Police seek canal killer victims

John SweeneySweeney was described as a one-time bohemian character
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Police are appealing on Crimewatch to trace further victims of a man who killed two women and dumped their bodies in canals.

John Sweeney, 54, of no fixed address, had denied murdering Paula Fields, 31, and 33-year-old Melissa Halstead.

Ms Halstead’s body was found in a Rotterdam canal in 1990. Miss Fields was found in Regent’s Canal in 2001.

Officers are now hoping to hear about a Colombian, a Brazilian and an English woman they fear may be further victims.

The Old Bailey ordered Sweeney, originally from Merseyside, to serve a whole-life tariff.

Judge Mr Justice Saunders said: “These were terrible, wicked crimes.”

Police now hope to hear about a Brazilian called Irani who was living in the north London area in 1996-97.

They released what is believed to be a picture of her drawn by Sweeney.

They also hope to trace a Colombian called Maria who was in the same area between 1997-98.

The third potential victim, thought to be English, was in her late 20s or early 30s in the late 1970s or 80s.

'Irani' pictureThe Met fear Sweeney may have killed this woman, called Irani

She was living in the Holloway Road area of north London and training to be a nurse.

Officers also believe she went to Switzerland to work and was a devoted churchgoer.

Det Ch Insp Howard Groves said: “As Sweeney contemplates a life behind bars, I can assure him that this investigation will continue as we seek to identify and trace other potential victims.

“We don’t know what happened to these women – we just need to find out more about them and their relationship with Sweeney.”

Sweeney was described as a “handsome and charming man who led a bohemian and transient life working as a carpenter”.

He used a number of aliases such as Joe Johnson, Joe Carroll and Scouse Joe and he spoke with a stutter.

The Met asked anyone who knew him in the 1970s or 80s to get in touch, releasing a new photo of him at that time to jog memories.

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Mother cries in child death trial

Casey Anthony, shown in a Pinellas County, Florida court in MayMs Anthony says a babysitter kidnapped her daughter

The trial has opened in Florida of a young US woman accused of murdering her two-year-old daughter in 2008.

Prosecutors base their case on forensic evidence they say shows Casey Anthony, 25, kept Caylee Anthony’s dead body in the boot of her car.

But they have no witnesses or confession linking Ms Anthony to the 2008 death, and forensic experts are unable to say how the child died.

Ms Anthony has pleaded not guilty, and says a babysitter kidnapped the child.

The trial is being held in Orlando in the US state of Florida, though jurors are being selected elsewhere due to the intense media scrutiny the case has garnered there.

Her lawyers are expected to argue she was in jail when the child’s body was left in a wood.

If she is found guilty of first-degree murder, she could face the death penalty.

Ms Anthony is also charged with aggravated child abuse, aggravated manslaughter of a child and providing false information to law enforcement.

Ms Anthony drew investigators’ attention when it was learned she waited weeks to tell her mother the child was missing.

Caylee’s decomposed body was found in December 2008 in a patch of woods near her house.

Ms Anthony’s mother reported smelling something like a dead body emanating from the boot of Ms Anthony’s car. And there, prosecutors say forensic experts found traces of chloroform.

Ms Anthony’s lawyers will say the foul smell came from a bag of rotting rubbish, but prosecutors plan to offer a novel form of forensic science they say shows chemical compounds from decomposition were present in the boot.

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VIDEO: Volcanic ash cloud to ‘clear up’ overnight

The Transport Secretary, Philip Hammond, has said he expects flights around the UK to return to normal tomorrow following the disruption caused today by ash from an Icelandic volcano.

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Bashir vows to hold disputed town

Building on fire in Abyei

James Copnall says the latest clashes “clearly reveal the tensions” between the north and south

Sudan’s president has said he will not withdraw troops from the disputed Abyei border region seized over the weekend.

President Omar al-Bashir said the area belonged to the north.

He added his army would respond to any possible “provocation” from the army of South Sudan, due to become an independent state on 9 July.

Northern troops seized the territory after southern forces had ambushed a convoy of its forces in the area, killing 22 people.

Analysts fear the the dispute could reignite the north-south conflict, in which some 1.5 million were killed.

The status of Abyei was left undecided in the 2005 peace deal and a referendum, due in January, on whether the area should be part of the north or south has been postponed indefinitely.

‘Grave consequences’

The two sides fought for decades before agreeing to share power and hold a referendum on southern independence.

“Abyei is northern Sudanese land,” President Bashir said, according to Reuters, adding: “We will not withdraw from it.”

Earlier on Tuesday, a southern minister in Sudan’s national government resigned, saying “war crimes” had been committed in the region.

Luka Biong Deng, a senior official in the south’s ruling party, originally from Abyei, said he could no longer work with Mr Bashir’s party in the unity government.

MAp showing the region of Abeyei

Some 20,000 people have now fled the town of Abyei, which has been left deserted, aid workers say.

UN human rights chief Navi Pillay said she had received reports that northern forces had been shelling and bombing civilian areas.

The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement has urged the northern troops to withdraw from the town.

The US envoy to Sudan, Princeton Lyman, has warned that the takeover could jeopardise possible debt relief worth billions of dollars.

He also said that Washington would find it difficult to remove Sudan from its list of state sponsors of terrorism unless troops were withdrawn from Abyei.

Under these sanctions Sudanese companies are banned from using US currency – a major obstacle to international trade.

The US has previously suggested that a peaceful transition to independence for the south and a negotiated solution to the separate conflict in Darfur could normalise relations.

Sudan: A country divided
Satellite image showing geography of Sudan, source: Nasa

The great divide across Sudan is visible even from space, as this Nasa satellite image shows. The northern states are a blanket of desert, broken only by the fertile Nile corridor. Southern Sudan is covered by green swathes of grassland, swamps and tropical forest.

Map showing Ethnicity of Sudan, source:

Sudan’s arid northern regions are home mainly to Arabic-speaking Muslims. But in Southern Sudan there is no dominant culture. The Dinkas and the Nuers are the largest of more than 200 ethnic groups, each with its own traditional beliefs and languages.

Map showing infant Mortality in Sudan, source: Sudan household health survey 2006

The health inequalities in Sudan are illustrated by infant mortality rates. In Southern Sudan, one in 10 children die before their first birthday. Whereas in the more developed northern states, such as Gezira and White Nile, half of those children would be expected to survive.

Map showing percentage of households using improved water and sanitation in Sudan, source: Sudan household health survey 2006

The gulf in water resources between north and south is stark. In Khartoum, River Nile, and Gezira states, two-thirds of people have access to piped drinking water and pit latrines. In the south, boreholes and unprotected wells are the main drinking sources. More than 80% of southerners have no toilet facilities whatsoever.

Map showing percentage of who complete primary school education in Sudan, source: Sudan household health survey 2006

Throughout Sudan, access to primary school education is strongly linked to household earnings. In the poorest parts of the south, less than 1% of children finish primary school. Whereas in the wealthier north, up to 50% of children complete primary level education.

Map showing percentage of households with poor food consumption in Sudan, source: Sudan household health survey 2006

Conflict and poverty are the main causes of food insecurity in Sudan. The residents of war-affected Darfur and Southern Sudan are still greatly dependent on food aid. Far more than in northern states, which tend to be wealthier, more urbanised and less reliant on agriculture.

Map showing position of oilfileds in Sudan, source: Drilling info international

Sudan exports billions of dollars of oil per year. Southern states produce more than 80% of it, but receive only 50% of the revenue, exacerbating tensions with the north. The oil-rich border region of Abyei is to hold a separate vote on whether to join the north or the south.

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Hopes of reduced flight problems

Grimsvotn eruptionThe Grimsvotn eruption has been causing havoc with flight schedules in parts of the UK
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There are hopes that the worst of the disruption caused to flights by the Icelandic ash cloud is now over.

Weather forecasts suggest that ash over the UK could dissipate between Tuesday night and Wednesday night.

The majority of affected flights in NI have been to and from airports in Scotland and north-east England.

A number of flights from City of Derry Airport were also cancelled. Airports are still advising passengers to check with their airline before leaving home.

Despite later cancelling its flights, the Irish carrier Ryanair claimed it had made a test flight through ash over Scotland and challenged a ruling some flights should be grounded.

Ryanair said its 90-minute flight at 41,000ft showed there was “no visible volcanic ash cloud or evidence of ash on the airframe, wings or engines”.

Ryanair said the “red zone” over Scottish airspace where ash has been classified “high-density” was invented by the Met Office and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

But a CAA spokesperson said: “The CAA can confirm that at no time did a Ryanair flight enter the notified area of high contamination ash over Scotland this morning.”

A map showing the predicted path of the ash cloud

BBC transport correspondent Richard Scott said the CAA confirmed Ryanair were being, at best, “misleading”.

The cancellations come just over a year after another volcanic eruption in Iceland caused widespread disruption across Europe, including the closure of UK airspace, amid concerns about the damage volcanic ash could cause to engine aircraft.

This year, in the UK, the decision on whether to fly or not in ash cloud conditions is down to individual airlines subject to aviation authority approval.

The CAA said procedures were “totally different” to last year and although no airlines had applied to fly in high-density ash, some had applied for, and been given, permission to fly in medium ash.

The Grimsvotn volcano in Vatnajokull National Park began erupting on Saturday and closed Iceland’s airspace for a period.

Experts say the eruption is on a different scale to the one last year and ash particles are larger and, as a result, fall to the ground more quickly.

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Giggs reporters’ cars vandalised

One of the cars attacked outside home of Ryan GiggsPolice said inquiries were continuing into the attacks
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Cars belonging to journalists and photographers camped outside the home of Manchester United footballer Ryan Giggs have been vandalised.

A group of masked men pulled up in a Transit van on the street in Worsley, Salford, and attacked six vehicles.

Reporters said tyres were slashed and cars were kicked and covered in flour and eggs.

Greater Manchester Police were called to the scene earlier and said inquiries were continuing.

Giggs was named in Parliament as the married footballer exposed on Twitter as having an injunction over an alleged affair with reality TV star Imogen Thomas.

The 37-year-old midfielder is United’s most senior player, having appeared in 613 games for the club since 1990.

Giggs was earlier absent from an open training session in front of the world’s media, as part of United’s preparations for the Champions League final against Barcelona at Wembley on Saturday.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson

Ferguson moves to ban Giggs questioner

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson was caught on tape asking a press officer to ban a journalist who had asked a question about the Welshman during a press conference.

Associated Press (AP) reporter Rob Harris asked how important Giggs was for Saturday’s Champions League final against Barcelona.

Sir Alex replied: “All of the players are important, every one of them.” He then moved on to another question.

He was later overhead on a microphone telling a press officer to “ban him on Friday”. Another press conference is scheduled the day before the Champions League final.

A United spokesman pointed out that as Friday’s event is organised by Uefa, the Old Trafford club has no jurisdiction to ban Harris.

Lib Dem MP John Hemming named Giggs during an urgent Commons question on privacy orders on Monday.

Using parliamentary privilege to break the court order, he said it would not be practical to imprison the 75,000 Twitter users who had named the player.

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Mubarak’s fate

The Mubarak familyHosni Mubarak and his sons could even face the death penalty

The decision to put Egypt’s former President Hosni Mubarak on trial looks to be a clear response by the country’s military rulers to pressure from the opposition.

A matter of days ago, the possibility of an amnesty for Hosni Mubarak was being openly discussed. His wife Suzanne Mubarak was released from custody after handing $4m (£2.5m) of assets to the government.

The same deal was under consideration for the former president, according to apparently well-sourced leaks in the newspapers.

But if it was an attempt to test the idea on the public, it backfired badly on the military.

They quickly denied that there was any plan for amnesty. Yet the idea still provoked calls for a major demonstration this Friday, in which there will be new demands for the army to hand over to civilian rule.

“Cynics suggest the military are putting the president on trial to save their skins”

So, the cynics suggest, the military are playing to the crowd, and putting the president – their former commander and colleague – on trial to save their skins.

There’s continued speculation over whether Mr Mubarak will be brought from Sharm el-Sheikh, where he is in hospital, to Cairo – another gesture that might please the opposition.

A committee of experts is reported to be visiting him to assess his condition.

He could either be moved to the military hospital in Cairo, or even to the hospital wing of the prison in which his sons Gamal and Alaa, and many other former officials and businessmen, are already being held.

Egyptian protester waves a mock nooseProtesters are demanding tough sentences for members of the former regime

That would be a humiliating blow for a former president who is already reported to be confused and depressed following his rapid fall from grace.

In theory, Mr Mubarak and his sons could even face the death penalty on the charge of ordering the security forces to open fire on protesters.

That might satisfy some of the more outspoken protesters. But there is evidence that many other Egyptians feel that the detention and trial of the 83-year-old and his family is a distraction from the urgent task of rebuilding the country, whatever his alleged crimes.

It is all part of the ongoing tussle for power between the ruling military council, and the various sections of Egyptian society.

It was always going to be a complicated situation when President Mubarak was succeeded, ousted maybe, by the military officers who had helped keep him in power for so many years.

At the time, there was much debate over whether to call it a revolution or a coup.

Since that day, three and a half months ago, the opposition have made it abundantly clear they are not prepared to accept the replacement of one military dictatorship by another.

The military themselves do seem ready to hand over power, while fighting also to maintain their privileged position in Egyptian society.

The day-to-day affairs of the country are being run by the third prime minister and cabinet to be sworn in since January.

It is a struggle for power which could be played out for many months and years, and Hosni Mubarak’s fate is just one of the many issues in play.

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Huhne confirms police interview

Chris HuhneMr Huhne has said the police investigation will “get to the bottom” of the matter
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Essex Police have interviewed Lib Dem Cabinet minister Chris Huhne over allegations he tried to evade punishment for speeding.

The police are investigating claims Mr Huhne asked someone to take his penalty points for a 2003 speeding offence

A spokesman for Mr Huhne, who has previously insisted the claims are “incorrect”, confirmed he had helped police with their inquiries.

The police also interviewed one other, as yet, unnamed person on Tuesday.

“Chris Huhne helped the Essex Police with their inquiries today and looks forward to an early resolution of this issue,” a spokesman for the Cabinet minister said.

The energy secretary and MP for Eastleigh is currently involved in divorce proceedings from his wife of 25 years, economist Vicky Pryce, whom he left for another woman last year.

The police launched the investigation into the speeding claims – which would constitute a criminal offence – after a complaint by a Labour MP earlier this month.

Mr Huhne has said the allegations, which first surfaced in a number of national newspapers, had been “made before and been shown to be untrue”.

Downing Street has said the prime minister had “full confidence” in Mr Huhne and he had denied the allegations.

Mr Huhne is one of five Lib Dems in the cabinet and narrowly lost out in a leadership contest against Nick Clegg in 2007.

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