This Is Why
This Is Why is a daily podcast from Sky News that breaks down one major news story each day. Host Niall Paterson talks to experts and correspondents to explain how we got here and why it matters. The show aims to make sense of complex global events in a straightforward way. New episodes are available every weekday afternoon.
Episodes
Why web attacks show we’re all vulnerable
PHP. The three little letters few people realised were so vital for most of the websites in the world.But a vulnerability in a piece of programming virtually all of us had never heard of has affected everyone from small businesses to major governments.Millions of cyberattacks have followed in the wake of the problem being made public. But the fact is, your personal information – from email address
Why do we need new North Sea gas?
Winter is coming. So, a decision to finally allow drilling at the controversial Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea should be welcome.Well, not by environmental campaigners – who've accused the government of backtracking on its net zero commitments.And even supporters of North Sea expansion have admitted opening Jackdaw won’t reduce energy bills, even though it could start helping to supply homes w
Why Putin and Xi want to control the Arctic
Europe’s leaders are joining the fight for the Far North – but is it already too late? The European Union has announced a new security strategy for the Arctic. Yet Russia and China already appear to have a huge advantage in the region. Moscow is exploring new trade routes through its shadow fleet, and – with Beijing’s help – the race is on to exploit the Arctic’s reserves of rare earth minerals.
Why France protests are spreading across Europe
Violent clashes, burning buildings, widespread looting and thousands of arrests. Even for France, the scale of the current protests across the country is extreme. What started off as student demonstrations, highlighting issues like a lack of staff and equipment in schools, has grown into a much bigger movement – which the government admits it’s struggling to contain. But France isn’t the only coun
Why didn’t Trump trust Katie Zacharia?
Surely, the first rule of being a press secretary is never to be the story. But it took Donald Trump's newest spokesperson just 14 minutes to put herself very much front and centre.That was how long Katie Zacharia's first - and only - White House briefing lasted. Now, the president has asked her to consider her position less than a week into the job, leaving her little choice but to stand down.Plu
Why now? Burnham’s Brexit backtrack explained
Remember when Brexit meant Brexit? Well, a decade on from the referendum to leave the European Union, Andy Burnham thinks now is the right time to reopen the debate. The new prime minister is calling for a fresh look at our relationship with EU ahead of a summit in November. Is this just an attempt to boost economic growth with a better trade deal or is there more to it? What does Burnham really w
Why tiger death won’t stop zoo visits
Donald Trump decided to mark the death of a man mauled by a tiger in a Yorkshire zoo by posting an AI-generated video of himself wrestling with a tiger. The killing of 23-year-old William Chapman has offered a stark reminder of just how dangerous zoo animals can be when things go wrong. So, has the social media obsession with animal videos desensitised us to the threat from wildlife? It has also r
Why Ukrainians are angry with Trump’s Russian diesel deal
Donald Trump just loves a long-running feud, and in recent days he’s returned to an old favourite. America’s mudslinger-in-chief is calling for Ukraine’s wartime president Volodymyr Zelenskyy to be replaced – after he criticised the US diesel deal with Russia. But as Vladimir Putin’s war rages on, elections are perhaps the last thing on the minds of Ukrainians. So, how do people in the war-torn co
Russell Brand: On Trial – A New Podcast
In today’s episode of This Is Why, we’re introducing our new podcast – Russell Brand: On TrialListen to Russell Brand: On Trial on your podcast appWhat happened on Russell Brand’s first day in court as the trial process got underway? Sky News’ Martin Brunt and Katie Spencer take us through the day- inside and outside the court. It starts with queues of journalists arriving early to get a seat on t
Why didn’t Christa Pike die?
A notorious killer convicted of murder more than 30 years ago has finally faced the death penalty – execution by lethal injection. Except Christa Pike didn’t die. Investigative journalist John North was one of the few people allowed inside a maximum-security facility in Nashville, Tennessee, to witness Pike’s death. What happened next was one of the most extraordinary moments in America’s troubled
Why the UK is in trouble if the gas gets turned off
Taking a hot shower, heating your home, cooking dinner – all things we take for granted. All at risk.Britain’s gas storage levels are at a decade-low, while the UK’s largest storage facility faces closure as its stockpiles near empty.Wars in the Middle East and Ukraine continue to constrain supplies and push up prices. And what if Donald Trump goes through with his threat to put "America first" an
Why France’s school protests are a problem for president Macron
Imagine being tear-gassed and targeted with stun grenades – all for complaining about timetables, absent teachers and crumbling classrooms.That’s the experience of thousands of French students, whose initial demonstrations over high school conditions have evolved into a wider national protest across 40 towns and cities.Parents, teachers and a sympathetic public have all joined pupils on the barric
Why Trump is worried about Russia’s plague ‘lab leak’
In the 14th Century, the Black Death wiped out up to half the population of Europe. So, no wonder world leaders, including Donald Trump, are keeping a careful watch on a plague scare in Eastern Russia. One laboratory worker from a plague research facility in Siberia has died, with fears they may have been exposed to pneumonic plague – the most virulent and dangerous form of the disease. A further
Why Zack Polanski has been banned from Israel
Green party members have backed a motion that “Zionism is racism” at their party conference.It has exposed deep divisions within the party’s membership - with many long-time members saying they are considering leaving - and within the leadership. Four of the party's five MPs opposed it, and leader Zack Polanski put forward amendments to the motion that were later rejected.Israel has responded by b
Why there are concerns over Sir Ranulph Fiennes' health
The sister-in-law of the 82-year-old explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes travelled from her home abroad to check into a care home where his friends believed he was staying. She managed to meet him and told Sky News how delighted he was to see her. It was a rare visit as his friends and family continue to raise concerns that they are being blocked from seeing him. Cheshire Police though have said "no
Why do Man City think they can get away with it?
Guilty. The damning verdict in favour of the Premier League against one of its most successful clubs – Manchester City.The case concerned more than a hundred charges – from disguised funding to misleading accounts – with possible consequences ranging from points deductions to expulsion from the Premier League.But rather than backing down, the club has come out fighting – insisting an independent c
Why is Trump pulling troops out of Iraq (while at war with Iran)?
Since the fall of Saddam Hussein more than two decades ago, the US has had a near-continuous military presence in Iraq... until now.The last troops have been withdrawn, ending a process started by Joe Biden and endorsed by Donald Trump. But the timing of the departure has been questioned - with the US still at war with Iran.According to Iraqi security experts, the withdrawal could give Tehran and
Why reforming the pension triple lock is ‘electoral suicide’
It’s long been seen as politically untouchable – but Andy Burnham has finally fired the starting gun on reforms to the state pension triple lock.First brought in by David Cameron’s coalition government, the measure of increasing pension payments by the higher of inflation, average wage rises or 2.5% a year was introduced to offset years of underfunding.But the new prime minister has used his first
Why the RAF Fairford 'plot' doesn’t add up
Who are you more likely to believe, Donald Trump or a farmer from the Cotswolds?Five UK nationals have been arrested on suspicion of explosives and terrorism offences after a major incident was declared at an RAF airbase in Gloucestershire over the weekend.But they were later released on bail, as counter-terror police remain “open-minded” about whether the incident is linked to a foreign state suc
Why is Ed Sheeran fighting for his reputation?
Ed Sheeran is used to thousands of people singing his songs back at him. But last week, he found himself addressing his audience in a very different way.After Macklemore left Sheeran’s tour following his comments about the war in Gaza, other performers on the bill also pulled out. Sheeran returned to the stage in Philadelphia. Looking visibly upset, he addressed the crowd and apologised.But for a
Why is Diana book still on sale despite Piers Morgan mistake?
Recollection may vary, but the facts do not. That’s something that was lost on Princess Diana’s brother in his new book about his sister’s life - which managed to squeeze in a mistake about Piers Morgan amongst its bombshell claims about the King. The former Daily Mirror editor is now suing Earl Spencer and calling for the book to be pulped. So, what checks take place when a memoir is written? A
Three reasons AI could ‘save us all’: This is why
There’s nothing like the warning of an AI apocalypse to ease you out of summer - but as they say, every cloud has a silver lining.Of course, we can’t rule out artificial intelligence one day doing the unthinkable, as many experts have politely warned, but there are also reasons to believe it could actually save the human race.From breakthroughs in healthcare to helping tackle climate change, this
Why is Andy Burnham giving military support to Saudi Arabia?
It's been a busy week already for Andy Burnham - who approved his first military intervention as prime minister just hours before his inaugural meeting with Donald Trump.The RAF will now provide Saudi Arabia with "purely defensive" air support against attacks from Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels, after Burnham agreed to Riyadh’s request.The Saudis had earlier been turned down by Trump – so why i
Why TV’s The Wargame exposes some uncomfortable truths
The new Sky Original TV series The Wargame imagines a terrifying situation – and not just because Michael Gove is prime minister.Vladimir Putin and Russia haven’t yet launched a military attack on UK soil, but the threat is rising.That’s why the show picks a fantasy crisis team of real-life former ministers and ex-military chiefs to see how they might respond to such a potential attack.So, what do
Why Diana’s brother is making bombshell claims about the King
Lots of people have fallen out with their brother-in-law over the years - but it’s perhaps never been as explosive as the row between the King and Earl Spencer.In the latest royal drama involving the House of Windsor, the Palace has hit back at claims made by Princess Diana’s younger brother in a new book about his sister.Among them is that the King was “giddily elated” after Diana’s death. So, wh
Why Canada courting the EU isn’t great news for Great Britain
Canadian prime minister Mark Carney is looking for closer ties with Europe – but could an “associate” membership with the EU push the UK to the back of the queue?Addressing the European Parliament, Carney welcomed the idea of forming a partnership, which could potentially give Canada closer ties on trade, defence, and technology.The country is keen to strengthen its ties beyond the USA – with Dona
Chief of Defence Staff: Why this is the UK’s ‘most dangerous moment’
The country is under threat. Russian aggression, war in the Middle East and a military which has been ‘hollowed out’ for decades have all led to a crisis point for the United Kingdom.In a special episode of This Is Why, Britain’s most senior military official has explained why he believes this is the most dangerous moment in his 35-year career.In a wide-ranging interview with Niall Paterson, the C
Why the Thirlwall Inquiry isn’t the last word on Lucy Letby
The case of Britain’s most prolific child killer has gripped the nation ever since Lucy Letby’s trial began in October 2022.The former neonatal nurse was later convicted of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven more at the Countess of Chester Hospital between 2015 and 2016.Now, a public inquiry has found some of those deaths could have been avoided if safeguarding action had been t
Why has Donald Trump called for Irish reunification?
It was a hole-in-one for the republican cause – the US president using a trip to his golf course in County Clare to lend his weight to the fight for a united Ireland. The timing couldn’t have been better for the first ministers of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, as they met to discuss further cooperation in the campaign for independence. But despite Donald Trump’s insistence that he would “
Why 9/11 has turned toxic for Rudy Giuliani and Zohran Mamdani
As America marks the 25th anniversary of the September 11th terror attacks, a row has erupted between the man who led New York through its darkest moments and the city’s current mayor.Rudy Giuliani became the face of New York’s resilience following the fall of the Twin Towers, but he warned Zohran Mamdani to stay away from official memorial events.Mamdani, the city’s first ever Muslim mayor, ignor
Experts warn AI could ‘kill us all’: This is why
Don’t worry, AI’s not preparing to wipe out humanity with a Terminator-style nuclear Armageddon – that's just not its style. But could it develop a virus that does the job instead? Well, that seems more of a possibility.... And speaking of odds, both former and current employees of tech giant Anthropic put the chances of AI ending all human life at roughly 10 percent. They only differ on the times
Why does air traffic control keep failing?
Less up, up and away... more stuck on the tarmac. Hundreds of flights have been cancelled and thousands of passengers stranded after yet another critical collapse of the country’s air traffic control system.While a cyber-attack has been ruled out, it’s still the third time in four years severe disruption has affected airlines and travellers because of problems at NATS – a public-private partnershi
Why are NHS staff targeting terror attack victims?
Imagine your child has been the victim of a terror attack. Then imagine the most intimate details of their injuries being viewed and shared without your permission or knowledge.A Sky News and Health Service Journal investigation has uncovered the extent to which NHS staff are accessing patients’ medical records.High profile cases include the victims of the Nottingham and Southport attacks. But inf
Why anti-migrant protests are getting more ‘professional’
We have become used to seeing protests against small boat arrivals in the UK, but the speed and size of those in Dover and Portsmouth over the weekend felt like something new.The demonstrations were led by a group founded by Daniel Thomas - a friend of far-right activist Tommy Robinson - who described the protests as "only the beginning".Local authorities were seemingly caught out by events. So, w
Why Farage is courting rising star of the French far right
Lots of 30-year-olds are career-driven, ambitious types - but perhaps none more so than French far-right politician Jordan Bardella.The sharp-suited, clean-cut leader of France’s National Rally party is tipped as a future prime minister – or even president – of one of the UK’s closest allies.He’s also been the star of the show at the Reform party conference in Birmingham – signing a deal on small
Why driverless taxis still need a human (for now)
Most taxi drivers tell tales about who they’ve had in the back of their cab. But how would you feel about catching a cab that doesn’t have a driver in the front?Autonomous taxis can now be ordered on London’s streets – in a move many would liken to something out of a sci-fi movie. In reality, the cars currently arrive with a human “safety” driver - but the plan is that fairly soon they won’t.So, h
Why borrowing costs are Burnham’s biggest problem
Governments often tell people to live within their means - but can the new prime minister?Andy Burnham will need to try hard after the UK's long-term borrowing costs reached a 28-year high.It's a serious headache for a prime minister who faced his first PMQs on Wednesday. So why are the costs so high? And how will this impact chancellor John Healey's first Budget next month?Niall Paterson sits dow
Why Germany's far right is on the verge of its biggest win since WW2
The leader of the Alternative for Deutschland (AfD) party in Saxony-Anhalt has been called "the most dangerous man in Germany".Ulrich Siegmund, a 35-year-old former perfume salesman, is on course to be elected as leader of the state of Saxony-Anhalt. His victory would be the biggest win for a far-right party since the Second World War.So who is he and what does the AfD stand for? And what would a
Why Bumble's boss hopes AI is the future of dating
Could artificial intelligence provide the key to finding true love?The chief executive of Bumble certainly hopes so as she plans to introduce an AI feature to the popular dating app.Whitney Wolfe Herd has already changed the world of dating by co-founding both Bumble and Tinder - so who is she? And why is she banking on AI being the future of matchmaking?Niall is joined by Mashable's associate edi
Why Sudan's horrifying war is being ignored
Three years into Sudan's war, millions face hunger, displacement and violence.It was triggered by a power struggle between the army and a paramilitary organisation known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).Britain could have a key role in ending the war as its ally the UAE has been accused of backing the RSF.Dominic Waghorn speaks to Sky's Africa correspondent Yousra Elbagir, who has recently return
Bob Harris: Why Dolly Parton was loved by all ages
Bob Harris joins This Is Why to remember Dolly Parton. He interviewed her many times during her decades-long career and explains why she meant so much to people from every generation.Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk
Why isn't there more help for teenagers leaving care?
112 care leavers aged 18 to 24 died last year, according to a government-commissioned review – that's three to four times the rate of their peers.Nick Martin, our people and politics correspondent, has been following the journeys of people leaving the care system for many years.Joining Niall, he shares the stories of those who have lived in care. He tells us about the challenges young people face
Why can't TikTok just get rid of 'joyriding' videos?
The "glorification of dangerous driving for clicks and entertainment" was "utterly disgraceful" and such content should be removed, a spokesman for the prime minister has said.This weekend, five young men died in a car travelling down on the wrong side of the A66; two policemen also died in the collision. In Ireland, just a week before, five boys died in a crash after their car was driven the wron
Why the NHS is working with ‘the world’s scariest CEO’
With his fuzz of chaotic grey hair and love of philosophy, Palantir boss Alex Karp isn’t your average tech bro. Not least because he recently published a pro-West manifesto that has been described as the “ramblings of a supervillain”. His highly-controversial data analytics firm is known by critics as “the world’s most dangerous tech company” - so what does it actually do and why does it sit right
Why now? Inside Harry and Meghan’s UK return
Six years after stepping back from royal life to live in California, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will return to the UK this month.After years of public rows, explosive interviews and a bitter rift with his father and brother – King Charles and Prince William – could this be a chance for Prince Harry to rebuild relations?In this episode of This is Why, Tom Cheshire is joined by Sky News’ royal c
Why Trump’s split with South Korea is damaging his allies
Donald Trump is threatening to scale back US military commitments in South Korea - at the risk of wider instability across Asia.At the same time, the US president reaffirmed his “good relationship” with North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un. So, why is Washington apparently willing to change its approach to diplomacy and security in the region?In this episode of This Is Why, Niall Paterson is joined by
Why Russia is threatening the UK... again
"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 infrastructur
Why the government defended its wildfires alert
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 th
Why we should all be worried about wildfires
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 su
Why record A-Level results won’t stop universities from struggling
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?An
Why early prison release is an increasing burden for Burnham
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
Why the eclipse has captured the country’s imagination
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 ta
Why Netanyahu rejected Trump's Gaza peace plan
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
Why a British 'Silicon Valley outsider' is one of AI's biggest players
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 pa
Why Infantino is clinging on to power at FIFA
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
Why the drought could threaten national security
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 ea
Why we should think before having a conversation about Ariana Grande
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 accid
Why Reform is hardening its position on small boats
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 Far
Why stuff matters...
Listen to Stuff Matters and subscribe for members-only contentYou'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 everyda
Why is FIFA selling the World Cup?
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, which says it will boycott FIFA competitions if these plans go ahead. So, what is Infantino proposing and why is it being rushe
Why the UK needs to learn from Europe’s wildfires
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 prepar
Why was key evidence ignored in the Suzy Lamplugh case?
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 potentiall
Why Burnham benefits from the Zelenskyy visit
Week two of Andy Burnham's premiership and he's hosting his first foreign leader: 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
'Burnham’s power broker': Why is Louise Haigh back at the heart of government?
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,
Why millionaires like Gary Lineker want to pay more tax
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, wh
Why has Zelenskyy sacked Ukraine’s most senior defence figures?
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 repre
Why John Healey’s choices as chancellor will make or break Burnham
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
Why Burnham’s first 100 days will define his leadership
"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 wi
Why it’s third time lucky for Labour leader Andy Burnham
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
Why nationalisation could be Burnham’s big gamble
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 nationalisat
Why doesn’t the government trust teenagers?
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 elect
Why is Trump risking a 'forever war' with Iran?
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, b
Why England vs Argentina means more than just football
From beef over barbed wire to a shared love of Oasis and The Beatles – the relationship between England and Argentina is... complicated.On the pitch, it’s one of the great footballing rivalries – defined by Diego Maradona’s "Hand of God" and David Beckham’s red card redemption.Off it, the two countries share a complex history. The dispute over the Falklands remains at the core of the Argentine psy
Daddy diplomacy: Why NATO's Mark Rutte remains the Trump whisperer
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
Why Harry’s legal loss leaves him at a crossroads
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, th
Why Donald Trump says the Iran ceasefire is over
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
Why has Nigel Farage resigned as an MP?
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 f
Why is Sky buying the home of Coronation Street?
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.Bu
Why Burnham could get the Milibands back together
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 wome
Why grooming gang ringleader cannot be deported
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 f
