Beheading Devastates Aid Worker's Home Town

By Nick Martin, North of England Correspondent, in Eccles 

News of the murder of Alan Henning has shocked those who live in his home town of Eccles in Greater Manchester.

The 47-year-old worked as a taxi driver here before deciding to join an aid convoy to Syria last Christmas.

Vigils had been held for Mr Henning in churches, mosques and community centres over the past two weeks.

Yellow ribbons adorned lamposts and railings across Mr Henning's home town

The Rt Rev David Walker, Bishop of Manchester, said the "brutality" of the Islamic State would unite the community.

"In his life Alan Henning united people across the boundaries of nationality and faith.

Video: Shock At Murder Of Alan Henning

"He did so both through his humanitarian actions and by the love that drove him on.

"That his tragic death continues to unite people across Britain and beyond is demonstrated today by the range of people and organisations paying him tribute.

"To ISIS we say 'You no longer have the power to shock us, now you just sicken us.

Video: PM Pledges 'All Assets' Against IS

"Your brutality, against any who don't share your narrow, perverted world view, doesn't undermine our determination, it stiffens our resolve.

"Your destiny is not to be a force in human history, merely one of its sad footnotes'."

Orlando Napolitano, 68, who runs a cafe in Salford, where Mr Henning was a regular has spoken of his shock at his friend's murder.

Video: UK Muslims 'Disgusted'

"He was just a nice guy. I will never forget him," he told Sky News.

Local Pastor Bill Green, from the Gateway Community Church, had led some of the vigils.

He told Sky News: "Eccles is waking up to horrific news. People will be devastated. It's a close-knit community especially where Alan and his family live and I'd like to send my sympathies to Barbara and family at this time.

Video: Even Al Qaeda Could Not Free Alan

"The people of this town never lost hope we always thought there was a chance that he might come back and we came together and prayed that would happen. It hasn't happened."

Yellow ribbons adorned lamposts and railings across the town in a symbol of hope for Mr Henning.

Just days ago his wife Barbara made an emotional plea to the Islamic State for her husband's safe return.

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1. Gallery: Profile: Alan Henning

   Alan Henning, 47, was born in Salford, Greater Manchester. Friends gave him the nickname "gadget" due to his love of technology

2. He was married for 23 years and he had a teenage son and daughter

3. He worked as a self-employed taxi driver

4. Mr Henning saw the plight of Syrian people and volunteered with a Muslim charity. He had been to the region at least three times

5. He drove life-saving medical equipment from the UK to Syria in old ambulances. He left in December 2013 to make the 4,000-mile trip

6. He was kidnapped by IS in Syria by masked men. He may have been held in Ad Dana near Aleppo, then Raqqa

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British Hostages Held By IS: Timeline

Islamic State militants have beheaded British aid worker Alan Henning, less than three weeks after the murder of David Haines. Here is a timeline from the moment they emerged in online videos.

2 September - A masked IS fighter threatens to kill British hostage David Haines in the same video which shows the murder of US journalist Steven Sotloff.

5 September - Mr Haines' wife and four-year-old daughter are placed under protection after his life is threatened.

13 September - A video showing the beheading of David Haines by an apparent IS militant is posted online. Alan Henning is also threatened at the end of the video.

David Haines was shown being killed in a video released on 13 September

14 September - The UK hostage held by IS is identified as Alan Henning.

18 September - British journalist John Cantlie appears in an Islamic State video in which he says he will show "the truth" about the group.

Video: Islamic State: Audio Of Threat

19 September - British Muslim scholars call for the release of Alan Henning and say killing him would be against Sharia law.

20 September - David Cameron makes a statement at Downing Street about the murder of aid worker David Haines.

21 September - Alan Henning's wife Barbara describes him as a "selfless man" as she pleads for him to be released.

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1. Gallery: Profile: Alan Henning

   Alan Henning, 47, was born in Salford, Greater Manchester. Friends gave him the nickname "gadget" due to his love of technology

2. He was married for 23 years and he had a teenage son and daughter

3. He worked as a self-employed taxi driver

4. Mr Henning saw the plight of Syrian people and volunteered with a Muslim charity. He had been to the region at least three times

5. He drove life-saving medical equipment from the UK to Syria in old ambulances. He left in December 2013 to make the 4,000-mile trip

6. He was kidnapped by IS in Syria by masked men. He may have been held in Ad Dana near Aleppo, then Raqqa

22 September - Colleagues of Mr Henning appeal for his release.

24 September - In an audio recording released to Barbara Henning, Alan can be heard pleading for his life.

30 September - In a video plea, Mrs Henning says her husband has been cleared by a Sharia court and again calls for his release.

Video: IS Hostages Kept On The Move

3 October - A video showing the beheading of Alan Henning is posted online. US citizen Peter Edward Kassig is threatened at the end of the video.

:: Full coverage on Sky News – watch Sky 501, Virgin Media 602, Freesat 202, Freeview 132.

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Muslims Say Beheadings Are An Insult To Islam

Muslims have condemned the murder of aid worker Alan Henning, branding it a "cowardly and criminal act".

In a strongly worded statement, the Muslims of the North Of England said Mr Henning had been a "local and national hero" and called for justice to be carried out on his killers.

Muslim leaders said the beheading of Mr Henning had been carried out on the eve of the "great day of mercy" (Eid Al-Adha) in the Islamic calendar, which set the terrorists apart from ordinary Muslims.

Alan Henning's widow, Barbara

And they condemned the way in which the jihadists had toyed with the family's emotions.

"The killing of Alan Henning was a cowardly and criminal act of appalling brutality by a group who do not represent Islam at all and in fact are an insult to the Islamic faith," they said in a statement.

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1. Gallery: Profile: Alan Henning

   Alan Henning, 47, was born in Salford, Greater Manchester. Friends gave him the nickname "gadget" due to his love of technology

2. He was married for 23 years and he had a teenage son and daughter

3. He worked as a self-employed taxi driver

4. Mr Henning saw the plight of Syrian people and volunteered with a Muslim charity. He had been to the region at least three times

5. He drove life-saving medical equipment from the UK to Syria in old ambulances. He left in December 2013 to make the 4,000-mile trip

6. He was kidnapped by IS in Syria by masked men. He may have been held in Ad Dana near Aleppo, then Raqqa

"The killing of Alan Henning marks the beginning of the end of this group. We now call for justice to be carried out on the killers of Alan Henning."

Speaking to Sky News, Naved Siddiqi of the Islamic Society of Britain, said there were "very clear distinctions" between the jihadists and ordinary Muslims.

He said that what had sickened people most was the "way in which they were toying with the family. Giving them a glimmer of hope".

Video: Latest Analysis: Sky's Joey Jones

Mr Siddiqi said Muslim leaders were still trying to understand why young Muslims were travelling out to Syria and Iraq to join Islamic State fighters.

He said he thought a great number were expecting to find "some sort of utopia" and only by questioning them on their return could the Muslim community understand why those born and brought up in Britain were seeking to join the terrorists.

Dr Shuja Shafi, Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain, said: "This reported murder is a despicable and offensive act, coming as it does on the eve of the Muslim festival of Eid Al-Adha.

Video: Eccles Pastor: 'It's Gut-wrenching'

"It is quite clear that the murderers of Alan Henning have no regard for Islam, or for the Muslims around the world who pleaded for his life.

"Alan was a friend of Muslims, and he will be mourned by Muslims.

"In this period of Hajj and this festival of Eid, Muslims remember the mercy of God and the emphasis God places on human life.

Video: Alan Henning Beheaded In IS Video

"Alan Henning's murderers have clearly gone against that spirit of Islam. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family."

Sara Khan of Inspire, an anti-extremist campaign group of British Muslim women, said: "The only thing that the killing of Alan has achieved is greater revulsion for ISIS and the fact that more people from across our world, within our communities, Muslims and non-Muslims alike, are united in their stance against their barbarity and inhumanity."

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PM Vows Justice For Alan Henning's Killers

David Cameron has vowed to do "everything we can" to "hunt down" Alan Henning's killers and bring them to justice.

Mr Cameron, who arrived back in the UK on Friday night after visiting troops in Iraq, has been meeting with officials from the Foreign Office, intelligence agencies and the military at Chequers, his official country residence.

He said: "We must do everything we can to hunt down and find the people who are responsible for this."

And he added: "We will use all the assets we have as we have been up to now to try and find these hostages, to try and help these hostages, to help their families and do everything we can to defeat this organisation which is utterly ruthless, senseless and barbaric in the way it treats people."

The Prime Minister also paid tribute to Mr Henning for his "kindness, peacefulness and gentleness".

Video: Even Al Qaeda Could Not Free Alan

A video lasting one minute and 11 seconds and titled Another Message To America And Its Allies, was posted on YouTube on Friday evening.

It shows Mr Henning, a taxi-driver who was captured on an aid mission in Syria on Boxing Day, kneeling in front of a knife-wielding militant in a desert setting before being beheaded in front of the camera.

Mr Henning, who is dressed in red, says: "I am Alan Henning. Because of our Parliament's decision to attack the Islamic State, I, as a member of the British public, will now pay the price for that decision."

Video: Latest Analysis: Sky's Joey Jones

The masked killer, who speaks with a British accent and is believed to be the man responsible for previous beheadings, makes a direct statement to Mr Cameron: "The blood of David Haines was on your hands, Cameron. Alan Henning will also be slaughtered, but his blood is on the hands of the British Parliament."

Last week MPs voted by a majority of 481 to join the US-led coalition and take part in airstrikes against Islamic State fighters in Iraq.

At the end of the video another hostage, a former US soldier turned charity worker believed to be Peter Edward Kassig, is paraded in front of the cameras. The militant in the video says Mr Kassig will be the next victim.

Video: Eccles Pastor: 'It's Gut-wrenching'

French president Francois Hollande spoke of his "outrage" at the killing, US president Barack Obama condemned the "brutal murder", and the United Nations Security Council described it as "heinous and cowardly".

The UK Muslim community condemned Mr Henning's murder, which came on the eve of the Islamic festival Eid Al-Adha - the "great day of mercy".

Leaders said it was a "cowardly and criminal act" and called for action to be taken to bring the terrorists to justice. They say they are struggling to understand why disaffected young people born and brought up in Britain are travelling to Syria to join Islamic State fighters.

Video: Terry Waite: Beheading 'Tragic'

There are fears the beheadings could lead to a backlash against the Muslim community.

Mr Henning's wife Barbara had made a number of emotional appeals to her husband's captors urging them to release him - most recently after they issued footage of him begging for his life.

In her appeal, Mrs Henning said: "Some say wrong time, wrong place. Alan was volunteering with his Muslim friends to help the people of Syria. He was in the right place doing the right thing."

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1. Gallery: Profile: Alan Henning

   Alan Henning, 47, was born in Salford, Greater Manchester. Friends gave him the nickname "gadget" due to his love of technology

2. He was married for 23 years and he had a teenage son and daughter

3. He worked as a self-employed taxi driver

4. Mr Henning saw the plight of Syrian people and volunteered with a Muslim charity. He had been to the region at least three times

5. He drove life-saving medical equipment from the UK to Syria in old ambulances. He left in December 2013 to make the 4,000-mile trip

6. He was kidnapped by IS in Syria by masked men. He may have been held in Ad Dana near Aleppo, then Raqqa

Bill Green, a pastor in Mr Henning's home town of Eccles, said the news had been "gut-wrenching" for the close-knit community. 

Kasim Jameel, from Bolton, who was with Mr Henning on the convoys, said: "Everyone that knew him from the convoys just can't stop crying, grown men with beards. We keep expecting him to come round the corner, and say, 'I was only joking'."

It comes as Bilal Abdul Kareem, who played part in the initial negotiations for Mr Henning's release when the father-of-two was first captured during an aid delivery in Syria, told Sky News even al Qaeda had tried to convince Islamic State fighters to release him.

Video: Wife Pleaded For Henning's Release

He said the terrorist group had tried to negotiate with the jihadists and added that even they had thought taking British aid workers hostages was "not a good idea".

:: Full coverage now on Sky News – watch Sky 501, Virgin Media 602, Freesat 202, Freeview 132.

Video: UK Muslims 'Disgusted'

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£3 Pill Stops You Wanting Second Glass Of Wine

Around 600,000 people in England and Wales who drink have half a bottle of wine a day are to be offered the first drug ever to be licensed to help reduce alcohol consumption.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) recommended the nalmefene tablet's use after trials showed it cut drinking by 61% over six months when used with counselling.

Experts claim the drug, which costs £3 a pill, could save as many as 1,854 lives over five years and prevent 43,074 alcohol-related diseases and injuries.

Nalmefene, also known as Selincro, is the only licensed medicine which helps people reduce their drinking rather than aiding them to stop drinking altogether.

Severe alcoholics and those who are able to cut down without help would not be eligible for the drug.

It is administered orally once a day and is taken when people feel the urge to drink.

It works by blocking the part of the brain which gives drinkers pleasure from alcohol, stopping them from wanting more than one drink.

Men drinking three to four pints of beer would be eligible for the drug

Men would qualify to receive the treatment if they consume 7.5 units of alcohol per day - around three to four pints of standard strength lager.

It would be offered to women who consume five units a day, which amounts to around half a bottle of wine.

Video: Female Drink-Driver Number Doubles

Professor Carole Longson, at Nice health technology evaluation centre, said: "Alcohol dependence is a serious issue for many people.

"Those who could be prescribed nalmefene have already taken the first big steps by visiting their doctor, engaging with support services and taking part in therapy programmes.

"We are pleased to be able to recommend the use of nalmefene to support people further in their efforts to fight alcohol dependence.

"When used alongside psychosocial support, nalmefene is clinically and cost effective for the NHS compared with psychosocial support alone."

A final decision to roll out the drug on the NHS in England at a cost of £288m a year will be taken in November.

It has been provided to patients in Scotland since October last year.

Video: Thousands Drinking During Pregnancy

Video: New Report On Drinking And Health

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Gerry McCann Says Make Example Of Web Trolls

Madeleine McCann's father has called for tougher action against web trolls after Sky News exposed a woman who abused his family online.

Gerry McCann said online abuse had caused "severe distress" to him and his wife Kate and that police should be more willing to prosecute the perpetrators.

He was speaking after Sky's Crime Correspondent Martin Brunt revealed in a special report that Scotland Yard is investigating a dossier of social media abuse targeting the McCanns - whose three-year-old daughter went missing on a family holiday in 2007.

When confronted over her actions, one of the trolls, who used the name "Sweepyface" online, told Sky News she believed she was "entitled" to attack the couple on Twitter.

Mr McCann said he had not read the Sweepyface tweets, but he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Clearly something needs to be done about the abuse on the internet. I think we probably need more people to be charged.

Video: Sky News Confronts McCann 'Troll'

"We do not have any significant presence on social media or online and I've got grave concerns about our children as they grow up and start to access the internet in an unsupervised capacity.

"People are threatening to kidnap our children, people are threatening violence against Kate and myself."

He said police should be more willing to charge internet trolls.

Video: Some Material 'Really Disturbing'

"I'm glad to see the law around this area has been reviewed. We need to make examples of people who are causing damage," he said.

"It causes us severe distress. There is so much vile nonsense written on the internet."

Mr McCann also branded the Sunday Times "disgraceful" after winning a £55,000 libel payout over a story which claimed the couple had deliberately hindered the search for Madeleine, who vanished in Praia da Luz.

Video: McCanns Abused On Social Media

He said the story showed there had been no change in the newspaper industry as a result of the Leveson Inquiry.

"This damaged us, it damaged the reputation of the fund and it quite potentially can damage the search for Madeleine," he said. 

Video: Special Report: McCann Trolls

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Anni Dewani Sister 'Haunted' By Lost Opportunity

By Martin Brunt, Crime Correspondent

The parents of murdered bride Anni Dewani say they hope to hear the truth from her husband Shrien at his murder trial next week.

They insist their long fight for justice has left them unable to grieve for their daughter who was kidnapped and shot dead on her honeymoon in South Africa four years ago.

Shrien Dewani, 34, is accused of hiring a hitman to murder his new bride.

The Bristol businessman denies faking the carjacking of their taxi and fleeing before Anni Dewani, 28, was driven off to her death.

Her father, Vinod Hindocha, 65, told Sky News: "We really hope we get to know what happened to Anni. That's all we are asking for.

"Shrien, tell us the truth, tell us what's happened. You were there.

Video: Anni Dewani's Bedroom Now A Shrine

"Anni had no right to die the way she did. This is not acceptable, the way she left us."

This week the Hindocha family were packing their suitcases at their home in Mariestad, Sweden, for the 6,000-mile journey to Cape Town, where the trial is due to start on Monday.

Anni's mother, Nilam, 62, said: "I hope we get justice. And I would love to hear what Shrien has to say.

Video: Sister's Shock Over Anni's Death

"They say time will heal the wounds, but they get deeper and deeper. Let's hope we get justice and we can move ahead with our lives."

Shrien Dewani was extradited to South Africa in April after fighting extradition for three years.

He had claimed he was mentally unfit to stand trial, but psychiatrists eventually agreed he was well enough to be treated in a Cape Town clinic, where more doctors said he was ready for the court case.

Video: 'I Told Anni It Was Wedding Stress'

Dewani denies murder, arguing that he loved his wife and had no motive to have her killed.

The prosecution is expected to suggest he is gay and wanted to escape his marriage.

Anni's elder sister, Ami Denborg, 37, revealed: "Three weeks before the wedding Anni actually threw the ring back at Shrien.

Video: Sky's Martin Brunt On Dewani Case

"She called me and said a lot of things, like it wasn't working well.

"I thought she was just stressed out and told her she would get over it.

"Looking back, I should have told her to break it off. If I had, maybe she would be alive today. It still haunts me."

Three local men have already been jailed for Anni's murder.

One of them, taxi driver Zola Tongo, told police Dewani offered him £1,300 to arrange for her to be killed.

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Autumn Set To Take A Turn For The Worse

After a dry and warm September, autumn is set to fall sharply into focus as it turns wet and windy across parts of the UK.

Warnings of gales of up to 70mph and as much as 60mm (2.4in) of rain are forecast in some areas, as severe weather alerts for today and Saturday are issued.

The grim forecast comes days after early figures indicated last month is set to be the driest September across the UK since records began in 1910. It is also likely to finish in the top five warmest Septembers.

The Met Office warned severe gales with gusts of up to 70mph were possible today in northwest Scotland in a yellow "be aware" alert.

"Although such wind speeds are not unusual across these areas of Scotland, the contrast with the recent quiet weather means that a few minor impacts may occur," the forecaster said.

Met Office's alerts warning for Friday

A yellow warning for rain was also issued with "heavy and persistent" downpours predicted in parts of southern Scotland, Northern Ireland, northern England and Wales from Friday afternoon until Saturday morning.

Between 20mm (0.8in) and 40mm (1.6in) could fall "quite widely" across the warning area, while some places could see more than 60mm (2.4in).

The Met Office warned the downpours could lead to surface water flooding, saying: "The public should be aware of the potential for some localised impacts to travel due to surface water flooding."

Sky News' weather presenter Nazaneen Ghaffar said: "A cloudy and mild day for most of England and Wales, although there will be some spells of sunshine. Heavy rain and gusty winds over Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic  this morning, will slowly spread south-eastwards into northern England and north-west Wales as well. 

"Tonight the band of rain will continue to pour over northern England as well as most of Wales and the west country with further intense bursts and even some lightning. Elsewhere, it'll be a mainly dry night, although a scattering of showers are likely over western Scotland.

"Tomorrow the heavy rain will spread into central and eastern parts of England during the morning, then mostly clearing by the end of the afternoon. The rest of the UK and Ireland will see sunny spells but also showers across western areas.

"Sunday will feel noticeably fresher and most of England and Wales will be mainly dry. However, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic will see cloudier skies from the west as further rain will eventually spread in."

Drivers are also being warned of the risk of flash flooding.

Darron Burness, head of the AA's flood rescue team, added: "While river catchments may well be able to take this volume of water after the very dry September, a lot may fall within 12 to 24 hours, so flash flooding is likely to be the main issue for drivers in the affected areas.

"Be wary of places where water may accumulate; for instance, dips in the road and under bridges."

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McCanns Targeted By 'Venomous' Internet Trolls

By Martin Brunt, Crime Correspondent

The Metropolitan Police is investigating a catalogue of vile internet abuse targeting the family of Madeleine McCann including death threats, Sky News can reveal.

Officers are in talks with the Crown Prosecution Service after being handed a dossier of more than 80 pages of Tweets, Facebook posts and messages on online forums aimed at Kate and Gerry McCann.

Over the past few years hundreds of shocking messages have been posted by 'trolls' who believe - despite no evidence - that the McCanns had some involvement in the disappearance of their daughter in Portugal in 2007.

These include suggestions that the McCanns should be tortured and killed and calls for them to "burn in hell".

Some messages are even directed at Madeleine's younger siblings, now aged nine.

Manipulated images involving the McCanns - many of them graphic - are also in wide circulation online.

Video: Some Material 'Really Disturbing'

One troll - who uses the Twitter identity "Sweepyface" and has posted dozens of anti-McCann messages using the #mccann hashtag - was confronted by Sky News.

When asked about her use of social media to attack the couple, she replied: "I'm entitled to."

The dossier - compiled by members of the public alarmed at the online treatment of the McCanns and shown to Sky News - calls on police and MPs to act to crack down on such abuse.

Video: McCanns Abused On Social Media

The Met wrote to the campaigners: "In consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service and the McCann family the material will now be assessed and decisions made as to what further action if any should be undertaken."

Among the messages identified in the dossier is an exchange on a message board which reads: "These 2 should burn in hell"; "I will supply the petrol"; "I'll supply the lighter - happily".

Other posts include: "We need some numbers for some assassins on taps", "I hope that the McCanns are living in total misery" and "I want to see them smashed up the back of a bus or trampled by horses".

Video: Sky News Confronts McCann 'Troll'

In one of her tweets "Sweepyface" called for the McCanns to suffer "for the rest of their miserable lives".

In addition to threats and abuse, several trolls have claimed to live nearby to the McCanns in Leicestershire and reported on their movements.

The campaigner spearheading the appeal - who has asked to remain anonymous - told Sky News: "We're very worried that it's only going to take somebody to act out of some of these discussions, some of the threats that have been made, and we couldn't live with ourselves if that happened and we had done nothing."

Video: Sky's Martin Brunt On McCann Abuse

Author Anthony Summers, whose book Looking for Madeleine was published last month, said: "There is a campaign of hatred against the parents.

"It is venomous and vitriolic, most of it done by cowards. We are taken aback by the extent of the sheer evil behind it all."

Sara Payne has become a campaigner for parents' right to a controlled access to the Sex Offenders Register since her daughter, Sarah, was murdered in 2000.

Video: Sept 7: 'Charity Worker' A Suspect?

Responding to the story of the abuse against the McCanns on Twitter, she wrote: "About time, they are certainly not the only victims but they are the most abused.

"I hope this means this kind of disgusting abuse will finally be stopped."

:: At 2pm we will be hosting a Twitter Q&A with crime correspondent Martin Brunt on our exclusive story about the abuse Madeleine McCann's parents have suffered online. Tweet your questions using the hashtag #AskBrunt".

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RAF Tornados Take Out IS Truck Using Guided Bomb

RAF Tornados have helped Peshmerga forces destroy an Islamic State armed pick-up truck using a guided bomb in Iraq - as a UN report condemned "gross" human rights abuses by the terror group.

Two war planes provided air support to the Kurdish forces on the ground engaged in combat with IS fighters in the north-west of the country.

The Ministry of Defence said the "successful precision attack" was carried out with a Paveway IV guided bomb overnight.

The strikes came as militants took control of most of the western Iraqi town of Hit in Anbar province.

IS has declared territories it controls in Iraq and Syria a 'caliphate'

"Ninety percent of the town of Hit has been overrun by militants," said Adnan al Fahdawi, a provincial council member.

The United Nations report, based on nearly 500 interviews, found the Islamist militant group had carried out mass executions, abducted women and girls as sex slaves, and used children as fighters.

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1. Gallery: The Moment RAF Jet Attacks IS Truck

   The RAF carried out its first airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Iraq on 1 October, 2014 (All pictures: MoD)

2. Tornados destroyed a heavy weapon position, which was attacking Kurdish forces, and an armed pick-up truck (pictured). The red circle shows the path of the missile fired at the vehicle

3. The strikes were the first since MPs voted to support aerial raids in Iraq last Friday

4. The targets were in the northwest of Iraq

5. The moment the truck, which had a mounted machine gun, was destroyed by a Brimstone missile

6. A plume of smoke rose above the area

7. The strike was successful, according to an initial assessment, said Defence Secretary Michael Fallon

8. The Tornados safely returned to their base at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus after the sortie

9. Six of the GR4 fighter jets are based on the island in the Mediterranean

10. The aircraft began their combat missions on Saturday

"These include attacks directly targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure, executions and other targeted killings of civilians, abductions, rape and other forms of sexual and physical violence perpetrated against women and children, forced recruitment of children, destruction or desecration of places of religious or cultural significance, wanton destruction and looting of property, and denial of fundamental freedoms," the report said.

It also said the acts of violence over a nine-week period included the systematic targeting of diverse ethnic and religious communities - including Turkmen, Shabak, Christians and Yazidis - aimed at "destroying, suppressing or cleansing them" from areas under IS control.

IS, formerly known as ISIL, has declared the establishment of a "caliphate" - or Islamic state - on the territories it occupies in Iraq and Syria.

"The array of violations and abuses perpetrated by ISIL and associated armed groups is staggering, and many of their acts may amount to war crimes or crimes against humanity," said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein.

The report also found airstrikes by Iraqi government forces had caused "significant civilian deaths and injuries".

The UK is supporting Iraqi and Kurdish forces battling Sunni Muslim extremists from IS, which has taken over large parts of Iraq in recent months.

Video: Tornado Returns From Strike Mission

Calls have been growing for strikes against the group's Syrian strongholds too.

However, a vote in Parliament last Friday did not include the authorisation of airstrikes over the country.

Turkey's parliament is currently considering whether to join the international coalition against IS and approve military action in Iraq and Syria - and allow forces to use its territory for possible operations.

"In the struggle against terrorism, we are open and ready for every kind of cooperation. However, Turkey is not a country that will allow itself to be used for temporary solutions," President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said.

Meanwhile, Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau dismissed Nigerian military claims of his death, and said the group was "running our... Islamic caliphate" in captured towns.

"Here I am, alive. I will only die the day Allah takes my breath," he said in a video obtained by the AFP news agency.

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Thai Murders: Man Admits Killing Britons

A Burmese man has confessed to the murders of British backpackers Hannah Witheridge and David Miller in Thailand, police said.

Mr Miller, 24, from Jersey, died from drowning and a blow to the head, while Miss Witheridge, 23, from Great Yarmouth, died from head wounds on Sairee beach last month.

Their semi-naked bodies were found on a beach on the southern island of Koh Tao, near where they were staying, in the early hours of September 15.

Officers near the scene where the backpackers' bodies were found

A garden hoe with Ms Witheridge's blood on it was discovered nearby, and investigators have been searching for a blunt metal object used on Mr Miller.

"The investigation has advanced considerably," deputy national police chief Lieutenant General Jaktip Chaijinda said.

Video: David Miller Seen On CCTV

"Three Burmese workers were detained and we took their DNA for testing. During the investigation one of them admitted to killing the two foreigners," he said.

He said the man who had confessed was being detained, but had not been arrested.

"We still have to wait for DNA tests results which we expect to have in 14 hours from now in order to confirm this," he added.

Reports suggested the man had been in detention since September 16 - the day after the killings.

Police had originally said they believed three men were involved in the attack.

On Wednesday, they revealed Miss Witheridge had been raped by her two killers, while a third man watched.

Two different semen samples were collected from her body.

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1. Gallery: Thailand Beach Murders

   The family of Hannah Witheridge in Thailand. Miss Witheridge was killed alongside David Miller on a beach on Koh Tao

2. Police outside the Ware family home on Jersey. Christopher and James Ware, who were childhood friends of Mr Miller, have been questioned in Thailand as part of the investigation

3. The pair suffered "gruesome" injuries, according to police

4. The victims were staying in this hotel

5. Thai police at the scene of the beach attack

Almost three weeks after the deaths police also announced they were offering a reward of more than £13,000 (700,000 baht) in an effort to catch the killers.

The island has a large community of migrant workers from neighbouring Myanmar, also know as Burma.

Thai authorities have been concerned the killings would lead to a further slump in tourism which has never recovered since the bloody protests on the streets of Bangkok that preceded a military coup in May.

On Tuesday, the country's tourism minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul announced plans to issue tourists with wristbands in the wake of the murders to help identify those who run into trouble.

Party curfews and restrictions on where they can be held are also being considered, as well as the idea of introducing a "buddy system" - pairing tourists with a local minder.

"The next step would be some sort of electronic tracking device, but this has not yet been discussed in detail," she said.

More follows...

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Photographers Told To Leave Prince George Alone

Lawyers for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have written to two photographers to stop them following Prince George.

A Buckingham Palace spokesperson told Sky News that the photographers had been told their activities were "tantamount to harassment".

The prince is probably the most famous baby in the world.

He was taken by his parents on their tour of Australia and New Zealand earlier this year and he was very much the star of the show.

An "unofficial" picture of him could command thousands of pounds for the photographer, if newspapers were prepared to publish it.

While Britain's media is aware of the Duke and Duchess's desire to protect their son's privacy, foreign media is more prepared to publish paparazzi-gleaned photos.

The duchess herself was the victim of one such photographer who sold pictures of her sunbathing topless while Kate was staying on a private estate in France with her husband.

The pictures were published in France in Closer magazine, but not in the UK.

Kate, who is expecting the couple's second child, is currently away from the public eye.

She has not been seen since before the pregnancy was announced as she has hyperemesis gravidarum, a form of acute morning sickness.

It can cause severe vomiting and can lead to dehydration.

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Alice Gross: 'Now A Murder Investigation'

Police searching for missing teenager Alice Gross have found a body in the River Brent in west London.

Detectives hunting for the 14-year-old, who disappeared nearly five weeks ago after leaving her home in Hanwell, said there had been "significant efforts" to hide the human remains.

The search for Alice is the Met's largest since the 7/7 London bombings

Scotland Yard Commander Graham McNulty said: "This is now a murder investigation and I need the public's help to find whoever is responsible."

The body has been removed from the scene and Alice's family have been informed.

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1. Gallery: Body Found In Major Search For Alice Gross

   Police searching for missing Alice Gross have found a body in the River Brent in west London

2. A cordon has been put in place after the discovery of human remains

3. Forensic officers are at the scene

4. Alice's family had made a heartfelt plea for the safe return of the missing teenager

5. Scotland Yard released new images of Alice as police staged a reconstruction of her last known movements

6. The teenager disappeared on August 28

7. Police received more than a thousand calls from the public in response to appeals

9. The 14-year-old has been missing for five weeks

10. Police have been carrying out a fingertip search in Hanwell, west London, where missing Alice Gross is from. This image shows officers searching the area on September 22

11. The hunt for the 14-year-old is the biggest search operation since the 7/7 bombings in 2005

12. A dinghy was brought in to help in the search

13. Here, on September 18, forensics officers are seen in the garden of builder Arnis Zalkalns

14. Zalkalns, a Latvian national, has been named as the main suspect by police after he, too, went missing from his home in Boston Manor Road, which runs between Hanwell and Brentford

15. September 8: a police diver enters the Grand Union Canal to search for the missing schoolgirl

16. September 7: Police search the River Brent, near Hanwell

17. A missing persons flyer is attached to a lamppost in central London

20. She was seen on CCTV at Brentford Lock

21. Arnis Zalkalns was seen on CCTV in the same area

Mr McNulty said: "Our work at this scene is crucial to make sure we capture all of the available evidence, to establish who is responsible for this dreadful crime.

"I can confirm significant efforts were made to conceal the body."

He added: "We are unable to make a formal identification at this stage, but clearly this news is devastating for everyone involved in the search for Alice.

Video: Alice Gross Police Statement

"At this time my thoughts are with Alice's family and friends."

Thanking the local community for their support during the investigation, he said: "This discovery will have a significant impact throughout the borough."

Alice was last seen on CCTV walking along the towpath next to the Grand Union Canal as it passes under Trumpers Way at 4.26pm on August 28. She has not been seen since.

Video: Alice's Movements Reconstructed

Her disappearance sparked a huge police search - the Met's largest since the 7/7 bombings.

Hundreds of officers from several forces around the country have been involved in the investigation, while the RAF was also drafted in to help identify new search areas.

Footage from 300 CCTV cameras within a six-square-mile radius was examined, while police also staged a reconstruction of the  the teenager's last-known movements in a bid to jog people's memory.

Video: Missing Girl's Parents' Anguish

Mr McNulty said the search of the river was carried out as part of the investigation into Alice's disappearance.

Police have not said exactly where the body was found.

The River Brent runs a short distance from Hanwell and the towpath next to the Grand Union Canal where Alice was last seen on CCTV.

Video: Latvia Asked For Help Over Alice

Convicted murderer Arnis Zalkalns, who was filmed cycling along the same route behind Alice, has emerged as the prime suspect in the case.

The Latvian builder was reported missing within days of her disappearance, but police stressed he was just "one line of enquiry".

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Tory Talk: Playing Bingo With Cameron's Lingo

The long-term economic plan - if David Cameron's said it once, he's said it a thousand times.

And if he has his way, he'll say it a thousand times more. Maybe in the Prime Minister's speech to conference.

So what other key words and phrases might he use in his address to the Tory gathering in Birmingham?

:: Labour's Great Recession

Laying the blame for the economic crash at Labour's door has been a constant feature of this Parliament.

Even Labour strategists admit this has been effective and damaging. So no reason for David Cameron to abandon a successful strategy.

:: We're all in this together

A favourite slogan of the early years of this Government, does the Prime Minister still believe it?

The PM pictured at the conference earlier this week

:: Hard-working taxpayers

Hard-working families; hard-working people... this year it seems it's hard-working taxpayers that is in vogue. I'm not sure why.

Video: What Are Cameron's Policy Plans?

:: Purring

Self-deprecation is a favourite politician's tool, but making light of his recent right Royal indiscretion might be a step too far for the PM.

:: Global race

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1. Gallery: Tory Party Conference: In Pictures

   The Conservative Party Conference draws to a close. So here are some highlights

2. David Cameron delivers his keynote address, pledging tax cuts for millions of families

3. Boris Johnson addressed delegates with a brick - and cracked a joke about the "purring" at David Cameron's expense

5. But of course Boris and Dave are close - as they proved with this touching stroll together

6. It was not Mr Cameron but Ed Miliband who was the butt of most jokes. The best one was the one about him forgetting to mention the deficit in his keynote address to the Labour Party Conference last week

7. It shifted some merchandise like this hilarious beer

8. George Osborne started it in his speech during which he invited voters to choose Dave, choose the Conservatives and choose the future

9. But it did make him sound like Renton from Trainspotting. Everyone thought so

10. Nigel Farage was the spectre at the feast. Four defections to UKIP - one MP, a donor and two others since the conference kicked off

11. The PM prepared for his big speech by asking delegates what they thought of him by posting message boards around the conference in Birmingham

13. And spent some time with Samantha, his wife

14. He posed for selfies with delegates

15. And did not miss a hard hat, high vis opportunity

16. He was photographed memorising the chapter on the deficit... in glasses and Union flag cufflinks...

17. as he prepared for the crowds in the main hall

18. Still, the Conservatives concluded that what Britain needs is an iron lady

19. And here's Home Secretary Theresa May

Another Cameron slogan that has been done to death and then some.

Journalists groan when he brings it up, though the Prime Minister's enthusiasm for this clunky metaphor shows no sign of waning.

:: Big society

Video: Yin and Yang: Theresa And Boris

A slogan that used to be central to the Cameron brand, now it has been airbrushed from history.

:: Mark Reckless

It might be that the Prime Minister is too grand to demean himself with a personal assault on his erstwhile colleague.

Video: Chancellor's Rallying Cry To Tories

But Tories are enjoying taking potshots at UKIP leader Nigel Farage's newest recruit and a bit of rabble-rousing could lift the hall.

:: Ed Miliband forgetting the deficit

You can be sure David Cameron won't let the Labour leader forget his error last week.

Video: UKIP Haunts Conservative Conference

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Live Updates: Cameron Gives Annual Address

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1. Breaking News: PM Pledges Tax Cut For Millions Of Families
2. Breaking News: Alice Gross Police Find Body In River Brent
3. What We Know About Alice Murder Suspect
4. DVLA Swamped By Drivers As Tax Discs Ditched
5. Tesco Boss Orders HQ Staff Back To The Floor

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PM Pledges Tax Cut For Millions Of Families

David Cameron has promised to raise the 40p tax rate to £50,000 helping thousands of middle income earners if the Tories win another five years in power.

In his last conference speech before the General Election, Mr Cameron offered an array of sweeteners.

He vowed to balance the nation's books by 2016 so he could deliver tax cuts for "hard-working families" including lifting the tax-free allowance from £10,500 to £12,500 and increasing the 40p tax rate from £41,900 to £50,000.

Mr Cameron attempted to paint a picture of the Tories as the champion of the ordinary man, of families.

He said he wanted a Britain where there was: "the chance of a job, a home, a good start in life, whoever you are, wherever you're from. And by the way, you never pull one person up by pulling other people down."

David Cameron with his wife, Samantha, ahead of his speech

He added: "We believe in aspiration and helping people get on in life and what's more, we're proud of it."

The Prime Minister went on to make a fierce defence of the NHS making it clear he intended to take the health service back for the Tories after Labour's attempt to claim it with a £12.5bn spending pledge at the party's conference last week.

Video: UK Jihadists 'Enemies' Of The State

He accused Labour of "spreading complete and utter lies" by suggesting he was selling off the NHS and said: "How dare they suggest I would put that at risk for other people's children?"

Mr Cameron has often spoken of his first-hand experience of the NHS during the care of his son, Ivan, who died in 2009 at the age of six. 

He said Labour did not understand that the country "can only have a strong NHS if you have a strong economy".

1/19

1. Gallery: Tory Party Conference: In Pictures

   The Conservative Party Conference draws to a close. So here are some highlights

2. David Cameron delivers his keynote address, pledging tax cuts for millions of families

3. Boris Johnson addressed delegates with a brick - and cracked a joke about the "purring" at David Cameron's expense

5. But of course Boris and Dave are close - as they proved with this touching stroll together

6. It was not Mr Cameron but Ed Miliband who was the butt of most jokes. The best one was the one about him forgetting to mention the deficit in his keynote address to the Labour Party Conference last week

7. It shifted some merchandise like this hilarious beer

8. George Osborne started it in his speech during which he invited voters to choose Dave, choose the Conservatives and choose the future

9. But it did make him sound like Renton from Trainspotting. Everyone thought so

10. Nigel Farage was the spectre at the feast. Four defections to UKIP - one MP, a donor and two others since the conference kicked off

11. The PM prepared for his big speech by asking delegates what they thought of him by posting message boards around the conference in Birmingham

13. And spent some time with Samantha, his wife

14. He posed for selfies with delegates

15. And did not miss a hard hat, high vis opportunity

16. He was photographed memorising the chapter on the deficit... in glasses and Union flag cufflinks...

17. as he prepared for the crowds in the main hall

18. Still, the Conservatives concluded that what Britain needs is an iron lady

19. And here's Home Secretary Theresa May

The Conservative Party leader also said he would scrap the Human Rights Act, which has allowed the courts in Strasbourg to rule Britain must give prisoners the vote, and introduce a British Bill of Rights.

Mr Cameron's speech brings to a close a conference which has been tarnished by four UKIP "defections", the most significant of which was the MP Mark Reckless.

Pollster Lord Cooper has warned Nigel Farage's party could win as many as four seats in May – Peter Kellner of  YouGov has put it as high as 10.

Video: Cameron Pounds Birmingham Streets

Two seats could come before that at the by-elections in Clacton and Rochester triggered by the departures of Mr Reckless and Douglas Carswell, who left the Tories in August.

Mr Cameron warned that a vote for UKIP was a vote for Labour.

He said: "On the 7th of May go to bed with Nigel Farage and wake up with Ed Miliband. I don't know about you but not a bit of that works for me."

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Hunt For Attacker After Elderly Woman Raped

By Emma Birchley, East Of England Correspondent

An elderly woman is in a stable condition in hospital after being raped in her flat in the early hours of the morning.

The woman called police just after 2am on Sunday reporting she had been sexually assaulted by a man who had broken into her home in Felixstowe, Suffolk.

Officers and paramedics arrived shortly after and the alleged victim was taken to Ipswich Hospital where she was treated for a number of injuries.

Senior investigating officer, Detective Superintendent Simon Parkes, said: "We're still trying to identify the sequence of events that led up to this rape.

"We will be speaking to this lady once she has left hospital in order to obtain a description of her attacker."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Suffolk Police on 101.

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Abu Qatada Says He's Forgotten About Britain

Timeline: Qatada Legal Battle

Updated: 10:35am UK, Wednesday 24 September 2014

Abu Qatada challenged and ultimately thwarted every attempt by the Government to detain and deport him for many years.

Here is a timeline of the legal battle.

1993: Abu Qatada claims asylum when he arrives in Britain on a forged passport.

1994: Allowed to stay in Britain.

1995: Issues a "fatwa" justifying the killing of converts from Islam, their wives and children in Algeria.

1998: Applies for indefinite leave to remain in Britain.

1999: April - Convicted in his absence on terror charges in Jordan and sentenced to life imprisonment.

October - Speaks in London advocating the killing of Jews and praising attacks on Americans.

2001: February - Arrested by anti-terror police over involvement in a plot to bomb Strasbourg Christmas market. Officers find him with £170,000 in cash, including £805 in an envelope marked "For the mujahedin in Chechnya".

December - Becomes one of Britain's most wanted men after going on the run from his home in west London.

2002: Arrested by police in a council house in south London and detained in Belmarsh high-security jail.

2005: Freed on conditional bail and placed on a control order but arrested again in August under immigration rules as the Government seeks to deport him to Jordan.

2008: April: Court of Appeal rules deportation would breach his human rights because evidence used against him in Jordan might have been obtained through torture.

May - Granted bail by the immigration tribunal but told he must stay inside for 22 hours a day.

June - Released from Long Lartin jail in Worcestershire and moves into a four-bedroom house in west London.

November - He is rearrested after the Home Office tells an immigration hearing of fears he plans to abscond.

December - Qatada's bail is revoked by the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (Siac) after hearing secret evidence that the risk of him absconding has increased.

2009: Five Law Lords unanimously back the Government's policy of removing terror suspects from Britain on the basis of assurances from foreign governments and it is ruled he can be deported to Jordan to face a retrial on the terror charges.

He is awarded 2,800 euro (£2,500) compensation by the European Court of Human Rights after the judges rule that his detention without trial in the UK under anti-terrorism powers breached his human rights.

2012: January - European judges rule he can be sent to Jordan with diplomatic assurances but not while "there remains a real risk that evidence obtained by torture will be used against him".

February - He is released on strict bail conditions.

April - Rearrested as the Government prepares to deport him after Jordan gives assurances it will "bend over backwards" to ensure he receives a fair trial.

March - Qatada's legal team loses its bid to have the case heard by the Europe's human rights judges, clearing the way for deportation proceedings to continue.

May and August - Siac rejects Qatada's applications for bail.

October - Siac holds appeal hearing.

November - His appeal is granted and he is granted bail.

December - Qatada is moved to a larger residence in the greater London area.

2013: March 9 - It emerges Qatada has been arrested for allegedly breaching his bail conditions. He is ordered to stay in custody and sent to Belmarsh.

March 21 - Police reveal the cleric is being investigated over extremist material.

March 27 - Home Secretary Theresa May loses her appeal over Siac's decision to allow Qatada to stay in the UK. The Home Office vows to appeal.

April 17 - The Home Office formally announces that it is seeking leave from the Court of Appeal to take the case to the Supreme Court.

April 22 - The Court of Appeal refuses permission to go to the Supreme Court, forcing the Home Office to appeal directly to the highest court in the land.

April 23 - Theresa May tells MPs she has signed a new treaty with Jordan that should pave the way to deportation, but warns it might take "many months".

May 10 - Qatada's barrister says he will go back to Jordan voluntarily if the treaty on the use of evidence obtained by torture, guaranteeing he will not be tortured, is ratified by the Jordanian parliament.

May 20 - Qatada is refused bail by the Special Immigrations Appeals Commission after "jihadist material" is found on a computer memory stick.

July 2 - The new treaty between Jordan and Britain is fully ratified, sparking claims Qatada could be on a plane within days.

July 3 - A Jordanian government official tells AFP the cleric is due back on Sunday.

July 7 - Flown from RAF Northolt to Jordan

December 10: Pleads not guilty to terrorism charges at a state security court in the Jordanian capital, Amman.

2014: June 26 - Acquitted of conspiracy to commit acts of terrorism over 1998 bomb plots allegations.

September 24 - Acquitted over plot to target Western tourists over the New Year in Jordan in 2000.

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RAF Helps Search For Missing Teen Alice Gross

The RAF has been helping in the search for missing teenager Alice Gross, Scotland Yard has confirmed.

Along with more than a dozen police forces across the country, the air force has provided support with "aerial analysis" - which allows officers on the ground to focus their efforts to find the 14-year-old, who disappeared five weeks ago.

Runners taking part in a half-marathon in Ealing, west London, have worn yellow ribbons to raise awareness of Alice's disappearance.

Ribbons have also been tied to trees and fences along the route, which runs close to where Alice was last seen.

Runners wore yellow ribbons to raise awareness of Alice's disappearance

Kelvin Walker, race director for the event, told Sky News: "We thought it would be a really good idea to give some runners bows to run around the course.

"The course is now covered in ribbons and it's quite an emotional sight to see, so we're just really happy to be involved in helping them."

The schoolgirl, from Hanwell, west London, disappeared on 28 August. She was filmed on CCTV walking along the towpath of the Grand Union Canal towards Hanwell at 4.26pm, but has not been seen since.

The 14-year-old disappeared five weeks ago

On Saturday, police revealed that footage from 300 CCTV cameras is now being analysed, taken from a six-square-mile radius.

Officers will continue to search scrubland along the towpath near the canal.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "This continues to be a massive investigation.

Police will continue a search of scrubland near the Grand Union Canal

"A range of officers and staff from across the Met are taking part in the ever-expanding search for Alice."

Police received 150 phone calls after staging a reconstruction of the teenager's last known movements.

Convicted murderer Arnis Zalkalns, the prime suspect in her disappearance, who has also vanished, was filmed cycling the same route behind the teenager.

But police stress the Latvian, who was also accused of molesting a 14-year-old girl in 2009, was just "one line of inquiry".

A reward of up to £20,000 is being offered for anyone who has information that leads police to find Alice.

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'Nothing Token' About Britain's Iraq Mission

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has rejected claims Britain's role in the fight against Islamic State (IS) is a "token" gesture, as he confirmed RAF Tornados are now flying daily over northern Iraq.

He told Sky's Murnaghan programme the United States welcomes the contribution of six aircraft to the mission.

Mr Fallon said: "There's nothing token about this. On the contrary, I spoke to the American Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel immediately after the vote and he welcomed the contribution that we're now able to make.

"They need our help, not simply with the Tornados, which are now flying daily from Cyprus, but also from the surveyance aircraft that we have overhead and very sophisticated surveyance and intelligence to add to the operations of Iraqi and Kurdish forces."

His comments come after Richard Williams, a former commanding officer of the SAS who served in Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan, wrote in the Independent on Sunday the deployment of RAF bombers was a "military sugar rush" that "risks looking fearful and half-cocked".

Lieutenant Colonel Williams said the sending in of RAF bombers had "taken on a military and political significance out of all proportion to their real military value".

Lord Richards of Herstmonceux, a former head of the UK military who stepped down as chief of the defence staff last year, also told The Sunday Times that a campaign involving ground troops would be needed to crush IS.

The RAF carried out two sorties over Iraq on Saturday after Parliament cleared the way for airstrikes on IS militants in a vote on Friday.

In both missions the Tornado GR4 fighter bombers did not use their weapons, although the Ministry of Defence said "invaluable intelligence" had been gathered using the planes' surveillance equipment.

An RAF Tornado takes off from the Akrotiri base on Sunday

The jets, which fly in pairs, returned to their base at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus at the end of their hours-long missions with their weapons payload intact.

Sky's Tom Parmenter, who is at the base, says that two Tornados took off on another mission just after midday on Sunday.

Prime Minister David Cameron has said he also wants to make the case for targeting Syria.

RAF crew at the base on Saturday morning. Pic: MoD

In an interview with the Sunday Times, the Prime Minister revealed he would argue that targeting Syria is both legal and appropriate.

"There are complications but there aren't legal difficulties," he said.

Mr Cameron said he would respond to the challenge thrown down by Ed Miliband to seek a UN resolution supporting attacks in Syria, if only to show that his request is impossible.

A member of the aircrew prepares to depart on the first mission. Pic: MoD

"We have to demonstrate to people that we'd like a UN security council resolution but it's very difficult to get one and to demonstrate that what we propose is legal. Attempts have been made but there's the existence of a Russian veto."

Ministers had cautioned not to expect a campaign of "shock and awe" and that after weeks of US airstrikes in the area it could take time to identify new targets.

Mr Cameron insisted the involvement of RAF combat aircraft showed Britain was there to "play our part" in the international coalition being assembled against IS.

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