This Is Why

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 rape Have you got a question for This Is Why? Email the show – why@sky.uk

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: why@sky.uk

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 – why@sky.uk

Thames Valley Police are investigating Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor over potential sex crimes, it’s understood. Officers are assessing allegations that Jeffrey Epstein sent a non-British woman to the UK in 2010 for a sexual encounter with Andrew, but have yet to interview her. Meanwhile the equalities watchdog has said in new guidance that single sex spaces - such as changing rooms and toilets - must be used on the basis of biological sex. This means a trans woman - a biological male who identifies as a woman - should not use female toilets or changing rooms, according to the code of conduct which has been approved by ministers. In politics, Rachel Reeves has announced a temporary cut to VAT on some family attractions as an attempt to ease cost of living pressures. It comes as there could be record-breaking temperatures over the Bank Holiday - with health warnings in place. Finally, Thomas Tuchel is set to announce his World Cup squad - and some big names will miss out. Anna Jones and Leah Boleto have the day's news in just 10 minutes.

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: why@sky.uk

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: why@sky.uk

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: why@sky.uk

A new strain of Ebola virus has been declared an international public health emergency by the World Health Organisation. More than 300 suspected cases have been identified – with at least 80 deaths reported. The outbreak is mostly confined to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, but some cases have already spread to Uganda. Plus, a number of American citizens have also been exposed to the virus. Niall speaks to Africa correspondent Yousra Elbagir and health correspondent Ashish Joshi about exactly what Ebola is and why the wider world should care about the outbreak. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk

The constituency of Makerfield has been a Labour safe seat for generations, but in the May elections, Reform UK won nearly every seat that was up for grabs at the local council. So how much of a gamble is it for Andy Burnham to try to stage a Commons return here? In his favour is his personal popularity in Greater Manchester and the fact he grew up in the area. Against him is the momentum of Reform and the fact that Makerfield hasn't benefitted from some of Burnham's key policies as mayor of the city. To discuss his chances, Niall speaks to Rob Ford, professor of political science at the University of Manchester. Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show - why@sky.uk

On Thursday lunchtime, Wes Streeting resigned from Sir Keir Starmer’s government. The now-former health secretary said he had “lost confidence” in the PM’s premiership – the first cabinet minister to jump ship. But what he didn’t say (yet) is that he will challenge Starmer for the Labour leadership – and with it, the keys to Number 10. So, why hasn’t Streeting fired the starting gun on a contest his critics say he’s been desperate to fight? What sort of leader might he eventually be, and what’s his track record in government? Niall is joined by Sky News’ political correspondent Rob Powell. Watch Wes Streeting’s appearance on Electoral Dysfunction with Beth Rigby here. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk

The UK is providing jets, drones and our only operational Type 45 destroyer – HMS Dragon – as part of a multinational mission to secure the Strait of Hormuz. Thousands of tankers and cargo ships remain stranded after the Strait was closed at the end of February due to the Iran war. Defence Secretary John Healey has stressed the deployment is a defensive measure to secure freedom of navigation – but will only be used once a ceasefire is in place. Will these military assets actually make a difference, and how does the Ministry of Defence operate at a time of such political uncertainty? Niall is joined by military analyst Professor Michael Clarke to find out more about the mission and the equipment the UK is sending. For more on HMS Dragon, you can listen to our episode with defence analyst Tom Sharpe here. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk

Keir Starmer is on the brink, as more and more Labour MPs and ministers call for his resignation – less than two years after he walked into Number 10. He remains defiant (for now), but whatever the fate of the prime minister, his predicament is one we've seen repeated over the past decade in a seemingly never-ending cycle of chopping and changing leaders. Since David Cameron's resignation in 2016 – after Britain voted to leave the European Union – no prime minister has served a full parliamentary term. Gareth Barlow speaks to pollster and founder at Merlin Strategy Scarlett Maguire about our impatience with politics and why the country feels ungovernable. Have you got a question for the show? Email us: why@sky.uk

Despite a disastrous set of local and national election results, the prime minister has vowed to carry on regardless. But dozens of Sir Keir Starmer's Labour MPs have now called on him to resign – or at least set out a timetable for when he will leave Downing Street. Surely choosing a replacement – or even triggering a leadership contest – should be straightforward? However, even though there are any number of potential challengers, the PM could well be safer than you think. Niall is joined by Sky’s political correspondent, Lucy McDaid, to discuss the Labour leadership election process, how it differs from the Tories and what needs to happen for Starmer to be ousted. Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show: why@sky.uk

The annual Victory Day parade in Moscow will be a much smaller affair this year, without an intercontinental ballistic missile in sight. Why? Well, the threat of a Ukrainian drone attack is certainly one reason. But is there any credibility in reports of another threat - this time against Vladimir Putin himself? An anonymous European intelligence agency has claimed the Russian president is spooked over the prospect of a potential coup or even a possible assassination attempt. The alleged plotter is being named as former Putin ally and shunned ex-defence minister Sergei Shoigu. But how credible is this report, and is the president's paranoia justified? Our Moscow correspondent Ivor Bennett joins Niall to discuss whether Shoigu is really plotting to oust Putin, and what it means if the leader's grip on power is slipping. Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show: why@sky.uk

The emergence of the United States as an energy superpower has reshaped the global economy. Good news for its allies, right? Well, not necessarily... In Texas, fracking has turned America from a major importer into the world's biggest energy producer, effectively creating "another Saudi Arabia" almost overnight. But as Europe looks to the US to plug the energy gap caused by wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, the reality on the ground is more complicated. Ed Conway, our economics and data editor, joins Niall to explore why the US can't simply ride to the rescue and what that means for the UK's energy security. Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show: why@sky.uk

Millions of people are preparing to head to the polls across Britain on Thursday. They'll be voting for thousands of local council seats in England - while people in Scotland and Wales will elect members of their respective devolved parliaments. But the results could have a huge impact on national politics. So, what happens to the prime minister if Labour loses as badly as expected? And does a good night for the Greens or Reform UK really mean they are banging on the door of Number 10? Niall previews what to expect at the polls with Cathy Newman - host of the Cathy Newman Show on Sky News from 7pm on Monday to Thursday. Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show – why@sky.uk

It's the small Baltic state that's no stranger to being invaded - having been occupied by both Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. But while many hope it will never happen again, there are fears in NATO and beyond that Estonia is next on Vladimir Putin's hitlist. So how is the country preparing for the threat from Russia? And could Estonia really be on the front line of a future war in Europe? Niall is joined by the outgoing UK ambassador to Estonia, Ross Allen.

With conflicts continuing in Ukraine, Africa and the Middle East, the global economy being held to ransom and the old world order seemingly up-ended, is there any role left for the United Nations? Founded in the shadow of two world wars, the UN used to be considered the guardian of international law and order. But is it now little more than a toothless talking shop? Niall is joined by Sky News' diplomatic editor Dominic Waghorn to help answer a query from a listener on whether the United Nations still has any meaningful function in the modern world. Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show: why@sky.uk

As The Devil Wears Prada 2 opens in cinemas, the former editor-in-chief of Vogue Anna Wintour is back in the news – but who is she? The sequel to the 2006 film is widely perceived to be based on Ms Wintour's formidable and abrasive management style. However, the world of fashion and the magazines that follow it has changed a lot since then. So, has she maintained her grip and influence on the multibillion-dollar industry? Niall is joined by Paula Froelich, senior story producer and on-air contributor for NewsNation, to discuss her life and career.

The war in Iran has led to fears of food shortages and fuelled forecourt price hikes – but is your summer holiday also in jeopardy? The price of jet fuel has soared higher than any other oil product, including petrol, since the Middle East conflict led to the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz. It means major airlines – including Qatar, Etihad and Lufthansa – have started cancelling flights. So how worried should you be about your much-needed break abroad? Niall is joined by Sky’s business correspondent Paul Kelso. Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show – why@sky.uk