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

Subscribe Listen in podnod RSS feed Show website

1,001 episodes
Updated Yesterday

Episodes1001

Newest first

Feb 18, 2023 · 12 min
Ukraine War Diaries: EP45 – Zelenskyy the great, loving power and ‘the smell of Spring’ (Feb 13-17)
Ilyas praises Ukraine’s leader after Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s UK visit and is grateful his wife and children, in Poland, don’t have to experience life in the middle of a warzone. Oksana is happy to have electricity this week and is looking forward to Spring and a trip to Europe, where she’ll be reunited with her best friend after many months apart And her husband Seva, a military volunteer, has returned from eastern Ukraine and reflects on how he has gotten used to the Russian missile bombardment, nearly a year on since the invasion. OUR DIARISTS Oksana, 35, works in overseas education. She lives with her husband, Seva, in an apartment complex in central Kyiv. Many of Oksana’s closest friends have left the country to begin new lives in Europe. Some may never return. She’s continues to try and make a life there. Ilyas is an IT specialist and married father who fled from Kyiv to Lviv shortly after the war started. His wife Natalia, and two young sons are taking refuge in Poland. As of February 2023, Ilyas is back living in the family apartment in Kyiv. Seva, 41, is a company CEO and husband to Oksana. Before the war, he travelled across Europe for business. Now, he makes regular supply drops of medical aid and rations to Ukrainian troops on the front line in Eastern Ukraine. He’s originally from a small village near Dnipro. Ukraine War Diaries uses first-person audio, recorded on the ground in Ukraine, to give an intimate day-to-day perspective of life in a war zone. EP67 diary entries were recorded using WhatsApp voice note. From the producers of Sky News’ multi-award winning series – StoryCast. Producers: Rob Mulhern and Annie Joyce Editing: Paul Stanworth Archive: Simon Windsor Digital: David Chipakupaku
Feb 17, 2023 · 21 min
The new drug plaguing US cities
A tranquiliser used by vets is infiltrating street drugs and deepening addiction across cities in the US. The drug called xylazine is causing wounds so severe that without treatment results in amputation. The problem is particularly bad in Philadelphia – which has long been ground zero for the opioid crisis. On this edition of the Sky News Daily Niall Paterson talks to US Correspondent, Mark Stone who has been to the city and to Professor Paul Cristo from John Hopkins University about the on going opioid crisis in the US. Podcast producers: Rosie Gillott and Emma-Rae Woodhouse Interviews Producer: Alex Edden Junior podcast producer: Charlie Bell Editor Philly Beaumont
Feb 15, 2023 · 19 min
Nicola Sturgeon: What's her legacy and what's the future for Scottish independence?
Nicola Sturgeon has resigned as Scotland's first minister after more than eight years in the role. The leader of the Scottish National Party told a news conference that it is right "for me, for my party and the country" and insisted it was not a reaction to "short term pressures". She said she will remain in office until a successor is found. On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson speaks to our Scotland correspondent Connor Gillies who was at the news conference. Plus, commentators Shona Craven, from The National, and Euan McColm from The Scotsman, on Ms Sturgeon's legacy and what is the future for independence. Podcast producer: Rosie Gillott Interviews producer: Alex Edden Junior podcast producer: Charlie Bell Podcast promotions producer: Jada-Kai Meosa John Editor: Philly Beaumont
Feb 15, 2023 · 22 min
Earthquake disaster: Has aid to Syria come too late?
The first UN convoy passed through a newly opened crossing into rebel-held Syria from Turkey on Tuesday, over a week after two earthquakes hit both countries. On the Sky News Daily podcast with Niall Paterson, our special correspondent Alex Crawford describes the situation in Syria from where she's been reporting. Also on the Daily is Hani Habbal of the Syria Relief charity, who reflects on the impact of 12 years of the Syrian civil war on the country, and former foreign secretary David Miliband, now president of the International Rescue Committee, on what support is needed. Producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse Interviews Producer: Alex Edden Editor: Philly Beaumont
Feb 14, 2023 · 18 min
UFOs over the US: Espionage or aliens?
Four flying objects have been shot down over North America in the space of a week as the US military fails to rule out extra-terrestrial involvement. On the Sky News Daily podcast, Niall Paterson speaks to US correspondent James Matthews about the political motivation behind President Biden’s new trigger-happy approach to protecting US airspace and Nick Pope, who ran the UK governments' UFO programme, explains why these UFOs are far more likely to be from China than Mars. Producer: Rosie Gillott Interviews producer: Alex Edden Podcast promotions producer: David Chipakupaku Editor: Philly Beaumont
Feb 13, 2023 · 25 min
Nicola Bulley: Are armchair detectives hindering the case?
Police investigating the disappearance of Nicola Bulley have issued a dispersal order around St Michael's on Wyre after reports of amateur investigators travelling to the Lancashire village. Her family has said the influx of people trying to help the investigation is hindering police efforts. On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson is joined by Sky correspondent Katerina Vittozzi who has spoken to armchair sleuths who've descended on the village. Niall also talks to Martyn Underhill, one of the detectives involved in the search for schoolgirl Sarah Payne in 2000 about how police manage the public desire to help in high-profile cases. Plus, criminal psychologist Amanda Vicary on why some people want to become amateur detectives. Producer: Rosie Gillott Interviews producer: Alex Edden Podcast promotions producer: David Chipakupaku Editors: Philly Beaumont
Feb 11, 2023 · 13 min
Ukraine War Diaries: EP44 - Barbarity in Bakhmut, bedding parcels & Kharkiv buyer’s guide (Feb 6-10)
Military volunteer Seva learns about comrades who suffered horrific deaths when he returns to Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine. In Kyiv, answering a displaced mother’s call for help leads to an inspiring phone conversation for Oksana. And Ilyas undertakes an anxious journey hundreds of kilometres across Ukraine to buy a car for his family. WARNING: Seva’s diary contains graphic references detailing death and torture. OUR DIARISTS Seva, 41, is a company CEO and husband to Oksana. Before the war, he travelled across Europe for business. Now, he makes regular supply drops of medical aid and rations to Ukrainian troops on the front line in Eastern Ukraine. He’s originally from a small village near Dnipro. Oksana, 35, works in overseas education. She lives with her husband, Seva, in an apartment complex in central Kyiv. Many of Oksana’s closest friends have left the country to begin new lives in Europe. Some may never return. She’s continues to try and make a life there. Ilyas is an IT specialist and married father who fled from Kyiv to Lviv shortly after the war started. His wife Natalia, and two young sons are taking refuge in Poland. As of February 2023, Ilyas is back living in the family apartment in Kyiv. Ukraine War Diaries uses first-person audio, recorded on the ground in Ukraine, to give an intimate day-to-day perspective of life in a war zone. EP44 diary entries were recorded using WhatsApp voice note. From the producers of Sky News’ multi-award winning series – StoryCast. Producer: Rob Mulhern Editing: Paul Stanworth Archive: Simon Windsor Digital: David Chipakupaku
Feb 10, 2023 · 19 min
Search engine wars: Battle of the chatbots
Microsoft is taking on Google by relaunching its search engine Bing, powered by artificial intelligence and using tech company OpenAI's ChatGPT, a system that learns and generates human-like responses to search requests. On the Sky News Daily podcast, host Niall Paterson is joined by our technology correspondent Rowland Manthorpe to explore what the AI chatbot can do, and computer scientist Dr Jeff Dalton to find out if it really can change how we use and search online. Producers: Soila Apparicio, Jada-Kai Meosa John, and Rosie Gillott Interviews Producer: Alex Edden Editors: Philly Beaumont and Paul Stanworth
Feb 8, 2023 · 22 min
'Where are you my love? We're looking for you': The aftermath of the Turkey-Syria earthquakes
Thousands of people have died after two devastating earthquakes caused widespread destruction in Turkey and Syria. As the World Health Organization warns casualties could exceed 20,000, aftershocks, freezing temperatures and damaged roads are hampering efforts to reach and rescue those affected. On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson joins Sky News correspondent Yousra Elbagir, who is in Gaziantep, a city in southern Turkey near the epicentre of the first earthquake, and speaks to Islamic Relief worker Mohammed Hamza in northwest Syria about the additional challenges faced by aid workers in a war zone. Warning: This podcast contains graphic descriptions of the aftermath of the earthquakes throughout. You may prefer to skip over the descriptions of grieving relatives between 2.50 and 5.20 minutes, and 9.25 and 12.40 minutes. Producer: Rosie Gillott Interviews producer: Alex Edden Junior podcast producer: Charlie Bell Podcast promotions producer: David Chipakupaku Editor: Paul Stanworth
Feb 8, 2023 · 19 min
What's Rishi Sunak trying to achieve with his rejigged cabinet?
Rishi Sunak has completed his first cabinet reshuffle - a little over 100 days after he became prime minister. After sacking Nadhim Zahawi, he's given Greg Hands the job of Conservative Party chair - and some key government departments have had their briefs changed. On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson asks our deputy political editor Sam Coates about what the prime minister is trying to achieve with the changes and what it tells us about his priorities and why changing government departments can backfire. Producer: Soila Apparicio Junior Producer: Charlie Bell Promotions Producer: David Chipakupaku Editor: Paul Stanworth
Feb 7, 2023 · 19 min
How a 'spy' balloon inflated US-China tensions
The Chinese Foreign Ministry expressed anger and said the balloon was "an unmanned civilian airship" launched to collect weather data and blew off course accidentally. On the Sky News Daily, host Niall Paterson explores why there was an escalation over the balloon with our Asia correspondent Helen-Ann Smith. Plus, Charley Cooper, a former US government military advisor discusses the renewed tensions between the US and China over the incident, and if there's a concern retaliation could follow in the future. Podcast Producers: Emma Rae Woodhouse and Soila Apparicio Interviews Producer: Alex Edden
Feb 6, 2023 · 22 min
How do TV crime dramas get it right?
From The Wire to Line of Duty, how police go about catching bad guys has always made compelling TV, but does it matter if the drama reflects reality. As the final episode of the hit TV show Happy Valley airs, how realistic is the show’s portrayal of small-town policing, and crime, in the UK? On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson speaks to a serving police inspector, Liz Cokayne-Delves, who thinks the show is the most accurate on TV, and barrister and former police officer Jeanette Ashmole, who advised the show, about why it matters TV writers get things right. Producer: Rosie Gillott Interviews producer: Alex Edden; Editor: Philly Beaumont
Feb 4, 2023 · 12 min
Ukraine War Diaries: EP43 - Strollers, sacrifice & the Spring offensive (Jan 30-3 Feb)
Now more than half-way through the winter, and more than 11 months since his family fled the country, Ilyas makes peace with the realisation that his eldest son is successfully assimilating into life in Poland, a re-location forced upon his family by the Russian invasion. In Kyiv, conversations with his comrades on the front line forces Seva to yet again match the odds of mounting Russian pressure against the Ukrainian need for ever greater Western firepower. Meanwhile, amid growing fears over a Russian Spring offensive - and the prospect of a major military push against Kyiv - Oksana redoubles her efforts to cherish special moments with her loved ones. OUR DIARISTS Ilyas is an IT specialist and married father who fled from Kyiv to Lviv shortly after the war started. His wife Natalia, and two young sons are taking refuge in Poland. As of February 2023, Ilyas is back living in the family apartment in Kyiv. Seva, 41, is a company CEO and husband to Oksana. Before the war, he travelled across Europe for business. Now, he makes regular supply drops of medical aid and rations to Ukrainian troops on the front line in Eastern Ukraine. He’s originally from a small village near Dnipro. Oksana, 35, works in overseas education. She lives with her husband, Seva, in an apartment complex in central Kyiv. Many of Oksana’s closest friends have left the country to begin new lives in Europe. Some may never return. She’s continues to try and make a life there. Ukraine War Diaries uses first-person audio, recorded on the ground in Ukraine, to give an intimate day-to-day perspective of life in a war zone. EP43 diary entries were recorded using WhatsApp voice note. From the producers of Sky News’ multi-award winning series – StoryCast. Producer: Rob Mulhern Editing: Paul Stanworth Archive: Simon Windsor Digital: David Chipakupaku
Feb 3, 2023 · 19 min
Who really is George Santos?
A US congressman has found himself at the centre of a web of revelations and accusations. But what do we know about the real George Santos? On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson is joined by Sky's US correspondent James Matthews to unpick a series of alleged lies by Mr Santos including about his heritage and jobs he never held. Plus, he asks Republican strategist, Rina Shah, what could happen next to the controversial politician. Producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse Interviews producer: Alex Edden Editors: Philly Beaumont
Feb 2, 2023 · 14 min
Why is childcare so expensive?
Childcare in the UK is among the most expensive in the world, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Underfunded and understaffed, it’s becoming a key political battleground issue, one that parties are hoping to capitalise on in the run-up to the next election. On the Sky News Daily, Leah Boleto is joined by MP Stella Creasy and Pregnant then Screwed founder Joeli Brearley to explore the issues parents face when accessing childcare. Plus, Peter Moss, emeritus professor at the Institute of Education at University College London explains why it’s so expensive when compared to other countries in Europe and Scandinavia. Producer: Soila Apparicio Interviews producer: Tamara Bungaroo Valdes Podcast promotions producer: David Chipakupaku Editors: Philly Beaumont and Paul Stanworth
Feb 1, 2023 · 18 min
How do you end the strikes?
The first of February will go down as the biggest day of industrial action in a decade, as half-a-million workers strike in bitter disputes over pay, jobs and conditions. Teachers, train drivers, civil servants, university lecturers, bus drivers and security guards are all involved in the disputes. The government's is continuing to push through its controversial plans for a new law on minimum service levels during strikes. On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson is joined by business correspondent Paul Kelso, to look at the economic impact of the action, and political correspondent Ali Fortescue, who explores the pressure it's putting on the government. Podcast producer: Rosie Gillott Assistant podcast producer: Charlie Bell Digital promotions producer: David Chipakupaku Editors: Paul Stanworth and Philly Beaumont
Jan 31, 2023 · 25 min
The death of Tyre Nichols
Tyre Nichols was brutally assaulted by five police officers during a traffic stop in Memphis, Tennessee. He died from his injuries three days later on 10 January, with the beating having striking similarities with the 1991 Rodney King assault in Los Angeles. The family of Tyre Nichols have been invited to meet US president Joe Biden. On the Sky News Daily, host Niall Paterson talks to history professor Brenda Stevenson about the systematic problems with police and the wider justice system in America, and our US correspondent James Matthews about another example of brutality towards a black man. Warning: Sound from the police bodycam footage is used during the first eight minutes of the podcast. There's discussion of violence throughout. Producer: Soila Apparicio Editor: Philly Beaumont
Jan 30, 2023 · 15 min
Zahawi's sacked: What does it mean for Sunak?
After facing weeks of scrutiny, Conservative party chairman Nadhim Zahawi was sacked on Sunday, following an ethics inquiry into the handling of his tax affairs that found he made a "serious breach" of the ministerial code. On the Sky News Daily, host Niall Paterson and our deputy political editor Sam Coates analyse the fallout of Zahawi’s exit from the cabinet, and what it means for prime minister Rishi Sunak. Producer: Soila Apparicio Editor: Paul Stanworth
Jan 28, 2023 · 11 min
Ukraine War Diaries: EP42 - Tanks, transfers & the threat of doing nothing (Jan 23-27)
Returning from assignment, Seva speaks with comrades in the eastern city of Bakhmut who are in desperate need of more advanced weaponry but happy to be alive. In Kyiv, Ilyas turns his birthday into a military fundraising exercise. And as Ukraine pleads to the West for more heavy weapons, the story of displacement continues as Oksana supports the arrival of more refugees into Kyiv. OUR DIARISTS Seva, 41, is a company CEO and husband to Oksana. Before the war, he travelled across Europe for business. Now, he makes regular supply drops of medical aid and rations to Ukrainian troops on the front line in Eastern Ukraine. He’s originally from a small village near Dnipro. Oksana, 35, works in overseas education. She lives with her husband, Seva, in an apartment complex in central Kyiv. Many of Oksana’s closest friends have left the country to begin new lives in Europe. Some may never return. She’s continues to try and make a life there. Ilyas is an IT specialist and married father who fled from Kyiv to Lviv shortly after the war started. His wife Natalia, and two young sons are taking refuge in Poland. As of January 2023, Ilyas is back living in the family apartment in Kyiv. Ukraine War Diaries uses first-person audio, recorded on the ground in Ukraine, to give an intimate day-to-day perspective of life in a war zone. EP64 diary entries were recorded using WhatsApp voice note. From the producers of Sky News’ multi-award winning series – StoryCast. Producer: Rob Mulhern Editing: Paul Stanworth Archive: Simon Windsor Digital: David Chipakupaku
Jan 27, 2023 · 19 min
Should you pay to see a GP?
Charging for GP appointments and A&E visits is "crucial" to the survival of the NHS, according to former health secretary Sajid Javid. But is asking patients to pay for GP appointments the answer to long waiting lists. On the Sky News Daily, host Niall Paterson hears from GPs at one surgery in Cheshire about their thoughts on paid-for appointments, and Sky’s health correspondent discusses the future of the NHS, 75 years after it was founded. Podcast producer: Rosie Gillott & Annie Joyce Editor: Philly Beaumont