This Is Why

"London's actions will inevitably carry consequences for which it will have to answer."

This was the short and not-very-sweet response from the Russian Embassy, after it was confirmed British-made drones were used in recent Ukrainian strikes deep inside Russia.

Drone strikes have been used to great success by Ukraine recently, causing serious damage to military, economic and industrial infrastructure in Russia.

The Ministry of Defence defended the use of its weaponry, claiming the UK will continue to stand "shoulder to shoulder" with Ukraine against "Russian aggression".

It’s not the first ti...

Where were you at 7pm on Friday? Wherever you were, it’s likely you heard a loud alert activated on millions of mobile phones.

It was the biggest use yet of the government’s emergency alert system, warning of the dangers posed by wildfires across England and Wales.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham defended the use of the measure, encouraging the public to take it seriously. But was it more red herring than red alert?

Should the system only be used if there is an imminent threat to life? Did it expose vulnerable people to p...

If you thought wildfires were confined to the countryside, it's time to think again.

Several homes have been destroyed across the West Midlands and Staffordshire as the country swelters in yet another heatwave.

Scorching temperatures and a lack of rain mean most parts of the UK are at threat of fires.

So what can you do to stay safe? And are the emergency services suitably prepared to deal with sustained infernos?

Niall Paterson is joined by retired London Fire Brigade commander Steve Dudeney, who now works as a fire and resilience...

As envelopes were ripped open up and down the country, university vice-chancellors were as eager to find out the results as hundreds of thousands of anxious students.

So, a record number of undergraduates heading to campus this autumn might seem like good news for the higher education sector.

But do frozen tuition frees, rising costs, and reduced investment for universities tell a different story?

And with the prime minister encouraging more teenagers to take up vocational training, what does the future look like for universities?

Niall Paterson is joined by Nick...

You do the crime, you do the time… or a third of it if you’re part of the early release scheme.

The move has been controversial since it was first introduced two years ago - but public anger has been reignited over the scheduled release of two men convicted of killing PC Andrew Harper.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham is now under huge pressure to ensure they remain behind bars - but is there anything he can actually do? And why was this scheme introduced in the first place?

Niall Paterson is joined by h...

In what might feel like a rare break from sunshine, the UK is preparing itself for the most spectacular solar eclipse in a generation.

The cosmic phenomenon occurs when the moon passes directly between Earth and the sun, meaning the country will be slowly plunged into darkness.

So, how can you watch safely? What is it about an eclipse that fascinates us? And with the Perseid meteor shower also taking place, what other celestial wonders might you witness if you make a habit of gazing up at the night sky?

Niall Paterson is...

Some leaders have gone to extreme measures to save their jobs - but is allowing a deadly war to rage on indefinitely a step too far?

That is what many believe Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is doing after he rejected Donald Trump's 15-point peace plan for Gaza.

The proposal was designed to end more than two years of war between Israel and Hamas - so why has Netanyahu rejected it? And can there ever be peace in Gaza with him in power?

Niall Paterson is joined by Middle East expert Dr H...

Artificial intelligence is already changing how we work, communicate and find information. But could its biggest impact be on science?

Demis Hassabis is one of the most influential figures in AI. An artificial intelligence researcher and entrepreneur, he is the co-founder of Google DeepMind, having recently stepped down as chief executive to become the company's chair and chief scientist at its parent company Alphabet.

His is also co-founder and CEO of Isomorphic Labs, and an AI adviser to the UK government.

DeepMind has used AI to predict the structure of proteins, a breakthrough...

UEFA has said it is not lifting its boycott of the World Cup after FIFA president Gianni Infantino held a crisis meeting in Morocco. This appears to be in defiance of the letter issued by FIFA at the end of the meeting, which said it would "no longer tolerate any attacks on its integrity".

The letter said Infantino had continued to have the support of everyone who attended the meeting, but some of FIFA's management team who had been critical of him were not there.

For now, he seems determined to hang on to power...

Britain is on track for one of its worst harvests on record, according to new analysis by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) think tank.

It's bad news for farmers whose businesses are struggling, bad news for consumers who could see higher prices and potentially bad news for the country.

We are far from being self-sufficient in our food production, already importing 40% of what we eat. So what should the government be doing to help farmers deal with the effects of climate change and protect our food security?

Mhari Aurora is joined...

The 33-year-old star has announced that she is taking a break from public life due to “endless scrutiny”. In recent years her weight and health have been the subject of much speculation and concern.

Grande has endured a series of traumatic events. In 2017 a suicide bomber killed 22 people at her Manchester Arena show, and in 2018 her musical collaborator and ex-boyfriend Mac Miller died of an accidental overdose. Her latest music video Petal - in which she takes a chainsaw to her critics - sparked controversy as she looks visibly underweight.

But what’s the balance betwee...

Nigel Farage has held his first press conference in months as he launched his party's new policy to tackle small boat arrivals, if it formed the next government.

It would see the Royal Navy intercepting boats carrying migrants and return them "under escort" to France or Belgium.

Reform's opponents have branded the plan unworkable, with the Tories saying the policy is not credible. But with Nigel Farage’s approval rating collapsing by 10 points in a fortnight, and Reform UK losing ground in recent elections to Labour and Restore, will this announcement help win back Reform's lo...

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You'll never think about a banana or look at your airpods in the same way after listening to this episode.

It’s the podcast crossover the world has been waiting for. Niall Paterson sits down with Sky’s data and economics editor Ed Conway to discuss his six-part podcast Stuff Matters.

The premise of the show is simple - Ed takes an everyday object before diving down a rabbit hole to explore what it tells us about the forces shaping our world.

So...

The beautiful game is up for sale, with FIFA boss Gianni Infantino trying to raise billions of dollars from private equity for a stake in the World Cup.

It’s put him on a collision course with some of football’s most powerful bodies, including the Premier League and UEFA. So, what is Infantino proposing and why is it being rushed through?

Could England and other European nations really go for the nuclear option and pull out of the World Cup? And what is the involvement of Donald Trump and his family?

Mhari Auro...

Continental Europe is ablaze. Could Britain be next?

While we are yet to see the sort of devastation being experienced in France and Spain, record temperatures and drought conditions have already contributed to hundreds of wildfires across parts of the country.

And experts are warning the UK can expect bigger and more dangerous fires in the future. So, what is causing this threat and how well prepared are we?

Mhari Aurora hears from Sky correspondent Sadiya Chowdhury on France's frontline and speaks to wildfire safety expert Michael Bruce.

What happened to Suzy Lamplugh? It’s a painful question her family and the police have been asking themselves for 40 years.

The 25-year-old estate agent vanished four decades ago this week after leaving her office in Fulham to meet a client – the mysterious “Mr Kipper”.

It’s now hoped previously ignored witness testimony could help solve the high profile cold case - but why wasn’t this potentially key evidence taken seriously at the time?

Mhari Aurora and Sky’s crime commentator Martin Brunt discuss the impact of the case on women’s safety, whether...

Week two of Andy Burnham's premiership and he's hosting his first foreign leader - from all of the UK's allies, he picked the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

It was a meeting with benefits for both leaders - as Mr Zelenskyy seeks support on defence, while Mr Burnham wants to show off his foreign policy credentials.

They both may have got what they wanted after the UK prime minister announced support for Ukraine in relation to "Stone Cloak" drone jammers. So what is the technology and how might it help with the war effort?

...

Less than two years ago, Louise Haigh resigned from government under a cloud. Today, she's back at the heart of power as Andy Burnham's first secretary of state, and one of the most influential figures in Westminster.

Niall Paterson is joined by Bloomberg journalist Rosa Prince to trace Ms Haigh's journey from Sheffield to the Cabinet Office.

They discuss the conviction that derailed her career, her role in Mr Burnham's rise to Number 10, and why those who know her see her as much more than the "Red Lou" label.

They also ask what...

120 super-rich people have signed an open letter calling for higher taxes on the richest in society.

They say taxing wealth more fairly could help reduce inequality, support public infrastructure and help small businesses. And point out that there are 50 families with more wealth than half of all British people. Critics, though, argue it could drive wealth overseas and damage economic growth.

So, what exactly are they proposing? And is there ever likely to be a wealth tax in the UK?

Niall Paterson is joined by Julia Davies, a founding member of Patriotic Millionaires...

It's not just Andy Burnham who's been purging politicians from government.

There's a wartime power struggle in Ukraine, where Volodymyr Zelenskyy ousted his top army commander Oleksandr Syrskyi – before trying to bring the country's former defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov back into government, just days after dismissing him.

The sacking of Fedorov led to almost a week of nationwide unrest and represents one of the biggest political crises since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022.

So, what does all this mean for Ukraine's ongoing struggle for survival? Niall Paterson is joined by Sky's military analyst Professor Mi...

Everybody needs good neighbours. And on the day Andy Burnham moved into 10 Downing Street, he installed a surprise choice next door at Number 11.

John Healey was highly critical of the Treasury when he quit as defence secretary last month, accusing it of being “unwilling” to provide the cash needed to fully fund his spending plans.

Now he’s the one who will have to put his money where his mouth is as the new chancellor. So, what challenges does he face and will he be able to find the cash Rachel Reeves supposedly couldn’t?

Ni...

"Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the face." Mike Tyson's infamous warning for his opponents could easily apply to the new occupant of Number 10.

Giving his first speech outside Downing Street, the new prime minister hinted at what his priorities will be – from easing the cost-of-living crisis to keeping commitments on defence spending.

But what happens when those plans make contact with reality? Can Mr Burnham's "Manchesterism" work on a national level? And will international events interfere with his domestic agenda?

Niall Paterson is joined by Sky's chief political correspondent Jo...

Cabinet minister, Manchester mayor, ‘King of the North’ - Andy Burnham has held plenty of positions during his political career. But the next will be by far the most significant.

The Makerfield MP is poised to take over as prime minister on Monday, after finally succeeding at his third attempt to become Labour leader.

But who is the man behind the former Blair-era minister turned mayor of Manchester? How did his upbringing shape him and what underpins his politics?

Niall is joined by chief political correspondent of The Times, Aubrey Allegretti.

Have...

It’s coming home.... British Steel will once again be, well, British after it was renationalised to “protect the future of steel production in the UK” - and that could be just the start.

Prime minister-in-waiting Andy Burnham has described water, energy, transport and housing as the “essentials of life” that should be run principally in the public, rather than private, interest.

But can nationalisation solve the fundamental issues privatisation was meant to solve? And if Burnham does deliver more services back into public ownership, what would be the trade-offs and ultimately the cost?

Niall Pa...

You can have sex, learn to drive and join the army – but can’t be trusted to watch YouTube after midnight. Are the government’s latest curbs on teenage social media use practical or performative?

The proposed curfew for 16 and 17-year-olds builds on the outright ban for under-16s due to come into force next spring – but won’t be compulsory.

With the government committed to reducing the general election voting age to 16, are they in danger of sending a mixed message about how much we trust young people.

Why do we allow teenagers...

Rip up the Memorandum of Understanding, the ceasefire is well and truly over. Iran and the United States are once more at war – with oil tankers targeted and the Strait of Hormuz firmly shut.

Donald Trump's response? He insists the US will take control of the disputed waterway and act as a "guardian angel" for all ships passing through.

Originally, he wanted to charge a 20% toll for the privilege, before backtracking on what seemed like an unworkable claim.

But is the US still in danger of being dragged deeper into a long-term conflict wi...

Forget the “Hand of God”, David Beckham’s red card or even the Falklands war – the relationship between England and Argentina is so much more complicated than that.

On the pitch, it’s one of the great footballing rivalries – defined by Diego Maradona’s antics at the Azteca and Beckham’s redemption from villain to hero.

Off it, the two countries share a complex history. The dispute over the Falklands remains at the core of the Argentine psyche, but so too does a love of British music, sport and even red post boxes.

Now, the old riv...

Mark Rutte has spent years quietly building a reputation as one of Europe's most effective political operators. Now, as NATO secretary general, he's trying to keep the world's most powerful military alliance together at a time of growing global uncertainty.

So, who is Mark Rutte? Niall looks at the leadership style that's defined his career, how he's navigating some of the biggest challenges facing NATO, and why his ability to build relationships could shape the alliance's future.

With insight from Royal United Services Institute director general Rachel Ellehuus, we explore what makes Rutte tick, and...

Everybody has a bad week from time to time - but for Prince Harry the last few days have been something of a royal disaster.

The King's wayward son lost his High Court battle against the publisher of the Daily Mail before accusing the judge of a "complete and obvious whitewash".

Days earlier Buckingham Palace denied he would be staying there after the duke's team said he was. And as things stand, there will be no meeting with the King before the end of his stay in the UK.

So, what's next for...

The US and Iran are trading strikes again as Donald Trump turns to his weapon of choice - sitting down at press conferences and calling people names.

America’s insulter-in-chief has used a NATO summit to say Iran are “sick people" and "scum" and that the ceasefire is now "over”.

It was a fragile agreement that has broken down after tankers were targeted in the Strait of Hormuz - so who is to blame for the latest violence? What next for the ceasefire and could we soon see a return to all-out war?

Niall...

A fight for his political future or nothing more than a publicity stunt? Nigel Farage has announced he’s resigning as MP for Clacton only to stand to again in the by-election he’s triggering.

Mr Farage calls it a case of the “people versus the establishment” but did he jump before he was pushed?

He has faced intense scrutiny over his financial affairs, after it was reported he had received support from his long-time ally, the convicted fraudster George Cottrell – and is also the subject of a parliamentary investigation over a £5 million gift from Reform dono...

Cancel Corrie? No chance! ITV will remain free-to-air and continue to show fan favourites, such as Coronation Street and Love Island, following a deal to sell the broadcaster to Sky.

Both Sky and ITV insist the move will make it easier to compete with global streaming giants like Netflix. And there’s a commitment to buy programmes from ITV Studios – which is not included in the sale – until 2034.

But what does the deal mean for both viewers and the UK media landscape? And will regulators have questions about Britain’s biggest commercial TV station being snapped...

Brothers, rivals, cabinet colleagues? When Ed Miliband beat brother David to the Labour leadership in 2010, it looked as if their relationship had been fractured beyond repair.

But it appears Andy Burnham is giving serious consideration to offering them both big roles in his administration.

Can the Milibands really work together again in government after years of estrangement? Will it be senior women in the cabinet who are forced to make way for their promotion to power?

And what does it say about Burnham’s political instincts that he appears to be so reliant on...

He’s a convicted child rapist who’s been stripped of his British citizenship. But the ringleader of a notorious Rochdale grooming gang – released from jail this week – cannot be removed from the UK.

Shabir Ahmed was sentenced in 2012 for multiple counts of rape and sexual offences against girls as young as 12. But provisions in the Immigration Act 1971 mean he is safe from deportation.

Politicians from all parties – including prime minister-in-waiting Andy Burnham – are calling on the Home Office to take action. But what legally can be done? And how does the law actually work?

Niall i...

Whether you’ve been enjoying or enduring the summer heatwave, running that new air-con unit has just got a whole lot more expensive.

For millions of people across England, Scotland and Wales the cost of household energy has soared by 13% from the 1 July – following the latest rise in the energy price cap.

The war in Iran is largely to blame, thanks to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and subsequent spike in oil and gas prices.

But Donald Trump’s military action began at the end of February, so why are we only b...

Funding for the armed forces is set to rise by £15 billion over the next four years- but the Treasury has confirmed that only £10.3 billion of that has been costed for.

Also today… Trump has made more than $1bn last year from business dealings in cryptocurrency, the energy price cap rises, and a Jamaican delegation will travel to the UK seeking slavery reparations from Britain.

And finally, tennis legend Serena Williams has been knocked out of Wimbledon in her first Grand Slam appearance since 2022.

Sophy and Matt have the day's news in just 10 minutes.

Every prime minister promises ambitious plans to build new homes – every prime minister in more than half a century has failed. Andy Burnham says he’ll be different.

The former Manchester mayor is on the verge of becoming the new tenant in Number 10 and wants to oversee the biggest council house construction programme since the post-war boom.

But you have to go back to 1970 for the last time any government fulfilled its housebuilding target. So why is Mr Burnham so sure he can succeed where his predecessors have failed?

Mhari Aurora speaks to Davi...

Drones in, destroyers out. The Royal Navy looks set to be the biggest losers when the Defence Investment Plan is finally published.

Instead of building a new fleet of state-of-the-art warships, we will have to rely on cheaper ‘common combat vessels’ to serve as hubs for a hybrid response to the threat from Russia.

How will the change in military spending be received when Sir Keir Starmer makes his international swansong as prime minister at the NATO summit? And could he really be the next NATO secretary general, despite a mixed record on defence readiness?

The King has revealed how much income tax he pays, becoming the first monarch to ever do so.

The Palace said the move was “increasing transparency”, but have the royals given us the full picture?

Niall Paterson is joined by Sky’s royal correspondent Laura Bundock and forensic accountant Professor Atul Shah, who have been combing through the tax releases.

They explain exactly what was revealed and address whether the numbers are as clear-cut as they seem.

Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show – why@sky.uk

It's all a little awkward. Sir Keir Starmer is set to deliver his defence spending proposals to NATO next month, despite having lost both his job and his defence secretary.

But the outgoing PM seems determined to push through with his plans just days before Andy Burnham potentially moves into Downing Street.

The man whose resignation helped hasten Starmer's departure - ex-defence secretary John Healey - recently held talks with Burnham.

But what do we know about our expected new prime minister's position on military spending? Will he prove to be more of...