This Is Why

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

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 feud 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 Guyatt to discuss the case and its repercussions.

Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show: why@sky.uk