Broadcast timeline
Sky News Today with Gareth Barlow
Wednesday 26 August 2026 · 10:00 BST · 30m · 4 stories · 13 annotated moments · 22 of 30 min on news stories (74%)
Broadcast overview
An AI-generated overview based on this broadcast's transcript.
The broadcast opened with the news that average household energy bills are set to rise by 4% from October, increasing the typical annual dual fuel bill by £60 to £1,723. The rise was attributed to months of increases in world gas prices driven by the conflict in the Middle East, with the price cap raised again by Ofgem. Prime Minister Andy Burnham acknowledged the difficulty for people and noted his government's removal of VAT on electricity bills, which takes effect in October, while forecasts suggest further increases may follow as wholesale gas prices remain high.
Flags were lowered across the United States and landmarks lit up in pink as tributes poured in following the death of Dolly Parton at age 80. Her family confirmed she had cancer, and her career as a songwriter, performer, and philanthropist was celebrated by figures including Sir Elton John, Sir Mick Jagger, Sir Paul McCartney, Celine Dion, Beyonce, and Taylor Swift. The Prime Minister praised her literacy initiative, the Imagination Library, which has donated over 314 million books to children worldwide.
Other news included former England footballer Raheem Sterling being charged with dangerous driving and possession of nitrous oxide after a motorway crash, and the Instagram boss testifying in a US trial over claims that Meta designed platforms to be addictive to children. Thunderstorm warnings were in force for parts of England, and at least 14 newborn babies died in a hospital fire in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, with a committee set up to investigate. The broadcast also featured a special report on the Metropolitan Police's firearms unit, examining the impact of the Chris Kaba shooting and the subsequent murder trial of an officer, who was acquitted, and the debate over accountability and confidence for armed officers.
- 1:12 Story begins Ofgem raises energy price cap by 4% for winter
- 1:39
Claim Ofgem raises energy price cap by 4% for winter
Ofgem increased the energy price cap by 4% for October to December.
Sky News, Sky News Today with Gareth Barlow, 26 August 2026, 1:39-1:45
- 3:21
Claim Ofgem raises energy price cap by 4% for winter
Forecasts indicated energy bills would remain high into January.
Sky News, Sky News Today with Gareth Barlow, 26 August 2026, 3:21-3:34
- 5:56
Claim Ofgem raises energy price cap by 4% for winter
Household energy debts were forecast to reach £7 billion.
Sky News, Sky News Today with Gareth Barlow, 26 August 2026, 5:56-6:09
- 6:20 Story begins Dolly Parton dies at age 80
- 6:29
Charged quote Dolly Parton dies at age 80
Flags flying at half mast across America as some of the biggest names in music and entertainment pay tribute to the icon Dolly Parton following her death. She was an international powerhouse and philanthropist adored by millions of people around the planet. The news of her death at the age of 80 was shared by her family last night. Her publicist saying she had cancer when she died.
Sky News, Sky News Today with Gareth Barlow, 26 August 2026, 6:29-6:34
- 17:03 Story begins 14 newborn babies die in Islamabad hospital fire
- 17:08
Claim 14 newborn babies die in Islamabad hospital fire
A fire at a hospital maternity ward killed more than a dozen infants, with 15 newborns on the ward at the time, and reportedly started after an air conditioning compressor exploded.
Sky News, Sky News Today with Gareth Barlow, 26 August 2026, 17:08-17:13
- 17:19
Charged quote 14 newborn babies die in Islamabad hospital fire
It happened inside a nursery in the capital Islamabad, reportedly triggered by a faulty air conditioning unit. Let's bring in our Asian correspondent, Cordelia Lynch. Cordelia, a tragic situation. What's happening? Absolutely devastating news from Pakistan's capital, Islamabad. This was a maternity ward with 15 newborns inside. Sadly, 14 of those have died, only one rescued.
Sky News, Sky News Today with Gareth Barlow, 26 August 2026, 17:19-17:25
- 17:32
Claim 14 newborn babies die in Islamabad hospital fire
A fire at a hospital maternity ward killed more than a dozen infants, with 15 newborns on the ward at the time, and reportedly started after an air conditioning compressor exploded.
Sky News, Sky News Today with Gareth Barlow, 26 August 2026, 17:32-17:35
- 17:59
Charged quote 14 newborn babies die in Islamabad hospital fire
And eyewitnesses have been critical about the speed of the response. They say some of the rescue teams took hours to get there. We've heard from anguished parents talking about their devastating loss and concerns about the safety inside that building. We've heard from the hospital director who's denied that the door to the ward was closed.
Sky News, Sky News Today with Gareth Barlow, 26 August 2026, 17:59-18:03
- 18:18
Charged quote 14 newborn babies die in Islamabad hospital fire
We've heard from the hospital director who's denied that the door to the ward was closed. They said that it was manned. But there have been widespread concerns about safety protocols within Pakistan for many years now. We do have a statement from the Prime Minister's spokesman, Shahbaz Sharif. The spokesman says the Prime Minister stated that such a situation with children is irreparable.
Sky News, Sky News Today with Gareth Barlow, 26 August 2026, 18:18-18:26
- 18:59
Claim 14 newborn babies die in Islamabad hospital fire
A committee was set up to report within 24 hours.
Sky News, Sky News Today with Gareth Barlow, 26 August 2026, 18:59-19:09
- 22:07
- 23:45
Claim Met firearms officers speak out on Chris Kaba case impact
A police officer was charged with murder over the death of Chris Kaba.
Sky News, Sky News Today with Gareth Barlow, 26 August 2026, 23:45-23:47
- 24:58
Claim Met firearms officers speak out on Chris Kaba case impact
Martin Blake was acquitted by a jury at the Old Bailey.
Sky News, Sky News Today with Gareth Barlow, 26 August 2026, 24:58-25:03
- 25:28
Claim Met firearms officers speak out on Chris Kaba case impact
The misconduct hearing for Martin Blake was dropped after the government changed the law lowering the burden of proof.
Sky News, Sky News Today with Gareth Barlow, 26 August 2026, 25:28-25:39
Source: Sky News, "Sky News Today with Gareth Barlow", Wednesday 26 August 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.