This Is Why

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...

Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he's ready to work on a peace plan put together by just the US and Russia. UK drugs could be funding Russia's war effort. Plus, energy bills will rise by 0.2% in January, 35% higher than they were before the Ukraine war. And the Ashes are off to a worrying start for England, but there's still hope yet. Anna Jones and Kamali Melbourne have the day's news in just 1...

It's perhaps no coincidence that Trump's latest peace plan has dropped just as President Zelenskyy is having to deal with the biggest corruption scandal his government has faced so far. The latest plan was drawn up in secret with Russia and depends on huge concessions from Ukraine.  Joining Niall is our international affairs editor Dominic Waghorn to discuss...

Defence Secretary John Healey sent a direct warning to Russia after a ship was spotted off the north coast of Scotland. US special envoy Steve Witkoff's post on X has suggested the US and Russia may be forming a secret plan to end the war in Ukraine. And authors say they fear AI replacing them entirely. Plus - why are MPs reading dad jokes in the Commons? Sophy and Wilf have everything you need to...

Defence Secretary John Healey sent a direct warning to Russia after a ship was spotted off the north coast of Scotland. US special envoy Steve Witkoff's post on X has suggested the US and Russia may be forming a secret plan to end the war in Ukraine. And authors say they fear AI replacing them entirely. Plus - why are MPs reading dad jokes in the Commons? Sophy and Wilf have everything you need to...

When a British father, Matt Jeffrey, was killed by a single punch during a stag do on the Greek island of Zante, two men were convicted.  But now a Sky News investigation has identified a new suspect - a man who has potentially evaded justice for years.   In this episode, Niall speaks to Jason about the devastating impact of ‘one-punch’ violence, the emotional toll on Matt’s fa...

Scotland have secured their place in the football World Cup for the first time in 28 years. In the US, politicians have voted to approve a bill forcing the release of files relating to child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. And we explain why President Trump's hosting of the Saudi Arabian crown prince is controversial. Plus, could the UK defend itself in an attack? A new report suggests not. Sophy an...

More than 100 companies are being warned by the competition watchdog in a crackdown on online pricing.  If you’re not on your toes, it can be a tricky and expensive world to navigate for consumers at a time when money is tight and many are feeling the squeeze.  Fortunately, the Sky News Money blog has launched its Consumer Rights Week - where the t...

Home secretary Shabana Mahmood is defending asylum reforms some Labour MPs are calling "cruel and inhumane". Also, the UN has passed Trump's peace plan for Gaza. And the government is set to ban ticket touts reselling tickets way above face value. Sophy and Wilf talk about how that's happened following a Competition and Markets Authority report which said Ticketmaster "may have misled Oasis fans"...

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has announced a radical overhaul of the UK's immigration system, by copying a model that has been seemingly successful in Denmark.  That, of course, depends on how you define "successful". Although asylum claims are down, many feel the country's tough approach raises moral and legal questions....

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is announcing some of the biggest reforms to the asylum system since WWII. Trump has U-turned on the Epstein files, calling for Republicans to vote for their release. And house prices have fallen below their expected level. Sophy and Wilf explain the reforms, give their take on Trump and discuss why house prices are one to watch in today's episode of cheat sheet - al...

Who is Sir Robbie Gibb and is he the most influential figure at the BBC?  In a week marred by controversy, the organisation has seen the departure of two senior figures and has made an apology to the US president over an edited clip of a speech to his followers on 6 January.   There are rumours that the BBC's director general and chief executive were brought down as part of an "insi...

Reports say income tax won't increase in Rachel Reeves's budget - but where will the chancellor find the money for government spending shortfalls? The BBC responds to Donald Trump's threat of a $1bn lawsuit as the US president's deadline looms. Plans are laid out for renters and landlords under huge reforms. And an intruder gets onto the Wicked 'yellow carpet' premiere in Singapore. He's been char...

A tricky week for Wes Streeting was eased ever so slightly by the news NHS waiting lists have shrunk – if not by much.  But the health secretary will still be nursing his bruises a day after having to deny he was plotting to oust the prime minister.   If he really is in the waiting room hoping to enter Number 10 it would help if his NHS record was given a positive diagnosis.  M...