This Is Why

Surely, the first rule of being a press secretary is never to be the story. But it took Donald Trump's newest spokesperson just 14 minutes to put herself very much front and centre.That was how long Katie Zacharia's first - and only - White House briefing lasted. Now, the president has asked her to consider her position less than a week into the job, leaving her little choice but to stand down.Plucked from a role as a TV talking head, Zacharia had been trusted to replace Karoline Leavitt as the president’s press secretary – responsible for relaying the MAGA message to the media.But she was quickly embroiled in controversy – not least for appearing to overstate her credentials as a fully qualified lawyer.Recorded before her departure, Niall Paterson is joined by the chairman of Republicans Overseas UK, Greg Swenson.Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: [email protected]

Donald Trump decided to mark the death of a man mauled by a tiger in a Yorkshire zoo by posting an AI-generated video of himself wrestling with a tiger. The killing of 23-year-old William Chapman has offered a stark reminder of just how dangerous zoo animals can be when things go wrong. So, has the social media obsession with animal videos desensitised us to the threat from wildlife? It has also renewed the debate over whether we should be keeping animals like that in captivity in the first place. Just how safe are the UK’s zoos and why do we even have them? Niall Paterson is joined by Amy Dickman, professor of Wildlife Conservation at Oxford University.

In today’s episode of This Is Why, we’re introducing our new podcast – Russell Brand: On TrialListen to Russell Brand: On Trial on your podcast appWhat happened on Russell Brand’s first day in court as the trial process got underway? Sky News’ Martin Brunt and Katie Spencer take us through the day- inside and outside the court. It starts with queues of journalists arriving early to get a seat on the press benches of court 3 at Southwark Crown Court. Outside photographers gather to get images of Russell Brand as he walks in with his wife. No broadcast cameras or recording are allowed inside so Katie Spencer - arts and entertainment correspondent for Sky and crime commentator Martin Brunt - are your eyes and ears in court. The first development: selecting the jury, the people who will decide if Russell Brand is guilty, or not guilty.He faces three counts of rape, three of sexual assault and one of indecent assault. He denies all charges and the trial continues.Follow the feed to get every episode. Email us with your [email protected]

Taking a hot shower, heating your home, cooking dinner – all things we take for granted. All at risk.Britain’s gas storage levels are at a decade-low, while the UK’s largest storage facility faces closure as its stockpiles near empty.Wars in the Middle East and Ukraine continue to constrain supplies and push up prices. And what if Donald Trump goes through with his threat to put "America first" and stop the flow of fuel abroad?Niall Paterson is joined by Sky's economics and data editor Ed Conway, who was given exclusive access to a previously unseen emergency planning exercise – revealing what would happen if the country runs out of gas.You can watch Ed’s full investigation here.Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: [email protected]

In the 14th Century, the Black Death wiped out up to half the population of Europe. So, no wonder world leaders, including Donald Trump, are keeping a careful watch on a plague scare in Eastern Russia. One laboratory worker from a plague research facility in Siberia has died, with fears they may have been exposed to pneumonic plague – the most virulent and dangerous form of the disease. A further 200 people were placed in quarantine. With the Covid pandemic still fresh in people’s minds, what is pneumonic plague and how worried should we be about a potential outbreak? Niall Paterson speaks to Sky’s science and medical correspondent Thomas Moore. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: [email protected]

The sister-in-law of the 82-year-old explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes travelled from her home abroad to check into a care home where his friends believed he was staying. She managed to meet him and told Sky News how delighted he was to see her. It was a rare visit as his friends and family continue to raise concerns that they are being blocked from seeing him. Cheshire Police though have said "no immediate safeguarding concerns have been identified at this time". Niall Paterson spoke to Arabella Pepper, who is the sister of Sir Ranulph's first wife, about that visit last year. He also spoke to friend and fellow explorer Sir David Hempleman-Adams about Sir Ranulph's achievements. Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show – [email protected]

Since the fall of Saddam Hussein more than two decades ago, the US has had a near-continuous military presence in Iraq... until now.The last troops have been withdrawn, ending a process started by Joe Biden and endorsed by Donald Trump. But the timing of the departure has been questioned - with the US still at war with Iran.According to Iraqi security experts, the withdrawal could give Tehran and its proxies free rein, while also risking a comeback from the Islamic State terror group.So, why have Americans decided to leave Iraq now? And what will it mean for the future of the country - and stability of the wider region?Niall Paterson is joined by Sky's military analyst Robert Clark, who served in the British military in Iraq and Afghanistan.There is more exclusive analysis and content on the conflict in the Middle East on the new Sky News Defence Insider app.Sky News Defence Insider is a subscription app designed for audiences seeking deeper insight into defence, security and global affairs.Download and subscribe here. Paid subscription required for full access. UK only. 18+. T&Cs apply.

Who are you more likely to believe, Donald Trump or a farmer from the Cotswolds?Five UK nationals have been arrested on suspicion of explosives and terrorism offences after a major incident was declared at an RAF airbase in Gloucestershire over the weekend.But they were later released on bail, as counter-terror police remain “open-minded” about whether the incident is linked to a foreign state such as Iran.So, why did the US president claim the group had been “under investigation” for a long time – while a local resident insists she was the one who alerted the police after spotting a group of masked men?What do we know about this investigation? And what does it tell us about how the UK is being targeted by proxies?Niall Paterson is joined by Sky’s home affairs editor Jason Farrell.Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: [email protected]

Recollection may vary, but the facts do not. That’s something that was lost on Princess Diana’s brother in his new book about his sister’s life - which managed to squeeze in a mistake about Piers Morgan amongst its bombshell claims about the King. The former Daily Mirror editor is now suing Earl Spencer and calling for the book to be pulped. So, what checks take place when a memoir is written? And why does the format allow people to publish unproven claims? Niall is joined by the journalist Helen Brown, who writes about culture for The Telegraph. Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: [email protected]

It's been a busy week already for Andy Burnham - who approved his first military intervention as prime minister just hours before his inaugural meeting with Donald Trump.The RAF will now provide Saudi Arabia with "purely defensive" air support against attacks from Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels, after Burnham agreed to Riyadh’s request.The Saudis had earlier been turned down by Trump – so why is the new PM so happy to help? And is it really due to cost-of-living pressures as he claims?Niall Paterson is joined by Dr H A Hellyer, an expert in geopolitics across the Middle East and Europe and a senior associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute for Defence.There is more exclusive content on the situation in the Middle East on the new Sky News Defence Insider app.Sky News Defence Insider is a subscription app designed for audiences seeking deeper insight into defence, security and global affairs.Download and subscribe here. Paid subscription required for full access. UK only. 18+. T&Cs apply.Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: [email protected]

Lots of people have fallen out with their brother-in-law over the years - but it’s perhaps never been as explosive as the row between the King and Earl Spencer.In the latest royal drama involving the House of Windsor, the Palace has hit back at claims made by Princess Diana’s younger brother in a new book about his sister.Among them is that the King was “giddily elated” after Diana’s death. So, what else is in Earl Spencer’s memoir and why is he making these bombshell allegations now?Niall is joined by Sky’s royal correspondent Laura Bundock.Since recording this episode, Earl Spencer has told the BBC that he is 'telling the truth' about a phone conversation he had with the King after Diana's death.Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show – [email protected] credit: BBCThis episode contains reference to suicide. 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.Earlier this week, Niall interviewed Britain's most senior military official about why he believes this is the most dangerous moment for the UK in his 35-year career. Scroll back on your feed to find the episode.

The country is under threat. Russian aggression, war in the Middle East and a military which has been ‘hollowed out’ for decades have all led to a crisis point for the United Kingdom.In a special episode of This Is Why, Britain’s most senior military official has explained why he believes this is the most dangerous moment in his 35-year career.In a wide-ranging interview with Niall Paterson, the Chief of the Defence Staff – Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton – has also revealed:How John Healey’s resignation as defence secretary took him by surpriseThe battle for more military spending, and what to do with the moneyWhy it’s vital to have an honest conversation about national resilienceThere is more exclusive content with Sir Richard Knighton on the new Sky News Defence Insider app.Sky News Defence Insider is a subscription app designed for audiences seeking deeper insight into defence, security and global affairs.Download and subscribe here.Paid subscription required for full access. UK only. 18+. T&Cs apply.Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: [email protected]