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This Is Why

Sky News
This Is Why
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  • This Is Why

    Why Sudan's horrifying civil war is being ignored

    2026/08/27 | 17 mins.
    Up to a million people have died in the last three years since a civil war broke out in Sudan.
    It was triggered by a power struggle between the army and a paramilitary organisation known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
    Britain could have a key role in ending the war as its ally the UAE has been accused of backing the RSF.
    Dominic Waghorn speaks to Sky's Africa correspondent Yousra Elbagir, who has recently returned from Sudan where she visited El Obeid, a city where thousands of civilians have sought shelter. It is facing siege-like conditions, and she tells us about what life is like there and what hope people have that the war will end.
    Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk
  • This Is Why

    Why Dolly Parton was loved by all ages

    2026/08/26 | 22 mins.
    Her music career took off nearly 60 years ago and tributes to Dolly Parton have come from people of every generation, including Sir Paul McCartney and her recent collaborators Beyonce and Pitbull.
    But it was not just her music that led to so many people being big fans of hers. She was a very generous philanthropist, donating millions of books to children, she spoke out against racism and was a huge gay icon.
    We talk to broadcaster Bob Harris who has spoken to Dolly Parton many times during her decades-long career about why she meant so much to people from every generation.
    Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk
  • This Is Why

    Why are care leavers dying so young?

    2026/08/25 | 19 mins.
    112 care leavers aged 18 to 24 died last year, according to a government-commissioned review – that's three to four times the rate of their peers.
    Nick Martin, our people and politics correspondent, has been following the journeys of people leaving the care system for many years.
    Joining Niall, he shares the stories of those who have lived in care. He tells us about the challenges young people face and the changes that could help them when leaving the system.
    Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for free on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK.
    Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk
  • This Is Why

    Why can't TikTok just get rid of dangerous driving content?

    2026/08/24 | 21 mins.
    The "glorification of dangerous driving for clicks and entertainment" was "utterly disgraceful" and such content should be removed, a spokesman for the prime minister has said.
    This weekend, five young men died in a car travelling down on the wrong side of the A66; two policemen also died in the collision. In Ireland, just a week before, five boys died in a crash after their car was driven the wrong way down a motorway.
    Niall speaks to Dr Mary Aiken, a Professor of Forensic Cyberpsychology at the University of East London, and tech journalist Will Guyatt about what is driving young people to risk their lives in this way? And are social media companies doing enough to take down the content?
    Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk
  • This Is Why

    Why the NHS is working with ‘the world’s scariest CEO’

    2026/08/21 | 18 mins.
    With his fuzz of chaotic grey hair and love of philosophy, Palantir boss Alex Karp isn’t your average tech bro.
    Not least because he recently published a pro-West manifesto that has been described as the “ramblings of a supervillain”.
    His highly-controversial data analytics firm is known by critics as “the world’s most dangerous tech company” - so what does it actually do and why does it sit right at the heart of the NHS?
    Niall is joined by Sky’s technology correspondent, Rowland Manthorpe, for the latest episode of our series looking at the most important people in tech that you might have never heard of.
    Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk
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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: why@sky.uk
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