Sky News Daily

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

Bashar al Assad's 24-year dictatorship collapsed over the weekend as rebel forces took control of the Syrian capital Damascus. Assad and his family have reportedly fled to Moscow under the protection of his long-term ally President Putin, ending a 13-year civil war that’s believed to have killed over 350,000 people. Sky’s defence analyst Prof Michael Clarke joins host Niall Paterson to explain how a mild-mannered doctor became one of the world’s deadliest dictators, and how a rebel force swept him and his Russian-backed army away in less than a week. Podcast Producer: Alex Bishop Editor: Philly Beaumont

When 'Jodie' discovered images of herself had been turned into fake pornography, she felt her "whole world fall away". "I was seeing images of me that weren't real, but that looked very, very real," she told Matt Barbet on today's episode of the Sky News Daily. She's one of a growing number of women dealing with deepfake nudes, as the software to digitally transform a clothed picture into a naked one is easier to get hold of. Jodie joins Matt and Professor Clare McGlynn, who focuses on cyberflashing and image-based sexual abuse, to discuss how tech companies and the law are allowing this to happen. You can read more analysis of the use of AI in creating fake nude images by our home editor Jason Farrell, here. Producers: Alex Bishop, Soila Apparicio Editor: Philly Beaumont

It's Romania's turn at the polls on Sunday, and a far-right candidate has made a surprise lead in the first round of voting. Călin Georgescu is a little-known, independent, anti-NATO, pro-Russia candidate, who is in a presidential run-off against centrist leader Elena Lasconi. The social media platform TikTok is credited with helping Georgescu to make those unexpected gains -becoming an effective way for the right to spread its message, and sway voter opinion. But Romania's authorities have suggested "a state-sponsored actor" has made a major attempt to interfere in the elections using TikTok, and with a series of cyber attacks. Georgescu's been accused of undeclared campaign spending and not labelling political advertising. Matt Barbet hosts today's Sky News Daily, joined by our Europe correspondent Adam Parsons in Romania, who's been speaking to Călin Georgescu. Plus, Anda Solea a lecturer in cyber crime at the University of Portsmouth, discusses how Georgescu used TikTok to rise to the top in the Romanian election. You can watch Adam's full interview with the Romanian presidential candidate here. Producer: Soila Apparicio Editor: Philly Beaumont

South Korean MPs have begun impeachment proceedings against President Yoon Suk Yeol after his shock announcement of martial law that sparked a very short-lived political crisis. On the Sky News Daily Niall Paterson asks, what was he thinking? He speaks to Asia correspondent Cordelia Lynch who is in Seoul about the events that have unfolded since the announcement. Plus, John Nilsson-Wright, Head of the University of Cambridge’s Japan and Korea programme discusses president Yoon’s politics and the ramifications for the wider region. Podcast Producer: Rosie Gillott Editor: Philly Beaumont

Young men are ditching the mainstream politics of Labour and the Conservatives for Nigel Farage and Reform UK, much more so than young women. Our political correspondent Serena Barker-Singh has been speaking to those voices to unpack what’s fueling this gendered political divide and why mainstream parties are struggling to connect. Niall Paterson is joined by Serena and producer Isobel Losseff, and Dr Jilly Kay, a senior lecturer in communications and media at Loughborough University, to discuss the rising influence of TikTok and the so-called “bro vote”, exploring why Gen Z men are rallying behind divisive figures like Farage. Producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse and Rosie Gillott Editor: Philly Beaumont

Gregg Wallace has stepped away from presenting BBC's MasterChef after accusations he made sexual comments towards staff and celebrity guests on a range of programmes over 17 years. In response to the allegations, which he denies, Mr Wallace initially dismissed his accusers as "middle-class women of a certain age". On today’s Daily, Niall Paterson speaks to Dorothy Byrne, ex-head of news and current affairs at Channel 4, and Philippa Childs, head of the TV, film and theatre union Bectu, about what the allegations, and Wallace’s reaction, tell us about attitudes to women in the media. Producers: Soila Apparicio, Rosie Gillott Editor: Philly Beaumont

Louise Haigh has resigned as transport secretary after Sky News discovered she pleaded guilty to an offence related to incorrectly telling police that a work mobile phone was stolen in 2013. She’s the first minister to resign from Sir Keir Starmer’s new Labour government and says she stepped down in order to prevent the story from becoming a distraction. Niall Paterson is joined by Sky’s political correspondent Rob Powell, and political reporter Alex Rogers to discuss their scoop. Podcast Producer: Rosie Gillott Editor: Philly Beaumont

As the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah comes into effect, Niall Paterson speaks with Sky’s Jeehad Jneid who reports from southern Lebanon as millions attempt to return to their homes. The day after the 7 October attacks, Hezbollah began to launch rocket strikes into Israel in a show of support for Hamas. Israeli has carried out retaliatory strikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon since then, and tensions escalated earlier this year following a strike on Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. In this episode we ask what life has been like for Lebanese citizens in the year that followed, and whether the ceasefire can hold. Podcast Producer: Tom Pooley Editor: Philly Beaumont

Elon Musk and Donald Trump have a plan for America... to get people making babies. The tech billionaire, Donald Trump’s soon-to-be government efficiency tsar, is a proponent of pronatalism, an emerging movement in US politics that says US citizens should be having more babies and that it’s their duty to do so. Niall Paterson is joined by our US correspondent Martha Kelner to deep-dive into Musk’s views and where they come from. Martha speaks to Errol Musk, Elon’s father, and one IVF doctor in America, who is expecting a boom in business. Producers: Soila Apparicio, Rosie Gillott Editor: Philly Beaumont

"Prison isn't working" for women, according to Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood. She told the Labour Party conference that after serving a short custodial sentence, women are more likely to reoffend than those given a non-custodial sentence. Women are also less likely to get a job after leaving jail than men. As the government launches an inquiry into reoffending rates, Niall is joined by Sky’s home editor Jason Farrell who has visited a women's jail to see what conditions are like, and hears from former inmate turned researcher Scarlett Roberts about her experience of rehabilitation in prison. In response to Jason’s reporting, Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, said: "For many women, prison isn’t working. Most women in prisons are victims themselves. Over half are mothers, with a prison sentence separating parent and child. “That’s why I am establishing a new Women’s Justice Board, tasked with reducing the number of women in prison by exploring alternatives to custody for female offenders.” Podcast Producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse Editor: Paul Stanworth