Iraqi forces reach the besieged town of Amerli, where thousands of people have been trapped by jihadists, military officials say.

US planes have made air drops and carried out strikes against Islamic State positions around the besieged northern Iraqi town of Amerli.

Bassist Glenn Cornick, a founding member of the British rock band Jethro Tull who played on their biggest hits, has died at his home in Hawaii.

Health professionals say they are stepping up efforts to see alcohol minimum pricing in place in Scotland, with a seminar being held in Brussels.

Iceland raises its aviation warning level to red after a fresh lava eruption from a fissure near the Bardarbunga volcano.

British-born jihadists in Iraq and Syria could be temporarily banned from returning to the UK under new plans being considered by the government, the BBC understands.

Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness urges dissident republicans, on the IRA ceasefire 20th anniversary, to "take that same step into politics and away from conflict".

The Tories play down a poll putting UKIP 44% ahead in the Clacton by-election caused by Douglas Carswell's defection.