This Is Why - podcast cover

This Is Why

Sky Newswww.skynews.com
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
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Episodes

How will Sunak handle the latest Tory troubles?

The prime minister has asked his independent ethics adviser to investigate Nadhim Zahawi, the Conservative Party chairman. Sir Laurie Magnus will look at whether Mr Zahawi breached the ministerial code by settling tax issues with HMRC while he was chancellor. Mr Zahawi says it was “careless and not deliberate” error. That’s on top of the two investigations around the appointment of Richard Sharp, the BBC chairman, after reports he helped Boris Johnson, the former prime minister, secure a loan wo...

Jan 23, 202316 min

The Nazi hunter: Remembering victims of the Holocaust

Every year on 27 January, people remember and reflect on the genocide carried out by the Nazis during the Second World War. On the Sky News Daily Niall Paterson speaks to Efraim Zuroff, a historian and Nazi hunter, about delivering justice for victims of the Holocaust before the perpetrators of those crimes pass away. Plus, Karen Pollock, chief executive at Holocaust Educational Trust, explains the importance of remembering what happened. Audio credit: Ernest Marchand was interviewed by Louise C...

Jan 23, 202322 min

Ukraine War Diaries: EP41 - Dnipro, despair & waiting for deliverance (Jan 16-20)

Seva has a difficult conversation with his sister after a Russian ballistic missile targets her Dnipro neighbourhood, killing 45 people and injuring dozens more. In Kyiv, Oksana shares some of the stories that have penetrated the soul of the nation and reflects on how the attack is impacting the Ukrainian psyche. Meanwhile, a conversation between Ilyas and his grandmother - who grew up in the aftermath of World War II - shifts his focus to those ageing citizens who are struggling to cope with wa...

Jan 21, 202314 min

How to catch a Mafia boss - by a woman who does it

After 30 years on the run, infamous mafia boss Matteo Messina Denaro has been arrested. A suspected leader of Sicily's Cosa Nostra mafia, convicted in absentia of multiple murders, he was finally detained by Italian armed forces whilst in a private clinic undergoing cancer treatment. On the Sky News Daily podcast, host Niall Patterson talks to historian and author of Cosa Nostra, John Dickie, about the history and influence of Messina Denaro and the Sicilian mafia. He also speaks to anti-mafia p...

Jan 20, 202324 min

How Scotland's trans rights law became a constitutional row

For the first time since Scottish devolution nearly 25 years ago, Westminster has blocked a bill, which concerns transgender rights, from getting royal assent. Westminster is objecting to the Gender Recognition Reform Bill on the grounds that it would have a "significant impact" on GB-wide equalities. But Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says the veto is an attack on democracy. On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson is joined by political correspondent Joe Pike to unpack the unprecedente...

Jan 19, 202316 min

David Carrick: The Met Police's challenge to "root out rapists"

Over an 18-year period, former Metropolitan Police firearms officer David Carrick sexually assaulted and raped at least 12 women. The force has apologised to victims after it emerged Carrick had come to the attention of police on nine separate occasions, but no action had been taken. On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson gets more on the Met's response from Sky's crime correspondent Martin Brunt. Former Met officer Graham Wettone explains how complains against officers are dealt with, and Harrie...

Jan 18, 202324 min

‘No light at the end of the tunnel’: What a week in the NHS looks like

The NHS is facing a crisis. Three years of a pandemic and even more of underfunding have seen waiting lists and ambulance delays hit record highs, while some staff strike for better pay. On the Sky News Daily with Niall Paterson, using voice notes from the frontline, NHS staff explain how they deal with the realities of providing care. Plus, Niall speaks to Helen Buckingham, Director of Strategy at the Nuffield Trust and Sally Warren, Director of Policy at the King’s Fund about knock-on effects ...

Jan 17, 202320 min

It's not just the NHS - Europe's healthcare crisis

Services stretched to breaking point, routine operations cancelled and medical workers striking – it's not the UK's health service we're talking about here but those on the continent. On the Sky News Daily podcast with Niall Paterson, Ana Gimenez, a GP in Spain, and A&E doctor Roberto Cosentini in Italy help to paint a picture of the current situation in their countries. Plus, Niall speaks to waiting times expert Professor Luigi Siciliani about the scale of the problems and public health exp...

Jan 16, 202321 min

Ukraine War Diaries: EP40 - Comedy nights, corroding childhoods, & checking out at the gym (Jan 9-13)

As fighting rages in the east of the country and against the backdrop of mounting casualties in the mining town of Soledar, Oksana finds some unexpected respite at a Kyiv comedy night. Meanwhile, in an basement gym, Ilyas finds a world removed from war until the building is plunged into darkness. 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...

Jan 14, 20239 min

Can the UK still be a space superpower?

It was supposed to be Britain's first small step towards space exploration but no amount of awe and excitement on the ground at Spaceport Cornwall could will the LauncherOne rocket into completing its mission. Yet with spaceports springing up around the British Isles, and billions of pounds expected to flow into the economy as a result, could the UK be on the brink of becoming a space superpower? On the Sky News Daily, host Niall Paterson is joined by Sky's science and medical correspondent Thom...

Jan 13, 202320 min

What's happening in Brazil?

Thousands of demonstrators in support of former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro stormed and ransacked the country’s Congress, Supreme court, and Presidential palace last weekend. On the Sky News Daily podcast, host Niall Paterson talks to our digital investigation journalist Victoria Elms about the events leading up to the protest. He also explores the aftermath of the riots with Sky News’s chief correspondent Stuart Ramsay, who is in the capital, Brasilia. Plus, the author of Beef, Bullets a...

Jan 12, 202317 min

Westminster Accounts: Lobbying and the All-Party Parliamentary Groups

For decades, if you wanted to find out how businesses and foreign governments lobby MPs, and how much they give them, you'd need to study dozens of entries in several editions of the register of members’ interests. Over the course of this parliament £20m has been given to All-Party Parliamentary Groups. Most of that goes on paying for organisers, reports, research, events and trips. All of this information was clouded in opaque language and difficult for most voters to access. Now, Sky News and ...

Jan 11, 202325 min

Westminster Accounts: Who’s behind the money?

For decades, if you wanted to find out how much a wealthy donor, a big company, or a union has pumped into our political system, you'd need to study dozens of entries in several editions of the register of members’ interests. All of this information was clouded in opaque language and difficult for most voters to access. Now, Sky News and our partners at Tortoise Media have been working to change that, so we can all follow the flow of money through our political system. On the Sky News Daily, hos...

Jan 10, 202330 min

Westminster Accounts: The MPs earning millions

For decades, if you wanted to find out how much an MP was earning on top of their £84,000 basic salary, you'd need to study dozens of entries in several editions of the register of members interests. All of this information was clouded in opaque language and difficult for most voters to access. Now, Sky News and our partners at Tortoise Media have been working to change that, so we can all follow the flow of money through our political system. On the Sky News Daily, host Niall Paterson heads int...

Jan 09, 202330 min

Ukraine War Diaries: EP39 - Birthday at the pictures, pizza nights & polish pick-ups (Jan 2-6)

In Kyiv, making use of one of the cities bomb-proofed theatres, Oksana books a comedy night for military volunteer husband Seva. In one of the capital’s restaurants, Seva begins the new year in the company of army comrades who extend an emotional gesture of brotherhood in the form of a knife. And after saying farewell to his family, Ilyas transports an old car from Poland ear-marked for frontline soldiers, before finding himself in the blast radius of a missile strike in Kyiv. OUR DIARISTS Oksan...

Jan 07, 202312 min

Three Wishes for 2023: Singer-songwriter Róisín Murphy

If you had three wishes, what would they be? For the start of 2023, Sky News Daily podcast host Niall Paterson is asking people from across politics, entertainment, and sport how they would use three wishes to change the world, their country, and their lives. On this episode, Irish singer-songwriter Roisin Murphy talks of parenting in the digital age, and her hopes for more support for the live music scene. Producers: David Chipakupaku and Alys Bowen Junior Producer: Jada-Kai Meosa John Editors:...

Jan 06, 202329 min

Royal row - what's in Prince Harry's book?

Copies of Prince Harry's autobiography, Spare, have gone on sale in Spain - five days before its official global release date. Sky News has seen a copy of the book which includes claims of an altercation with Prince William that caused "scrapes and bruises” on his back. He also admits to taking cocaine. On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson is joined by Sky's Royal correspondent Rhiannon Mills to examine, after the Oprah Winfrey interview and Netflix documentary, what extra insight the book’s 55...

Jan 05, 202325 min

Three Wishes for 2023: World's strongest man Tom Stoltman

If you had three wishes, what would they be? For the start of 2023, Sky News Daily podcast host Niall Paterson is asking people from across politics, entertainment, and sport how they would use three wishes to change the world, their country, and their lives. On this episode, two-time world's strongest man Tom Stoltman shares his experience dealing with grief, how the gym helped in dealing with autism, and his hope for more acceptance and support for people with disabilities in the UK. Producers...

Jan 05, 202328 min

How Gina Martin fought to make upskirting illegal

If you had three wishes, what would they be? For the start of 2023, Sky News Daily podcast host Niall Paterson is asking people from across politics, entertainment, and sport how they would use three wishes to change the world, their country, and their lives. On this episode, gender equality campaigner and author Gina Martin tells Niall about her case against upskirting, and her belief that activism won’t work if we don’t fight for a liveable climate. This episode contains references to sexual a...

Jan 04, 202331 min

Three Wishes for 2023: Ukrainian MP Kira Rudik

If you had three wishes, what would they be? For the start of 2023, Sky News Daily podcast host Niall Paterson is asking people from across politics, entertainment, and sport how they would use three wishes to change the world, their country, and their lives. On this episode, Ukrainian MP Kira Rudik tells Niall about the ongoing war in Ukraine, and her hopes for a braver world. Plus, we find out more about what drew her into politics in the first place. You can hear more stories from Ukraine on ...

Jan 03, 202327 min

2022 Revisited - What can we expect from King Charles III's reign?

On this Sky News Daily, we revisit one of our most popular episodes of 2022. At the age of 73 and after a life as prince, what can the UK and the Commonwealth expect from the reign of King Charles III? On a special Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson explores the new monarch's life, character and interests. He's joined by; Sky News' royal correspondent Rhiannon Mills; film and documentary maker John Bridcut, who has known and worked with King Charles for 15 years; Alistair Carmichael MP, who held mee...

Dec 30, 202234 min

2022 Revisited - Andrew Tate: The lingering influence of the social media star

On this Sky News Daily, we revisit one of our most popular episodes of 2022. Described by himself and others as the "king of toxic masculinity", Andrew Tate has been banned from Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube. Despite the bans, Andrew Tate's content still lingers on the internet, and he remains to be one of the most searched people on the planet. On the Sky News Daily podcast Niall Paterson digs into Andrew Tate's background with the Observer's Shanti Das. He also explores why he's appe...

Dec 29, 202222 min

2022 Revisited - Vietnam's 'Napalm Girl': 'There was fire everywhere around me.'

On this Sky News Daily, we revisit one of our most popular episodes of 2022. A photograph of nine-year-old Kim Phuc Phan Thi, taken during the Vietnam War, became infamous for its horrific depiction of the conflict. Titled The Terror of War the photo, by Huỳnh Công Út, known professionally as Nick Ut, later won a Pulitzer Prize. Niall Paterson is in conversation with Kim Phuc, who shares her story about that photo, the war, and her work since then. Producer: Soila Apparicio Interviews Producer: ...

Dec 28, 202219 min

Ukraine War Diaries: EP38 - Fond memories, fallen soldiers & our first war-time Christmas (Dec 25-31)

Against the backdrop of a Kyiv still under siege, Oksana reflects on magical Christmas memories from childhood until a drone attack brings her back to reality with a jolt. Meanwhile Seva shares the Christmas reality of comrades who continue to fight through the festive period. And Ilyas, looks to the New Year with hope. 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 Pola...

Dec 27, 202211 min

What happened in 2022?

War in Ukraine, three Prime Ministers, the death of Queen Elizabeth II, on top of a cost-of-living crisis and the changing climate were among the most high-profile stories of the year. Niall Paterson takes a look back, with Sky News radio newsreader Faye De Silva, over 2022's headlines that made an impact. Producers: Ana Bates, Rosie Gillott, and Soila Apparicio Sound Designer: Tom Burchell Editor: Philly Beaumont

Dec 24, 202215 min

Sky News Daily Reviews 2022: Royal Correspondent Rhiannon Mills

Host Niall Paterson looks at the stories which defined 2022. On this episode, Sky’s royal correspondent Rhiannon Mills recaps a defining year in history, which saw the end of the second Elizabethan era, the start of King Charles III's reign and everything Harry and Meghan. Producer: Emma Rae Woodhouse Promotions Producer: David Chipakupaku Editor: Philly Beaumont

Dec 23, 202223 min

Sky News Daily Reviews 2022: Economics and Data Editor Ed Conway

Host Niall Paterson looks at the stories which defined 2022. Sky’s economics and data editor Ed Conway unpicks a year shaped by the cost-of-living crisis and Liz Truss’ ill-fated mini budget. Producer: Rosie Gillott Promotions Producer: David Chipakupaku Editor: Philly Beaumont

Dec 22, 202220 min

Sky News Daily Reviews 2022: International Affairs Editor Dominic Waghorn

Host Niall Paterson looks at the stories which defined 2022. He is joined by Sky’s international affairs editor Dominic Waghorn to discuss what Russia’s war with Ukraine has meant for both countries and the wider world. Plus, the impact of China's internal politics on the global stage, and the fight for freedom in Iran. Producer: Soila Apparicio Promotions Producer: David Chipakupaku Editor: Philly Beaumont

Dec 21, 202222 min

Sky News Daily Reviews 2022: Science and Technology Editor Tom Clarke

Host Niall Paterson looks at the stories which defined 2022. Sky’s science and technology editor Tom Clarke examines how the energy crisis impacts the aim to reduce global warming. As well as how big tech companies have had to change through the year. Annie Joyce - senior podcast producer Philly Beaumont – editor

Dec 20, 202222 min

Sky News Daily Reviews 2022: Political Editor Beth Rigby

Host Niall Paterson looks at the stories which defined 2022. On this episode, Sky’s political editor Beth Rigby talks about the year which gave us three Prime Ministers and the legacies of the two who left office. Producer: Rosie Gillott Promotions Producer: David Chipakupaku Editor: Philly Beaumont

Dec 19, 202224 min
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