This Is Why

Most of us have told the odd tall tale from time to time – but not many people would pretend to be an MI6 agent or a wealthy Swiss banker.  Those are just a couple of the outlandish lies told by notorious British conman Mark Acklom - whose life of deception started as a teenager and took him all over Europe.  Sky’s crime correspondent Mar...

It’s been 25 years since a crew of astronauts first stepped foot on the International Space Station – and it’s been occupied ever since.   The station itself will be “de-orbited” in 2030, but naturally humankind’s ambition to explore the universe remains as limitless as ever.   What will the new space race between the US and China look li...

Work Christmas parties might be in full swing - but many young people are simply wishing they had a job to go to.   Figures show the unemployment rate has risen again and those aged between 16 and 24 have been hit the hardest.  Nowadays it seems not even a degree is enough to land you a job - so what’s causing youth unemployment and what can be done to reduc...

The world was shocked to see the scenes at Bondi Beach – one of Australia’s most iconic locations – after 15 people were shot dead and dozens more injured when two gunmen opened fire on members of the Jewish community at a Hanukkah celebration.  What did intelligence and law authorities know of the suspects&n...

He’s the most streamed artist on the planet and will headline the Super Bowl halftime show – so, who is Bad Bunny?  The star dubbed the 'King of Latin Trap’ has become a household name across the US and Latin America – but his political stance and decision to cancel concerts over fears they would be targeted by immigration raids has caused controversy.  Niall is joined by...

The NHS is warning of a worst-case scenario over Christmas as an "unprecedented wave of super flu" drives infections across the country.   An average of 2,660 patients were in hospital a day with flu last week - the highest ever for this time of year and up 55% on the week before.   There is no peak in sight - so what's caused the predominant H3N2 strain to emerg...

Kiki Marriott is one of the thousands of people in the UK whose life has spiralled out of control because of gambling addiction.  However, research has shown that while people from ethnic minorities like Kiki are actually less likely to gamble than their white counterparts – they are more likely to suffer harm from gambling and less likely to seek help.  Why...

Earlier this year, Donald Trump launched a series of punitive tariffs that in turn ignited a trade war that has changed the way we look at the established global economy.   As we head towards the first anniversary of Trump’s second term in office, what has been the impact of those tariffs both...

“Too many women and babies are not getting the safe, compassionate care they deserve.”   The starkest of warnings has been issued by the president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Professor Ranee Thakar, about the failures in maternity services across the country.  A new Sky documentary,  Birth Trauma: The women who weren’t list...

Imagine setting up a political party and then boycotting day one of its first conference. It's an unusual thing to do - but exactly what Your Party co-founder Zarah Sultana did last weekend. The former Labour MP isn't the first politician to struggle after defecting to set up a new movement. What's the story behind the left-wing 32-year-old - and how do you successfully set up a new party? Ni...

Grooming gangs continue to plague our communities. Through the voices of the survivors themselves, a new Sky documentary tells the story of the gangs and how they continue to exploit young girls.    Liz Lane and Sarah O’Connell are specialist producers who have been working with vulnerable and groomed women and girls for years, giving them the chan...

Lucy was 13 when she was robbed by the drug gang she was working for and then stabbed as punishment.  Now in her 20s and living in a refuge, Lucy was one of thousands of children exploited by violent drug gangs.  A decade after authorities first identified the emergence of "county lines" dealing, parents and former child runners have...

David Lammy has set out radical plans to limit jury trials to only the most serious of crimes. The deputy prime minister argues the move will help tackle a backlog of court cases which has “pushed the justice system to the brink of collapse”. The plans have been heavily criticised, not least by the opposition. But if restricting the right to a jury trial isn’t the answer, then what is? Niall is jo...

From being shot at in Syria to navigating the gang-controlled streets of Haiti, a new YouTube series is shining a light on some of Sky’s most hard-hitting journalism.  Hotspots takes you behind the scenes in hostile environments around the world to deliver the story behind the story.  Our correspondents Stuart Ramsay and Alex Crawford join Niall Paterson to discuss their import...

The Office for Budget Responsibility has attracted huge criticism, and anger from Chancellor Rachel Reeves, after mistakenly revealing the details of her budget hours before she delivered it. But the watchdog already had its critics.  Liz Truss says she never realised how powerful the OBR was and that it should be abolished. And Sir Keir Starmer has criticised the OBR's assessment of his gove...

A climbdown from the government over workers' rights. Is it another manifesto breach? A member of the National Guard who was shot near the White House on Wednesday has died. It’s sparked a fiery debate over immigration in the US. And an incredible story about one of the rarest operations you can have. Anna Jones and Kamali Melbourne have the day's news, in just 10 minutes. Follow Cheat Sheet here...

A US clinic is offering would-be parents the chance to select traits like height and intelligence to "genetically optimise" their future babies on top of the usual screenings for hereditary diseases. Critics of the start-up company have questioned the ethics of this and experts in human genetics are also questioning the science behind it. Niall talks to Sky's science and technology editor Tom Clar...

A £26bn tax rise, pension changes and an accidental OBR publication. There's a lot to unpack from the Chancellor Rachel Reeves's budget. US President Donald Trump has responded to the shooting of two national guard members who were targeted near the White House. There's been a fatal fire in Hong Kong with 300 people still missing. And the Prince of Wales has told John Cleese his children have just...

Will you be better or worse off than you were before Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced her tax and spending plans in her long-awaited budget?  From the minimum wage and scrapping of the two-child benefit cap to ISA caps and tax threshold freezes, Niall looks at how the budget will impact you with personal finance expert Iona Bain.  Producers: Tom Gillespie and Araminta Parker&...

Tax rises are expected in the chancellor’s budget. But will Rachel Reeves break any manifesto promises? A leaked memo suggests only murder, rape and manslaughter trials will be heard before juries under a radical plan to clear a backlog of nearly 80,000 court cases. The Ministry of Justice says "no final decision" has been taken. And has the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer killed off the 6-7 trend...

Are you prepared to fight for your country? That's the question Emmanuel Macron will be asking the young people of France this week when he announces a plan to introduce voluntary military service. The threat posed by Russia and a US that has a questionable commitment to NATO means Mr Macron isn't the only European leader who has had to ponder such a move. Should the UK follow France's lead and in...

The chancellor's called for unity among Labour MPs - 24 hours before she reveals her budget. Meanwhile, the prime minister's hosting a call between European allies to push for a better peace plan for Ukraine. Ofcom's brought in new guidance to protect women and girls online - but will it make those in the public eye feel any safer? And Max Whitlock - Britain's most successful gymnast ever - has co...

Is it time for an NHS screening programme for prostate cancer?  The disease is the most common cancer affecting men in the UK and kills more than 12,000 men every year. A decision is expected to be made by the National Screening Council later this week.  Now, former prime minister Lord Cameron has become the latest high-profile figure to reveal his own diagnosis and has called for a nati...

Two days out from Wednesday's big budget, Sophy and Wilf talk through what they're looking out for. Ukraine peace talks in Geneva continue today. David Cameron reveals he's been treated for prostate cancer. And - a big London derby game ends in tears for Tottenham, as Eberechi Eze scores a hat-trick in a 4-1 win for Arsenal. Sophy and Wilf have everything you need to know, minus the doomscrolling,...

She’s the Labour home secretary winning praise from the Tories and Reform UK – no wonder Shabana Mahmood’s crackdown on immigration has grated with some of her own backbenchers.  But what is driving Mahmood's stance on small boats, and can her ideas land for Labour?  Niall is joined by the former Conservative cabinet minister turned Spectator editor, Lord Michael Gove, who talks of...