Broadcast timeline
Sky News — Sky News Today with Sam Washington
Saturday 18 July 2026 · 10:00 BST · 30m · 6 stories · 15 annotated moments · 25 of 30 min on news stories (84%)
Broadcast overview
An AI-generated overview based on this broadcast's transcript.
Sky News reported that a group of investors involved in a rescue bid for Thames Water is preparing a legal challenge if Andy Burnham's government moves to nationalize the company. The consortium, which controls about £17 billion of Thames Water's debt, has engaged a specialist law firm to fight any forced public ownership. Separately, Donald Trump questioned England manager Thomas Tuchel's tactics in the World Cup semi-final loss to Argentina, suggesting Harry Kane was played out of position. England are preparing to face France in the third-place playoff in Miami, with a win giving them their best World Cup finish since 1966. Trump also blamed Canada for wildfire smoke that could impact visibility at the World Cup final in New York, threatening to increase tariffs on Canadian imports.
In the Middle East, Kuwait's military said it is intercepting airstrikes from Iran, which claimed to be targeting U.S. military sites in retaliation for a seventh consecutive night of U.S. strikes on Iran. A senior Iranian advisor warned of a full-scale offensive if attacks continue, and the conflict has reportedly expanded to include attacks on civilian infrastructure such as water plants. In China, at least eight people died and 34 are missing after a landslide near Chongqing, burying over 10 residential buildings. Donna Ockenden is launching a new investigation into maternity services at Leeds teaching hospitals. Andy Burnham is preparing to become prime minister on Monday after being elected Labour leader, promising a major overhaul but offering few specifics on his plans. Holidaymakers were warned of delays at Dover due to the EU's new entry-exit system, with queues of around 45 minutes reported.
- 1:21
- 3:48 Story begins England beats France in World Cup third place match
- 3:48
Claim England beats France in World Cup third place match
Donald Trump mocked England's defensive tactics against Argentina.
Sky News, Sky News Today with Sam Washington, 18 July 2026, 3:48-4:06
- 3:48
Claim England beats France in World Cup third place match
Donald Trump mocked England's defensive tactics against Argentina.
Sky News, Sky News Today with Sam Washington, 18 July 2026, 3:48-3:58
- 7:06
Charged quote England beats France in World Cup third place match
know you've been up a long time, so thanks for staying on. Self-professed football aficionado, Donald Trump. What did you make of what he had to say? I thought it was extraordinary, absolutely extraordinary to hear him first of all talk about the tactical game of England's, which was remarkable. I thought it was even more extraordinary that stood next to him during
Sky News, Sky News Today with Sam Washington, 18 July 2026, 7:06-7:18
- 8:39
Claim England beats France in World Cup third place match
Donald Trump called FIFA president Infantino about a red card for US player Balagon, and FIFA suspended the ban.
Sky News, Sky News Today with Sam Washington, 18 July 2026, 8:39-8:55
- 9:01
Charged quote England beats France in World Cup third place match
for serious foul play. He was suspended for two matches. That wasn't suspended. He was given that suspension. That was it. And he missed the two games. It's completely wrong. It stinks. I don't like it. I don't like hearing him still continually talk about it because he's almost reiterating the fact that I did this. I did make that call. I did
Sky News, Sky News Today with Sam Washington, 18 July 2026, 9:01-9:05
- 10:58
Charged quote England beats France in World Cup third place match
It's a strange one, isn't it? I was watching the game on Wednesday with Paul Merson and former England international who played against Argentina in 1998 and we actually spoke after the game and he said it's the most pointless game in football. Nobody wants to be there. The players want to be on holiday. They want to relax. They're still disappointed by being
Sky News, Sky News Today with Sam Washington, 18 July 2026, 10:58-11:02
- 14:07
- 16:41 Story begins US launches eighth night of airstrikes on Iran
- 16:53
Claim US launches eighth night of airstrikes on Iran
Iran warned it would attack American military assets and an Iranian general warned of a full-scale offensive if US attacks continue.
Sky News, Sky News Today with Sam Washington, 18 July 2026, 16:53-17:10
- 16:59
Claim US launches eighth night of airstrikes on Iran
Iran warned it would attack American military assets and an Iranian general warned of a full-scale offensive if US attacks continue.
Sky News, Sky News Today with Sam Washington, 18 July 2026, 16:59-17:10
- 19:36
Claim US launches eighth night of airstrikes on Iran
Iran retaliated with drone attacks on US military sites in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan.
Sky News, Sky News Today with Sam Washington, 18 July 2026, 19:36-19:58
- 19:36
Claim US launches eighth night of airstrikes on Iran
Iranian airstrikes damaged a power station and water desalination plants in Kuwait.
Sky News, Sky News Today with Sam Washington, 18 July 2026, 19:36-19:42
- 21:22
- 21:51
Contested quote PM meets Scottish first minister, rules out independence referendum
is. Our deputy political editor Sam Coates has our first report. The contest for the country in reality won weeks ago. The duly elected leader of the Labour Party is Andy Burnham. He's arriving mid-parliament but promising the biggest revolution since Thatcher. The government I lead will confidently lay that path out starting next week
Sky News, Sky News Today with Sam Washington, 18 July 2026, 21:51-21:58
- 22:06
Charged quote PM meets Scottish first minister, rules out independence referendum
The government I lead will confidently lay that path out starting next week and that is why this change today is the most significant change moment in our politics for 40 years. It will take us to a country where life is more affordable and all people and places are lifted from where they are now. Praise for Keir Starmer as he
Sky News, Sky News Today with Sam Washington, 18 July 2026, 22:06-22:21
- 23:54
Contested quote PM meets Scottish first minister, rules out independence referendum
After 16 years of trying and on his third attempt Andy Burnham is now Labour leader. 379 of the 403 MPs. Every single Labour backing trade union supported him. He is the almost unanimous choice of this party but that speech like his campaign was long on values but short on specifics. The people in this room don't know what he would be like. He starts at work
Sky News, Sky News Today with Sam Washington, 18 July 2026, 23:54-24:07
- 23:59
Charged quote PM meets Scottish first minister, rules out independence referendum
MPs. Every single Labour backing trade union supported him. He is the almost unanimous choice of this party but that speech like his campaign was long on values but short on specifics. The people in this room don't know what he would be like. He starts at work down his street. Some allies think this is fine. It's not just about vibes alone but vibes are
Sky News, Sky News Today with Sam Washington, 18 July 2026, 23:59-24:13
- 27:34
- 28:57
Claim New EU border check system causes travel delays at Dover and airports
EES border checks are being implemented at Dover, St. Pancras, and Folkestone on UK soil.
Sky News, Sky News Today with Sam Washington, 18 July 2026, 28:57-29:07
Source: Sky News, "Sky News Today with Sam Washington", Saturday 18 July 2026. Transcript excerpts and stills are shown only to support the analysis annotated alongside them. Search-result excerpts are distinct from the editorial annotations — see our copyright basis. The full broadcast is not reproduced.