This Is Why

Everybody needs good neighbours. And on the day Andy Burnham moved into 10 Downing Street, he installed a surprise choice next door at Number 11. John Healey was highly critical of the Treasury when he quit as defence secretary last month, accusing it of being “unwilling” to provide the cash needed to fully fund his spending plans. Now he’s the one who will have to put his money where his mouth is as the new chancellor. So, what challenges does he face and will he be able to find the cash Rachel Reeves supposedly couldn’t? Niall Paterson is joined by Sky’s business correspondent Paul Kelso.

"Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the face." Mike Tyson's infamous warning for his opponents could easily apply to the new occupant of Number 10.Giving his first speech outside Downing Street, the new prime minister hinted at what his priorities will be – from easing the cost-of-living crisis to keeping commitments on defence spending.But what happens when those plans make contact with reality? Can Mr Burnham's "Manchesterism" work on a national level? And will international events interfere with his domestic agenda?Niall Paterson is joined by Sky's chief political correspondent Jon Craig to assess what might happen in his first few weeks and months in office.Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: [email protected]

Cabinet minister, Manchester mayor, ‘King of the North’ - Andy Burnham has held plenty of positions during his political career. But the next will be by far the most significant.The Makerfield MP is poised to take over as prime minister on Monday, after finally succeeding at his third attempt to become Labour leader.But who is the man behind the former Blair-era minister turned mayor of Manchester? How did his upbringing shape him and what underpins his politics?Niall is joined by chief political correspondent of The Times, Aubrey Allegretti.Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: [email protected]

It’s coming home.... British Steel will once again be, well, British after it was renationalised to “protect the future of steel production in the UK” - and that could be just the start.Prime minister-in-waiting Andy Burnham has described water, energy, transport and housing as the “essentials of life” that should be run principally in the public, rather than private, interest.But can nationalisation solve the fundamental issues privatisation was meant to solve? And if Burnham does deliver more services back into public ownership, what would be the trade-offs and ultimately the cost?Niall Paterson is joined by Sky’s business correspondent Paul Kelso.Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: [email protected]

You can have sex, learn to drive and join the army – but can’t be trusted to watch YouTube after midnight. Are the government’s latest curbs on teenage social media use practical or performative?The proposed curfew for 16 and 17-year-olds builds on the outright ban for under-16s due to come into force next spring – but won’t be compulsory.With the government committed to reducing the general election voting age to 16, are they in danger of sending a mixed message about how much we trust young people.Why do we allow teenagers to have certain responsibilities but not others? And should parents take more responsibility for preparing their children for adult life?Niall Paterson speaks to child psychologist Dr Adam Abdelnoor.Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: [email protected]

Rip up the Memorandum of Understanding, the ceasefire is well and truly over. Iran and the United States are once more at war – with oil tankers targeted and the Strait of Hormuz firmly shut.Donald Trump's response? He insists the US will take control of the disputed waterway and act as a "guardian angel" for all ships passing through.Originally, he wanted to charge a 20% toll for the privilege, before backtracking on what seemed like an unworkable claim.But is the US still in danger of being dragged deeper into a long-term conflict with Iran that could have repercussions for the region – and the global economy – for years to come?Niall Paterson is joined by Sky's military analyst Professor Michael Clarke.

Forget the “Hand of God”, David Beckham’s red card or even the Falklands war – the relationship between England and Argentina is so much more complicated than that. On the pitch, it’s one of the great footballing rivalries – defined by Diego Maradona’s antics at the Azteca and Beckham’s redemption from villain to hero. Off it, the two countries share a complex history. The dispute over the Falklands remains at the core of the Argentine psyche, but so too does a love of British music, sport and even red post boxes. Now, the old rivals are set to meet once more for a place in the World Cup final. So why does this fixture feel so different? Niall Paterson is joined by the writer, broadcaster and author of Angels With Dirty Faces, a history of the Argentinian game, Jonathan Wilson. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: [email protected]

Mark Rutte has spent years quietly building a reputation as one of Europe's most effective political operators. Now, as NATO secretary general, he's trying to keep the world's most powerful military alliance together at a time of growing global uncertainty.So, who is Mark Rutte? Niall looks at the leadership style that's defined his career, how he's navigating some of the biggest challenges facing NATO, and why his ability to build relationships could shape the alliance's future.With insight from Royal United Services Institute director general Rachel Ellehuus, we explore what makes Rutte tick, and what his leadership could mean for the years ahead.Have you got a question for Niall? Email us at [email protected] a Sky News Insider! You can listen to Stuff Matters, Electoral Dysfunction, and Trump100 without ads, get new episodes early, exclusive bonus episodes and much more, by becoming a Sky News Insider. Sky News Insider requires a paid subscription and is available to UK listeners aged 18 and over. Find out more and subscribe here: skynews.supportingcast.fm

Everybody has a bad week from time to time - but for Prince Harry the last few days have been something of a royal disaster.The King's wayward son lost his High Court battle against the publisher of the Daily Mail before accusing the judge of a "complete and obvious whitewash".Days earlier Buckingham Palace denied he would be staying there after the duke's team said he was. And as things stand, there will be no meeting with the King before the end of his stay in the UK.So, what's next for Harry in the rift with his family and his fight with the press?Niall Paterson is joined by royal commentator Jennie Bond.

The US and Iran are trading strikes again as Donald Trump turns to his weapon of choice - sitting down at press conferences and calling people names. America’s insulter-in-chief has used a NATO summit to say Iran are “sick people" and "scum" and that the ceasefire is now "over”. It was a fragile agreement that has broken down after tankers were targeted in the Strait of Hormuz - so who is to blame for the latest violence? What next for the ceasefire and could we soon see a return to all-out war? Niall is joined by Sky’s military analyst Michael Clarke.

A fight for his political future or nothing more than a publicity stunt? Nigel Farage has announced he’s resigning as MP for Clacton only to stand to again in the by-election he’s triggering.Mr Farage calls it a case of the “people versus the establishment” but did he jump before he was pushed?He has faced intense scrutiny over his financial affairs, after it was reported he had received support from his long-time ally, the convicted fraudster George Cottrell – and is also the subject of a parliamentary investigation over a £5 million gift from Reform donor Christopher Harborne.So why resign now? Will Mr Farage’s political enemies be able to take advantage? And is there any truth to the conspiracy theories of an establishment and media hatchet job?Niall Paterson is joined by Sky’s Chief political correspondent Jon Craig.Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show: [email protected]

Cancel Corrie? No chance! ITV will remain free-to-air and continue to show fan favourites, such as Coronation Street and Love Island, following a deal to sell the broadcaster to Sky.Both Sky and ITV insist the move will make it easier to compete with global streaming giants like Netflix. And there’s a commitment to buy programmes from ITV Studios – which is not included in the sale – until 2034.But what does the deal mean for both viewers and the UK media landscape? And will regulators have questions about Britain’s biggest commercial TV station being snapped up by a US-owned rival?Niall Paterson is joined by Sky’s business correspondent Paul Kelso.Sky is the parent company of Sky News, which makes this podcast.Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show – [email protected]

Brothers, rivals, cabinet colleagues? When Ed Miliband beat brother David to the Labour leadership in 2010, it looked as if their relationship had been fractured beyond repair. But it appears Andy Burnham is giving serious consideration to offering them both big roles in his administration. Can the Milibands really work together again in government after years of estrangement? Will it be senior women in the cabinet who are forced to make way for their promotion to power? And what does it say about Burnham’s political instincts that he appears to be so reliant on former friends from the Blair-Brown era? Niall Paterson speaks to Sky’s chief political correspondent, Jon Craig.

He’s a convicted child rapist who’s been stripped of his British citizenship. But the ringleader of a notorious Rochdale grooming gang – released from jail this week – cannot be removed from the UK.Shabir Ahmed was sentenced in 2012 for multiple counts of rape and sexual offences against girls as young as 12. But provisions in the Immigration Act 1971 mean he is safe from deportation.Politicians from all parties – including prime minister-in-waiting Andy Burnham – are calling on the Home Office to take action. But what legally can be done? And how does the law actually work?Niall is joined by lawyer, journalist and legal affairs commentator Joshua Rozenberg.Warning: today’s episode contains references to grooming gangs, rape, sexual abuse and coercive control. If you have been affected by any of the issues Joshua and Niall discussed you can call The Samaritans, free of charge, on 116 123. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: [email protected]

Whether you’ve been enjoying or enduring the summer heatwave, running that new air-con unit has just got a whole lot more expensive.For millions of people across England, Scotland and Wales the cost of household energy has soared by 13% from the 1 July – following the latest rise in the energy price cap.The war in Iran is largely to blame, thanks to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and subsequent spike in oil and gas prices.But Donald Trump’s military action began at the end of February, so why are we only beginning to feel the impact now? How long will the current high prices persist and are there any tricks for reducing those domestic bills?Mhari Aurora is joined by Sky’s business news reporter James Sillars.Have you got a question for the podcast? Email us: [email protected]

Funding for the armed forces is set to rise by £15 billion over the next four years- but the Treasury has confirmed that only £10.3 billion of that has been costed for.Also today… Trump has made more than $1bn last year from business dealings in cryptocurrency, the energy price cap rises, and a Jamaican delegation will travel to the UK seeking slavery reparations from Britain.And finally, tennis legend Serena Williams has been knocked out of Wimbledon in her first Grand Slam appearance since 2022.Sophy and Matt have the day's news in just 10 minutes.

Every prime minister promises ambitious plans to build new homes – every prime minister in more than half a century has failed. Andy Burnham says he’ll be different. The former Manchester mayor is on the verge of becoming the new tenant in Number 10 and wants to oversee the biggest council house construction programme since the post-war boom. But you have to go back to 1970 for the last time any government fulfilled its housebuilding target. So why is Mr Burnham so sure he can succeed where his predecessors have failed? Mhari Aurora speaks to David Byers, deputy property editor at The Times and Sunday Times. Have you got a question for the podcast? Email us: [email protected]

Drones in, destroyers out. The Royal Navy looks set to be the biggest losers when the Defence Investment Plan is finally published. Instead of building a new fleet of state-of-the-art warships, we will have to rely on cheaper ‘common combat vessels’ to serve as hubs for a hybrid response to the threat from Russia. How will the change in military spending be received when Sir Keir Starmer makes his international swansong as prime minister at the NATO summit? And could he really be the next NATO secretary general, despite a mixed record on defence readiness? Mhari Aurora speaks to Sky’s security and defence editor Deborah Haynes. Have you got a question for the podcast? Email us: [email protected]

The King has revealed how much income tax he pays, becoming the first monarch to ever do so. The Palace said the move was “increasing transparency”, but have the royals given us the full picture? Niall Paterson is joined by Sky’s royal correspondent Laura Bundock and forensic accountant Professor Atul Shah, who have been combing through the tax releases. They explain exactly what was revealed and address whether the numbers are as clear-cut as they seem. Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show – [email protected]

It's all a little awkward. Sir Keir Starmer is set to deliver his defence spending proposals to NATO next month, despite having lost both his job and his defence secretary.But the outgoing PM seems determined to push through with his plans just days before Andy Burnham potentially moves into Downing Street.The man whose resignation helped hasten Starmer's departure - ex-defence secretary John Healey - recently held talks with Burnham.But what do we know about our expected new prime minister's position on military spending? Will he prove to be more of a hawk or a dove when it comes to the defence of the realm?Niall is joined by Sky’s political correspondent Rob Powell and military analyst Sean Bell.

When an event discussing extreme heat at London Climate Week is called off due to... extreme heat, you know things are bad. In the words of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, “London is cooking.” Yes, it’s summer and heatwaves are hardly a rarity. But as record temperatures in June follow record temperatures in May – it's the frequency and severity of these weather events that are frightening forecasters and climate scientists. With a rare red heat warning in place across much of England and Wales, hundreds of schools have closed, travellers have been warned to avoid public transport and there are threats of power cuts. But as our summers become ever hotter, are we doing enough to adapt national infrastructure? And why are politicians so hesitant to take transformative climate action? Niall Paterson is joined by Sky’s science and technology editor Tom Clarke. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: [email protected]

A decade to the day since the Brexit referendum, the European Union has postponed a proposed summit to reset the UK’s relationship with Europe. Following the fall of the Starmer premiership, Brussels will now wait and see what a new Labour leader – likely to be Andy Burnham – wants to achieve from any potential EU negotiation. But as every prime minister over the past 10 years has discovered, trying to reshape those relations from outside the union is fraught with political danger. Will a Burnham Number 10 seek to strengthen ties with Europe? Could he call for a customs union - and be willing to pay the price? And how will it be viewed by the Leave-supporting voters of Makerfield and the rest of the so-called “Red Wall”? Niall Paterson is joined by Anne McElvoy, executive editor of POLITICO Europe and co-host of our sister podcast, Politics at Sam and Anne’s. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: [email protected]

It's become a familiar sight in British politics - the lectern outside 10 Downing Street, ready for another resignation speech.On Monday morning, Sir Keir Starmer became the sixth prime minister to stand down in almost a decade, despite on paper commanding a huge Labour majority.So, why was his departure inevitable? And what will be the Starmer legacy following his two years in office?Niall Paterson is joined by Sky's political correspondent Rob Powell.

Serena Williams has nothing left to prove. She's won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, inspired generations of players and built a legacy that reaches far beyond tennis. But after nearly four years away from the sport, she's returning to Wimbledon.So, Niall asks why one of the greatest athletes of all time is making a comeback. He is joined by Charlie Eccleshare, senior tennis writer for The Athletic, as they discuss what motivates elite competitors long after they've conquered their sport, and whether Serena Williams can still defy expectations one more time.Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show: [email protected]. And if you wanted to watch Niall, check out This is Why on YouTube.

End the war, get the oil tankers moving, and the world’s economy returns to normal. It sounds easy. It really isn’t. Donald Trump and the Iranian regime have signed a Memorandum of Understanding in the hopes of bringing the four-month conflict to an end. But the key objective of allowing global shipping to pass freely through the currently Iran controlled Strait of Hormuz is far less straightforward than it may appear. From the threat of minefields to a change of heart over military action, it could take months – if not longer – for the region to return to normal. Niall Paterson is joined by Sky's military analyst Sean Bell. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: [email protected]

"Just one of those things." A typically British response to an unprecedented act of belligerence. When Alan and Jane Kelvey took their yacht out for a sail across the English Channel, the last thing they expected was to be at the centre of a huge diplomatic incident. But when a Russian-flagged frigate fired warning shots as the couple sailed nearby, it was yet another sign of the breakdown in relations between the Kremlin and the UK. Was this an indirect response to the impounding of a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker by British forces? Why are Moscow’s warships operating so close to the UK coastline in the first place? And is it another example of the Royal Navy's lack of resources? Niall Paterson is joined by Sky’s military analyst Professor Michael Clarke. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: [email protected]

It's not just teenagers having tantrums over TikTok, a social media ban for under-16s could have unforeseen consequences for anyone who uses the internet.The government's decision to crack down on everything from YouTube to AI chatbots was announced on Monday – but remained short on detail.How will any ban work in practice? Is this all being pushed through to provide a legacy for the prime minister? And will every adult user now have to prove they're over-16, with a potential impact on privacy and civil liberties?Niall Paterson speaks to the tech journalist and broadcaster Will Guyatt.Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: [email protected]

It was Donald Trump’s 80th birthday present to himself – announcing the US had finally agreed a peace plan with Iran. But is it really a done deal, especially when it comes to Iran’s nuclear ambitions?In fact, is it a deal at all? The two sides are understood to have reached a Memorandum of Understanding, bringing an end to the fighting and a start to 60 days of further negotiations.But whilst Iran has again reiterated its commitment to not produce a nuclear weapon, the future of the country’s uranium enrichment programme is far more vague.Will Mr Trump be satisfied his original war aims have succeeded? And what about the role of Israel in any longer-term peace deal for the region?Niall Paterson is joined by Sky’s International Affairs Correspondent Dom Waghorn.Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: [email protected] Sky News Insider! You can listen to Stuff Matters, Electoral Dysfunction, and Trump100 without ads, get new episodes early, exclusive bonus episodes and much more, by becoming a Sky News Insider. Sky News Insider requires a paid subscription and is available to UK listeners aged 18 and over. Find out more and subscribe: https://skynews.supportingcast.fm/

LEDs were supposed to be one of the great environmental success stories: a revolutionary technology that uses a fraction of the energy of traditional light bulbs. But have they really saved the world?In our new podcast Stuff Matters, economics and data editor Ed Conway takes an object, cracks it open and reveals the world shaping forces hidden inside.Each episode follows a trail of ideas that stretches beyond the object itself, uncovering far reaching economic powers that shape how we live.Along the way, Ed meets fascinating characters, from brilliant inventors to Latin American revolutionaries. He dives into their personal stories and reveals how they’ve changed the course of industries and economies.Because when you look closely enough, even the simplest things turn out to matter more than you think.Follow Stuff Matters to never miss an episode.

He’s the former Marine who served in the special forces, climbs mountains for fun, and now could hold the keys to Downing Street. Following an astonishing interview on Sky News, Al Carns quit as Armed Forces minister over doubts the long-delayed Defence Investment Plan was going to be fully funded. It was yet another blow for a prime minister still reeling from the resignation of his defence secretary John Healey earlier on Thursday. Carns, nick-named ‘Action Man’ because of his military background, has already hinted at his leadership ambitions. Could he now potentially join the likes of Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting in challenging Sir Keir Starmer? Sky’s Mhari Aurora is joined by political correspondent Amanda Akass to discuss Carn’s career, and how likely a contender he is for the country’s top job. Have you got a question? Email the show – [email protected]

Americans are finally feeling the pinch due to Trump’s war in Iran, with inflation surging to a three-year-high.There’s no end to hostilities in sight, and with the Strait of Hormuz – which handles a fifth of global oil and gas supplies – still closed, it looks like prices will continue to rise.With any economic pain the US experiences amplified across the pond, how will the UK cope with yet more financial upheaval?Plus, what does this all mean for Trump’s presidency ahead of the mid-term elections in November?Mhari Aurora is joined by Sky News’s business and economics reporter James Sillars.Have you got a question for the show? Email us: [email protected]

The riots which brought mass disorder to the streets of Belfast on Tuesday night weren’t just a reaction to a brutal stabbing in the city the night before.According to Professor Ian Acheson, they were also an expression of the rage and anger felt by a divided community ignored by politicians and policy makers.The violence has been rightly condemned after houses were set alight and police cars attacked.But Professor Acheson – an expert in counter extremism – argues it shouldn’t come as any surprise that tensions over migration and social deprivation have once again boiled over.Mhari Aurora spoke to the author and journalist.

Swindon. The epicentre of the global drone industry? As unlikely as it might seem, the Wiltshire town could soon be just that. But instead of taking advantage of the cutting-edge weaponry being developed in the area, the UK is falling behind in the deployment of this potentially decisive technology. Conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East have shown just how vital drones are in modern warfare – used as they are to such brutal effect on the front line. But while the US and Ukraine are buying British, the Ministry of Defence has yet to commit to large-scale investment in our own drone capabilities. So, why is the UK dragging its feet? And how vulnerable does that leave the country at this time of increased global volatility? Mhari Aurora speaks to Sky’s security and defence editor Deborah Haynes. Have you got a question for the show? Email us: [email protected]

After Israel launched strikes on Iran for the first time since April – against US wishes – are the cracks beginning to show between Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu?The episode is another sign of the growing friction between the US and Israeli leaders, following reports of heated disagreements behind closed doors.Is Washington’s influence over Israel starting to wane? And as Netanyahu ramps up his military ambitions in the Middle East, who is really calling the shots when it comes to the Iran war?Jonathan Samuels speaks to Sky’s Middle East Correspondent Adam Parsons in Jerusalem.Have you got a question for the show? Email us: [email protected]

The idea of two princesses living in luxury while the King pays their rent may have seemed normal in days gone by – but surely not in 2026.Beatrice and Eugenie, the daughters of former prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, have been enjoying that very arrangement despite being non-working royals.So, who are Beatrice and Eugenie? How have they navigated the scandal over their parents' links to Jeffrey Epstein? And is it right the King still pays their rent?Niall Paterson is joined by Sky's royal correspondent Laura Bundock.Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show – [email protected]

He was already the richest man on the planet. Now Elon Musk's wealth is about to go stratospheric.The SpaceX founder will become the world's first trillionaire when he launches the company on the US stock market next week.One trillion seconds amounts to a staggering 31,700 years. One trillion dollars would give Musk almost unimaginable influence.What are the dangers of him – and other tech giants – amassing so much wealth?Niall Paterson is on the money with Sky’s business correspondent Paul Kelso.Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show – [email protected]

Moscow may have hit Ukraine with one of its biggest attacks of the war so far - but is it Russia’s economy that’s starting to crack? Businesses are closing while bills and taxes are on the rise – as the growing cost of the conflict is felt on the high street and in homes as much as the battlefield. With his hometown under attack from Ukrainian drones, what does Vladimir Putin fear most - losses on the frontline, unrest over the struggling economy, or the possibility both could combine to threaten his control? Sky’s Ivor Bennett sends a snapshot from St Petersburg, while Niall Paterson is joined by our military analyst Professor Michael Clarke. Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show – [email protected]

Is the murder of 18-year-old Henry Nowak a new low for the police - or an excuse for political point scoring?Henry was handcuffed as he lay dying after being stabbed, having been falsely accused of racially abusing his Sikh killer, Vickrum Digwa.Reform UK leader Nigel Farage claims this is yet another example of 'two-tier policing', where white people are treated differently to ethnic minorities.Are those allegations justified? Do police forces in England have an institutional problem with race? Or are the facts and statistics being ignored to suit a political agenda?Niall Paterson is joined by Clifford Stott, professor of policing research at the Open University.Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show - [email protected]

A year on from publishing a plan to make the UK's military fit for purpose, the government still hasn't said where the money's coming from.It now admits the long-delayed defence investment plan is still weeks away from being published.The prime minister has committed to spend 3.5% of GDP on core defence by 2035 - but is Sir Keir Starmer willing to sanction cuts elsewhere, from welfare or the NHS, to pay for it?As the US seemingly turns its back on NATO and the threat from Russia increases, is the UK taking defence spending seriously enough?Niall Paterson is joined by Sky's military analyst Sean Bell.Have you got a question for This Is Why? Email the show: [email protected]

A Blue Origin rocket explosion during a test launch at Cape Canaveral in Florida could have huge implications for Jeff Bezos' ambitions in space.His company had just won a big NASA contract to deliver lunar landers to the moon using his New Glenn rockets which are specifically designed to carry cargo.The failure will also affect NASA's moon plans, which already included little margin for error.Sky's science and technology correspondent Mickey Carroll joins Mhari Aurora to discuss what the explosion means for Blue Origin, getting humans back on the moon and the space race.

At least eight teenagers have died after getting into difficulty in open water during the UK’s record-breaking heatwave.The tragedies have caused the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) to warn of the dangers of “cold water shock”, as many try to cool down in the baking heat.The deaths have also happened days before the official start of summer - so what can be done to keep people safe in the months ahead?Mhari Aurora discusses water safety with campaigner Beckie Ramsay, whose son drowned in open water in 2011.Have you got a question for This Is Why? Email the show – [email protected].

The head of the GCHQ intelligence agency has warned that Russia is going after critical infrastructure and democracy in the UK.Anne Keast-Butler also used the inaugural GCHQ annual lecture at Bletchley Park to say the threat of this "daily hybrid activity" leading to a wider conflict is as "high as I’ve ever seen it".Her warning comes days after an RAF jet carrying the UK's defence secretary John Healey had its signal jammed near the Russia border.Why is Moscow allegedly carrying out these hybrid attacks and what is being done to tackle them?Gareth Barlow discusses how severe the Russia threat is with Sky's military analyst Professor Michael Clarke.

Three teenagers who avoided jail over the rape of two girls in Hampshire will now have their sentences reviewed after a judge initially said he wanted to "avoid criminalising these children unnecessarily". One of the victims described the ruling as being like a "rock straight in my face".The attorney general, Lord Hermer, has announced that the Court of Appeal will review the sentences. His office had received "multiple" requests for the sentences to be reviewed under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.Gareth Barlow speaks to Susan Edwards, Professor of Law at Northumbria University and author of 'Sex and Gender in the Legal Process', about how the decision was reached and what will happen next. Also, Sky’s political correspondent Rob Powell discusses the government's plan to reform the youth justice system.Warning: This podcast contains references to rapeHave you got a question for This Is Why? Email the show – [email protected]

In all corners of the United Kingdom, parties that back independence are now in charge.The SNP retained control in Scotland and Plaid Cymru took power in Wales for the first time following the May elections. And, with Sinn Fein becoming the biggest party in Northern Ireland back in 2022, it now means all three devolved legislatures in the UK are led by nationalist parties.So, what's behind their rise and are there similarities between them?Niall is joined by Professor Michael Keating, Emeritus Professor of Politics at the University of Aberdeen and Fellow of the Centre on Constitutional Change at the University of Edinburgh.Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show: [email protected]

Thomas Tuchel is England’s first German-born manager. He has led some of Europe’s biggest clubs, from Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich to Chelsea, where he won the Champions League.But he has rarely stayed long in one place; Tuchel has had fraught relationships with club owners and executives.Now, as he announces his squad for the 2026 World Cup in North America, some of his selection decisions have already sparked controversy. So what do they, and his career so far, reveal about the man carrying England’s hopes on his shoulders?Our sports correspondent Rob Harris, fresh from interviewing the England manager, speaks to Niall Paterson about Tuchel’s leadership style, his track record under pressure, and whether he can succeed where others have failed.Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show – [email protected]

Since Russia invaded Ukraine, Britain has sanctioned Moscow’s economy in an attempt to weaken Putin's war machine. But this week, the UK introduced a new exemption allowing diesel and jet fuel made from Russian oil to enter Britain via third countries.So, has Britain quietly relaxed its sanctions on Russia? And more broadly, have Western sanctions actually worked?Niall is joined by Tom Keatinge, founding director of the Centre for Finance and Security at defence and security thinktank the Royal United Services Institute, to explain what sanctions are designed to do, whether they change government behaviour, and why Russia is still making billions from oil exports despite years of restrictions.Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show: [email protected]

President Xi Jinping's hopes of putting China at the centre of a new world order have been given a boost by back-to-back visits of two of his fellow world leaders. Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump both had the red carpet rolled out but the US president left without securing any major deals, while Putin has signed at least 20 deals and significantly a joint declaration on establishing a multipolar world and a new type of international relations. Russia has arguably been weakened by its Ukraine war, and with the US viewed by some as less stable under Trump, is China taking advantage to become the leading global power? To discuss this, Niall is joined from Beijing by Sky News’ Asia Correspondent, Helen-Ann Smith. Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show: [email protected]

Tech titan and X owner Elon Musk has seen his high-profile lawsuit against the boss of OpenAI Sam Altman thrown out of court. Musk accused his rival of making OpenAI, which created the increasingly popular ChatGPT, a profit-making company after he had donated $38 million to it. The jury may have ruled against Musk, but the fued between the two tech tycoons is likely to continue – and could define the future of AI for years to come. Niall is joined by tech journalist Will Gyatt to discuss the case and its repercussions. Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show: [email protected]

Andy Burnham isn’t even an MP but appears to already be campaigning to be the next prime minister - and if a latest opinion poll is anything to go by his confidence is justified.Meanwhile, Donald Trump says he has he instructed his administration to call off strikes on Iran that were scheduled for today.However, he warned he could unleash a “full, large scale assault” on the country at a “moment’s notice.”It comes as the World Health Organisation has declared the deadly outbreak of Ebola in Africa an international health emergency - but the UK is said to be facing a “low risk”.There’s been a shocking development in relation to one of the country’s most popular reality TV shows - with Channel 4 saying "very serious allegations of wrongdoing" have been made against a small number of past Married At First Sight UK contestants.Finally, Arsenal’s 1 - 0 victory over Burnley last night has brought them one step closer to a first Premier League title in more than 20 years.A title triumph for Arsenal would also end Pep Guardiola’s hopes of lifting a seventh Premier League trophy - as reports suggest the Sky Blues are preparing for his departure.Sophy and Wilf have the day's news in just 10 minutes.