Sky News Daily

Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets of Turkey, following the arrest of Ekrem Imamoglu – the main rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Opposition leader Mr Imamoglu is a popular politician and is a 2028 presidential nominee – but last Wednesday he was detained and later formally arrested for corruption, a move he believes is politically motivated. On Sky News Daily, Liz Bates talks to Sky's special correspondent Alex Crawford who has been reporting from Istanbul and meeting with protesters. She also speaks to Hannah Lucinda Smith, the author of Erdogan Rising: The Battle For The Soul Of Turkey, about who Ekrem Imamoglu is and what his arrest tells us about the direction President Erdogan is taking the country. Help us understand more about our listeners by taking our survey! This form should only take a few minutes to complete, and Sky anonymises the responses as much as possible Podcast producer: Rosie Gillott Editor: Paul Stanworth

Heathrow Airport has been shut all day after an "unprecedented" fire hit a nearby substation. Counter-terrorism police are leading the investigation into the blaze, with thousands of people affected by plane cancellations and power cuts. On the Sky News Daily, Rob Powell talks to The Independent’s travel writer Simon Calder about how airports prepare for an emergency. He also talks to Sky's data and forensic correspondent Tom Cheshire about how one fire closed Europe's biggest airport and what lessons can be learned. Podcast producer: Natalie Ktena Editor: Philly Beaumont

Prince William is in Estonia to visit British troops but also to show the UK's support for the NATO country which borders Russia. The King's invitation to Donald Trump to come to the UK for a state visit was seen as a key part of British diplomacy to keep the US president on side. And the King and Queen are due to go to Italy soon with a focus on UK-Italian defence co-operation. On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson talks to royal correspondent Rhiannon Mills in Tallinn to discuss whether at this critical time the UK is deploying the soft power of the royals to make a difference. Producer: Natalie Ktena Editor: Wendy Parker

Netflix’s hit drama series Adolescence has shone a light on the pressures faced by boys growing up today, and the rise in misogynistic violence that frequently hits the headlines. It tells the story of what happens to the Miller family after 13-year-old Jamie is arrested in a dawn raid for killing a girl in his class. Sky News' political correspondent Tamara Cohen and Labour MP for Darlington Lola McEvoy join Niall Paterson to discuss Sky News’ exclusive survey of a thousand kids aged 16 to 17 about what they see online. Is social media solely to blame? How should schools and parents be safeguarding young people? And what is our collective responsibility in tackling toxic masculinity? Producer: Rosie Gillott Editor: Philly Beaumont Help us understand more about our listeners by taking our survey! This form should only take a few minutes to complete, and Sky anonymises the responses as much as possible

Sky News' special correspondent Alex Crawford joins Niall Paterson to discuss her recent trip to northeast Syria, where she gained extremely rare access to one of the main ISIS prisons under Kurdish control. It's a time of particular upheaval in the country - since the new regime took over in Damascus, ISIS attacks have doubled. Alex tells us about the British ISIS fighter she met in the prison - Hamza Parvez, the first Briton to openly declare he was fighting for ISIS in 2014. Alex’s visit forms part of a bigger conversation about how new president Ahmed al Sharaa is looking to make a deal with a patchwork of ethnically run territories in the northeast region, to join him in a united Syria. Producer: Rosie Gillott Editor: Philly Beaumont Producer: Rosie Gillott Editor: Philly Beaumont

The government is due on Tuesday to set out its plans to make cuts to the welfare system. One of the benefits targeted for £5bn worth of savings is the key disability benefit - Personal Independence Payments (PIP). Health Secretary Wes Streeting has told Sky News 1,000 people a day apply for PIP, but pressure from Labour's backbenchers could see plans to reform the benefit watered down. On today's Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson speaks to Paul Morrison, a benefits expert and policy adviser for the Methodist Church, on how PIP works and who is eligible. Political correspondent Liz Bates explains the challenges of reforming PIP. Podcast producers: Natalie Ktena & Rosie Gillott Editor: Wendy Parker

Sir Keir Starmer appointed Jonathan Powell to be his national security adviser at one of the most critical points in European security since the Cold War. He has spent years at the heart of government, helping to broker the peace deal in Northern Ireland and more recently the controversial Chagos deal. Now he is being credited with being the architect of the peace deal plan between Ukraine and Russia and the bridge between the Trump administration, Europe and Ukraine. On this episode of the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson looks at the key role Powell is playing in working towards a lasting peace deal with political correspondent Rob Powell, and former national security adviser Lord Peter Ricketts. Producer: Natalie Ktena Editor: Wendy Parker

Reform UK has consolidated its gains at the general election, with recent polling suggesting that it is neck and neck with Labour and ahead of the Conservatives. But now a huge row has erupted between Nigel Farage and his fellow MP Rupert Lowe. Mr Lowe is currently suspended from the party after being reported to the police over alleged threats towards Reform's chairman. He has called the allegations "false" and says it's because he "dared to question Nigel Farage". On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson looks at what's behind the row and examines how damaging it is for Reform with Sky's chief political correspondent Jon Craig and Gawain Towler, the party's former director of communications. Podcast producer: Natalie Ktena Editor: Wendy Parker

The Red House was a children’s home in Norfolk which took in hundreds of students in care from across the UK between 1984 and 1998. It was run by a controversial Danish group called Tvind, operating an unconventional education system - most students from the Red House left without any qualifications. Now, over 40 former pupils have come forward with allegations of physical and sexual abuse they say they faced at the home. On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson speaks to correspondent Alice Porter about what has been uncovered, as she travelled to Denmark to track down the organisation behind the Red House and investigate claims it is a cult. And we hear from victims about the alleged abuse faced by students. Producer: Soila Apparicio Editor: Philly Beaumont

More than 30 people have been rescued, and one remains missing, after a cargo ship struck an oil tanker in the North Sea on Monday. As one ship continues to burn, Niall Paterson is joined by our science and medical correspondent Thomas Moore to look at how the crash happened. Plus, David Craven, from the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, tells us about the environmental impact the fire, and the leaking contents of the ships, could have on the birds, seals, and whales that live off England’s east coast. Podcast producer: Natalie Ktena Editor: Philly Beaumont

He's guided Canada through financial crisis and the UK through Brexit, but has no government experience. So how will Canada's new prime minister, Mark Carney, tackle what could be the biggest challenge of his career, defending Canada from Donald Trump? On today's podcast, Niall Paterson talks to our data and economics editor Ed Conway, who interviewed Mr Carney during his time as governor of the Bank of England, about the experience he brings to his new role. Plus, Catherine Cullen, host of the Canadian Broadcasting Company's award-winning political program The House, looks at the challenges Mark Carney will face as he heads into office. Producer: Natalie Ktena Editor: Philly Beaumont

Sky News political editor Beth Rigby has been to 11 Downing Street to talk to the Chancellor for Electoral Dysfunction. Rachel Reeves reflects on her first few months in the job, and hints on what might come in her Spring Statement with some strong words on the need for welfare reform. You can listen to the full interview on Electoral Dysfunction here.

After just eight months in his role, Defence Secretary John Healey is dealing with one of the most challenging in-trays in the cabinet. He is meeting US counterpart Pete Hegseth in Washington on Thursday, as he works to bridge the gap on how to reach a Ukraine peace deal. On today’s podcast, Niall Paterson talks to ex-armed forces minister James Heappey who worked with Healey when he was in opposition, and to Malcolm Chalmers who focuses on UK defence and security at the think-tank RUSI about the challenges the defence secretary faces. Producer: Soila Apparicio Assistant producer: Millie Gibson Editor: Wendy Parker

"If war is what the US wants, be it a tariff war, a trade war or any other type of war, we're ready to fight till the end," wrote a statement by China's ministry of foreign affairs in Beijing yesterday, then shared by the Chinese US embassy on X. With the messy diplomacy of Trump's America and his impending tariffs on China, how will President Xi Jinping navigate the tit-for-tat on trade? More importantly, is he preparing for something much more dangerous? Nicole Johnston is our correspondent based in Beijing. She joins Niall Paterson to discuss. Producer: Soila Apparicio Editor: Philly Beaumont

The Duchess of Sussex’s new lifestyle show, With Love, Meghan is out now. It is part of the deal, reportedly worth $100m, Meghan and Harry signed with Netflix five years ago when they left the UK for California. The most recent YouGov polling suggests that neither Meghan nor Harry are popular in the UK, doing only better than Prince Andrew. Though it’s a very different story among young people where over half have a positive opinion of the couple. On today’s Sky News Daily Niall Paterson talks to Sky’s royal correspondent, Rhiannon Mills, about what’s in the show and whether it’s an opportunity for Meghan to reset how she’s perceived both in the UK and the rest of the world. Producers: Natalie Ktena Editor: Wendy Parker

The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is back in Kyiv after three frantic days, during which he was ordered to leave the White House after a tense showdown with Donald Trump and his vice president JD Vance. He did, however, find a warmer welcome in London where he received a strong show of support from European leaders at a summit on Sunday. After the London summit, Sir Keir Starmer suggested European leaders would form a "coalition of the willing" to defend Ukraine. Niall Paterson talks to Sky's defence and security analyst Michael Clarke to understand what that might look like and whether Europe can save Ukraine. Producers: Natalie Ktena Editor: Philly Beaumont

At the height of lockdown, 19-year-old Ellie Williams claimed on social media she'd been abused and trafficked by an Asian grooming gang across the North of England. The rumours lead to attacks on Asian men and businesses in her hometown of Barrow-in-Furness. But then she was jailed for perverting the course of justice. It was a story Sky News’ home editor Jason Farrell, and specialist producer Liz Lane followed in depth, and our podcast series Unreliable Witness detailed what really happened to Ellie Williams. Sky News Daily host Niall Paterson is joined by Jason and Liz to discuss the latest twist to that tale. Listen to the full series and latest episode of Unreliable Witness here. Warning: This episode contains descriptions of violence and sexual abuse. If you feel affected by the issues, you 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.

Government figures released today showed that the number of asylum applications was at a 20-year record high but, for the first time since 2020, more applications were refused than granted. The data also reveals that the number of asylum seekers in hotels has gone up, but that the asylum backlog has gone down. Small boat crossings were up on last year but down on 2022. On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson speaks to our data and forensics correspondent Tom Cheshire to find out what we learnt from today's figures. Producer: Soila Apparicio Editor: Wendy Parker

Four in five cars should be electric and half of homes should have heat pumps within 15 years. That's according to the government's independent climate advisers, the Climate Change Committee. It says to reach the legally required "net zero" target by 2050 we will need to change how we drive, what we eat and how we heat our homes. Niall Paterson talks to Sky's science and technology editor Tom Clarke about how individuals can make a difference and what support they can expect from the government. Producer: Soila Apparicio Editor: Philly Beaumont

Donald Trump wants to do a deal with Ukraine which would see the United States get access to the country’s mineral wealth, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hoping for continued American military support in return. Kyiv estimates that about 5% of the world's "critical raw materials" are in Ukraine. It also has significant deposits of rare earth metals which are used to produce weapons, wind turbines and electronics. In today’s episode of the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson talks to Ed Conway, Sky’s economics and data editor, about how valuable Ukraine’s mineral wealth could be for the US. Producer: Soila Apparicio Editor: Wendy Parker