Whistleblowers Monica Grenfell, a former journalist, and Christopher Green, who was part of the Army Reserve, contacted the Afghanistan Inquiry to give evidence after the chairman issued a request for information. The inquiry is examining allegations of war crimes by UK special forces in Afghanistan between 2010 and 2013, as well as claims of a subsequent cover-up. Both witnesses spoke behind closed doors with only redacted excerpts released on Tuesday. 'We killed the wrong people' Mr Green, who served between January and September 2012, said he tried to raise concerns about the killing of three brothers who were farmers in the village of Rahim. They had been shot during a deliberate detention operation which Mr Green said was described to him as having "gone wrong", forcing special forces to shoot lawfully "in self-defence". He said his unit's intelligence team was "pretty clear that there was nothing to suggest that the sons were anything other than farmers and even less to suggest that they were Taliban commanders". When Mr Green tried to raise concerns with a liaison officer, he said "there was a strong sense of resentment" that he was questioning what the SAS were up to. "At some point he did call me a 'Taliban-loving apologist'," he added. Mr Green said he asked to see footage of the killings, dubbed "gun tapes", to help him understand the incident and "engage with local nationals to try and calm the situation". However, despite having appropriate clearance to see the video, he was denied access, the inquiry heard. The inquiry heard the brothers' mother, Bebe Hazrata, had reportedly been paid the equivalent of £3,634 in cash by the UK government after the death of her sons, which was described as an "assistance payment". Mr Green told inquiry chairman Lord Justice Haddon-Cave it was a "very unusual policy" that he saw as an "admission of guilt that we had killed the wrong people". "I think I can only share my regret with you that I didn't speak sooner," he said. 'People had been let off the leash' Ms Grenfell, who worked as a kitchen member and storeman with UK special forces, was told soldiers dropped prisoners from forklifts "for fun". She told the inquiry she had met a soldier who had told her about detainees being abused: "I specifically recall him telling me that he would put prisoners on a forklift, raise it up and drive very fast so that they fell off." She said she had "never been anywhere that was as bad as there", with a sense "people had been let off the leash somehow". "You felt no one was really watching them (the soldiers), and the language was just... I've never known the language like it," she added. Read more from Sky News:British wildfire victim namedEx-Spanish PM under fire over World Cup remark The inquiry is also looking at whether there was an alleged cover-up of illegal activity and inadequate investigation by the Royal Military Police. No charges were brought under Operation Northmoor, a £10m investigation set up in 2014 to examine allegations of executions by the SAS, including those of children. A further Royal Military Police investigation, codenamed Operation Cestro, resulted in three soldiers being referred to the Service Prosecuting Authority, but none were prosecuted. A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: "The government is fully committed to supporting the Independent Inquiry relating to Afghanistan as it continues its work, and we are hugely grateful to all former and current defence employees who have so far given evidence. "We also remain committed to providing the support that our special forces deserve whilst maintaining the transparency and accountability that the British people rightly expect from their armed forces. "It's right that we allow the inquiry to complete its important work before responding in full." The inquiry continues.

The Northern Ireland-born New Zealand actor was best known for his leading roles in the blockbuster dinosaur franchise and The Piano, and appeared in more than 50 films over his career. The family of the screen star, who was one of New Zealand's most successful Hollywood exports, said his death had been "sudden and unexpected" in a statement on Monday. Neill was diagnosed with stage three angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, a rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, in 2022. After his cancer diagnosis, Neill said he would take a short break from acting and had announced he was cancer-free earlier this year. His family said he died on Monday in Sydney, Australia, but did not specify the cause of death. "Sam was surrounded by family and passed with the dignity that has characterised his whole life," they said. "The loss was sudden and unexpected but blessed by the fact that Sam remained cancer-free." Neill was regarded as a versatile actor, who had traversed blockbuster and arthouse films throughout his career. His range saw him dodge velociraptors in Jurassic Park, chop off actress Holly Hunter's finger in The Piano, and gouge out his eyes in the sci-fi film Event Horizon in his on-screen roles. 'One of the greats' Tributes flooded in for Neill from around the world, from Hollywood directors to prime ministers. Colin Trevorrow, who directed Neill in Jurassic World Dominion, remembered the actor as a "deeply soulful and beautiful man". "He was a friend and collaborator at a challenging time, and his strength gave us all strength," he said. He added: "It's not every lifetime you get to befriend a legend." New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon described Neill as "one of the greats". "He started out when there was barely a film industry in this country to speak of," he said. "For more than fifty years he took New Zealand stories to the world and his talents helped make our film industry into what it is today - one of our greatest cultural exports. "His work will be watched and loved long after all of us." In a post on X, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said: "Sam Neill starred in so many beloved Australian stories and he earned a special place in Australian hearts. "Wry and dry, thoughtful and laconic, Sam fought illness with the same dignity, humour and conviction that gave strength to his every performance. He will be much mourned and long remembered." Australian actor David Wenham said: "Aside from being an international all-round legend. Sam was the kindest, cheekiest, most generous and supportive friend going around." Author Kathy Lette remembered Neill as a "wonderful actor but also the most charming, kind, intelligent and deliciously self-deprecating friend". Australian comedian Magda Szubanski said: "An exceptional man - talented, kind, classy, wryly hilarious and loving. Proud cancer survivor. My heart goes out to all Sam's family and friends." From Omagh to Hollywood Neill was born Nigel John Dermot Neill in Omagh, but moved to New Zealand aged seven when his father retired from the army. At the age of 11, he changed his name to Sam. In his 2023 memoir, he said "to land in a primary school with a plum in the voice and Nigel for a name was asking for trouble". He described himself as a nerdy, unsporty and stuttering boy, but took his first steps into acting through school plays. His big break came with the low-budget 1977 New Zealand film Sleeping Dogs, which led to bigger roles in neighbouring Australia. Neill was one of a host of actors and directors who achieved international fame after an explosion of Australian films that began in the late 1970s. These included Paul Hogan, Mel Gibson, Geoffrey Rush, Russell Crowe, Jane Campion, Peter Weir and Gillian Armstrong. He first came to the attention of international audiences in Armstrong's 1979 film My Brilliant Career. Neill later appeared in the 1989 thriller Dead Calm, also starring a then-relatively unknown Nicole Kidman. He twice co-starred with Meryl Streep in Australian director Fred Schepisi films Plenty and A Cry in the Dark, based on the true story of a dingo killing a baby in the Australian Outback. He missed out on a chance at mega-stardom in the mid-1980s when he did a screen test for the role of James Bond but did not land the role. He would later achieve blockbuster fame in Steven Spielberg's 1993 hit Jurassic Park, as palaeontologist Dr Alan Grant. Younger audiences will remember Neill for his portrayal of ruthless chief inspector Chester Campbell in Peaky Blinders. Read more from Sky News:'Nothing to suggest' Ann Widdecombe murder politicalAntiques Roadshow star Theo Burrell dies aged 39 In 2022, Neill accepted ​a knighthood for outstanding contribution to film. Neill, who was married twice, divided his later years between Australia and his vineyard in New Zealand's Central Otago, which produced Pinot Noir under the label Two Paddocks. He is survived by his two sons and two daughters.

The recommendation comes as part of the all-party parliamentary group (APPG) on local government's report, seen by Sky News, into how fiscal devolution is vital to delivering economic growth. Politics latest: Follow live Mr Burnham has made devolution a key part of his platform and has pledged to deliver the "biggest rebalancing of power our country has seen". The MPs say Mr Burnham should axe the council tax referendum principles, which say authorities must ballot their residents if they want to put up council tax by more than 5% – or 3% for authorities without adult social care responsibilities. But many local authorities have been given permission by the government in recent years to increase council tax by much more than 5% without the need for a vote, in an attempt to stop councils going under as they manage substantial gaps in funding. The MPs say that shows the "absurdity" of the current situation – although they accept allowing hikes would come with "political costs" to local authorities "If councils facing acute financial pressures can be trusted to set higher council tax rates – some because of their own poor leadership – why can't all local authorities do so?" the MPs ask. Many struggling councils have cut back on services they aren't required to provide by law to fund ballooning adult social care, children's social care, and homelessness support bills, as well as years of budget cuts from central government. The MPs also say Mr Burnham could go further by following the example of the Welsh government in adding a new upper council tax band for the most expensive properties. 'Councils should be responsible' Speaking to Sky News, Labour MP Clive Betts, who chairs the APPG and backs Mr Burnham for leader, said that alongside the devolution of powers, he wants to see the "devolution of accountability and responsibility". "In the end, councils who are elected should be responsible for explaining local tax to local voters. Those voters will decide whether councils behave reasonably for the level of council tax they are levying." He pointed out that councils were responsible for deciding the level of council tax they charged "for over a century", with the referendum principles only introduced in 2011. Read more from Sky News:Troops 'dropped prisoners from forklift'Labour target 'moving further out of reach' The report also backs assigning a proportion of the funds raised by income tax and stamp duty, as well as a mass devolution of taxes like landfill tax and the growth and skills levy, which it says would give local places control of an extra £79bn to spend on public services. The devolution of these taxes should come alongside powers over economic development, skills and employment, which they say will allow areas to boost local economic growth. Mr Betts added that Mr Burnham, who as Greater Manchester mayor spent nine years leading the combined authority there, needs to ensure that devolution "must extend well beyond combined authorities to encompass local government as a whole". Elsewhere, ministers have confirmed they will publish their proposals for a massive shake-up of councils across England this week, expected on Thursday – rather than wait until Mr Burnham is in post. Ministers are merging district and county councils so that all areas have one overarching council that delivers all services in a bid to cut duplication and end confusion over what council does what. But the plans are controversial, with some areas having reorganisation plans imposed on them against their will. Elections for the new councils next May will be Mr Burnham's first test at the ballot box.

Thomas Tuchel's injury, illness and fatigue problems across the squad have eased considerably since the gruelling win over Norway three days ago. Rice had a stomach problem in the aftermath of the last 16 game in Mexico City 10 days ago, which Tuchel said meant he was confined to his bed for three days in the lead-up to the quarter-final against Norway. Why has Kobbie Mainoo become England's forgotten man?Merson: Teams win leagues, X-factor wins World Cups - and Bellingham has itWorld Cup semi-finals schedule | Follow it all on the Sky Sports App | Golden Boot raceJude Bellingham and Thomas Tuchel's 'battle of wills' is healthy for England As a result, the FA doctors decided he was only able to play 45 minutes in Miami, where the heat and humidity had the same effect as if temperatures were 44C. The Arsenal midfielder looked drained and drawn as he walked past journalists after the extra-time victory over Norway, although Tuchel suggested in his post-match press conference that Rice wanted to continue beyond half-time. Tuchel said: "We knew that Declan was struggling. He gave a green light to continue maybe until the next water break, but then I thought if we go 120 and I don't have Elliot [Anderson] on the field, we will get into trouble with substitutions later. "So we took a hard decision and took Declan off then, which paid off because Elliot could play the full 120, otherwise we would have been in trouble." But it's thought Rice has now fully recovered, and he was able to train fully on Monday in Kansas City - the first full session after the Norway win, which was behind closed doors. There are now no remaining doubts that he will be able to start against the reigning world champions. Elsewhere, while a number of England's players suffered cramp and extreme fatigue following Sunday's game, the FA medics and physios have carried out an exhaustive programme of rehabilitation in the two days since. And it is thought Tuchel will have close to a full squad to select from - with the exception of the suspended Jarrel Quansah and Jordan Henderson, who has a broken wrist. It is great news for England, who are just one win away from their first World Cup final in 60 years. Tuchel has just one training session left in Kansas City later today, to get the tactics and team selection right to face Lionel Messi and Argentina. Why has Mainoo become England's forgotten man? Sky Sports News' Rob Dorsett: Kobbie Mainoo has cut a pretty forlorn-looking figure at this World Cup. He is one of only three outfield players who has not featured at all in the tournament. Ivan Toney and Trevoh Chalobah are the others, and they probably better understand their lot. Chalobah was a late replacement for the injured Tino Livramento and so always knew he was the back-up defender. For most matches, he has had John Stones in waiting on the bench ahead of him. Toney was told by Tuchel that he is a 'finisher' - a player unlikely to start unless there is an injury to Harry Kane. Kane has been fully fit and fired six goals in the tournament. And we have not yet gone to a penalty shoot-out, so no need for a last-minute Toney appearance. But for Mainoo there is an air of disappointment and, it seems, some disillusionment. For every one of England's six matches, he has been the first to leave the dressing room after a game, and always the first onto the team bus. On every occasion I have seen him, he has been walking on his own, not with a team-mate. Let us be clear, he has not been sulking. But he has looked a little lost. Read Rob Dorsett's analysis of Kobbie Mainoo's frustrating World Cup campaign O'Reilly also fit despite hamstring strain Nico O'Reilly is expected to be available for selection for England against Argentina despite a hamstring problem he picked up against Norway. O'Reilly gestured to the bench asking to be substituted in the second half. He was replaced by Djed Spence just before the start of extra-time. But Sky Sports News understands he hasn't suffered any major strain. O'Reilly spoke to reporters on Monday ahead of the game, saying: "It's crazy, an unbelievable feeling. I can't wait for the game. "Not a lot of people get to that position [of a semi-final] - I'm gonna relish it and take it all in. I've always dreamt of this. "I did an interview three years ago, and I said I wanted to be in the World Cup squad, and the Manchester City team and I've achieved those two things." A number of other players will continue to be monitored to see how they are recovering from the extreme heat and humidity in Miami. Harry Kane, Elliot Anderson, Marc Guehi and John Stones all played the full 120 minutes. Guehi had missed several training sessions in the build-up to the Norway match with a hamstring tweak, and Stones had only played a total of 35 minutes in the tournament before that point.

An inquest heard 60-year-old Shaun Burton died from "traumatic injuries to the brainstem and chest, pending further investigation" following the crash on 19 June. Mr Burton, from Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire, died when the East Midlands Railway (EMR) train he was driving hit the back of a stationary train run by the same operator. An inquest into the circumstances surrounding Mr Burton's death opened at Bedfordshire and Luton Coroners Court in Ampthill on Tuesday. He had passed a red signal moments before the collision near the scene of the crash in Elstow, according to an interim report by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) published on 24 June. The stationary train involved in the crash had come to a halt "unexpectedly" after a fault with its automatic warning system (AWS) caused its brakes to apply, the RAIB said. This resulted in the signal behind it automatically switching to red, investigators added. Images from a CCTV camera on Mr Burton's train showed a signal near the scene of the crash "was displaying a red aspect as the train approached and then passed it", the RAIB said. Train data from the wreckage showed the brakes were applied while the train was travelling at 77mph, about 200 yards before the crash. Its speed had reduced to 49mph by the moment of impact. The RAIB said its full investigation would consider "the actions of those involved and any factors that may have influenced them". Some 162 people were injured in the collision, 102 of whom needed hospital treatment. Read more from Sky News:US returns $81bn after Trump tariffs ruled illegalUnseen photos released 25 years after British backpacker's murder Mr Burton's family were informed the inquest was set to open, but did not attend court. Coroner Emma Whitting said: "I would like to take this opportunity to pass on my condolences to Mr Burton's family, friends and colleagues for their loss." The inquest was adjourned until the conclusion of the RAIB and British Transport Police investigations.

The government's Music In Libraries initiative will be co-designed by the British singer's charity, The Ed Sheeran Foundation, with input from teachers, youth clubs and industry experts, to help young people gain free access to mentorship and education. More than 150 library authorities will be able to apply for funding to create free studio spaces with recording booths, mixing desks and other equipment, and to offer live performance opportunities, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said in a statement. Funding will come through the government's Dormant Assets Scheme, which allocates unclaimed money from financial products to be used for public good. The libraries programme came about following a visit by Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy and Sheeran to Brighten The Corners, a not-for-profit live music and youth arts organisation in Ipswich, in 2024, the DCMS said. It is part of a wider music plan backing grassroots projects, with the culture secretary saying that "pop is getting posher, and that must change". She continued: "Talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. After a decade of mindless vandalism that stripped culture and creativity from too many classrooms and communities, we are putting music back at the heart of education, investing in creative careers and backing grassroots music across the country." Music "belongs to everyone, not just the privileged few", she added. Dr Renuka Fernando, chief executive of the Ed Sheeran Foundation, said the Music In Libraries programme was an "important step forward" for music education. "By expanding access to music beyond the classroom, our library network can help ensure that children and young people from communities across England have the opportunity to engage with music, regardless of where they live," she added. Read more from Sky News entertainment:Sam Fender and Olivia Dean overtake Wet Wet Wet in charts runWhat does Sky's £1.6bn deal with ITV mean for viewers? It comes after Sheeran wrote an open letter to Sir Keir Starmer in March last year, supported by stars including Harry Styles and Stormzy, calling for the action from the government to "save music education". In November, the government announced the first major change to the music curriculum in more than 10 years, to broaden the appeal of music education and boost creative subjects.

Andy Burnham is set to succeed the outgoing PM, Sir Keir Starmer, later this month – and he will face challenges at home and abroad should he move into 10 Downing Street. The Education Policy Institute (EPI) has set out what it says is a key domestic problem he needs to deal with – that achievement gaps between pupils from poorer backgrounds compared with those from richer homes remain wider than before the coronavirus pandemic at every phase of education from early years to post-16. Politics latest: Follow live February's Schools White Paper set a target to halve the disadvantage gap by the time children born under this government finish secondary school. However, the EPI is warning this ambition is "moving further out of reach, not closer". Data from its latest annual report also finds big regional differences in terms of closing the gap. London outperforms all other regions again in this respect, with schools in the West Midlands having the smallest gap across all phases. But the South East and South West have experienced some of the largest increases in the gap since the pandemic. "The finding presents an early challenge for the incoming prime minister, who inherits the government's aim of halving the disadvantage gap just months after it was set out," said the EPI. Julie McCulloch, head of the research institute, branded the size of the gaps "a scourge on our society". Read more from Sky News:Human trials of Ebola vaccine to begin in UKTwo men die after going into sea to save children "The government's ambitious target to halve this gap is right and welcome," she said. "However, the findings of EPI's latest annual report show that, on current trends, the distance between where we are and where the government wants to be is growing, not shrinking. "The next prime minister inherits a clear pledge and a difficult starting position." Ms McCulloch added that a "credible, long-term delivery plan" is needed. The EPI recommends that all children get the same entitlements to funded hours of early education and care regardless of their family circumstances. It adds that more investment is needed so children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities can be supported, while targeted funding is also required for disadvantaged people aged 16 to 19. School leaders' union NAHT general secretary Paul Whiteman said: "These stark findings underline just how difficult it is for the government to shift the dial on the stubborn inequalities we see in children's educational attainment. "The government's stated determination to tackle this, starting from children's early years, is laudable, and measures including family hubs and extending free school meals should help in the long run. "It is vital the new prime minister shows sustained commitment to tackling disadvantage in all its forms and in all areas of the country." The National Education Union also called for "significant investment" in the wake of the report. General secretary Daniel Kebede said: "The gaps between haves and have-nots are widening, and a step change of significant investment is required to turn this around."

Sky Sports News understands the midfielder has a release clause in his contract that is being triggered by United. Discussions are advancing quickly after Belgium's exit from the World Cup. Tielemans, 29, has been at Villa since 2023, when he joined on a free transfer from Leicester, and has made 134 appearances for the club, scoring 10 times. VOTE: Is Tielemans the right option for Man Utd?Transfer Centre LIVE! | Key dates for summer window 2026Premier League ins and outs | Papers - latest headlinesDownload the Sky Sports app and follow your club During that time, Villa have twice qualified for the Champions League, reached the quarter-finals in that competition and won the Europa League last season under Unai Emery, with Tielemans opening the scoring in the final against Freiburg. Before joining Villa, Tielemans won the FA Cup and Community Shield at Leicester. United have already signed Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos in a £50m deal, while a move for Atalanta midfielder Ederson could be revisited. United agreed a £38m deal to sign the Brazil international - who featured for his country at the World Cup - and was set to sign a four-year deal at the club with an option to extend his stay for an additional 12 months. United are not ruling out signing Ederson this summer despite a breakdown in the deal over a medical issue. United denied the deal was off to Sky Sports News last week following reports, although it will not progress on the initial price and structure. It remains possible they return for him before the window is over, depending on how the market develops. But Sky Sports News can confirm Andrey Santos has not been signed as an alternative to Ederson. 'Villa do not want to sell but they have no choice' Sky Sports News' Dharmesh Sheth: "Why would Aston Villa want to sell Tielemans? They don't want to sell. They have got no intention of selling Youri Tielemans. However, they have been hamstrung slightly because part his contract contains a release clause, which we understand to be around £36m, which Manchester United are prepared to pay. "This one is going to accelerate, and it has accelerated since Belgium were knocked out of the World Cup by Spain last week, and since that has happened, Manchester United put the wheels in motion. "And when you have a release clause and a club is prepared to meet it, this kind of deal can move very quickly. That is what looks like is happening now. "The big priority throughout this transfer window has been midfield at Old Trafford. They need to sign maybe two midfielders. We could even see Manchester United trying to sign three midfielders in this transfer window. "Even before the transfer window opened - because we knew Casemiro was going to be leaving - and now there's the added complication that Manuel Ugarte has got a serious knee injury that he suffered during the World Cup with Uruguay. "Manchester United might have been prepared to listen to offers for someone like Ugarte to free up some squad space, some wage space and some transfer fee money to come into the club to be able to to fund other midfield moves. "But it's clear Ugarte isn't going anywhere at the moment and it's clear he's not going to be playing for Manchester United, having that serious knee injury. "So United are in the market for two, maybe even three, midfielders. Youri Tielemans looks like he could be one of them." Analysis: Tielemans is ready made, reliable midfield option Sky Sports' Sam Blitz and William Bitibiri: Aston Villa have a lot of gems in their team - Emiliano Martinez, Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers to name a few. But ask any Villa fan who their most important player is and most will say Youri Tielemans. Many concluded that Villa's exit from the Premier League title race in February coincided with Tielemans' ankle injury. They went from a team who won 10 out of 13 league games to a side who lost four out of their next seven. So missed when absent, the Belgian is a crucial cog in the Villa midfield due to his all-round control. He's outstanding in the duels - with one of the best tackle-success rates among Premier League midfielders - but he's also pivotal on the ball. Tielemans is capable of breaking the lines and providing that killer pass. His through-ball numbers place him among the most creative players in the Premier League. Tielemans has emerged as a shock candidate to anchor Manchester United's midfield rebuild but he's one that arguably ticks more boxes than anyone else on the Old Trafford shortlist. For a club preparing for the toils of the Champions League, alongside a desire to better their current Premier League position, Tielemans represents the ready made option that proved so successful for United last season. Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha raised United's level last season and were examples of astute business from INEOS. The 29-year-old would join with a CV as impressive as his goal repertoire. He scored the winner in Leicester's FA Cup triumph in 2021, delivered again in Aston Villa's Europa League victory last season and captained Belgium at the 2026 World Cup. Tielemans brings composure in possession, leadership with or without the armband and has done it all at the highest level. INEOS are planning for the long term but that shouldn't come at the detriment to what United want to achieve immediately. Tielemans is an obvious fit and may be an early shout for signing of the summer.