Sky News at Ten | Scotland secure World Cup spot after dramatic win against Denmark

Key Concepts

• Scotland World Cup Qualification: Scotland's men's national football team qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 29 years, beating Denmark 4-2.
• Jamal Khashoggi Murder: President Trump defended Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman against accusations of involvement in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
• Jeffrey Epstein Files: The US House of Representatives voted to release files related to Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking case.
• Chinese Espionage: MI5 warned of Chinese intelligence operatives targeting UK MPs and peers.
• Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Reconstruction Surgery: The lack of NHS availability for FGM reconstruction surgery in the UK was highlighted, contrasting with its availability in other European countries.
• Princess of Wales' Speech: Catherine, Princess of Wales, addressed business leaders on the importance of love, time, and tenderness alongside productivity.

Scotland's World Cup Triumph

Scotland's men's national football team has achieved a historic qualification for the World Cup, marking their first appearance in the tournament in almost three decades. The team secured their spot by defeating Denmark at Hampden Park with a final score of 4-2 in a thrilling match. The game was characterized by back-and-forth scoring, with Scotland taking the lead, Denmark equalizing, and then Scotland regaining the lead only for Denmark to respond again. The decisive moment came in injury time with an "audacious long-range strike" by Kenny McLean, sealing Scotland's victory. This win means Scotland will be heading to the World Cup in the United States. The last time the Scottish men's team qualified was in 1998. The victory was met with widespread celebration across Scotland, with tens of thousands of fans packed into Hampden Park. Kenny McLean commented on his winning goal, stating he "thought twice... but I thought why not? And took a pop."

Related Football News: Wales has also secured a World Cup playoff spot after a dominant 7-1 victory over North Macedonia, with captain Harry Wilson scoring a hat-trick. This result means Wales will host their playoff match at the Cardiff City Stadium. With England having already qualified without dropping a point, there is a possibility of three home nations competing in the World Cup finals. The Republic of Ireland will also participate in the playoffs.

President Trump Defends Saudi Crown Prince Amidst Khashoggi Murder Allegations

During a White House meeting intended to announce a significant Saudi investment in the United States, President Trump became embroiled in a heated exchange with a journalist regarding the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Khashoggi, a Washington Post reporter, was killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018. The CIA had concluded that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman approved the assassination. While the Crown Prince has consistently denied involvement, blaming "rogue agents," President Trump stated that the Prince "knew nothing about it" and that questions about the matter were "embarrassing" to his guest. Trump described the journalist's question as "horrible," "insubordinate," and "terrible," calling the reporter "a terrible person and a terrible reporter." He also stated he had "nothing to do with Jeffrey Epstein" and had "threw him out of my club many years ago because I thought he was a sick pervert."

The Crown Prince, in response to the Khashoggi question, expressed that it was "painful to hear" about the loss of life and that Saudi Arabia had conducted investigations and improved its system to prevent such incidents from happening again.

Jamal Khashoggi's widow, Hatice Cengiz, expressed her dissatisfaction with the exchange and wished for an opportunity to speak with the Crown Prince to "introduce the real Jamal to him." She also intends to seek financial compensation for the death of her husband.

The visit by the Saudi Crown Prince was framed by President Trump as a crucial economic opportunity, with an agreement to invest $600 billion, potentially rising to a trillion dollars, into the United States. This focus on investment was seen as a strategic move by Trump to address domestic concerns about the economy and his low approval ratings.

US House of Representatives Votes to Release Jeffrey Epstein Files

Following a shift in his stance, President Trump's administration has seen the US House of Representatives vote overwhelmingly in favor of releasing the Jeffrey Epstein files. These files are believed to contain the names of prominent individuals connected to Epstein's sex trafficking activities. The vote now proceeds to the Senate and then to President Trump for his signature.

During a press conference, President Trump again displayed anger when questioned by ABC's Mary Bruce about why he hadn't released the files himself. He criticized the reporter's "attitude" and questioned her professionalism.

Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein's abuse testified on Capitol Hill, emphasizing the impact of the case and urging for justice. One former Epstein associate, identified as a "friend turned enemy of Donald Trump," criticized Trump for calling him a "traitor" for supporting the survivors.

There are concerns that the Department of Justice's ongoing investigation into Democrat associates of Epstein might lead to the restriction of information within the released documents. However, it is expected that some form of documents will be released, potentially shedding light on why President Trump had previously resisted their disclosure.

The Senate Majority Leader, John Thun, has indicated a willingness to expedite the passage of the bill through the Senate, potentially leading to the files landing on President Trump's desk quickly.

MI5 Warns of Chinese Espionage Targeting UK Parliament

The UK's domestic security service, MI5, has issued a warning to Members of Parliament (MPs), peers, and parliamentary staff regarding operatives linked to the Chinese intelligence service. The alert specifically named two women, Amanda Chu and Shirley Shen, who are alleged to have used LinkedIn to pose as headhunters and reach out to individuals within Parliament with the aim of collecting information and establishing long-term relationships.

The Chinese embassy has vehemently denied these allegations, calling them "pure fabrication and malicious slander" and urging the UK to cease its "self-staged charade of false accusations."

The government has responded by implementing new security programs, providing briefings to political parties and election candidates, and collaborating with recruitment platforms like LinkedIn to combat espionage. However, the opposition has called for tougher measures, including sanctions and the reclassification of the Chinese Communist Party.

This warning comes in the wake of a collapsed case involving two men accused of spying for China around Westminster. Additionally, delays in plans for a large Chinese embassy in central London have become a point of contention in UK-China relations. Experts suggest that the threat of Chinese intelligence operations extends beyond Parliament to businesses across the UK economy.

FGM Reconstruction Surgery: A Gap in UK Healthcare

Hundreds of thousands of women in Europe live with the consequences of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), with over 87,000 FGM-related medical cases recorded in the UK since 2015. However, reconstruction surgery for FGM survivors is not available on the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK. This forces many women to seek treatment abroad or to endure their suffering in silence.

Sky News gained access to an operating theater in Geneva, Switzerland, where Professor Jasmine Abdul Kadir, a leading surgeon, performs FGM reconstruction surgery. The procedure is described as a "life-changing journey" for patients dealing with deep trauma. Professor Abdul Kadir explained that FGM has various types, with Type 3 being the most severe, involving the removal of external genitalia and the vaginal opening being sewn shut or fused. These cases require "deinfibulation" or reopening.

The surgery aims to alleviate suffering related to urination, menstruation, and daily life, and can also involve clitoral reconstruction for those experiencing sexual health issues or body image distress. Patients' experiences highlight the severe pain and trauma associated with FGM, with one patient recalling being "forced" and "cut with a blade."

Professor Abdul Kadir's team sees 20 to 30 FGM survivors monthly at Geneva's University Hospital. While not all opt for surgery, those who do can access it through Switzerland's healthcare system, as well as in France and Germany. In contrast, the lack of NHS provision in the UK means many British survivors must travel internationally, incurring significant costs.

A parliamentary committee has warned that FGM survivors face shame and humiliation when seeking care and has urged the NHS to provide reconstruction surgery. The Department for Health and Social Care stated that the NHS runs FGM clinics offering healthcare and support, and is facilitating research into the effectiveness of reconstructive surgery. While the surgery cannot erase the past, it offers survivors a chance to reclaim their bodies.

International Incidents

• West Bank Attack: Israeli officials reported one fatality and three injuries in a ramming and stabbing attack in the West Bank. The Israeli military stated that soldiers killed two attackers and found explosive materials in their vehicle.
• Lebanon Air Strike: Lebanese officials reported 13 deaths in an Israeli air strike on a Palestinian refugee camp near Sidon, Lebanon. The Israeli military claimed the strike targeted a Hamas training center preparing an attack.
• Poland Railway Explosions: The Polish government suspects two Ukrainians working for Russia were responsible for explosions on a railway line near the capital, which is used for transporting aid into Ukraine. The Kremlin has denied any involvement.

Princess of Wales' Speech on Love and Business

Catherine, Princess of Wales, delivered her first speech since her cancer diagnosis to business leaders, emphasizing the importance of "love, time, and tenderness" alongside productivity and success. She urged businesses to consider their impact on their "ecosystems" – homes, families, workforces, and communities. The Princess highlighted the challenge of balancing profitability with positive impact, asserting that the two are not incompatible. She stated that at the center of early childhood development, "we must do all we can to create the conditions for love to flourish," as this is how "we invest in our future."

Tomorrow's Front Pages

The broadcast concluded with a preview of tomorrow's newspapers, mentioning a headline in The Telegraph: "Britain is not ready to defend itself against an invasion."