At stake are huge consequences not just for Ukrainians, but for Europe and the wider international order - whether borders can be changed by force. On the ground, the conflict feels less like grand strategy and more like a daily slog to survive. We joined a unit from the 117th Brigade, tasked with defending one of the most heavily contested areas of the Donbas, known as the "fortress belt". Ukraine latest: Putin has started WWIII, says Zelenskyy, on war's anniversary eve Just getting to their positions is a test of nerve, as moving forward often means walking across open ground. It is terrifying. All around, the landscape bears the scars of war. It used to be only the scream of a shell you had to fear, but now it is also the menacing buzz of a drone - and the sky here is full of them. A drone spots us The soldiers scan the skies for any unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and use handheld drone detectors. One drone heads over our position, hunting for a target, and the radio soon alerts us that it is tracking back. The drone detector doesn't stop bleeping, indicating that our movement has been spotted. We hear it before we see it, and the increasingly louder whizzing sound means the drone is getting closer and closer. The deputy commander we are with opens fire with his assault rifle, and another soldier joins the fight. While hitting a small, fast-moving target is not easy, it's the only way to combat the threat and has become routine for the soldiers. We are relieved when we see the drone fall from the sky, but there is no time to linger, as more drones could follow and artillery might be called in on our position. The next leg of the journey to the village where the unit is stationed is by quad bike, racing over icy roads. As we speed forward, smashed Ukrainian vehicles lie abandoned along the route; they are stark reminders of the danger ahead. Ukrainian drones are our eyes in the sky, tracking our movement overhead, thereby offering some protection. Cheap, mass-produced and deadly The small "drone hunter" unit operates largely in the shadows, helping protect the logistical hub of Sloviansk, a key city anchoring the defensive line in eastern Ukraine. Inside their bunker, where they live and plan missions, they show us a drone they shot down that morning. It is cheap, mass-produced and deadly. Bohdan, the commander of the anti-aircraft battery unit of the 117th Brigade, explains: "There are men working with pump-action shotguns because the drones fly at their lowest altitude there. "That is within the effective range for a shotgun. But here, they fly higher and faster so the Kalashnikov is the most effective tool." Desperate fight for survival The drones are relentless, and the landscape has been battered by years of war. The soldiers show us something extraordinary: two civilians are still living in this shattered place. For four years, Alexander and his wife have survived under constant bombardment. He tells me they are frightened, but have no money and nowhere to go. As we speak, we move for cover, as another drone has been spotted overhead. For the men defending this territory, the danger is constant. One soldier describes the rhythm of their days: "It happens two, three times a day: icy roads, sleeper drones, flying drones, and the Russians. It couldn't be more dangerous. Threats from everywhere - within seconds." Life in eastern Ukraine is a desperate fight for survival. Secret underground bunker We are taken to a secret location deep in a forest. Access to the brigade's headquarters is tightly restricted. Inside, we descend into a bunker - a labyrinth of screens and monitors that reflects what this war has become. This is now a conflict of microchips and mud, with drones sketching digital kill chains and men doing whatever they must to survive. Colonel Dmytro Yaroshenk, the commander of the 117th Brigade, says the transformation has been profound: "The war has changed fundamentally. "We used to fight 'on horseback', so to speak; now we fight in the sky. We're even taking down helicopters with drones. Not my brigade specifically, but there are units doing it." On one screen, he shows us what remains of a group of Russian soldiers who tried to use the mist to launch a probing attack. Surveillance drones - and the algorithms guiding them - see everything and everyone. "Logistics are currently a nightmare because technology has evolved so much; drones are flying almost everywhere. If the enemy spots a vehicle, it's highly likely to be quickly destroyed," the colonel adds. Another image appears: a bunker where Russian troops were spotted entering. Attack drones are called in, striking the hideout. No one comes out. The 21st century has fused with the muddied trench battlefields of the First World War, and the result is grim and brutal. The fighting here may feel remote to those thousands of miles away, but the implications are not. Read more from Sky News:The 'hero city' 30,000 Russians failed to takeKlitschko to Trump: 'Be on the side of Ukraine' This war will help determine whether might makes right in the 21st century, whether international law is enforced or eroded. After four years of merciless combat, the battle for the Donbas is about more than territory. It is about the kind of world that will emerge when the guns finally fall silent.

Aramayo won the award for his performance in I Swear, which tells the real-life story of Tourette's campaigner John Davidson, while Irish actress Jessie Buckley was named best actress for her performance in the Shakespeare biopic Hamnet. Paul Thomas Anderson's comedy-thriller One Battle After Another, starring DiCaprio, Teyana Taylor, Chase Infiniti and Sean Penn, was the biggest winner of the night, picking up six BAFTAs including best film, best director, and supporting actor for Penn. Accepting the best film award, Anderson - who had earlier almost dropped his BAFTA for best adapted screenplay - said it was a "tremendous honour", adding: "Anybody who says that movies aren't good any more can piss right off because this is a great f***ing year." Prince William, who is president of BAFTA, and Kate were in the room to cheer the winners on, alongside other stars including nominees Emma Stone and Kate Hudson, music stars Little Simz, Stormzy and Jessie Ware, and Kylie Jenner - here in the UK to support her boyfriend Chalamet. Snacks for the stars Host Alan Cumming brought some humour to the show, offering snacks to the A-listers - Jammie Dodgers for Chalamet and Jenner, Twiglets for Rose Byrne, and an oaty flapjack for DiCaprio (who said it sounded "fantastic"). During his speech, Aramayo was cheered on by his dad, and became emotional as he told the BAFTAs audience: "I honestly cannot believe that I have won this award." The 33-year-old, who grew up in Hull, thanked fellow nominee Ethan Hawke, and said: "Everyone in this category blows me away. "When I was in school, Ethan Hawke came in to speak to us in Julliard and he gave an amazing talk on longevity as an actor, about protecting your instrument and avoiding self-destructive behaviours, and it had a great impact on everyone in the room. "So to be in this category with you tonight is incredible. Thank you, Ethan." The award was his second of the night, coming not long after he had accepted the rising star prize - the only one to be chosen by a public vote - and I Swear also picked up a third award for its casting. 'Nuclear bad fake tan' In contrast to Aramayo, Buckley was the favourite to win the best actress award after picking up the prize at the Critics Choice Awards and Golden Globes earlier this year. She is the first Irish star to take home the prize. "As a little girl, I never in a million years thought I would get to make a film," she said in her speech. Recalling her early days as an actress, she said: "I had nuclear bad fake tan on, white hoop earrings, a polka-dot red skirt and had the audacity to say one day I wanted to be like Judi Dench." Buckley, who rose to fame on the talent show I'd Do Anything, coming runner-up in the series' search to find a lead to play Nancy in the 2009 West End revival of the British musical Oliver, said it was "nuts" to be on stage, winning a BAFTA, and paid tribute to the "women past, present and future who taught me and continue to teach me how to do it differently". Addressing her fellow nominees, the Irish actress said: "You are all just radical and you are doing it for the naughty girls, and I'm in awe of all your incredible performances." She also dedicated the award to her daughter, saying: "It's the best role of my life being your mum and I promise to continue to be disobedient so you can belong to a world in all your complete wildness as a young woman. I am very grateful for this." Read more on the BAFTAs:The full list of winnersThe best red carpet fashion Wins for Sinners and Frankenstein Paul Mescal plays Shakespeare alongside Buckley, who plays his wife, Agnes, in Hamnet. The film tells the story of the death of their son, Hamnet, from the plague, and how Shakespeare was inspired to write Hamlet. Buckley's win was one of two for the film, which also picked up the prize for outstanding British film. Producer Sir Sam Mendes acknowledged the other nominees in the category and said: "We are not great as an industry or a culture for patting ourselves on the back, but perhaps we should." Elsewhere, period vampire horror Sinners, starring Michael B Jordan, picked up three awards, including best supporting actress for British star Wunmi Mosaku, and the prizes for original screenplay and score. Frankenstein, starring Jacob Elordi, also won three - for costume, make-up and hair, and production design.

With so many Labour-run councils already in jeopardy in the forthcoming local elections, campaigners believe this could be a deciding issue in key areas. But the Israeli embassy says the pledge is a "disgraceful effort at intimidation". In total, 1,028 councillors have now signed up to "uphold the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people" and ensure their council is not complicit in what they claim are "Israel's violations of international law", such as divesting from pension funds invested in arms companies. Among the signatories is Hackney Green councillor Zoe Garbett. "I think that this is really important to uphold the rights of the Palestinian people and to make sure that we can make ethical investments," she told Sky News, adding this was an issue residents had raised with the council. "They want to see their council representing them on a national level," she said. "We know that most people really want to see an end to the genocide in Gaza, and an end to wars and conflicts all across the world, and they want to see their local representatives standing up for them." Israel denies the accusations of genocide in Gaza. Most signatories from Greens and Labour So far, 345 of the councillors who've signed the Palestine Pledge are from the Greens, followed by 338 from Labour, 104 Lib Dems, 38 members of the SNP, 17 from Plaid Cymru, 12 from Your Party, three Conservatives and many more independents. Labour has long been divided on the issue of Gaza. The prime minister's initial reluctance to call for a ceasefire after the October 7 attacks led to a drop in support among Muslim communities at the last election. Four Labour MPs lost their seats to pro-Palestinian candidates in July 2024, and the party is now under increasing pressure from other parties on the left. Read more: What's happening with this year's local elections? The pledge provides a rough indication of where it could be a factor in the local elections. In Labour-dominated Islington, 59% of councillors pledged, mostly from Labour. In Tower Hamlets, 49% have signed up, nearly all from the controlling group on the council, Aspire, and none from the Labour block of 16 councillors. In Sheffield, where no party currently has overall control, 24% have signed up - including 13 Greens and seven Labour councillors. But in Labour-controlled Bradford, 29% have signed up - the majority are Greens and independents. In Hackney - where there have been big debates over the issue of divestment - 16% have pledged, with just three of them from Labour. Pledges from Labour left While the prime minister recognised Palestinian statehood in September, many on the Labour left would like to see him do more. "I think that so many Labour councillors have been so keen to sign the Palestine pledge as councillors because it puts on record that support for Palestine and distinguishes them from the position taken by the leader of the Labour Party," Richard Burgon, Labour MP for Leeds East, said. The pledge was launched by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign - the group behind many of the protest marches in support of the Palestinian cause - and supported by four other organisations, the Palestinian Youth Movement Britain, the Palestinian Forum in Britain, The Muslim Vote and the British Palestinian Committee. 'Dangerous road to go down' Former MP Lord Steve McCabe, from Labour Friends of Israel, is concerned about the potential impact of the pledge, saying the campaign was "trying to interfere in local elections" and "encourage councils to develop their own foreign policies". "I think it's a dangerous road to go down. I think undoubtedly it could create tensions in some communities," he said. Lord McCabe added that the campaign comes at a time of heightened antisemitism. He said: "Jewish people are alarmed. They're scared to go to their synagogue. Sometimes they're frightened to walk the streets of their own community. How this will do anything to relieve tensions, I can't see." A spokesperson from the Israeli embassy in London said: "Contrary to what has been portrayed in the campaign, Israel is actively engaged in implementing the 20-point programme established by the Board of Peace. "It is regrettable to see small-scale political opportunism and grifting carried out on the backs of people in the Middle East. "The BDS [Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions] campaign is a disgraceful effort at intimidation that echoes some of the darkest chapters of history. Calls for boycott[s] should be rejected." Government needs to 'wake up', says senior Tory Conservative shadow communities secretary James Cleverly also shared his concern about the boycotts. "This Labour Government must wake up to the growing antisemitism in town halls across the country," he said. "Councillors, including many Labour and Green ones, are signing up to Israel boycotts, which are frequently a cover for attacking Jewish people and culture. And they are being deployed in a cynical, sectarian way to try and win votes. "Keir Starmer pledged to eradicate anti-Jewish hate from his party - but it clearly persists at the local level." A Labour spokesperson responded: "In September, alongside our international partners, the Labour government took the historic decision to recognise the state of Palestine. "Palestinians and Israelis alike have the right to live in peace, free from violence and suffering. We continue to work closely with international partners to progress phase two of the peace plan. "With Keir Starmer's leadership, we have rooted antisemitism out of the Labour Party and the government is continuing to step up its efforts to tackle antisemitism wherever it rears its head across society." Read more from Sky News:Gorton and Denton by-election: The UK's first crucial voteAnalysis: Starmer has even more to lose after latest U-turn Dan Iley-Williamson, political organiser at the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, said local authorities "administer pension funds that invest more than £12bn in companies enabling Israel's crimes, including in arms firms that make the bombs and bullets used to kill Palestinians". "The mass movement for Palestine - which has brought millions onto Britain's streets - is not going away," he added. "Vote Palestine will take our demands into the May elections and deliver a message to those seeking office: If you want our votes, stand up for Palestine."

It was Saints' first home game under new head coach Paul Rowley and they made sure to get their campaign on home turf off to a winning start, making up for their opening loss to Warrington Wolves in round one. The visiting Leopards had a narrow 16-12 advantage at half-time, going over through Josh Charnley, Innes Senior and Bailey Hodgson, with Adam Cook converting two of the tries. Hull KR hold off Brisbane comeback to win World Club ChallengeSuper League 2026 - fixtures for regular season and play-offsNot got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream contract-free on NOWDownload Sky Sports app for expert analysis, video and more Meanwhile, St Helens had got on the scoreboard through Daryl Clark and Kyle Feldt, Jackson Hastings converting one plus adding a penalty from the tee. Leigh were the first to score in the second half through a Cook penalty but then it was all St Helens as a Joe Shorrocks converted try and a Hastings penalty put them 20-18 ahead. They then held on to that lead for over 20 minutes to claim the points. St Helens had to contend with an early change too as Jonny Lomax left the field with a wrist injury which saw Tristan Sailor back in the halves and Harry Robertson at full-back off the bench. Leigh rue errors as Saints grind out win With the Leopards on away turf, it did not take long for them to get going as they sliced through St Helens, Charnley getting to finish things off in the corner in the fourth minute for a 4-0 lead. However, St Helens soon hit back as, after a period of pressure, Clark scooted out from dummy half and Hastings converted to put them 6-4 up inside 10 minutes. In the process, Saints did suffer a crop of injuries as Lomax left the field and then Nene MacDonald limped off just after 20 minutes, moving Robertson to full-back and Matt Whitley into the centres. After a successful captain's challenge in the 22nd minute, the home team moved 8-4 in front as Hastings sent over a penalty conversion. The Leopards replied as Senior and Hodgson went over on the same edge within nine minutes of each other, Cook converting both to put his side 16-8 in front. Just before half-time, St Helens struck again as Leigh made a mistake by letting the restart bounce back into the home team's possession. Off the back of it Saints bided their time then sent it out wide for Feldt to acrobatically finish in the corner and bring the score to 16-12. Both sides had struggled defensively throughout the first 40 and that continued in the second half. The first points went the way of Leigh as Cook slotted over a penalty for Saints being offside at the scrum. But just two minutes later, off the back of a good set started by Robertson, Shorrocks powered over and Hastings converted to bring the scores level at 18-18. Leigh then had a period of individual errors leading to massive pressure, Liam Horne and Cook causing the issues and giving Saints ample opportunities which saw them send a penalty over for a narrow 20-18 advantage with just over 20 minutes remaining. After that, both sides chanced their arm, but it was St Helens with more territory and chances and despite not getting more points on the board they had Leigh where they wanted them. Leeds run riot against York ahead of Las Vegas Leeds put Super League newboys York Knights to the sword with a 46-14 victory at Headingley. Brad Arthur's side ran in eight tries as they registered their first win of the season. The Rhinos opened the scoring in the 12th minute when James McDonnell collected Jake Connor's kick to cross the line. Paul Vaughan hit back for the visitors after cleverly spinning the tackle and Liam Harris' conversion made it 6-6. But Leeds put their foot down and forged ahead in the 30th minute when Maika Sivo went over from close range, with Lachlan Miller finishing a team move two minutes later. Chris Hankinson then scored before half-time as the Rhinos notched their fourth try of a powerful first half, with Connor converting three. Ryan Hall sprinted clear after the restart to extend the lead and then Brodie Croft also crossed the line, minutes after Jordan Thompson had scored York's second try of the night. Harry Newman and a second for Sivo completed the scoring for Leeds, as Scott Galeano's last-gasp try for York did little to change the scoreline. 2026 Super League - key dates and what to look out forRugby League in Las Vegas: Sat Feb 28: Hull KR vs Leeds Rhinos, 11.30pm (Sky Sports)Super League's 30th birthday: Thu Mar 26: Castleford Tigers vs Bradford Bulls, 8pm (Sky Sports)Rivals Round: April 3-April 5Super League in Paris: Sat Jun 6: Catalans Dragons vs Wigan Warriors (Paris), 6:30 UK (Sky Sports)Magic Weekend: July 4-July 5Rivals Round reversed: July 23-July 26Elimination Play-offs: September 19-September 20Play-off semi-finals: September 26-September 27Grand Final: October 3, Old Trafford. Sky Sports will again show every game of the Super League live this season - including two matches in each round exclusively live, with the remaining five matches each week shown on Sky Sports+

The man was seen by the north gate of the Florida property at around 1.30am local time (6.30am UK time) on Sunday. He was carrying what appeared to be a shotgun and a fuel can, officials added. US media have identified the suspect as Austin Tucker Martin - a 21-year-old who was reported missing by his family a few days ago. Rick Bradshaw, the sheriff of Palm Beach County, said the man made it into Mar-a-Lago's inner perimeter. He is believed to have driven through the north gate of the estate as another vehicle was exiting. The man raised his shotgun to a shooting position after being confronted by a deputy and two Secret Service agents, who then "fired their weapons and neutralised the threat", the sheriff added. Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said the suspect was in his early 20s and from North Carolina. According to Mr Guglielmi, investigators believe he left North Carolina and headed south, picking up a shotgun along the way. The box for the gun was recovered in his vehicle. Investigators are working to compile a psychological profile while the motive is still under investigation. Suspect 'from family of Trump supporters', says relative The suspect's cousin, Braeden Fields, 19, spoke with a reporter from the Associated Press, stating: "We are big Trump supporters, all of us. Everybody." But he said his relative didn't discuss politics and was "real quiet, never really talked about anything". "He's a good kid," Mr Fields said, adding that Martin sent part of every pay cheque from his job at a local golf course to charity. "I wouldn't believe he would do something like this. It's mind-blowing." While Mr Trump often spends the weekends at Mar-a-Lago, he was at the White House with his wife Melania when the incident took place. White House praises Secret Service White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the Secret Service had acted "quickly and decisively to neutralise a crazy person" who had intruded into Mr Trump's home. She wrote on X: "Federal law enforcement are working 24/7 to keep our country safe and protect all Americans. It's shameful and reckless that Democrats have chosen to shut down their Department." Earlier this month, Democrats in the US Senate blocked a funding package for the Department of Homeland Security, which includes the Secret Service, over their opposition to an immigration crackdown that has triggered widespread protests and seen two people killed in Minneapolis. The FBI has asked residents who live near Mar-a-Lago to check any security cameras as they may have footage that could help investigators. Five days ago, US Capitol Police arrested a Georgia gunman armed with a shotgun as he sprinted towards the west side of the Capitol. Read more on Sky News:Trump sending 'great hospital boat' to GreenlandUS president announces new global tariffs Mr Trump previously faced a threat to his life when he was wounded during an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on 13 July 2024. On 15 September 2024, a man with a rifle was captured after waiting near Mr Trump's golf course in West Palm Beach while the president played a round. He was sentenced to life in prison earlier this month.

Emma Stone, Kate Hudson, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jessie Buckley, Teyana Taylor, Timothee Chalamet, Michael B Jordan, Carey Mulligan and Rose Byrne were among the stars on the BAFTA Film Awards red carpet this year. One Battle After Another was the big winner, with acting prizes for Buckley and British rising star Robert Aramayo. Here are all the outfits as the stars arrived ahead of the ceremony.

The Times first reported the lack of permission. The newspaper said, as a result of the UK's reticence, Donald Trump had withdrawn his support for a deal struck by Sir Keir Starmer to hand the Chagos Islands, which include Diego Garcia, over to Mauritius. US military plans to strike Iran involve the use of a British and American military base on Diego Garcia as well as RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, which hosts a US fleet of heavy bombers. Under long-standing agreements between London and Washington, the Pentagon is only able to launch operations from the two sites, as well as other air bases in the UK that are home to US warplanes and personnel, with advance approval from the British government. This has not yet been given in relation to any potential strike against Iran because of concern that such a mission would be a breach of international law, according to The Times. President Trump on Thursday said the world would find out "over the next, probably, 10 days" whether the US would reach a deal with Iran to end its nuclear ambitions - or take military action. He has been surging forces to the Middle East - including two giant aircraft carriers and supporting warships and jets - to increase his options for launching a significant military operation against the Islamic Republic should talks fail. Mr Trump spoke on Tuesday evening by phone with the British prime minister. The topics covered included the Iran crisis, but not the Chagos Islands. However, the following day, the president launched a new attack on Mr Starmer over the Chagos Islands deal, even after his own State Department had said it supported the UK's decision to give the territory to Mauritius and lease back Diego Garcia. In a post on social media, Mr Trump explicitly mentioned the utility of Diego Garcia and Fairford for US military operations against Iran, and appeared to suggest why it would be within international law for the UK to grant such deployments, given that it too could be under threat. "Should Iran decide not to make a Deal, it may be necessary for the United States to use Diego Garcia, and the Airfield located in Fairford, in order to eradicate a potential attack by a highly unstable and dangerous Regime" Mr Trump wrote on his Truth Social site. "An attack that would potentially be made on the United Kingdom, as well as other friendly countries." He then said: "We will always be ready, willing, and able to fight for the UK, but they have to remain strong in the face of Wokeism, and other problems put before them." Read more:Why is the Chagos Islands deal controversial?Trump to PM: 'Do not give away Diego Garcia' The UK is not thought to be preparing to support the US in any military offensive against Iran. However, the Royal Air Force has deployed six F-35 warplanes to RAF Akrotiri on Cyprus, and sent four Typhoon jets to Qatar, as part of efforts to bolster its own defences in the event of any Iranian counterattack in response to American strikes. On the Chagos Islands deal, the government has repeatedly defended its decision to hand over the territory to Mauritius, saying it would avoid a costly legal battle while securing access to Diego Garcia for 100 years.

Fighting in front of a home crowd, Shields improved to 18‑0, earning identical 100-90 scores on all three cards, while super‑middleweight titleholder Crews-Dezurn fell to 10‑3. "I had to take my time tonight," Shields said afterward. "That's one of the toughest fights I've been in during my pro career. She hits hard these days." Buy tickets for Caroline Dubois vs Terri HarperNot got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW The bout was a rematch of their professional debuts on November 19, 2016, when Shields also won by unanimous decision. Tensions between the fighters remained high, spilling over into a heated face off and a clash between their teams at the pre-fight weigh-in. Crews-Dezurn was evaluated by a doctor Sunday morning for knee and ankle issues but was cleared to compete. Both fighters came out aggressively in the opening round, but Shields quickly asserted control with superior hand speed. After the final bell, the pair exchanged words before ultimately sharing an embrace. Shields, a trailblazing two-time Olympic gold medallist, became the first undisputed heavyweight champion in women's boxing when she moved up from middleweight, her natural division and unified the WBC, WBO, WBA and IBF belts in her new weight class last year. This bout marked the first in Shields' new £5.9m ($8m) multi‑fight deal and drew a strong crowd to the home arena of the Detroit Red Wings and Pistons. In the co-main event, the light-heavyweight matchup between Atif Oberlton (14‑0) and Joseph George (13‑2) ended abruptly after one round when George collapsed in his corner. Paramedics treated him, and he was eventually able to leave the ring under his own power. On the undercard, American light-heavyweight Danielle Perkins (6‑1) scored a sixth‑round knockout over Australia's Che Kenneally (5‑1) to claim the WBA light-heavyweight title