This Is Why

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 barricades. But far-right groups have accused those on the left of politicising the movement. And while the use of stun grenades has now been suspended in France, the response from the police and government has been heavy-handed and heavily criticised – just months before a general election. Niall Paterson is joined by NBC News chief foreign correspondent and co-host of The World podcast, Richard Engel – and Ruby Celemenski, a 17-year-old student in Lyon who has witnessed the police response first-hand.

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 200 people were placed in quarantine. With the Covid pandemic still fresh in people’s minds, what is pneumonic plague and how worried should we be about a potential outbreak? Niall Paterson speaks to Sky’s science and medical correspondent Thomas Moore. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk

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 banning Polanski, who is himself Jewish, from entering the country. Niall Paterson spoke to the chair of Jewish Greens and long-time party member Vivien Lichtenstein, who has marched against the Gaza war but is now weighing up leaving. He was also joined by Sky News political correspondent Alexandra Rogers, who was at the Green Party conference this weekend. Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show – why@sky.uk

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 immediate safeguarding concerns have been identified at this time". Niall Paterson spoke to Arabella Pepper, who is the sister of Sir Ranulph's first wife, about that visit last year. He also spoke to friend and fellow explorer Sir David Hempleman-Adams about Sir Ranulph's achievements. Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show – why@sky.uk

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 commission got it wrong and vowing to appeal. With City standing firm and the punishment still undecided, there could be a long way to go before the final whistle. Niall Paterson is joined by Sky’s sports correspondent Rob Harris, who has been following the case and putting questions to the club’s most senior figures for more than a decade. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk

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 its proxies free rein, while also risking a comeback from the Islamic State terror group. So, why have Americans decided to leave Iraq now? And what will it mean for the future of the country - and stability of the wider region? Niall Paterson is joined by Sky's military analyst Robert Clark, who served in the British military in Iraq and Afghanistan. There is more exclusive analysis and content on the conflict in the Middle East on the new Sky News Defence Insider app. Sky News Defence Insider is a subscription app designed for audiences seeking deeper insight into defence, security and global affairs. Download…

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 party conference speech as Labour leader to put the triple lock on the negotiating table – against the wishes of the unions, opposition parties and plenty of his own supporters. So, how does the triple lock work and what could take its place? What is the cost to the country and is reforming the system as straightforward as it appears? Niall Paterson is joined by Claire Moffat, a pension and tax expert at Royal London. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk

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 such as Iran. So, why did the US president claim the group had been “under investigation” for a long time – while a local resident insists she was the one who alerted the police after spotting a group of masked men? What do we know about this investigation? And what does it tell us about how the UK is being targeted by proxies? Niall Paterson is joined by Sky’s home affairs editor Jason Farrell. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk

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 singer who has built his career on being the ‘nice guy’, can Ed Sheeran come back from this? Or has this controversy permanently damaged the image he’s spent years building? Niall Paterson is joined by musician and journalist John Robb. John’s memoir Punk Rock Ruined My Life is available to buy now. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk

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? And why does the format allow people to publish unproven claims? Niall is joined by the journalist Helen Brown, who writes about culture for The Telegraph. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk

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 episode explores how small steps for AI could bring about giant leaps for mankind. Niall Paterson reveals the reasons to be cheerful with Sky’s science and technology editor Tom Clarke. For a different view on the dangers of AI, you can watch our episode with Rowland Manthorpe here. Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show – why@sky.uk

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 is the new PM so happy to help? And is it really due to cost-of-living pressures as he claims? Niall Paterson is joined by Dr H A Hellyer, an expert in geopolitics across the Middle East and Europe and a senior associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute for Defence. There is more exclusive content on the situation in the Middle East on the new Sky News Defence Insider app. Sky News Defence Insider is a subscription app designed for audiences seeking deeper insight into defence, security and global affairs. Download and subscribe here. Paid subscription required for full access. UK only. 18+. T&Cs…

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 does The Wargame tell us about the UK’s readiness for all-out Russian aggression? Niall Paterson is joined by the former Labour adviser Baroness Hazarika, who plays the government’s director of communications in the programme. The Wargame, available on Sky and Now, is based on the hugely successful Sky News podcast of the same name. You can find the podcast series here.

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, what else is in Earl Spencer’s memoir and why is he making these bombshell allegations now? Niall is joined by Sky’s royal correspondent Laura Bundock. Since recording this episode, Earl Spencer has told the BBC that he is 'telling the truth' about a phone conversation he had with the King after Diana's death. Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show – why@sky.uk Audio credit: BBC This episode contains reference to suicide. Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for free on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800)…

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 Donald Trump still intent on a punishing trade war. But what are the implications for the UK, as relations with Brussels continue to stall? What would associate membership mean? And could Canada become a blueprint for other countries? Niall Paterson speaks to director of the UK in a Changing Europe, Anand Menon.

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 Chief of the Defence Staff – Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton – has also revealed: How John Healey’s resignation as defence secretary took him by surprise The battle for more military spending, and what to do with the money Why it’s vital to have an honest conversation about national resilience There is more exclusive content with Sir Richard Knighton on the new Sky News Defence Insider app. Sky News Defence Insider is a subscription app designed for audiences seeking deeper insight into defence, security and global affairs. Download and subscribe here. Paid subscription required for full access. UK only.…

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 taken to remove her from the ward. So, what else did the report find and what action might the hospital face? Niall Paterson and Sky’s chief North of England correspondent, Greg Milam, also discuss whether the findings will support the cause of those who believe Letby is innocent.

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 “love to see” a united Ireland – even if that means the break-up of the United Kingdom – Westminster should not worry just yet. Niall Paterson has been speaking to Sky’s Ireland correspondent, Stephen Murphy, about why there is not as much of an appetite on either side of the Irish border for reunification as you might expect. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk

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, ignored his predecessor advice – despite being compared by Giuliani to the al Qaeda terrorists who carried out the 9/11 atrocities. Is Giuliani’s ire racially motivated? What brought about the former Trump ally’s own fall from grace? And what have native New Yorkers made of Mamdani’s time in charge? Niall Paterson is joined by Niall Stanage, White House columnist at The Hill. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk

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 timescale. With seemingly no end to the breathtaking pace of development, is it too late for governments to intervene? And as experts increasingly acknowledge AI could cause existential change, how exactly could that happen? Niall Paterson is joined by Sky’s technology correspondent, Rowland Manthorpe. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk

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 partnership and the UK’s leading provider of air traffic control services. Why do these issues keep happening? Should the government intervene? And is it only a matter of time before passenger safety is compromised? Niall Paterson speaks to aviation expert and former air traffic controller, Doug Maclean. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk

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 information was also accessed to carry out coercive control and domestic abuse. Niall Paterson speaks to Sky’s health correspondent, Ashish Joshi, and Zoe Tidman – senior correspondent for the Health Service Journal. NHS England has issued a response to the investigation, saying: “All NHS trusts are required to maintain audit logs of access to patient information as well as having controls in place to prevent and identify unauthorised access – and must take action in cases where staff have abused the trust of patients by accessing personal records without good reason.” Have you got a question for Niall? Email us:…

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, will we now see more similar demonstrations? And what can the police do? Gareth Barlow is joined by Sky's Data and Forensics correspondent Tom Cheshire. Have you got a question for This is Why? Email us: why@sky.uk

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 boats with his admiring counterpart, Nigel Farage. So, who is Bardella? And why would a party like Reform – that denies being far right – consummate such a close relationship? Niall Paterson is joined by Dr Philippe Marliere, a professor in French and European politics at University College London.

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, how safe are these vehicles? And what does the move mean for real-life cabbies who might be fearing for their jobs? Niall Paterson is joined by Sky’s technology correspondent Rowland Manthorpe, who had an eventful journey in an autonomous taxi in central London. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk

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 down with Sky's economics and data editor, Ed Conway. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk

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 state election win for the party mean for Germany and for Europe? Niall is joined by Sky’s Europe’s correspondent Alistair Bunkall, who tracked down Siegmund at an AfD rally in Saxony-Anhalt. Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show – why@sky.uk

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 editor Anna Iovine for the last episode in our series profiling the biggest names in the tech industry you might have never heard of. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us at: why@sky.uk. You can also watch This Is Why on YouTube.

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 returned from Sudan where she visited El Obeid, a city where thousands of civilians have sought shelter. It is facing siege-like conditions, and she tells us about what life is like there and what hope people have that the war will end. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk

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

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 and the changes that could help them when leaving the system. Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for free on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk

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 wrong way down a motorway. Niall speaks to Dr Mary Aiken, a Professor of Forensic Cyberpsychology at the University of East London, and tech journalist Will Guyatt about what is driving young people to risk their lives in this way? And are social media companies doing enough to take down the content? Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk

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 at the heart of the NHS? Niall is joined by Sky’s technology correspondent, Rowland Manthorpe, for the latest episode of our series looking at the most important people in tech that you might have never heard of. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk

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 correspondent Laura Bundock to unpack the Sussexes’ dramatic return and consider whether more is at play.

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 Professor Ramon Pacheco Pardo to examine the shifting balance of power on the Korean Peninsula and what a reduced US military presence could mean for their allies across the Asia-Pacific. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk.

"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 time Russia has used this sort of threat – so how seriously should we take it this time? Niall Paterson is joined by Sky’s Moscow correspondent Ivor Bennett. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk.

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 potentially more danger? And what does it tell us about the way the Burnham government communicates? Niall is joined by Jo Tanner, a former adviser to Boris Johnson and now a director at PR firm Rud Pedersen.

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 consultant.

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 Hillman, director of the Higher Education Policy Institute. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk

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 home affairs commentator and former adviser to Yvette Cooper, Danny Shaw. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk For more from our Insider podcasts such as Electoral Dysfunction – including ad-free listening, exclusive bonus episodes, and much more – become a Sky News Insider. Find out more and subscribe at https://skynews.com/electoraldysfunction

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 joined by Dr Jenifer Millard, co-presenter of the Awesome Astronomy podcast. To find your nearest eclipse event, click here. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk

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. A. Hellyer, a senior associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk

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 that helped Hassabis win a Nobel Prize and could accelerate the development of new medicines. And the ambition goes much further: using AI to tackle some of the biggest unanswered questions in biology, physics and beyond. Niall Paterson speaks to Sebastian Mallaby, journalist and author of The Infinity Machine, about the extraordinary ambition behind DeepMind, why its approach to AI is different from some of its Silicon Valley…

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, but with UEFA also not backing down, is his position still under threat? Mhari Aurora is joined by Rob Harris, Sky News' sports correspondent, to discuss what happens next. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk

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 by Sky News climate reporter Victoria Seabrook, and Martin Lines, a farmer in south Cambridgeshire who leads the Nature Friendly Farming Network. Have you got a question for the show? Email us: why@sky.uk

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 between ghoulish voyeurism and concern? And does she have a responsibility to her young impressionable fans? Mhari Aurora is joined by journalist and author of Toxic: Women, Fame And The Noughties, Sarah Ditum. If you or someone you know needs support with disordered eating, you can contact Beat, the eating disorder charity, via their website beateatingdisorders.org.uk. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk

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 lost voters? Or is it more about distracting people from talking about Farage's finances? Mhari Aurora is joined by Alain Tolhurst, chief reporter at Politics Home, to discuss how significant this policy announcement is. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk

Listen to Stuff Matters and subscribe for members-only content 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 - how did a banana trigger a CIA-backed coup? What do LED lights tell us about the future of humanity? Listen to this episode of This Is Why... and then listen to Stuff Matters. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk

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 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 Aurora is joined by Sky’s sports correspondent Rob Harris. Have you got a question for the podcast? Email us: why@sky.uk

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.