Sky News Daily

The UK's first safer drug consumption room will open in Glasgow's East End on Monday. It will allow users to take illegal substances under medical supervision in the hope they will get help with their addiction. Known as the Thistle, it will be open 365 days a year from 9am to 9pm. But Scotland has the worst rate of drug deaths in Europe and with this facility finally ready after 10 years in the making, some are questioning if it will reduce drug deaths. Niall Paterson speaks to our Scotland correspondent Connor Gillies, who has been to look inside the service and shares more about how it will work. Plus, Professor Catriona Matheson who specialises in substance use at the University of Stirling and is a former lead of Scotland's drug deaths task force, joins Niall to discuss the costs and potential benefits. Producer: Soila Apparicio Editor: Philly Beaumont

Weight loss injections like Wegovy and Mounjaro are being taken by so many people in the UK that obesity statistics could fall for the first time ever. More than 500,000 people in the UK are now on the drugs and could lose between 15-20% of their weight in just a few months. But around 95% of all patients using the medication are buying it privately, while the rollout on the NHS remains slow. On today's Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson is joined by our science and medical correspondent Thomas Moore, who has been looking into the incredible success of the drug on the private market, and also speaks to Sarah Le Brocq, who as well as advising the NHS on the cost-effectiveness of weight loss drugs, also uses Mounjaro herself. Producers: Emma Rae Woodhouse Editor: Philly Beaumont

A torrent of posts from X owner Elon Musk has thrown an unexpected spotlight on the issue of historical grooming gangs in the last week. In the early 2010s, dozens of men, the majority of British Pakistani origin, were convicted of crimes including rape, sex trafficking, and child sexual exploitation that had gone undetected for years. The true number of victims is still unknown. On today's Daily, Niall Paterson is joined by our home editor Jason Farrell and Lucy Duckworth, from the Survivors Trust, herself a survivor of child abuse, to explain why the recommendations of numerous inquiries into the failings that allowed the abuse to go on for years have still not been implemented. The Survivors Trust runs a free, confidential national helpline 7 days a week for survivors of rape or sexual abuse and violence aged 16+. You can call 0808 801 0818 or text 07860 022 956 for support. Producer: Soila Apparicio Editor: Philly Beaumont

Elon Musk, the world's richest man, South African-born American resident and owner of X (formerly Twitter), is already within the fold of US politics and president-elect Trump's upcoming government. Recently, more of his attention has turned to Europe, with Musk sharing support for the far-right German party AfD, Nigel Farage's Reform UK and far-right activist Tommy Robinson. Niall Paterson looks to unpick what Musk's aims for European politics might be. Our deputy political editor Sam Coates joins Niall to discuss the billionaire's posts on X and the political reaction to them. Plus, culture, technology and society writer Sarah Manavis joins Niall to explore why Musk is so interested in international politics, and for what potential gain. Producer: Rosie Gillott Editor: Philly Beaumont

As Winter sickness hits the NHS, the prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has unveiled the government's plans to support the service with a new partnership with the private sector. Labour want to get waiting times for non-urgent care back down to the target of 18 weeks over the next five years, with Sir Keir saying the new arrangement will mean "resources of private hospitals [are] more readily available to the NHS". The plan includes the development of new "community diagnostic centres". Ashish Joshi, our health correspondent, speaks to Niall from one in a shopping centre in Wood Green, north London. Niall is also joined by Dr Rob Findlay, a contributor to the Health Service Journal and specialist in NHS demand and capacity planning and waiting times, to discuss whether the plans will actually help the service and its staff. Producer: Soila Apparicio Editor: Philly Beaumont

As Winter sickness hits the NHS, the prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has unveiled the government's plans to support the service with a new partnership with the private sector. Labour want to get waiting times for non-urgent care back down to the target of 18 weeks over the next five years, with Sir Keir saying the new arrangement will mean "resources of private hospitals [are] more readily available to the NHS". The plan includes the development of new "community diagnostic centres". Ashish Joshi, our health correspondent, speaks to Niall from one in a shopping centre in Wood Green, north London. Niall is also joined by Dr Rob Findlay, a contributor to the Health Service Journal and specialist in NHS demand and capacity planning and waiting times, to discuss whether the plans will actually help the service and its staff. Producer: Soila Apparicio Editor: Philly Beaumont

On New Year's Day two separate attacks hit New Orleans and Las Vegas. In the early hours, 14 people were killed and 35 injured when a man drove a pick-up truck through the heart of New Orleans' party district. Later a Tesla vehicle exploded outside the Trump hotel in Las Vegas, killing one and injuring seven others. Sky's US correspondents James Matthews and Martha Kelner host the Sky News Daily from New Orleans and Las Vegas to uncover exactly what happened, what we know about the suspects, and if security services missed warning signs. Producers: Rosie Gillott, Soila Apparicio Editor: Philly Beaumont

While the Sky News Daily is on a Christmas break we’re replaying you some of the most memorable episodes we recorded in 2024. Including our discussion on what made Oasis so special. In August brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher announced they'll reunite for a tour in 2025. On this episode, Terry Christian, the man who gave the band their national debut on The Word, says he "didn't think there was anything special" when first seeing Oasis live, but the band's "vibe" and Liam's "confidence" made them "amazing". Host Liz Bates also hears from Neil McCormick, the Telegraph's chief music critic and Katie Spencer, our entertainment correspondent.

While the Sky News Daily is on a Christmas break we’re replaying you some of the most memorable episodes we recorded in 2024. Including our episode which discusses how we choose to die in the UK. In November the assisted dying bill began making its way through parliament. If it passes, it will make it legal for adults who are terminally ill, to be given medical assistance to end their own life. It sparked a national conversation – not just about assisted dying, but about how we die in the UK. On the Sky News Daily we spoke to Dr Rachel Clarke, a pallative care doctor, about what we can all do to make death less taboo and what a ‘good’ death looks like here in the UK.

While the Sky News Daily is on a Christmas break, we're replaying you some of the most memorable episodes we recorded in 2024 - starting with Ozempic. Anti-obesity jabs like Ozempic could reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes or heart failure in obese people regardless of the amount of weight they lose while on the drug. Researchers found after three years of treatment participants had a 20% lower risk of obesity and its associated health impacts, which currently cost the NHS more than £6bn each year. On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson speaks to Sky's science and medical correspondent Thomas Moore about the implications of reducing heart disease cases for the NHS, and senior lecturer in physiology at Anglia Ruskin University Dr Simon Cork explains how the wonder-drug actually works.

This year, Boxing Day marks the twentieth anniversary of the tsunami that caused 230,000 deaths around Southeast Asia. So with the Daily on a brief break, we're replaying an episode of Storycast which tells the story of Martunis. On 26 December 2004, one of the deadliest disasters in history struck when tsunami waves - triggered by a massive earthquake - led to around 230,000 deaths in South East Asia. A Sky News camera crew would discover an eight-year-old boy named Martunis among the devastation. Their subsequent report was seen by Cristiano Ronaldo - the Portuguese football star, known to many as the greatest player of his generation, but less so for his role in this remarkable survival story. Martunis has told his story in full for the first time in Miracle Boy, the first episode of StoryCast '21 - a Sky News podcast series telling 21 extraordinary personal stories from some of the biggest news events of the century. Producer: Soila Apparicio Digital production: David Chipakupaku Editor: Philly Beaumont

Niall Paterson and Sky News royal correspondent Rhiannon Mills chart a remarkable year for the Royal Family – a year Prince William has said has been the “hardest” of his life. In this final episode, Niall and Rhiannon look to Prince Harry and Meghan and their continued life as outsiders living in the US. Has their relationship with the UK improved? And 2024 has been a successful year for Harry’s court cases against the tabloid press, but will that continue in 2025? Producer: Soila Apparicio Editor: Philly Beaumont Audio credit: ITV1, Tabloids On Trial

Niall Paterson and Sky News royal correspondent Rhiannon Mills chart a remarkable year for the Royal Family - a year Prince William has described as being the "hardest" of his life. Our second episode looks at heir to the throne Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales. Niall and Rhiannon discuss the frenzy leading up to Kate's cancer diagnosis, and the family's reaction to it. Plus, how is William redefining how he wants to do royalty, and how does that shape up for his future as King? Producer: Soila Apparicio Editor: Philly Beaumont

Niall Paterson and Sky News royal correspondent Rhiannon Mills chart a remarkable year for the Royal Family - a year Prince William has described as being the "hardest" of his life. Our first episode focuses on the King and Queen. Charles's cancer diagnosis defined his year. Niall and Rhiannon discuss the ripple effects of his health on royal duties, with Camilla stepping into the spotlight. And how are Commonwealth nations feeling about the monarchy in 2024? This year has seen protests from the UK to Australia, plus Niall and Rhiannon look at the investigations into royal finances, Prince Andrew's relationship with the family, and what it all means for the future of the monarchy. Producer: Soila Apparicio Editor: Philly Beaumont

A Sky News investigation has found illegal casinos are allowing children to gamble using their accounts on Roblox, one of the most popular video games in the world. Although the unlicensed casinos are not published on Roblox, they allow children of any age to sign up using their Roblox credentials to bet their in-game currency (Robux) on games like slots and blackjack. In response to Sky’s investigation, the Gambling Commission has taken action against the "criminal" websites, but how were they allowed to operate for so long? Niall is joined by our science and technology reporter, Mickey Carrol and digital investigations journalist, Ben van de Merwe to explain how these illegal casinos operate and what is being done to take them down. Producers: Jada-Kai Meosa John & Emma Rae Woodhouse Editor: Philly Beaumont

Prince Andrew says he "ceased all contact" with a businessman accused of being a Chinese spy after government advice and that "nothing of a sensitive nature ever discussed". Court documents revealed the alleged Chinese spy known as Yang Tengbo, who is now banned from the UK, formed links at the heart of the British establishment and previously became close to Andrew. How was that possible? Niall is joined by our royal correspondent Rhiannon Mills and our home editor Jason Farrell to explain how the story unfolded, what the wider implications are for the UK and what Prince Andrew's involvement is. Producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse Editor: Philly Beaumont

When the CEO of a private health insurance company - Brian Thompson - was shot and killed in New York City, the ensuing manhunt for his killer dominated the headlines. But online, a very different story was unfolding. Niall Paterson is joined by Olive Enokido-Lineham, a journalist in Sky's OSINT data and forensics unit, to explain how speculation about the gunman's motives sparked a debate about healthcare in the US. Plus, Katherine Keneally, who tracks extremism and political violence in the US for the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, explores the difference between suspect Luigi Mangione and other infamous shootings. Producer: Soila Apparicio Editor: Philly Beaumont

Sara Sharif, a 10-year-old girl from Surrey, was found dead in her home in August 2023 with extensive injuries indicating prolonged abuse. Her father, Urfan Sharif, and stepmother, Beinash Batool, have been convicted of her murder, while her uncle, Faisal Malik, was found guilty of causing or allowing her death. The trio initially fled to Pakistan but were apprehended on their return to the UK. Sara's death has prompted a review of child safeguarding practices to prevent such incidents in the future. Niall Paterson hears about the case from our social affairs correspondent Becky Johnson, and if Sara's death could have been prevented with Dr Ciaran Murphy from the Association of Child Protection Professionals, who says social workers are coming under increasing pressure. Producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse Editor: Philly Beaumont

Saudi Arabia has been awarded the men's 2024 World Cup. It will be the crowning event in its sport spending spree, having already reportedly invested £5bn since 2021, as it tries to diversify away from oil. Niall Paterson is joined by Sky News' Rob Harris and Middle East football expert James M Dorsey to discuss what it means for football and the kingdom. The plans are not lacking in ambition and include a new stadium 350m above ground level, in an as-yet unbuilt futuristic carless city. But big questions remain about how the country landed the cup, with its bid unopposed and the country consistently facing claims of human rights abuses. Podcast Producer: Alex Bishop Editor: Philly Beaumont

On the Sky News Daily, Darren McCaffrey is joined by chief correspondent Stuart Ramsay to hear what the reaction has been on the streets of Damascus to the toppling of President Bashar al Assad's regime. They discuss if joy is already being tempered with fear about what happens next for the country, with lead rebel group HTS's intentions unclear. Plus, with Assad gone, Stuart discusses what further brutal aspects of his regime are now being uncovered, including at Sednaya prison. Producer: Alex Bishop Editor: Philly Beaumont