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Jul 22
US signs nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia

The US energy department announced the "peaceful nuclear cooperation agreement" had been signed on Wednesday. It said the deal would "lay the foundation for a decades-long, multi-billion-dollar partnership that advances several priority economic and strategic objectives, including nuclear nonproliferation". The deal could potentially provide Saudi Arabia with uranium enrichment capability for its civilian nuclear programme. The agreement will be reviewed by Congress, where it could face opposition from some US politicians who fear it would open new rounds of nuclear proliferation and competition. US secretary of state Marco Rubio has previously said any deal signed would not lead to proliferation. The agreement was signed by US secretary of energy Chris Wright and Saudi minister of energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, alongside an accompanying bilateral safeguards agreement. Mr Wright said the deals "reflect our two nations' shared commitment to strengthening US-Saudi commercial relations, delivering prosperity at home and security to our allies abroad". He said the agreements "uphold the highest standards of nuclear safety and nonproliferation, while relying on the world's best nuclear technology and scientists". However, a number of Democratic lawmakers have warned ⁠that the deal could trigger an arms race in the Middle East. Senator Edward Markey said the agreement would "make us all less safe" and risks "allowing Saudi ​Arabia, a belligerent and authoritarian nation, to develop nuclear weapons technologies while starting a ​war with Iran under the guise of preventing an Iranian nuclear bomb". Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has previously said he does not want the country to build a nuclear weapon, but ⁠insisted it would if Iran did. This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version. You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow us on WhatsApp and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.

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Jul 22
Donald Trump ordered to reveal financial records in $10bn BBC lawsuit

The American president's legal team had claimed the move was "premature, improper, and especially burdensome", but its attempt to block it in a Florida court was unsuccessful. Mr Trump is seeking damages over the editing of a Panorama documentary about the US Capitol riots, which aired in 2024. In the latest development in the case, Judge Enjolique Lett granted the request by BBC lawyers for information from the Donald J Trump Revocable Trust, which holds the president's business interests and assets and is managed by his eldest son, Donald Trump Jr. However, the ruling can be appealed by the president's team. The BBC's legal team said in earlier court documents that the details were necessary to assess the financial impact of the programme, and rejected claims of a "fishing expedition". Legal filings said they had "requested information from these entities only because plaintiff alleges without limitation that his financial interests have been impacted by defendants' actions and because plaintiff is the sole beneficiary of a trust that owns or is associated with nearly 400 entities". The trust, which is also represented by Mr Trump's lawyers, previously argued that although the president alleged his businesses suffered damages as a result of the documentary, "that alone does not give defendants carte-blanche to obtain sweeping financial discovery from hundreds of non-parties". Read more from Sky News:The toxic chemicals detected at illegal waste sitesEx-Southern Water boss charged with conspiracy to defraud The Panorama episode in question was broadcast shortly before the 2024 presidential election, which Mr Trump won. It featured clips of him addressing supporters on the day of the 2021 attack on the Capitol in Washington DC, after losing the previous election in 2020 to Joe Biden. The clips included soundbites from the president spliced together. The lawsuit accuses the BBC of "intentionally, maliciously, and deceptively doctoring" his speech, and alleges the episode caused him reputational and financial injury. Tim Davie, who was BBC director-general at the time, announced his resignation amid the fallout, and the corporation's chairman, Samir Shah, apologised over an "error of judgment". The BBC accepted the editing of the programme gave "the impression of a direct call for violent action". However, the broadcaster is seeking to have the case thrown out, warning of the "chilling effect" it would have on "robust reporting on public figures and events". It has also challenged the jurisdiction of a Florida court to hear the case, given the programme was never aired in the state or the US.

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Jul 22
Stress testing the UK: Find out how the Iran war is hitting finances at home

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Jul 22
Tonda Eckert: Southampton boss charged by FA over Spygate scandal that expelled club from Championship play-offs

The EFL expelled Southampton from the Championship play-offs in May and handed the club a four-point deduction for the 2026/27 season after they admitted "multiple breaches" relating to the unauthorised filming of their opponents' training, including before their semi-final against Middlesbrough. Southampton beat Middlesbrough and were due to play Hull City in the play-off final before Boro were reinstated. Southampton appealed the decision, but the punishments were upheld by a League Arbitration Panel. During the Spygate hearing, the EFL only had the power to charge clubs, not individuals. The FA waited for the EFL process to run its course before launching its own investigation. Southampton fixturesGot Sky? Watch the Championship on the Sky Sports appNot got Sky? Stream the Championship with no contract The FA has now charged Eckert with three breaches of rule E3.1, during the period between December 2025 and May 2026, by "directing and/or observing" training sessions of Oxford United, Ipswich Town and Middlesbrough ahead of fixtures against those clubs. Rule E3.1 states: "A participant shall at all times act in the best interests of the game and not act in any manner which is improper or brings the game into disrepute or use any one, or a combination of violent conduct, serious foul play, threatening, abusive, indecent or insulting words or behaviour". In response, Southampton say they remain "fully supportive" of Eckert and will "continue to cooperate fully and openly with The FA". Eckert has until Tuesday July 28 to provide his responses. Eckert 'loved' spying information In June, Eckert said he took full responsibility "for everything that happened", apologising to players, staff and supporters. At that time, Southampton chairman Dragan Solak admitted Eckert had made a "mistake" but said the club was "fully behind him", reaffirming their target of winning promotion to the Premier League. In the written reasons released following the League Arbitration Panel's decision to dismiss Southampton's appeal against their punishment, Saints' conduct was described as a "contrived and determined plan from the top down". Eckert "loved" the information a junior analyst intern gathered when spying on one of his team's opponents, according to messages used as evidence in the hearing. The written reasons detail how analysts felt pressure to carry out jobs asked of them as a colleague had lost their job earlier in the season. The panel added: "A reprimand is considered appropriate because of the way in which junior members of staff were put under pressure to carry out activities which they felt were, at the least, morally wrong." Eckert reveals police protection amid threats during spygate Eckert told Sky Sports News last week that he had received police protection amid threats during the Spygate scandal. "It's been an emotional summer. I can't lie, obviously, when the news broke towards the back end of last season, it's tough. It's not easy in that very moment. It's not easy to look into the eyes of the players. They're just so disappointed, and so many emotions coming out. "You get so many threats at one point. You have police protection at one point; you can't drive a car. It's tough to deal with that for the very moment. "When things calmed down with time, and I went back home, different challenges at home, you have a moment to reflect. I think that over the months there's also been a lot of positives that we can take into next season. "After a couple of weeks, that excitement comes back in to go again and show what we are about. That's been the feeling since coming back into the training ground. We are in the second week of pre-season now. Players have come back in very good shape, with a smile on their face and ready to go again." Spygate timeline: How did we get here? May 7: Middlesbrough make formal complaint to the EFL alleging a Southampton member of staff spied on their training session three days before their Championship play-off semi-final first leg. May 9: Boro boss Kim Hellberg accuses Southampton of cheating after the first leg ends in a 0-0 draw at the Riverside Stadium. May 12: Southampton charged with a breach of EFL regulations in relation to the spying accusations. Southampton request additional time to conduct an internal review. The play-off semi-final second leg is played at St Mary's. Shea Charles' extra-time winner earns Southampton a 2-1 victory and a place in the Championship play-off final. Emotional Hellberg hits out at "disgraceful spying", before Saints boss Tonda Eckert storms out of his press conference after being asked: "Are you a cheat?" May 13: Photos allegedly showing the Southampton analyst near Middlesbrough's training ground released publicly. May 14: It is announced the independent hearing to determine Southampton's fate will take place on or before Tuesday May 19. In a statement, the EFL say "the outcome of the disciplinary proceedings may yet result in changes to the fixture." May 15: Middlesbrough publicly call for Southampton's expulsion from the play-offs. In a statement, they said: "In these circumstances, the only appropriate response is a sporting sanction which would prevent Southampton FC from participating in the EFL Championship play-off final." May 18: Middlesbrough players return to training as the outcome of the independent disciplinary hearing nears. May 19: EFL announces Southampton expelled from play-off final after hearing. May 20: Southampton appeal rejected. May 21: FA confirm they will begin their own investigation into Spygate. May 23: Middlesbrough lose 1-0 to Hull City in the Championship play-off final. June 1: WhatsApp messages reveal Eckert "loved" spying information despite the concerns of junior members of Southampton staff. June 2: Eckert takes full responsibility for Spygate as Southampton owner Dragan Solak backs head coach. June 17: Eckert tells Sky Sports News he received police protection amid threats during Spygate. July 22: FA charges Southampton head coach Eckert with three breaches of rule E3.1.

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Jul 22
Police manhunt for drug dealer who escaped prison by climbing fence

Oliver Mazirel absconded from HMP Ford by climbing a fence on 30 June, Sussex Police said. The 38-year-old was serving a sentence at the open prison near Arundel in West Sussex for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. Two men, aged 35 and 38, from nearby Worthing, have been arrested on suspicion of helping Mazirel after his escape, Detective Inspector Gary Jacobs said on Wednesday. DI Jacobs said officers "are looking for a third person who we also believe assisted him" and have warned that anyone helping the escapee could face a lengthy spell in prison. "We intend to return Mazirel to prison, and I want to make it very clear as to the consequences of assisting someone who remains at large," he said. "It is a serious offence that carries a prison sentence of up to ten years." Mazirel, who "has links to Worthing and Littlehampton", according to the detective, is described as 5'7" (1.7m) tall, with short light brown hair. Sussex Police published a CCTV picture of the prisoner just before he escaped. DI Jacobs urged anyone with any information "however small, that could help us in our search for Mazirel" to get in touch. News of the arrests came as a new controversy erupted over the government's early release scheme, launched in 2024 to relieve prison overcrowding. Prime Minister Andy Burnham promised on Wednesday to review the scheme, after it emerged two of the men convicted over the killing of PC Andrew Harper, could be eligible for the plan. Lissie Harper, Mr Harper's widow, called the potential early release of Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers "deplorable", while his mother, Debbie Adlam, told The Daily Telegraph the idea "makes me feel sick". Read more:Bezos linked to Premier League giantsToxic chemicals found at illegal waste sites On Tuesday, Defence Secretary Wes Streeting was overheard joking about the early release of prisoners with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and the new Justice Secretary Alex Norris as Mr Burnham's new cabinet met for the first time. In the comments, picked up by a microphone, Mr Streeting suggested to Ms Mahmood that Mr Norris was "the enemy now" and "wants to let them all out". Mr Streeting said it was a reference to a joke shared between former Conservative ministers Theresa May and Kenneth Clarke. Mr Streeting and Ms Mahmood apologised for the incident.

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Jul 22
Rebel Wilson cleared of defaming The Deb star Charlotte MacInnes on Instagram

Charlotte MacInnes, the lead in Wilson's directorial debut, The Deb, brought the claim over four Instagram posts by Wilson in 2024 and 2025. They centred on an incident in September 2023 when MacInnes and one of the film's producers, Amanda Ghost, went swimming at Sydney's Bondi Beach. Ms Ghost had an adverse reaction to the cold water and they later shared a bath in swimsuits at the producer's apartment. Ms Wilson alleged on Instagram that Ms MacInnes had complained about feeling uncomfortable during the incident but later changed her story. The 28-year-old said Wilson's posts were defamatory as they suggested she was "paid off" to row back on her claim. But judge Elizabeth Raper rejected that assertion: "I do not accept that the meaning conveyed ‌was inherently serious or of a defamatory nature," she wrote in Wednesday's decision. "There is no evidence of the actual impact of the publication on Ms MacInnes' reputation." Amanda Ghost also previously told the court in written evidence that she has never been sexually interested in women. Ms Wilson, who's best known for Bridesmaids and the Pitch Perfect series, said on Instagram she was relieved the case was over. Read more from Sky News:Godzilla star, 18, dies in car crashTate brothers 'will fight extradition' "I'm grateful this chapter has reached its conclusion and I'm looking forward to getting back to what I love most, my family and my work," she said. "Thank you to the judge and the Australian legal system who I have the utmost respect for." The 46-year-old won her own defamation case in 2017 over magazine articles she said had damaged her career.

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Jul 22
PC Andrew Harper's widow Lissie Harper says it's 'deplorable' that his killers may be released early

PC Harper, who was 28, was fatally injured after being dragged for a mile behind the men's car along a country road while responding to a burglary in Sulhamstead, Berkshire, in August 2019. He was trying to stop the group towing away a stolen quad bike. It comes as Prime Minister Andy Burnham ordered a review of the early release scheme policy. PC Harper latest Henry Long, Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers were jailed in 2020 for manslaughter. Long, who was driving the vehicle which caused PC Harper's death, received a 16-year sentence, and will not be eligible for the scheme. Cole and Bowers, who were 17 at the time of the incident, were passengers in the vehicle. They were given 13-year prison sentences but might be eligible for release halfway through, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has said. Our future 'was stolen' Lissie Harper said in a statement on Wednesday: "It has taken me years to rebuild a life that was torn apart in a matter of moments. Years to pick up the pieces left behind by three men whose actions robbed Andrew of his life and stole our future. "Now - once again - politicians are making decisions from behind a desk that will have real and lasting consequences for victims' families like mine." "It is deplorable to me that we have reached a point where releasing prisoners early is even considered acceptable. We speak of justice, accountability and standing with victims, yet decisions like this do the opposite. "They tell victims their suffering matters less, and offenders that the punishment handed down by our courts is no longer what they will actually serve." The Police Federation for England and Wales has condemned the prospect as "disgusting". Its deputy national chair, Brian Booth, said: "Police officers from across the country stood side by side to honour Andrew Harper at his funeral. They and every serving officer will be utterly sickened at the prospect of Bowers and Cole being back on the streets so soon." 'It feels like an insult' PC Harper's mother, Debbie Adlam, told The Telegraph she had received a letter from the department informing her the sentences may be reduced. Ms Adlam told The Telegraph it "makes me feel sick" that Cole and Bowers may be released. "It feels like a slap in the face and an insult," she added. The potential release of Cole and Bowers would come under the Sentencing Act. Set to come into force in September, the legislation stands to see 6,000 prisoners released early. The policy has proved controversial, but the government has repeatedly said it must act to free up jail cells. Whole policy 'to be reviewed' Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he would "review the whole of this policy", and clarified that the "main perpetrator will not be subject to any early release", referring to Long. He added that inaction in addressing the pressure on prisons a "decade ago" had "created an unacceptable situation now". "But I want to assure myself that everything has been looked at before this policy proceeds, and I can give that assurance that every single part of this I will look into with the Justice Secretary," he said. "I can't say that I can't change the policy completely, but I will look at it in detail before we go further forward." An MoJ spokesperson said: "This was a horrific crime, and our deepest sympathies are with PC Andrew Harper's family and friends. "In 2024, the country was facing a prison crisis and a total breakdown of law and order, with judges ordered to stop jailing dangerous criminals. "This government is committed to public safety: we are building prison places at the fastest rate since the Victorian era and taking the difficult decisions needed to lock up the most dangerous offenders." Following his death, PC Harper's death, Ms Harper successfully campaigned for legal changes to see harsher sentences for the manslaughter of emergency workers on duty. Harper's Law introduced mandatory life sentences for anyone who commits the manslaughter of an emergency worker on duty, including police, prison officers, firefighters and paramedics. But the legislation was not retrospective, meaning PC Harper's killers cannot have their sentences extended. Possible release 'feels wrong' Thames Valley Police Chief Constable Jason Hogg said PC Harper's death has had a "lasting impact". "Under the law that bears Andrew's name, if his killers were convicted today, they would be receiving life sentences. "For this reason, for them to be released early under the new Sentencing Act legislation feels wrong. I have written to the prime minister, the home secretary and the justice secretary to make my opinion on this clear." The backlash to the early release of PC Harper's killers comes as the new defence secretary, Wes Streeting, had to apologise for making a joke about the controversial scheme.

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Jul 22
World Matchplay Darts: Cameron Menzies withdraws after becoming unwell on stage during second-round match against Ross Smith

Menzies was 2-1 up in the second-round match when he doubled over in discomfort and appeared to become unsteady on his feet, with Smith and the match officials coming to his aid. The 37-year-old received medical attention after being taken from the stage, with the PDC later confirming Menzies had experienced high blood pressure. After medical checks, Menzies was deemed well enough to return to his accommodation. Darts in 2026: Key dates, calendar, results 📅Got Sky? Watch on the Sky Sports app 📱Not got Sky? Get instant access with NOW 📺 The match was officially abandoned, with Smith progressing to the quarter-finals where he will face either Gerwyn Price or Rob Cross. A statement from the PDC said: "Cameron Menzies was taken ill during his round two match against Ross Smith at the Betfred World Matchplay on Wednesday evening. "Cameron experienced high blood pressure, which caused him to feel dizzy and subsequently faint. "Following an assessment by the on-site medical team, Cameron was deemed well enough to return to his accommodation. "We wish Cameron all the best and look forward to seeing him back in action soon." Following a short break, Gian van Veen's match against Wessel Nijman commenced. "I echo the thoughts of everybody; right now, it's all about Cameron Menzies," Sky Sports' Glen Durrant said. "He's in tip-top form at the moment. It's a real tough one to take." Menzies had advanced to the second round of the World Matchplay Darts after beating 2024 champion Luke Humphries 10-7, a victory he called "the biggest moment of my darts career." The Scot produced a Big Fish checkout to beat the world No 2, and afterwards, was left lost for words. "I don't know how to explain that [victory]. I did believe in my heart that I could maybe cause an upset but I would have to play it out of my skin," Menzies said. "I wouldn't say I played it out of my skin, but I played really well. I did say before the game started, to beat Luke, I need to take every chance that he gives me. "It's not like Luke to give a lot of chances away, but obviously I'm going to take it. A lot went in. I was happy. I stole a few legs to win, but it's made the best moment of my darts career." Who will win this year's World Matchplay Darts? Luke Littler is defending the title and you can watch all the action on Sky Sports. Stream darts and more top sport with NOW.

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