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No Writer
Apr 14
Soham killer Ian Huntley's cause of death revealed

Huntley, 52, died in hospital after being struck multiple times over the head with a metal bar, an inquest has heard. He was left with "significant head injuries" after being attacked inside the prison workshop in HMP Frankland, County Durham, in late February. The killer was reportedly found by prison guards in a pool of blood. He died days later on 7 March at Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle. His cause of death was determined as "blunt head injury". The former school caretaker was serving a life sentence after being convicted of killing 10-year-olds Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in Soham, Cambridgeshire, in August 2002. The inquest, held in Crook, County Durham, on Tuesday, lasted less than five minutes. Coroner's officer Bradley King said: "I understand the circumstances to be that Mr Huntley was struck over the head multiple times by another prisoner with an object described as a metal bar. "The assault left Mr Huntley with significant head injuries." Huntley's body was formally identified on the day he died. Anthony Russell, 43, who has been charged with murdering Huntley, is due to have a pre-trial hearing at Newcastle Crown Court on 24 April. Huntley, a former school caretaker, killed best friends Holly and Jessica after they left a family barbecue to buy sweets in Soham, Cambridgeshire, in August 2002. He dumped their bodies in a ditch 10 miles away. They were not found for 13 days, despite a search involving hundreds of police. Read more on Sky News:Huntley's 'minimalist' cremation At the time Huntley lived with Maxine Carr, who was a teaching assistant at Holly and Jessica's primary school. He denied murdering the girls but was convicted after a trial at the Old Bailey in 2003. He was jailed for life with a recommended minimum term of 40 years. Carr gave Huntley a false alibi and was jailed for 21 months for perverting the course of justice. She is now living under a new identity. This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version. You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow us on WhatsApp and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.

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Bethany Minelle, arts and entertainment reporter
Apr 14
Record number of British stars to be inducted into Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Announced during an episode of American Idol on Tuesday, six out of the eight latest honourees hail from the UK. Phil Collins, Sade, Billy Idol and Manchester icons Joy Division and New Order (who are being treated as one act) also made the cut. The two non-British honourees in the performer category were Luther Vandross, who died in 2005, and hip-hop innovators Wu-Tang Clan. Liam Gallagher has previously spoken critically about the Hall of Fame, saying in 2024 he didn't want an award from "some geriatric in a cowboy hat," and saying on social media, "RNR hall of fame is for W******". On Tuesday, Gallagher seemed to have a change of heart, writing on X: "I wanna thank all the people who voted for us it's a real honour ever since I was a little kid and singing in the shower I'd dream about 1 day being in the RnR hall of fame it's true what they say anything is possible if you have a dream LG x" He later responded to a follower's question about what would be in his acceptance speech, saying, "Well I'll obv bring a box of chocolates and flowers and apologise to the organisers for my ignorance." Last year, Oasis played their biggest ever US tour, with two sell-out nights in California. Pioneers of a new wave of British heavy metal in the 1970s, Iron Maiden have released over 40 albums, including The Number Of The Beast. The band's lead singer Bruce Dickinson has also been less than complimentary about the Hall of Fame in the past, saying in 2018, "It's run by a bunch of sanctimonious Americans who wouldn't know rock'n'roll if it hit them in the face". Drummer, singer and songwriter Phil Collins, who was a giant of 1980s popular music, will become a double Hall of Fame member, after previously being honoured as a member of Genesis in 2010. Responding to his second nod, Collins wrote on Instagram: "Obviously I'm pleased and honored to be inducted. It wraps up what has been a wonderful life in music." Billy Idol, instantly recognisable for his bleach-blond hair and hits including White Wedding and Rebel Yell, bridged the gap between punk and rock in the 1970s and 1980s, and went on to become an MTV star in the 1990s. Idol appeared in person on American Idol, performing alongside judge Carrie Underwood before his nomination was announced. Soul-jazz star Sade Adu, who fronts the band Sade - famous for hits including Sweetest Taboo and Smooth Operator - makes history as the first British black woman to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Manchester bands Joy Division and New Order share a single induction, with the latter formed by the remaining members after the 1980 death of Joy Division lead singer Ian Curtis. Rock & Roll Hall of Fame chairman John Sykes said: "Induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is music's highest honour. "We look forward to celebrating these remarkable artists at this year's ceremony - it's going to be an unforgettable night." Read more from Sky News:Trump deletes AI image of himself as Jesus Colombia to cull wild hippos from herd started by Escobar Artists are eligible for inclusion in the hall 25 years after releasing their first commercial recording, with more than 1,200 artists, historians and music industry professionals voting to decide the nominees each year. Nominees will be formally inducted in a ceremony at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles in November. As well as being a hall of fame, the Cleveland, Ohio-based organisation - which was founded in 1983 by chairman of Atlantic Records Ahmet Ertegun - is also a museum that documents the history of rock music and the artists, producers, engineers, and other personnel who have influenced its development.

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Beth Rigby, political editor
Apr 14
'I can't control thousands of people': Farage irritated as he's questioned on promises Reform hasn't kept

He began the day on Monday at a news conference in central London, and I meet him mid-afternoon as he's being loaded onto a small plane to Aberdeen to travel to a members' rally that evening. Today, he'll fly to the Shetland Islands before travelling to Glasgow and then London. It will be like this for the entire run up to the May elections as Farage looks to turn his party from one governing a handful of councils in England to a serious party of government. A leader always on the go The Reform leader has already done about 40 campaign visits in recent weeks, and will do the same again in the run up to polling day on 7 May. If the schedule sounds exhausting, Farage seems energised and upbeat as he settles into his seat and orders a gin and tonic. He tells me campaigning is his favourite bit of the job as he chats with his team about the schedule for the week and the campaign. Soon lunch comes - a charcuterie and cheese board and scotch eggs, washed down with a big glass of red wine. This is a moment of relaxation for a leader always on the go, and I think about what a contrast Farage cuts to that of the prime minister, who I've watched from afar on flights, spending his time in meetings, going through his red box, looking at briefing notes or checking over a speech. Farage does none of that as I sit opposite him on the plane, and he reminds me that he never writes a speech for these rallies. Later he tells me he works off the "rule of three" - three different points he wants to make weaved into a speech. In the case of Scotland, his pitch is the failure of successive Scottish governments to deliver and what Reform could do for Scotland - be that expanding oil and gas production or cutting income tax. I cannot quite believe I am even writing this, but Reform hopes to become the official opposition to the SNP in Holyrood in May and sees this election for the Scottish parliament as the first step to seriously competing for power in Scotland in five years' time. It's astonishing they are in this position: at the last Holyrood elections, Reform didn't even register - winning no seats at all. The latest YouGov poll for Sky News predicts Farage will take 20 seats in Scotland and eclipse the Conservatives to become the official opposition. Reform aiming for 'seismic' wins As in other parts of the country, Reform is benefitting from the collapsing support for Labour and the Conservatives. In Scotland, Labour had hoped to win Holyrood from the SNP after nearly two decades, but that prospect has collapsed in tandem with the drop in support for the Starmer government. Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar called for Keir Starmer's resignation earlier this year as he sought to salvage his campaign and create distance from the Westminster government. Sarwar told me last month that he believed he could still win this election, but polling puts them third. It is a similar story in Wales, where Labour has held power ever since the Senedd was created in 1999. Now they are battling Reform for second position as Plaid Cymru takes the lead. Farage tells me he thinks that Reform can win the Welsh Parliament, which would be seismic: "Here in Scotland, to become the opposition would be amazing, absolutely amazing, and if we can embed ourselves there, we can move on in the years to come. "In Wales, well, we're neck and neck right now with Plaid Cymru. The Labour Party, particularly in The Valleys - the real birthplace of the Labour Party - is almost disappearing off the map. So, to be frank, coming first in Wales is the ambition. Whether we can remains to be seen." Some big issues to overcome Farage tells me that he thinks the big story of these elections will be the collapse of Labour - across the Welsh Valleys, the red wall in the Midlands, the North East, the North West and in Scotland. But Farage has his challenges too. While the insurgent party is benefiting from voters' disillusionment with the Conservatives and Labour, the sheen is coming off Reform a little of late. Recent polls show Reform's support has fallen a few percentage points from highs of 29% to 30% in the spring and summer of 2025, while a poll earlier this month by Conservative peer Lord Ashcroft suggested Reform has lost its outright lead across the UK for the first time in more than a year, putting the party on 21% alongside the Tories and Greens, with Labour on 17%. It is perhaps some of the pains of moving from a party of protest to becoming a party in power. There are still big questions around delivery. Recent polling shows that only a quarter of Britons think Reform UK are ready to form the next government, while 58% disagree. This position has slightly worsened from September 2025, when 53% disagreed. There are some big issues for the leader to overcome. First is his positioning on the Iran war and Donald Trump. Pollster Luke Tryl says that the "biggest barrier to people voting for Reform is Trump", while the YouGov March tracker poll found that 14% of Britons had a favourable opinion of Donald Trump and 81% had an unfavourable opinion. When I ask Farage if he has a Trump problem, he tells me "no". But he also spends some of our conversation distancing himself from his old friend while trying to avoid disavowing him: "It's America first, not Trump." 'We're not North Korea' There is also the question of distancing at a more local level when it comes to delivering on the handful of English councils Reform controls (it has nine with outright control and three under minority control). Farage gets irritated when he's questioned about promises made by some Reform candidates on council tax that were not kept. He tells me he cannot be responsible for what potential candidates promised on leaflets, and points out that Reform councils have overall delivered the lowest average council tax increases of any major party. The nine upper-tier councils controlled by a Reform majority increased Band D council tax for 2026/27 by an average of 3.94% - lower than the overall average increase for councils controlled by other parties, which was 4.86%. However, it is equally true that Reform politicians made promises they did not keep. North Northamptonshire candidates signed a letter pledging a freeze. Council tax there has gone up by 4.99%. A Kent County Council leaflet promised to "cut your taxes", but it was raised by 3.99%. Leaflets being distributed by a Reform candidate in the Staffordshire region said Reform would "freeze council tax and biz rates". Council tax went up by 3.99% there, too. Farage answers this by saying: "We're not North Korea. I can't control individuals and thousands of people." He repeats his point that he didn't promise cuts, but it raises questions about delivery and keeping promises - the exact points Farage and his team criticise other politicians about. On the cusp of success Should Reform win more councils and perhaps even a national parliament in May, those questions and that scrutiny is only going to increase. Three months ago, Farage said he was halfway ready to form a government. On Monday he told me he was now 75% of the way there with a leader appointed in Scotland and Wales, and four major spokesperson figures. He is now on the cusp of real success in a set of elections that look set to be an important staging post on Reform's journey towards trying to win the general election in 2029. If it goes Farage's way, he'll have proven he can win at the ballot box - but delivering in office is going to be a much harder task, and test. This interview is the first in a series that Beth Rigby will be conducting with party leaders ahead of the May elections.

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No Writer
Apr 13
Cristian Romero: Tottenham captain to miss rest of season after suffering knee injury in Sunderland defeat

The defender was substituted in tears during Sunday's 1-0 defeat at Sunderland following a collision with Spurs goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky while defending the ball from Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey. Reports claiming the Argentina international will return in time for the World Cup are believed not to be completely accurate, but Romero's season at club level is over. Are Spurs destined for relegation? | Carra: Spurs look like they're going downSpurs news & transfers⚪ | Spurs fixtures & scoresGot Sky? Watch Tottenham games LIVE on your phone📱Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW📺 Romero's injury is another monumental blow for relegation-threatened Spurs, who are in the bottom three and two points from safety with only six league games remaining. It is another injury issue for new Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi, who told reporters on Friday he had expected to rely on Mohammed Kudus only for the forward to suffer a fresh quad injury. Now he will have to do without Romero for the run-in, whom he had labelled a "crucial player" after the defeat at the Stadium of Light. When asked about Romero's injury on Sunday, he said: "I hope for us it's not too important a problem because he's a crucial player for us. "He's a good guy, good player, top player, big personality and we need him to finish this season and to achieve our goal." Kevin Danso is line to replace Romero for the remainder of the season after the Austria international came on for him in the defeat at Sunderland. Romero is now facing a race to be fit in time for this summer's World Cup with Argentina aiming to defend the title in USA, Canada and Mexico. Argentina's opening game of the tournament is on June 17. Should Brobbey have been punished for push which led to Romero injury? Romero's season-ending injury came as a result of a push by Brobbey, who was already on a yellow card, leading to questions over whether the striker should have been sent off. Speaking on Sky Sports News' Ref Watch, ex-Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher said: "We have to be careful we don't get seduced by the outcome - the injury. "If the goalkeeper's not there, a little nudge, are you going to send him off for a second yellow card? The answer is most certainly no. "The goalkeeper comes out and a collision occurs. That changes everyone's perspective, but it wasn't a serious foul." Ex-Cardiff striker Jay Bothroyd added: "Romero is not in control of the ball and is trying to block Brobbey from getting it. At some point, Brobbey can't see the ball anymore because he's so close to Romero. "It's almost like he's pushed him to one side to see it. That's the kind of incident that comes because defenders are trying to shield the ball." Are Tottenham destined for relegation? Many of Tottenham's biggest issues were self-diagnosed by Roberto De Zerbi during his first game in charge. Spurs had fallen into the bottom three before travelling to Sunderland, and their performance in defeat did nothing to strengthen the belief that they can climb out of it. Appointing De Zerbi as one of the highest-paid head coaches in the division at this juncture of an already calamitous campaign was a high-stakes gamble. Some might argue that keeping Igor Tudor on would have been riskier still. But whoever the boss - De Zerbi is Spurs' fourth of the last 12 months - the same problems seem to persist. Sky Sports' Laura Hunter analyses De Zerbi's first game in charge. Carra: Spurs look like they're going down Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher: "I can't believe it. Tottenham look like they're going to go down," said Carragher. "The other [relegation-threatened] teams have something going for them. "You look at fixtures, you think that's a good game for Tottenham. But they're awful. Tottenham's a good game for them. "Wolves are bottom of the league. Do you think Tottenham will go there, and win? No chance." Tottenham's remaining games Saturday: Brighton (H) - Premier League, kick-off 5.30pm, live on Sky Sports April 25: Wolves (A) - Premier League, kick-off 3pm May 2: Aston Villa (A) - Premier League, kick-off 12.30pm May 11: Leeds (H) - Premier League, kick-off 8pm, live on Sky Sports May 17: Chelsea (A) - Premier League May 24: Everton (H) - Premier League

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No Writer
Apr 14
Albanian crime gang behind £1m burglary spree jailed

Endrit Nikolli, 27, Kristian Gropcaj, 30, George Pepa, 31, Krisjian Dedndreaj, 28, and Sidorjan Lleshi, 26, pleaded guilty. Appearing today at Chester Crown Court, Gropcaj was sentenced to 10 years in prison, Pepa and Dedndreaj to nine years, while Lleshi got 10 years and nine months. Nikolli will be sentenced at a later date. Nikolli and Lleshi both also admitted one additional count of burglary over two incidents in Staffordshire in March 2024 and December 2023. Jade Tubb, a 33-year-old British woman who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess criminal property, was given a 12-month sentence, suspended for two years. Derbyshire police said the gang were linked to at least 44 burglaries in the UK; in Derbyshire, Cheshire, Cleveland, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire and West Mercia. The force estimated the total value of items stolen was more than £1m. While some items have been recovered, the majority are believed to have been sold on. The group would typically gain access to properties via ladders and enter through first-floor windows or balconies. Once inside, they would steal jewellery, designer handbags, watches and cash. CCTV from one burglary showed them hauling a safe over a fence. "The realisation that strangers had broken into our house while we were inside - just a floor away, was something I will never forget," said one victim from Macclesfield. "We didn't know if they were armed, how many people there were, or whether they would come downstairs, meaning we were forced to barricade ourselves in the lounge." Footmarks, number plates and DNA Derbyshire police launched an investigation into the group in October 2024 after a series of burglaries across east Cheshire. Working with police in Nottinghamshire and Staffordshire, detectives from Macclesfield were able to link the incidents to several others across the UK through footwear marks. Officers then used automatic number plate recognition technology to identify vehicles present at all incidents. They found that a red Ford Focus, insured by Gropcaj, had been present at many of the sites. The force also found through telephone checks that Gropcaj had been in regular contact with Nikolli, Dedndreaj, and Lleshaj. Further enquiries revealed the four men had been meeting on a regular basis at a coffee shop in the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham. Traces of DNA from Nikolli had also been found at the scene of a burglary in Staffordshire. On 2 July last year, the force carried out raids in Walsall, Sutton Coldfield and Birmingham that led to the arrests of Nikolli, Lleshaj, Gropcaj and Tubb. Dedndreaj was later arrested in Surrey. Officers recovered 13 designer handbags, 14 watches worth almost £17,000, several mobile phones containing Google Maps searches correlating to the burglaries, and information showing Lleshi was also part of the gang. He was arrested at his home in Sheffield on 3 September. Read more from Sky News:Soham killer Huntley's cause of death revealedRobo-taxis now driving themselves on British streets Detective Sergeant Laura Fox, of Macclesfield CID, said in the burglaries "were carefully orchestrated, with the gang researching their targets before committing their crimes, even expanding their crime spree across multiple forces in an effort to go undetected". "Throughout our investigation, it has been clear that the gang had absolutely no regard for the impact that their offences would have on the victims," she added. "Instead, they regularly gloated about their crimes and shared images of ill-gotten gains."

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No Writer
Apr 13
Britney Spears checks into rehab after DUI arrest

The 44-year-old pop star voluntarily checked herself into a substance abuse treatment facility, according to an email sent to The Associated Press on Sunday. Spears was arrested on 5 March, after California Highway Patrol officers received a report that a BMW was driving fast and "erratically" on US 101 in Ventura County near the Los Angeles County line. She was later arrested for "driving under the influence of a combination of drugs and alcohol" and taken to Ventura County Main Jail, north west of Los Angeles. Spears, who lives in the area, was released several hours later. She is due to appear in court on 4 May. At the time of Spears's arrest, her representative called her actions "completely inexcusable" and said it would ideally be "the first step in long overdue change that needs to occur in Britney's life". Spears has not released new music for several years, saying in 2024 that she would "never return to the music industry". She went on to sell part of her rights to her back catalogue to music publisher Primary Wave in February. In 2021, a 13-year conservatorship allowing her father to control her freedom and finances due to concerns over her mental health was dissolved by the court. Spears published a bestselling memoir two years later, titled The Woman In Me.

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No Writer
Apr 14
Revealed: How many council workers are paid more than the PM - and who earns the most

Sir Keir Starmer's official salary is £172,153 - but according to the TaxPayers' Alliance, 320 workers in local government were on a bigger pay packet in 2024/25. The pressure group has claimed this has risen by a third over the past 12 months, with one executive at Staffordshire Council - whose job title is unknown - earning £457,000. Overall, it is believed 4,733 council employees across the UK are now on a six-figure salary, and that's the highest level since the TaxPayers' Alliance began keeping records in 2007. Of those, 1,255 took home at least £150,000 a year, an increase of 163 compared with the pressure group's last Town Hall Rich List report in 2025. TaxPayers' Alliance chief executive John O'Connell said: "Taxpayers are caught in a pincer movement with a record-breaking tax burden on one side and a bloated public sector feathering its nest on the other. "Our latest Town Hall Rich List exposes a surging class of council bosses enjoying six-figure packages, even as they plead poverty, slash frontline services and hike council tax bills far beyond inflation. "Residents can see exactly how many local bureaucrats are receiving plush packages and judge for themselves whether they're getting value for money." As reported by the Sky News Data and Forensics team, some households in England have seen exceptionally high council tax rises come into effect since the new financial year began. A handful of local authorities have been allowed to raise their council tax rates higher than the usual 5% minimum as part of new finance arrangements. North Somerset, Shropshire, and Worcestershire were permitted to raise their council tax by nearly 9%. In Windsor & Maidenhead, Trafford and Warrington, residents saw council tax rise by nearly 7.5% while, in Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole, council tax increased by more than 6.7%.

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No Writer
Apr 14
Arsenal injury news: Declan Rice not in open training ahead of Champions League quarter-final with Sporting CP with Bukayo Saka still missing

Rice's absence from training does not mean he is ruled out of the last-eight clash on Wednesday night, but it is a concern given this is a huge week in Arsenal's season. With Arsenal needing to finish the job against Sporting CP on Wednesday - Gunners lead 1-0 on aggregate - Arsenal also have a huge Premier League clash with Manchester City on Sunday, live on Sky Sports, which is billed as a 'title decider'. Analysis: How does Arteta stop Arsenal's 'bottle'?Neville: Arsenal need to balance their emotionsGot Sky? Watch Premier League games LIVE on your phone📱Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW 📺 Arsenal have been missing Jurrien Timber, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Riccardo Calafiori in recent weeks - and none of them were in open training on Tuesday morning. Piero Hincapie and Eberechi Eze - who were only fit enough for the bench for the defeat against Bournemouth on Saturday - were both in training. Mikel Arteta will give more information about Rice's absence from training - and the rest of Arsenal's injury news - in his press conference at 1.30pm. Who could replace Rice? Sky Sports' Sam Blitz: It's the last bit of news Arsenal wanted to hear - more injury woes. But this may be the most agonising injury concern of the lot. Not only is Declan Rice one of Arsenal's best players - an irreplaceable cog in Mikel Arteta's system - but there is also no back-up option for him. That's because Mikel Merino, Rice's back-up in his midfield position, is also sidelined with a long-term injury. So where do Arsenal go from here if Rice is missing from their Champions League quarter-final second leg? Christian Norgaard is Arsenal's only other available option as a sitting midfielder, but he is deemed as a back-up to Martin Zubimendi, rather than for the more attacking Rice. Kai Havertz could continue in midfield, alongside Zubimendi and Eberechi Eze - but that is a very attacking set-up - and could expose Zubimendi, who is out of confidence at the moment. There are other options. Leandro Trossard has shown he could play in midfield - and even started last season's Premier League game away at the Etihad Stadium, though was sent off before half-time. Myles Lewis-Skelly is another player who could fill Rice's role. Either way, it is not ideal preparation in what is a big week not just in Arsenal's season - but also Mikel Arteta's tenure at the club. Arsenal's remaining fixtures April 15: Sporting CP (H), Champions League quarter-final second leg, kick-off 8pm April 19: Man City (A), Premier League, live on Sky Sports, kick-off 4.30pm April 25: Newcastle (H), Premier League, live on Sky Sports, kick-off 5.30pm April 29: Barcelona/Atletico Madrid (A), potential Champions League semi-final first leg, kick-off 8pm May 2: Fulham (H), Premier League, live on Sky Sports, kick-off 5.30pm May 5: Barcelona/Atletico Madrid (H), potential Champions League semi-final second leg, kick-off 8pm May 10: West Ham (A), Premier League, live on Sky Sports, kick-off 4.30pm May 17: Burnley (H), Premier League, kick-off TBC May 24: Crystal Palace (A), Premier League, kick-off 4pm May 30: Potential Champions League final

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