Veterans and their families, as well as MPs from all parties, have reacted with fury after the US president said NATO troops stayed "a little off the frontlines" in Afghanistan. In an interview with Fox News in Davos, Mr Trump repeated his criticism, saying he was not "sure" the military alliance would "be there if we ever needed them". He added: "We've never needed them. They'll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan... and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the frontlines." On Friday afternoon, Sir Keir said: "I consider President Trump's remarks to be insulting and frankly, appalling. "And I'm not surprised they've caused such hurt to the loved ones of those who were killed or injured." He added that if he had said something like that, he would "certainly apologise". Earlier, Downing Street said Mr Trump was "wrong" to diminish the role of NATO and British troops in Afghanistan. The prime minister's official spokesman said UK forces had served alongside the US and NATO in "sustained combat operations". Pointing to the 457 British deaths in Afghanistan and the "many hundreds" more who were wounded, he added: "We are incredibly proud of our armed forces and their service and sacrifice will never be forgotten." America is the only NATO member to have invoked the collective security provisions of its Article 5 clause - that an attack against one member is an attack on all. Trump's remarks 'the ultimate insult' Diane Dernie, whose son Ben Parkinson suffered horrific injuries when his vehicle hit a mine in Afghanistan in 2006, said the US president's comments were "the ultimate insult". Mr Parkinson is widely viewed as the most severely injured British soldier to have survived the war. The blast left the former lance bombardier with both legs amputated, a twisted spine and brain damage. His mother said: "I can assure you, the Taliban didn't plant IEDs [improvised explosive devices] miles and miles back from the front line. "Come and look at us, the life that Ben leads - 19-and-a-half years on, still fighting for his care, still fighting for him to have a decent life, recovering from a recent operation. "To hear this man say: 'Oh, well, you just fannied about behind the front lines'... It's the ultimate insult." She said Sir Keir Starmer has "got to stand up for his own armed forces and he's got to absolutely refute what Donald Trump said". "Call him out," she added. 'We shed blood, sweat and tears' Defence minister Al Carns said: "I served five tours in Afghanistan, many alongside my American colleagues. We shed blood, sweat and tears together. Not everybody came home. "These are bonds, I think, forged in fire, protecting the US, our shared interests, but actually protecting democracy overall." The former commando, who served five tours in Afghanistan and was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry, said Mr Trump's comments were "ridiculous", adding: "Many courageous and honourable service personnel from many nations fought on the front line. Many fought way beyond it." Robert Dicketts, whose son Oliver Dicketts, 27, was killed while serving with the Parachute Regiment in Afghanistan in 2006, said: "When I read it, I thought, 'What a bloody cheek!'. "I think my thoughts about Donald Trump are probably unprintable. "To put it politely, Donald Trump's knowledge of history is lacking considerably." 'Heroes who gave their lives in service of our nation' The UK suffered the second-highest number of military deaths in the Afghanistan conflict. The US saw 2,461 deaths. America's allies suffered 1,160 deaths during the conflict - around a third of the total coalition deaths. Defence Secretary John Healey said: "NATO's Article 5 has only been triggered once. The UK and NATO allies answered the US call. And more than 450 British personnel lost their lives in Afghanistan. "Those British troops should be remembered for who they were: heroes who gave their lives in service of our nation." Trump is 'plainly wrong' Social care minister Stephen Kinnock also pointed to the fact that the only time NATO's Article 5 clause - a call for allies to come to a member's defence - had been activated "was to go to the aid of the United States after 9/11". "And many, many British soldiers and many soldiers from other European and NATO allies gave their lives in support of American missions, American-led missions in places like Afghanistan and Iraq," he said. "I am incredibly proud of our armed forces. They have put their lives on the line for our country. They are the definition of honour and valour and patriotism - and anybody who seeks to criticise what they have done and the sacrifices they make is plainly wrong," Mr Kinnock added. Ben McBean lost two limbs while serving with the Royal Marines in Afghanistan. The former commando said: "If someone's speaking the truth, you don't mind, but when it's completely rubbish, it offends you. I was on the frontline every day that I was there. "I have to live like this. I have to try and raise my family with these injuries. Things are difficult mentally, physically and emotionally, and to have someone who can't even fight sleep sit there and just say 'you guys were slightly further back', along with other nations, is offensive." 'We have always been there' Dame Emily Thornberry MP, chair of the Commons Foreign Affairs Select Committee, said Mr Trump's comments were "an insult" to the families of those who died and "so much more than a mistake". Speaking on the BBC's Question Time, Dame Emily said: "How dare he say we weren't on the frontline, how dare he. "We have always been there whenever the Americans have wanted us; we have always been there." In a social media post, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey MP said: "Trump avoided military service five times. "How dare he question their sacrifice. Farage and all the others still fawning over Trump should be ashamed." Josh Babarinde, Liberal Democrat MP for Eastbourne, wrote in a post on X: "[Donald Trump] can go f**k himself. "Anyone who mocks, demeans or minimises the sacrifices of British troops is no friend of our nation." "The US is a historic friend of the UK's - but not this guy," he said, referring to Mr Trump. Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said the sacrifice of British and other NATO troops deserved respect, not denigration, adding his comments were "complete nonsense" which could weaken the NATO alliance. "I spoke to parents of young men who had lost their lives in Afghanistan, and I think it is a disgrace to denigrate their memory like that," she said. Mrs Badenoch said there was "too much careless talk from President Trump" and "we mustn't have these sort of throwaway comments that actually weaken the strong relationship between those countries in the alliance". 'I saw the sacrifices made by British soldiers' Tory MP Ben Obese-Jecty, who served in Afghanistan as a captain in the Royal Yorkshire Regiment, said it was "sad to see our nation's sacrifice, and that of our NATO partners, held so cheaply by the president of the United States". He said: "I saw first hand the sacrifices made by British soldiers I served alongside in Sangin, where we suffered horrific casualties, as did the US Marines the following year. "I don't believe US military personnel share the view of President Trump; his words do them a disservice as our closest military allies." Read more from Sky News:Trump promises Greenland 'deal' will be 'amazing' for USIs president's peace board a new UN or a gang of friends? Former UK ambassador to Afghanistan Sir Nicholas Kay told Sky News the US president was "wrong" and he "clearly does not value and appreciate NATO in the same way he ought to". "The president is wrong. He is not known for his respect for other people, and he is not known for his accuracy with facts, and I'm afraid this is another example," he said. Last year, US vice president JD Vance hit back at claims of "disrespecting" British troops who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, after suggesting a potential peacekeeping force in Ukraine would be "20,000 troops from some random country that hasn't fought a war in 30 or 40 years". At the time, only the UK and France had pledged troops to a potential peacekeeping force.

Philip Young, 49, admitted 48 offences relating to Joanne Young, who has waived her legal right to anonymity, between 2010 and 2024. The charges include multiple counts of voyeurism, sexual assault, rape and administering a substance with intent to stupefy Ms Young, 48, "to enable himself or another to engage in sexual activity with her". Ms Young, who divorced him after his arrest in 2024, sat in court on the opposite side of the dock dressed in a long-sleeved black top, supported by her sister and a witness support officer. Four other men denied committing sexual offences against Ms Young, while a fifth is yet to enter pleas. Young, who served as a Conservative Swindon borough councillor, in Wiltshire, between 2007 and 2010, stood in the dock wearing a grey sweater. He confirmed his name and date of birth before entering his guilty pleas to the following charges, which took almost 30 minutes for the clerk to read out. • 11 counts of rape• Seven counts of sexual assault by penetration• Four counts of sexual touching• 11 counts of administering a substance with intent to stupefy/overpower to allow sexual activity• 14 counts of voyeurism• Publishing obscene articles Some of the rape and other sexual offences were allegedly jointly committed with other men. One of the voyeurism charges relates to at least 200 occasions between 2010 and 2024, while he admitted publishing non-consensual intimate photographs and videos of his ex-wife on no fewer than 500 occasions. Young has denied eight other charges, including making indecent and prohibited images of children and possessing extreme pornography. Police described Young as a British national who moved to Enfield, north London, from Swindon, Wiltshire. He has been remanded in custody at Bullingdon prison. Young appeared in the dock alongside five other men, who are also accused of sexual offences against Ms Young. Norman Macksoni, 47, from Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire, appeared wearing a dark blue suit and pleaded not guilty to one count of rape and possession of extreme images. Conner Sanderson Doyle, 31, from Swindon, who had his long hair tied back in a ponytail and was wearing a pale blue suit and dark shirt, denied charges of sexual assault by penetration and sexual touching. Richard Wilkins, 61, from Swindon, wore a dark blue hooded sweatshirt, and denied one count of rape and one count of assault by penetration. Mohammed Hassan, 37, from Swindon, stood in the dock dressed in a dark suit to plead not guilty to sexual touching. Dean Hamilton, 47, of no fixed abode, appeared in court wearing a pale sweater over a light pink shirt with sunglasses hung in his collar. He is yet to enter pleas to one count of rape, one count of sexual assault by penetration and two counts of sexual touching. 'Incredible bravery' Judge Angela Morris, the Recorder of Winchester, released all five of the other men ahead of a trial, which is expected to take up to six weeks, from 5 October. James Foster, specialist Crown Prosecution Service prosecutor, said: "Philip Young has pleaded guilty to 48 serious sexual offences committed against his former wife, Joanne Young. "We worked closely with Wiltshire Police to build a thorough and compelling case that resulted in him pleading guilty to dozens of offences today." Wiltshire Police Detective Superintendent Geoff Smith paid tribute to Joanne Young's "incredible bravery". He said: "Today's hearing is a significant landmark, which has seen Philip Young admit to dozens of serious sexual offences against Joanne Young. "I'd like to pay tribute to Jo for her incredible bravery throughout this process. She continues to be supported by specially trained officers." After the hearing, Wiltshire Police issued an appeal to trace another suspect - a man described as being of a large build, with scarring to the back of his head, prominent lips and a hairy body. He is balding with short or shaved hair, and has one distinctive tattoo on the left side of his chest, in images released by the force, which was taken around April to May 2022. DS Smith said: "We appreciate the graphic nature of these images and that they may be triggering to some people, however we need the public's help to identify this man. "It is unknown whether he lives in Swindon or from outside the county, which is why we request that this is shared as widely as possible to assist our bid to identify him."

Sophie Lomas said it was not clear whether earlier treatment would have changed the outcome of his case, however. Luke Abrahams, 20, from Northampton, returned home from a Sunday match complaining of a sore throat in January 2023. His inquest at the town's Guildhall heard how he was prescribed antibiotics for tonsillitis, but later that week he developed severe leg pain and an ambulance was called. Paramedics diagnosed him with sciatica and did not take him to hospital, in spite of his pain level registering a "score" of nine out of 10, having a raised heart rate, dark-coloured urine, and high blood sugar levels. Giving evidence, Susan Jevons, head of patient safety at East Midlands Ambulance Service, said the crew had failed to properly consider infection, despite multiple "red flags". Luke's condition continued to worsen, and two days later he was taken to hospital by ambulance. A consultant in emergency medicine told the court Luke had been "catastrophically unwell" and had been experiencing multiple organ failure. The court heard that a leg amputation was his only chance of survival, but he suffered a cardiac arrest after surgery and died on 23 January. His death was initially recorded as "natural causes" but his parents Richard Abrahams and Julie Needham, requested an inquest. They said they wanted "justice and accountability" after the multiple contacts Luke had had with NHS bodies, including his GP, NHS 111, out of hours services, paramedics and doctors at Northampton General Hospital. Ms Needham told the court she was "overall concerned about the lack of continuity of care over the seven day period before his death". In her written report, Ms Lomas said Luke had died of a rare condition called Lemierre syndrome, which is a severe bacterial infection. It presented as a sore throat in his case, and "over the course of a week, progressed to a septic emboli which travelled through his blood stream to his soft tissue and muscles and developed into necrotising fasciitis". Keeley Sheldon, the director of quality at the East Midlands Ambulance Service Trust, said she was deeply sorry that the service missed the opportunity to take Luke to hospital on 20 January 2023. She said: "We failed to provide the level of care he deserved. My condolences are with Luke's family and all who loved him, particularly today on the third anniversary of his tragic death. "An investigation was completed in 2023, including actions we took at that time. This was shared with Luke's family, including our sincere apologies. "We fully accept the findings of HM Coroner and will review them with careful consideration, to identify further steps we can take to prevent this happening again." Following the coroner's report, a prevention of future deaths report will also be made to change the wording on the NHS website. It currently says that the rare flesh-eating infection, necrotising fasciitis, is caused by an external wound, but this was not the case for Luke. Dr Nicholas Price, an expert in infectious diseases, said Luke's condition had started with bacteria getting into his tonsils, which caused infected blood clots to break off and disperse around his body. He said that necrotising fasciitis would have progressed rapidly and "arguably hours make a difference, and days certainly do" in terms of potential outcomes for patients. He said, that "even with no issues at all" with treatment, the condition only has a 15-20% mortality rate. Luke's mother described her son as a "happy, loving person" with a "big personality" who was a "joy to be around". She said he was an "inspirational young man" who had enjoyed creating a local men's football team and she had had to get used to the idea of him "no longer coming home". His father, Richard, said their hearts were "broken". "When mistakes are made in the NHS, the consequences can be fatal. Lives are lost. Families are destroyed. That cannot simply be dismissed as 'one of those things'. There must be accountability," he said. "There must be justice for Luke. And there must be meaningful learning, so that awareness of rare but deadly conditions like Luke's is improved and so that no other family has to endure the pain we now carry every day. We will not stop campaigning until we are sure those lessons are well and truly learned."

Ryan Wedding, a Canadian who competed at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, was held in Mexico on Thursday night, FBI director Kash Patel said. Wedding, 44, was on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted fugitives list and the agency had offered a $15m (£11m) reward for information leading to his arrest and conviction. Trump latest - Harry weighs in over Afghanistan 'sacrifice' As well as running a large-scale drug trafficking operation, authorities believe he organised several killings to further his alleged drug crimes. He was believed to have been living in Mexico for more than a decade under the protection of the Sinaloa cartel, while helping it funnel massive quantities of drugs into the US and Canada. Mr Patel and US Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed his arrest on social media, with Mr Patel telling reporters at an airport near Los Angeles on Friday that Wedding was "the largest narco trafficker in modern times", comparing him to Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman and Pablo Escobar. He said Wedding, who finished 24th in the parallel giant slalom, according to Olympic records, was being brought to the US. Wedding was charged in 2024 with running a drug ring that moved tons of cocaine each year in long-haul lorries between Colombia, Mexico, Southern California and Canada. Among the aliases he used were El Jefe, Public Enemy and James Conrad King, authorities said. In November, Ms Bondi said he had also been charged with setting up the killing of a witness in Colombia to help him avoid extradition to the US. He and his co-conspirators used a Canadian website called The Dirty News to post a photograph of the witness so he could be identified and killed, according to prosecutors. The witness was then followed to a restaurant in the city of Medellin and shot in the head in January. Read more on Sky News:How close is peace in Ukraine?Boy, 5, detained by ICE in US In Canada, Wedding faces separate drug trafficking charges dating back to 2015, according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. He was convicted in the US of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and was sentenced to prison in 2010, but after being released, he returned to drug trafficking under the cartel's protection.

It comes after the MP, who defected from the Conservatives to Reform UK last week, claimed Tory chief whip Rebecca Harris contacted him in 2024 to say there was "a special place in hell" for him. He alleged Ms Harris "messaged me with a litany of insults" after he wrote an article for the Mail on Sunday, in which he called for the UK's foreign aid budget to be halved to fund an increase in defence spending. When quizzed about the allegation, Mrs Badenoch said Mr Jenrick was "lying" about the exchange and said it was her party's policy to spend more money on the British military and "take it away from aid". Mrs Badenoch told GB News earlier on Friday: "He's lying. And I think it's a real shame he's being allowed to air these views. He's left the party – it's time for him to move on." But hours later, Mr Jenrick posted an image of messages purporting to be from Ms Harris, which he captioned with the words: "They still won't tell the truth." According to the purported texts, the chief whip told Mr Jenrick: "This is actual feedback / Leave the party and be a commentator... Go away... You're a bloodsucker. "You have a really special place in hell". She allegedly continued: "Running us down in public just to feel good on heaven knows what basis / if you aren't happy with the direction of travel fine – please use your party connections to deal with it but not in public – best announce you and Suella [Braverman] are stranding [sic] down now." "You've lost the plot," Ms Harris appears to add. Read more from Sky News:Trump should apologise over Nato claims, PM suggestsFormer Tory councillor admits drugging and raping ex-wifeCelebrities attend Valentino funeral A Conservative Party source responded to the post by accusing Mr Jenrick of "lying again and misrepresenting an exchange he had over two years ago". They added: "Those messages have absolutely nothing to do with cutting foreign aid. Instead, they show a government whip trying to reason with someone who was working with the 'Grid of Shit' plotters, and whose scheming helped contribute to a Labour landslide and the worst result for the Conservative Party in its history. "With his love of backstabbing and psychodrama, Jenrick will fit right in with Reform." The row is the latest twist in a heated war of words between Mr Jenrick and his former party following his defection. Despite the apparent reference to Ms Braverman in the text by Ms Harris, she remains a member of the Conservatives and has not left the party.

He is a politician who keeps his emotions buttoned up - in public, at least. But he was clearly brimming with anger as he called US President Donald Trump out for his "insulting and frankly appalling" remarks over non-US troops that served in Afghanistan. Trump latest - prince joins condemnation Sir Keir had been in Chequers overnight after hosting his Danish counterpart for bilateral talks over Greenland and NATO, coming back to Downing Street on Friday morning amid growing national fury over Mr Trump's disgraceful slur about NATO troops. The prime minister, in his strongest rebuke yet to Mr Trump, was highly critical of his claim that NATO troops in Afghanistan "stayed a little off the front lines". For the record, 1,160 non-US coalition soldiers were killed in Afghanistan, and thousands more were wounded, some suffering life-changing injuries. A total of 457 British troops died in combat alongside US forces. That Mr Trump casually belittled those sacrifices has provoked an outpouring of anger and universal condemnation. It is an insult not just to our forces, but to a relationship forged from common language, and exceptionally close cultural, political, military and economic ties over decades. In making such offensive remarks, on the heels of threats over sanctions and invasions of a Nato ally, the so-called special relationship is fast becoming a toxic one. For a prime minister, whose first job is the security of this nation and people, a fellow leader insulting his armed forces is a low blow, and I'm told that Mr Starmer wanted to make his position very clear and to speak up for the UK's armed forces. Up until now, he has only ever condemned Mr Trump's comments or actions as wrong. His comments on Friday were a clear step change as he strongly criticised Mr Trump personally and suggested the US president should apologise. As for the fallout, Downing Street's approach will be to try to continue along as it was, sticking to Britain's principles and values and co-operating with the US on defence, security and intelligence. But there is no doubt that this past week has broken the spell. Mr Trump's increasingly erratic and outlandish behaviour has left Sir Keir with no other option than to shift away from an approach of 'Trump containment' to calling him out. In other circumstances, a prime minister who has made a great play of Trump management only to see relations sour so badly could be in the firing line. Where he has cover is in the universal condemnation of Mr Trump from all political leaders If anything, Sir Keir will come under more pressure to increase his hostility towards our increasingly toxic partner, the US. Allies of his were at pains to stress this is not the beginning of the end of the special relationship, but it is equally true that the events of the past week have made that bond feel far less stable. Sir Keir was already looking to deepen and tighten ties with Europe. After the behaviour of the Trump White House this week, he perhaps wants to turbocharge it.

The three-way security discussions in Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates, are part of efforts to reach a deal to end the war. The Kremlin confirmed the talks would take place but warned that long-lasting peace would not be possible unless territorial issues were resolved. It comes after three US envoys, including Steve Witkoff and Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, held a four-hour meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Thursday, while Mr Trump met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Ukraine war latest: Follow live updates Here's everything you need to know as representatives from the three countries come together for peace talks. How close is a peace deal? The US has held talks with Russia, and separately with Ukrainian and European leaders, over various different drafts of a peace plan. US envoy Mr Witkoff said as recently as Thursday that "a lot of progress" had been made and negotiations were down to one last issue. The main sticking point on any agreed deal remains territory. Russia continues to demand that Ukraine surrenders the roughly 20% (1,900 square miles) of Donetsk it has not taken on the battlefield - land that Mr Zelenskyy has refused to withdraw from. Donetsk is one of two eastern regions that comprise Donbas. Russian forces already control nearly all of the other region, Luhansk. The Russian leader told Mr Trump last year that he would give up other Ukrainian territories held by his troops in return for both Donetsk and Luhansk regions. After the latest meeting with Mr Trump, the Ukrainian leader said that the future status of land in eastern Ukraine currently occupied by Russia is unresolved but that peace proposals are "nearly ready". Russian foreign affairs adviser, Yuri Ushakov, also said that it was reaffirmed by Mr Putin to the US envoys that "reaching a long-term settlement can't be expected without solving the territorial issue". Security guarantees Mr Zelenskyy added that he is also waiting for Mr Trump to agree a specific date and time to sign a deal on US security guarantees for Kyiv. He said the document is "done" but is yet to be signed. The document is also yet to be made public. The country has sought strong ‌security guarantees from allies to counter any renewed Russian aggression in the future. Mr Trump's draft 28-point peace plan to end the war specifically outlined that Ukraine would receive "robust" security guarantees. The UK and France have already committed to send some troops to Ukraine in "military hubs" in the event of a ceasefire, as part of the Coalition of the Willing. Will any leaders be at trilateral talks? Only delegations from each country will meet in Abu Dhabi on Friday. Ukraine said it would send its lead negotiator Rustem Umerov and Mr Zelenskyy's newly appointed chief of staff Kyrylo Budanov, while Moscow has said it will send Admiral Igor Kostyukov to head its team at the UAE-based security talks. Mr Putin's envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, is expected to hold separate talks on economic issues with US envoy Mr Witkoff. Military analyst Michael Clarke said those within Ukraine's delegation could do "a lot of negotiating". He described Mr Umerov as "very skilled" while Mr Budanov was described by a US source to Sky News' correspondent Sally Lockwood as the only one of Mr Zelenskyy's staff that the US takes "really seriously". On the other hand, Michael Clarke said Moscow has not sent a "politically important" team. Mr Kostyukov is head of Russia's military intelligence, but is sanctioned by both the US and EU because of alleged involvement in trying to rig the 2016 US presidential election. "Russians are going for military specialists who won't have the authority to talk politics and the Ukrainians are going for a range of people," Clarke said. Have we been here before? Sky News' Sally Lockwood said the trilateral meeting marks "a significant moment" but added that it is "important to keep hopes rather tempered, because of course, we have been here before". In November, military officials from all three sides met in Abu Dhabi, although it remains unclear if all were in the same room at the same time. A significant meeting between Ukrainian and Russian government officials also took place in Turkey last May. There were hopes that the encounter might mark a turning point in Europe's deadliest conflict since World War Two, but in reality the meeting barely lasted two hours. Then again in August, a historic meeting between Mr Trump and Mr Putin in Alaska saw the two leaders discuss the possibility of Ukraine giving up territory in exchange for an end to the fighting, but no firm agreements came from it. Lockwood added that the latest peace talks are a wait and watch situation. She said the fast pace at which peace talks in Abu Dhabi were agreed to could indicate that each side have at least "contemplated a compromise they might be willing to accept" before meeting. Read more:Zelenskyy drops brutal truth bombs upon European alliesTrump's new gang shouldn't be underestimated What's happening on the frontline? While peace talks happen in Abu Dhabi, Moscow has shown no signs that it's willing to halt its bombings of civilian infrastructure in Ukraine. Overnight, Russia fired about 101 drones at Ukraine, 76 of which were shot down, while 19 struck 12 locations, according to Ukraine's air force. In the east of the country, four people, including a five-year-old child, were killed in a Russian overnight strike, the state emergency service said. Nearly 2,000 apartment buildings in the Ukrainian capital are also without heating after a Russian attack last week caused a blackout, according to Kyiv's mayor Vitali Klitschko. The EU has said it will deploy 447 emergency generators from its strategic reserves in Poland to try and curb freezing conditions for some of those affected. Kremlin aide Mr Ushakov said on Thursday night that until a diplomatic solution is achieved, Russia would "continue to consistently pursue the objectives of the special military ‌operation". "This is especially true on the battlefield, where the Russian armed forces hold the strategic initiative."

The words of John Cuddihy, whose daughter was diagnosed with cancer aged 15 before contracting an infection possibly linked to contaminated hospital water. The scandal centres on the near £1bn Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow that opened in 2015, days after a report, which was leaked by whistleblowers, warned of "high risks" with the water supply. Several children died and more than 80 fell ill at the campus, which health bosses admit opened too early. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, the local health board, had always denied any link between the bacteria-related illnesses and the water system. This week the NHS finally conceded some infections were probably linked. Police and prosecutors in Scotland have named Glasgow's NHS as a suspect in a corporate homicide investigation. Health leaders have in recent days issued a "full and unreserved apology" for the handling of the crisis and the harm caused. In 2021, Molly Cuddihy told a public inquiry that she was informed her infection was linked to the "environment", such as water or air. She died in 2025. Prosecutors have told Sky News they are separately examining her death. 'Failings cost my daughter her life' Her father, Professor John Cuddihy, had made it his mission to get answers. The former police officer is at pains to stress the staff treating his daughter over the years were "world class", but he condemns NHS leaders and the lack of transparency. "It cost Molly her life. The bacterial infection that she had had such a debilitating impact on her quality of life. It was a consequence of… the infection that should never have happened." An emotional John describes his daughter as "the most remarkable wee girl". Mr Cuddihy continued: "Molly's life was cut short because of the failings, the corporate failings within an institution that was there to protect her. They failed to protect her. That is very, very hard to forgive." Mother claims daughter was murdered The case of 10-year-old cancer patient Milly Main became one of the main catalysts for the creation of the judge-led public inquiry. She passed away in 2017 after contracting an infection found in water while recovering from leukaemia treatment. Her mother claims she was murdered. Detectives are examining her death as part of the ongoing investigation. The whistleblower who isn't convinced the hospital is safe today Sky News has interviewed Dr Christine Peters, a prominent consultant microbiologist who still works at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. She was the infection control doctor on site when the building opened and she describes "immediately having concerns about the validation of the building". She risked her career to whistle blow publicly about her concerns when the campus opened, and the ongoing worry she still has. Dr Peters said: "My concerns were very much focused on the potential for there to be fatal infections and that is why we did what we did." The senior clinician describes being "mocked" and "intimidated" when raising the alarm among senior NHS leaders, including her contribution being treated as "irrelevant" at hospital meetings. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde admitted it previously mistreated whistleblowers. When asked by Sky News if deaths and harm may have been avoided if whistleblowers were listened to, Dr Peters replied: "That is my belief. It is an awful thought. It is difficult to prove because there are so many factors involved." Dr Peters was questioned about whether she believed the Glasgow super hospital was safe today, as NHS leaders suggest. She replied: "Clearly everyday thousands of patients are going to that hospital, and my colleagues are brilliant. Do we have the evidence to show us the hospital is safe today? From my personal point of view, I don't have the evidence that satisfies me." When asked to clarify, she said: "I think in terms of specific details, I don't have details to say one way or the other and after 10 years that is not acceptable." The battle between cancer and infection Charmaine Lacock's daughter Paige was two years old when she was diagnosed with leukaemia at the Glasgow super hospital. Paige is now 10 but is still living with the consequences of an infection she contracted during her cancer treatment. Ms Lacock told Sky News: "We were told she had a life-threatening infection and that it could go either way. You automatically think my kid is going to die. "So you prepare for the worst. We should have been in a position where we had all our time and energy to fight the cancer." The mother, who lives in Clydebank, said she was met with a culture of denial when she pushed for answers and believes there was a conspiracy to cover up what was really happening. Hospital is safe, says NHS trust… NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde recognises communications failings but has denied a campaign to cover up. A spokeswoman said: "We offer our sincere and unreserved apology to the patients and families affected. "We want to reassure patients and families that the QEUH and RHC are safe today. Ensuring the safe care of our patients is our key priority at all times. "Comprehensive steps have been taken to address past physical defects in the building, and a significant and ongoing programme of maintenance and monitoring is in place. Our staff are committed to providing safe, high-quality care. "In our closing statements we have acknowledged issues with past culture and communication, and we are committed to learn and continue to improve our approach. We have outlined the significant improvements undertaken as an organisation during this time to improve governance and oversight, and that issues are being addressed both proactively and reactively, and in a timely manner." …but 'cover-up' claims persist Karen Stirrat flew her son Caleb to the US for proton beam therapy after he was diagnosed with a brain tumour at the age of three. She alleges American doctors revealed the medication her son had been prescribed in Scotland was due to "dirty water" and a "dirty hospital" rather than drugs to deal with the cancer. Ms Stirrat told Sky News about the moment US doctors examined the situation She said: "It was disclosed over there that it (the drugs given in Scotland) wasn't actually part of his chemo regime after all. "We were puzzled. They looked at us flabbergasted, and they said they had to phone Glasgow [for answer]." Karen returned the next day with her husband for answers where she said "the words out the clinician's mouth was 'your dirty water and your dirty hospital'." Ms Stirrat also alleges a "cover-up" and believes it is to protect themselves from "any future prosecutions". Scottish Labour has been pressuring the SNP Scottish government over whether there was pressure from ministers in 2015 to open the hospital before it was ready. First Minister John Swinney rejected the claim.

Jacques Moretti, who ran Le Constellation with his wife Jessica, was arrested on 9 January following the blaze in the early hours of New Year's Day. A court originally ordered him to be detained for three months, unless suitable "security measures" were agreed, amid fears he was a flight risk. But on Friday, the court said Moretti could now be released, on the condition that he must stay in Switzerland, surrender his identity documents and report to the police every day. A bail of 200,000 francs (£190,000) was also paid. His wife was kept under house arrest earlier this month. The couple are suspected of negligent homicide, negligent bodily harm and causing a fire by negligence. The criminal investigation continues. Following Jacques Moretti release, a lawyer representing the couple said they would "both continue to comply with all requests from the authorities". They added: "Their thoughts remain constantly with the victims of this tragedy." Read more from Sky News:Trump should apologise over Nato claims, PM suggestsFormer Tory councillor admits drugging and raping ex-wifeCelebrities attend Valentino funeral More than 100 people were also injured in the fire, and many survivors remain in hospital with severe burns. Prosecutors said they had interviewed the couple about safety issues and renovations at the bar. Investigators believe the fire began when sparkling candles ignited the bar's ceiling, which had been fitted with soundproofing material. Local officials said the venue had not had a fire safety inspection since 2019.

What is it? A winter storm is defined as a combination of heavy snow, blowing snow and/or dangerous wind chills, according to the NOAA's National Severe Storms Laboratory, which also describes it as "life-threatening". The approaching storm is due to an area of low pressure moving up from the Gulf of Mexico (bringing lots of moisture) and meeting extremely cold Arctic air plunging south from Canada. The winter storm set to hit the US comes with warnings of ice. An ice storm is one which results in the accumulation of at least a quarter of an inch of ice on exposed surfaces - creating hazardous driving and walking conditions and the threat of downed power lines and trees. Where is it heading? The National Weather Service has warned communities the "significant, long-duration winter storm" will bring "widespread heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain from the Southern Rockies to New England" - lasting from Friday until Monday, and to prepare for "bitterly cold temperatures and dangerously cold wind chills". The storm is expected to bring a crippling ice storm from Texas through parts of the South, potentially around 30cm (12ins) of snow from Oklahoma through Washington DC, New York and Boston. Then a final punch of bitterly cold air could plunge wind chill temperatures to -46C (-50F) in parts of Minnesota and North Dakota. Forecasters are warning the damage, especially in areas hit by heavy snowfall and ice, could rival a hurricane. "The storm will cause significant to locally catastrophic ice accumulations with the potential for long-duration power outages, extensive tree damage, and extremely dangerous or impassable travel conditions," the NWS said. "In the wake of the storm, communities from the Southern Plains to the Northeast will contend with bitterly cold temperatures and dangerously cold wind chills. This will cause prolonged hazardous travel and infrastructure impacts." Millions braced for 'catastrophic' winter storm About 160 million people - nearly half the population of the United States - are under a variety of watches, warnings and alerts. The alerts stretch from Arizona and Montana in the west to the Carolinas and Maine in the east. So far, 12 states have declared states of emergency ahead of the winter storm. These include Texas, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi and Missouri. What has the federal response been? The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has pre-positioned supplies and is deploying more than 200 call centre specialists across the country ahead of the winter storm, according to an agency document obtained by Sky's US partner network NBC News. The document said supplies and equipment include 250,000 meals, 400,000 litres of water, 30 generators and 12 shuttle drivers at Camp Minden, Louisiana. A further 24 shuttle drivers are being deployed at distribution centres in Greencastle, Pennsylvania; 12 in Fort Worth, Texas; and 22 in Atlanta to quickly move commodities. A total of 28 search and rescue teams are also on standby. FEMA's National Response Coordination Center and regional centres are activated. What have people been told to do? Residents have been advised to stay at home and off the roads and to prepare by stocking up on food and drink supplies. "Items like flashlights, batteries, and battery back-ups can make all the difference," the North Carolina Department of Emergency Management said in a social media post. Items including mobile phone chargers, radios, winter clothing, blankets and a first-aid kit should also be added to households' emergency kits. It warned people should never run a generator inside a house or garage to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. The Georgia Emergency Management Agency said people should regularly check the weather forecast for any changes and gather emergency supplies for both their homes and cars, check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and refuel cars and heating sources. It also said people should check in on neighbours and family, properly ventilate emergency heat sources, keep generators 20ft from homes and to be careful while shovelling snow and ice.