This Is Why

A decade on, you might have thought Brexit was done and dusted – but our relationship with the European Union is still in flux. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is proposing a reset that could result in the UK signing up to EU rules without the need for a normal parliamentary vote, under what are known as Henry VIII powers. But in pushing for closer ties with the continent, is he risking a return to rule-taking without any say in what those rules are? And what might this new relationship with Brussels look like? Niall speaks to Professor Anand Menon, director at UK in a Changing Europe, about the significance of this moment in UK-EU relations. Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show: why@sky.uk

After 16 years in power, Hungary's Viktor Orban has been defeated by Peter Magyar, whose Tisza party has won a huge parliamentary majority. Magyar campaigned to break the country away from Russia's grip and re-establish closer ties to the European Union, in a setback for both Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump. But is this a genuine turning point and a strategic win for Ukraine's war efforts? Niall speaks to our Moscow correspondent Ivor Bennett in Budapest to find out how significant the change of regime could be across the continent. Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show – why@sky.uk

Donald Trump's war in Iran has been polling badly among many of the groups that voted for him in 2024, and that matters as crucial midterm elections are just over six months away. These elections take place two years into the presidential cycle, with voters able to choose who runs Congress. Currently, the Republicans control both the Senate and the House of Representatives, giving the president freedom to enact his agenda. So how exactly do the midterms work and how much would change for Donald Trump if his Republican party has a bad night? Niall is joined by US correspondent and co-host of the Trump100 podcast, James Matthews. For more on politics in the US, listen to Trump100 on your podcast app: https://podfollow.com/trump100/view

Kanye West is one of the 21st Century’s most talented musicians, but his controversial remarks are just as famous as his music – and his antisemitic comments have now got him banned from the UK. Wireless festival, which he was due to headline in London this summer, has been cancelled as a result. Since he burst onto the music scene in the early 2000s, Ye, as he is now known, has been breaking the mould – both as an artist and with his controversial opinions. This includes releasing a song called Heil Hitler, selling swastika T-shirts, saying slavery was a choice and supporting Diddy during his sex trafficking trial. Gareth Barlow speaks to music and culture journalist Nicolas Tyrell-Scott about why Ye remains popular, how much the music industry is responsible and will anything now change? Ye denies allegations of sexual assault.

Donald Trump has claimed a ‘complete victory’ in his war in Iran during a phone call to Sky News just hours after the two sides agreed a temporary ceasefire. But Iran is also declaring a win as it handed over a 10-point plan which includes maintaining control of the Strait of Hormuz and full US military withdrawal from the Middle East. So will the ceasefire last? Is that the end of free passage through the Strait of Hormuz? And what about Israel’s role? Gareth Barlow speaks to Sky News’ defence and security analyst Michael Clarke about who is really winning and what happens next.

The Artemis II crew are on their way back to Earth after a record-breaking mission to the far side of the moon. They reached a distance of 252,756 miles from our home planet - the furthest in history. The ultimate aim of NASA's Artemis programme is to get crewed missions to Mars. So what did US space experts learn from this mission and how will it help the next stage of the programme, which could see a rocket landing on the moon and ultimately a base being built on the lunar south pole? Gareth Barlow speaks to space journalist Kate Arkless Gray about how successful the project was and what happens next.

Matt Brittin, a former Google boss and ex-Olympic rower, will become the new director-general of the BBC in May. He wouldn't have expected a quiet life in the highly-scrutinised role. After all, the broadcaster is facing a multibillion-dollar lawsuit from Donald Trump. But the aftermath of the sacking of Radio 2 presenter Scott Mills will be one of the first big issues Mr Britten will have to deal with, on top of the US president's lawsuit and the BBC's charter renewal. Niall is joined by Deadline's media correspondent Jake Kanter to discuss what the new BBC boss brings to the role, and how he can shape the corporation’s future.

Donald Trump has kept the world guessing over whether he will launch a ground invasion in Iran. However, the arrival of thousands of US paratroopers in the region might be the clearest indication yet of the disrupter-in-chief’s thinking. A month of airstrikes is one thing but the deployment of troops is quite another - so how would it work? Has Trump learned nothing from Iraq and Afghanistan? Niall is joined by the former head of the UK armed forces General Sir Nick Carter. Have you got a question for the podcast? Email us: why@sky.uk

"Go get your own oil!" Donald Trump has served notice on his allies, telling them the US won't necessarily clear up the mess he’s making in the Middle East. And oil is important... for everything. The global economy needs 100 million barrels a day to function. The war in Iran means we're only producing 80 million. Those missing barrels are having a huge impact on diesel and petrol prices – but that's just the start. Inflation, interest rates, food and utility bills are all set to rise. What, if anything, can the UK government do to avoid the inevitable economic earthquake? Niall asks Sky's data and economics editor Ed Conway why he's so worried about the financial effects of the crisis in the Middle East. Do you have a question for the podcast? Email us: why@sky.uk

The cost of your weekly shop is about to go up – as the war in Iran squeezes the supply of synthetic fertiliser. The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz had already caused a spike in energy prices - and is now expected to hit kitchen cupboards in time for summer. It also presents a fresh challenge for a farming industry growing used to having to dig deep for profits. So, what foods will be impacted and what can be done to bring prices back down? Niall is joined by Sky’s business correspondent Paul Kelso.

Artemis II is NASA's next big mission to the moon – the first in over 50 years. It's part of the space agency's long-term plans to build a space station called Lunar Gateway, where astronauts will be able to live and work. It is also America's best effort to beat the likes of China in the space race to return to the moon. Niall speaks to Tom Clarke, our science and technology editor, and Thomas Moore, our science and medical correspondent about what NASA hopes to achieve with the lunar flyby. Have you got a question for the podcast? Email us: why@sky.uk

The market in counterfeit goods – fake handbags, knock-off trainers or not-quite-designer clothes – is now worth more than double the illegal drug trade in the UK. So, it’s easy to see why organised criminal gangs are concentrating on selling fake fashion, both on the high street and online. And they’re being helped by an army of influencers – who, knowingly or otherwise, are encouraging their followers to buy illicit goods. Niall speaks to Katerina Vittozzi – Sky’s North of England Correspondent who led an investigation into fake fashion – and Sarah Woodcock, Chief Executive Officer of The Anti-Slavery Collective. Have you got a question for the podcast? Email us: why@sky.uk

Lots of people enjoy a flutter – but have you ever considered betting on a US strike on Iran? Or when Russia will take control of a village in the Donbass? Or what day a head of state might be killed? It’s a macabre thought for even the most compulsive gambler – but punters are betting millions of dollars on prediction sites like Polymarket and Kalshi, which both have links to Donald Trump Jr. High stakes bets on specific acts of war have led to allegations of insider trading and potential market manipulation. Niall discusses Polymarket and the ethics of wartime betting with Sam Doak of Sky News’ Data and Forensics unit. Do you have a question for the podcast? Email us: why@sky.uk

Four Jewish ambulances were set on fire in North London on Monday morning, in the latest incident to be treated as an antisemitic hate crime by the police. Sadly, it is just a further example of the increase in violence towards the Jewish community in the UK since the October 7 attacks in 2023. The Jewish charity, the Community Security Trust (CST), said that last year saw the second-highest annual total of anti-Jewish hate incidents on record. So, does the Jewish community feel antisemitism has become normalised in the UK, and what can be done to help Jews feel safer? Niall speaks to Dr Dave Rich, Director of Policy at the CST. Have you got a question for the podcast? Email us: why@sky.uk

Last week, Iran tried to target the joint US-UK military base on Diego Garcia – more than 2,000 miles away in the Indian Ocean. That attack failed but it led an Israel military spokesperson to suggest London could be vulnerable to an Iranian ballistic missile strike. With Keir Starmer now allowing the use of British air bases for US operations against attacks in the Strait of Hormuz, is Iran capable of direct retaliation against the UK? What is the state of Britain’s air defences? And what other means does Tehran have at its disposal to threaten us? Niall speaks to Sky’s defence analyst, Professor Michael Clarke. Do you have a question for the podcast? Email us: why@sky.uk

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 correspondent Thomas Moore about why meningitis can be deadly, what the symptoms are, and why the vaccine is not free for teenagers.