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Jun 23
Murder investigation after 14-year-old girl named 'Lilly' found dead in Blaina

Named only by police as Lilly, she was discovered in the Duffryn Park area of Blaina on Monday night. She had been reported missing and was last seen wearing a long black dress in the town's high street around 6.50pm on Saturday. Blaina is in the South Wales valleys, about 18 miles north of Cardiff. Detective Chief Inspector Steven Thomas said: "We understand that this will cause distress and concern amongst our communities. "We have a large police presence in the area at this time as enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances of the death. Our officers are here and available for you to speak to." Anyone with information can call Gwent Police on 101, direct message the force on Facebook or X, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Read more:Second boy charged with murdering 17-year-old Former SNP chief jailed for £400,000 embezzlement

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No Writer
Jun 23
Note sent to media outlets claims Nancy Guthrie died after 'kidnap'

Some outlets previously said they received ransom notes about the case in the days following the disappearance of Ms Guthrie from her home near Tucson, Arizona. Two notes sent to a TV network in the wake of the 84-year-old's disappearance were believed to be potentially credible by investigators. The first note said Ms Guthrie, the mother of Today host Savannah, was safe and demanded cryptocurrency in exchange for her release, whereas the second did not ask for money and was said to be very different from the first. Now Sky's US partner network NBC News has reported that this second note indicated she had died after her disappearance. However, it did not offer an apology or ask payment for the release of her body, according to NBC. According to the note, those who kidnapped her did not mean to kill her, but she died shortly after being taken. The existence of the note was known, but some details including claims she had died, had not previously been released. Tucson TV station KOLD that received two notes agreed to hold off sharing the contents publicly so any future communications with the kidnapper or kidnappers could be authenticated. Jessica Bobula, news director of KOLD, said the station received several notes after Ms Guthrie disappeared and the station told authorities and shared only what the FBI released about the correspondence. Read more from Sky News:Iran war threat to UK powerEx-Wimbledon champion banned Ms Guthrie was reported missing from her home on 1 February and was last seen at the property at around 9.45pm the previous evening. Police believe she was kidnapped or "otherwise taken against her will" after finding blood near her front doorstep. The FBI released surveillance videos of a masked man outside Guthrie's front door on the night she went missing. It has since described the man as a suspect. Volunteers and search teams scoured the nearby desert terrain filled with cactuses, bushes and boulders in the weeks after she vanished. A volunteer group recently conducted a search for her body near the Arizona-Mexico border but didn't report finding her. Investigators involved in the case examined the two notes following Ms Guthrie's disappearance and believe they could be credible. After the second note was sent, Savannah Guthrie spoke about her mother's possible kidnapping in an Instagram video, and said the family would "pay" for her return. "We received your message and we understand," Savannah Guthrie said, sat beside her brother, Camron, and sister, Annie. "We beg you now to return our mother to us so that we can celebrate with her. This is the only way we will have peace." "This is very valuable to us, and we will pay," Savannah Guthrie added. Her video did not specify the details of the message she received. The Pima County Sheriff's Department said on Tuesday: "The investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie remains active and ongoing. "The Pima County Sheriff's Department continues to work closely with the FBI as investigators follow up on leads, review information, and pursue the facts surrounding this case." Savannah Guthrie returned to NBC's Today show in April for the first time since her mother's disappearance. The 54-year-old has said she's a changed person since she went missing and that it's difficult to press ahead without knowing what happened to her.

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No Writer
Jun 23
In pictures: The shopping spree Peter Murrell went on with money embezzled from SNP funds

Murrell was sentenced to five years and three months in prison after admitting to illegally using £400,000 of party cash for personal purchases over a 12-year period. The former SNP chief executive, and ex-husband of Nicola Sturgeon, used the party's funds to buy items ranging from the expensive to the mundane. Here is a sample of the items Murrell spent his party's embezzled money on: All pics: Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service

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No Writer
Jun 23
World Cup 2026 Golden Boot race: Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane in epic battle to be top goalscorer

The superstars are delivering on the biggest stage of them all and are setting a blistering pace in the race to be the 2026 tournament's top goalscorer. Messi heads the field with five goals from two games after his double against Austria secured Argentina a 2-0 victory. Every potential knockout stage fixtureWorld Cup fixture schedule - your day-by-day guide Mbappe and Haaland are just behind Messi with four goals after doubles of their own in respective wins for France and Norway. It is the first World Cup since since 1954 - and only the second tournament in history - where three players have scored four or more times after two matches, and Harry Kane could join them with two goals for England against Ghana on Tuesday evening. How the race for the Golden Boot stands... Could more records tumble? Miroslav Klose started the tournament out in front on the all-time World Cup goalscoring chart with 16 goals. Two games in and Messi is now two ahead with 18, while Mbappe has pulled level with the Germany striker, whose international career spanned the World Cups from 2002 to 2014. Haaland is now Norway's leading goalscorer at World Cups after just two games, while one more Kane goal would see him go past Gary Lineker as England's top World Cup scorer. All four players will be targeting Just Fontaine's 1958 record of 13 goals in a single tournament. Only three players in World Cup history - Fontaine, Germany's Gerd Muller in 1970 and Hungary's Sandor Kocsis in 1954 - have ever hit double figures at a single tournament. At the current rate of scoring at this tournament, three or more players could do it this summer! Will anyone else join the party? The big question is: will anyone else gatecrash the Golden Boot party? After the exploits of Messi, Mbappe and Haaland, Kane (two goals) has his chance to get in the mix against Ghana. Like Mbappe, the England captain, whose overall World Cup goal tally stands at 10, has the chance to become the first striker to win multiple Golden Boots. Spain's Lamine Yamal (one goal) got his tournament up and running with a goal against Saudi Arabia, while Cristiano Ronaldo is yet to trouble the scorers for Portugal - but there are still plenty of games left for them to mount a challenge. Mikel Oyarzabal was the scorer of the winning goal for Spain in the Euro 2024 final and the Real Sociedad forward has made a fast start with two goals in his country's thrashing of Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, Deniz Undav was a rank outsider before the finals kicked off but the Stuttgart forward already has three goals, and could be a surprise contender if Germany go far. Netherland's Cody Gakpo (two) also has a good scoring record at major tournaments. Brazil duo Vinicius Junior and Matheus Cunha (both two) will also be targeting a few more goals. The Real Madrid star struck a fabulous goal to rescue a point for Brazil in their opener against Morocco and his goalscoring is likely to be key as the five-time winners continue to struggle for rhythm at the finals. Then there is the challenge from the host nations' forwards. Could Canada's Jonathan David (three) and USA's Folarin Balogun (two) get enough games to fire themselves into contention? Canada's hopes of a long run are perhaps dimmer than the other two host nations, but, following his hat-trick against Qatar, it would be unwise to dismiss David's prospects. With two goals in the United States' first two games, former Arsenal striker Balogun is the focal point for what could be an historic run for Mauricio Pochettino's co-hosts. The problem for the rest is Messi, Mbappe and Haaland, and potentially Kane, show no signs of slowing down any time soon. Who will win the Golden Boot? Have your say...

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No Writer
Jun 23
Note sent to media outlets claims Nancy Guthrie died after 'kidnap'

Some outlets previously said they received ransom notes about the case in the days following the disappearance of Ms Guthrie from her home near Tucson, Arizona. Two notes sent to a TV network in the wake of the 84-year-old's disappearance were believed to be potentially credible by investigators. The first note said Ms Guthrie, the mother of Today host Savannah, was safe and demanded cryptocurrency in exchange for her release, whereas the second did not ask for money and was said to be very different from the first. Now Sky's US partner network NBC News has reported that this second note indicated she had died after her disappearance. However, it did not offer an apology or ask payment for the release of her body, according to NBC. According to the note, those who kidnapped her did not mean to kill her, but she died shortly after being taken. The existence of the note was known, but some details including claims she had died, had not previously been released. Tucson TV station KOLD that received two notes agreed to hold off sharing the contents publicly so any future communications with the kidnapper or kidnappers could be authenticated. Jessica Bobula, news director of KOLD, said the station received several notes after Ms Guthrie disappeared and the station told authorities and shared only what the FBI released about the correspondence. Read more from Sky News:Iran war threat to UK powerEx-Wimbledon champion banned Ms Guthrie was reported missing from her home on 1 February and was last seen at the property at around 9.45pm the previous evening. Police believe she was kidnapped or "otherwise taken against her will" after finding blood near her front doorstep. The FBI released surveillance videos of a masked man outside Guthrie's front door on the night she went missing. It has since described the man as a suspect. Volunteers and search teams scoured the nearby desert terrain filled with cactuses, bushes and boulders in the weeks after she vanished. A volunteer group recently conducted a search for her body near the Arizona-Mexico border but didn't report finding her. Investigators involved in the case examined the two notes following Ms Guthrie's disappearance and believe they could be credible. After the second note was sent, Savannah Guthrie spoke about her mother's possible kidnapping in an Instagram video, and said the family would "pay" for her return. "We received your message and we understand," Savannah Guthrie said, sat beside her brother, Camron, and sister, Annie. "We beg you now to return our mother to us so that we can celebrate with her. This is the only way we will have peace." "This is very valuable to us, and we will pay," Savannah Guthrie added. Her video did not specify the details of the message she received. The Pima County Sheriff's Department said on Tuesday: "The investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie remains active and ongoing. "The Pima County Sheriff's Department continues to work closely with the FBI as investigators follow up on leads, review information, and pursue the facts surrounding this case." Savannah Guthrie returned to NBC's Today show in April for the first time since her mother's disappearance. The 54-year-old has said she's a changed person since she went missing and that it's difficult to press ahead without knowing what happened to her.

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No Writer
Jun 22
Clive Davis, legendary music mogul behind Whitney Houston and Bruce Springsteen, dies aged 94

Davis's family members told Sky News' US partner NBC News that the former Columbia Records president died on Monday in his Manhattan apartment. Earlier this year, Davis was hospitalised after suffering an upper respiratory issue. He was released a few days later. Davis's family said the music producer had made an "indelible mark on culture that will endure for generations" in a statement shared on his social media. "To the world, our father was the iconic music legend whose vision, instincts, and relentless pursuit of excellence shaped the soundtrack of countless lives," they said. "He discovered, mentored, and championed the greatest artists in modern music history, leaving an indelible mark on culture that will endure for generations." Davis rose from being a record company lawyer to one of the music industry's most powerful figures. He came to be known as "the man with the golden ear" because of his ability to identify potential hit songs. One of his crowning achievements was launching Houston's career when he signed her to his Arista record label when she was a teenager. She became one of the best-selling artists in pop history. After struggling with drug abuse, Houston died in 2012 just hours before she was due to appear at an annual pre-Grammy Awards party hosted by Davis. The mogul also launched the career of multiple Grammy winner Alicia Keys, as well as signing Patti Smith, Springsteen and Lou Reed. Keys said in a tribute shared on Instagram that Davis was a "visionary who transformed dreams into reality, leaving an indelible mark on music and lives worldwide". In a post on Instagram, Springsteen said: "At 22 years old, he changed my life when he signed me to Columbia Records. "He treated me with the same respect and kindness as a 22-year-old nobody as he did after all my success. A great man." Smith also paid tribute to Davis on social media: "Thanking Clive Davis for transforming music, and on a very personal note, for believing in me, shepherding my efforts and a half century of your love and support," she said. Read more from Sky News:Clarkson reveals prostate cancer is in remissionEx-Federal Reserve head Alan Greenspan dies aged 100 Davis's family said the "towering figure whose influence changed music forever" was also a committed family man. "To his family, Clive was Dad and Granddaddy, the steady presence at the center of our lives, the source of wisdom, strength, encouragement, and unconditional love," they said. "No matter how extraordinary his professional accomplishments, he never lost sight of what mattered most: the people he loved." They added: "Through every chapter of his remarkable life, family remained Clive's greatest pride and deepest joy. "Today, we celebrate not only a towering figure whose influence changed music forever, but the man who led our family with grace, generosity, and kindness. "We will miss him greatly, cherish him always, and carry his love with us for the rest of our lives." He won four Grammys for producing albums by Kelly Clarkson, Carlos Santana and Jennifer Hudson. Davis is survived by his four children, eight grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and his partner Greg Schriefer.

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No Writer
Jun 23
Inside the battle for No 11

In less than a month, Britain is set to get its seventh prime minister in a decade. And, barring a political earthquake, it's all but certain to be Andy Burnham. But several questions remain about what the King of the North really stands for - he now has just over three weeks to turn a by-election victory into a policy platform to govern the country. Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy look at the fading prospect of challengers and likely coronation. Can Burnham really steady the ship 10 years on from the Brexit referendum? With the battle for No 11 well under way, the duo also look at the economic agenda and what characters could form a Burnham government as the party begins to shape ideas for the next phase.

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Jun 23
Ben Stokes: England head coach Brendon McCullum denies rift as he praises returning captain ahead of third Test vs New Zealand

A week after saying he was "worried" about Stokes following his one-match suspension during an ECB investigation into a nightclub incident also involving Gus Atkinson after a team curfew breach, McCullum lauded the "fantastic" all-rounder ahead of his return to the captaincy for the third and deciding Test against New Zealand. Stokes and Atkinson were both cleared by the Cricket Regulator following investigations. McCullum also defended the pair's working relationship, stating that Stokes has "no idea" where rumours of a rift between the pair had stemmed from. Brendon McCullum says Ben Stokes relationship not tarnishedStuart Broad: England defeat shows how they need Ben StokesEngland thrashed by 253 runs as New Zealand level Test series "[Stokes and Atkinson] are good," said McCullum ahead of the team's training session at Trent Bridge on Tuesday. "They're actually really good. Ben's great, I had a good catch up with him this morning. We spent a good hour and a bit talking, and he's outstanding actually. "To my assessment, he looks fantastic. He's ready to go and excited about the week. From our point of view, it's nice to have the band back together. "My assessment was that I was slightly concerned, worried, now my assessment is that he looks great and he's ready to go." England lost the second Test to New Zealand by 253 runs in the absence of Stokes and Atkinson, setting up the deciding third Test at Trent Bridge, which starts on Thursday live on Sky Sports. McCullum denies strained relationship with 'good friend' Stokes Durham chief executive Tim Bostock said Stokes' county colleagues were "bemused" by McCullum's previous comments around Stokes' wellbeing as the all-rounder scored 95 off 118 balls alongside taking a wicket against Northamptonshire in the County Championship during his England absence. McCullum, though, maintains any reports of a strain in their relationship are baseless. "We talked about [reports of a strain] this morning. I said 'do you know where this has come from, the conversation about our relationship the last six months?', and he said 'I have no idea'," the England head coach said. "I said to him 'as far as I'm concerned, I consider you a good friend'. We've been through a lot together as a working pair in leadership positions in English cricket. We both want the best for English cricket and we're crystal clear on the direction we want this team to take. "There's going to be times where we discuss and debate things. We make decisions together - one will have to concede at times and vice-versa. "We are good friends, we work very well together - it's been a privilege for me to work in close conditions and form a partnership alongside Ben, and I look back on that fondly on how tight we were as a group and as a pair. Anything that's outside is not our concern." McCullum: Enjoy yourself, but excess is not what we're after Stokes and Atkinson were cleared of charges relating to the nightclub incident by the ECB and independent Cricket Regulator, but both players were still found to in breach of "contractual obligations" by forgoing the team's midnight curfew. "We've spoken a lot about the curfew," added McCullum. "From our point of view, there is a very well-documented point around the curfew but also our standards, and our protocols. "We've made this very clear now. I've been strong throughout that I want these guys to enjoy themselves. It's a lot of pressure, this job and it's a 12-month-a-year job, and there's a natural rhythm to touring, which is different to most sports. "You still need to be able to enjoy yourself but also be able to make good decisions at the right time. Time and a place is important to enjoy yourself, and we'll always encourage that, but excess is not what we're after. "When mistakes are made, we need to make sure we iron them out, and we need to make sure we move on as a team after." England vs New Zealand results and schedule All times UK and Ireland, all games live on Sky Sports First Test (Lord's) - England won by 115 runsSecond Test (The Kia Oval) - New Zealand won by 253 runsThird Test (Trent Bridge) - June 25-29 (11am) Watch the third Test between England and New Zealand, at Trent Bridge, live from 10am on Thursday (11am first ball) on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event. Get instant access with NOW.

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