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Leicester ‘botched revenge’ arson killers jailed for life

Two men who murdered a family of four in an arson attack on the wrong house have been jailed for life.

Tristan Richards, 23, and Kemo Porter, 19, must serve minimum terms of 35 years and 25 years respectively for the death of Shehnila Taufiq and her three children in Leicester.

Six others have also been sentenced for their manslaughter.

Mrs Taufiq, 47, daughter Zainab, 19, and sons Bilal, 17, and Jamal, 15 died in the blaze on 13 September 2013.

Sitting at Nottingham Crown Court the judge, Justice John Griffith Williams, described the group’s actions as “atrocious crimes” and said the “premeditated and planned attack” that resulted in the wrong house being targeted “makes the offending even more heinous”.

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West warns Russia of sanctions over Ukraine fighting

US Secretary of State John Kerry has urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to publicly call on separatists in Ukraine to lay down their arms.

He said Russia would face “greater costs” unless it took action to show that it supported peace in Ukraine.

Earlier, German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned Russia of new sanctions after fresh clashes in eastern Ukraine.

Ukraine’s president has said continued violations might end a truce between the government and pro-Russian rebels.

Chancellor Merkel and French President Francois Hollande spoke to Mr Putin and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko for an hour on Wednesday, officials said.

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Low turnout marks bid to end political crisis in Libya

Voting has ended in a Libyan general election marred by low turnout and deadly violence.

The election is seen as a last chance to end the anarchy that has gripped the country since the 2011 overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi.

Officials said about 630,000 people voted, fewer than half of those eligible.

At least five people died in clashes between government forces and militants in the eastern city of Benghazi.

Security officials said Islamist insurgents had opened fire on a local security headquarters. At least another 30 people were wounded, they added.

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Spain’s Princess Cristina to face charges

A Spanish judge has formalised charges against Princess Cristina, King Felipe’s sister, in a tax fraud and money laundering case.

The princess, 49, was questioned in court in February about the business dealings of her husband, Inaki Urdangarin, and could now face trial.

However, an appeal has been lodged against the decision.

The judge’s ruling will come as an embarrassment to Felipe VI, who came to the throne only six days ago.

The tax fraud case was one of several scandals that weakened the popularity of the Spanish monarchy and prompted the abdication of King Juan Carlos.

Princess Cristina’s appearance in court in Mallorca was unprecedented for the royal family and if she goes to trial, she could face up to 11 years in jail.

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US forces arrive in Baghdad to advise Iraqi troops

The first US troops deployed to assist the Iraqi army in combating a growing Sunni militant insurgency have arrived and begun work, the Pentagon has said.

Nearly half the 300 special operations soldiers promised by US President Barack Obama are in Baghdad or on the front lines of the fight.

The rest are expected within days.

Also, US Secretary of State John Kerry called for regional unity to expel the Sunni Isis rebels who have taken large swathes of Iraq.

On Tuesday, two teams totalling 40 US troops began work assessing Iraqi troops on the front line, the Pentagon said.

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