This Is Why

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?Sophy and Wilf have everything you need to know, minus the doomscrolling, in just 10 minutes.

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 introduce some form of military service?Niall is joined by former armed forces minister James Heappey.Producer: Tom GillespieEditor: Mike Bovill

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 come out of retirement.Sophy and Wilf have everything you need to know, minus the doomscrolling, in just 10 minutes.Click here to never miss an episode: https://podfollow.com/cheatsheet/

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 national programme to target the groups most at risk. But could an increase in overdiagnosis do more harm than good? Niall is joined by Sky’s science and medical correspondent Thomas Moore to discuss. You can find out more information on prostate cancer at www.nhs.uk/conditions/prostate-cancer/ Producer: Araminta Parker Editor: Mike Bovill 

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, in just 10 minutes.

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 his admiration for Shabana Mahmood. They also discuss her approach to politics and immigration policy as well as her leadership ambitions.  Producer: Soila ApparicioEditor: Mike Bovill

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 10 minutes.

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 what's in the 28-point plan and whether a perceived weakness of Zelenskyy's position is why it has come out now. Plus, Jaroslava Barbieri, research fellow at the Ukraine Forum at Chatham House on the details of the growing corruption scandal engulfing the Ukrainian government. Producer: Emily HulmeEditor: Wendy Parker

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 know, minus the doomscrolling, in just 10 minutes.

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 know, minus the doomscrolling, in just 10 minutes.

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 family and the complexities of an international legal battle.  Producer: Tom Gillespie Editor: Mike Bovill 

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 and Wilf have everything you need to know, minus the doomscrolling, in just 10 minutes.

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 team is helping customers with disputes and offering tips to save your hard-earned cash. Do you know your rights and are you getting bang for your buck? Niall is joined by the Money blog’s Jess Sharp. Producers: Tom Gillespie and Emily Hulme Editor: Mike Bovill 

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" with unclear pricing. Although not about reselling, it did lead to promises to make sales more transparent. Everything you need to know, minus the doomscrolling, in just 10 minutes.

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. Labour hopes Denmark's tried and tested method will help it win over anti-immigration voters here, but what about the social and economic consequences? Is the Danish model right for the UK? Gareth Barlow is joined by Michelle Pace, a professor in global studies at the Department of Social Sciences and Business at Roskilde University in Denmark. Producers: Tom Gillespie and Emily Hulme Editor: Mike Bovill 

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 - all you need to know, in under 10 minutes.

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 "inside job" centred around one man – Sir Robbie – a non-executive director at the BBC. However, a friend of Sir Robbie has hit back at such suggestions, describing them to Deadline as "absolute nonsense". In this episode, Niall is joined by Jake Kanter, the international investigations editor at Deadline to discuss Mr Gibb’s role at the BBC and why it is seen as controversial. Producer: Tom Gillespie & Natalie Ktena Editor: Philly Beaumont 

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 charged with being a public nuisance by a Singapore court. Anna and Kamali get you up to speed on all the day's news, in just 10 minutes.Tap to never miss an episode: 'https://podfollow.com/cheatsheet/ 'Follow Cheat Sheet here

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. Mr Streeting talks a good game – so what’s the true state of the NHS under his leadership? Niall is joined by former NHS Trust chairman Roy Lilley and health correspondent Ashish Joshi. Producer: Natalie KtenaEditor: Mike Bovill

New emails and documents provide an insight into the relationship between Donald Trump and the paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein. He has repeatedly denied any involvement or knowledge about Epstein's sex trafficking operation.Meanwhile, research shows children are using e-cigarettes more than adults and are even skipping school to vape. And toy sales are up as 'kidults' buy Minecraft and Lego.Sophy and Wilf get you up to speed on all the day's news, in just 10 minutes.Tap to never miss an episode: 'https://podfollow.com/cheatsheet/ 'Follow Cheat Sheet here

Sir Keir Starmer is standing on the edge of a black hole.The budget is looming and Downing Street believes some of the prime minister’s own MPs may move against him if it is badly received. Much of the jitters within Labour swirl around the filling of a black hole in the public finances that may actually be self-imposed and self-inflicted.Niall is joined by our data and economics editor Ed Conway - who explains everything you need to know about a fiscal black hole that might not actually really exist.Producer: Tom GillespieEditor: Mike Bovill 

Nonita had a voice, but nobody heard it.Aged just 18 and in care, Nonita was hit and killed b y a moving train – despite repeatedly warning the professionals responsible for her that she planned to take her own life.Shocked by Nonita's untimely death, Katharine Bryson - a volunteer who had worked with her - became determined to find out who knew what, and when.What she uncovered horrified her – and it's a story the state never wanted to be told.Niall is joined by Sky's people and politics correspondent Nick Martin.Warning: this podcast contains descriptions of suicide and self-harm.If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this story, help and support is available. You can call Samaritans free on 116 123 anytime day or night. You can also email [email protected] or visit www.samaritans.org to find support online.For more on this story, you can watch the full documentary on the Sky News website.Producers: Tom Gillespie & Araminta ParkerEditor: Mike Bovill

The row over how President Trump was portrayed in a Panorama programme has proved to be a scandal too far for embattled BBC bosses. Director-general Tim Davie and BBC News chief executive Deborah Turness have both resigned. Mr Trump's lawyers are demanding the BBC retracts the "false" statements in the documentary or face legal action for $1bn (£760m) in damages. Many will feel their departures were inevitable after questions over the way a Trump speech was edited sparked concerns about the corporation's impartiality. Niall is joined by former Panorama editor and host of the Beeb Watch podcast Roger Bolton to discuss the fallout. Producer:  Tom Gillespie Editor: Mike Bovill  

A revenge record from the pop star Lily Allen has led to a storm of negative headlines for its alleged inspiration – her estranged husband, David Harbour.  It’s unfortunate timing for the Stranger Things star – with the final season of the Netflix hit dropping at the end of November.  As if that wasn’t enough, there have also been allegations of workplace bullying on the set of the show that made him a superstar. What does all this mean for Harbour? And will it affect the finale of one of Netflix’s biggest blockbusters? Niall is joined by Sky’s entertainment editor Claire Gregory and Emily Bootle, Culture Commissioning Editor at The i Paper. Producer: Natalie Ktena Editor: Mike Bovill  

Have you been feeling a bit more right wing recently? If you're an avid user of X then it appears Elon Musk is trying to make that the case.For the first time, a Sky News investigation has uncovered how the social media platform's algorithm amplifies right-wing and extreme content.Niall is joined by Sky News data and forensics journalists Tom Cheshire and Kaitlin Tosh.Producer: Tom GillespieEditor: Mike Bovill

With the leaders of some of the world's most polluting countries - the US, China and India - set to skip it, is the COP climate conference irrelevant? The event in Brazil next week marks three decades of target-setting and financial pledges - yet temperatures are still rising and so are emissions.Were all those promises a load of hot air? Have dreams of net zero gone up in smoke?Niall is joined by our science and technology editor Tom Clarke who is at the summit.Producer: Araminta ParkerEditor: Mike Bovill

Fatal crashes caused by young drivers inflict untold suffering on survivors and the loved ones left behind. But what about the trauma experienced by first responders? They are part of the so-called ripple effect caused by the aftermath of tragedies on UK roads - and their stories are rarely told. Niall is joined by Sky correspondent Dan Whitehead, who spoke to NHS workers about their experiences. Producers: Tom Gillespie and Araminta Parker Editor: Mike Bovill  

From stabbing attacks to assaults and antisocial behaviour, do you still feel safe taking the train?  On Saturday evening, 11 people were injured on board a high-speed train travelling between Doncaster and London.  The rampage might well have been worse if it wasn’t for the actions of the staff on the train and the swift response from the emergency services. But can we every truly be prepared for such an attack?  Niall discusses whether similar incidents are unavoidable with policing commentator Graham Wettone and Sky News crime correspondent Martin Brunt.   Producers: Tom Gillespie & Araminta Parker Editor: Mike Bovill  

Police are still trying to work out the motive for Saturday’s mass stabbing on a train from Doncaster to London. Sophy has spoken to the sole survivor of the Air India crash which killed 241 people back in June. And Wilf has heard from the US ambassador to the UK Warren Stephens, who wants the UK to keep drilling for oil and gas.

From Monday, Sky News has a new podcast for your morning commute.Sophy Ridge and Wilf Frost will be up early to get across the news so you don't have to.Cheat Sheet is a 10 minute briefing of all the big stories as you start your day.And you'll still have the Sky News Daily to drill down into one topic as you come home. In your feeds around 6am every weekday, from Monday November 3rd.

The King has announced that his brother, Andrew, will lose the title of ‘Prince’ which he was born with, and will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. The unprecedented move comes after ongoing revelations about Andrew’s relationship with the paedophile, Jeffrey Epstein. It also comes after the release of Virginia Giuffre’s memoir, a woman who claimed to have had sex with Andrew when she was underage. Once the ‘golden boy’ of the royal family, Andrew was widely thought to be his mother – Queen Elizabeth’s favourite child. But continuing scandal and revelations has resulted in this week’s move by the King. Gareth Barlow is joined by Sky’s royal correspondent Rhiannon Mills to understand what’s next for Andrew and whether the Royal Family can finally draw a line under the matter. Producer: Natalie Ktena Editor: Philly Beaumont

Tens of thousands of people were killed in the Sudanese city of Al Fashir in the days after it was captured by a paramilitary group, analysts believe. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been at war with Sudan's army since 2023 and have been accused of carrying out ethnically-motivated mass killings and other atrocities.Now, new satellite images appear to show ground stained with blood and scattered corpses around Al Fashir.Are these images evidence of a genocide?Mark Austin is joined by Sky News' Africa Correspondent, Yousra Elbagir.Producers: Tom Gillespie and Araminta ParkerEditor: Philly Beaumont

Why did the Home Office pay Hadush Kebatu £500 to leave the country? Sky News has spoken to migrant sex offender Hadush Kebatu hours after he was deported to Ethiopia. He claims he tried to hand himself in to police after he was released accidentally from prison last Friday but they ignored him. Responding to Kebatu's claims, the Metropolitan Police told Sky News: "The Met is not aware of any evidence to support the claims that Kebatu approached officers on Saturday morning. "The actions of officers who responded to the sighting of him on Sunday morning show how seriously they were taking the manhunt. Kebatu's actions on the morning of his arrest were more like those of someone trying to avoid officers, not trying to hand himself in." Gareth Barlow speaks to home affairs journalist Danny Shaw and Sky News correspondent Ashna Hurynag - who has been in Epping, Essex, where Kebatu sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl and a woman. Producers: Tom Gillespie and Araminta Parker Editor: Wendy Parker

Less than two weeks after Prince Andrew announced he was giving up most of his royal titles he is now facing mounting calls to leave his 30-room home in Windsor. Public anger over the prince’s links to Jeffrey Epstein has been reignited following revelations in the posthumous memoir of his sexual assault accuser Virginia Giuffre. Andrew continues to deny all the allegations against him – but the King continues to be under pressure to do more. Would moving the prince out of Royal Lodge be enough to quell public anger? Gareth Barlow is joined by Sky’s royal correspondent Rhiannon Mills. Producer: Emily Hulme and Tom Gillespie Editor: Wendy Parker

Ukrainian soldiers sprint away from a disabled tank on the battlefield while their control room desperately tries to help them evade the Russian drones pursuing them. Later, a Russian soldier waves a white flag from the basement entrance of a gatehouse which was targeted by Ukrainian quad-copter drones.It's become a war of the future in the so-called "kill zone" in the Donbas region of Ukraine - where the trench lines are gone and drones rule the skies. Tom Cheshire speaks to Sky's international correspondent John Sparks - who spent 24 hours watching the life-or-death drama from a high-tech control hub where a Ukrainian unit runs their operations.Producer: Tom GillespieEditor: Wendy Parker

A former television presenter and heavy metal drummer has become the first woman to be elected prime minister of Japan.Sanae Takaichi is known for her right-wing views and cites Margaret Thatcher as an inspiration. But it's not just her political beliefs that are controversial – Ms Takaichi has a love of hard rock and motorbikes, despite her deeply conservative background.Why has it taken so long for Japan to elect a female PM? And what challenges does she face domestically, as well as on the world stage?Niall is joined by Dr Kristin Surak, associate professor of political sociology at the London School of Economics and a leading expert on Japanese politics. Producers: Natalie Ktena & Tom Gillespie Editor: Mike Bovill

Whether they are providing the beef for your roast dinner or the milk for your cup of tea – cows are undeniably useful animals.The problem is they also enjoy burping and breaking wind and it's having a huge impact on global warming.The steaks couldn’t be higher and that’s why an agricultural college in Scotland has developed the Cool Cows programme to breed the animals in a way that means they expel less gas.Niall is joined by our udderly brilliant science correspondent, Thomas Moore.Producers: Natalie Ktena & Tom GillespieEditor: Mike Bovill

With Ukraine highlighting the use of UK hardware in strikes against Russia and the US insisting British military personnel join a team monitoring the Gaza ceasefire, are we at risk of ending up in a wider conflict?The possibility, however slim, that UK soldiers could be engaged in fighting in the Middle East follows Ukraine's very public revelation that British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles were used in a "massive" attack inside Russia.Less than two weeks ago, the foreign secretary said there were no plans to send troops to monitor the Gaza ceasefire - so is the UK being dragged into a situation it doesn't want to be in?What is the extent of its role in these conflicts and what are the implications for our national security?Niall is joined by Sky's military analyst Professor Michael Clarke.Producer: Tom GillespieEditor: Mike Bovill

The rise of AI has been hailed as a new industrial revolution - a huge economic success story (depending on your point of view) with massive implications for energy, materials and jobs. In the US, artificial intelligence has accounted for the vast majority of economic growth so far this year - not least because of the patronage of Donald Trump, who's also fond of taking AI-generated jibes at his critics. But does the US have enough access to the infrastructure and materials needed to fuel this economic boom? Has it become too dependent on AI and could the bubble be about to burst? Niall is joined by Sky's economics and data editor Ed Conway - who has been in the US visiting the largest concentration of data centres in the world. Producer: Tom Gillespie Editor: Mike Bovill

The downfall and disgrace of Prince Andrew has taken another dramatic turn after he announced he was giving up some of his royal titles. Reports have emerged that Andrew asked his personal protection officer to help with a smear campaign against Virginia Giuffre years before she filed a civil lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault. The prince continues to deny any wrongdoing. What role did the King and other members of the Royal Family play in Andrew's decision to give up his titles? Why is this happening now and does the move go far enough? And could this lead to calls for a rethink over the future of the monarchy? Niall is joined by Sky's royal correspondent Rhiannon Mills for the latest on the long-running scandal. Producer: Tom Gillespie Editor: Mike Bovill To watch Niall's earlier interview with Andrew Lownie, historian and author of Entitled: The Rise and Fall Of The House of York, follow the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-I13zzJ-WJM

The UK's first female prime minister undoubtedly transformed the country as she achieved electoral success her Conservative successors could only dream of.Evidence of her enduring influence is the fact that it's not just Tories who claim a debt to her but also opposing politicians, with Rachel Reeves recently branding herself the "iron chancellor".She was also a very divisive figure, with lasting anger over her handling of the miners' strike and the controversial poll tax.So, what is Baroness Thatcher's legacy to both her party and the country? What would she have made of Brexit and the rise of Reform UK? Will she still be talked about in another 100 years?Niall Paterson is joined by Sky's chief political correspondent Jon Craig.Producers: Tom Gillespie and Soila Apparicio ​​​​​​​Editor: Wendy Parker

A ceasefire may be in place, but violence continues to plague Gaza. As Hamas attempts to keep some control, a rival group has told Sky News they plan to fight to the end. With internal fighting and power struggles ongoing, can peace hold within Gaza for the Palestinians hoping to begin rebuilding their lives? Dominic Waghorn, our international affairs editor, and digital investigations journalist Ben van der Merwe join Niall to explain who these groups are and what role they are playing. Producer: Soila Apparicio Editor: Mike Bovill

Dishonesty, discrimination, and misconduct – just some of the reasons why more than 730 police officers were sacked and barred from service last year. Of those, 21 were struck off for child sexual offences. But can our police forces recover from falling public trust and reputational damage? Martin Brunt, our crime correspondent, joins Niall to explain what’s gone wrong – and assess whether ‘bad apples’ in the police are an institutional issue. Plus, Jamie Klingler – co-founder of Reclaim These Streets and campaigner for women’s safety and police reform in the UK – discusses what needs to change. Producer: Emily HulmeEditor: Mike Bovill

Members of minority religious groups say they feel less safe in the UK than ever before.A summer of protests outside asylum seeker hotels and a renewed debate about immigration have led to concerns British society is becoming increasingly fragmented.And last week, figures released by the Home Office showed that religious hate crime recorded by police in England and Wales had reached a record high.Some members of the Sikh community in the West Midlands have been escorting elderly people to their local gurdwara due to concerns about physical and verbal abuse.What are the causes behind this rise in hate crime? How are minority groups responding, and what can be done to rebuild fragile communities?Niall is joined by Rabbi Josh Levy, the co-lead of Progressive Judaism, and Sky's communities correspondent Lisa Holland.Producer: Tom GillespieEditor: Mike Bovill

All 20 remaining living Israeli hostages have been released by Hamas – after more than two years in captivity. Now the slow process of recovery and rehabilitation begins. For each of them, that journey will be different. What kind of support will they receive? And will the trauma ever truly be over? Niall discusses the needs of the released hostages with Stephen Regel – a former senior psychosocial practitioner with the British Red Cross and founder of the Centre for Trauma Resilience and Growth. Producer: Tom Gillespie Editor: Mike Bovill

Can you put a price on freedom of speech? Comedy royalty including Dave Chapelle and Jimmy Carr, famous for defending their right to say whatever they want, have been paid big money by the Saudi government to appear at the inaugural Riyadh Comedy Festival. But there's a catch.... they're not allowed to say anything that could cause "embarrassment" to Saudi Arabia, its royal family or any religion. The outcry has given you a new phrase to learn - "comedy washing". What is comedy washing and what evidence is there Saudi Arabia is trying to carry it out? Why have comedians agreed to perform at the festival and how can they defend their decision? Niall is joined by stand-up comedian and host of the Pod Save The UK podcast Nish Kumar. Producers: Tom Gillespie, Soila Apparicio Editor: Mike Bovill

Donald Trump has claimed the credit for ending seven wars and with the developments in Gaza it could soon be eight - surely then he's a dead cert for this year's Nobel Peace Prize?Unsurprisingly, with this bombastic US president, it's not quite that simple... no matter how much he insists that he deserves it.As the world prepares to find out who has won this year's prize, the self-styled peacemaker-in-chief is likely to be among those paying the closest attention.What is the Nobel Peace Prize and why does Trump want to win it so much? How is the winner decided, who else is nominated and what are the US president's chances?Niall is joined by Jay Nordlinger, author of Peace, They Say: A History of the Nobel Peace Prize, the Most Famous and Controversial Prize in the World.Producer: Soila ApparicioEditor: Mike Bovill

The prime minister’s been asked to ‘explain himself’ after the UK’s top prosecutor blamed the collapse of a China spy trial on the government - for not labelling China a risk to national security. But Sir Keir Starmer blames the previous Tory government. A parliamentary researcher and his associate were accused of passing on “politically sensitive” information to a member of China’s ruling politburo – so why won’t it go to court? Niall is joined by political correspondent Mhari Aurora and the former head of MI6 Richard Dearlove. Producers: Tom Gillespie & Emily Hulme Editor: Mike Bovill

In September, former England rugby captain Lewis Moody received a devastating diagnosis that changed his life forever. The 47-year-old Rugby World Cup winner is the latest retired professional player to be told he has the fatal muscle-wasting condition motor neurone disease. What do we know about the possible causes of MND? Is there a link between extreme exercise and developing the disease? And are we any closer to a cure? Niall is joined by Moody’s World Cup-winning team-mate Will Greenwood and Dr Mike Rogers, director of research and innovation at the MND Association. Producer: Tom Gillespie and Emily Hulme Editor: Mike Bovill

It's the morning of Monday 6 October 2025 and Russia has launched a missile strike against the UK. That was the scenario of The Wargame - a gripping five-part Sky News podcast that brought together former government ministers, military chiefs, and top defence experts to explore how the UK might respond to a modern-day crisis. On the real 6 October, we speak to some of the makers of the series to get a sense of whether our leaders are taking the threat of Russia seriously enough. Would the United States come to the UK's aid if bombings began on British soil? And what do we need to do to improve our defence capabilities? Niall Paterson is joined by The Wargame's co-creators - Sky’s security and defence editor Deborah Haynes, and Rob Johnson, head of Oxford University's Changing Character of War Centre - as well as Keir Giles, a leading expert on the Russian military who portrays the Russian president in the simulation. You can listen to The Wargame here: https://open.spotify.com/show/4lHtW6x1D6R0E1QmGLkBK1 Producers: Tom Gillespie & Emily Hulme Editor: Mike Bovill