader in the fight to stamp out this harmful practice with the Government's Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) working hard to tackle this terrible practice in the UK and overseas."

Mrs May has joined anti-child marriage charity Freedom, police, the Crown Prosecution Service and a victim of forced marriage in a Freedom2Choose campaign video.

A forced marriage is where one or both spouses do not consent and are coerced into it through physical, psychological, financial, sexual or emotional pressure.

The Home Office has said the FMU gave advice or support in a possible forced marriage to more than 1,300 people in 2013.

Freedom founder Aneeta Prem said: "In the most tragic cases, people forced into marriage become domestic slaves by day and sexual slaves by night.

"Today's announcement sends out a powerful message that this indefensible abuse of human rights will not be tolerated."

Last week, the NSPCC said children as young as 12 were calling ChildLine about forced marriage, with numbers up two-thirds in the last year.

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Chinese PM Flies In For 'Fruitful' UK Summit

By Mark Stone, China Correspondent

The Chinese Prime Minister arrives in London today ahead of a UK-Chinese Summit on Tuesday at which £17 billion of trade deals are expected to be signed.

Li Keqiang's trip to the UK is his first since he became PM last year.

He is travelling with a large delegation of ministers and officials from China's ruling Communist Party.

The visit indicates a desire by both sides to move on from political differences which have caused tensions over the past two years.

China's Vice-Foreign Minister, Wang Chao, told Sky News the trip was of "great significance".

"It will advance China-UK relations in a positive way," Mr Wang said.

Premier Li will hold talks with David Cameron and will meet the Queen.

Reports last week suggested the Chinese government had threatened to call off the trip if an audience with the Queen was not arranged.

However, China's ambassador to the UK said that was "a misreading of the situation".

"It's not how China does diplomacy. We are more subtle," Liu Xiaoming said.

David Cameron visited China back in December

Premier Li will make several speeches to Chinese and British businesses and to think-tanks.

Aware the world is watching a slowing Chinese economy, Mr Li is likely to use London as a platform to reassure investors and governments globally.

GDP growth in the first quarter of 2014 was 7.4%, an 18-month low.

Foreign diplomats and economists have expressed some concern that provincial and regional economies are showing alarming signs of slowdown.

The coal-rich city of Taiyuan in Shanxi Province grew by 11.9% in the first quarter of 2013.

In the same period this year it grew just 0.1% largely because of a dramatic drop in the demand for coal.

At a provincial level, Hebei province, right next to Beijing, grew 8.2% in 2013.

In the last quarter of this year, its growth was half that.

The year-end growth target for China in 2014 is 7.5%, but the government has signalled a degree of flexibility in that target.

Joining Premier Li's delegation are more than 200 Chinese business leaders.

Chancellor George Osborne spent five days in China in October

Ambassador Liu told a briefing in London that more than 40 deals will be signed, worth at least £17bn.

Trade between the UK and China reached £41bn in 2013.

Mr Wang said the UK is now China's third largest trading partner in European Union and has become a major destination for China's overseas investment.

He said the trip would be "fruitful ... with a warm atmosphere."

In an October visit to China, British Chancellor George Osborne signed deals securing Chinese cash for the next generation of nuclear power stations.

There has been considerable speculation Chinese funding may also help to build Britain's new high-speed rail link, HS2.

The Chinese have proved themselves to be a major player in the rail sector.

Britain's strengths in both the financial, services and consumer sectors will benefit as China shifts to a more consumer-led economy.

Health, education and green energy are all areas which could be boosted through further investment in China. The City of London is to become a major trading hub for Chinese currency.

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Boy, 7, Dies After Ballycastle Cliff Fall

A seven-year-old boy has died after falling from cliffs at a caravan park at Ballycastle, Co Antrim.

The boy was taken to hospital by Royal Navy helicopter after he was found following an extensive search by rescue services on Sunday evening.

Police were alerted after the boy went missing from the Silver Cliffs caravan park.

Belfast Coastguard said: "We coordinated the search for a child who was missing near cliffs close to the Silvercliff Caravan Park at Ballycastle.

"The Ballycastle and Coleraine Coastguard Rescue Teams, a police helicopter, the Royal Navy rescue helicopter from Prestwick and the Portrush and Red Bay RNLI lifeboats all searched for the missing child.

"The child was found at the base of the cliffs and was taken by the Royal Navy helicopter to Coleraine Hospital."

A police spokesman said: "Shortly before 7.15pm, it was reported that the boy fell from a cliff into the sea.

"Northern Ireland Coastguard recovered the boy from the sea and he was airlifted to a nearby hospital, but later died as a result of his injuries.

"Inquiries are continuing."

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England Physio Injures Ankle Celebrating Goal

Gary Lewin will be flying home from the World Cup early after dislocating his ankle while celebrating a goal.

Staff rush to attend to Mr Lewin as he lies on the turf

The 50-year-old jumped off the bench to celebrate Daniel Sturridge's first half equaliser against Italy in Manaus, but hurt his ankle in the process when he landed on a water bottle.

He received treatment on the pitch and was carried off on a stretcher and taken to hospital.

A doctor set his ankle before Mr Lewin was taken to hospital

Speaking after the match, which finished 2-1 to Italy, manager Roy Hodgson said it was a "very sad moment".

He said: "In celebrating the goal he jumped up, landed on a water bottle and dislocated his ankle.

The 50-year-old will now fly home to recover

"It was very painful. He was taken to hospital.

"The doctor set it, put it back in at the side of the field, but it's the end of the World Cup for Gary."

Manager Roy Hodgson said the injury was a "very sad moment"

Former England and Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand wrote on Twitter: "What happened to running it off??? The magic spray & sponge??? Our Physio Gary Lewin has to man up!!"

He later apologised, tweeting: "Was only having a bit of banter but just found out that Gary Lewin's injury was serious so apologies for previous tweets on the injury. My bad."

Mr Lewin will be replaced by assistant Steve Kemp

Lewin's assistant Steve Kemp will take over for the rest of the tournament.

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World Cup: England Defeated By Italy In Brazil

England have suffered a narrow defeat in their opening match of the 2014 World Cup, losing 2-1 to Italy in Manaus.

Italy opened the scoring with a Claudio Marchisio goal in the 35th minute, only for England to strike back when Daniel Sturridge scored from a Wayne Rooney cross.

The winning goal came for Italy in the 51st minute when Mario Balotelli scored with a header shortly after the half-time break.

Roy Hodgson's side had several unsuccessful attacking efforts as they tried to get back into the game, but Italy's Salvatore Sirigu put in a strong performance in goal.

Claudio Marchisio opens the scoring for Italy in the 35th minute

There was an unusual injury for the England squad when the team's physio, Gary Lewin, dislocated his ankle while celebrating Sturridge's goal.

Lewin was carried off the sidelines after suffering the injury in the 37th minute.

The win sees Italy join Costa Rica on three points at the top of Group D.

England physio Gary Lewin receives treatment on the sidelines

A disappointed Steven Gerrard said after the match: "Italy are a good team and we knew how they were going to play it.

"It's disappointing because we put so much into it."

Hodgson selected an attacking line-up for his team's opening clash of the tournament.

The England team prepare to take on Italy at the Arena Amazonia

Liverpool's Raheem Sterling was named alongside Danny Welbeck and Wayne Rooney in the midfield.

Italy confirmed before the match that their captain and goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon would miss the fixture because of an injury.

Hodgson had expressed his confidence in the team's pre-tournament preparations.

Some 5,000 England fans have travelled up the Amazon to back the team

"I think we are well prepared. I don't think we are concerned about the heat and humidity because we have been training in heat and humidity," he said.

The game at the Arena Amazonia was the first competitive encounter between the teams since Italy beat England in the 2012 European Championship quarter-finals.

Some 5,000 England fans travelled up the Amazon to support the side.

Raheem Sterling takes a shot at goal in the opening minutes

Supporters at home filled the pubs, which were allowed to stay open late for the match after the Home Office announced that licensing laws would be relaxed.

Extra buses were laid on in London to get fans home, however the Tube did not run later than normal.

Police had issued a warning urging people not to drink too much and "wake up in a police cell".

Daniel Sturridge celebrates his goal in the 37th minute

Chief Superintendent Andy Prophet from Essex Police said: "The tournament is a celebration of football and a chance to feel national pride.

"It is however just a game and can never be an excuse for violence or disorder.

"I hope everyone enjoys the World Cup, but experience tells us we need to plan for the minority who spoil things.

Roy Hodgson said his team prepared for the match as well as possible

"My message to anyone planning to go out tonight is have a great time, enjoy the game but please be sensible."

Prime Minister David Cameron sent a good luck message ahead of the match, saying the country is behind the England team "every step of the way".

"On behalf of the whole country I want to wish the England team the very best of luck for the World Cup," Mr Cameron said.

"There is nothing like a World Cup to bring our country together."

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'Allo! 'Allo! Actor Sam Kelly Dies Aged 70

British actor Sam Kelly, best known for his role as Captain Hans Geering in 'Allo! 'Allo!, has died at the age of 70.

The star's agent Lynda Ronan said Kelly died "peacefully" after a long illness and that he left a "host of friends who were his chosen family".

Kelly appeared in On The Up and Barbara as well as Porridge, and he recently played the wizard in West End musical Wicked.

Ms Ronan said: "Sam Kelly died peacefully this morning after a long illness bravely fought.

"He does not leave any family but a host of friends who were his chosen family. His death is a great loss to them and the profession."

Paying tribute on Twitter, Stephen Fry tweeted: "Very saddened to hear about Sam Kelly's death.

"He played a splendid Hitler in a comedy drama called Stalag Luft I made with Nick Lyndhurst..."

Former Doctor Who, Colin Baker, tweeted: "Cannot believe that lovely Sam Kelly has died.

"We were at drama school together - lovely, funny, talented chap. So sad."

Citizen Smith and My Family star Robert Lindsay said he would dedicate his West End showing of stage show Dirty Rotten Scoundrels on Saturday night to Kelly.

He tweeted: "Feel so depressed about the amazing Sam Kelly's passing how do we manage a second comic musical tonight? We dedicate it to him RIP."

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William More Popular Than The Queen - Poll

Despite having just celebrated her official birthday, the Queen is not as popular as her grandson Prince William, according to a survey.

Of the 2,000-plus people surveyed by ComRes for the Sunday Mirror and Independent on Sunday, 68% expressed a "favourable" view of the young royal compared with 63% for his grandmother.

Prince Charles lagged well behind on 43% but even the heir to the throne enjoyed a better rating than any of the Westminster figures.

The royals are significantly more popular than Britain's best-known politicians.

London Mayor Boris Johnson came closest to a regal score on 41% - with Prime Minister David Cameron pipping UKIP's Nigel Farage by 28% to 26%.

Fewer than one in five said they saw Labour leader Ed Miliband in a good light (19%) - fewer than Foreign Secretary William Hague (25%) and on a par with Chancellor George Osborne.

After their recent public row, Theresa May retains more public favour than Michael Gove (16% to 9%) - with the Education Secretary also attracting significantly more dislikes.

Ms May is significantly better liked by Tory supporters.

Reflecting his party's woeful poll showings, Liberal Democrat Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg is admired by only 13%.

The poll showed a narrowing of Labour's lead over the Tories to 34% versus 32% - the smallest gap for almost two-and-a-half years in ComRes online research.

UKIP and the Liberal Democrats shed a point each to stand at 18% and 7%.

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