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

Last refreshed: June 7th, 2026 at 5:13 PM ⓘ

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Episodes

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 Epstein? And is it right the King still pays their rent? Niall Paterson is joined by Sky's royal c...

Jun 05, 2026•18 min

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 – amassing so much wealth? Niall Paterson is on the money with Sky’s business correspondent Paul ...

Jun 04, 2026•18 min

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 on the frontline, unrest over the struggling economy, or the possibility both could combine to threate...

Jun 03, 2026•18 min

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. Are those allegations justified? Do police forces in England have an institutional problem with ra...

Jun 02, 2026•22 min

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, to pay for it? As the US seemingly turns its back on NATO and the threat from Russia increases, is...

Jun 01, 2026•15 min

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's science and technology correspondent Mickey Carroll joins Mhari Aurora to discuss what the exp...

May 29, 2026•13 min

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 the months ahead? Mhari Aurora discusses water safety with campaigner Beckie Ramsay, whose son drow...

May 28, 2026•15 min

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 Healey had its signal jammed near the Russia border. Why is Moscow allegedly carrying out these hy...

May 27, 2026•19 min

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 had received "multiple" requests for the sentences to be reviewed under the Unduly Lenient Sentenc...

May 26, 2026•15 min

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 rise and are there similarities between them? Niall is joined by Professor Michael Keating, Emeritu...

May 25, 2026•19 min

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 decisions have already sparked controversy. So what do they, and his career so far, reveal about the man ...

May 22, 2026•19 min

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