Sky News Daily

In the early hours of Tuesday morning, a cargo ship leaving the US city of Baltimore catastrophically struck a major bridge. The entire middle section of the 1.6-mile-long Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed into the Patapsco River.  The ship lost power as it left the port, but the crew had enough time to make a mayday call so officials on the bridge were able to shut it to most traffic. Two people were rescued from the water but several people are still missing.  There are now questions about how such a large vessel lost control and how the huge structure of the bridge crumbled so quickly.   On today's edition of the Sky News Daily, Leah Boleto speaks to our US Correspondent Martha Kelner in Baltimore and our Science Correspondent Thomas More. Plus, Ben Schafer, a structural engineer at Baltimore's Johns Hopkins University explains why the bridge fell so quickly.   Senior producer: Annie Joyce Assistant producer: Iona Brunker  Editor: Wendy Parker 

Four men have been charged with carrying out an attack at a concert in Moscow on Friday that killed more than 130 people. They all appeared in court on Monday heavily bruised with swollen faces and black eyes – with one attending in a wheelchair wearing a hospital gown.  The Islamic State group said it carried out the attack on the Crocus City Hall, but President Putin has insisted Ukraine was involved. President Zelenskyy has strongly denied the claims and hit out at the Russian leader and others in Moscow, describing them as “scum”.   Questions are now mounting for President Putin as it emerged the US government warned Russia two weeks ago that an attack by extremists on “large gatherings including concerts” was imminent.  On this edition of the Sky News Daily, Leah Boleto is joined by international affairs editor Dominic Waghorn and international correspondent in Moscow Diana Magnay to discuss the mood in the Russian capital and how President Putin could react.Producer: Alex Edden Assistant producer: Iona

The US has called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza for the first time as secretary of state Antony Blinken lands in Tel Aviv for talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. An American-sponsored resolution demanding a truce was rejected by the UN Security Council. The US policy change comes amid fears the Palestinian territory could be on the brink of famine. On the Daily, Niall Paterson talks to our Middle East correspondent Alistair Bunkall about how much US support for Israel is wavering.  Plus, Sky’s special correspondent Alex Crawford discusses the importance of being able to report freely from inside Gaza - something she and other foreign journalists have been unable to do since Hamas's attack on southern Israel on 7 October.   The war has meant images and information from inside Gaza have mostly come from a few Palestinian journalists in the territory. Foreign journalists can only report in Gaza while accompanied by Israeli authorities, who say it is for safety reasons. Senior producer: Ann

The Princess of Wales has issued a personal message revealing that she has been diagnosed with cancerfollowing her abdominal surgery earlier this year and that she is undergoing preventative chemotherapy.The news comes after many weeks of speculation about the health of the 42-year-old future queen, who has not been seen on official duties since Christmas.On the Sky News Daily, Jonathan Samuels is joined by our Royal Correspondent, Rhiannon Mills to discuss how this news will impact the Royal Family and when we can expect to see Catherine resume full duties.Producer: Rosie GillottEditor: Wendy 

Thousands of women should get payouts because of the way changes to the state pension affected them, according to a watchdog.The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) said the women who were born in the 1950s didn't get their pension when they expected because they didn't know about the reforms.  The PHSO report added that they are "owed" money by the Department for Work and Pensions. It criticised the department, claiming it has "clearly indicated that it will refuse to comply... this is unacceptable".  On this episode, Niall Paterson explains why the pension reforms were pushed through quicker than initially planned by the then coalition government and discusses the proposals for compensation and whether the payouts are likely to happen.  He's joined by Sky correspondent Shamaan Freeman-Powell and one of the Women Against State Pension Inequality (Waspi) campaigners, Michele Carlile. Producer: Sydney Pead Assistant producer: Iona Brunker Interviews producer: Melissa Tutesigensi-Charles Editor: P

The resignation of Ireland's Prime Minister Leo Varadkar has come as a shock. He suffered defeats in two referendums earlier this month, where the public voted against the government's plans to remove "sexist" language from the constitution.On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson is joined by Ireland correspondent Stephen Murphy to look at Varadkar's legacy as both the youngest and openly gay Taoiseach.Plus, in Wales, history has also been made as Vaughan Gething was sworn in as first minister - the first black leader of a European country. He narrowly won the Welsh Labour leadership election against Jeremy Miles, with 51.7% of the vote. Questions over some of his campaign donations from a company run by a man twice convicted for environmental offences, and Conservative criticism over Welsh Labour's budget spending, give Gething plenty to defend and tackle in his first weeks in office. Niall explores what's in the new Welsh first minister's in-tray with Tomos Evans, our Wales reporter. Richard Wyn Jones, direct

More than half of people in the UK have seen online conspiracy theories about why the Princess of Wales has been absent from public life, but it hasn't dented trust in the Royal Family, according to Sky News polling.     Speculation on social media about Kate's health and whereabouts have been rife in recent days – despite Kensington Palace announcing she would be recovering from abdominal surgery until Easter – and suspicion has now spread from edited photos including the princess to photos of other members of the Royal Family.    So how has their brush with TikTok conspirators impacted the royals and does the palace need to rethink its public relations strategy in the age of social media?     On the Sky News Daily podcast, Niall Paterson speaks to our royal correspondent, Rhiannon Mills, who has spent the day with Prince William in Sheffield, and to the late Queen's former communications secretary, Simon Lewis, about why he believes time is on the palace's side.  Senior podcast producer: Annie Joyce  Podcas

A new Sky News series 'Faultlines' covers in-depth and immersive reports exploring contemporary social challenges across the UK.     This episode asks 'is our housing market in crisis?', with not enough homes and expensive rentals forcing an increasing number of people into homelessness.   In 2021/22, just 7,528 new social homes were delivered. Nowhere near enough for the 1.1 million people on the waiting list and the government’s target of building 300,000 new homes a year. The seaside town Hastings is on the frontline of all that is wrong with the housing system, with evictions, social housing shortages and Airbnb among the issues behind the problem.   On this episode of the Sky News Daily, Tom Cheshire talks to our people and politics correspondent Nick Martin in Hastings, to uncover the scale of the problems, and hear from those at the heart of it. Producer: Alex Edden Assistant producer: Iona Brunker Editor: Paul Stanworth 

As Russians go to the polls, the outcome is certainly already written as Vladimir Putin runs pretty much uncontested in his bid for a fifth term in office.   Opposition candidates were banned from standing, fled the country or are dead - like Putin's most prominent critic, Alexei Navalny.   So, what will another six years of rule mean for Russians, the war in Ukraine and the world?  On the Daily, Sky's Tom Cheshire looks at Putin's grip on power over the years as he's joined by our international correspondent Diana Magnay, who spent the past six years reporting from Moscow for us.   Plus, Tom talks to former British spy Christopher Steele - who previously ran MI6's Russia desk - about what challenges to Putin there could be.  Podcast producer: Sydney Pead   Interviews producer: Melissa Tutesigensi-Charles  Senior podcast producer: Annie JoyceEditor: Wendy Parker  

In the early months of the Iraq war in 2003, around 88 British troops were deployed to the Qarmat Ali water treatment plant to provide round-the-clock security. What the soldiers didn't know was that while on duty, they were being exposed to a carcinogenic chemical used to maintain the pipes in the plant.Ten ex-soldiers have now spoken out for the first time after suffering a range of health problems, including daily nosebleeds, a brain tumour and several diagnoses of cancer.Today on the Daily, Niall Paterson speaks to Sky's Michael Drummond about his report into why the former troops are still seeking reparations, and to ex-RAF sergeant Andy Tosh who was exposed to the chemical and says his health has been permanently damaged.Plus, we'll get the latest from deputy political editor Sam Coates on the government's new definition of 'extremism'.Senior producer: Annie JoyceProducer: Sydney Pead Interviews producer: Melissa Tutesigensi-CharlesPromotion producer: Jada-Kai Meosa JohnEditor: Wendy Parker

The prime minister has resisted calls to hand back £10m donated to the Conservative Party by businessman Frank Hester. Speaking in the Commons, Rishi Sunak condemned Mr Hester's reported remarks about MP Diane Abbott as "racist" and "wrong" but insisted he had shown "remorse". Labour is calling on the Conservatives to give the money back.   Today on the Daily, Niall Paterson speaks to Labour MP Dawn Butler and Sky's deputy political editor Sam Coates about the matter. Plus, Sky correspondent Amelia Harper takes us through her report uncovering a WhatsApp network of children who are filming themselves killing and torturing animals. Warning: this episode contains references to animal cruelty Producer: Soila Apparacio and Sydney PeadAssistant producer: Iona Brunker Editor: Philly Beaumont  

After Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, the imposition of sanctions on the country meant direct exports of British-made luxury vehicles fell to zero.However, Sky News analysis shows that hundreds of millions of pounds worth of luxury cars are being sold to Russia through neighbouring countries.   Notably, Azerbaijan on Russia's southern border, where Britain recorded an unprecedented increase in car exports. In turn, Azerbaijan reported an unprecedented increase in car exports to Russia. Niall Paterson is joined by our economics and data editor Ed Conway on the Sky News Daily, to explain why luxury vehicles are still finding their way into Russia, and what can be done about it. Producer: Alex Edden Assistant producer: Iona Brunker Editor: Philly Beaumont 

The Princess of Wales has apologised "for any confusion" after she admitted "editing" a Mother's Day image of her and her children.    Major international picture agencies told media outlets to "kill" the photo from their systems 12 hours after the picture was released by Kensington Palace on Sunday. AP told Sky News the photo broke their manipulation rules as it shows an "inconsistency in the alignment of Princess Charlotte's left hand".    Kill notices are uncommon and usually due to issues with copyright or journalistic process – and this has never happened to a royal picture.    On this edition of the Sky News Daily, Sarah-Jane Mee speaks to Adam Parker from our data and forensics unit, who reveals what the team have learned after analysing the photo’s metadata.    Plus, PR expert Mark Borkowski on whether this has fanned rather than extinguished online rumours, and our Royal Correspondent Rhiannon Mills on where this leaves the royal family.  Senior podcast producer: Annie Joyce Podcast producer: Sydney

The biggest night in Hollywood promised glitz and glamour, but there were no surprises when it came to the big Academy Award winners.Oppenheimer took home seven awards, including best picture, best actor and best director for Britain’s Christopher Nolan, with Emma Stone winning best actress for her role in Poor Things.   Sky News Arts and Entertainment correspondent Katie Spencer and Arts and Entertainment editor Claire Gregory were on the Vanity Fair red carpet for some celeb-spotting, with all details from this year’s Oscars. Podcast producer: Sydney Pead Promotion producer: Jada-Kai Meosa John   Editor: Paul Stanworth 

Freddie Scappaticci was Britain's most highly prized IRA informant.   His codename was 'Stakeknife' and the unit he led - ironically in charge of hunting informants like him - was called the 'nutting squad' as it shot people in the head after abducting and torturing them. Scappaticci never faced trial and lived under witness protection in England until his death last year, aged 77. Now, a seven-year investigation has concluded his actions probably resulted in "more lives being lost than saved", with the UK government being urged to acknowledge that many murders were avoidable and to apologise to bereaved families. On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson examines what we know about the British mole and gets reaction to the Operation Kenova report with our senior Ireland correspondent David Blevins.Podcast producer: Sydney Pead  Interviews producer: Melissa Tutesigensi-Charles  Promotion producer: Jonathan Day Senior producer: Annie Joyce Editor: Wendy Parker 

After cutting national insurance for the second time in yesterday's Budget, the prime minister has said it's his "long-term ambition" to eventually scrap the tax.As only those in work pay it, it's seen by many – including the Chancellor - as an unfair double tax on those in the workforce. But, completely abolishing it would cost the government £46bn.Labour have criticised the plans, saying the move would cost more than the cuts unveiled in Liz Truss' chaotic mini-budget and the director of the Institute of Fiscal Studies called it unrealistic.On this edition of the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson is joined by Greg Thwaites from the Resolution Foundation and Linda Yueh, broadcaster and economist, to explore how realistic scrapping NI would be and why it's so tricky to simplify the tax system.And, political editor Beth Rigby pops in to discuss how this idea is playing out politically. Producer: Sydney Pead Assistant producer: Iona Brunker Interviews producer: Melissa Tutesigensi-Charles Promotion Producer: David

It was a budget of few surprises. As promised, the chancellor cut the rate of National Insurance tax by 2p in every pound but admits the overall tax burden is still higher than it has been in the last 70 years. The cuts have been labelled "Tory con" by Labour, which leaves people paying "more for less".On this edition of the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson is joined by data and economics editor Ed Conway to break down the changes in tax and childcare, and if the chancellor's plan will help the economy.Plus, hear from political editor Beth Rigby about whether the budget can save the Tories from election defeat.Jeremy Hunt has delivered his last spring budget before a general election, hoping to revive the UK economy and his party's hopes of re-election.Producers: Soila Apparicio and Sydney PeadAssistant producer: Iona Brunker Promotion producer: David Chipakupaku Editor: Paul Stanworth

For most of us, our council tax bills are going up - with nearly every local authority in the country increasing it by the maximum amount. Nottingham City Council is the latest to declare itself bankrupt and has already approved huge cuts. Today, councillors in Birmingham consider whether to do the same.On this edition of the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson is joined from Birmingham by Midlands correspondent Becky Cotterill and local campaigner Shuranjeet Singh to look at what's gone wrong in the city and how it's affecting residents. Plus, Jessica Studdert from the thinktank New Local discusses why so many councils are struggling with their finances.Senior podcast producer: Annie Joyce Assistant producer: Iona Brunker Interviews producer: Melissa Tutesigensi-Charles Promotion Producer: David Chipakupaku Editor: Wendy Parker

As the country gears up for the general election, Wednesday's budget may be the last before the voters go to the polls. Hailed as "a budget to save the Tory party", speculation has been mounting that the chancellor will cut taxes as a last-ditch attempt to boost the Conservatives' plunging support. To afford the move, funding to public services could be slashed - but Jeremy Hunt has insisted any cuts will be done "responsibly". On today's episode, Sophy Ridge looks ahead to the budget. She's joined by deputy political editor Sam Coates and pollster Scarlett Maguire to unpack whether cutting taxes really is the way to a Conservative election win. Producer: Soila Apparicio Assistant producer: Iona Brunker Interviews producer: Melissa Tutesigensi-Charles Promotion producer: Jada-Kai Meosa John Editor: Philly Beaumont

Today, something different – we're bringing you the first episode of an exciting new podcast from Sky called Electoral Dysfunction.Beth Rigby. Jess Philips. Ruth Davidson.With polls suggesting trust in politicians is low, three political powerhouses unite to unravel the spin and explain what’s really going on in Westminster and beyond.Every week, they will examine our political leaders and their policies – how they’re written, and how they’re sold to voters – as we prepare for a general election. With so much at stake, they will work out which politicians are coming out on top and who is having an Electoral Dysfunction – and what it all actually means for you.Here's the first epsiode. For more, follow Electoral Dysfunction now wherever you listen to podcasts.Warning: some explicit language.