Sky News Daily – Details, episodes & analysis

Police are still trying to work out the motive for Saturday’s mass stabbing on a train from Doncaster to London. Sophy has spoken to the sole survivor of the Air India crash which killed 241 people back in June. And Wilf has heard from the US ambassador to the UK Warren Stephens, who wants the UK to keep drilling for oil and gas.

With Ukraine highlighting the use of UK hardware in strikes against Russia and the US insisting British military personnel join a team monitoring the Gaza ceasefire, are we at risk of ending up in a wider conflict?

The possibility, however slim, that UK soldiers could be engaged in fighting in the Middle East follows Ukraine's very public revelation that British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles were used in a "massive" attack inside Russia.Less than two weeks ago, the foreign secretary said there were no plans to send troops to monitor the Gaza ceasefire - so is the UK being dragged into a situation it doesn't want to be in?

What is the extent of its role in these conflicts and what are the implications for our national security?

Niall is joined by Sky's military analyst Professor Michael Clarke.

Producer: Tom Gillespie
Editor: Mike Bovill

Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has announced new protections in a bill which will attempt to cut benefits to more than three million households.  
  
In its current form, the government faces a big rebellion from dozens of Labour MPs over concerns that changes to welfare will drive families into poverty.   
  
On today's episode, Matt Barbet is joined by political correspondent Tamara Cohen to discuss the backlash from inside the Labour Party and the wider public.  
  
Producer: Emily Hulme  
Editor: Soila Apparicio 

After leaving the G7 early, Donald Trump told reporters on Air Force One he was seeking what he’s calling a “real end” to the conflict between Israel and Iran and wants to do “better” than just a ceasefire. 
  
His defence secretary Pete Hegseth has confirmed the US is moving “additional capabilities” to its Middle East bases. 
  
So, will Trump’s unconventional approach to diplomacy work or fuel the crisis in the Middle East? 
  
On today’s Sky News Daily Mark Austin speaks to Sky’s security and defence analyst Michael Clarke about Trump’s unpredictable approach to world affairs, and whether he’ll be able to strike a deal. 
 
Producer: Natalie Ktena & Araminta Parker 
Editor: Wendy Parker 

Whitehall officials tried to convince Michael Gove to go to court to cover up the grooming scandal in 2011. That's according to Dominic Cummings, who was working for Mr Gove at the time. 
 
In an interview with Sky's political correspondent Liz Bates, Mr Cummings has revealed how officials in the Department for Education wanted to help efforts by Rotherham Council to stop a national newspaper from exposing the scandal. 
 
On the Sky News Daily, Mark Austin speaks to Liz Bates about the scandal and what Mr Cummings told her. 

Podcast producer: Natalie Ktena
Editor: Philly Beaumont

On today's Sky News Daily, we're sharing the latest episode of The World.

Israel has attacked Iran and its operation will continue for "as many days as it takes", according to Benjamin Netanyahu – meanwhile, Iran's leader has vowed "severe punishment" in return.  
  
In this extra episode of The World, Yalda Hakim is joined by Sky News' international affairs editor Dominic Waghorn to ask why Israel decided to launch these attacks now and whether this is the start of something much bigger. He's standing in for Richard - who is on his way to the Middle East.  
  
Yalda reveals what she's hearing from Mossad agents in Israel and Dominic - who has just returned from Iran - explains why the leaders there are boxed in a corner.  
  
Also - Yalda and Dominic discuss whether the initial response from the rest of the world will hold. Can Donald Trump stay out of any escalation? And what does it mean for the UK?  
  
To get in touch or to share questions, email theworld@sky.uk 

 An Air India plane bound for Gatwick has crashed seconds after take-off.  
  
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner had taken off from Ahmedabad Airport in Gujarat in the northwest of India. On board were 242 passengers and crew, including 53 British nationals.  
  
On today’s episode Matt Barbet is joined by Ian Petchenik, Flightradar 24’s communications director and co-host of the AV Talk podcast, to discuss what we know so far as well as looking at the safety record of the both the plane and airline. 

The chancellor has unveiled her long-awaited spending review, which sets out detailed plans for how individual government departments are funded over the next three years. 
 
Rachel Reeves says departmental budgets will grow by an average of 2.3% a year, prioritising health, defence and infrastructure projects - but how will this be paid for? And does this make a change for working people as promised by her government?  

In today’s episode, political correspondent Tamara Cohen speaks to economics and data editor Ed Conway about the ambitious figures.    
 
Producer: Emily Hulme  
Editor: Philly Beaumont 

The Wargame was designed to test the state of the UK's defences and national resilience after decades of cuts to military spending after the end of the Cold War.  
  
A year in the making, the podcast was recorded in just one day with a cast of politicians and their advisers, all of whom had worked at the top levels of the British government.  
  
In today's episode, Dominic Waghorn talks to security and defence editor Deborah Haynes who created and wrote The Wargame about why she thought it was so important to make the podcast - and to former defence secretary Sir Ben Wallace, who plays the prime minister. 
 
Producer: Emily Hulme 
Editor: Wendy Parker