Shows / This Is Why
This Is Why
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
Episodes
This Is WhyBiden quits US presidential race - what happens next?
Joe Biden has withdrawn from the US presidential race, saying it is in the best interest of his party and country. He has now endorsed his vice-president…
This Is WhyCrowdstrike chaos: What are the lessons from the world's biggest IT failure?
It’s been an extraordinary day of cancelled flights, disrupted businesses, problems for healthcare and TV stations not being able to get on air (ahem). And all…
This Is WhyBaird Inquiry: How Greater Manchester Police acted unlawfully
The Baird Inquiry was set up to look into the treatment of people in the custody of Greater Manchester Police, following a Sky News investigation by our home…
This Is WhyKing’s speech: What are Labour’s key plans?
King Charles has delivered the new Labour government’s first King’s Speech setting out their priorities for the months ahead. On the Sky News Daily Niall…
This Is WhyJD Vance: Who is Trump's running mate?
Donald Trump has announced Ohio senator, JD Vance, who once compared him to Hitler, as his running mate for November's US election. But who really is the…
This Is WhyTrump, Biden and a divided States
President Joe Biden has stressed the need for divided Americans to come together as he addressed the nation, after Donald Trump was shot in an assassination…
This Is WhyHow the Trump assassination attempt changes the US election
Saima Mohsin presents this extra episode on the attempted assassination of Donald Trump. She's joined by US correspondent James Matthews and International…
This Is WhyHow the psychology of Southgate got England to the final
England manager Gareth Southgate says his team are ready to "make history" in the Euros final on Sunday. The last time they reached a final in a major…
This Is WhyWater: Bills to rise but how do we clean up the industry?
Water bills are to rise by an average of 21% over the next five years, the industry regulator Ofwat has ruled. But with the impact of the cost-of-living, water…
This Is WhyHow does Keir Starmer reach out to the world?
As the new prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer makes his international debut at the NATO summit in Washington – what does he need to do to make a quick impact…
This Is WhyUkraine hospital attack – and how the world reacts
Ukraine has published what it says is "unequivocal" evidence a Russian missile hit Kyiv's largest children's hospital. The Okhmatdyt hospital treats 20,000…
This Is WhyFinding a French PM: Who is Jean-Luc Melenchon?
The left-wing alliance in France has won the most seats in a dramatic election, dealing a surprise blow to the far-right party of Marine Le Pen. Le Pen's…
This Is WhyAfter the ‘revenge’ election, what’s politics going to be like now?
Thursday’s election results have transformed Parliament. Not only do Labour have a huge majority but also the smaller parties, the Liberal Democrats, Reform…
This Is WhyWill Biden fight on?
US President Joe Biden has admitted he "screwed up" in the first presidential debate against Donald Trump, but has vowed to fight on until the US election in…
This Is WhyThe stories from the election battle buses
On the final day of campaigning, the Sky News correspondents who have followed party leaders to every corner of the UK reflect on the key moments. From…
This Is WhyThe British companies keeping Russian gas flowing into Europe
The UK, US and Europe have sanctioned the importation of Russian oil and gas since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. But from 2022, European…
This Is WhyFive things the main parties aren't mentioning this election... and how exit polls are done
The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) says there's a "conspiracy of silence" at this election; that all of the major political parties aren't being honest…
This Is WhyCan Joe Biden carry on?
Joe Biden and Donald Trump faced off in the first election debate of this year's US presidential campaign on Thursday night. The president was seen to mumble…
This Is WhyGareth Southgate: How do you lead a team that’s not performing?
England manager Gareth Southgate has faced growing criticism over his leadership this week, despite guiding the Three Lions to the knockout stage of the Euros…
This Is WhyDoes 'gamblegate' mean the Conservatives are a busted flush for voters?
In any election campaign, a lot of attention shifts to undecided voters. As this campaign moves into its final week, Niall Paterson looks at how the election…
This Is WhyIs this the end of the Assange story?
Wikileaks founder Julian Assange is almost at the end of a 14-year legal battle, which saw the US demanding his extradition for conspiracy to obtain and…
This Is WhyWhat could have happened to Jay Slater?
Jay Slater went missing while on holiday on the island of Tenerife last week. The last known contact the 19-year-old had was during a short phone call to a…
This Is WhyWhy won't politicians really talk about social care?
Four out of five people will need social care before they die - yet it's hardly been mentioned in the election campaign to date. The architect of the…
This Is WhyPutin, North Korea and a ballistic bromance
Russia and North Korea have signed a defence pact to help each other in the event of aggression against them. As part of a two day trip, Putin visited…
This Is WhyPoll suggests record Tory slump - what could change in two weeks?
Sky News has partnered with YouGov for the general election campaign and today the second of their three MRP polling projections is out. It makes for very…
This Is Why'We need to have an adult conversation about migration'
More people in the UK think immigration has a negative impact on society than a positive one, according to a YouGov survey for Sky News. In the first general…
This Is WhyReform's election promises examined | Royal return
Reform have launched their manifesto which they're calling "Our Contract With You" in South Wales. The "contract" is promising big spending, dwarfing what…
This Is WhyIs new Ukraine support a 'game-changer?' | Your Euro 2024 primer
In a show of unity aimed at President Putin, G7 leaders meeting in Italy this week finally agreed to a deal to use profits from frozen Russian assets to…
This Is WhyGot any change? Why were there no surprises in Labour’s manifesto?
It was Labour’s turn to launch their election manifesto today. It was a restatement of the party’s main policies with no surprise announcements in the 133-page…
This Is WhyIs bigger always better? Why smaller parties are having a good election
While the Conservatives and Labour battle it out for No10, recent polling reflects a changing mood from the electorate towards the smaller parties. The latest…
This Is WhyCan the Conservative Party manifesto revive Sunak's campaign?
Rishi Sunak has launched the Conservative's election manifesto, promising to slash taxes in a bid to revive the party's floundering campaign. In his address at…
This Is WhyWill Macron's 'big gamble' election pay off? | Lib Dems promise 'to save the NHS'
Far-right parties have made gains in Germany, France and Italy - the EU's biggest member states. Their success has already led to a fall in the value of the…
This Is WhySunak's D-Day 'mistake': How damaging is it for his campaign?
The prime minister has faced criticism for leaving the 80th anniversary D-Day commemorations early to record a TV interview that's due to go out next week…
This Is Why'My father was on Sword Beach': Professor Michael Clarke on the difference D-Day made
Today marks the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings which were a turning point in the Second World War and ultimately led to the Allied victory over Nazi…
This Is WhyMan City v The Premier League
Manchester City – a Premier League club with deep pockets thanks to its Abu Dhabi owners – is taking the league to court. It’s over the current Associated…
This Is WhyCaptured, injured, in the control bunker: Veterans remember D-Day 80 years on
This week marks 80 years since the D-Day landings, a key turning point of World War II. Sky News has spoken to some of the few remaining veterans who were…
This Is WhyLandslides and wipe-outs - reaction to latest election poll
Sir Keir Starmer could be heading to Downing Street with a majority of 194 seats, bigger than what Tony Blair achieved in 1997, according to the first polling…
This Is WhyWill Trump's conviction make a difference in the US election?
Donald Trump has become the first-ever former American president to be convicted of a crime. A New York jury found him guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying…
This Is WhyBeth Rigby interviews Labour’s Angela Rayner
Labour's Angela Rayner speaks to Sky News’ political editor Beth Rigby in an extended interview for the Daily podcast. The party’s deputy leader says that she…
This Is WhySouth African elections: Why Nelson Mandela's party could lose its dominance
It's been 30 years since Nelson Mandela led the African National Congress (ANC) to power, ending apartheid in South Africa. But as voters head to the polls…
This Is WhyHow long will Labour's 'no additional taxes' promise last?
In her first major campaign speech, Rachel Reeves has pitched herself as the UK's next chancellor to an audience of company bosses, promising the "most…
This Is WhyYou're in 'la la land': Paula Vennells's last day at Post Office Inquiry
After avoiding public scrutiny for nearly a decade, Paula Vennells, the former Post Office boss, finally faced questions about her role in the most widespread…
This Is WhyAnd they're off... what has the first day of the election campaign told us?
The political parties have been setting out their election campaigns, with voters going to the polls exactly six weeks from today. On the Sky News Daily Niall…
This Is WhyIt’s a date – Rishi Sunak calls a July election
The prime minister has called a general election for 4 July. It means parliament only has a few days to pass any bills still waiting to become law before MPs…
This Is Why'I don't believe a word': Paula Vennells at the Post Office Inquiry
The former Post Office boss, Paula Vennells, has been testifying at the Inquiry examining the Horizon IT scandal. It's the first time Paula Vennells has spoken…
This Is WhyJobs or the environment? And, how do pilots prepare for turbulence?
How do we help people keep their jobs and livelihoods alongside the pressure to move to an environmentally friendly and sustainable future? It's been estimated…
This Is WhyInfected Blood: The PM apologies for a 50 year cover-up
The infected blood scandal was "not an accident" and its failures lie with "successive governments, the NHS, and blood services", a public inquiry has found…
This Is WhyInfected Blood Inquiry: Will victims finally get justice?
Thousands of people died after being given infected blood transfusions by the NHS. They were people with haemophilia, women giving birth, and cancer patients…
This Is WhyTwo and a bit world leaders: Putin, Xi and Starmer
China's Xi Jinping and Russia’s Vladimir Putin have met in Beijing – promoting their alliance and their new ‘world order’ away from the West. On the Sky News…
This Is WhyOut of Africa – and those worried about a return
Hundreds of young men have died trying to use boats to get from Senegal to the Canary Islands. On this episode of the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson hears…
This Is WhyCould Ozempic save you from a heart attack?
Anti-obesity jabs like Ozempic could reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes or heart failure in obese people regardless of the amount of weight they lose…
This Is Why‘Shockingly poor’: What needs to change in maternity care?
A landmark parliamentary inquiry into traumatic childbirths has called for an overhaul of the UK's maternity services after finding poor care is…
This Is WhyFaultlines: Can British farming survive?
Across the UK anger is brewing among farmers. Protests have already been held in London, Dover and Wales, with more on the way - mirroring similar tensions…
This Is WhyThe toddler born deaf whose hearing’s been restored | Labour’s newest MP apologises
On this episode, Niall speaks to one of the doctors who worked to restore the hearing of an 18-month-old girl – who was born deaf. Medics at Addenbrooke’s…
This Is WhyCan social media ever be a safe place for kids?
The UK media regulator has set out new rules for social media companies designed to keep children safe online. The new Ofcom rules include age verification and…
This Is WhyIsrael Hamas latest: Why the ceasefire never happened
The Israeli Defense Force says it has taken 'operational control' of the Gaza side of the Rafah crossing, the main entry point for aid into the region. It…
This Is WhyElections fallout: What does it mean for the general election?
Labour are celebrating big wins in the Blackpool South by-election, in the local elections and in most of the mayoral races that have declared so far. The…
This Is WhyFourth time lucky? When will Manchester’s Co-Op Live actually open?
Thousands of fans have been left frustrated after Manchester’s newest venue delayed its launch again after a string of technical problems. The Co-op Live arena…
This Is WhyUS protests: Campus crackdowns, Gaza protests and the free speech debate
Violent protests over the Israel-Hamas war have reached boiling point across university campuses in the United States. Pro-Palestinian protesters are demanding…
This Is WhyThe Return of the King
The King has returned to official public duties for the first time since being diagnosed with cancer. Alongside the Queen, he visited a cancer treatment centre…