This Is Why
This Is Why is a daily podcast from Sky News that breaks down one major news story each day. Host Niall Paterson talks to experts and correspondents to explain how we got here and why it matters. The show aims to make sense of complex global events in a straightforward way. New episodes are available every weekday afternoon.
Episodes
Why Burnham could be getting the Milibands back together
Brothers, rivals, cabinet colleagues? When Ed Miliband beat brother David to the Labour leadership in 2010, it looked as if their relationship had been fractured beyond repair.But it appears Andy Burnham is giving serious consideration to offering them both big roles in his administration.Can the Milibands really work together again in government after years of estrangement? Will it be senior wome
Why grooming gang ringleader cannot be deported
He’s a convicted child rapist who’s been stripped of his British citizenship. But the ringleader of a notorious Rochdale grooming gang – released from jail this week – cannot be removed from the UK.Shabir Ahmed was sentenced in 2012 for multiple counts of rape and sexual offences against girls as young as 12. But provisions in the Immigration Act 1971 mean he is safe from deportation.Politicians f
Why Trump’s Iran war is finally costing UK households
Whether you’ve been enjoying or enduring the summer heatwave, running that new air-con unit has just got a whole lot more expensive.For millions of people across England, Scotland and Wales the cost of household energy has soared by 13% from the 1 July – following the latest rise in the energy price cap.The war in Iran is largely to blame, thanks to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and subseque
Why Burnham’s housebuilding boom is doomed
Every prime minister promises ambitious plans to build new homes – every prime minister in more than half a century has failed. Andy Burnham says he’ll be different.The former Manchester mayor is on the verge of becoming the new tenant in Number 10 and wants to oversee the biggest council house construction programme since the post-war boom.But you have to go back to 1970 for the last time any gov
Why British waters are less safe under defence drone plans
Drones in, destroyers out. The Royal Navy looks set to be the biggest losers when the Defence Investment Plan is finally published. Instead of building a new fleet of state-of-the-art warships, we will have to rely on cheaper ‘common combat vessels’ to serve as hubs for a hybrid response to the threat from Russia. How will the change in military spending be received when Sir Keir Starmer makes hi
Why the King's tax return leaves unanswered questions
The King has revealed how much income tax he pays, becoming the first monarch to ever do so. The Palace said the move was “increasing transparency”, but have the royals given us the full picture? Niall Paterson is joined by Sky’s royal correspondent Laura Bundock and forensic accountant Professor Atul Shah, who have been combing through the tax releases. They explain exactly what was revealed and
Why we're in the dark on defence under Andy Burnham
It's all a little awkward. Sir Keir Starmer is set to deliver his defence spending proposals to NATO next month, despite having lost both his job and his defence secretary.But the outgoing PM seems determined to push through with his plans just days before Andy Burnham potentially moves into Downing Street.The man whose resignation helped hasten Starmer's departure - ex-defence secretary John Heal
Why is the UK feeling the heat more than ever?
When an event discussing extreme heat at London Climate Week is called off due to... extreme heat, you know things are bad. In the words of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, “London is cooking.” Yes, it’s summer and heatwaves are hardly a rarity. But as record temperatures in June follow record temperatures in May – it's the frequency and severity of these weather events that are frightening
Why Brexit will define Burnham’s relationship with Europe
A decade to the day since the Brexit referendum, the European Union has postponed a proposed summit to reset the UK’s relationship with Europe.Following the fall of the Starmer premiership, Brussels will now wait and see what a new Labour leader – likely to be Andy Burnham – wants to achieve from any potential EU negotiation.But as every prime minister over the past 10 years has discovered, trying
Why did Keir Starmer resign as Prime Minister?
It's become a familiar sight in British politics - the lectern outside 10 Downing Street, ready for another resignation speech.On Monday morning, Sir Keir Starmer became the sixth prime minister to stand down in almost a decade, despite on paper commanding a huge Labour majority.So, why was his departure inevitable? And what will be the Starmer legacy following his two years in office?Niall Paters
Why Serena Williams is taking another shot at Wimbledon
Serena Williams has nothing left to prove. She's won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, inspired generations of players and built a legacy that reaches far beyond tennis. But after nearly four years away from the sport, she's returning to Wimbledon.So, Niall asks why one of the greatest athletes of all time is making a comeback. He is joined by Charlie Eccleshare, senior tennis writer for The Athletic,
Why reopening the Strait of Hormuz isn’t as simple as Trump thinks
End the war, get the oil tankers moving, and the world’s economy returns to normal. It sounds easy. It really isn’t. Donald Trump and the Iranian regime have signed a Memorandum of Understanding in the hopes of bringing the four-month conflict to an end. But the key objective of allowing global shipping to pass freely through the currently Iran controlled Strait of Hormuz is far less straightfor
Why are Russian warships in the English Channel?
"Just one of those things." A typically British response to an unprecedented act of belligerence. When Alan and Jane Kelvey took their yacht out for a sail across the English Channel, the last thing they expected was to be at the centre of a huge diplomatic incident. But when a Russian-flagged frigate fired warning shots as the couple sailed nearby, it was yet another sign of the breakdown in r
Why the social media ban could affect everyone
It's not just teenagers having tantrums over TikTok, a social media ban for under-16s could have unforeseen consequences for anyone who uses the internet.The government's decision to crack down on everything from YouTube to AI chatbots was announced on Monday – but remained short on detail.How will any ban work in practice? Is this all being pushed through to provide a legacy for the prime ministe
Why Iran’s nuclear ambitions put peace in doubt
It was Donald Trump’s 80th birthday present to himself – announcing the US had finally agreed a peace plan with Iran. But is it really a done deal, especially when it comes to Iran’s nuclear ambitions?In fact, is it a deal at all? The two sides are understood to have reached a Memorandum of Understanding, bringing an end to the fighting and a start to 60 days of further negotiations.But whilst Ira
Introducing... Stuff Matters with Ed Conway
LEDs were supposed to be one of the great environmental success stories: a revolutionary technology that uses a fraction of the energy of traditional light bulbs. But have they really saved the world?In our new podcast Stuff Matters, economics and data editor Ed Conway takes an object, cracks it open and reveals the world shaping forces hidden inside.Each episode follows a trail of ideas that stre
Why Labour’s ‘Action Man’ Al Carns could challenge for No 10
He’s the former Marine who served in the special forces, climbs mountains for fun, and now could hold the keys to Downing Street. Following an astonishing interview on Sky News, Al Carns quit as Armed Forces minister over doubts the long-delayed Defence Investment Plan was going to be fully funded. It was yet another blow for a prime minister still reeling from the resignation of his defence secr
Why the US’s Iran-fuelled inflation is trouble for Trump (and the UK)
Americans are finally feeling the pinch due to Trump’s war in Iran, with inflation surging to a three-year-high.There’s no end to hostilities in sight, and with the Strait of Hormuz – which handles a fifth of global oil and gas supplies – still closed, it looks like prices will continue to rise.With any economic pain the US experiences amplified across the pond, how will the UK cope with yet more
Why Belfast’s troubled past made violence inevitable
The riots which brought mass disorder to the streets of Belfast on Tuesday night weren’t just a reaction to a brutal stabbing in the city the night before.According to Professor Ian Acheson, they were also an expression of the rage and anger felt by a divided community ignored by politicians and policy makers.The violence has been rightly condemned after houses were set alight and police cars atta
Why the UK has fallen behind on drone warfare
Swindon. The epicentre of the global drone industry? As unlikely as it might seem, the Wiltshire town could soon be just that. But instead of taking advantage of the cutting-edge weaponry being developed in the area, the UK is falling behind in the deployment of this potentially decisive technology. Conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East have shown just how vital drones are in modern warfare – u
Why Trump and Netanyahu are split on Iran
After Israel launched strikes on Iran for the first time since April – against US wishes – are the cracks beginning to show between Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu?The episode is another sign of the growing friction between the US and Israeli leaders, following reports of heated disagreements behind closed doors.Is Washington’s influence over Israel starting to wane? And as Netanyahu ramps up
Why Beatrice and Eugenie living rent-free is a risk for the royals
The idea of two princesses living in luxury while the King pays their rent may have seemed normal in days gone by – but surely not in 2026.Beatrice and Eugenie, the daughters of former prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, have been enjoying that very arrangement despite being non-working royals.So, who are Beatrice and Eugenie? How have they navigated the scandal over their parents' links to Jeffrey
Why 'trillionaire' Musk and SpaceX are driving the AI arms race
He was already the richest man on the planet. Now Elon Musk's wealth is about to go stratospheric.The SpaceX founder will become the world's first trillionaire when he launches the company on the US stock market next week.One trillion seconds amounts to a staggering 31,700 years. One trillion dollars would give Musk almost unimaginable influence.What are the dangers of him – and other tech giants
Why Putin has plunged Russia’s economy into ‘the death zone’
Moscow may have hit Ukraine with one of its biggest attacks of the war so far - but is it Russia’s economy that’s starting to crack? Businesses are closing while bills and taxes are on the rise – as the growing cost of the conflict is felt on the high street and in homes as much as the battlefield. With his hometown under attack from Ukrainian drones, what does Vladimir Putin fear most - losses
Why Nigel Farage is accused of exploiting Henry Nowak's murder
Is the murder of 18-year-old Henry Nowak a new low for the police - or an excuse for political point scoring?Henry was handcuffed as he lay dying after being stabbed, having been falsely accused of racially abusing his Sikh killer, Vickrum Digwa.Reform UK leader Nigel Farage claims this is yet another example of 'two-tier policing', where white people are treated differently to ethnic minorities.A
Why defence delays are dangerous for the UK
A year on from publishing a plan to make the UK's military fit for purpose, the government still hasn't said where the money's coming from.It now admits the long-delayed defence investment plan is still weeks away from being published.The prime minister has committed to spend 3.5% of GDP on core defence by 2035 - but is Sir Keir Starmer willing to sanction cuts elsewhere, from welfare or the NHS,
Why Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin could be a problem for NASA
A Blue Origin rocket explosion during a test launch at Cape Canaveral in Florida could have huge implications for Jeff Bezos' ambitions in space.His company had just won a big NASA contract to deliver lunar landers to the moon using his New Glenn rockets which are specifically designed to carry cargo.The failure will also affect NASA's moon plans, which already included little margin for error.Sky
Why don't we know more about cold water shock?
At least eight teenagers have died after getting into difficulty in open water during the UK’s record-breaking heatwave.The tragedies have caused the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) to warn of the dangers of “cold water shock”, as many try to cool down in the baking heat.The deaths have also happened days before the official start of summer - so what can be done to keep people safe in t
Why Russia is ‘relentlessly targeting’ the UK
The head of the GCHQ intelligence agency has warned that Russia is going after critical infrastructure and democracy in the UK.Anne Keast-Butler also used the inaugural GCHQ annual lecture at Bletchley Park to say the threat of this "daily hybrid activity" leading to a wider conflict is as "high as I’ve ever seen it".Her warning comes days after an RAF jet carrying the UK's defence secretary John
Why did teenage rapists avoid jail?
Three teenagers who avoided jail over the rape of two girls in Hampshire will now have their sentences reviewed after a judge initially said he wanted to "avoid criminalising these children unnecessarily". One of the victims described the ruling as being like a "rock straight in my face".The attorney general, Lord Hermer, has announced that the Court of Appeal will review the sentences. His office
Why Westminster needs to think differently about devolution
In all corners of the United Kingdom, parties that back independence are now in charge.The SNP retained control in Scotland and Plaid Cymru took power in Wales for the first time following the May elections. And, with Sinn Fein becoming the biggest party in Northern Ireland back in 2022, it now means all three devolved legislatures in the UK are led by nationalist parties.So, what's behind their r
Why did Thomas Tuchel leave out some big England names?
Thomas Tuchel is England’s first German-born manager. He has led some of Europe’s biggest clubs, from Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich to Chelsea, where he won the Champions League.But he has rarely stayed long in one place; Tuchel has had fraught relationships with club owners and executives.Now, as he announces his squad for the 2026 World Cup in North America, some of his selection decisio
Why is the UK easing Russian oil sanctions?
Since Russia invaded Ukraine, Britain has sanctioned Moscow’s economy in an attempt to weaken Putin's war machine. But this week, the UK introduced a new exemption allowing diesel and jet fuel made from Russian oil to enter Britain via third countries.So, has Britain quietly relaxed its sanctions on Russia? And more broadly, have Western sanctions actually worked?Niall is joined by Tom Keatinge, f
Why Putin and Trump are queuing up to visit China
President Xi Jinping's hopes of putting China at the centre of a new world order have been given a boost by back-to-back visits of two of his fellow world leaders. Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump both had the red carpet rolled out but the US president left without securing any major deals, while Putin has signed at least 20 deals and significantly a joint declaration on establishing a multipolar w
Why Elon Musk took Sam Altman to court (and lost)
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 th
Why the world should care about Africa’s latest Ebola outbreak
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.Nial
Why winning Makerfield might not be so easy for Andy Burnham
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 Refor
Why Wes Streeting is accused of putting ambition above national interest
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
Why is the Royal Navy sending HMS Dragon to the Strait of Hormuz?
The UK is providing jets, drones and our only operational Type 45 destroyer – HMS Dragon – as part of a multinational mission to secure the Strait of Hormuz.Thousands of tankers and cargo ships remain stranded after the Strait was closed at the end of February due to the Iran war.Defence Secretary John Healey has stressed the deployment is a defensive measure to secure freedom of navigation – but
Why are we addicted to changing prime ministers?
Keir Starmer is on the brink, as more and more Labour MPs and ministers call for his resignation – less than two years after he walked into Number 10.He remains defiant (for now), but whatever the fate of the prime minister, his predicament is one we've seen repeated over the past decade in a seemingly never-ending cycle of chopping and changing leaders.Since David Cameron's resignation in 2016 –
Why replacing Keir Starmer isn't straightforward
Despite a disastrous set of local and national election results, the prime minister has vowed to carry on regardless. But dozens of Sir Keir Starmer's Labour MPs have now called on him to resign – or at least set out a timetable for when he will leave Downing Street.Surely choosing a replacement – or even triggering a leadership contest – should be straightforward? However, even though there are a
Why is Sergei Shoigu being accused of a Putin putsch plot?
The annual Victory Day parade in Moscow will be a much smaller affair this year, without an intercontinental ballistic missile in sight.Why? Well, the threat of a Ukrainian drone attack is certainly one reason. But is there any credibility in reports of another threat - this time against Vladimir Putin himself?An anonymous European intelligence agency has claimed the Russian president is spooked o
Why Trump's oil boom is bad news for the UK
The emergence of the United States as an energy superpower has reshaped the global economy. Good news for its allies, right? Well, not necessarily...In Texas, fracking has turned America from a major importer into the world's biggest energy producer, effectively creating "another Saudi Arabia" almost overnight.But as Europe looks to the US to plug the energy gap caused by wars in Ukraine and the M
Why the May elections matter
Millions of people are preparing to head to the polls across Britain on Thursday. They'll be voting for thousands of local council seats in England - while people in Scotland and Wales will elect members of their respective devolved parliaments. But the results could have a huge impact on national politics. So, what happens to the prime minister if Labour loses as badly as expected? And does a goo
Why Estonia is on the front line of Russia's rising ambitions
It's the small Baltic state that's no stranger to being invaded - having been occupied by both Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union.But while many hope it will never happen again, there are fears in NATO and beyond that Estonia is next on Vladimir Putin's hitlist.So how is the country preparing for the threat from Russia? And could Estonia really be on the front line of a future war in Europe?Niall i
Why the United Nations is no longer fit for purpose
With conflicts continuing in Ukraine, Africa and the Middle East, the global economy being held to ransom and the old world order seemingly up-ended, is there any role left for the United Nations? Founded in the shadow of two world wars, the UN used to be considered the guardian of international law and order. But is it now little more than a toothless talking shop? Niall is joined by Sky News' d
Why is Anna Wintour the most powerful figure in fashion?
As The Devil Wears Prada 2 opens in cinemas, the former editor-in-chief of Vogue Anna Wintour is back in the news – but who is she?The sequel to the 2006 film is widely perceived to be based on Ms Wintour's formidable and abrasive management style.However, the world of fashion and the magazines that follow it has changed a lot since then.So, has she maintained her grip and influence on the multibi
Why airlines have been cancelling flights
The war in Iran has led to fears of food shortages and fuelled forecourt price hikes – but is your summer holiday also in jeopardy?The price of jet fuel has soared higher than any other oil product, including petrol, since the Middle East conflict led to the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.It means major airlines – including Qatar, Etihad and Lufthansa – have started cancelling flights.
Why soldiers should take MDMA to treat trauma
The party drug ecstasy is usually associated with packed nightclubs and panicked politicians talking about the dangers involved in taking it.However, a former head of the UK’s armed forces believes the drug’s active ingredient, known as MDMA, could be key to treating veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.General Sir Nick Carter is now calling on the government to relax restriction
Why Iranian networks could be recruiting Brits for terror
Iranian intelligence services are suspected of actively recruiting in the UK, using AI and social networks to entice potential sign-ups.Sky News has uncovered evidence of how apparent Iranian networks are using the chat platform Telegram to target recruits.It follows an increase in attacks on Jewish communities across the UK – with authorities suggesting that some perpetrators may have been taking
Why keeping the King safe is Trump's top priority
Why keeping the King safe is Trump's top priorityKing Charles's trip to the USA is still going ahead, despite a gunman attempting to storm a dinner attended by President Trump on Saturday night.It's the first state visit to the country by a British monarch since Queen Elizabeth II in 2007. Charles is also due to emulate his mother by addressing Congress.Officials from both sides of the Atlantic ar
Why King Charles can save the special relationship
Donald Trump is preparing to roll out the red carpet for the King’s all-American state visit next week – despite the fact the US president has been highly critical of the UK over its refusal to join the war in Iran.Trump’s public rebukes for Sir Keir Starmer, Britain’s armed forces and even Prince Harry have put the so-called special relationship under greater strain than ever. So, can the King us
Why Harry’s picking a fight with Putin and Trump on Ukraine
Prince Harry has warned the world not to grow “numb” to Russia’s war in Ukraine during a surprise visit to Kyiv.The former British army captain also called on the “American leadership” to honour its international obligations, a thinly-veiled swipe at Donald Trump.The fighting rages on in Ukraine, while much of the world’s attention is focused on the war on Iran.The US has been a key backer of Kyiv
Why the dangers of Mythos AI may be a myth
AI giant Anthropic has chosen not to release its latest model, Mythos Preview, to the public. The product was pulled after testing showed its unprecedented strengths in hacking.Instead, Mythos has been made available to a small number of big tech companies including Amazon and Microsoft to help protect their software, rather than pick it apart.So, has the day arrived which many have feared – where
Why the government's civil war with the civil service matters
Sir Keir Starmer's relationship with the civil service has broken down following the sacking of Sir Olly Robbins.The former top civil servant at the Foreign Office told parliament there was a "dismissive approach" to security vetting from No 10, but the prime minister maintains it was Robbins who made "an error of judgement".So, what's at stake when the inner workings of government grind to a halt
Why Cuba is collapsing under Trump’s blockade
First it was Venezuela, then Iran. Is Cuba next on Donald Trump's hit list?The US navy has been anchored off the Caribbean coast since the start of the year, preventing supplies of oil and food from the outside world.As a consequence, the island has been brought to its knees - with electrical blackouts, food rationing and fears for the future.Sky News chief correspondent Stuart Ramsay joins Niall
Why Mandelson is causing more problems for Starmer
Top civil servant Olly Robbins has been sacked after his department did not inform the prime minister that Lord Mandelson had failed security vetting for the role of US ambassador.Opposition parties are calling on the prime minister to resign but Sir Keir Starmer is insisting he wasn’t told, in an "unforgivable" omission.He's due to speak to MPs in parliament on Monday, and address the accusations
Why the era of Saudi “sportswashing” could be over
A multi-billion-dollar Saudi-backed golf tour is reportedly close to collapse – so could this spell an end to the Gulf state’s interest in sport?The controversial LIV Golf Tour is just one strand of the Saudis’ sporting portfolio.Footballing superstar Cristiano Ronaldo plays there, while the country’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) also owns English Premier League team, Newcastle United.But the PIF
Why NATO has to prepare for life without Trump
Another night, another post on Truth Social from Donald Trump criticising NATO. As other leaders try to persuade him to stay in the alliance, plans are being prepared in case the US goes through with its threat to walk away.At the same time, the UK government is in a muddle on defence spending – with criticism from current and former military chiefs - but no decisions yet on how and when to boost
Why is there talk of a Brexit U-turn?
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
Why the Hungarian election matters for Putin, Europe and Ukraine
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 spe
Why Trump might be about to get angry about elections
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 fre
Why Kanye West will never really be cancelled
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 mo
Why does Iran think it’s won the war?
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 th
Why the Artemis II mission is only the start
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 se
Why Scott Mills puts more pressure on the new BBC boss
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 Brittin will have to deal w
Why US ‘boots on the ground’ won’t be enough
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 i
Why the world’s missing oil leaves Britain on a 'cliff edge'
"Go get your own oil!" Donald Trump has served notice on his allies, telling them the US won't necessarily help to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.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 st
Why your food shop is about to cost more
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 imp
Why is NASA going back to the moon?
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 Moor
Why your fake fashion is funding organised crime
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 fo
Why are people betting on war?
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
Why the UK's efforts to tackle antisemitism have fallen short
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
Why the UK needs to be wary of Iranian retaliation
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
Why comedians want the UK 'Saturday Night Live'
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 Saturda
Why Gen Z is giving up alcohol
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 – s
'Why wasn’t the UK ready for Iran war?' Michael Clarke answers your questions
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-rangin
Why help with energy bills could come at a cost
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 N
Why are young people still dying from meningitis?
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. Howe
Why is Hollywood turning on Timothee Chalamet?
Timothee Chalamet – movie star and tabloid regular – had been the firm favourite to take home the Best Actor statue at this weekend’s Academy Awards. So why have the former Hollywood favourite’s fortunes fallen so dramatically?The press campaign for his movie Marty Supreme, as well as some ill-timed controversial comments about opera and ballet, have led to a backlash. Why has public opinion turne
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