This Is Why

With his fuzz of chaotic grey hair and love of philosophy, Palantir boss Alex Karp isn’t your average tech bro.

Not least because he recently published a pro-West manifesto that has been described as the “ramblings of a supervillain”.

His highly-controversial data analytics firm is known by critics as “the world’s most dangerous tech company” - so what does it actually do and why does it sit right at the heart of the NHS?

Niall is joined by Sky’s technology correspondent, Rowland Manthorpe, for the latest episode of our series looking at the most important people in tech that you might have never heard of.

Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk

Six years after stepping back from royal life to live in California, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will return to the UK this month.

After years of public rows, explosive interviews and a bitter rift with his father and brother – King Charles and Prince William – could this be a chance for Prince Harry to rebuild relations?

In this episode of This is Why, Tom Cheshire is joined by Sky News’ royal correspondent Laura Bundock to unpack the Sussexes’ dramatic return and consider whether more is at play.

Donald Trump is threatening to scale back US military commitments in South Korea - at the risk of wider instability across Asia.

At the same time, the US president reaffirmed his “good relationship” with North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un. So, why is Washington apparently willing to change its approach to diplomacy and security in the region?

In this episode of This Is Why, Niall Paterson is joined by Professor Ramon Pacheco Pardo to examine the shifting balance of power on the Korean Peninsula and what a reduced US military presence could mean for their allies across the Asia-Pacific.

Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk.

"London's actions will inevitably carry consequences for which it will have to answer."

This was the short and not-very-sweet response from the Russian Embassy, after it was confirmed British-made drones were used in recent Ukrainian strikes deep inside Russia.

Drone strikes have been used to great success by Ukraine recently, causing serious damage to military, economic and industrial infrastructure in Russia.

The Ministry of Defence defended the use of its weaponry, claiming the UK will continue to stand "shoulder to shoulder" with Ukraine against "Russian aggression".

It’s not the first time Russia has used this sort of threat – so how seriously should we take it this time?

Niall Paterson is joined by Sky’s Moscow correspondent Ivor Bennett.

Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk.

Where were you at 7pm on Friday? Wherever you were, it’s likely you heard a loud alert activated on millions of mobile phones.

It was the biggest use yet of the government’s emergency alert system, warning of the dangers posed by wildfires across England and Wales.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham defended the use of the measure, encouraging the public to take it seriously. But was it more red herring than red alert?

Should the system only be used if there is an imminent threat to life? Did it expose vulnerable people to potentially more danger? And what does it tell us about the way the Burnham government communicates?

Niall is joined by Jo Tanner, a former adviser to Boris Johnson and now a director at PR firm Rud Pedersen.