This Is Why

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, founding director of the Centre for Finance and Security at defence and security thinktank the Royal United Services Institute, to explain what sanctions are designed to do, whether they change government behaviour, and why Russia is still making billions from oil exports despite years of restrictions.
Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show: [email protected]

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 world and a new type of international relations.
Russia has arguably been weakened by its Ukraine war, and with the US viewed by some as less stable under Trump, is China taking advantage to become the leading global power?
To discuss this, Niall is joined from Beijing by Sky News’ Asia Correspondent, Helen-Ann Smith.
Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show: [email protected]

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 the future of AI for years to come.
Niall is joined by tech journalist Will Guyatt to discuss the case and its repercussions.
Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show: [email protected]

Andy Burnham isn’t even an MP but appears to already be campaigning to be the next prime minister - and if a latest opinion poll is anything to go by his confidence is justified.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump says he has he instructed his administration to call off strikes on Iran that were scheduled for today.
However, he warned he could unleash a “full, large scale assault” on the country at a “moment’s notice.”
It comes as the World Health Organisation has declared the deadly outbreak of Ebola in Africa an international health emergency - but the UK is said to be facing a “low risk”.
There’s been a shocking development in relation to one of the country’s most popular reality TV shows - with Channel 4 saying "very serious allegations of wrongdoing" have been made against a small number of past Married At First Sight UK contestants.
Finally, Arsenal’s 1 - 0 victory over Burnley last night has brought them one step closer to a first Premier League title in more than 20 years.
A title triumph for Arsenal would also end Pep Guardiola’s hopes of lifting a seventh Premier League trophy - as reports suggest the Sky Blues are preparing for his departure.
Sophy and Wilf have the day's news in just 10 minutes.

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.
Niall speaks to Africa correspondent Yousra Elbagir and health correspondent Ashish Joshi about exactly what Ebola is and why the wider world should care about the outbreak.
Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: [email protected]