This Is Why

War is raging in the Middle East after the US and Israel carried out strikes on Iran.Keir Starmer has risked his special relationship with Donald Trump by initially blocking the US from using UK airbases.Despite later changing his mind, what kind of tightrope is the prime minister walking – and can he stop Britain being sucked into war?Niall is joined on this first-ever episode of This Is Why by Sky’s security and defence editor Deborah Haynes and international affairs editor Dominic Waghorn.Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show – [email protected]

Welcome to This Is Why.The world’s a pretty confusing place right now – so how do you make sense of it all? This Is Why takes one story every day, explains how we got here and why it matters to you. Sky News’ Niall Paterson speaks to experts and correspondents from around the world, getting simple answers to some complex questions. Available every weekday afternoon from Monday 2 March 2026. This Is Why is a Sky News podcast – if you have a question, contact us: [email protected]

The world’s a pretty confusing place right now – so how do you make sense of it all? This Is Why takes one story every day, explains how we got here and why it matters to you. Sky News’ Niall Paterson speaks to experts and correspondents from around the world, getting simple answers to some complex questions. Available every weekday afternoon from Monday 2 March 2026. This Is Why is a Sky News podcast – if you have a question, contact us: [email protected]

When is a shadow fleet not a shadow fleet?Perhaps when it’s shipping millions of dollars' worth of crude oil through the English Channel in broad daylight.The UK has imposed sanctions on the Russian oil trade since the start of the full invasion of Ukraine - but tankers helping to fund Putin’s war machine are operating in the Channel with apparent impunity.Niall is joined by Sky’s business correspondent Paul Kelso - who trailed some of these ‘shadow fleet’ vessels in the English Channel.Producers: Paul Wilkinson and Tom GillespieEditor: Mike Bovill

A Sky News exclusive has found that at least 21 police forces in England are still using Microsoft Copilot, despite it being at the centre of the Maccabi Tel Aviv incident last year.In November, football fans of the Israeli team were banned from attending an away match against Aston Villa in Birmingham.West Midlands Police had determined the risk was too high. The resulting outcry – including from the UK Prime Minister – led to the force’s Chief Constable standing down.The force eventually admitted it had included false information provided by artificial intelligence software in justifying the decision.So why are many other constabularies still using the same platform?Niall speaks to Sky News Sports Correspondent Rob Harris following his investigation.Microsoft has told Sky News it "continuously evaluates" Copilot and urges companies to review how they are using it.Producers: Paul Wilkinson and Sam GruetEditor: Mike Bovill

Could the use of drones break the stalemate in the Ukraine war?Tomorrow marks the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion - and for most of this time, it has seemed there was no end in sight.However, technological developments have led to the increased use of drones on the frontline.How have these remote-controlled devices become the dominant weapon on the battlefield, and have they changed the nature of warfare forever?Gareth Barlow speaks to Sky's international correspondent Alex Rossi and Ukraine producer Azad Safarov in Kyiv about coming under fire from drones on the frontline themselves.Producers: Sam Gruet and Paul WilkinsonEditor: Mike Bovill

Imagine being in a room surrounded by £64bn worth of gold.It’s a glittering reality Sky’s economics and data editor Ed Conway experienced in one of 12 huge vaults below the Bank of England.To be granted access to the vaults is incredibly rare, not least because the gold bars inside them has been skyrocketing in value globally.So why is so much gold just sitting under London’s streets? Who does it belong to? Ed joins Niall to discuss what it’s like to be in the vaults below London.Producers: Soila Apparicio, Luke Hatten, Tom Gillespie

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office on his 66th birthday following revelations in the Epstein files.The former prince’s links with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein have been known for years - so has the Royal Family done enough to investigate any potential wrongdoing?Andrew has always denied any allegations of illegality in connection with Epstein.Niall is joined by Sky’s royal correspondent, Rhiannon Mills, to discuss the crisis and what’s next for the Royal Family.Producers: Emily Hulme, Tom GillespieEditor: Wendy Parker

Charles Bronson's ninth appeal to the Parole Board is being considered as the hostage-taking former armed robber continues his fight for freedom.The 73-year-old has spent 52 years in jail, much of it in solitary confinement and he and his celebrity supporters believe it is now time for him to be released.Niall is joined by Sky's crime commentator Martin Brunt who assesses Bronson’s chances of getting parole and reflects on his unlikely decades-long friendship with the violent criminal.Producer: Emily HulmeEditor: Wendy Parker

Boys are now falling behind girls in every metric at school. They're more likely to be out of work than girls, and they make up 98% of the youth prison intake.There are also 2.5 million children growing up without a father figure and this seems to be impacting boys much more than girls.But is part of the problem that boys are being told they're the problem?One headteacher is hoping his groundbreaking scheme of volunteer male mentors will help change that.Gareth Barlow is joined by Chris Edwards, the headteacher behind the project, and Sky’s home affairs editor Jason Farrell, who has spent months documenting his efforts to get it off the ground.

The Kremlin has denied using a dart frog toxin to kill Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in 2024.But Britain and four European allies say they have evidence that points to the use of the forbidden chemical agent.Why did the allies choose the Munich security conference to make this point? And how has Moscow responded to the claims?Gareth is joined by Hamish de Bretton-Gordon - former head of British Army’s chemical weapons unit - and defence analyst Michael Clarke to discuss whether Russia wanted the world to know how they carried out Navalny’s death and ask should the UK be ready for chemical warfare with Russia?Producer: Tom Gillespie and Emily HulmeEditor: Philly Beaumont

Kim Ju Ae could be the next leader of North Korea.Despite only being around 13 years old, there are reports her father, Kim Jong Un, has handpicked her as his heir.So, what is known about the youngster who may become the next head of one of the world's most secretive countries?Niall is joined by Professor Hazel Smith, an expert on North Korea at the School of African and Oriental Studies.Producers: Tom Gillespie and Sam GruetEditor: Piers Wisbey

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has apologised for his “choice of language” in an interview with Sky News’ economics and data editor, Ed Conway.The billionaire, who part-owns Manchester United, but lives in Monaco, said the UK is being ‘colonised’ by immigrants.His comments have been criticised by the prime minister and many Man Utd fans.Niall discusses with Ed Conway why an interview, which was supposed to be about chemicals, has caused such a fuss, and whether the apology was truly heartfelt.Producers: Paul Wilkinson and Tom GillespieEditor: Piers Wisbey

The "Suffolk Strangler" murders horrified the UK in 2006, as five women were killed in the Ipswich area.But should the killer have been caught years before?Steve Wright became known as one of the country's most notorious serial killers - and admitted last week to having murdered a sixth woman in 1999.Now, his only survivor says his victims might have survived if police had taken her seriously.Niall speaks to Sky correspondent Emma Birchley.Producers: Paul Wilkinson & Tom GillespieEditor: Piers Wisbey

Downing Street is in turmoil as Sir Keir Starmer fights for his political life. Can he cling on to power?Niall is joined by Lord Barwell, Theresa May’s chief of staff during her time in Downing Street.He says watching current events play out is like post-traumatic stress disorder.So, what actually goes on inside Downing Street during a time of crisis? And is there anything the prime minister can do to save his job?Producers: Tom Gillespie and Paul Wilkinson

**Since we published this episode, we've heard from Buckingham Palace about allegations that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor shared confidential documents with Jeffrey Epstein whilst acting as a UK Trade Envoy."The King has made clear, in words and through unprecedented actions, his profound concern at allegations which continue to come to light in respect of Mr Mountbatten-Windsor's conduct," the Palace said**The Prince and Princess of Wales made their first public remarks earlier saying their thoughts "remain focused on the victims."The allegations threaten to overshadow an important diplomatic trip for Prince William to Saudi Arabia – which raises its own questions over the use of royal ‘soft’ power.Niall speaks to Sky’s royal correspondent Rhiannon Mills, who is on William’s trip to the Middle East.Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has always denied any allegations of wrongdoing in relation to Epstein.Producers: Tom Gillespie & Paul WilkinsonEditor: Mike Bovill

John Profumo was secretary of state for war when he had an affair with Christine Keeler, which ultimately brought down Conservative prime minister Harold Macmillan in the early 1960s.Parallels are now being drawn between the Profumo affair, and the crisis Sir Keir Starmer is facing over Peter Mandelson's links to Jeffrey Epstein.Not just because of the damage to his government but also in how the people at the centre of the scandals behaved as though normal rules did not apply to them.It's said that history often repeats itself - and it seems politics is no different.Niall is joined by Vanessa Holburn, author of The Profumo Affair, to discuss the parallels between the two scandals.Producer: Tom Gillespie and Emily HulmeEditor: Wendy Parker

The mother of one of America's most famous news anchors is believed to have been abducted.Savannah Guthrie is used to broadcasting the news to millions of people - but has now issued a desperate video appeal calling for her mum’s safe return.The story has captivated America - so who is Savannah Guthrie and what do we know about her mother Nancy’s disappearance so far?Niall is joined by Sky’s US correspondent and Trump100 co-host David Blevins.Producers: Tom Gillespie & Emily HulmeEditor: Mike Bovill

Northeast Syria is rapidly changing hands, and with it the country's fragile balance of power.The last time there was a power vacuum in the country, ISIS was born.Around 7,000 Islamic State group detainees held in prisons in Syria are being transferred to Iraq in an operation overseen by the US.But will the instability in the region affect that transfer and allow the organisation to regroup?Niall's joined by Sky's international correspondent Alex Rossi who has seen first-hand the conditions in those camps.Producers: Charlie Duffield, Tom Gillespie & Emily HulmeEditor: Mike Bovill

Half of us will develop cancer at some point in our lives, according to Cancer Research UK. And the speed of a diagnosis can often be the difference between life and death.Just a one-month delay can raise the risk of death by up to 10%. Yet in England, almost a third of cancer patients wait more than two months to start treatment after an urgent GP referral - twice as many as the target and a trend that’s getting worse.As the Westminster government prepares to publish its new 10-year cancer plan - what can we learn from elsewhere in the world? In Denmark, for example, cancer waiting lists have virtually been eliminated and survival rates are rocketing.Niall speaks to Sky’s health correspondent Ashish Joshi and Jesper Fisker from the Danish Cancer Society.Producer: Natalie Ktena & Sam GruetEditor: Mike Bovill

It seemed inevitable there would be more damaging documents in the latest batch of the Epstein files relating to Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.Neither the former prince, nor the wider Royal Family, have responded to this most recent tranche, in which Andrew is pictured on all fours, leaning over an unidentified woman.So what else is inside the latest drop? What does it say about his relationship with the convicted sex offender? And how much further can Andrew fall?Niall speaks to Sky’s Royal Correspondent Rhiannon MillsProducer: Natalie KtenaEditor: Mike Bovill

From 'Snow Queen' to 'ICE Maiden' - how did a beauty pageant-winning 'farmgirl' from South Dakota become the public face of Donald Trump's immigration crackdown?As the head of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem holds one of the highest offices in the US government - despite facing criticism after saying she shot her dog.But will Ms Noem's love of the limelight also lead to her downfall, following the fatal shooting of two US citizens in Minneapolis by immigration officers she ultimately controls?Niall is joined by Jon Schaff, a political science professor at Northern State University in South Dakota.Producers: Natalie Ktena, Soila Apparicio & Emily HulmeEditor: Mike Bovill

An online network known as ‘The Com’ is targeting children and coercing them into acts of violence, self-harm and abuse.A new report has revealed members – mostly aged between 11 and 25 – are groomed into hurting themselves or others to gain social status.How worried should parents be and what are the signs your child might be involved?Niall speaks to Sky’s Adele Robinson following her investigation into the online group.WARNING: This report contains references to suicide, self-harm and sexual abuse which some may find distressing.If you've been affected by this story, and are feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal, you can contact the Samaritans by emailing [email protected] or [email protected]: Soila ApparicioEditor: Mike Bovill

Pubs may have been given a discount on their business rates bills - but with many landlords still suffering a post-Covid hangover, does it go far enough?Last year, it was reported that eight pubs are closing in the UK every week - so can anything be done to save the great British boozer?And is the government solely to blame? After all, the younger generation now seem to prefer lifting weights over necking pints.Niall is joined by pub landlord Simon Wade and Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality.Producers: Tom Gillespie & Emily HulmeEditor: Mike Bovill

Sir Keir Starmer is heading to China for what will be the first visit by a British prime minister since Theresa May went in 2018.He’ll be accompanied by a plane full of business leaders as he hopes to improve the UK's trade and economic relations with China.But the UK already has a huge trade deficit with China – so what might the prime minister get in return?The visit also takes place against the backdrop of his approval of the new Chinese "mega" embassy in London and allegations of Chinese spying.To discuss the security concerns and how close a relationship the UK should have with the Chinese, Niall is joined from Beijing by The Times' China correspondent, Richard SpencerProducers: Tom Gillespie and Emily HulmeEditor: Wendy Parker

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has announced the biggest overhaul of the police service in England and Wales in nearly 200 years.Her reforms include reducing the number of forces, the creation of a "British FBI" and using data and AI to predict criminal activity before it happens.Some of this has been heard before - so exactly how radical are these reforms? And will they make forces fit to tackle the changing nature of crime?Niall is joined by Sky's crime commentator Martin Brunt.

Brooklyn Peltz Beckham and Nicola Peltz Beckham have been spotted in public for the first time since his explosive social media post about the rest of the Beckhams.Key to his complaint was how Nicola was treated by his parents - particularly at their wedding.David and Victoria have not responded to the claims but have been approached for comment.So who is Nicola Peltz and what happens next for the Peltz Beckhams?Niall speaks to the Daily Mirror's showbiz editor Amy Denman about Nicola Peltz's life as an heiress, actress and now as part of one of the most talked about couples on the planet.Producer: Natalie KtenaEditor: Wendy Parker

In the same month he ordered strikes on Venezuela and threatened to seize Greenland, Donald Trump has been inviting countries to join his "Board of Peace".The US president and disruptor-in-chief has pitched the board as a mechanism to rebuild Gaza - yet its charter does not even mention the territory.Russia has been invited, while still waging war on Ukraine – so what is this so-called Board of Peace? Can it achieve a lasting solution for Palestine? And is Trump trying to replace the United Nations?Niall is joined by Sky’s Middle East correspondent, Adam Parsons.

Teenagers generally hate being told what to do – as any parent who’s tried getting them off their phones can testify.The government is now considering a social media ban on children under 16 – but the move has had mixed reviews since its introduction in Australia. What lessons can be learned over here?Would teenagers simply find a way around the ban? And is there a better way to keep children safe online?Jonathan Samuels is joined by Sky’s tech reporter Mickey Carroll.Producer: Natalie KtenaEditor: Mike Bovill

It's where world leaders rub shoulders with billionaires while former footballers clink champagne flutes with film stars and tech bros.President Trump is the star turn at the Swiss ski resort of Davos for the annual World Economic Forum. But what exactly is the World Economic Forum? And what's the purpose of this glittering get-together of the global elite?Gareth Barlow speaks to Sky's business and economics correspondent Paul Kelso from the heart of the action in Davos.Producers: Tom Gillespie & Natalie KtenaEditor: Mike Bovill

Is Donald Trump's threat to impose more tariffs on countries trying to block his plan to buy Greenland the last straw for the strained relationship with the UK?Sir Keir Starmer is walking a diplomatic tightrope - on the one hand rebuking the president for his threats, while on the other reiterating the UK and US remain the closest of allies.But could this mark a point of no return for the man once described as the 'Trump whisperer'?Niall speaks to the UK's first national security adviser, Lord Ricketts, about the history of the alliance between the UK and the US and whether Sir Keir can successfully keep it intact, at this delicate moment in history.Producer: Tom GillespieEditor: Mike Bovill

Bonus Episode: Prince Harry's final showdown with the British media is due to start this week. The duke is set to give evidence in court on Thursday in his case against the Daily Mail publishers.Harry, alongside a group of claimants including Sir Elton John, Liz Hurley and Baroness Lawrence, has accused Associated Newspapers Limited of hiring private detectives to place listening devices inside cars and of accessing private records and phone conversations.Associated Newspapers denies all the allegations, calling them "preposterous smears".What does this case mean for his stated aim of cleaning up the British press? And how will it further affect his relationship with the rest of the royal family?Niall speaks to Sky correspondents Laura Bundock and Katie Spencer, who will be covering the case.Producers: Natalie Ktena & Tom GillespieEditor: Mike Bovill

The reinvention of Robert Jenrick reached what could be a career-defining milestone after he was sacked from the Tory party and walked into the arms of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK.The manner of his departure created a political earthquake - but his defection will surprise few who have been following his career.From his drastic weight loss to climbing lampposts with flaggers - who is Mr Jenrick and how has he tried to scale the political ladder?Niall is joined by co-host of Politics at Sam and Anne’s, Sky’s deputy political editor Sam Coates, and Nottinghamshire Live editor Natalie Fahy.Producers: Tom Gillespie & Natalie KtenaEditor: Mike Bovill

While the world's attention has been on Greenland, should Antarctica also be in the geopolitical spotlight?The US has been withdrawing its influence over the continent, allowing Russia and China to expand their presence.Meanwhile, Antarctica's vast ice sheets keep melting and its research community is in a battle against time to understand why it's happening so quickly.Sky's science editor Tom Clarke speaks to Niall about his recent trip to the seventh continent.Producers: Natalie Ktena & Tom GillespieEditor: Mike Bovill

The government claims the UK is on track to meet its clean power targets for 2030 following a record offshore wind auction.However, in a world where the price of so many things is going up, it turns out wind is no exception.Energy secretary Ed Miliband hopes the UK’s reliance on natural gas will be gone with the wind - but are consumers willing to pay the price?Niall is joined by Sky’s business correspondent Paul Kelso.Producers: Tom Gillespie and Soila ApparicioEditor: Mike Bovill

More young people now believe in God than any other demographic, according to research which also shows a rise in church attendance amongst 18 to 24-year-olds.The leap in faith has emerged as a growing number of young TikTok influencers – from Christian content creators to reality TV stars – are spreading the word of God online.Is social media solely behind this divine intervention or could other factors be playing their part?Niall speaks to Christian vlogger and influencer Chrissy George and Sky’s digital video reporter Holly Beaumont.Producers: Tom Gillespie & Natalie KtenaEditor: Mike Bovill

Any kind of public dissent in China is both dangerous and difficult to document. But that hasn’t prevented a dramatic increase in the number of protests taking place across the country.Police and other security forces act swiftly to shut them down – as a Sky News team learned first-hand when they were forced into cars and driven away whilst trying to film a factory strike in Shenzhen.What is the significance of the protests in China and could events in Iran be making Beijing nervous?Niall is joined by Sky’s Asia correspondent Helen-Ann Smith.Producer: Natalie KtenaEditor: Mike Bovill

Cilia Flores was one of the most powerful figures in Venezuela. She and Nicolas Maduro met through their close connection to Hugo Chavez and once Maduro succeeded him as president, she helped him maintain his more than a decade-long grip on power.Flores has been accused of corruption, nepotism, and links to organised crime and has been sanctioned by the US and Canada.Niall is joined by Venezuelan-American journalist Jose Enrique Arrioja, who is the managing editor of Americas Quarterly and has covered politics in Latin America for over two decades. They discuss why Flores was such a central figure to the Maduro regime.Producer: Natalie KtenaEditor: Wendy Parker

Friday marks 1,000 days since the outbreak of a brutal war in Sudan between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).The conflict has devastated the country – leaving more than 150,000 people dead, about 12 million people believed to have been displaced, and human rights groups accusing fighters in Darfur of ethnic cleansing.Niall speaks to Sky's Africa correspondent Yousra Elbagir – who has reported on the simmering tensions in Sudan for a decade. She shares her personal reflections on the country of her birth, as well as explaining the current situation on the ground and what the future could look like for the Sudanese people.Producer: Tom GillespieEditor: Mike Bovill

Could the USA really seize Greenland? And just as importantly, why does it want to?President Trump has sent shivers through the NATO alliance by doubling down on his threat to seize the island.The White House is also refusing to rule out military action as part of its ambitions to annex the autonomous Danish territory – and recent events in Venezuela suggest such a threat should be taken seriously.Why is the American president interested in Greenland? What would an attack on a fellow NATO member mean for the alliance? And how do Greenlanders themselves feel about all this?Niall is joined by Sky’s international affairs editor Dominic Waghorn from the country’s capital, Nuuk.Producer: Tom GillespieEditor: Mike Bovill

The French first lady may have had her day in court, but can she win an even bigger case in the US to finally clear her name following the spread of online conspiracy theories?After years of abuse, ten people have been found guilty of cyberbullying Brigitte Macron. Their claims included outright lies about her gender as well as allegations around the nature of her relationship with her husband, President Emmanuel Macron.But the legal action won't stop there, with the couple also suing the American right-wing influencer Candace Owens for amplifying the same accusations.So, who began spreading these theories and why? What is their enduring appeal to the public? And can the Macron trial prove to be a landmark moment in the fight against cyberbullying?Niall speaks to Emma-Kate Symons, a Paris-based journalist at Conspiracy Watch and contributing editor at The New World, about where these theories start and why they catch on.Producer: Tom GillespieEditor: Mike Bovill

Should we be shocked by Donald Trump's intervention in Venezuela – or is it simply an extension of 200 years of Washington foreign policy?The US stunned the world with the military strikes which led to the capture of the Venezuela's president, Nicolas Maduro. Trump then went further by suggesting the US will now 'run' the country for the foreseeable future.For a leader who's positioned himself as a 'President of Peace' does this move mark a significant shift for Trump? And is this a continuation of the sort of US interventionist foreign policy that has shaped the world for decades?Niall is joined by Dr Stephen Tuffnell, associate professor of modern US history at St Peter’s College, Oxford, to discuss how this move fits into the history of US foreign policy and which countries could be affected next.Producers: Tom GillespieEditor: Mike Bovill

Over 2025, every Friday, the Sky News Daily has been profiling a figure in the news – those who are making headlines, creating conversations. During the festive period, we’re revisiting some of those standout profiles – the ones that really got us talking.In June, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s often reclusive supreme leader, surfaced to hit back at Donald Trump’s demands for an unconditional surrender.Khamanei first came to power as President of Iran in 1981, and he was a surprise choice for supreme leader eight years later. But since then, with the help of the Revolutionary Guard he has had almost complete control of Iran and its anti-Israel and anti-American foreign policy agenda.Sky's Tom Cheshire speaks to Alex Vatanka, founding director of the Iran programme at the Middle East Institute in Washington DC, about how Khamenei is viewed inside Iran and how his policies contributed to the current crisis.Producer: Soila ApparicioEditor: Wendy Parker

Over 2025, every Friday, the Sky News Daily has been profiling a figure in the news – those who are making headlines, creating conversations. During the festive period, we’re revisiting some of those standout profiles – the ones that really got us talking.In October, the royal previously known as Prince Andrew, lost his titles over his association with convicted pedofile Jeffrey Epstein.His ex-wife – Sarah Ferguson – was also in Epstein's network, and she was dropped as a patron of several charities at the time. But it wasn’t the first time Sarah – Duchess of York had caused the Royal family a headache.Andrew Lownie, historian and author of Entitled: The Rise and Fall Of The House of York, joins Niall in remembering the key moments in the duchess's public life.Producers: Soila Apparicio, Tom GillespieEditor: Mike Bovill

Over 2025, every Friday, the Sky News Daily has been profiling a figure in the news – those who are making headlines, creating conversations. During the festive period, we’re revisiting some of those standout profiles – the ones that really got us talking.In July, the author of bestselling book The Salt Path was the main character in her own seismic plot twist. Was the story - based on Raynor Winn's life-affirming account of how her husband's illness and losing their money and home put them on a 630-mile coastal walk - true?Since the initial bombshell that it wasn’t quite all that, there’s been news accusations alleging Raynor Winn took money from relatives. And the Sky Documentaries team has followed the story too, in a new film out for your festive viewing.You can make up your own mind on the real Salt Path, for now, here’s our revisit to: What's the truth of The Salt Path?Niall goes through the original claims with Sky News arts and entertainment Jayson Mansaray and hears from a journalist who has interviewed Raynor, Charlotte Lytton.Producers: Emily Hulme and Soila ApparicioEditor: Paul Stanworth

Coming soon to a lamppost near you? That was the feeling over the summer, as flags started appearing on buildings, bridges and posts – but the undertone was unclear. For some, flags were about national pride, for others, it felt like a nationalist warning. While patriotism and pride can be expressed in inclusive ways, the current political climate has made it a more polarised and contentious issue. So, how has the debate changed? In our final festive episode looking back at the biggest moments of the year, Niall is joined by director of the British Future thinktank and author of ‘How To Be A Patriot’ Sunder Katwala and our data and forensics correspondent Tom Cheshire. Producer: Soila Apparicio Editor: Mike Bovill 

Nobody expected a sit-down meeting between two world leaders to become one of the most explosive encounters of Ukraine’s war with Russia. When President Zelenskyy walked into the Oval Office to face Donald Trump back in February, their White House meeting descended into a fiery, confrontational, openly hostile clash. But did that showdown shift the course of the conflict? Niall is joined by military analyst Michael Clarke and Sky’s international affairs editor Dominic Waghorn to look back at the bust up, and how it impacted the push for peace in Ukraine. Producer: Soila Apparicio Editor: Mike Bovill

It's arguably the biggest royal scandal since 1992's "annus horribilis" - Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, stripped of his titles and set to be evicted from Royal Lodge in Windsor.Now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, his downfall was caused by more revelations over his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.In the first of our festive episodes looking back at the biggest moments of the year, Niall is joined by ex-BBC royal watcher Jennie Bond and Sky's royal correspondent Rhiannon Mills.They discuss why the King decided to take such a drastic step by ostracising his brother and whether it's enough to limit the damage done to 'The Firm'.Producer: Soila ApparicioEditor: Mike Bovill

Most of us have told the odd tall tale from time to time – but not many people would pretend to be an MI6 agent or a wealthy Swiss banker. Those are just a couple of the outlandish lies told by notorious British conman Mark Acklom - whose life of deception started as a teenager and took him all over Europe. Sky’s crime correspondent Martin Brunt spent years on Acklom’s trail, after one of his devastated victims contacted him asking for help. As Acklom’s latest court hearing gets underway, Martin tells Niall why some stories are stranger than fiction. Producer: Tom Gillespie  Editor: Mike Bovill 

It’s been 25 years since a crew of astronauts first stepped foot on the International Space Station – and it’s been occupied ever since.  The station itself will be “de-orbited” in 2030, but naturally humankind’s ambition to explore the universe remains as limitless as ever.  What will the new space race between the US and China look like? Or could the ambitions of Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos take us into another dimension? Niall is joined by Sky’s science correspondent Thomas Moore. Producer: Tom Gillespie Editor: Mike Bovill