This Is Why
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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
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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Rachel Reeves may have delivered her Spring Forecast – but have events in the Middle East made the chancellor’s announcement redundant? With President Trump predicting the Iran conflict could continue for a further four to five weeks, the world is starting to realise the economic consequences. Global oil and gas prices are spiking and fuelling the threat of higher inflation and interest rates. Niall is joined by Sky’s economics and data editor, Ed Conway, to discuss the effects on the UK economy – and why you might be feeling the pinch. Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show – why@sky.uk
War is raging in the Middle East after the US and Israel carried out strikes on Iran.Keir Starmer has risked his special relationship with Donald Trump by initially blocking the US from using UK airbases.Despite later changing his mind, what kind of tightrope is the prime minister walking – and can he stop Britain being sucked into war?Niall is joined on this first-ever episode of This Is Why by Sky’s security and defence editor Deborah Haynes and international affairs editor Dominic Waghorn.Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show – why@sky.uk
Welcome to 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 from Monday 2 March 2026. This Is Why is a Sky News podcast – if you have a question, contact us: why@sky.uk
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 from Monday 2 March 2026. This Is Why is a Sky News podcast – if you have a question, contact us: why@sky.uk
When is a shadow fleet not a shadow fleet?Perhaps when it’s shipping millions of dollars' worth of crude oil through the English Channel in broad daylight.The UK has imposed sanctions on the Russian oil trade since the start of the full invasion of Ukraine - but tankers helping to fund Putin’s war machine are operating in the Channel with apparent impunity.Niall is joined by Sky’s business correspondent Paul Kelso - who trailed some of these ‘shadow fleet’ vessels in the English Channel.Producers: Paul Wilkinson and Tom GillespieEditor: Mike Bovill
A Sky News exclusive has found that at least 21 police forces in England are still using Microsoft Copilot, despite it being at the centre of the Maccabi Tel Aviv incident last year.In November, football fans of the Israeli team were banned from attending an away match against Aston Villa in Birmingham.West Midlands Police had determined the risk was too high. The resulting outcry – including from the UK Prime Minister – led to the force’s Chief Constable standing down.The force eventually admitted it had included false information provided by artificial intelligence software in justifying the decision.So why are many other constabularies still using the same platform?Niall speaks to Sky News Sports Correspondent Rob Harris following his investigation.Microsoft has told Sky News it "continuously evaluates" Copilot and urges companies to review how they are using it.Producers: Paul Wilkinson and Sam GruetEditor: Mike Bovill
Could the use of drones break the stalemate in the Ukraine war?Tomorrow marks the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion - and for most of this time, it has seemed there was no end in sight.However, technological developments have led to the increased use of drones on the frontline.How have these remote-controlled devices become the dominant weapon on the battlefield, and have they changed the nature of warfare forever?Gareth Barlow speaks to Sky's international correspondent Alex Rossi and Ukraine producer Azad Safarov in Kyiv about coming under fire from drones on the frontline themselves.Producers: Sam Gruet and Paul WilkinsonEditor: Mike Bovill
Imagine being in a room surrounded by £64bn worth of gold.It’s a glittering reality Sky’s economics and data editor Ed Conway experienced in one of 12 huge vaults below the Bank of England.To be granted access to the vaults is incredibly rare, not least because the gold bars inside them has been skyrocketing in value globally.So why is so much gold just sitting under London’s streets? Who does it belong to? Ed joins Niall to discuss what it’s like to be in the vaults below London.Producers: Soila Apparicio, Luke Hatten, Tom Gillespie
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office on his 66th birthday following revelations in the Epstein files.The former prince’s links with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein have been known for years - so has the Royal Family done enough to investigate any potential wrongdoing?Andrew has always denied any allegations of illegality in connection with Epstein.Niall is joined by Sky’s royal correspondent, Rhiannon Mills, to discuss the crisis and what’s next for the Royal Family.Producers: Emily Hulme, Tom GillespieEditor: Wendy Parker
Charles Bronson's ninth appeal to the Parole Board is being considered as the hostage-taking former armed robber continues his fight for freedom.The 73-year-old has spent 52 years in jail, much of it in solitary confinement and he and his celebrity supporters believe it is now time for him to be released.Niall is joined by Sky's crime commentator Martin Brunt who assesses Bronson’s chances of getting parole and reflects on his unlikely decades-long friendship with the violent criminal.Producer: Emily HulmeEditor: Wendy Parker
Boys are now falling behind girls in every metric at school. They're more likely to be out of work than girls, and they make up 98% of the youth prison intake.There are also 2.5 million children growing up without a father figure and this seems to be impacting boys much more than girls.But is part of the problem that boys are being told they're the problem?One headteacher is hoping his groundbreaking scheme of volunteer male mentors will help change that.Gareth Barlow is joined by Chris Edwards, the headteacher behind the project, and Sky’s home affairs editor Jason Farrell, who has spent months documenting his efforts to get it off the ground.
The Kremlin has denied using a dart frog toxin to kill Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in 2024.But Britain and four European allies say they have evidence that points to the use of the forbidden chemical agent.Why did the allies choose the Munich security conference to make this point? And how has Moscow responded to the claims?Gareth is joined by Hamish de Bretton-Gordon - former head of British Army’s chemical weapons unit - and defence analyst Michael Clarke to discuss whether Russia wanted the world to know how they carried out Navalny’s death and ask should the UK be ready for chemical warfare with Russia?Producer: Tom Gillespie and Emily HulmeEditor: Philly Beaumont
Kim Ju Ae could be the next leader of North Korea.Despite only being around 13 years old, there are reports her father, Kim Jong Un, has handpicked her as his heir.So, what is known about the youngster who may become the next head of one of the world's most secretive countries?Niall is joined by Professor Hazel Smith, an expert on North Korea at the School of African and Oriental Studies.Producers: Tom Gillespie and Sam GruetEditor: Piers Wisbey
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has apologised for his “choice of language” in an interview with Sky News’ economics and data editor, Ed Conway.The billionaire, who part-owns Manchester United, but lives in Monaco, said the UK is being ‘colonised’ by immigrants.His comments have been criticised by the prime minister and many Man Utd fans.Niall discusses with Ed Conway why an interview, which was supposed to be about chemicals, has caused such a fuss, and whether the apology was truly heartfelt.Producers: Paul Wilkinson and Tom GillespieEditor: Piers Wisbey
The "Suffolk Strangler" murders horrified the UK in 2006, as five women were killed in the Ipswich area.But should the killer have been caught years before?Steve Wright became known as one of the country's most notorious serial killers - and admitted last week to having murdered a sixth woman in 1999.Now, his only survivor says his victims might have survived if police had taken her seriously.Niall speaks to Sky correspondent Emma Birchley.Producers: Paul Wilkinson & Tom GillespieEditor: Piers Wisbey
Downing Street is in turmoil as Sir Keir Starmer fights for his political life. Can he cling on to power?Niall is joined by Lord Barwell, Theresa May’s chief of staff during her time in Downing Street.He says watching current events play out is like post-traumatic stress disorder.So, what actually goes on inside Downing Street during a time of crisis? And is there anything the prime minister can do to save his job?Producers: Tom Gillespie and Paul Wilkinson
**Since we published this episode, we've heard from Buckingham Palace about allegations that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor shared confidential documents with Jeffrey Epstein whilst acting as a UK Trade Envoy."The King has made clear, in words and through unprecedented actions, his profound concern at allegations which continue to come to light in respect of Mr Mountbatten-Windsor's conduct," the Palace said**The Prince and Princess of Wales made their first public remarks earlier saying their thoughts "remain focused on the victims."The allegations threaten to overshadow an important diplomatic trip for Prince William to Saudi Arabia – which raises its own questions over the use of royal ‘soft’ power.Niall speaks to Sky’s royal correspondent Rhiannon Mills, who is on William’s trip to the Middle East.Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has always denied any allegations of wrongdoing in relation to Epstein.Producers: Tom Gillespie & Paul WilkinsonEditor: Mike Bovill
John Profumo was secretary of state for war when he had an affair with Christine Keeler, which ultimately brought down Conservative prime minister Harold Macmillan in the early 1960s.Parallels are now being drawn between the Profumo affair, and the crisis Sir Keir Starmer is facing over Peter Mandelson's links to Jeffrey Epstein.Not just because of the damage to his government but also in how the people at the centre of the scandals behaved as though normal rules did not apply to them.It's said that history often repeats itself - and it seems politics is no different.Niall is joined by Vanessa Holburn, author of The Profumo Affair, to discuss the parallels between the two scandals.Producer: Tom Gillespie and Emily HulmeEditor: Wendy Parker
The mother of one of America's most famous news anchors is believed to have been abducted.Savannah Guthrie is used to broadcasting the news to millions of people - but has now issued a desperate video appeal calling for her mum’s safe return.The story has captivated America - so who is Savannah Guthrie and what do we know about her mother Nancy’s disappearance so far?Niall is joined by Sky’s US correspondent and Trump100 co-host David Blevins.Producers: Tom Gillespie & Emily HulmeEditor: Mike Bovill
Northeast Syria is rapidly changing hands, and with it the country's fragile balance of power.The last time there was a power vacuum in the country, ISIS was born.Around 7,000 Islamic State group detainees held in prisons in Syria are being transferred to Iraq in an operation overseen by the US.But will the instability in the region affect that transfer and allow the organisation to regroup?Niall's joined by Sky's international correspondent Alex Rossi who has seen first-hand the conditions in those camps.Producers: Charlie Duffield, Tom Gillespie & Emily HulmeEditor: Mike Bovill
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a formar tory mp commenting on a laborar health minister, yeah thats imparcial.Joke
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Mars is a long way to come by balloon. Don't be daft they're coming from China or across the border fro Russia. The one Canada shot down might even be American.
This guy Kurt is unbelievably dumb. "I understand the fear that a no-fly zone could lead to WWIII but Putin won't do anything because he doesn't want WWIII either. And we need to make a statement to Putin telling him that the use of any weapons of mass destruction is unacceptable."
These abortion pills aren't safe at all. They are deadly dangerous for the defenseless and voiceless little baby!
that chef ruined the podcast.... captain obvious. and referred to himself in third person....worse than when you have rappers on
Good news