This Is Why

Sky News

The world’s a pretty confusing place right now – so how do you make sense of it all? This Is Why  takes one story every day, explains how we got here and why it matters to you.

Sky News’ Niall Paterson speaks to experts and correspondents from around the world, getting simple answers to some complex questions.

Available every weekday afternoon.

This Is Why is a Sky News podcast – if you have a question, contact us: why@sky.uk

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1,002 episodes
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Apr 28, 2025 · 14 min
Star behaviour – will the scandals ever stop?
A small number of BBC stars and managers "behave unacceptably" at work and bosses often fail to tackle them. That's according to a new report into the broadcaster commissioned by the BBC in the wake of the Huw Edwards scandal. In response, the BBC said it would introduce reforms. But will they work? There's been a long list of star presenters behaving badly and that's not just at the BBC. So, will these scandals ever stop? Niall Paterson speaks to Arts and Entertainment Correspondent Katie Spencer and Roger Mosey Master of Selwyn College, Cambridge and former director of BBC Television News. Producers: Tom Pooley Editor: Philly Beaumont
Apr 25, 2025 · 16 min
Slot better than expected: The Liverpool and Arne story
Arne Slot, who took over as manager of Liverpool FC from Jurgen Klopp last summer, has had a remarkable year. His club is about to win the Premier League title - a big achievement for a manager in their first season at Anfield. Slot arrived at Liverpool after three highly successful campaigns with the Dutch side Feyenoord, and was named manager of the year on two occasions. He had a hard act to follow from Klopp who was loved by fans - he won the League Cup twice, the FA Cup, the Champions League and the Premier League. So who is Arne Slot? Niall Paterson speaks to Sky News sports correspondent Rob Harris and Rob McDonald who was Slot's first coach. Producer: Natalie Ktena Editor: Philly Beaumont
Apr 24, 2025 · 15 min
What happens if the US walks away from a Ukraine peace deal?
JD Vance is the latest senior member of Donald Trump's administration to say the US will walk away from peace talks if there isn’t a yes from both Ukraine and Russia. But the US plan to recognise Russia's claim to Crimea would be a breach of Ukraine's constitution and so not something President Volodomyr Zelenskyy can agree to even if he wanted to keep the talks alive. On today's Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson talks to our international affairs editor Dominic Waghorn about what will happen to Ukraine and Russia - and to the UK's and Europe's relations with the US - if Trump walks away from peace talks. Producer: Soila Apparicio Editor: Wendy Parker
Apr 23, 2025 · 15 min
Ukraine war: are we inching closer to peace?
Delegations arrived in London on Wednesday for talks on a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine after the discussions were downgraded from the very top level. Officials, including the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the Foreign Secretary David Lammy had been expected to attend, but that’s now not happening. The downgrading in the level of diplomacy is in contrast with an intensification in the pressure from Donald Trump to agree a ceasefire. So, what’s going on? Is a peace deal inching closer or moving further away? On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson talks to Sky’s military analyst Michael Clarke to find out. Producer: Soila Apparicio Editor: Philly Beaumont
Apr 22, 2025 · 13 min
What next after the Pope?
As Catholics around the world continue to mourn the death of Pope Francis, the process to elect a new pope will begin soon. But what direction will the new pontiff take? Will the cardinals pick a reformer or go with a traditionalist? And how will the church deal with waning congregations in the global north in comparison with the growing numbers in the south. Niall Paterson speaks to Freddy Gray, editor of the US Spectator and former deputy editor of the Catholic Herald about the tensions in the Catholic Church and how they will be resolved. Producer: Natalie Ktena Editor: Philly Beaumont
Apr 21, 2025 · 16 min
What's the legacy of Pope Francis?
Pope Francis has died at the age of 88, a day after appearing in the Vatican’s St Peter's Square to wish worshippers a happy Easter Sunday. Earlier this year, he was treated in hospital for five weeks with an infection, but had been discharged. The Argentinian pontiff, who ushered in a swathe of reforms over his 12-year papacy, symbolised to many an increasingly modern, progressive, and inclusive church. Niall Paterson is joined by Italian-born Sky News presenter Barbara Serra, who covered the death of Pope John Paul II for Sky News in 2005, as well as Pope Francis's election in 2013, and is herself a Catholic. Producer: Soila Apparicio Editor: Philly Beaumont
Apr 17, 2025 · 16 min
Who is the "world's coolest dictator" Nayib Bukele?
El Salvador's president Nayib Bukele was welcomed into the White House by President Trump earlier this week. The pair have recently become close allies after Trump began sending Venezuelan immigrations to a prison in El Salvador. On this Sky News Daily host Niall Paterson finds out who the self-proclaimed "world's coolest dictator" actually is. He speaks to chief correspondent Stuart Ramsay about what impact Bukele has had on El Salvador's gang problems and if he has transformed the country into a business and tourism haven. He also hears from Dr Ainhoa Montoya author and senior researcher at the Spanish National Research Council, and founding director of the Centre for Latin American and Caribbean Studies at the University of London. She explains how Bukele secured his position of power and uses social media as a propaganda tool. Producer: Soila Apparicio
Apr 16, 2025 · 17 min
Trans women not legally women say judges – what changes now?
The definition of a woman is based on biological sex, according to the UK’s most senior judges. As part of the decision, Lord Hodge, one of the judges, said: “We counsel against reading this judgement as a triumph of one or more groups in our society at the expense of another, it is not." Nevertheless, campaigners who brought this case to the courts cheered and hugged as the judges left the room. This episode hears from both sides of one of the most divisive debates in society and Niall Paterson speaks to legal commentator Joshua Rosenberg about the legal and social implications of the court decision. Producer: Soila Apparicio Editor: Paul Stanworth
Apr 15, 2025 · 13 min
Weinstein retrial: What happened to the #MeToo momentum?
Jury selection begins on Tuesday in the retrial of the Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, where the original charges of rape and sexual assault will be heard again. Last year his convictions on those charges were overturned due to concerns the judge had made improper rulings. The accusations against the Hollywood mogul were first published seven years ago - sparking the #MeToo movement. It saw a flood of women - famous and not - sharing stories of gender-based violence and harassment. On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson speaks to arts and entertainment correspondent Katie Spencer about why Weinstein is in court again and whether the #MeToo movement he sparked still has the impact it once had.
Apr 14, 2025 · 14 min
From Shanghai to Scunthorpe - what's China's influence on UK industry?
British Steel's Scunthorpe steelworks are now effectively under government control after the business secretary said Chinese owner Jingye had decided to stop buying enough raw materials to keep the blast furnaces going. Jonathan Reynolds said the government took the action as steel "is vital for our national security". But with Chinese companies owning hundreds of billions of pounds worth of infrastructure assets throughout the UK, do they have too much influence on the UK's critical industries? On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson speaks to business correspondent Paul Kelso about nationalising British Steel, Chinese investment in the UK economy and whether the government can ultimately keep the lights in the furnaces on. The Sky News Daily has approached Jingye for comment.
Apr 11, 2025 · 33 min
Electoral Dysfunction: Why isn’t Keir Starmer saying what he really thinks?
On today's Sky News Daily, we're sharing the latest episode of Electoral Dysfunction. Donald Trump has pressed pause on his higher tariffs... but not before he unleashed absolute chaos on the global economy. It all came down to the bond market - which you might remember from Liz Truss's time as prime minister... Alongside most countries, the UK still has the base level of 10% tariffs on exports and 25% on automobiles, so is the prime minister's "keep cool" strategy still paying off? Or is the UK just in the same boat, waiting along with everybody else for Trump's next move? One thing's for sure - Harriet thinks the UK government is speaking in code. She says Starmer needs to speak up and reassure the British public a bit more.
Apr 10, 2025 · 12 min
Bin strikes, stinking rubbish and rats – what's life like in Birmingham now?
It's been five weeks since the Birmingham bin strikes began over a long-running dispute between workers and the council. The city's residents have complained that mounting rubbish is a risk to public health, with rotting food attracting foxes, cockroaches and rats. Tom Cheshire speaks to Sky's Midlands correspondent, Shamaan Freeman-Powell, who's been in the city finding out how residents are dealing with the mounting rubbish, the smell and the rats - and whether an end to the strikes is in sight. Podcast producer: Natalie Ktena Editor: Wendy Parker
Apr 9, 2025 · 16 min
US-China trade war ramps up: Who will blink first?
Donald Trump has raised trade tariffs on China again - up to 125% and that's effective immediately. At the same time, he's ordered a 90-day pause on higher tariffs for dozens of countries. If it wasn't a trade war between the world's two biggest economies before - it is now. On this episode, Mark Austin examines if China will keep on retaliating against Donald Trump. Its tariffs on US imports had been increased to 84%. He's joined by vice president of the Beijing thinktank, the Centre for China and Globalisation, Victor Gao. He explains why he's sure that China will not blink first in this 'dangerous' standoff. Plus, our business correspondent Gurpreet Narwan on why the president has singled out China. *This episode was recorded just before President Trump increased US tariffs on Chinese imports to 125%. Producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse Editor: Paul Stanworth
Apr 8, 2025 · 14 min
Courts and the Colosseum: What is the Harry and King Charles dynamic now?
Unannounced Prince Harry arrived at the court of appeal in London on Tuesday, as part of a last-ditch attempt to overturn the Home Office decision to remove his UK state funded security, something he calls an “injustice”. It overshadows the King and Queen’s state visit to Italy which comes at a time of geopolitical and diplomatic delicacy as Trump’s tariffs upend world order as we know it. On the Sky News Daily, Mark Austin speaks to royal correspondent Rhiannon Mills in Rome about why security has been a sticking point in Prince Harry’s and the King’s relationship. They discuss if this clash of events tells us anymore about the pair’s dynamic. Producers: Emma Rae Woodhouse Editor: Paul Stanworth
Apr 7, 2025 · 15 min
Market turmoil: Are we heading for a global recession?
Today has seen chaos on global stock markets, with price plunges reminiscent of the famous Black Monday crash of 1987. Back then, the causes were unclear, whereas today there's no doubt - Trump's "liberation day" tariffs have spooked the markets. In 1987, people feared Black Monday was a sign of a global recession. They were wrong. Are we right to have the same fears today? Tom Cheshire is joined by Sky's Darren McCaffrey and stockbroker Russ Mould to discuss what might come next. Producers: Tom Pooley Editor: Philly Beaumont
Apr 4, 2025 · 15 min
The rise (and fall?) of Marine Le Pen
The leader of France's far-right National Rally party Marine Le Pen has had her dreams of becoming the president of France thwarted. It comes after a court found her guilty of embezzling European Union funds. She's now been banned from running for political office for five years. She has the support of Elon Musk, and Donald Trump who publicly backed her after the conviction, and this weekend there's a massive rally planned in Paris in support of her. So who is Marine Le Pen? Niall Paterson talks to Sophie Pedder, Paris bureau chief of The Economist who has written a book about Emmanuel Macron and has been reporting on Marine Le Pen for years. Producer: Natalie Ktena Editor: Philly Beaumont
Apr 3, 2025 · 14 min
Trump's tariffs: what do they mean for Britain?
President Donald Trump has imposed immediate tariffs of 10% on all British exports to the United States. He did this as he announced a "declaration of economic independence" for the US. On his self-declared "Liberation Day", Mr Trump described the tariffs as reciprocal and said he was going to be "kind" by charging half of each country’s total "anti-US" measures. Niall Paterson talks to Sky's business correspondent Paul Kelso about what these tariffs might mean for British business, which sectors are exempt, and whether a further deal can be worked out with Mr Trump. Producer; Natalie Ktena Editor: Wendy Parker
Apr 2, 2025 · 16 min
How have Trump's tariffs already affected China?
China's economy is already struggling. Growth has slowed dramatically in recent years and there is high youth employment. Since the beginning of March, there's also been a tax of 20% on any goods sold to the US. Ahead of President Donald Trump’s "liberation day", what effect are tariffs already having on the Chinese economy? Niall Paterson speaks to Sky's Asia correspondent Helen-Ann Smith who has been to Guangdong province to find out how manufacturing is being impacted. They also discuss how the tariffs will play into President Xi’s narrative of a resurgent global China. producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse editor: Philippa Beaumont
Apr 1, 2025 · 14 min
Bills, bills, bills: How can you beat the hikes?
From 1 April, household bills are going up. The cost of everything from energy to phone bills, council tax, and broadband is increasing. You can calculate how the increases will impact you here. So, is there any way you can beat the hikes? Daily host Niall Paterson is joined by Sky’s business correspondent Paul Kelso to look at why costs are going up, and gets some advice on how to limit the impact on your wallet from financial advisor and founder of Money Matters, Georgia Taylor. Help us understand more about our listeners by taking our survey! This form should only take a few minutes to complete, and Sky anonymises the responses as much as possible Podcast producer: Rosie Gillott Editor: Wendy Parker
Apr 1, 2025 · 15 min
Anger and acrimony: The Prince Harry charity row explained
Last week, Prince Harry quit as patron of a charity he co-founded in memory of his mother, Princess Diana. Over the weekend, the charity's chair, Dr Sophie Chandauka told Sky News' Trevor Philips the prince had been "the number one risk" to the charity and accuses the Duke of unleashing "the Sussex machine" on her and Sentebale's staff. A source close to the former trustees of the charity has described the claims as "completely baseless". On today's Daily, Niall Paterson speaks to Sky's royal correspondent Rhiannon Mills about the very public fallout. Help us understand more about our listeners by taking our survey! This form should only take a few minutes to complete, and Sky anonymises the responses as much as possible Podcast producer: Rosie Gillott Editor: Philly Beaumont