This Is Why

Sky News
This Is Why
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2394 episodes

  • This Is Why

    Why Elon Musk took Sam Altman to court (and lost)

    2026/05/19 | 15 mins.
    Tech titan and X owner Elon Musk has seen his high-profile lawsuit against the boss of OpenAI Sam Altman thrown out of court.
    Musk accused his rival of making OpenAI, which created the increasingly popular ChatGPT, a profit-making company after he had donated $38 million to it.
    The jury may have ruled against Musk, but the feud between the two tech tycoons is likely to continue – and could define the future of AI for years to come.
    Niall is joined by tech journalist Will Guyatt to discuss the case and its repercussions.
    Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show: [email protected]
  • This Is Why

    Burnham the 'clear favourite' | Is the UK at risk of Ebola? | MAFS UK allegations

    2026/05/19 | 11 mins.
    Andy Burnham isn’t even an MP but appears to already be campaigning to be the next prime minister - and if a latest opinion poll is anything to go by his confidence is justified.
    Meanwhile, Donald Trump says he has he instructed his administration to call off strikes on Iran that were scheduled for today.
    However, he warned he could unleash a “full, large scale assault” on the country at a “moment’s notice.”
    It comes as the World Health Organisation has declared the deadly outbreak of Ebola in Africa an international health emergency - but the UK is said to be facing a “low risk”.
    There’s been a shocking development in relation to one of the country’s most popular reality TV shows - with Channel 4 saying "very serious allegations of wrongdoing" have been made against a small number of past Married At First Sight UK contestants.
    Finally, Arsenal’s 1 - 0 victory over Burnley last night has brought them one step closer to a first Premier League title in more than 20 years.
    A title triumph for Arsenal would also end Pep Guardiola’s hopes of lifting a seventh Premier League trophy - as reports suggest the Sky Blues are preparing for his departure.
    Sophy and Wilf have the day's news in just 10 minutes.
  • This Is Why

    Why the world should care about Africa’s latest Ebola outbreak

    2026/05/18 | 17 mins.
    A new strain of Ebola virus has been declared an international public health emergency by the World Health Organisation.
    More than 300 suspected cases have been identified – with at least 80 deaths reported. The outbreak is mostly confined to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, but two cases have already spread to Uganda.
    Plus, a number of American citizens have also been exposed to the virus.
    Niall speaks to Africa correspondent Yousra Elbagir and health correspondent Ashish Joshi about exactly what Ebola is and why the wider world should care about the outbreak.
    Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: [email protected]
  • This Is Why

    Why winning Makerfield might not be so easy for Andy Burnham

    2026/05/15 | 20 mins.
    The constituency of Makerfield has been a Labour safe seat for generations, but in the May elections, Reform UK won nearly every seat that was up for grabs at the local council.
    So how much of a gamble is it for Andy Burnham to try to stage a Commons return here?
    In his favour is his personal popularity in Greater Manchester and the fact he grew up in the area. Against him is the momentum of Reform and the fact that Makerfield hasn't benefitted from some of Burnham's key policies as mayor of the city.
    To discuss his chances, Niall speaks to Rob Ford, professor of political science at the University of Manchester.
    Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show - [email protected]
  • This Is Why

    Why Wes Streeting is accused of putting ambition above national interest

    2026/05/14 | 22 mins.
    On Thursday lunchtime, Wes Streeting resigned from Sir Keir Starmer’s government. The now-former health secretary said he had “lost confidence” in the PM’s premiership – the first cabinet minister to jump ship.
    But what he didn’t say (yet) is that he will challenge Starmer for the Labour leadership – and with it, the keys to Number 10.
    So, why hasn’t Streeting fired the starting gun on a contest his critics say he’s been desperate to fight? What sort of leader might he eventually be, and what’s his track record in government?
    Niall is joined by Sky News’ political correspondent Rob Powell.
    Watch Wes Streeting’s appearance on Electoral Dysfunction with Beth Rigby here.
    Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: [email protected]
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About 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: [email protected]
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