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
1017 Episodes
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Saturday Night Live has launched the careers of Eddie Murphy, Tina Fey and Will Ferrell among many others in its 50 year long run on NBC in the US.It’s now coming to the UK with Tina Fey, Jamie Dornan and Riz Ahmed hosting the first shows.As in the US there’s an ensemble cast of comedy players so how important could SNL UK be for the comedy scene?Niall speaks to the creator and host of the Saturday Night Network podcast, Jon Schneider about what makes SNL so successful and asks comedian Rosie Holt what difference British comedians will make to it.Saturday Night Live UK launches on Sky and streaming service NOW at 10pm on 21 March 2026.
Nearly half of young adults are turning to low or non-alcoholic drinks - with the number nearly doubling since 2018.To understand why Gen Z has been making this clear-headed decision you need look no further than the “sober curious” movement - with social media influencers promoting the benefits of a booze-free lifestyle.Excessive drinking was once seen as a right of passage in early adulthood – so what’s changed? And as the pub industry already faces significant challenges – how can it adapt to cater for a more sober generation?Niall is joined by sober curious influencer Millie Gooch and Kate Nicholls, chair of UKHospitality.
Should the US have predicted there would be a siege at the Strait of Hormuz? Why wasn’t the UK better prepared for this conflict?This Is Why has been asking for your questions about the Iran war and in this special episode they are about to be answered.From the delay in the departure of HMS Dragon, to whether Donald Trump would now be less likely to offer the UK military support – this wide-ranging episode is shaped by your messages.Who is on hand to respond to them? It’s Sky’s military analyst Professor Michael Clarke.Have you got a question for a future episode of This Is Why? Email the show - why@sky.uk
Sir Keir Starmer is promising help for working people whose energy bills are going up because of the Iran war.The last energy bailout after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine cost £40bn, and on top of the costs of support during the COVID pandemic it means the UK's national debt is now around 100% of GDP.Repaying that debt costs as much as the education budget.With a new YouGov poll for Sky News suggesting that people overwhelmingly back energy prices being reduced for all households, Niall discusses who would pay for an energy bailout with Sky's data and economics editor Ed Conway.
A school pupil and a university student have died in Kent and 11 other people are seriously ill following a meningitis outbreak.Meningitis can kill a person in less than 24 hours if it is not treated quickly. But outbreaks like this have been rare in recent years. Vaccination programmes have helped but anyone over the age of 10 will not have been offered a vaccination against MenB by the NHS. However, it has been available to infants since 2015.Niall speaks to Dr Tom Nutt from Meningitis Now and Sky's science editor Tom Clarke about why meningitis can be deadly, what the symptoms are, and why the vaccine is not free for teenagers.
Timothee Chalamet – movie star and tabloid regular – had been the firm favourite to take home the Best Actor statue at this weekend’s Academy Awards. So why have the former Hollywood favourite’s fortunes fallen so dramatically?The press campaign for his movie Marty Supreme, as well as some ill-timed controversial comments about opera and ballet, have led to a backlash. Why has public opinion turned against him? And how do the big Hollywood studios go about influencing who wins what at the Oscars?Niall is joined by Sky’s entertainment correspondent Katie Spencer in Tinsel Town and Paula Froelich, senior story producer and on-air talent for NewsNation.Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show - why@sky.ukCredit: Timothée Chalamet & Matthew McConaughey | Variety & CNN Town Hall - Full Conversation - YouTube
One of the world's most valuable AI companies is suing the US government after it was designated a "supply chain risk" by Pete Hegseth's Department of War. It's an unprecedented legal fight – after Anthropic refused to allow its technology to be used for mass surveillance or autonomous weapons. Now, other tech giants – including Google, Microsoft and Apple – have swung their support behind Anthropic. Why has this dispute happened and what could it all mean for the future of AI? Niall speaks to Sky’s technology correspondent, Rowland Manthorpe, about the potential consequences. Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show - why@sky.uk
The first batch of the Mandelson files have finally been released – but even though there’s still more to come, there are already serious questions for the prime minister.What was the vetting process before Mandelson’s appointment as the UK’s ambassador to the United States?How much was known about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein? And could more have been done to prevent a five-figure payout following his downfall?Niall is joined by Sky’s political correspondent Rob Powell, who has been going through the files.Peter Mandelson has always denied any criminal wrongdoing.Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show - why@sky.uk
After a phone call with Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump announced the US could ease oil sanctions on some countries to combat the rise in prices brought about by the Iran war.It wasn’t clear whether Russia would be included, but such a move could signal a significant shift for the country, which has been isolated since the start of the war with Ukraine.Could Russia be finding its way back to the world stage – after years as a global pariah?Jayne Secker is joined by Sky's Moscow correspondent, Ivor Bennett.Have you got a question for us? Email the show – why@sky.uk
A "continuity candidate" or the ultimate "nepo baby"? Iran’s new supreme leader is Mojtaba Khamenei, a 56-year-old cleric and son of the previous ayatollah. Khamenei was once described as "the power behind the robes" in his father's regime - but very little is known about him. So, who is Mojtaba Khamenei, and how was he chosen? What does his selection mean for the future of the Iranian regime and people? And with few signs that the war with Israel and the US will abate any time soon, what difference will he make to the outcome of the conflict? Niall is joined by Dr Louise Kettle, assistant professor of international relations at the University of Nottingham. Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show – why@sky.uk
The warship HMS Dragon is now not expected to leave for the Mediterranean until next week to begin its mission to defend a British military base in Cyprus from attacks by Iran. The ship is one of six Type 45 air defence destroyers in the Royal Navy and one of three that aren’t currently out of service. It is well-equipped to deal with Iran’s Shahed-type drones, so why has it taken so long to send it to the region? Niall speaks to defence analyst Tom Sharpe, who also spent 27 years in the Royal Navy, about the military capabilities of HMS Dragon, the state of the Navy currently, and when the warship might finally arrive in the Med. Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show – why@sky.uk
Most people have had a bad experience on holiday – but not many will have seen their destination turn into a war zone. That’s been the case for thousands of British travellers in places like Oman and Dubai following the start of the conflict with Iran. The UK’s first repatriation flight was branded a “total shambles” - so what is the government doing to help both holiday makers and expats caught in the crossfire? Niall is joined by Sky’s correspondent Sally Lockwood in Dubai. Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show – why@sky.uk
The United States may have launched strikes on Iran this week, but Donald Trump also found time for a war of words.This time, it was with the prime ministers of the UK and Spain – after they refused to allow America access to their airbases ahead of the attack.Keir Starmer and Pedro Sanchez have responded with some tough words of their own – so why are they and other European leaders finally standing up to Trump?Niall is joined by Sky’s defence analyst Michael Clarke.Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show – why@sky.uk
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
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a formar tory mp commenting on a laborar health minister, yeah thats imparcial.Joke
88ii88
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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