Scotland's first minister John Swinney has accepted an invitation to have dinner with Donald Trump in Aberdeenshire tonight, Sky News understands. The meal will take place ahead of separate, widely publicised one-on-one talks between the pair tomorrow. More: news.sky.com/story/politi...

The UK government will recognise a Palestinian state "in this parliament", Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds has told Sky News. "But don't forget, we can only do this once. If we do it in a way which is tokenistic, doesn't produce the end to this conflict, where do we go to next?" More below ⬇️

Apologies for my absence from this place. Hard to balance all the different platforms these days, but I’ve decided I want to participate on Bluesky. So for news on UK politics, the Middle East, the US, and more, please do follow and share. And get in touch with stories / goss 😉

Essex Police say claims by Nigel Farage that officers bussed in counter-demonstrators to migrant hotel protest are 'categorically wrong'

🚨 NEW: Reform UK is just one point off Labour in a new Sky News/The Times/YouGov poll. The Tories have tumbled to third. (Comparison with GE24) 🔴Labour 26% (35%) 🟤Reform UK 25% (15%) 🔵Conservatives 22% (24%) 🟡Lib Dem 14% (13%) 🟢Greens 8% (7%) More: news.sky.com/story/politi...

Foreign Sec David Lammy is in Israel, and has met with his counterpart, Gideon Sa’ar. Sa’ar said they “discussed a wide range of issues, including Syria, Lebanon and the Iranian threat”. On Iran - Middle East minister Hamish Falconer said today they will have “more to say in the coming weeks”.

Wes Streeting: “Without Rachel Reeves's leadership, we wouldn't have won the last general election. “She built Labour's economic credibility out of the ashes they were left in after the Corbyn leadership.” A strident defence of the chancellor from a top minister👇 news.sky.com/story/rachel...

Tonight’s vote in parliament lays bare a key issue in our political system. While some Labour MPs may want a national inquiry into the unimaginable scandal of grooming gangs across our country, voting for the Tory amendment would have meant a much broader bill was rejected. 🧵

Starmer: "I think we all had a smile on Sunday when [Mr Farage] said how cool it was to have the support of Musk, only for Musk to say he should be removed just a few hours later." Farage, Tice, and Anderson:

NEW: Safeguarding minister Jess Phillips has told Sky's @bethrigby.bsky.social that "nothing is off the table" when dealing with the grooming gangs scandal - including a new national inquiry if victims want one. Story: news.sky.com/story/jess-p...

BREAKING: Controversial broadcaster Piers Morgan to leave Rupert Murdoch’s News UK. Sky's Mark Kleinman reports that he will focus on expanding his Uncensored YouTube channel in the US and other international markets.

The Tories' bid to force a national grooming gang inquiry won't result in a probe. If Labour MPs were to vote for the reasoned amendment, it would kill the govt's flagship Children's Wellbeing Bill, and not force a national inquiry. From Sky's Tim Baker 👇 news.sky.com/story/the-to...

Intriguing question in the Lords this afternoon re Elon Musk... "Baroness Chakrabarti to ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to restrict the impact of foreign-owned social media companies upon UK democratic politics and public order."

NEW: As Parliament kicks back into gear after Christmas, Kim Leadbeater’s assisted dying bill now enters a crucial stage of scrutiny. Today she’s announcing that the bill committee will hear three days of oral evidence on 28, 29, 30th Jan - that’s an extra day added to hear from expert witnesses.

“A line has been crossed”: PM Keir Starmer has responded after days of attacks from Elon Musk on himself and Jess Phillips. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Starmer speak in this way before - such so that it’s worth posting his comments in full. 🧵with the PM’s response to Sky’s @bethrigby.bsky.social.

🚨 In shocking news - Nigel Farage disagrees with Elon Musk that he “doesn’t have what it takes” to lead Reform UK.

🚨 Elon Musk turns on Trump ally Nigel Farage. Elon Musk endorsed jailed far-right activist Tommy Robinson. Nigel Farage said Robinson is not welcome in Reform UK, and noted he was in jail after admitting contempt of court. Musk says Farage “doesn’t have what it takes” to lead the UK.

🚨 Nigel Farage has made clear tonight that Tommy Robinson (Stephen Yaxley-Lennon) is not welcome in Reform UK. Farage said: "My position’s perfectly clear on that. I never wanted Tommy Robinson to join UKIP, I don’t want him to join Reform UK, and he won’t be."

I'm back. For the same reason I moved in the first place. I often wonder if Jack Dorsey and co regret selling Twitter to Musk. They must hate what their work has become.

Kemi Badenoch's "first principles" refrain is the new "fixing the foundations"...

🚨 BREAKING: A DHL plane has crashed on approach to landing in Vilnius, Lithuania. One person has been found dead, and over a dozen more have been evacuated - including 12 from a house hit by the plane, according to local authorities via Reuters. Rescue operation still ongoing.

Have a read! Our work tracking the Chinese vessel in the Baltic Sea... news.sky.com/story/tracki...

🚨 BREAKING: British-made Storm Shadow missiles have been fired into Russian territory by Ukraine for the first time, a source has told Sky News. Latest here: news.sky.com/story/ukrain...

🚨 NEW: Donald Trump will visit Scotland next year for the opening of his new golf course, his son Eric told PA's Craig Meighan. Eric also criticised Scottish FM John Swinney, saying it was "nasty" of him to endorse Kamala Harris over his father. More: news.sky.com/story/politi...

PICTURED: Kemi Badenoch met with Jeremy Clarkson during the farmers' protest today. Image: Ed Massey / CCHQ

Steve Reed rules out U-turning on IHT changes for farmers. "The decision's been taken in this case," he told the EFRA committee. "The vast majority of estates will pay nothing, but they will all benefit from the repairing of our broken NHS." More: news.sky.com/story/politi...

🚨 NEW: A politician is among up to five people the Gambling Commission is potentially looking to prosecute following the probe into bets placed on the date of the general election. Scoop from Sky’s Jon Craig here: news.sky.com/story/politi...

🚨 NEW: US President Biden authorises Ukraine to fire long-range missiles inside Russia. Via the NYT: www.nytimes.com/2024/11/17/u...

🚨 NEW: Sir Keir Starmer says he has “no plans to speak to Putin”. Follows in Zelenskyy’s stinging criticism of Germany’s Scholz. “Doubling down” on ensuring support for Ukraine is “top” of the PM’s agenda at the G20 as Trump’s second term looms. More: news.sky.com/story/politi...

Despite the rain in Westminster, Ukrainian protesters have gathered outside the Houses of Parliament as Russian attacks intensify. The PM is on the plane to the G20 summit in Brazil where ensuring continued support for Ukraine is top of his agenda.

Two very different plane journeys...

📸 PM Sir Keir Starmer working on board the plane en route to the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro. More here: news.sky.com/story/politi... Images: Stefan Rousseau/PA

Sir Ed Davey has hinted the leader of the Lib Dems in Wales should resign over her handling of a sexual abuse case while working for the CoE. "I've made my feelings really clear to her about what I think she should do, and I think she's reflecting." More: news.sky.com/story/politi...

Parliament looking gorgeous on this crisp (read: cold!) autumn day ☀️🍂

🚨 The Foreign Office says Sudan is "facing the worst humanitarian crisis of the decade". That is why the UK will double the amount of aid to Sudan and neighbouring countries, providing more than £110m to those affected by the war. news.sky.com/story/the-uk...

🔴 Ann Selzer - whose pre-US election outlier poll put Harris on +3 in Iowa - will stop producing those polls in future years (a decision "made over a year ago"). "I’m humbled, yet always willing to learn from unexpected findings," she says. eu.desmoinesregister.com/story/opinio...

Happy Friday!

No 10 has apologised after meat and alcohol were served at their Diwali reception last month. A Downing Street spokesperson said a "mistake was made", adding that they "apologise to the community and assure them it will not happen again". More: news.sky.com/story/politi...

Will continue to add to this as more (Blue)Sky people join… go.bsky.app/9GknTmH

Convinced Beth Rigby to make the move here - do follow her 👇

Hello! This is a new platform for me & want to start posting here with a link to our latest Electoral Dysfunction pod, in which Harriet Harman, Ruth Davidson & I have a heartfelt & intense discussion exploring the debate on assisted dying. Write-up & pod link 👇 news.sky.com/story/wes-st...

I have a new addiction - Pret's Spiced Apple & Pecan muffin. Not five years ago, I was worried about my alcohol consumption at uni. Now I'm worried about my Pret muffin consumption. Life comes at you fast...

Labour figures got away with saying 'we're going to have growth' during the election without really being properly quizzed about how, specifically, they'd achieve that.

🔴 NEW: The economy grew by just 0.1% in the first three months of the new Labour government, official figures show. Chancellor Rachel Reeves says she's "not satisfied" with those numbers, saying growth is "at the heart of everything I am seeking to achieve". More: news.sky.com/story/money-...

Rather inefficient start for Elon and Vivek...

There's been a substantial update to the Sky News website today - bit of a facelift. Check it out! skynews.com

Here are a few great Sky News follows for anyone interested… go.bsky.app/AwmTrC7

Well this is encouraging! I'm no Sophy Ridge, but a place with productive engagement is exactly what's needed.

Just joined BlueSky. Any suggestions of people to follow would be appreciated, and any tips on how to make best use of this place!