This Is Why

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