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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Jul 31, 2023 · 20 min
Zelenskyy warns war is coming to Russia - as Putin teases path to 'peace'.
President Zelenskyy has said war is coming to Russia after suspected Ukrainian drones hit skyscrapers in a wealthy Moscow neighbourhood. President Putin suggested an African initiative could be a basis for peace talks, but not while Ukrainian forces were on the offensive. On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson is joined by military analyst Sean Bell and Dr Alex Vines, director of the Africa Programme at Chatham House, about the Ukrainian counteroffensive and the role African nations could have in any peace negotiations. Annie Joyce – senior podcast producer David Chipakupaku – podcast promotion producer Simon Windsor - archive researcher Wendy Parker - editor
Jul 29, 2023 · 40 min
Dirty Work: Episode Two - Hijacked
Sky News has a new podcast series called Dirty Work - investigating Interpol red notices, which allow police forces to flag their most wanted persons at international borders around the world. In episode two, reporter Sahar Zand continues to follow Brian Glendinning's story - whose Interpol Red Notice raises significant questions about how the system works. Sahar also speaks to Interpol Secretary General Jurgen Stock, who has given a rare interview talking about why it was his priority to reform a system that had let so many people down. Presenter: Sahar Zand Producer: Heidi Pett Senior Producer: Sarah Burke Sound Designer: James Bradshaw Editor: Paul Stanworth
Jul 28, 2023 · 19 min
'This is how I die': British fighter tortured by pro-Russian forces in Ukraine
British man Aiden Aslin joined the Ukrainian marines in 2018, but following the Russian invasion in February 2022, he was called up to the frontline in Mariupol. After two months of resistance at the city's steelworks, Aiden and his battalion ran out of supplies. Aiden was part of the mass surrender of over 1,000 Ukrainian troops. Singled out for his British passport, Aiden was brutally interrogated, turned into a propaganda tool, tried by a kangaroo court and then sentenced to death. Aiden was held in Russian captivity for six months, before being released last year in a prisoner of war exchange negotiated by the Saudi authorities. On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson sits down with Aiden Aslin to hear his story. Producers: Soila Apparicio, Alex Edden, Rosie Gillott Promotions producers: David Chipakupaku, Jim Farthing Editor: Wendy Parker
Jul 27, 2023 · 26 min
Is climate change scepticism hotting up?
Multiple climate reports have been published this week all saying a similar thing: that the UK and wider world are experiencing record temperatures, that humanity is "inducing" climate change and that, unless we cut emissions, things are just going to get even hotter. There are still some people however who believe it’s all hot air; that media coverage of climate stories is “fear mongering” and “manipulating”. But is it the science under scrutiny, or perhaps the path to net zero itself? On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson is joined by our climate change reporter Victoria Seabrook, editor and director of Carbon Brief Leo Hickman, and James Woudhuysen, visiting professor of forecasting and innovation at London South Bank University, to find out why, despite the science, climate scepticism is getting louder. Annie Joyce - senior podcast producer Alex Edden - interviews producer David Chipakupaku - podcast promotions producer Dave Terris - editor
Jul 26, 2023 · 25 min
Strip searches in police custody and fallout to Nigel Farage's row with Coutts
Police at a station in Greater Manchester have been accused of unnecessary and invasive strip searches of women, without explanation, behind cell doors. Sky News has spoken to three women, one of whom was detained for 41 hours and also alleges she was sexually assaulted whilst in custody. A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said "there is currently no evidence to suggest any GMP employees have misconducted themselves or committed a criminal offence." On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson talks to our home editor Jason Farrell about the story. Plus, following Nigel Farage being dropped by the exclusive bank Coutts, which led to an apology from the BBC and NatWest's boss resigning, Niall sits down with our business correspondent Paul Kelso to hear about the fallout. Producers: Emma Rae Woodhouse, Rosie Gillott, Soila Apparicio Interviews producer: Alex Edden Promotions producer: David Chipakupaku Editor: Paul Stanworth
Jul 25, 2023 · 17 min
Saving cinema: Why chains can't just rely on blockbusters and bad weather
Barbie and Oppenheimer have put the smiles back on the cinema chains after the difficult years during the pandemic, but could the glow soon wear off? For the first time in 60 years Hollywood actors and writers are on strike at the same time, so what impact will this have on the films we will see and the cinemas that show them? On the Sky News Daily, host Niall Paterson is joined by our entertainment reporter and Backstage podcast host Claire Gregory to explain the box office success, and VUE International cinemas founder and CEO Timothy Richards on how to keep the momentum going. Annie Joyce - senior podcast producer David Chipakupaku – podcast promotion producer Wendy Parker - editor
Jul 24, 2023 · 20 min
Rhodes on fire and is the UK cooling on net zero policies?
Evacuation orders due to wildfires on the Greek island have seen tens of thousands of residents and tourists fleeing the flames. And while wildfires in the region aren’t uncommon, scientists say climate change is increasing the intensity of heatwaves which can trigger fires. On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson speaks to our Europe correspondent in Rhodes, Siobhan Robbins and Rhodes resident Micah Greaves, who tells us how dependent the island is on tourism. Plus, Niall is joined by Robert Colvile, director of the Centre for Policy Studies and former Tory advisor, to discuss if net zero policies can still be vote winners as the row continues over ULEZ expansion in London. Rosie Gillott - podcast producer David Chipakupaku – podcast promotion producer Wendy Parker - editor
Jul 22, 2023 · 35 min
Dirty Work: Episode One - Russian Roulette
Sky News has a new podcast series called Dirty Work which we wanted to share with Daily listeners in our feed. Reporter Sahar Zand has been investigating Interpol red notices - which allow police forces to flag their most wanted persons at international borders around the world. On this episode, we hear from some of those people caught up in the system - who have faced detention, imprisonment, and extradition, with devastating and life-changing consequences. WARNING: This podcast contains strong language. Presenter: Sahar Zand Producers: Heidi Pett and Anne-Marie Bullock Senior Producer: Sarah Burke Sound Designer: James Bradshaw Editor: Paul Stanworth
Jul 21, 2023 · 25 min
Getting ready for an election: What three by-elections can tell us
The Conservatives suffered two heavy defeats in a night of three by-elections, but narrowly held on to former PM Boris Johnson's old Uxbridge seat. Labour made history by overturning a 20,137 majority to take the North Yorkshire seat of Selby and Ainsty. The Lib Dems took Somerton and Frome in a victory Sir Ed Davey said showed his party was "firmly back in the West Country". On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson is joined by political editor Beth Rigby and elections analyst Dr Hannah Bunting to break down the votes from each of the constituencies, and to look ahead to what this can tell us about the next general election. Rosie Gillott - podcast producer Wendy Parker - editor
Jul 20, 2023 · 17 min
Investigating Interpol
Niall Paterson welcomes the team behind a new Sky News podcast onto the Daily. Reporter Sahar Zand and producer Heidi Pett have been investigating Interpol red notices for the series “Dirty Work”. They’ve heard from people caught up in a system which allows police forces to flag their most wanted persons at international borders around the world. In some cases, those people are detained, imprisoned, and extradited, with devastating consequences. They’ve also head from the Interpol Secretary General who says the organization is doing everything it can to protect innocent people from being wrongly targeted. You can also listen to the new Sky News podcast Dirty Work: The Misuse of Interpol Red Notices here. Since this episode was recorded, we wish to clarify that there is currently an average of around 11,000 Red Notices published per year. In 2021, the number of red notices issued was 10,776. The total number of red notices and diffusions issued that year was 23,716. Diffusions are where a country makes the same request directly to another country. We also wish to clarify that Interpol does have a mechanism for the suspension of member countries, which is set out in its “Rules on the Processing of Data”. Soila Apparicio – podcast producer Annie Joyce – senior podcast producer Jada-Kai Meosa John – podcast promotion producer Paul Stanworth – editor
Jul 19, 2023 · 17 min
Is Russia’s invasion of Ukraine ‘doomed’?
Senior Ukrainian military officials believe Russia is planning a massive attack in the northeastern Kharkiv region, in a bid to draw Ukraine's efforts away from its counteroffensive. It comes as the boss of MI6, Sir Richard Moore, suggested the invasion was “doomed”. On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson sits down with our international affairs editor Dominic Waghorn and security and defence analyst Professor Michael Clarke to unpick the military offensive and counteroffensive. Plus, they discuss the news that a US soldier is being held in North Korea after crossing the border from South Korea without authorisation, as confirmed by the US military. Producer: Rosie Gillott Promotions producer: Jada-Kai Meosa John Editor: Paul Stanworth
Jul 18, 2023 · 19 min
Heatwaves happen - but why so many at once?
Temperatures across Europe soared to over 44C this week, with the heatwave expected to continue and reach record highs. Hot weather has also been recorded in China and the USA, but why are so many places so hot at the same time? On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson speaks to Sky's climate and energy correspondent Hannah Thomas-Peter who is in Sardinia, one of the hottest places in Europe, about the heatwave there. Plus, our science and technology editor Tom Clarke on what's causing extreme weather across the globe. Podcast producer: Rosie Gillott Editor: Paul Stanworth
Jul 17, 2023 · 19 min
Stuart Ramsay in Myanmar: What leaders don't want the world to see
Sky’s chief correspondent Stuart Ramsay and his team have witnessed the deadly realities of a civil war, which Myanmar’s leaders claim isn’t happening. Few Western journalists get into the southeast Asian country, previously known as Burma – but our news crew spent a month undercover deep in the jungle with resistance fighters, medics and volunteers – not far from where the fighting is taking place. On this Sky News Daily, Kimberley Leonard is joined by Stuart, to share his firsthand account from a place where reports of mass killings, thousands of arrests and human rights abuses, have been widely condemned. Annie Joyce - senior podcast producer David Chipakupaku – podcast promotion producer Paul Stanworth - editor
Jul 14, 2023 · 15 min
The knee injury keeping players out of the FIFA Women's World Cup
As the Women's World Cup kicks off in Australia and New Zealand, up to 30 players won't be playing due to the same knee injury. Star players, including England's Beth Mead and captain Leah Williamson, are all suffering from anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries that threaten their careers in the game. And women are 3.5 times more likely to suffer this type of injury compared to their male counterparts. On the Sky News Daily, Kimberley Leonard is joined by data and forensics correspondent Tom Cheshire and producer Maz Poynter who've been investigating why female players are more likely to sustain these injuries, and sports medicine specialist Dr Kate Jackson explains what teams and coaches are doing to try to prevent future injuries. Podcast producer: Rosie Gillott Interview producer: Alex Edden Editor: Paul Stanworth
Jul 13, 2023 · 13 min
Westminster Accounts: What are MPs doing with your cash?
A Sky News investigation has found Northern Research Group (NRG) MPs received political donations from a private donor to help them with campaigning - weeks after they authorised thousands of pounds of taxpayer funded expenses to be spent on the NRG. It raises questions about whether MPs authorised public funding to be spent on the NRG because they knew they would be rewarded with a campaign donation. As a result of the investigation, the parliamentary expenses watchdog IPSA has announced an investigation. On the Sky News Daily, host Kimberley Leonard is joined by our deputy politics editor Sam Coates to uncover his investigation and findings, and what issues it raises for parliamentary funding. Producer: Soila Apparicio Promotions producer: David Chipakupaku Editor: Paul Stanworth
Jul 12, 2023 · 15 min
Huw Edwards named but should the last few days have been different?
There had been days of widespread speculation and increasing pressure on the suspended BBC presenter to reveal his identity but now, Huw Edwards’ wife has issued a statement on his behalf. Vicky Flind told the PA news agency that her husband is suffering from serious mental health issues and is currently receiving care in hospital. Shortly before the revelation, the Met Police said there was “no information” to suggest a criminal offence had taken place following claims surrounding the star – including that he had paid a teenager for explicit photos. On this Sky News Daily, Kimberley Leonard is she’s joined by Jake Kanter - Deadline's investigations editor and former media editor at The Times. Emma-Rae Woodhouse – podcast producer Alex Edden – interviews producer Annie Joyce – senior podcast producer Paul Stanworth – editor
Jul 12, 2023 · 24 min
The Ukraine foreign fighters come home, and pressure on BBC presenter
More allegations about the unnamed BBC presenter have been published by The Sun, claiming that the star broke COVID rules to meet a 23-year-old. Now that the Metropolitan Police have asked the BBC to pause internal inquiries into suspended presenter, we ask if there has been a mood shift in the way this story should have been reported. On the Sky News Daily with Kimberley Leonard, from outside the BBC’s New Broadcasting House, arts and entertainment correspondent Katy Spencer explains the latest allegations and how the story could progress. Plus, in Ukraine, our international correspondent John Sparks has interviewed two foreign volunteers who have been fighting in the army as foreign fighters for the past 17 months, including Rhys Byrne, codename 'Rambo', a spirited 28-year-old from Dublin. Producers: Emma Rae Woodhouse and Soila Apparicio Interviews producer: Alex Edden Editor: Paul Stanworth
Jul 11, 2023 · 18 min
BBC presenter: New claims as boss Tim Davie faces questions
The unnamed BBC presenter at the centre of claims involving sexually explicit photos is now facing allegations from a second young person – that he sent them threatening messages after contact on a dating app. Earlier, the BBC's director-general Tim Davie faced questions from journalists, as the corporation's Annual Report was delivered days after The Sun first broke their original story. On the Sky News Daily, Kimberley Leonard explores the latest developments with our reporter Sadiya Chowdhury, Sky’s home editor Jason Farrell and Jake Kanter - Deadline's investigations editor and former media editor at The Times. Podcast producer: Rosie Gillott Senior podcast producer: Annie Joyce Interviews producer: Alex Edden Editor: Paul Stanworth
Jul 10, 2023 · 7 min
Extra episode: BBC presenter claims - new details emerge
On an extra Sky News Daily, Kimberley Leonard discusses new developments to the accusations that a BBC presenter paid a teenager thousands of pounds for explicit photos. Lawyers acting for the young person said the original story in the Sun was “totally wrong” and claims made by their mother were “rubbish”. The Sun said it has seen evidence to support the concerns. The newspaper also quoted the individual's mother and stepfather as saying "we stand by our account". Kimberley is joined by media lawyer Matthew Gill. Producer: Rosie Gillott Promotion producer: David Chipakupaku Editor: Paul Stanworth
Jul 10, 2023 · 19 min
BBC presenter claims: Questions over trust and transparency
The BBC is under fire over its handling of accusations that a high-profile presenter paid a teenager thousands of pounds for sexually explicit photographs. The unnamed presenter was suspended over the weekend, but the teenager's mother claims the corporation was first made aware of allegations in May. Dame Caroline Dinenage, who chairs the Culture, Media and Sport committee, said she was concerned the corporation had taken a "very long time" to investigate the claims. On the Sky News Daily, Kimberley Leonard is joined by our home editor Jason Farrell and former BBC presenter Roger Bolton to explore what we know, and don't know, so far about the latest scandal to hit the BBC. Senior podcast producer: Annie Joyce Interviews producer: Alex Edden Editor: Paul Stanworth