The UK's allies are increasingly concerned at a failure by the government to rearm at pace, despite the prime minister declaring "hard power is the currency of the age". Publishing the defence funding blueprint before Sir Keir meets with Donald Trump and other NATO leaders in Turkey on 7 and 8 July was meant to be a way of allaying such fears. But, rather than reassuring allies, such a move risks having the reverse effect if Britain fails to set out a credible plan to transform the armed forces from hollowed out to fighting ready. In a worrying sign, I understand that officials at the Ministry of Defence are scrambling to rush through tweaks to the defence investment plan after John Healey and Al Carns resigned a fortnight ago as defence secretary and armed forces minister respectively. The pair quit in protest at a failure by Sir Keir and his chancellor to fund the original plan properly. Mr Carns also criticised its content for not focusing on the right kit, with too much emphasis on large, expensive, legacy programmes such as fast jets, warships and submarines instead of cheap, disposable drones that have transformed the battlefield in Ukraine. Dan Jarvis, the new defence secretary, has said he is now working hard to secure the "right" deal for the military and to release the defence investment plan before the Ankara summit. However, this politically dictated timeline could result in a poor outcome for the armed forces, especially if any announcement is ultimately yet more decline dressed up as reprioritised investment, with choices dictated by fiscal constraint rather than what is needed. The fact Sir Keir himself is only going to be in office for a few more weeks only adds to the lack of credibility and seriousness about what should be the top priority for any government. None of this will impress fellow member states in NATO. Most importantly, when it comes to the alliance, the headline metric that countries are judged on - as faulty and fudged as it can be - is defence spending as a proportion of GDP. Read more from Sky News:New defence secretary signals he's pushing for extra moneyHow will a new prime minister be selected? Allies, with the exception of Spain, committed last year to lifting this ratio to 3.5% of GDP by 2035 - an unambitious timeline advocated by the prime minister and Rachel Reeves even though countries such as the Baltic states wanted to go much faster, and are already doing so. Underlying the incoherency of this distant timeframe is the fact that much of NATO, including Britain, is saying the alliance needs to be ready for possible war with Russia by 2030 - five years before they agreed to hit the new defence spending baseline. This mismatch between threat and investment is why Mr Healey, the previous defence secretary, could no longer support the prime minister's plan for the UK's armed forces as it would only raise the defence budget to 2.68% of GDP by 2030 from around 2.3% now. He had instead been pushing to increase the level to 3% of GDP within four years followed by a clear path to move on to 3.5% by 2035 (or sooner). This would unlock tens of billions of pounds of additional money for the military at the speed of relevance. But the Treasury baulked and the rest is history. What NATO really needs to see from the UK - a country that prides itself as being a leading member of the alliance - is a credible trajectory for when it will actually hit the new spending targets and be ready to fight a war. And that is no longer in Sir Keir's gift.

The 45-year-old was convicted of a total of five offences against a number of women between 2004 and 2019. The rape occurred some time between 2018 and 2019. During the trial, the woman told the court Robertson had had sex with her despite her making it clear she was not consenting, and described going "limp" when he was on top of her. Giving evidence during the trial, Robertson said he was "no angel" but denied any wrongdoing. He said he was "aware" of when a woman is consenting, and that he is "sensitive" enough to know about non-verbal communication. However, the jury found him guilty of rape, along with four other charges. Robertson is due to be sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh on 23 July.

Andy Burnham appears to have taken another major step towards power, bringing in a big name from the Tony Blair era - James Purnell - as his chief of staff. What does it say about the Burnham operation and the government he is trying to build? Sam Coates and Anne McElvoy unpack a decades-long relationship, and discuss why it's being welcomed by Labour MPs, business and the City. Starmer ally Darren Jones has ruled himself out of a leadership challenge. Is the path now clear for a Burnham coronation? Plus, Anne has been speaking to Reform UK's Robert Jenrick. How do they deal with a new Labour leader, and do they have a clear narrative on migration?

England's fourth victory from four, which ended West Indies' own 100 per cent record, was underpinned by Wyatt-Hodge's 22nd T20I fifty and her second knock of note in the tournament after her sublime century against Sri Lanka at Edgbaston on opening night. Wyatt-Hodge's stands of 66 from 50 balls with Alice Capsey (28 off 23) and 40 off 24 with Heather Knight (43 off 26) helped England post 186-7 after losing the toss and being put in to bat by a West Indies side playing their first game at this famous ground. Scorecard: England vs West Indies, Women's T20 World CupHayley Matthews on controversial dismissal: I did not hit ballStream T20 World Cup matches for FREE on Sky Sports AppLatest T20 World Cup tables as teams push for semi-finals West Indies' failed chase featured an eventful powerplay with captain Hayley Matthews (14) furious to be given out caught behind off left-arm spinner Linsey Smith - there was a spike on UltraEdge but a gap between bat and ball - and Deandra Dottin (19 off 11) going four, four, six off off-spinner Charlie Dean (2-31) before holing out three balls later. England then squeezed the run-rate - Sophie Ecclestone taking 1-22 and Lauren Bell 1-20 - although some late-innings dropped catches and loose bowling allowed Chinelle Henry (51no off 30) and Jahzara Claxton (21 off 34) to club 63 from 53 balls for the fifth wicket as West Indies carded 148-5 having been reduced to 69-4 in 10.1 overs. Sciver-Brunt 'making good progress' but will miss New Zealand match Dean captained England for the second consecutive match with usual skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt (calf) sitting out again and the latter will also miss her country's final group game against New Zealand on Saturday, across London at The Kia Oval (6.30pm first ball). Sciver-Brunt's wife, Katherine, said on Tuesday that she was "99 per cent" sure Nat would play in the semi-finals if England got that far and the all-rounder is targeting that as a return date after a scan on Wednesday showed "good progress". The hosts will guarantee top spot in Group 2, and likely swerve six-time champions Australia in the semi-finals, if they beat New Zealand, although that position could already be rubberstamped if West Indies slip up against Ireland in Bristol earlier that afternoon. A win for the Caribbean outfit over Ireland would secure their own progression to the last four. West Indies punished for poor fielding as England march on West Indies will want to improve their fielding against Ireland as blunders in that aspect versus England cost them dear, with Knight a chief beneficiary and Matthews one of the principal culprits. Knight, who played pleasing drives and sweeps before being run out in the penultimate over, could have been run out by Matthews early in her innings, while she was inexplicably dropped by the Bajan at cover when on 14. Dottin was also unable to cling on a to a leaping half-chance at point when Wyatt-Hodge, in the teens at the time, carved away one of her eight boundaries. That opportunity came in the final over of a powerplay England ended on 57-2, having lost Amy Jones (8) in the first over - caught on the drive immediately after back-to-back pulled boundaries - and then Sophia Dunkley (14) lbw on the sweep. England looted 14 runs from Ashmini Munisar's final over, with Dean (9no) nailing successive reverse-swept boundaries and Ecclestone (4no) sweeping an orthodox four off the final ball of the innings, the first delivery she faced. England dominate - but sloppy towards the end England fielded sharply to start with, exorcising some of the demons from their defeat to the same opponents in the 2024 T20 World Cup in the UAE that led to them being dumped out in the group stage after a host of shelled catches. Dani Gibson saved a boundary with some athletic work in the deep in the first over of the run chase, bowled by Bell, while Capsey's catch at long-on to get rid of the dynamic Dottin was slick. However, a clutch of late blemishes put a little dampener on things, with Smith and Jones grassing chances in the 14th over, Claxton profiting on both occasions, before Gibson shelled Henry in the 17th. Smith then downed a sharp caught-and-bowled in a final over which featured two booming Henry sixes. Those blunders did not cost England, though. England's T20 World Cup results and fixtures All games live on Sky Sports; all times UK and Ireland Friday June 12 (Edgbaston) - Beat Sri Lanka by 87 runsTuesday June 16 (Southampton) - Beat Ireland by four wicketsSaturday June 20 (Headingley) - Beat Scotland by 38 runsWednesday June 24 (Lord's) - Beat West Indies by 38 runsSaturday June 27 (The Kia Oval) - vs New Zealand (6.30pm) Stream T20 World Cup matches for FREE Everyone can stream all of the group matches involving England, Scotland and Ireland, as well as the semi-finals and final of the Women's T20 World Cup, live for FREE on the Sky Sports App. All you have to do is download the latest version of the Sky Sports App onto your phone or tablet and log in. Download the Sky Sports App on: iPhone & iPad | Android Watch England's final Women's T20 World Cup group game, against New Zealand at The Kia Oval (first ball at 6.30pm), live on Saturday on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event. You can also stream the match for FREE on the Sky Sports App.

Robert Alexander, 66, killed Christina Alexander, 60, at their home in Dosthill, Tamworth in June 2025. He told a jury at Stafford Crown Court that he had acted in self-defence. After killing her, he changed his clothes, put the bins out, and sat in the lounge with his dogs before calling 999. "It's all to do with money, dictating to me how I spend my inheritance," he told police. "She came into my life about eight years ago with nothing." Prosecution counsel Rebecca Wade KC said he told officers: "I've disposed of my wife." Jurors heard Alexander previously put his wife in a headlock, strangled her and bit her cheek. Read more from Sky News:Train driver who died in crash 'passed red signal moments before collision'Murder arrest after man's body found following summer solstice He also threatened to kill a neighbour when they heard what was going on. In another incident in June 2021, Mrs Alexander phoned 999 because she was frightened after her husband picked up an iron bar and waved it at her. She told police she was living under the constant threat of violence from her husband. It led to him being issued with a domestic violence protection order. During his trial, Alexander claimed his wife had reached for a knife first and that he had acted in self-defence. He also argued that depression and autism reduced his responsibility. Narmina Rafiq from the CPS said: "This was a complex and challenging prosecution involving detailed psychiatric evidence and conflicting expert opinion about Robert Alexander's mental state. "Alexander told different stories to different people and changed his version of events when it suited him. "The jury carefully considered all of the evidence and rejected his claims of self-defence and diminished responsibility. "We were able to demonstrate that his actions were driven by control, both over his wife and over money, and that his self-harm formed part of that pattern, rather than being the result of a serious mental disorder." Alexander will be sentenced on a date to be confirmed.

Some outlets previously said they received ransom notes about the case in the days following the disappearance of Ms Guthrie from her home near Tucson, Arizona. Two notes sent to a TV network in the wake of the 84-year-old's disappearance were believed to be potentially credible by investigators. The first note said Ms Guthrie, the mother of Today host Savannah, was safe and demanded cryptocurrency in exchange for her release, whereas the second did not ask for money and was said to be very different from the first. Now Sky's US partner network NBC News has reported that this second note indicated she had died after her disappearance. However, it did not offer an apology or ask payment for the release of her body, according to NBC. According to the note, those who kidnapped her did not mean to kill her, but she died shortly after being taken. The existence of the note was known, but some details including claims she had died, had not previously been released. Tucson TV station KOLD that received two notes agreed to hold off sharing the contents publicly so any future communications with the kidnapper or kidnappers could be authenticated. Jessica Bobula, news director of KOLD, said the station received several notes after Ms Guthrie disappeared and the station told authorities and shared only what the FBI released about the correspondence. Read more from Sky News:Iran war threat to UK powerEx-Wimbledon champion banned Ms Guthrie was reported missing from her home on 1 February and was last seen at the property at around 9.45pm the previous evening. Police believe she was kidnapped or "otherwise taken against her will" after finding blood near her front doorstep. The FBI released surveillance videos of a masked man outside Guthrie's front door on the night she went missing. It has since described the man as a suspect. Volunteers and search teams scoured the nearby desert terrain filled with cactuses, bushes and boulders in the weeks after she vanished. A volunteer group recently conducted a search for her body near the Arizona-Mexico border but didn't report finding her. Investigators involved in the case examined the two notes following Ms Guthrie's disappearance and believe they could be credible. After the second note was sent, Savannah Guthrie spoke about her mother's possible kidnapping in an Instagram video, and said the family would "pay" for her return. "We received your message and we understand," Savannah Guthrie said, sat beside her brother, Camron, and sister, Annie. "We beg you now to return our mother to us so that we can celebrate with her. This is the only way we will have peace." "This is very valuable to us, and we will pay," Savannah Guthrie added. Her video did not specify the details of the message she received. The Pima County Sheriff's Department said on Tuesday: "The investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie remains active and ongoing. "The Pima County Sheriff's Department continues to work closely with the FBI as investigators follow up on leads, review information, and pursue the facts surrounding this case." Savannah Guthrie returned to NBC's Today show in April for the first time since her mother's disappearance. The 54-year-old has said she's a changed person since she went missing and that it's difficult to press ahead without knowing what happened to her.

The former mayor of Greater Manchester is all but set to take over from Sir Keir Starmer as prime minister after Wes Streeting, his main leadership rival, dropped his candidacy and rowed in behind Mr Burnham following his by-election victory in Makerfield. He was followed by Darren Jones, a Starmer loyalist, who confirmed to Sky News that he would not throw his hat in the ring to force a leadership contest, despite reports that the prime minister's allies had been encouraging him to. Politics latest: Grooming gang inquiry announces first areas to be investigated One Labour MP told Sky News: "Even where supportive of Andy, CLP [constituency Labour Party] members aren't keen on a coronation and favour a contest so they can see him put through his paces. There is a lot of concern that we haven't seen a plan yet." Another, when asked if their local party members favoured a contest over a coronation, said: "Yes but what will be will be now. There is a general acceptance of a coronation now Darren has said he's not standing." A third Labour MP added: "Most CLPs always want to feel a part of things, understandably - although often times it's the core group of activists rather than every member. "No one wants a dictatorship but so few people actually vote so much of the time." "The party and MPs need to be mindful now of ensuring people realise a coronation isn't a deliberate act if no one else wanted to stand. We don't want to alienate people." They continued: "Perhaps Andy Burnham will do a 'tour' to bring the members with him. I hope he will." Mr Burnham confirmed on Monday that he would stand to replace Sir Keir as Labour leader and prime minister after his victory over Reform in the Makerfield by-election saw him return to the Commons to take up his seat as a new MP. In an interview with Beth Rigby on the Electoral Dysfunction podcast, Mr Jones said he had decided not to stand because he had received the assurances he was looking for from Mr Burnham regarding his plans for the economy. "Well, look, I was never planning or organising a leadership campaign like some of my colleagues," he said. "I was getting on with the job as chief secretary to the prime minister. "And Andy Burnham is going to be the next prime minister. And if there was a contest of Labour Party members, he would win. "So the question for me is, well, what would the benefit be to the country and to the party of a leadership contest?" He added: "We talked then a lot about what he was thinking on the economy and what my thoughts were on that, and some of the potential ways forward for the new government." Read more:How will a new prime minister be selected?Burnham meeting Labour MPs to 'win their confidence' Although Mr Jones has ruled himself out of the contest, there are still questions over whether Al Carns, who resigned as armed forces minister over the defence investment plan, could throw his hat into the ring. The Royal Marines officer Al Carns told journalists at the Foreign Press Association in London that he had not ruled out standing in a potential contest. Nominations for the Labour leadership open on 9 July and close on 16 July, with a leader to be elected by 1 September if there is a contest. On Tuesday, Downing Street confirmed that Sir Keir held face-to-face talks with Mr Burnham. He has pledged to oversee a "smooth transition" of power following his resignation and has authorised Civil Service access talks to begin for "prospective candidates" for the Labour leadership.

Both Premier League clubs are also keen on Bournemouth's Alex Scott, who is an Arsenal target. Regarding Fernandes, Tottenham are understood to be willing to pay £85m for the Portugal international, who is keen to return to the Premier League following West Ham's relegation. Transfer Centre LIVE!Arsenal news & transfers🔴⚪ | Arsenal fixturesMan Utd news & transfers🔴 | Man Utd fixturesSpurs news & transfers⚪ | Spurs fixturesChoose the Sky Sports push notifications you want! 🔔 Man Utd also remain interested in the 21-year-old and are considering whether to make a bid themselves. United are previously understood to have valued the ex-Southampton player at around £60m, but may be prepared to offer more as they watch developments with other clubs closely. The latest on the battle to sign Tonali Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi is being ambitious with his midfield plans this summer. They have already had a bid rejected by Newcastle for Sandro Tonali, worth almost £80m. It remains to be seen if they return with another offer for him - and whether the club are trying to sign both the Italy international and Fernandes, or just one. Manchester City also remain interested in Tonali regardless of their ongoing pursuit of Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, while Arsenal have looked at the 26-year-old too. Man Utd and Arsenal make Scott enquiries Meanwhile, Man Utd, Arsenal and Tottenham are also keen on Bournemouth midfielder Scott. United and Arsenal are both believed to have made an initial inquiry to Bournemouth, but the Cherries have made it clear they do not want to sell the 22-year-old. Talks have been held about a new contract for the ex-Bristol City player, as the south-coast side hope Scott, who just missed out on the England World Cup squad, will continue under new boss Marco Rose. Nevertheless, Scott remains in the mix of targets at the biggest clubs that want to sign a new midfielder this summer, and it remains to be seen if one of them comes in with a bid.