Sky News Daily

"John" is a convicted sex offender. "Ava" is his daughter. She was only told about her father's crimes weeks after his arrest. But the impact of those crimes could last a lifetime.Online sex offenders receive counselling as part of their rehabilitation, as do their victims. However, there is currently no support for the families of those perpetrators – despite the devastation they have caused.In today's Sky News Daily, our correspondent Katerina Vittozzi tells us about her in-depth interviews with both John and Ava (not their real names) and examines the system that offers more help to offenders than those they leave behind.Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK.Producer: Soila Apparicio Editor: Mike Bovill  

It was a mistake that endangered thousands of people who had supported British forces in Afghanistan - and the Afghans' families.For the first time, the Ministry of Defence has admitted it was responsible for a data breach that has been kept a secret for years - at huge expense to taxpayers - with the help of a super injunction that prevented media or parliamentary scrutiny.Almost 7,000 Afghan nationals are being relocated to the UK following the blunder by the British military.Mark Austin is joined by Sky's security and defence editor Deborah Haynes, as well as one of the lawyers representing many of those affected by the leak.Producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse Editor: Mike Bovill 

The BBC breached its own editorial rules when it did not explain that a 13-year-old used to narrate a documentary about Gaza was, in fact, the son of a Hamas official. A review has found that the independent production company, Hoyo Films, bears most of the responsibility for what happened – but that BBC bosses should have had more oversight of the film. The corporation says it is taking action but, so far, nobody has lost their job.However, it is creating a new management role called 'Director of News Documentaries' as a result of the review. Niall Paterson speaks to Sky's correspondent Katie Spencer about the BBC's response – and former culture secretary John Whittingdale tells the podcast that he's concerned the corporation doesn't seem to learn from its mistakes. Producer: Emma Rae WoodhouseEditor: Mike Bovill

It's the bestselling book that's in the middle of its own seismic plot twist. Raynor Winn's The Salt Path spent 85 weeks in The Sunday Times Bestsellers List and has just become a film.But the author's life-affirming account of how her husband's illness and losing their money and home put them on a 630-mile coastal walk has been called into question.The Observer has claimed that not all of the couple's story stacks up - something strenuously denied by the author.Niall goes through the claims with Sky News arts and entertainment producer Jayson Mansaray and hears from a journalist who has interviewed Winn, Charlotte Lytton.Producers: Emily Hulme and Soila ApparicioEditor: Paul Stanworth

A government report has warned that the threat of physical attacks by Iran on people living in the UK has increased "significantly" since 2022. Iran rejects what they call, hostile allegations.  Has the recent 12-day war between Israel and Iran changed the hierarchy in the Middle East and its attitude towards the West?   On today's episode, Niall Paterson speaks to home editor Jason Farrell, who attended the briefing for the report. He then discusses Iran's current global ambitions with Professor Michael Clarke.     Producer: Emily Hulme  Editor: Mike Bovill 

If you've paid to have rubbish taken away from your home - where do you expect it to end up?A Sky News investigation has tracked down some of those behind the dumping of people's waste illegally and discovered how they are making thousands of pounds from it. On this episode, Niall hears the back story to how we went from digging through dumped waster to confront a suspected flytipper - and how TikTok played a part.He's joined by correspondent Rachael Venables and our Open Source Investigations (OSINT) editor, Adam Parker.  

The public inquiry into the Post Office Horizon scandal has published its first report into what went wrong and how the victims should be properly compensated.     The inquiry's chair, Sir Wyn Williams, has found that at least 13 postmasters may have taken their own lives after being accused of wrongdoing based on evidence from the Horizon IT system which both the Post Office and its maker, Fujitsu, knew could be false.    In today's episode Niall Paterson speaks to our business correspondent Paul Kelso about just how damning these findings are and also to former postmistress Janet Skinner who was sent to prison after wrongly being accused of stealing £59,000.   Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK. Producer: Soila ApparicioEditor: Wendy Parker

On the morning of 7 July 2005, four suicide bombers targeted London's transport network.We now know that three bombs were detonated on the underground and an hour later a fourth exploded on a bus, killing 52 people and injuring hundreds of others.   But on the day itself, there was confusion for hours about the details of the scale and nature of the attacks.   On today's Sky News Daily, Gareth Barlow speaks to our crime correspondent Martin Brunt, who recalls his experience of reporting for Sky News on that day and considers its lasting impact.   Producer: Soila Apparicio Editor: Wendy Parker 

The Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, is turning 90 and has confirmed - after years of uncertainty - that he will have a successor after his death and will not chose to end the line.  In Tibetan Buddhist tradition, the Dalai Lama is reincarnated after they die. Monks search, select, and school a successor – usually a child. The current Dalai Lama was recognised at the age of two. He and an estimated 150,000 Tibetans now live in exile in India, and other countries, after China annexed Tibet decades ago.  And that makes who the next Dalai Lama is, a concern of China's.  Joining Matt Barbett is Professor Robert Barnett, who founded the Modern Tibetan Studies Program at Columbia University and is now at University of London's School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS). He has also met the Dalai Lama several times. Producers: Soila Apparicio and Emma Rae Woodhouse Editor: Wendy Parker 

The synthetic drug kush, first seen in Sierra Leone in 2022, has now spread into much of West Africa while also evolving into an even more dangerous drug. Tests have found it contains nitazenes which are 25 times stronger than fentanyl.  Sky News has found that ingredients used to make kush are being shipped into Sierra Leone from the UK.  In today's Sky News Daily, Gareth Barlow is joined by our Africa correspondent, Yousra Elbagir who has spoken to addicts and those trying to tackle the problem.  Producer: Emily Hulme  Editor: Wendy Parker  

While the world's gaze turned to the Middle East, Russia has pushed on with its summer offensive against Ukraine, ramping up attacks.   Meanwhile, the US has ordered a pause in sending weapons shipments to Ukraine due to concern about a low stockpile in America – but to what cost?   In today's Sky News Daily, Gareth Barlow is joined by defence analyst Michael Clarke, who explains what's going on in Ukraine and why attention has faded.   Producers: Natalie Ktena and Emily Hulme  Editor: Philly Beaumont 

The King is bidding the "fondest of farewells" to the nine-carriage royal train said to be Queen Elizabeth II's favourite form of transport.  The announcement comes as part of the latest financial statement from Buckingham Palace which reveals the annual sovereign grant, which supports the duties of the Royal Family and is funded by the taxpayer, remained at £86.3m.  In today's Sky News Daily, Gareth Barlow is joined by our royal correspondent Rhiannon Mills to dig into the figures.   Plus, Gareth speaks to former Lib Dem MP and author of And What Do You Do? What The Royal Family Don't Want You To Know, Norman Baker, about why he believes the Royal Family offer a bad deal for Britain.  Producer: Natalie Ktena Editors: Rosie Gillott and Philly Beaumont 

At their Glastonbury set on Saturday, punk-rap duo Bob Vylan's singer led chants of "death, death to the IDF".The chants have been labelled antisemitic by the BBC and the organisation has since apologised for airing the performance – but Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp has called for the broadcaster to be prosecuted, saying they, "should not be transmitting hateful material designed to incite violence and conflict". The police have now launched a criminal investigation into the Glastonbury performance.What should the BBC have done and will they face prosecution?Host Sarah-Jane Mee speaks to the former head of Channel Four News and Current Affairs, Dorothy Byrne, to understand what the broadcaster should have done differently. She also speaks to legal expert Joshua Rozenberg about whether Bob Vylan's performance constitutes a hate crime and if the BBC may be prosecuted for broadcasting it.Producer: Natalie KtenaEditors: Philly Beaumont and Paul Stanworth

Around 200,000 music fans have descended on Worthy Farm in Somerset for this year's Glastonbury Festival.   Days before this year's event began, its owner, Michael Eavis, announced he was transferring most of his financial stake in Glastonbury to his daughter, Emily Eavis.   So, who is the new owner of Glastonbury?   Host Niall Paterson is joined by Sky's arts and entertainment editor Claire Gregory as they look back at the unlikely transformation of Michael Eavis, from dairy farmer to festival mastermind, and ask how Emily Eavis may shape Glastonbury's future. We also speak to artist Joe Rush, who has known Michael Eavis since 1985.  Producer: Natalie Ktena  Editors: Philly Beaumont and Rosie Gillott       

Recent years have seen the advent of weight loss drugs, including Ozempic and Wegovy. They work by suppressing users' appetites, leading to weight loss.     They've been described as wonder drugs but now, new figures from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) show they may be associated with inflammation of the pancreas, which could lead to death.   Niall Paterson speaks to Sky's science correspondent, Thomas Moore, about these new findings and how cautious they should make us. We also hear from Lorna, a mother who got acute pancreatitis while she was on a weight loss drug - she believes the drugs are not worth the risks.  Producer: Natalie Ktena Editor: Philly Beaumont and Rosie Gillott

The government has announced it is purchasing at least 12 new F-35 stealth jets that can carry nuclear warheads. It's a move that's been described by Downing Street as the most significant strengthening of the nation's nuclear capability in a generation.   So, what are these jets? And why is the UK expanding its nuclear capability?   Sarah-Jane Mee speaks to Dr Thomas Withington, an award-winning analyst and expert in air defence, to understand just how big a change in defence spending this is, what the move means for the UK in NATO, and what it tells us about the shift to make the country war ready. Producer: Natalie KtenaEditor: Philly Beaumont

The 32 members of the NATO alliance are in the Netherlands for a summit that has been overshadowed by efforts to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East.      World leaders are being encouraged to set a goal to spend 5% of their GDP on defence by 2035. US President Donald Trump has pushed for that target, but does he have a plan on what's next for NATO?   On today's episode, Niall Paterson is joined by Security and Defence Editor Deborah Haynes who is at The Hague with a front row seat to the meeting.  This episode contains bad language.Producer: Emily Hulme Editor: Rosie Gillot  

Iran is threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz, the world's busiest oil shipping channel, in retaliation for the US strikes on its nuclear facilities. How might the global economy be affected, including the price of oil? On today's episode, Dominic Waghorn is joined by Sky News economics editor Ed Conway to discuss the consequences of Iran's next move.  Producer: Natalie Ktena Editor: Paul Stanworth 

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's often reclusive supreme leader, surfaced this week to hit back at Donald Trump's demands for an unconditional surrender.   Khamanei first came to power as President of Iran in 1981, and he was a surprise choice for supreme leader eight years later. But since then, with the help of the Revolutionary Guard he has had almost complete control of Iran and its anti-Israel and anti-American foreign policy agenda.  Sky's Tom Cheshire speaks to Alex Vatanka, founding director of the Iran program at the Middle East Institute in Washington, DC about how Khamanei is viewed inside Iran and how his policies contributed to the current crisis. Producer: Soila Apparicio Assistant producer: Araminta Parker Editor: Wendy Parker

The Horizon scandal captured the nation after the ITV drama Mr Bates vs the Post Office.    And now, more faulty Post Office accounting software has been uncovered, in what some are calling a second Post Office scandal.       Today, the government's announced details of a compensation scheme for postmasters who suffered through using Capture in the 1990s.     In today's episode, Sarah-Jane Mee is joined by news correspondent Adele Robinson, who has unearthed new evidence to show the system was faulty and speaks to families devastated by the scandal. Producer: Emily HulmeEditor: Philly Beaumont 

Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has announced new protections in a bill which will attempt to cut benefits to more than three million households.    In its current form, the government faces a big rebellion from dozens of Labour MPs over concerns that changes to welfare will drive families into poverty.     On today's episode, Matt Barbet is joined by political correspondent Tamara Cohen to discuss the backlash from inside the Labour Party and the wider public.    Producer: Emily Hulme  Editor: Soila Apparicio 

After leaving the G7 early, Donald Trump told reporters on Air Force One he was seeking what he's calling a “real end” to the conflict between Israel and Iran and wants to do “better” than just a ceasefire.   His defence secretary Pete Hegseth has confirmed the US is moving “additional capabilities” to its Middle East bases.   So, will Trump's unconventional approach to diplomacy work or fuel the crisis in the Middle East?   On today's Sky News Daily Mark Austin speaks to Sky's security and defence analyst Michael Clarke about Trump's unpredictable approach to world affairs, and whether he'll be able to strike a deal.  Producer: Natalie Ktena & Araminta Parker Editor: Wendy Parker 

Whitehall officials tried to convince Michael Gove to go to court to cover up the grooming scandal in 2011. That's according to Dominic Cummings, who was working for Mr Gove at the time.  In an interview with Sky's political correspondent Liz Bates, Mr Cummings has revealed how officials in the Department for Education wanted to help efforts by Rotherham Council to stop a national newspaper from exposing the scandal.  On the Sky News Daily, Mark Austin speaks to Liz Bates about the scandal and what Mr Cummings told her. Podcast producer: Natalie KtenaEditor: Philly Beaumont

On today's Sky News Daily, we're sharing the latest episode of The World.Israel has attacked Iran and its operation will continue for "as many days as it takes", according to Benjamin Netanyahu – meanwhile, Iran's leader has vowed "severe punishment" in return.    In this extra episode of The World, Yalda Hakim is joined by Sky News' international affairs editor Dominic Waghorn to ask why Israel decided to launch these attacks now and whether this is the start of something much bigger. He's standing in for Richard - who is on his way to the Middle East.    Yalda reveals what she's hearing from Mossad agents in Israel and Dominic - who has just returned from Iran - explains why the leaders there are boxed in a corner.    Also - Yalda and Dominic discuss whether the initial response from the rest of the world will hold. Can Donald Trump stay out of any escalation? And what does it mean for the UK?    To get in touch or to share questions, email theworld@sky.uk 

 An Air India plane bound for Gatwick has crashed seconds after take-off.    The Boeing 787 Dreamliner had taken off from Ahmedabad Airport in Gujarat in the northwest of India. On board were 242 passengers and crew, including 53 British nationals.    On today's episode Matt Barbet is joined by Ian Petchenik, Flightradar 24's communications director and co-host of the AV Talk podcast, to discuss what we know so far as well as looking at the safety record of the both the plane and airline. 

The chancellor has unveiled her long-awaited spending review, which sets out detailed plans for how individual government departments are funded over the next three years.  Rachel Reeves says departmental budgets will grow by an average of 2.3% a year, prioritising health, defence and infrastructure projects - but how will this be paid for? And does this make a change for working people as promised by her government?  In today's episode, political correspondent Tamara Cohen speaks to economics and data editor Ed Conway about the ambitious figures.     Producer: Emily Hulme  Editor: Philly Beaumont 

The Wargame was designed to test the state of the UK's defences and national resilience after decades of cuts to military spending after the end of the Cold War.    A year in the making, the podcast was recorded in just one day with a cast of politicians and their advisers, all of whom had worked at the top levels of the British government.    In today's episode, Dominic Waghorn talks to security and defence editor Deborah Haynes who created and wrote The Wargame about why she thought it was so important to make the podcast - and to former defence secretary Sir Ben Wallace, who plays the prime minister.  Producer: Emily Hulme Editor: Wendy Parker 

  A boat carrying Greta Thunberg and 11 other activists with aid for Gaza was intercepted by Israeli forces overnight.    The Madleen was operated by the pro-Palestinian Freedom Flotilla Coalition and had set off from Sicily over a week ago with the aim of breaking the Israeli naval blockade of the Gaza.   It was intercepted by Israeli forces overnight and the country's defence minister has said everyone who was on board will have to watch footage of the 7 October attacks by Hamas on Israel, before they return to their home countries.   On today's Sky News Daily, Darren McCaffrey speaks to Middle East correspondent Ali Bunkall about what Greta Thunberg and her fellow activists might have achieved.  Producer: Emily Hulme Editor: Wendy Parker 

The government is threatening to take former Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich to court over the proceeds of the sale of the club.   Three years after being sanctioned for the oligarch's links to the Russian president, £2.5bn remains frozen in a bank account. The funds are earmarked for Ukrainian aid, but where will they end up?   In today's episode, Niall Paterson talks to the financier and author Bill Bowder and Sky's sports correspondent Rob Harris about how Abramovich went from orphan to oligarch and where sanctions leave him today.   Lawyers for Abramovich did not immediately respond to requests for comment.   Producer: Gabriel Radus and Emily Hulme Editor: Philly Beaumont 

The government's health agency, the MHRA, is warning women that they shouldn't use weight loss jabs while pregnant and that the drugs can also affect the reliability of the pill, which has led to a rise in so-called "Ozempic babies".   On today's Sky News Daily Niall Paterson talks to Dr Nikita Kanani, a GP and former medical director for primary care at NHS England, about the risks, whether there are other concerns about using them and if there should be tighter restrictions on online sales of the jabs.  Producer: Emily Hulme Editor: Wendy Parker 

 The chancellor presents the spending review next week where she will outline how the budget will be divided for government departments between 2026 and 2029. Rachel Reeves says she has an extra £113bn of capital to play with.    But with so many promises and projects dependent on the cash, how does she decide who will win and who will lose?    On today's Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson is joined by Sky News' deputy political editor, Sam Coates, who has used AI to predict how the chancellor might spend the cash. Producer: Emily Hulme Editor: Rosie Gillot   

The Home Office says the doubling of good weather days this year compared to the start of 2024 "coincides with small boat arrivals being 46% higher" - but research by Sky's Data and Forensics team shows a rise in crossings during bad weather as well.    On today's Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson is joined by Sky News' political correspondent Ali Fortescue and senior data journalist Daniel Dunford to assess what the new data tells us about how well the government's plans to tackle small boat crossings are working and what they've learnt about how the smuggling gangs are adapting.  Producer: Emily Hulme Editor: Wendy Parker 

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