Donald Trump's claim that the war could be over "soon" will grab headlines. Iran war: Follow live updates But traders don't trade on soundbites. They trade on risk. That explains the sudden urgency from the commander-in-chief. Ten days ago, he warned that the war could last four to six weeks. Now, he's boasting that it could be over "very soon." "Not this week," he added at a news conference in Florida, but objectives are "pretty well complete". He listed battlefield successes - boasting 5,000 targets had been hit. The president said he would "live with" the outcome of a report on a strike on a school. But he tried to pin the blame for the attack, which claimed dozens of lives, elsewhere. Trump said many countries, including Iran, use Tomahawks, a "generic" weapon. The UK, Australia, the Netherlands, and Japan are the only other countries with Tomahawks. Unless he's suggesting one of them carried out the strike, he has effectively implicated the US. Read more: Evidence challenges Trump's claim Trump's 'epic' problem Nevertheless, he appears poised to declare victory and find an off-ramp. But his newfound optimism lands in a space where politics and markets collide. US crude surging to $119 per barrel, then dropping a record 4% on talk of an ending. It's a problem for Trump that Iran had already acknowledged by mocking the military codename: "Operation Epic Fury." "Operation Epic Mistake," the country's foreign minister posted, alongside a graphic of oil prices. Read more from Sky News:Inside the frontline ghost townErdogan's clear message on Iran war Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard says it will "determine the end of the war". In a statement, it said Tehran would not allow the export of "one litre of oil" from the region if US and Israel attacks continue. Trump posted on Truth Social: "If Iran does anything that stops the flow of oil within the Strait of Hormuz, they will be hit by the United States of America TWENTY TIMES HARDER than they have been hit thus far." For a trader sitting in London, Houston or Singapore, the question is not what Trump says but what happens on the ground. In times of conflict, the price of a barrel speaks louder, and more truthfully, than a presidential promise of peace.

The incident happened in the Beverly Hills area of LA on Sunday afternoon. Police confirmed to NBC News in Los Angeles that the star was home with her partner A$AP Rocky and their three young children. It is believed seven to nine rounds from an AR-15-style rifle were fired from a car - with at least four striking the house. What appear to be bullet holes can be seen in photos of the front gate but no injuries were reported. Police identified the woman as Ivanna Ortiz and said she remained in custody on $10m bail, according to NBC News. Rihanna and A$AP Rocky share a daughter and two sons.

The group, which includes 22 retired judges and more than 300 senior barristers, alongside solicitors, academics, and other legal professionals, have urged Sir Keir Starmer to halt what they say is an "erosion of a deeply entrenched constitutional principle for negligible gain". Politics Hub: Follow the latest "Instead of draining valuable time and resources attempting to force through an unpopular, untested and poorly evidenced change to our jury system - and one that will only have effect, if any, in 2028/2029 - we urge the government to focus on the changes we know will make a difference now," the letter reads. MPs are due to vote for the first time today on the Courts and Tribunals Bill, which will remove the right to a jury trial for Crown Court cases concerning crimes that carry sentences of up to three years. Under the proposals, only the most serious cases, such as rape, murder and manslaughter, would be heard by a jury. The plans have proved controversial, with one critical Labour MP - and fellow lawyer - telling Sky News in January he was "ashamed" of Sir Keir over the plans. The government claims the proposals, alongside other investment they are making in the court system, will reduce the projected backlog by around 84,000 cases, to 49,000 cases by 2035. But research by the independent Institute for Government thinktank suggests restricting juries would save less than 2% of court time. The letter says the lawyers "fully support and share the government's aim of bringing down the backlog in the criminal courts," but the proposals "are based on little evidence". Female Labour MPs urge government to pass reforms A group of 40 female Labour MPs, including former women and equalities minister Anneliese Dodds, have written to Justice Secretary David Lammy urging him to "remain steadfast" with the reforms. They highlight "the agonising and rising waiting lists in our courts, which mean that a woman reporting domestic abuse or coercive control today may be told her trial won't come to court until 2030". "That is intolerable," they say. The victims' commissioner, Claire Waxman, has also written to MPs asking them to back the plans. Sir Keir met with a group of victims on Monday to discuss the reforms, and told them that the government had "got to make good on our commitments" to speed up justice for victims, especially women. Mr Lammy told Sky News on Friday he expects MPs to pass the bill. He said that MPs of all parties "recognise that victims of crime are waiting too long for justice". Sky News chief political correspondent Jon Craig said Mr Lammy emerged from a meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party on Monday in a "bullish mood". The Conservatives say they will force a vote to "protect" the right to a jury trial, saying the reforms "risk weakening fundamental safeguards within our system".

India smoked 255-5 after losing the toss in Ahmedabad, with Sanju Samson (89 off 46) passing fifty for the third straight match and opening partner Abhishek Sharma (52 off 21) slamming the fastest fifty of this year's tournament, from 18 deliveries. New Zealand were bundled out for 159 in 19 overs in reply - they were 72-5 after 8.1 - as pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah (4-15) bagged each of his wickets with slower balls. New Zealand's hearts broken again as India add to dynastyScorecard: India vs New Zealand, T20 World Cup finalT20 World Cup final - as it happened in AhmedabadStream cricket and more without a contract through NOW Bumrah was on a hat-trick after cleaning up Jimmy Neesham (8) and Matt Henry (0) in the 16th over and ended with career-best T20I figures after dismissing New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner (43 off 35). Ishan Kishan - who had earlier tonked 54 from 25 balls - also produced two excellent catches, the second of which, a juggling effort at deep midwicket, removed Tim Seifert (52 off 26), and then a simple grab to get rid of Daryl Mitchell (17). Since going over a decade without picking up a global limited-overs title following Champions Trophy glory in England in 2013, India have won the last three, with their T20 triumphs in 2024 and now this year sandwiching the 2025 Champions Trophy. India beat New Zealand in that 50-over final a year ago and routed the same side on Sunday, becoming the first men's team to win the T20 World Cup at home and extending the Black Caps' wait for a maiden World Cup title after a fourth defeat in a final. India get off to a flier in final An early onslaught left the Kiwis shellshocked as Samson and Abhishek pounded India to 98-0 after seven overs - ample wides adding to the score and New Zealand's decision to select pacer Jacob Duffy (0-42) in place of off-spinner Cole McConchie spectacularly backfiring - while the hosts were then 203-1 after 15. Neesham's three-wicket burst in one over, in which Samson, Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav all fell - Suryakumar for a golden duck to a diving catch from Rachin Ravindra in the deep - dragged New Zealand back into the game, only for Shivam Dube (26no off 8) to collar Neesham's final over for 24 as India eclipsed the 253-7 they piled on against England in the semi-final run-fest in Mumbai. Dube dropped Finn Allen on nought in the first over of the chase, a blunder that could have cost India with the Kiwi opener blazing a T20 World Cup record 33-ball hundred in the nine-wicket demolition of South Africa in the last four. However, Allen (9) holed out off Axar (3-27) Patel before Bumrah removed Ravindra (1) with his first delivery - a superb slower ball that Kishan caught on the dive at deep square - and India went on claim a first victory over New Zealand in four attempts at T20 World Cups following losses in 2007, 2016 and 2021. India will aim to claim a first 50-over World Cup since the 2011 edition on home soil when the ODI showpiece is next held in Africa towards the end of 2027, having finished runners-up to Australia in 2023. India banish Ahmedabad blues Since that defeat in Ahmedabad three years ago, India have only suffered one loss across the next three ICC limited-overs events - earlier this month against South Africa in the Super 8s, also in Ahmedabad. There would be no issues at that venue against New Zealand, though, with batting brutality, fielding excellence - bar Dube's early dose of butterfingers and some sloppy errors from Hardik Pandya - and genius Bumrah playing their part. Bumrah's final wicket came when he castled Santner with a delicious off-cutter in the 18th over, before Abhishek picked up the title-winning wicket when Duffy (3) skied to Tilak Varma at long-on. New Zealand's runners-up finish follows the same result in the 2015 and 2019 50-over World Cups and 2021 T20 World Cup. They lost by the "barest of margins", to nick Ian Smith's iconic phrase, against England in an ODI World Cup epic seven years ago at Lord's, but this defeat at Narendra Modi Stadium was gargantuan. Watch cricket, including all England home internationals and The Hundred, plus more live on Sky Sports. Stream contract-free.

This is the frontline of the fight against Hezbollah in Lebanon, and it feels otherworldly. Middle East crisis: Follow live updates After the October 7th attacks, most people evacuated this frontier town fearing an invasion. In the following years, it was hammered by mortars and missiles fired from Hezbollah. And now, yet again, the air is filled with the sound of gun fire and sirens. But next to a hollowed out hotel once popular with tourists is a pretty cafe with the doors open. Miry is stacking up the chairs after serving some young Israeli soldiers. She's remarkably upbeat and defiant, too. This time, she believes Israel will crush Hezbollah - an Iranian proxy that casts a long shadow over this town. Life in extremis "The fighting feels like we're going to finish it - for once and for all," she says. "You need to understand Hezbollah is not a community group, and they're not freedom fighters: they're a terrorist organisation putting at risk not only the Israeli people, but the Lebanese people, and people around the world." They need to "eliminate" them, she says emphatically: "Like a cockroach." It sounds like extreme language, but life is lived in extremis here. The rubble, the military machinery, the trail of smoke from Israeli interceptors. There's even concrete benches on a hill alongside picnic tables if you want to take a look-out over the destroyed homes across the border - the remnants of previous battles. The latest confrontation with Hezbollah has seen fierce clashes and no let-up from either side. And it's not just the border areas in the crosshairs. Last week, one Israeli minister said his government would turn the southern suburbs of Beirut into Gaza. Already hundreds of thousands of Lebanese people have been displaced - an exodus unmatched in Israel. 'It's difficult to live like this' About 20 minutes drive from Metula is the northern city of Kiryat Shimona. Once a commercial and economic hub, it's struggled to rebuild after many evacuated following October 7th. Yamit Yanai Malul, a lawyer with two children, has spent years living with constant jeopardy. "It's difficult to live like this because you don't know when the missile will catch you," she says. "Maybe in the supermarket, or maybe doing something with the kids, so you are always tense." And yet, she stays. And this time round, she's hopeful it will make a difference. "We have a part in this war," she says. "We don't go and run away to another country and find shelter. This is the home and we stay here. And I think we help the government just by being here." Read more from Sky News:Erdogan's clear message on Iran warNew evidence challenges Trump claim That sense of patriotic duty may live on for months, even years, to come. And she'll likely need that enduring patience. Destroying Hezbollah for good is a massive undertaking - no matter how weakened it is. And in the meantime, it feels like a lot more could break out either side of the border and beyond - with civilians caught in the middle.

During the ceremony, as Sinners stars Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting an award on stage, a racial slur was shouted out by Tourette's campaigner John Davidson, who was there to celebrate a film about his life. The BBC failed to cut the slur from its broadcast of the 22 February event, and viewers could see the offending moment for more than 12 hours before the programme was taken down from BBC iPlayer. In a letter to Dame Caroline Dinenage, chairwoman of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, Mr Davie said the BBC made a "genuine mistake" in allowing the racial slur to be broadcast. He said: "I want to assure you that the BBC profoundly regrets the events around the broadcast of the BAFTAs on Sunday 22 February. "The BBC has apologised for the serious mistake that was made, in allowing a racial slur to be broadcast and then remain on iPlayer overnight and into Monday morning. "We understand the hurt and shock that the mistake caused. I'd like to make clear: although the racial slur was symptomatic of a disability and an involuntary tic, it should never have been broadcast. "It was a genuine mistake, and we take full responsibility for our error." It came as a message to BBC employees, seen by Sky News, reveals "frustration" within the corporation about the way the fall out from the controversy had been handled. The email from BBC chief content officer, Kate Philips sent on Friday afternoon says an investigation into the BAFTAs broadcast is ongoing and acknowledges the "upset and hurt" caused. Ms Philips also tells BBC staff: I've really appreciated your honesty as you've detailed the impact this has had. "I know there is frustration that my first email didn't give more detail, but I thought it was more important to reach out to you all at that point, than wait until I had a further update." Mr Davie who announced his resignation in November - said that there were two incidents where a racial slur was shouted during the ceremony. Regarding the incident where Jordan and Lindo were on stage, he said: "Although this is the subject of ongoing review, our initial evidence gathering has found that no one in the on-site broadcast truck heard this when they were watching the live feed. "Because no one in the broadcast truck was aware it was on the live feed, there was therefore no editorial decision made to leave the language in." The BAFTAs programme was edited down from the three-hour live show filmed two hours earlier that evening, and went out on BBC1 at 7pm. Read more from Sky News:Four arrested in UK on suspicion of spying for IranBAFTAs host addresses 'trauma triggering' broadcast Both Lindo and Jordan appeared to pause after the insult was heard, then continued their presentation. Davidson, who was attending the ceremony as the inspiration behind the film I Swear, which dramatises his life, said he is "deeply mortified" his involuntary tics caused him to blurt out the offensive language. The backlash to the incident overshadowed the film's success at the ceremony, with relative newcomer Robert Aramayo, who plays Davidson, taking home the best actor award over the likes of Oscar favourite Timothee Chalamet and Hollywood royalty Leonardo DiCaprio.

Ministers have been accused of "losing the plot" after promising to ban depictions of incest in online porn but not step-incest. Politics Live: Reeves ready to support release of oil reserves The debate is part of efforts to crackdown on harmful pornographic content online, following a review by Conservative peer Baroness Gabby Bertin. Her amendment calling for step-incest to be included in the ban was backed by 144 votes to 143 in the House of Lords last week, meaning it could now face a vote in the Commons. Sky News understands efforts are ongoing to find a way around what ministers regard as a key complication - that relationships between adult step relatives are not illegal in real life. Ministers believe this will make banning their depiction in pornography difficult to enforce. However a "significant number" of female Labour MPs are prepared to rebel if the government does not back a ban, Sky News has been told. One senior MP said the government's argument "doesn't pass the sniff test" as half of all sexual abuse cases against children are perpetrated by step-parents. They told Sky News: "Once you are arguing about the detail you have lost the plot, it's the principle. "No one wants to go through the lobby and vote for step-incest porn. "If the Conservatives are minded to back the [Bertin] amendment, it wouldn't take huge numbers to get to a defeat." Another MP described the row as "more cockup than reasoning", saying the government does support the ban in principle but "took their eye off the ball". "I think we will get to the right place", they said. The Labour leadership is on thin ice with female MPs after the Peter Mandelson and Matthew Doyle scandals and wider concerns about a Number 10 "boys club". Sir Keir Starmer has made halving violence against women and girls (VAWG) one of his main missions in government. He is facing cross-party calls to regulate online pornography as part of that plan. Baroness Bertin's review, commissioned by the previous Conservative administration, found content that is banned offline is still allowed online. The review made 32 recommendations in total, including banning degrading, violent and misogynistic content. Ministers have already backed a ban on strangulation pornography, which the review found was establishing it as a sexual norm. Non-fatal strangulation is an offence in its own right, but it is not currently illegal to show it online. The new offence will be included in the Crime and Policing Bill making its way through parliament. Last week, the government also wrote into the bill a ban on possessing or publishing pornographic images of sex between relatives. Speaking for the government, justice minister Baroness Levitt said the offence won't include step-relationships as while they are "controversial" they are "not illegal in real life". In total peers defeated six defeats on the government, including over banning adult pornography styled to look like a child. Meanwhile, peers agreed to a government-backed plan to make it a criminal offence to screenshot or copy an intimate image without consent that a victim has shared only temporarily. The bill faces further scrutiny in the Lords, and both Houses must agree the final draft before it can become law. A government spokesperson said: "Online abuse against women and girls has developed at a terrifying pace over the last decade, and the law needs to adapt. That's why we are determined to tackle dangerous and degrading pornography, part of our goal to halve violence against women and girls within a decade."We are actively and constructively working across government to develop an effective response to these amendments to deliver on that."

The world No 1 defeated James Wade in the final for the second year in succession - becoming the first back-to-back UK Open winner since Michael van Gerwen in 2016. Littler has not lost at a premier ranking event since defeat to Wade at the European Championship in Dortmund last October. Luke Littler retains UK Open with win over James WadeLuke Littler among Laureus World Sports Awards nomineesPremier League Darts schedule and full resultsGot Sky? Watch darts and more on Sky Sports appNot got Sky? Get instant access contract-free on NOW The teenager has won the last two World Championships and is also the reigning World Matchplay, World Grand Prix, Grand Slam, Players Championship Finals and World Masters champion. The European Championship, won last time out by Gian van Veen, is the only major PDC ranking title not currently in his possession, while he was beaten in the final of the non-ranking Premier League by Luke Humphries in 2025. Asked if a clean sweep of the sport's prestigious trophies is his goal, Littler said: "That is obviously the main aim. "Even when I came off from my [UK Open semi-final against Josh Rock], I was straight on Instagram and TikTok, having a scroll and seeing how many consecutive semis it has been. I know my semi-finals record is good and my finals records is there as well. "I am always on social media and I think it was a day or two before I travelled down I saw the last person to go back-to-back here was Michael [van Gerwen] 10 years ago. It was Gary Anderson at the Worlds. I took it game by game and got the job done." Littler: Premier League win in Cardiff 'massive' Littler made a sluggish start to this season's Premier League, failing to reach a final across the first four weeks of the competition. But he bounced back in Cardiff last week with his first nightly win, hitting 170 finishes against home favourites Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton en route to the trophy. Littler added: "The Premier League [in Cardiff] was a massive win as it has obviously not been the start I wanted. Hopefully I can kick on and get even better. "Even leading up the Premier League, people were doubting me not to win a game. I then beat [Price and Clayton] in their backyard and hit a 170 against them both." Littler hoping to meet tennis star Alcaraz Littler, who described Wade as a "gentleman" who has "plenty more left in the tank" after he beat 'The Machine' in Minehead on Sunday night, has been nominated for the Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award Men's world tennis No 1 Carlos Alcaraz is among those shortlisted for World Sportsman of the Year and Littler hopes to speak to the Spaniard at the ceremony. He added: "Hopefully I can meet Alcaraz. I am a big tennis fan and he won me some money against Novak Djokovic [recently]! "It is an amazing feeling, I think I have broken through twice now, I did it in 2024! It is obviously massive." Watch Night Six of Premier League Darts, from Nottingham, live on Sky Sports Action from 7pm on Thursday. Stream darts and more sport with NOW, contract-free