Sky News Daily

The prime minister has launched a 10-year Strategic Defence Review setting out how Britain will operate in an ever-more worrying geopolitical environment.  Sir Keir Starmer says "every citizen has a role to play" in "defence of the realm", but do we know what kind of war we're preparing for?   On today's Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson is joined by Sky's defence editor Deborah Haynes and military analyst Michael Clarke to discuss whether the defence review meets the mark.   Producer: Emily Hulme  Editor: Philly Beaumont 

Emmanuel Macron has played down a video of him being pushed in the face by his wife Brigitte, as the couple prepared to leave their plane to begin their tour of South East Asia.   The French president said he was just joking with the first lady and the incident was "nothing". But the footage has put the pair and their relationship in the global spotlight.   In today's episode, Niall Paterson talks to France 24's international affairs editor, Philip Turle, about who Brigitte Macron is, how the couple are viewed in France and the online rumours that have dogged them.  Producer: Emily Hulme and Gabriel Radus Editor: Wendy Parker 

Israel has authorised 22 new Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, including legalising unauthorised outposts.Such settlements are considered illegal under international law - a designation Israel disputes.There's nothing new about settlements, they've been popping up in the area since 1967. But since the Hamas attack on 7 October, tensions have intensified.On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson is joined by our international correspondent Alex Rossi and producer Orly Halpern, who have visited the Palestinian village of Ras al-Ayn, where activists on the ground have reported a surge in violence and intimidation by Israeli settlers aimed at driving Palestinian families from their homes.Editor: Philly BeaumontProducer: Jada Kai Meosa John

Nigel Farage could "definitely" become prime minister at the next general election. That's according to Dominic Cummings, Boris Johnson's former chief advisor, who says he has held meetings with the Reform UK leader and advised him on how to go from "one man and an iPhone" to holding the keys to Downing Street.  On the Sky News Daily, Liz Bates speaks to Mr Cummings about the current state of British politics, why the public feels let down, and who Mr Farage needs to recruit if he wants to be the next prime minister. Warning: contains strong language.

The police's rapid announcement of the age, ethnicity, and nationality of the Liverpool parade suspect shows they've learned lessons from the 2024 Southport attack.Within two hours of a car hitting a crowd of Liverpool fans as they celebrated their team parading the Premier League trophy, Merseyside Police said they had arrested a "53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area".Last summer, the same force was criticised in the aftermath of the Southport stabbings when online speculation and misinformation filled a void after the same force released few details about a 17-year-old – later revealed to be Axel Rudakubana – that they had in custody.On today's Sky News Daily, Matt Barbet is joined by our north of England correspondent Katerina Vittozzi, who is in Liverpool, and Helen King, former assistant chief constable for Merseyside Police, who talks about the challenges of policing online speculation. 

Donald Trump put his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa on the spot during his visit to the Oval Office this week with a list of claims about the deaths of white farmers - claims which Mr Ramaphosa countered and put into context.   On today's Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson is joined by Richard Calland, a British-South African political analyst and author of The Presidents, From Mandela to Ramaphosa, to discuss exactly who Mr Ramaphosa is and how he will lead his country when it's in the cross hairs of the Trump administration.   Producer: Jada-Kai Meosa John Editor: Wendy Parker  

The government says it will accept the majority of the recommendations in the report it commissioned into jail sentences.   The independent review, led by ex-Conservative justice secretary David Gauke, looked at how to reduce the prison population by 2028. One of its key proposals would see well-behaved inmates only serve a third of their sentences. It would include sex offenders who had agreed to chemical castration.  On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson speaks to political correspondent Liz Bates about what is in the plans and what the political ramifications may be for Labour.  Plus, Professor Belinda Winder, who has been evaluating the government's chemical castration pilot, explains what the process involves and how effective it is. Producer: Natalie KtenaEditor: Wendy Parker

Israel has stopped aid from going into Gaza for the past 11 weeks - a blockade that Sir Keir Starmer has called "indefensible". It allowed a limited amount of aid into the enclave this week in response to global concern but the move was criticised as "wholly inadequate".    As some of Israel's allies in Europe and North America seem to be running out of patience with Israel, could this be a tipping point in the war in Gaza?    Niall Paterson is joined by our Middle East correspondent Ali Bunkall to discuss the crisis in Gaza, and the international response. Producer: Soila Apparicio  Editor: Wendy Parker 

Rampant gang violence has surged in Haiti, one of the poorest nations in the world, with authorities struggling to cope.   Swathes of territory are under the control of rival armed gangs who carry out widespread murders, rapes and kidnappings.    Our chief correspondent Stuart Ramsay and senior foreign producer Dominique van Heerden have been in Haiti, where they saw parents taking children to school approach a Port-au-Prince intersection as automatic gunfire bursts from the turret of an armoured police vehicle rang out.    They join Niall Paterson to share their experience back in Haiti, what it's like covering warzones, and what's next for the people of Haiti.    Producer: Soila Apparicio  

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer today signed a landmark post-Brexit deal with the European Union. The deal has been lauded by the Labour leader as "a new era in our relationship...moving on from stale old debates" and "following through on what the British public voted for last year".  His opponents are far from pleased, however, with both Reform and the Conservatives arguing that this sees the UK move back towards the EU and against the will of the people as voted for in 2016. Reform leader Nigel Farage has labelled the deal 'a surrender' to the EU by Sir Keir.  But what is actually in the deal? What does it mean, and who stands to benefit the most from it?  Niall Paterson and Sky News Political Correspondent Tamara Cohen unpack the seismic deal announced today in London. The pair look at the benefits for the UK in the deal. They also analyse how damaging some of the prime minister's concessions could be for the Labour Party, and how Reform could capitalise on this.   Producers: Gabriel Radus, Soila ApparicioEditor: Philly Beaumont 

Air Force One, sometimes referred to the 'flying Oval Office', is seen as a global symbol of American power.    It is for this reason, among others, that Donald Trump has come under fire for wanting to accept a Qatari Boeing 747-8 to replace the traditional presidential plane.    But why is everyone so exorcised by the prospects of this new plane? Kenneth T. Walsh is a former White House correspondent and author of Air Force One: A History of the Presidents and Their Planes who has spent over 35 years covering and travelling with the president.   Kenneth joins Niall Paterson to discuss the significance of Air Force One, and memories from his trips on the plane.  Producers: Gabriel Radus, Natalie Ktena, Soila Apparicio Editor: Philly Beaumont 

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russia of sending "stand-in props" to peace talks in Turkey after Moscow confirmed President Vladimir Putin would not attend. Zelenskyy had challenged Putin to meet him.  But how are Ukrainians feeling about the prospect of a possible end to the war? Our international affairs editor Dominic Waghorn is in Kyiv and joins Niall Paterson to discuss if the country is ready to find a peace agreement with Russia.  Producers: Emily Hulme, Soila Apparicio Editor: Philly Beaumont 

Donald Trump has met Syrian president Ahmed al Sharaa - a former al Qaeda leader - during a tour of the Middle East.   The US president said he is looking at "normalising" relations with Syria after lifting sanctions that have crippled the country for 25 years.   On this episode of the Sky News Daily, host Niall Paterson is joined by our international affairs editor Dominic Waghorn to discuss how the meeting came about, its significance for Syria and what it means for the wider region. Producer: Emily Hulme, Soila ApparicioEditor: Philly Beaumont

A Sky News investigation has uncovered the complex gang network using stickers on lampposts and e-bikes to expand their cannabis home delivery operation.   Led by open-source intelligence (OSINT) producer Sam Doak and data and forensics correspondent Tom Cheshire, the team tried to track down and even went to the homes allegedly at the heart of a drug ring responsible for stickers found in a number of cities across the UK.   On today's episode of the Sky News Daily, listen to how the investigation exposes how dark web merchants are coming out of the shadows and into broad daylight and what are the police doing about it.  Sky News contacted the National Crime Agency about our findings. They said: “Many organised crime groups selling drugs use social media and communication platforms to promote and sell their illicit produce," it said in a statement. “The NCA is working with partners across law enforcement and government to tackle drug trafficking."Producer: Emily Hulme and Emma Rae WoodhouseEditor: Philly Beaumont Extra journalism: Henry Vaughan

The prime minister today announced a plan to reduce net migration as he warned the UK risks becoming an "island of strangers".   Sir Keir Starmer wants to bring in tougher English language tests and tighten overseas carer recruitment as part of his policy overhaul to “tighten up” the immigration system.    On this episode of the Sky News Daily, host Niall Paterson is joined by our deputy political editor Sam Coates to discuss whether this is a change in direction for the government after suffering losses in the local elections.   Producer: Natalie Ktena Editor: Philly Beaumont

Pope Leo XIV is the first North American to lead the Catholic Church. But he was not considered to be in the top 10 likely candidates to succeed Pope Francis, in part due to his nationality.  There had been an assumption that an American pope would mean too much power concentrated in the world's most dominant superpower.   So why did the conclave pick Cardinal Robert Prevost - and what does it mean for the future direction of the Catholic Church? To discuss this on today's Sky News Daily with Niall Paterson are Barbara Serra, who has been covering the conclave for Sky News, and Father Thomas Massaro from New York's Fordham University. Producer: Natalie KtenaEditor: Wendy Parker

President Trump has called the US-UK trade deal "full and comprehensive" while Sir Keir Starmer said "it's going to not only protect jobs, but create jobs, opening market access".  The deal comes as interest rates are now at their lowest level for two years after the Bank of England cut the base rate by a quarter point to 4.25%. The Bank also raised its economic growth forecast for this year.  In today's Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson talks to business correspondent Paul Kelso about how good a deal it is for the UK and whether the reduction in interest rates will have more of an impact on the country's finances.   Producer: Natalie Ktena Editor: Wendy Parker 

India has launched missile strikes on Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir in retaliation for a terror attack last month that India accused its neighbour of backing - which Islamabad denies. But the friction between the nuclear-armed countries isn't new.     On this episode of the Sky News Daily, host Niall Paterson dissects how the world might respond to yet more tension in the region and asks why the conflict is centred around Kashmir with our defence and security analyst Professor Michael Clarke.    Producers: Soila Apparicio, Emily Hulme Editor: Philly Beaumont 

Reform is flirting with traditional Labour support - workers and union members. Ten local authorities are now controlled by Reform - including Doncaster, taken from Labour - plus three mayoralties and a new MP.   After Nigel Farage's almost unbelievable success in local elections last week, is this the strategy to take him all the way to Downing Street?   Niall Paterson is joined by our political correspondent Liz Bates, and reporter Alexandra Rogers, to unpick what Reform's flirtations mean for Labour. Producer: Soila Apparicio Editor: Philly Beaumont 

Prince Harry has lost his legal challenge over the level of security he receives while in the UK and described the ruling as an "establishment stitch-up". He says the decision leaves him unable to safely bring his wife and children back to Britain.  In a new interview with the BBC, the Duke of Sussex spoke about his estranged relationship with his family, revealing the King won't "speak to him". But could they reconcile?   On today's Sky News Daily, Matt Barbet speaks to royal correspondent Rhiannon Mills about Harry's latest comments, the court ruling, and whether reconciliation with the Royal Family is still possible.  

Online videos of the rap trio Kneecap calling for the death of British MPs and shouting "Up Hamas, up Hezbollah" are now being investigated by the police.   It comes after MPs condemned the group and called for arts funding to be removed and their invitation to play at Glastonbury withdrawn.   Band members have apologised but have been cancelled by a number of festivals.   So, who are Kneecap and why are they creating such a stir?   Niall Paterson talks to Aoife Moore, journalist and author of The Long Game: Inside Sinn Fein. He also talks to Steve Cummins, former Ireland Editor for the NME. Producer: Natalie Ktena Editor: Philly Beaumont           

M&S has been targeted in a cyber attack which has left it unable to process online orders or take contactless payments. Some experts predict it could be costing the company millions of pounds each day.The notorious hacking group, Scattered Spider is believed to be behind the attack. A cyber security company has told Sky News the group is "one of the most dangerous and active groups" they are monitoring.There've also been cyber attacks against Harrods and the Co-Op which are being investigated?On today's Sky News Daily Niall Paterson talks to our science and technology reporter, Mickey Carroll, about Scattered Spider and what can be done to tackle cyber gangs.Producer: Natalie Ktena Editor: Wendy Parker 

Civil war has been raging in Sudan for two years. The conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has seen famine, destruction, and millions driven from their homes.   Among them, the family and friends of our Africa correspondent Yousra Elbagir. She was born in Khartoum and recently returned to her childhood home.   Yousra joins Niall Paterson on the Sky News Daily to share her assessment of what returning home, after it had been ransacked during the ongoing war, was like. You can listen to previous coverage of war in Sudan in our episode ‘The war nobody is talking about' here.  Producer: Soila Apparicio Editor: Philly Beaumont  

Mark Carney's Liberals have won the Canadian election in a remarkable turnaround for the centre-left party.    The Liberal Party was well behind in the polls just months ago.  That's before Carney replaced Justin Trudeau as leader and US President Donald Trump soured relations with Canada, becoming the defining issue of the campaign.   So did Trump just win the election for Carney - and what does it mean for future negotiations? Niall Paterson speaks to Sky's economics and data editor Ed Conway and Professor Drew Fagan, from the University of Toronto, who worked in the Canadian government for more than a decade.  Producer: Natalie Ktena Editor: Philly Beaumont 

A small number of BBC stars and managers "behave unacceptably" at work and bosses often fail to tackle them. That's according to a new report into the broadcaster commissioned by the BBC in the wake of the Huw Edwards scandal.  In response, the BBC said it would introduce reforms.  But will they work?  There's been a long list of star presenters behaving badly and that's not just at the BBC.  So, will these scandals ever stop?      Niall Paterson speaks to Arts and Entertainment Correspondent Katie Spencer and Roger Mosey Master of Selwyn College, Cambridge and former director of BBC Television News.            Producers: Tom Pooley Editor: Philly Beaumont  

Arne Slot, who took over as manager of Liverpool FC from Jurgen Klopp last summer, has had a remarkable year. His club is about to win the Premier League title - a big achievement for a manager in their first season at Anfield.  Slot arrived at Liverpool after three highly successful campaigns with the Dutch side Feyenoord, and was named manager of the year on two occasions.  He had a hard act to follow from Klopp who was loved by fans - he won the League Cup twice, the FA Cup, the Champions League and the Premier League. So who is Arne Slot?    Niall Paterson speaks to Sky News sports correspondent Rob Harris and Rob McDonald who was Slot's first coach.  Producer: Natalie Ktena Editor: Philly Beaumont

JD Vance is the latest senior member of Donald Trump's administration to say the US will walk away from peace talks if there isn't a yes from both Ukraine and Russia.    But the US plan to recognise Russia's claim to Crimea would be a breach of Ukraine's constitution and so not something President Volodomyr Zelenskyy can agree to even if he wanted to keep the talks alive.   On today's Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson talks to our international affairs editor Dominic Waghorn about what will happen to Ukraine and Russia - and to the UK's and Europe's relations with the US - if Trump walks away from peace talks.  Producer: Soila Apparicio Editor: Wendy Parker 

Delegations arrived in London on Wednesday for talks on a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine after the discussions were downgraded from the very top level. Officials, including the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the Foreign Secretary David Lammy had been expected to attend, but that's now not happening.The downgrading in the level of diplomacy is in contrast with an intensification in the pressure from Donald Trump to agree a ceasefire. So, what's going on? Is a peace deal inching closer or moving further away?  On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson talks to Sky's military analyst Michael Clarke to find out.Producer: Soila Apparicio Editor: Philly Beaumont

As Catholics around the world continue to mourn the death of Pope Francis, the process to elect a new pope will begin soon.   But what direction will the new pontiff take? Will the cardinals pick a reformer or go with a traditionalist? And how will the church deal with waning congregations in the global north in comparison with the growing numbers in the south.    Niall Paterson speaks to Freddy Gray, editor of the US Spectator and former deputy editor of the Catholic Herald about the tensions in the Catholic Church and how they will be resolved.Producer: Natalie Ktena Editor: Philly Beaumont 

Pope Francis has died at the age of 88, a day after appearing in the Vatican's St Peter's Square to wish worshippers a happy Easter Sunday.   Earlier this year, he was treated in hospital for five weeks with an infection, but had been discharged. The Argentinian pontiff, who ushered in a swathe of reforms over his 12-year papacy, symbolised to many an increasingly modern, progressive, and inclusive church.  Niall Paterson is joined by Italian-born Sky News presenter Barbara Serra, who covered the death of Pope John Paul II for Sky News in 2005, as well as Pope Francis's election in 2013, and is herself a Catholic.  Producer: Soila Apparicio Editor: Philly Beaumont 

El Salvador's president Nayib Bukele was welcomed into the White House by President Trump earlier this week. The pair have recently become close allies after Trump began sending Venezuelan immigrations to a prison in El Salvador.  On this Sky News Daily host Niall Paterson finds out who the self-proclaimed "world's coolest dictator" actually is. He speaks to chief correspondent Stuart Ramsay about what impact Bukele has had on El Salvador's gang problems and if he has transformed the country into a business and tourism haven.  He also hears from Dr Ainhoa Montoya author and senior researcher at the Spanish National Research Council, and founding director of the Centre for Latin American and Caribbean Studies at the University of London. She explains how Bukele secured his position of power and uses social media as a propaganda tool.Producer: Soila Apparicio

The definition of a woman is based on biological sex, according to the UK's most senior judges.    As part of the decision, Lord Hodge, one of the judges, said: “We counsel against reading this judgement as a triumph of one or more groups in our society at the expense of another, it is not."    Nevertheless, campaigners who brought this case to the courts cheered and hugged as the judges left the room.    This episode hears from both sides of one of the most divisive debates in society and Niall Paterson speaks to legal commentator Joshua Rosenberg about the legal and social implications of the court decision. Producer: Soila ApparicioEditor: Paul Stanworth

Jury selection begins on Tuesday in the retrial of the Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, where the original charges of rape and sexual assault will be heard again.   Last year his convictions on those charges were overturned due to concerns the judge had made improper rulings.    The accusations against the Hollywood mogul were first published seven years ago - sparking the #MeToo movement. It saw a flood of women - famous and not - sharing stories of gender-based violence and harassment.     On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson speaks to arts and entertainment correspondent Katie Spencer about why Weinstein is in court again and whether the #MeToo movement he sparked still has the impact it once had. 

British Steel's Scunthorpe steelworks are now effectively under government control after the business secretary said Chinese owner Jingye had decided to stop buying enough raw materials to keep the blast furnaces going. Jonathan Reynolds said the government took the action as steel "is vital for our national security". But with Chinese companies owning hundreds of billions of pounds worth of infrastructure assets throughout the UK, do they have too much influence on the UK's critical industries?  On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson speaks to business correspondent Paul Kelso about nationalising British Steel, Chinese investment in the UK economy and whether the government can ultimately keep the lights in the furnaces on. The Sky News Daily has approached Jingye for comment. 

On today's Sky News Daily, we're sharing the latest episode of Electoral Dysfunction. Donald Trump has pressed pause on his higher tariffs... but not before he unleashed absolute chaos on the global economy.It all came down to the bond market - which you might remember from Liz Truss's time as prime minister... Alongside most countries, the UK still has the base level of 10% tariffs on exports and 25% on automobiles, so is the prime minister's "keep cool" strategy still paying off?Or is the UK just in the same boat, waiting along with everybody else for Trump's next move? One thing's for sure - Harriet thinks the UK government is speaking in code. She says Starmer needs to speak up and reassure the British public a bit more. 

It's been five weeks since the Birmingham bin strikes began over a long-running dispute between workers and the council. The city's residents have complained that mounting rubbish is a risk to public health, with rotting food attracting foxes, cockroaches and rats.  Tom Cheshire speaks to Sky's Midlands correspondent, Shamaan Freeman-Powell, who's been in the city finding out how residents are dealing with the mounting rubbish, the smell and the rats - and whether an end to the strikes is in sight. Podcast producer: Natalie KtenaEditor: Wendy Parker

Donald Trump has raised trade tariffs on China again - up to 125% and that's effective immediately.At the same time, he's ordered a 90-day pause on higher tariffs for dozens of countries.If it wasn't a trade war between the world's two biggest economies before - it is now. On this episode, Mark Austin examines if China will keep on retaliating against Donald Trump. Its tariffs on US imports had been increased to 84%.He's joined by vice president of the Beijing thinktank, the Centre for China and Globalisation, Victor Gao. He explains why he's sure that China will not blink first in this 'dangerous' standoff.Plus, our business correspondent Gurpreet Narwan on why the president has singled out China.*This episode was recorded just before President Trump increased US tariffs on Chinese imports to 125%. Producer: Emma Rae WoodhouseEditor: Paul Stanworth 

Unannounced Prince Harry arrived at the court of appeal in London on Tuesday, as part of a last-ditch attempt to overturn the Home Office decision to remove his UK state funded security, something he calls an “injustice”.   It overshadows the King and Queen's state visit to Italy which comes at a time of geopolitical and diplomatic delicacy as Trump's tariffs upend world order as we know it.  On the Sky News Daily, Mark Austin speaks to royal correspondent Rhiannon Mills in Rome about why security has been a sticking point in Prince Harry's and the King's relationship. They discuss if this clash of events tells us anymore about the pair's dynamic.   Producers: Emma Rae Woodhouse  Editor: Paul Stanworth   

Today has seen chaos on global stock markets, with price plunges reminiscent of the famous Black Monday crash of 1987. Back then, the causes were unclear, whereas today there's no doubt - Trump's "liberation day" tariffs have spooked the markets.    In 1987, people feared Black Monday was a sign of a global recession. They were wrong. Are we right to have the same fears today?    Tom Cheshire is joined by Sky's Darren McCaffrey and stockbroker Russ Mould to discuss what might come next.        Producers: Tom Pooley Editor: Philly Beaumont  

The leader of France's far-right National Rally party Marine Le Pen has had her dreams of becoming the president of France thwarted. It comes after a court found her guilty of embezzling European Union funds. She's now been banned from running for political office for five years.  She has the support of Elon Musk, and Donald Trump who publicly backed her after the conviction, and this weekend there's a massive rally planned in Paris in support of her.  So who is Marine Le Pen?  Niall Paterson talks to Sophie Pedder, Paris bureau chief of The Economist who has written a book about Emmanuel Macron and has been reporting on Marine Le Pen for years.    Producer: Natalie Ktena Editor: Philly Beaumont        

President Donald Trump has imposed immediate tariffs of 10% on all British exports to the United States.  He did this as he announced a "declaration of economic independence" for the US.    On his self-declared "Liberation Day", Mr Trump described the tariffs as reciprocal and said he was going to be "kind" by charging half of each country's total "anti-US" measures. Niall Paterson talks to Sky's business correspondent Paul Kelso about what these tariffs might mean for British business, which sectors are exempt, and whether a further deal can be worked out with Mr Trump.    Producer; Natalie Ktena Editor: Wendy Parker

China's economy is already struggling. Growth has slowed dramatically in recent years and there is high youth employment. Since the beginning of March, there's also been a tax of 20% on any goods sold to the US.    Ahead of President Donald Trump's "liberation day", what effect are tariffs already having on the Chinese economy?     Niall Paterson speaks to Sky's Asia correspondent Helen-Ann Smith who has been to Guangdong province to find out how manufacturing is being impacted.  They also discuss how the tariffs will play into President Xi's narrative of a resurgent global China. producer:  Emma Rae Woodhouseeditor: Philippa Beaumont