top of page
News image template
No Writer
Aug 19
Israeli army orders criminal investigation into killing of Palestinian girl Hind Rajab

Hind was one of seven family members who died after coming under Israeli fire in Gaza City in January 2024. Her death sparked international condemnation. The Israeli military's General Staff Fact-Finding and Assessment Mechanism (FFAM) said that following a "review of the findings and due to alleged failures in the coordination of the movement of the Palestine Red Crescent ambulance, it has been decided to initiate a criminal investigation" into the killing of nine people - including Hind - on 29 January 2024. It added that the investigation would be headed by Israel's Military Police Criminal Investigation Division (MPCID) - the country's main body for investigating allegations of wrongdoing by the military. Read our investigation: Heartbreaking final moments of girl, 5, killed in Gaza On that day, Hind and six members of the Hamada family were attempting to escape Gaza City's Tel al Hawa neighbourhood during the height of Israel's war on Hamas, when their vehicle came under attack. A phone call recorded by the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) the day of the shooting showed that Hind and her cousin were the only survivors in the vehicle. Later, only Hind's voice could be heard. Over several hours she told rescuers: "Come and get me… I'm so scared, please come." Paramedics Youssef Zeino and Ahmed Madhoon, who were sent to rescue Hind, were later reported missing after heavy gunfire was heard as they arrived near the vehicle Hind was trapped in. Twelve days after the attack, Hind, her six relatives, and the paramedics were found dead. The IDF said at the time of Hind's death that it was not in the area the day the Hamada family were attacked. A Sky News investigation found, however, that a number of Israeli tanks were present in the area and likely to have fired at civilians. On the same day the car and ambulance were found, the IDF published a press release about its activities in Gaza, saying "over the last two weeks" it had "conducted raids on terror targets" with forces operating in Shati and Tel al Hawa - where the nine were killed. The press release was later deleted from the IDF website. Israel has always strongly denied intentionally killing innocent civilians in Gaza, and denies allegations it has committed war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. The FFAM announced the investigation in a statement reviewing five incidents during the war in Gaza. It added there was "no reasonable suspicion of criminal misconduct" in the following incidents:• The deaths of seven World Central Kitchen employees in April 2024 - which killed three British aid workers in what the IDF called a "grave mistake";• The deaths of two Doctors Without Borders (MSF) employees in Khan Younis in February 2024;• The deaths of two MSF employees in Gaza City in November 2023. It has also opened a criminal investigation into the deaths of 15 aid workers - including a United Nations employee - in Tel al Sultan in March last year. Sky News previously investigated the circumstances that led to their deaths, finding evidence that Israeli forces killed the aid workers over the course of several hours. Israel previously denied all wrongdoing in relation to that incident, saying its troops had reason to suspect the vehicles contained Hamas operatives and that they were later proven right.

News image template
No Writer
Aug 18
Hayden Panettiere's mother pays tribute after star's death

The Heroes and Nashville star, who died on Sunday aged 36, was found in cardiac arrest by police at an apartment complex in Greenville, South Carolina. Panettiere's mother, Lesley Vogel, shared her first public comments on her daughter's death on Tuesday, speaking to Sky's US partner NBC News. Vogel said: "I think Hayden was an amazingly talented person in so many departments. "And I think young people who grow up in the entertainment industry - it is a struggle and it's a very challenging industry and it's not unusual for them to sadly find the wrong path. "People, they feel pushed into things, even the managers and agents want to control them and I think it becomes very difficult to be true to yourself and I think Hayden sadly lost her way and I wish it were different." Vogel recalled her last conversation with the actress was in October 2025. She said: "Last spoke probably when I was in California and I was trying to work with her to clean up quite a bit. Other than texting, but we had not texted in some time." It comes as NBC News also reported that Panettiere's ex-boyfriend and his brother were on the scene when she died, citing a police incident report. Officers responded to a call made by an acquaintance, and the star was found "unresponsive" inside the residence where she had been temporarily staying, according to the coroner's office. It said first responders tried to save Panettiere but their resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful. She was pronounced dead at 2.32pm local time (10.32pm UK time). In the heavily redacted report, the Greenville Police Department said former boyfriend Brian Hickerson and his brother, Zach Hickerson, were at the scene inside the Judson Mill Lofts complex. Matthew Bryan, the responding officer, said he spoke to Zach Hickerson first, who was "very emotional" while emergency medical services (EMS) were "working on Hayden", according to the report. Brian Hickerson did not become emotional until EMS declared her dead, the report added. According to the report, Brian Hickerson showed police a "bag of medication" that Panettiere was taking at the time of her death. Matthew Bryan also said he was wearing a body-worn camera throughout the emergency response. The video recorded has not yet been publicly released. A post-mortem examination carried out by the Greenville County coroner's office found that "no signs of trauma were discovered that would have contributed to the death". The cause and manner of death have not been confirmed. Read more from Sky News:UK couple killed in Greek crash on honeymoon namedSacked FIFA executive sends message to colleagues Former boxer Wladimir Klitschko, who was in a relationship with Panettiere from 2009 to 2018 and shares a child with the actress, has paid tribute, writing on Instagram: "Our family is going through a time of profound shock and grief. "The announcement of Hayden's tragic death saddens me deeply. She left this world far too soon. "Hayden was, although no longer my partner, an important part of my life and the mother of our daughter, Kaya." In 2018, Panettiere relinquished full custody of Kaya to Klitschko as she struggled with addiction and mental health. Touching on her struggles, Klitschko said his former partner had also experienced the "darker sides" of Hollywood. "She built an incredible career through immense talent, while also facing the darker sides of a very demanding industry," he said. Solange Knowles, Beyonce's sister, also paid tribute to Bring It On: All Or Nothing co-star Panettiere. She said in a post on Instagram: "Rest in peace Hayden. In peace, because you are so deserving of it. "We had so many parallels in our lives, and the world watched u so courageously live in your radical truth telling your story. We watched your endless quest for vulnerability, and healing." Panettiere started acting as a child, appearing in soaps before gaining wider recognition for her role in the 2000 sports drama Remember The Titans alongside Denzel Washington, and as the voice of Dot in Pixar's 1998 film A Bug's Life. She later found fame playing cheerleader Claire Bennet in the superhero drama Heroes before going on to star as up and-coming country singer Juliette Barnes for six seasons on the hit TV series Nashville.

News image template
No Writer
Aug 19
Stress testing the UK: Explore how the Iran war is fuelling higher prices

No Description

News image template
No Writer
Aug 18
Rodri transfer news: Barcelona complete £65.4m signing of Spain midfielder from Man City

The Spain World Cup winner and former Ballon d'Or winner, who helped City win four Premier League titles and a Champions League crown, has signed a four-year contract with the LaLiga club. Rodri, 30, had one year left on his City contract and, while they wanted him to stay and sign an extension, Barcelona's third offer proved to be too good to turn down. Transfer Centre LIVE! | Man City news & transfers🔵Man City fixtures & scoresGot Sky? Watch Premier League games LIVE on your phone📱Not got Sky? Latest Sky Sports deals or stream PL games with no contract📺 Barcelona had bids of £40m and £55m rejected by City before the deal was eventually agreed. Enzo Maresca's side are pursuing replacements for both Rodri and Tijjani Reijnders, who is set to join Saudi Arabian side Al Qadsiah for around £51m. City remain interested in Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez, despite missing the deadline to launch a bid by 5pm on August 14, and are also in talks with Lille over a deal for Morocco international Ayyoub Bouaddi. Lille are understood to be looking for around £85m to sell Bouaddi and talks between the clubs were confirmed by their head coach Davide Ancelotti at the weekend. How big a loss will Rodri be for City? City's record without Rodri in the starting line-up since his arrival from Atletico Madrid ahead of the 2019/20 season offers a worrying insight into life minus him in the midfield. In the 87 games when he was absent from the starting line-up, they suffered 20 defeats, just one fewer than their tally of losses across the 179 games with him starting. In fact, the rate at which they suffered defeats doubled without him starting. The win percentage without him dropped to 62.1 per cent from 71.5 per cent, while goals scored decreased and goals conceded increased. City are simply not the same team without Rodri featuring and the 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in the Community Shield was the latest example of this. IN FULL: Rodri pens City farewell to fans Rodri has penned a farewell letter to Man City fans after his departure to Barcelona was confirmed. "Dear City fans, I found that saying goodbye is one of the most difficult things in life but I am going to try," it said, on the club's official website. "It's hard to find the words to express how much gratitude, love and support me and my family have experienced all these years. "I remember how I felt when I arrived, signing for the big Manchester City. It was a moment of pure excitement - 'wow I am going to play with Kevin, Aguero, Silva, Bernardo, John and many others.' I couldn't stop smiling. "And then Pep, waiting to teach me everything from day one. Pep I can tell you now, I couldn't handle all those tactics in my head. "But a question came to me, 'could we handle all these expectations for the next years.' I think that time answered the question. "I knew I came into a top team but I never thought we could be able to create the legacy we made winning trophies, fans around the world, love and respect. We made an example to inspire the next generations not only because the success, also because the way we did it. And the fans were with us every step of the way. "Many incredible moments come to my mind. "My first trophy at City, in my first game. "The last minute winners, like Arsenal away. "Scoring in the Villa game to reach the Premier League, when it looked so tough. "Scoring the goal to win the Champions League that we all wanted so much. "The incredible reception you gave me after the Balon d'Or. You cannot imagine how proud I am to be the first player to win this award in a sky blue shirt. "Making history, with the Treble, with Four in a Row. We saw things they'll never see. "And in the bad moments, also, you never let me down. My first day back on the pitch I realised how much you love me and I understood how special these fans were. "City didn't just make me a grow as a player. They made me grow as a human. "I saw my brother graduating from Manchester Metropolitan University. "I could see my girlfriend working for the NHS. "Manchester shaped my whole life. "I will never forget stepping onto the pitch, seeing a sea of blue sing 'nah, nah, nah, nah…CITY', taking my scooter into town for a coffee, walking through the parks listening to Oasis and always loving Manchester's great rain. "So City fans, it's time to say goodbye, thanks to the club, the fans, the staff and my teammates. This journey couldn't be the same without you, my heart will always be Blue."

News image template
No Writer
Aug 19
Track 'irregularity' found at site of Lewes train derailment, investigators reveal

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) says the "track geometry irregularity" was visible in CCTV images taken immediately before the derailment in East Sussex. An image used in evidence was taken from a train moving in the opposite direction showing the irregularity. Around 150 people were on the train when it derailed, with 30 people were injured in the accident and 20 needing hospital treatment, some with serious injuries. Three carriages ended up on their side, trapping passengers inside. Significant damage was also caused to the train and to railway infrastructure, the report said. British Transport Police previously said two people sustained serious injuries which were not deemed to be life-threatening. Since the incident, RAIB said it has received "several reports of rough riding" at the same location from passengers on other trains. In a joint statement, Lucy McAuliffe, Network Rail's route director for Sussex, and John Whitehurst, chief executive of Greater Thameslink Railway, said they are "very sorry that this happened on our railway". Read more:Israeli army probes death of girlNick Kyrgios banned after drug test They added: "We will carefully consider any recommendations arising from the investigation and work across the industry to implement them, with the shared goal of making an already safe railway even safer for our customers, colleagues and the communities we serve." Did hot weather play a role? August 13 was the UK's hottest day of 2026 so far, with temperatures reaching 38.1C in west London. The report added that the accident took place "during a sustained period of hot and dry weather" and that the ambient air temperature in the area was around 27C at the time of the derailment. It also says that the ⁠railway embankment at the site was ​constructed of material that can ​be sensitive to changes in water ​content. The RAIB said that, at this stage, there is no evidence that a significant embankment slip occurred before the accident but there "is evidence that some movement had previously taken place". The ongoing investigation will consider factors including "the effectiveness of any hot weather mitigation and the condition of the train, track and embankment". A full report will be published once the investigation is complete. Another train came off the tracks a day after the Lewes incident. The rear carriages of a Greater Anglia train derailed in an upright position south of Wickford station in Essex, however no injuries were reported.

News image template
No Writer
Aug 19
Disney sues over Trump's 'extraordinary assault on free speech'

It comes after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) forced the company to apply for early licence reviews for its ABC TV stations amid pressure from the president for it to sack talk show host Jimmy Kimmel. Donald Trump had accused Kimmel of making a "descpicable call to violence" after he made a joke about his wife, Melania, having a "glow like an expectant widow". It came days before a gunman opened fire at the White House Correspondents Association dinner, which was attended by the Trumps. Kimmel was briefly taken off-air last year over comments about the killing of Trump supporter Charlie Kirk, but no action was taken over the gag about the first lady. In a lawsuit filed in a Washington court on Tuesday, Disney said the FCC was seeking to coerce and punish a network "that refuses to bow to the administration's demands". The lawsuit accuses the Trump administration of threatening the company's free speech rights, protected under the constitution, because of "programming and editorial decisions the administration dislikes". Mr Trump has repeatedly urged broadcasters to drop programmes and personalities he dislikes. He has repeatedly targeted Disney-owned ABC, including for refusing to show a prime-time speech on claims of election fraud. 'Disney seems a little nervous' The FCC has insisted its reviews of ABC's licences, which were due to start in October 2028, had been brought forward because of a year-long discrimination investigation into Disney's diversity policies. FCC chair Brendan Carr, who was appointed by Mr Trump, has denied it was because of the Kimmel backlash. He told Reuters the agency was yet to make a decision about whether to begin the process of revoking the licences. "Disney seems to be a little nervous about what the record's showing," he said. The court case will pose a key test of the free speech rights of media outlets.

News image template
Tim Baker, political reporter
Aug 19
Asylum seekers warned not to make 'kissing sounds' at people in new guidance about living in UK

The document tells people arriving in the UK after fleeing other countries that women are allowed to "earn their own money" and "make their own decisions about their lives". Men appear to be the primary target for the instructions, although there are also resources for asylum seekers who think they may be victims of illegal behaviour. Politics Live: Funding questions over Burnham's rough sleeping plan The guidance states that people are expected to not make sexual remarks about someone "even if you think it is a compliment", whistle or make "kissing sounds" at someone, follow someone or "block their path", make rude or offensive gestures, or "verbally abuse someone because of their gender, religion, or how they look". The guidance warns throughout that breaking the law can lead to trouble with law enforcement, lead to someone losing accommodation or support, and could affect an asylum claim. People are warned it's a serious crime to take or share sexual images without someone's consent. As well as the guidebook, a series of posters have been designed by the Home Office to inform asylum seekers. The guidance was published in a nine-page document titled "Understanding behaviours and expectations in the UK: A guide for asylum seekers". Sections include: gender equality, domestic abuse, sex and consent, and respect in public - as well as getting help and living in the UK. Illegal migration and the visible issue of people crossing the Channel in small boats is a policy area the government is determined to look tough on, and these documents are understood to be part of a plan to ensure not knowing the law is not an excuse for illegal actions. It has also been focused on by parties like the Conservatives and Reform UK, and there have been a series of high-profile criminal cases involving asylum seekers. Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp said: "Instead of trying to train these mainly young, male illegal immigrants behave in a civilised way towards women, they should be deported." Some 101,000 people claimed asylum in the year ending December 2025, 4% less than the previous year, with around 46,000 detected arrivals coming to Britain via illegal routes, such as small boats or other clandestine routes. Read more:Asylum seekers jailed for rape on Brighton beachAsylum seeker jailed for abducting and raping 12-year-oldAsylum seeker jailed for seven years for raping woman in Staffordshire Examples of the guidance in the document include a section stating that "everyone in the UK is expected to treat men and women equally" - and "even if you are a family member, like a husband, father or brother" you must never do things like stop a woman working or studying, control what she wears or where she goes, or make decisions for her without her agreement. Domestic abuse is defined in the guidance as physical violence, threats, controlling behaviour, emotional abuse and taking away someone's documents. Asylum seekers are told they are expected to treat family and their partners with respect, let them make their own choices, and never physically or verbally abuse or control them. The sex and consent page explains that both people must consent to sex without threat or pressure, someone can change their mind at any time even if they agreed previously, and someone "asleep, drunk, or unable to respond" cannot consent. It adds: "Consent is needed in every situation. This means even if you are married or in a relationship with someone, they must consent to sex every time." The chapter says that people are expected to never use "threat, force or pressure" to make someone have sex, never try to have sex with someone who is asleep, drunk or unable to consent clearly, and to stop if someone says no or changes their mind. It is mentioned that anyone under the age of 16 is considered a child and therefore legally cannot consent to having sex. How to behave in public is also covered, with asylum seekers "told that people have different beliefs, religions, cultures, relationships and ways of life" and they must "treat others with respect, even if you disagree with their beliefs or how they live". Tap to never miss an episode: Follow Cheat Sheet here Support numbers for victims are provided at the bottom of each section and in a chapter at the end of the document. The Home Office declined to comment.

News image template
No Writer
Aug 19
Paul Merson's Premier League season preview: Who wins title and finishes in top five - and who are relegation contenders?

The new season kicks off on Friday as champions Arsenal host promoted Coventry City, with six games live on Sky Sports over the course of the opening weekend. Merson has picked his top six, assessed the contenders for relegation and selected one team to overachieve and upset the big boys this season... Premier League fixtures & scores | FREE PL highlights▶️Got Sky? Watch Premier League games LIVE on your phone📱Not got Sky? Latest Sky Sports deals or stream PL games with no contract📺1st: Arsenal I just can't see anybody stopping Arsenal. They'll win it quite comfortably. I don't see a single weakness in them regarding the Premier League. They do have a few weaknesses in the Champions League but for the Premier League, they remind me of when Manchester City first started dominating the league: two players in every position. William Saliba and Gabriel are unbelievable but then Cristhian Mosquera comes in and you wouldn't even think Saliba was missing. Jurrien Timber is out but Ben White comes in and keeps Jeremy Doku quiet. I watched the Community Shield win over Manchester City in Cardiff and I was going: 'Oh, I forgot about Viktor Gyokeres. I forgot about Eberechi Eze.' And they were coming on with five or 10 minutes to go. And Christos Tzolis is like Ronseal - does exactly what it says on the tin. He looks like a manager's dream. You'll tell him in the dressing room what you want him to do, what his job is, and he does it to the absolute. He got up and down that left wing all through the game, held his position, never let the full-back get beyond him. I don't think him and Gabriel Martinelli take you to the Champions League but Arsenal must have something in the pipeline. They've got to. I'd be shocked if they didn't have a key signing before the start of the season or before the end of the window. And I mean a key signing. The Vinicius Junior deal was a lot closer to what people think. It wasn't just talk - a lot had gone through. A lot had been done. That's the market they're looking at. I just don't see anybody touching Arsenal at the moment. The only ones who can beat Arsenal are themselves. 2nd: Liverpool Liverpool just need to be consistent if they are to challenge Arsenal. Last season was so inconsistent from them. I look at their squad and I don't see them having the same depth as Arsenal. Liverpool's players would have to stay fit for them to have any chance of the title - the key players would have to play 36 or 37 games in the season. They still haven't replaced Mohamed Salah. A lot of goals have gone missing. He wasn't on it last season but he was still a threat, and Andoni Iraola still needs someone to come in and fill that gap. Liverpool's midfield wasn't great last year but I expect Florian Wirtz to have a better season, 100 per cent. I thought it would take time for him to get settled in this league, but he's had a season now. If he doesn't get going this season, you start worrying. But Alexander Isak was so up and down with injury last season, they couldn't really get him on the pitch. I don't know if he's going to need to take a bit more time, so I don't know about his levels this season. 3rd: Chelsea Chelsea have a big advantage playing once a week. That's huge. They've got to take advantage of that,. Their aim is to be in the top five and you don't want to start running before you start walking. You just never know. The last time Chelsea won the Premier League in 2017, they were playing once a week without Europe. You look at Chelsea's squad and it's alright. They've got players in certain positions that can come into the team and not majorly weaken it. They've got a chance. If Xabi Alonso wants to get Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers playing and performing as the two No 10s, then you probably need to play a back three. He has to get those two players on the pitch for Chelsea, because they're the two stars, the two that make it happen. My worry for them is there's a triangle - Palmer, Rogers and Joao Pedro all want to come and get the ball. It's going to get very congested in there. That's my only problem. But Alonso is a top coach. If he finds a way of those three players gelling and playing together - making one of them run in beyond - then Chelsea will have a very good season. But I don't see them getting 85 to 86 points, which is what Arsenal will get. 4th: Manchester City After watching the Community Shield, I said the one thing Manchester City cannot do is sell Rodri. And they did it after the game. I just don't see them competing with Arsenal this season. There were some positives for them in that game. David Raya made some very good saves - and not every goalkeeper is like Raya. But over 38 games, I just don't see how Manchester City will be able to live with Arsenal. 5th: Tottenham There's not too much between Spurs and Manchester Utd at the moment - but I might just go Spurs top five. Spurs are my dark horses. Well, they're definitely going to finish above 17th! They've bought well and again, they're playing once a week. Roberto De Zerbi is a good manager and a good coach. He'll get them playing the way he wants them to play. The other teams are bang, crash, wallop playing Wednesday-Saturday. You don't get the time when travelling to Europe. Managers like Alonso and De Zerbi have so much opportunity to put better ideas into the players' heads by playing once a week. The one thing I've noticed about Tottenham over the last few years is they never had a dominant midfielder. They were decent at the back, not bad up front - especially when Harry Kane and Dejan Kulusevski were there - but never had a dominant midfielder. I look at the midfielders they've bought now and they're going to be a real handful for a lot of teams. They've shored up defensively. It's funny how football works. Last season, Spurs were virtually relegated and they went to Aston Villa, who could have near-on sent them down. Spurs won the game, stayed up and are now going to take Villa's place in the top six. Villa could have taken Spurs out of the equation and been 'that team'. Now I'm not sure Villa can finish above Spurs anymore. 6th: Manchester United I just worry about Manchester United with Europe. We saw it last season at times - their squad is wafer thin. If Bruno Fernandes got injured, then you'd really worry. And yes, they have Youri Tielemans in there but I don't see a dominant midfield. Manchester United will have their ups and downs - and I don't expect them to be challengers. It's too early for that. I just don't understand the Andrey Santos signing. I might be wrong and Manchester United see something different. But a lot of Chelsea fans were asking what he does. He doesn't break it up, doesn't create chances, doesn't score goals. That's my problem. I like the Tielemans signing, he's a good footballer. But while you have Tielemans and Fernandes as good footballers, you need more than that to get the ball back. United still have that same defence that can be leaky at times, while the attack is hot and cold. Do any of the promoted teams stay up? It isn't down to the three promoted teams. It's down to the teams like Crystal Palace, Bournemouth and Newcastle who could drop in there. I like Bournemouth but their squad is thin as well with Europe. You get their best XI out and it'll be good, but if they start getting three or four injuries... What are we going to see from Newcastle as well? What's happening there is just unbelievable. What I would say is if you want to stay up, you have to start well. You have to get points on the board. Promoted teams don't finish well, you don't normally see them winning four out of the last five. When the reality of the Premier League kicks in, you start playing week-in, week-out and if you're still getting beat, then it takes its toll in the end. Coventry vs Hull in the second week of the season is a cup final, especially for Coventry who have Arsenal and Manchester City away either side of that. If they get thrashed by Arsenal and City but beat Hull, that's a good start to the season. Overachievers to watch: Brentford Brentford will be there and thereabouts in the Europe race again. I like Keith Andrews and thought they were really good in pre-season against Eintracht Frankfurt, where they won 7-0. Obviously Jordan Henderson's gone, who was good for them last season. But Brentford and Brighton, they will beat teams and upset people this season. If you're Arsenal and wanting to win the Premier League, and you take six points off those teams, then you're near-on winning the Premier League.

bottom of page