Sky News Daily

Coming soon to a lamppost near you? That was the feeling over the summer, as flags started appearing on buildings, bridges and posts – but the undertone was unclear. For some, flags were about national pride, for others, it felt like a nationalist warning. While patriotism and pride can be expressed in inclusive ways, the current political climate has made it a more polarised and contentious issue. So, how has the debate changed? In our final festive episode looking back at the biggest moments of the year, Niall is joined by director of the British Future thinktank and author of ‘How To Be A Patriot’ Sunder Katwala and our data and forensics correspondent Tom Cheshire. Producer: Soila Apparicio Editor: Mike Bovill 

Nobody expected a sit-down meeting between two world leaders to become one of the most explosive encounters of Ukraine’s war with Russia. When President Zelenskyy walked into the Oval Office to face Donald Trump back in February, their White House meeting descended into a fiery, confrontational, openly hostile clash. But did that showdown shift the course of the conflict? Niall is joined by military analyst Michael Clarke and Sky’s international affairs editor Dominic Waghorn to look back at the bust up, and how it impacted the push for peace in Ukraine. Producer: Soila Apparicio Editor: Mike Bovill

It's arguably the biggest royal scandal since 1992's "annus horribilis" - Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, stripped of his titles and set to be evicted from Royal Lodge in Windsor.Now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, his downfall was caused by more revelations over his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.In the first of our festive episodes looking back at the biggest moments of the year, Niall is joined by ex-BBC royal watcher Jennie Bond and Sky's royal correspondent Rhiannon Mills.They discuss why the King decided to take such a drastic step by ostracising his brother and whether it's enough to limit the damage done to 'The Firm'.Producer: Soila ApparicioEditor: Mike Bovill

Most of us have told the odd tall tale from time to time – but not many people would pretend to be an MI6 agent or a wealthy Swiss banker. Those are just a couple of the outlandish lies told by notorious British conman Mark Acklom - whose life of deception started as a teenager and took him all over Europe. Sky’s crime correspondent Martin Brunt spent years on Acklom’s trail, after one of his devastated victims contacted him asking for help. As Acklom’s latest court hearing gets underway, Martin tells Niall why some stories are stranger than fiction. Producer: Tom Gillespie  Editor: Mike Bovill 

It’s been 25 years since a crew of astronauts first stepped foot on the International Space Station – and it’s been occupied ever since.  The station itself will be “de-orbited” in 2030, but naturally humankind’s ambition to explore the universe remains as limitless as ever.  What will the new space race between the US and China look like? Or could the ambitions of Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos take us into another dimension? Niall is joined by Sky’s science correspondent Thomas Moore. Producer: Tom Gillespie Editor: Mike Bovill 

Work Christmas parties might be in full swing - but many young people are simply wishing they had a job to go to.  Figures show the unemployment rate has risen again and those aged between 16 and 24 have been hit the hardest. Nowadays it seems not even a degree is enough to land you a job - so what’s causing youth unemployment and what can be done to reduce it? Niall is joined by social media influencer and careers adviser Soshanna Davis - better known as the Fairy Job Mother. Producer: Tom Gillespie Editor: Mike Bovill 

The world was shocked to see the scenes at Bondi Beach – one of Australia’s most iconic locations – after 15 people were shot dead and dozens more injured when two gunmen opened fire on members of the Jewish community at a Hanukkah celebration. What did intelligence and law authorities know of the suspects – a father and son - and what more could have been done to confront a rise in antisemitic attacks across Australia? Niall is joined by Sky’s Nicole Johnston – who was at the scene within an hour – and finds out more about the sense of inevitability and foreboding amongst Australian Jews with Josh Roose – an associate professor of politics, specialising in extremism, at Deakin University. Producers: Tom Gillespie & Emily Hulme Editor: Mike Bovill 

He’s the most streamed artist on the planet and will headline the Super Bowl halftime show – so, who is Bad Bunny? The star dubbed the 'King of Latin Trap’ has become a household name across the US and Latin America – but his political stance and decision to cancel concerts over fears they would be targeted by immigration raids has caused controversy. Niall is joined by Anamaria Sayre, co-host of Alt.Latino, curator and producer for NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts, to understand Bad Bunny’s career to date and what could be next. Producers: Soila Apparicio, Emily Hulme & Natalie Ktena Editor: Mike Bovill 

The NHS is warning of a worst-case scenario over Christmas as an "unprecedented wave of super flu" drives infections across the country.  An average of 2,660 patients were in hospital a day with flu last week - the highest ever for this time of year and up 55% on the week before.  There is no peak in sight - so what's caused the predominant H3N2 strain to emerge and can the NHS cope with the extra pressure?  Niall is joined by NHS GP and health educator Dr Raj Arora and Sky's science correspondent Thomas Moore.  Producer: Tom Gillespie Editor: Mike Bovill 

Kiki Marriott is one of the thousands of people in the UK whose life has spiralled out of control because of gambling addiction. However, research has shown that while people from ethnic minorities like Kiki are actually less likely to gamble than their white counterparts – they are more likely to suffer harm from gambling and less likely to seek help. Why is this? And what can be done to help those most in need feel more comfortable with getting support? Niall is joined by Kiki and Sky News correspondent Emma Birchley. Warning: This podcast contains references to addiction, substance abuse and suicide. Producer: Tom Gillespie Editor: Mike Bovill     

Earlier this year, Donald Trump launched a series of punitive tariffs that in turn ignited a trade war that has changed the way we look at the established global economy.  As we head towards the first anniversary of Trump’s second term in office, what has been the impact of those tariffs both in the USA and around the world? Niall is joined by Sky’s economics and data editor, Ed Conway, who has been on the road to see how Trump’s tariffs have affected everyone from small businesses to global conglomerates. Producer: Natalie Ktena Editor: Mike Bovill 

“Too many women and babies are not getting the safe, compassionate care they deserve.”  The starkest of warnings has been issued by the president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Professor Ranee Thakar, about the failures in maternity services across the country. A new Sky documentary, Birth Trauma: The women who weren’t listened to, tells the stories of three women who were failed by the NHS.  But why is maternity care so bad in the UK? And what can be done to improve the experiences of women and babies? Niall is joined by Leah Hazard, a practising NHS midwife and bestselling author of Hard Pushed: A Midwife’s Story, to understand what leads to negative birth experiences and what changes she hopes a national inquiry will recommend. Producer: Tom Gillespie Editor: Mike Bovill 

Imagine setting up a political party and then boycotting day one of its first conference.It's an unusual thing to do - but exactly what Your Party co-founder Zarah Sultana did last weekend.The former Labour MP isn't the first politician to struggle after defecting to set up a new movement.What's the story behind the left-wing 32-year-old - and how do you successfully set up a new party?Niall is joined by Sky News political correspondent Rob Powell, who attended Your Party's chaotic inaugural conference.Producer: Natalie KtenaEditor: Mike Bovill

Grooming gangs continue to plague our communities. Through the voices of the survivors themselves, a new Sky documentary tells the story of the gangs and how they continue to exploit young girls.   Liz Lane and Sarah O’Connell are specialist producers who have been working with vulnerable and groomed women and girls for years, giving them the chance to tell their stories. They join Niall to talk about Scarlett and Danielle, and the reality of the abuse they’ve suffered. You can watch Prey: Inside today’s grooming gangs on Sky News or our YouTube channel here. Warning: this episode deals with grooming, drugs, violence and child sexual exploitation. Producer: Soila Apparicio Editor: Mike Bovill 

Lucy was 13 when she was robbed by the drug gang she was working for and then stabbed as punishment. Now in her 20s and living in a refuge, Lucy was one of thousands of children exploited by violent drug gangs. A decade after authorities first identified the emergence of "county lines" dealing, parents and former child runners have spoken about the devastating impact on their lives. Niall is joined by Sky's home affairs editor Jason Farrell. Producer: Tom Gillespie Editor: Mike Bovill 

David Lammy has set out radical plans to limit jury trials to only the most serious of crimes.The deputy prime minister argues the move will help tackle a backlog of court cases which has “pushed the justice system to the brink of collapse”.The plans have been heavily criticised, not least by the opposition. But if restricting the right to a jury trial isn’t the answer, then what is?Niall is joined by Dr Rebecca Helm, professor of law and empirical legal studies at the University of Exeter, and Sky News correspondent Dan Whitehead.Producers: Emily Hulme and Tom GillespieEditor: Mike Bovill

From being shot at in Syria to navigating the gang-controlled streets of Haiti, a new YouTube series is shining a light on some of Sky’s most hard-hitting journalism. Hotspots takes you behind the scenes in hostile environments around the world to deliver the story behind the story. Our correspondents Stuart Ramsay and Alex Crawford join Niall Paterson to discuss their important work and where they’d like to go next. You can watch Hotspots here: youtube.com/@SkyNewsHotspots And subscribe so you don’t miss an episode.  Producers: Tom Gillespie & Emily Hulme Editor: Mike Bovill 

The Office for Budget Responsibility has attracted huge criticism, and anger from Chancellor Rachel Reeves, after mistakenly revealing the details of her budget hours before she delivered it. But the watchdog already had its critics. Liz Truss says she never realised how powerful the OBR was and that it should be abolished. And Sir Keir Starmer has criticised the OBR's assessment of his government's fiscal plans. So how will the budget leak affect the OBR's future? Niall talks to Ed Conway, Sky's economics and data editor about exactly what the OBR is, whether it has too much power and if it will survive. Producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse Editor: Wendy Parker 

A climbdown from the government over workers' rights. Is it another manifesto breach?A member of the National Guard who was shot near the White House on Wednesday has died. It’s sparked a fiery debate over immigration in the US.And an incredible story about one of the rarest operations you can have.Anna Jones and Kamali Melbourne have the day's news, in just 10 minutes.Follow Cheat Sheet here to never miss an episode: https://podfollow.com/cheatsheet/

A US clinic is offering would-be parents the chance to select traits like height and intelligence to "genetically optimise" their future babies on top of the usual screenings for hereditary diseases.Critics of the start-up company have questioned the ethics of this and experts in human genetics are also questioning the science behind it.Niall talks to Sky's science and technology editor Tom Clarke about what the concerns are.Producer: Tom GillespieEditor: Wendy Parker