

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
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
Mentioned books

Jan 28, 2025 • 20min
Exclusive: Iran's warning to US and Israel
Sky News' international affairs editor Dominic Waghorn joins to Niall following his exclusive interview with Iran's foreign minister in Tehran.Abbas Araghchi responds to Donald Trump's claim that a deal with Iran would be "nice", as well as talk that Israel could be planning an attack on his country's nuclear facilities with US backing - something he calls "crazy".Dominic's interview also covers the future of Gaza and he tells Niall, after a hugely damaging 12 months, what is on the line for Iran this year.Producer: Natalie KtenaEditor: Philly Beaumont

Jan 27, 2025 • 19min
Auschwitz remembered: Why we should never forget
The 80th anniversary of the liberation of the German Nazi concentration and extermination camp Auschwitz is marked on 27 January. It’s a day for remembering the horrors of the Holocaust, and other more recent genocides. But with many survivors now in their old age, how do we preserve their stories and accounts of what happened for future generations? Niall visits the Imperial War Museum to speak to historian Dr James Bulgin who is the museum’s head of public history, to learn more about the importance of sharing the lessons from the Holocaust, and how best to do so in an increasingly polarised world. Producers: Natalie Ktena, Soila Apparicio Editor: Philly Beaumont

Jan 24, 2025 • 15min
Trump 100: What is Trump really trying to say?
Trump 100 is Sky News' latest podcast covering President Donald Trump's first 100 days in office.Daily host Niall Paterson drops in on day six, where US correspondents Martha Kelner, Mark Stone and James Matthews look beyond the Washington bubble to take stock of the first working week of the Trump presidency.The team focus on how the president has already been impacting the lives of ordinary Americans and those outside its borders. This week, Martha has been to Texas and Mexico to speak to those affected by Trump's declaration of a state of emergency over immigration. They also discuss Trump's policy decisions so far – from the controversial to the pragmatic. And the dramatic political theatre with which he signed his first executive orders.Producer: Rosie Gillott Editor: Philly Beaumont

Jan 23, 2025 • 22min
How do survivors of violent attacks try to move on?
Today, Axel Rudakubana was sentenced to a minimum term of 52 years for the murder of Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, in Southport. Their families and the survivors of the attack were able to tell the court for the first time how their lives have been changed forever. On this episode, Niall Paterson is joined by north of England correspondent, Katerina Vittozzi, from Liverpool Crown Court. And to find out how survivors of the attack deal with the lasting trauma, he speaks to Dr Cath Hill, a survivor of the Manchester Arena attack. Producer: Emma Rae WoodhouseEditor: Wendy Parker

Jan 22, 2025 • 20min
The Prince and the Papers: Harry reaches settlement
Prince Harry has his apology from the owner of The Sun. The Duke of Sussex has settled with News Group Newspapers (NGN) following a long legal battle over surveillance and misuse of private information by journalists between 1996 and 2011.His lawyer called it a "monumental victory" as the paper's owner apologised for the "serious intrusion" into the prince's private life. Sky News' Tom Cheshire is joined by Royal Correspondent Rhiannon Mills and Deadline's Jake Kanter to discuss how significant a win this is for Prince Harry, why he chose to settle and what it means for The Sun. Producer: Natalie Ktena Editor: Wendy Parker

Jan 21, 2025 • 24min
Southport murders: What did the authorities know and when?
Sir Keir Starmer says terrorism has changed and we face a new threat as he announces the details of an inquiry into the state failings that left Axel Rudakubana able to kill three young girls in Southport last summer. Rudakubana was known to have been obsessed with violence and had been referred to the Prevent counter terrorism programme three times in the 17 months before the murders. On today's Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson is joined from Southport by North of England Correspondent Katerina Vittozzi and Crime Correspondent Martin Brunt to discuss what the inquiry will achieve and why so many details of the case can only be revealed now. Plus, Niall’s also joined by chief political correspondent Jon Craig for the political reaction. Producer: Natalie Ktena Editor: Wendy Parker

Jan 20, 2025 • 26min
What Trump’s America could look like
As Donald Trump is sworn in for a second term as US president, the Sky News Daily takes a look at how he could shape America - and the rest of the world - over the next four years. Host Niall Paterson is joined by our US correspondent Mark Stone. They hear predictions from Sky's experts and look at the impact Trump's policies could have and how he might influence events around the world, from the Middle East to the Mexican border to Ukraine. Producer: Rosie Gillott Editor: Philly Beaumont

Jan 17, 2025 • 20min
Bye-Bye Biden
After more than 50 years in politics Joe Biden's career is coming to an end, as Donald Trump enters the Oval Office on Monday. On this episode, Niall Paterson explores how Joe Biden's presidency will be defined and the significance of 'presidential legacy' in America with US correspondent Mark Stone and presidential historian Dr Larry Cook. Producers: Natalie Ktena, Rosie Gillott Editor: Philly Beaumont

Jan 16, 2025 • 17min
Gaza ceasefire: How fragile is the deal?
A ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas is due to come into force on Sunday. It will see hostages set free, a phased withdrawal of IDF forces from parts of Gaza and an end to Israel's aerial bombardment. There is, though, a great deal of uncertainty about the deal and its chances of long-term success. On the Sky News Daily, Niall speaks to international correspondent Alex Rossi to find out what's happening on the ground in Jerusalem and security analyst Michael Clarke about where the deal might run into trouble and what it could mean for security in the region. Producer: Soila Apparicio Editor: Philly Beaumont

Jan 15, 2025 • 17min
Will a small drop in inflation make a difference?
Chancellor Rachel Reeves can probably breathe a small sigh of relief, as contrary to expectations, inflation has dropped. The rate came in at 2.5% for December, slightly lower than forecast. But does she have room to relax? On this episode Niall Paterson and our business correspondent Paul Kelso take stock of the figures, what they mean for Reeves, and the remaining challenges to the economy. Producer: Natalie KtenaEditor: Philly Beaumont


