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
Updated Yesterday

Episodes1002

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Aug 24, 2023 · 20 min
Prigozhin "dead", what next for Putin and Ukraine?
Russians have been paying tribute to Yevgeny Prigozhin after it was reported the Wagner leader was among ten people who died when a private jet crashed near Moscow on Wednesday. President Putin has praised his former ally as a “talented businessman” who worked “with good results” in Russia and across Africa, but also said he had “made serious mistakes in his life”. On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson takes a deep dive into what it means for President Putin’s hold on power, the war in Ukraine and whether it’s the end of the Wagner group. Niall is joined by our international affairs editor Dominic Waghorn and military analyst Sean Bell. Podcast producer: Rosie Gillott Senior podcast producer: Annie Joyce Podcast promotion producer: David Chipakupaku Editor: Wendy Parker
Aug 24, 2023 · 10 min
Prigozhin crash: Military analyst Sean Bell on what the footage tells us
Russian aviation authorities say Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin was among ten people killed in a plane crash near Moscow on Wednesday. Earlier this summer, the mercenary group leader led a short-lived mutiny against Russia’s top brass. On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson is joined by military analyst Sean Bell as they examine what we can glean from footage of the private jet falling to the ground, reaction to the crash, and Prigozhin’s relationship with President Vladimir Putin. Podcast producer: Rosie Gillott Senior podcast producer: Annie Joyce Editor: Paul Stanworth
Aug 23, 2023 · 20 min
Fukushima nuclear plant: Is flushing out wastewater safe?
Japan is due to start releasing treated radioactive water from Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean, despite opposition from neighbouring countries. A 9 magnitude earthquake hit Japan's east coast in 2011, killing 18,000 people and displacing a further 150,000 from an exclusion zone around the plant. Some 1.34 million tonnes of water - enough to fill 500 Olympic-size pools - have been stored in tanks since a tsunami destroyed the plant, but space is now running out. The water will be released over a 30-year period after being filtered and diluted. On the Sky News Daily with Niall Paterson, our Asia correspondent Helen-Ann Smith describes the mood in neighbouring countries opposing the water release. Plus, Jim Smith, professor of environmental science at the University of Portsmouth dispels concerns about the levels of radiation, insisting there is no need to worry. Producer: Soila Apparicio Interviews Producer: Alex Edden Editor: Philly Beaumont
Aug 22, 2023 · 20 min
Scotland's drug epidemic - would decriminalisation solve it?
New data published on the rate of drug deaths in Scotland show they have decreased, after decades of constant rises, but the number is still higher than the rest of Europe. Just over 1,000 people in Scotland died as a result of drug misuse in 2022, the lowest number since 2017. On the Sky News Daily with Niall Paterson, our Scotland correspondent Connor Gillies combs through the latest figures, while Professor Catriona Matheson, an expert in substance misuse from the University of Stirling, describes possible solutions to reducing deaths further, including decriminalisation. Plus, Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh details the impact of drug misuse in Scotland. Senior Podcast Producer: Annie Joyce Podcast Producer: Soila Apparicio Interviews Producer: Alex Edden Editor: Paul Stanworth
Aug 21, 2023 · 17 min
Lucy Letby: Should the guilty be forced to face their victims in court?
Britain's worst child serial killer Lucy Letby will spend the rest of her life in prison. But the former neonatal nurse refused to appear in court to hear either the victim statements or the judge hand down a whole-life sentence. One of the baby victims' mothers has called Letby's defiance a "final act of wickedness from a coward". On the Sky News Daily, Sky News‘ home editor Jason Farrell discusses if defendants should be forced to face their victims in court. He speaks to legal commentator Joshua Rozenberg and Farah Naz, the aunt of Zara Aleena who was murdered in 2022. Farah Naz was forced to give her victim statement to an empty dock when her niece's killer refused to appear. Podcast producer: Rosie Gillott Interviews producer: Alex Edden Editor: Paul Stanworth
Aug 18, 2023 · 33 min
Britain's most prolific child killer: Nurse Lucy Letby found guilty
Lucy Letby has been found guilty of murdering seven babies while working on a neonatal unit at the Countess of Chester Hospital between June 2015 and June 2016. The 33-year-old nurse was also convicted of seven counts of attempted murder following a trial that lasted nine months. Families of her victims sobbed and comforted each other in court as the jury delivered their verdicts over several days. On the Sky News Daily, we hear from some of the relatives as host Niall Paterson is joined by our correspondent Katerina Vittozzi, who has been following the trial at Manchester Crown Court. Podcast producers: Rosie Gillott and Soila Apparicio Senior podcast producer: Annie Joyce Podcast promotion producer: David Chipakupaku Editor: Paul Stanworth and Wendy Parker
Aug 17, 2023 · 17 min
Is Sarina Wiegman the manager who'll win a World Cup for England?
With six wins and a place in the World Cup final under their belt, the Lionesses have a fighting chance of bringing football home for England. But who is the woman at the helm? Manager Sarina Wiegman took over as Lionesses manager in 2020 and is the first non-Brit to lead the team, originally from the Netherlands. On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson is joined by Rob Harris, our sports correspondent, to talk about Wiegman's career history, and Jeanet van der Laan, the England manager’s former Ter Leede and Netherlands teammate to hear what she's like on and off the pitch. Podcast producers: Rosie Gillott and Emma-Rae Woodhouse Interviews producer: Alex Edden Editor: Paul Stanworth
Aug 16, 2023 · 20 min
A-levels: Is the uni intake of 2023 'the unluckiest year'?
Students waiting for their A-level results this year are the "unluckiest cohort" in recent years, according to one education expert. Pandemic disruption, rising grade boundaries, and a larger than average number of people applying for university places have all placed pressure on A-level grades. On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson speaks to Grace Brookes, who picks up her A-level results on Thursday, about the challenges she's faced since the pandemic. The vice-chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University Chris Husbands explains the pressures on universities themselves, and Professor of Social Mobility, Lee Elliot Major explains why he believes the 2023 intake are the unluckiest in a generation. Annie Joyce - senior podcast producer Rosie Gillott – podcast producer Alex Edden – interviews producer David Chipakupaku – podcast promotion producer Paul Stanworth - editor
Aug 15, 2023 · 20 min
Looking for answers – The Hawaii wildfires
The deadliest wildfires to hit the US in over a century have turned vast swathes of the island of Maui to ash and taken the lives of at least 99 people. The governor of Hawaii, Josh Green, has warned that the number killed will rise as only 25% of the affected area has been searched so far. On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson hears from our US correspondent Martha Kelner, who is in Maui, about the devastation she's seen there and the questions being asked by locals about a sophisticated warning system that failed to alert them to the imminent danger. Podcast producer: Emma-Rae Woodhouse Social Promotions producer: David Chipakupaku Editor: Wendy Parker
Aug 14, 2023 · 22 min
What 'small boats week' tells us about migration policy
It was billed as 'small boats week' – a series of government announcements designed to show progress on the issue of cross channel migration. But the reality of the last seven days has got in the way. The 30 or so migrants who had been moved on to a housing barge off Dorset had to be moved out after Legionella was found onboard and Thursday also saw the highest daily number of people crossing the channel this year On the Sky News Daily, Rob Powell asks Peter Walsh, from the Migration Observatory, if migration policies impact people's decisions to travel to the UK, and he speaks to fellow political correspondent Amanda Akass about why the Government has picked ending small boats crossings as one of its five pledges ahead of the next election. Podcast producers: Rosie Gillott and Soila Apparicio Interviews producer: Alex Edden Podcast promotions producer: David Chipakupaku Editor: Wendy Parker
Aug 11, 2023 · 22 min
Why is Britain still obsessed with the Great Train Robbery 60 years on?
This month marks the 60th anniversary of the Great Train Robbery, one of Britain's most notorious crimes, which involved the hijack of a London-bound Royal Mail train and the theft of millions of pounds. Bruce Reynolds planned the robbery with a 15-strong gang of thieves, crooks and conspirers, becoming one of the most notorious criminals in British history. Bruce's son said he never realised his father was a criminal. On the Sky News Daily, presenter Sally Lockwood is joined by Nick Reynolds, the son of Bruce, to hear about growing up on the run, and our crime correspondent Martin Brunt, to explore why we're so fascinated by the Great Train Robbery 60 years later. Producers: Rosie Gillott, Soila Apparicio, Alex Edden Promotions producer: David Chipakupaku Editor: Paul Stanworth
Aug 10, 2023 · 18 min
World Cup: Will the ambition of equal pay be realised?
Football’s world governing body FIFA wants pay and prize money for men and women to be the same by the next tournaments. But how it gets there is a little less clear. On the Sky News Daily, Sally Lockwood is joined from Australia by our sport correspondent Rob Harris and Lioness Lucy Staniforth, who was on standby for the World Cup squad. They discuss the financial disparities in the sport, as well as reaction to the tournament so far and – of course – England's chances of World Cup success ahead of their quarter-final match against Colombia on Saturday. Senior podcast producer: Annie Joyce Interviews producer: Alex Edden Promotion producer: David Chipakupaku Editor: Paul Stanworth
Aug 9, 2023 · 22 min
Hollywood strikes: Are writers right about AI?
It’s been 100 days since Hollywood writers went on strike over concerns artificial intelligence (AI) will take their jobs - as well as disputes over working conditions and claims of dwindling pay. The looming cloud of AI hangs over all industries, but are writers and actors right to be worried about being stripped of their creativity? On the Sky News Daily, Sally Lockwood is joined by Lisa Holdsworth – a TV and theatre writer, and chair of the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain – as well as Dr Alex Connock, senior fellow at the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School, to talk about how AI is reshaping their industry. She’s also joined by Sky’s arts and entertainment reporter Jayson Mansaray to discuss whether a happy ending is in sight for the strikers. Podcast producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse Interviews producer: Alex Edden Digital Promotions producer: David Chipakupaku Editor: Paul Stanworth
Aug 8, 2023 · 20 min
The Niger coup and how it will impact global security
Niger had been a lone bastion of democracy in West Africa while neighbouring countries were taken over by the military - but it is now also in a crisis following July's coup. The man responsible for protecting President Mohamed Bazoum, who was elected in 2021, has overthrown him - and there could be far-reaching security implications. On the Sky News Daily, Sally Lockwood is joined by our Africa correspondent Yousra Elbagir, who looks at why the coup has the support of many people in Niger. Plus, defence and security analyst Professor Michael Clarke examines what the crisis means for counter-terrorism efforts in Africa. Senior podcast producer - Annie Joyce Interviews producer: Alex Edden Podcast promotion producer - David Chipakupaku Editor - Wendy Parker
Aug 7, 2023 · 19 min
'Useless white male pilots': The RAF discrimination claims
The Royal Air Force has admitted to discriminating against white male candidates in a hiring policy aimed at increasing diversity. In a Sky News exclusive, security and defence editor Deborah Haynes has discovered none of those involved in creating the policy have been held accountable. On the Sky News Daily, Leah Boleto speaks to Deborah about the impact the decisions have had on the men's lives, and whether anyone has been held accountable. Senior podcast producer: Annie Joyce Podcast producer: Rosie Gillott Social promotions producer: Jada-Kai Meosa-John Editor: Wendy Parker
Aug 5, 2023 · 42 min
Dirty Work: Episode Three - Life Sentence
In this episode, Sahar Zand goes back to speak to Brian Glendinning about his experience in Iraqi jail, and the harrowing impact of his unforeseen arrest. But Brian, compared to some people, is still lucky. For dissidents and opposition figures around the world, the Red Notice is the latest tool for transnational repression by autocratic governments. These people often end up in prison indefinitely, or extradited to the countries they had long fled for safety. With expert analysis from Rhys Davies and Ben Keith - authors of Red Notice Monitor - we take a look at the worst case scenarios for being on the wrong end of a Red Notice. Sahar meets Zeynure and her three children. They are Uyghur exiles living in Istanbul. Zeynure’s husband, Idris Hasan, has been in prison in Morocco for two years facing extradition to China. Uyghur activists like Idris are increasingly at risk of Red Notices, experts tell us, as China has increased its use of Interpol as a tool of transnational repression. Sahar talks to Idris, who says this Red Notice has been a death sentence. A potential return to China is “worse than death.” Plus, Alicia Kearns, the Conservative MP who chairs the UK Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Select Committee, tells Dirty Work about the committee’s “grave concerns” over how the system works. She calls on the Home Office to find a way to inform British nationals if they’re the subject of a malicious red notice. WARNING: This episode contains strong language. Presenter: Sahar Zand Producer: Heidi Pett Senior producer: Sarah Burke Sound designer: James Bradshow Editor: Paul Stanworth
Aug 4, 2023 · 17 min
Lockdown children: The long-term damage for a generation
COVID lockdowns may seem a distant memory with everyday life very much back to the pre-pandemic norms. But for children, it seems we may only just be getting a sense of the emotional and behavioural impacts those couple of years have had. Researchers at University College London and the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) this week published a joint study - the first of its kind - looking at the emotional, social and behavioural impacts on kids. Meanwhile, the children's commissioner for England examined NHS data suggesting a big rise in young people being treated for eating disorders. On the Sky News Daily, Leah Boleto speaks to Sarah Cattan from the IFS, and England's former children's commissioner Anne Longfield about the scale of the problem. Plus, Rhys Barfoot, who works for the charity Family Action helping families across the country with financial and mental health issues, offers advice to parents and young people. Senior podcast producer - Annie Joyce Podcast producer – Rosie Gillott Interviews producer – Alex Edden Podcast promotion producer – Jim Farthing Editor – Wendy Parker
Aug 3, 2023 · 22 min
Interest rates up - focus on savers and renters
The Bank of England has increased its base rate of interest by a quarter of a percentage point to 5.25% - which is lower than some economists had predicted. On the Sky News Daily, Leah Boleto speaks to our business correspondent Gurpreet Narwan about the decision to raise interest rates for the 14th time in a row. Plus, Sky's data and forensics journalist Daniel Dunford explains why renters could be the hardest hit by rate rises, and Tilly Smith, from campaign group Generation Rent, on its call for the government to offer more support to people renting. Podcast producer: Rosie Gillott Interviews producer: Alex Edden Podcast promotion producer: Jim Farthing Editor: Paul Stanworth
Aug 2, 2023 · 18 min
Campaigns and court appearances: How could Donald Trump's 2024 play out?
Donald Trump has been criminally charged with trying to ‘defraud the United States’ over the 2021 riots at the US Capitol. It’s the most serious legal threat facing the former president, as he attempts to return to the White House in 2024. But it’s by no means the only one – Trump now faces 78 charges across three criminal cases, but still remains frontrunner to become his party’s nominee for next year’s presidential election. On Sky News Daily Niall Paterson is joined by US correspondent James Matthews to discuss how the trials and potential convictions alter the landscape of the Republican presidential race, and the Republican Party overall. Podcast producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse Interviews producer: Alex Edden Podcast promotions producer: David Chipakupaku Editor: Paul Stanworth
Aug 1, 2023 · 21 min
Will Labour allow 'wedge issues' to define the next election?
A general election is still a long way away, but Prime Minister Rishi Sunak appears to already be laying out the Conservative attack lines, focusing on so-called ‘wedge issues’ that could divide the Labour Party. Labour are sitting 17 points ahead in the polls but are facing criticism for seeming to roll back on green policies. On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson is joined by Andrew Fisher, former Labour director of policy under Jeremy Corbyn and John McTernan, former political secretary to Tony Blair, to discuss the different approached Labour could take. Plus, Sky’s Chief political correspondent Jon Craig looks back to the last time Labour seemed to be on the brink of a landslide victory. Podcast producer: Rosie Gillott Digital promotions producer: David Chipakupaku Editor: Wendy Parker