A former television presenter and heavy metal drummer has become the first woman to be elected prime minister of Japan.

Sanae Takaichi is known for her right-wing views and cites Margaret Thatcher as an inspiration. But it's not just her political beliefs that are controversial – Ms Takaichi has a love of hard rock and motorbikes, despite her deeply conservative background.

Why has it taken so long for Japan to elect a female PM? And what challenges does she face domestically, as well as on the world stage?

Niall is joined by Dr Kristin Surak, associate professor of political sociology at the London School of Economics and a leading expert on Japanese politics.
 
Producers: Natalie Ktena & Tom Gillespie 
Editor: Mike Bovill

Whether they are providing the beef for your roast dinner or the milk for your cup of tea – cows are undeniably useful animals.

The problem is they also enjoy burping and breaking wind and it's having a huge impact on global warming.

The steaks couldn’t be higher and that’s why an agricultural college in Scotland has developed the Cool Cows programme to breed the animals in a way that means they expel less gas.

Niall is joined by our udderly brilliant science correspondent, Thomas Moore.

Producers: Natalie Ktena & Tom Gillespie
Editor: Mike Bovill

With Ukraine highlighting the use of UK hardware in strikes against Russia and the US insisting British military personnel join a team monitoring the Gaza ceasefire, are we at risk of ending up in a wider conflict?

The possibility, however slim, that UK soldiers could be engaged in fighting in the Middle East follows Ukraine's very public revelation that British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles were used in a "massive" attack inside Russia.Less than two weeks ago, the foreign secretary said there were no plans to send troops to monitor the Gaza ceasefire - so is the UK being dragged into a situation it doesn't want to be in?

What is the extent of its role in these conflicts and what are the implications for our national security?

Niall is joined by Sky's military analyst Professor Michael Clarke.

Producer: Tom Gillespie
Editor: Mike Bovill

The rise of AI has been hailed as a new industrial revolution - a huge economic success story (depending on your point of view) with massive implications for energy, materials and jobs.  
 
In the US, artificial intelligence has accounted for the vast majority of economic growth so far this year - not least because of the patronage of Donald Trump, who's also fond of taking AI-generated jibes at his critics.  
 
But does the US have enough access to the infrastructure and materials needed to fuel this economic boom? Has it become too dependent on AI and could the bubble be about to burst?  
 
Niall is joined by Sky's economics and data editor Ed Conway - who has been in the US visiting the largest concentration of data centres in the world. 
 
Producer: Tom Gillespie  
Editor: Mike Bovill 

The downfall and disgrace of Prince Andrew has taken another dramatic turn after he announced he was giving up some of his royal titles. 
  
Reports have emerged that Andrew asked his personal protection officer to help with a smear campaign against Virginia Giuffre years before she filed a civil lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault. The prince continues to deny any wrongdoing.  
  
What role did the King and other members of the Royal Family play in Andrew's decision to give up his titles? Why is this happening now and does the move go far enough? And could this lead to calls for a rethink over the future of the monarchy?  
  
Niall is joined by Sky's royal correspondent Rhiannon Mills for the latest on the long-running scandal. 
 
Producer: Tom Gillespie 
Editor: Mike Bovill 

To watch Niall's earlier interview with Andrew Lownie, historian and author of Entitled: The Rise and Fall Of The House of York, follow the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-I13zzJ-WJM

The UK's first female prime minister undoubtedly transformed the country as she achieved electoral success her Conservative successors could only dream of.

Evidence of her enduring influence is the fact that it's not just Tories who claim a debt to her but also opposing politicians, with Rachel Reeves recently branding herself the "iron chancellor".

She was also a very divisive figure, with lasting anger over her handling of the miners' strike and the controversial poll tax.

So, what is Baroness Thatcher's legacy to both her party and the country? What would she have made of Brexit and the rise of Reform UK? Will she still be talked about in another 100 years?

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

Producers: Tom Gillespie and Soila Apparicio 
​​​​​​​Editor: Wendy Parker

A ceasefire may be in place, but violence continues to plague Gaza. As Hamas attempts to keep some control, a rival group has told Sky News they plan to fight to the end. 

With internal fighting and power struggles ongoing, can peace hold within Gaza for the Palestinians hoping to begin rebuilding their lives? 

Dominic Waghorn, our international affairs editor, and digital investigations journalist Ben van der Merwe join Niall to explain who these groups are and what role they are playing. 

Producer: Soila Apparicio 
Editor: Mike Bovill 

Dishonesty, discrimination, and misconduct – just some of the reasons why more than 730 police officers were sacked and barred from service last year. Of those, 21 were struck off for child sexual offences. But can our police forces recover from falling public trust and reputational damage? 
 
Martin Brunt, our crime correspondent, joins Niall to explain what’s gone wrong – and assess whether ‘bad apples’ in the police are an institutional issue. 
 
Plus, Jamie Klingler – co-founder of Reclaim These Streets and campaigner for women’s safety and police reform in the UK – discusses what needs to change. 
 
Producer: Emily Hulme
Editor: Mike Bovill

Members of minority religious groups say they feel less safe in the UK than ever before.

A summer of protests outside asylum seeker hotels and a renewed debate about immigration have led to concerns British society is becoming increasingly fragmented.

And last week, figures released by the Home Office showed that religious hate crime recorded by police in England and Wales had reached a record high.

Some members of the Sikh community in the West Midlands have been escorting elderly people to their local gurdwara due to concerns about physical and verbal abuse.

What are the causes behind this rise in hate crime? How are minority groups responding, and what can be done to rebuild fragile communities?

Niall is joined by Rabbi Josh Levy, the co-lead of Progressive Judaism, and Sky's communities correspondent Lisa Holland.

Producer: Tom Gillespie
Editor: Mike Bovill

All 20 remaining living Israeli hostages have been released by Hamas – after more than two years in captivity. 
 
Now the slow process of recovery and rehabilitation begins. For each of them, that journey will be different. What kind of support will they receive? And will the trauma ever truly be over? 
 
Niall discusses the needs of the released hostages with Stephen Regel – a former senior psychosocial practitioner with the British Red Cross and founder of the Centre for Trauma Resilience and Growth.  
 
Producer: Tom Gillespie 
Editor: Mike Bovill