Afternoon briefing Thursday 30th April

0:00This episode of the Times Radio News Briefing is sponsored by PwCWC. Staying competitive means getting ahead, not just keeping up. So how do business leaders cut through the noise and focus on what really matters. PwC takes you further with tech, from optimising the systems that put your data to work, to scaling AI from proof of concept to competitive edge. PwC helps you meet tomorrow's tech demands so you can compete at a speed that rewrites the rules. Discover more at pwc.co.uk. This is your Times Radio news briefing for the afternoon of Thursday 30th April. The shadow attorney general has told Times Radio he feels conflicted about more money being given to protect the Jewish community following yesterday's stabbing.

0:48Lord Wolfson KC told us protection is not the answer to anti-Semitism. Higher walls around synagogues, more guards and more stab vests for people patrolling our schools and now police officers checking up on kosher restaurants. They are not a cure. They are palliative care. they are necessary but not sufficient. The government is putting£25 million of extra funding into police and protection in Jewish communities in the UK and the Prime Minister is meeting criminal justice agencies in Downing Street to discuss security. The attack yesterday was on two Jewish men aged 76 and 34. The suspect is a British national born in Somalia who is in police custody.

1:32Military commanders are expected to present plans to President Trump for a renewed wave of short and powerful strikes on Iran in the hope of breaking the deadlock on peace talks, according to US media reports. Admiral Brad Cooper, the head of US Central Command, is due to give a briefing to the president later, outlining options designed to force the Iranians back to the negotiating table. Oil prices hit their highest this morning since the Iran conflict began at more than$125 a barrel as a result of rumours that the US might stop the ceasefire. Live golf players have been told that Saudi Arabia is ending its financial backing of the rebel tour.

2:11After a fortnight of intense speculation, sources with knowledge of live operations confirmed that the organisation will announce new board members and a new strategy this lunchtime. Allies of Angela Rayner are urging her to make a leadership challenge, according to sources who've spoken to the Times. It's believed that she's minded to make an intervention after the local election results. Her supporters say any delay would allow West streaking more time to lock in support among Labour MPs and that Ms Rayner should be ready to act the moment HMRC concludes an investigation into her tax affairs.

2:43Labour Mayor for the North East, Kim McGuinness, told Times Radio Herview. I am a big fan of Angie. She was a brilliant Deputy Prime Minister. I was devastated to see her go. But there isn't a leadership contest at the moment. And the party now needs to focus on these elections and then needs to focus on getting into a position where people can feel the difference that they're making. And so that's for the prime minister. If there's a leadership contest, honestly, ask me again. The king will visit Virginia later after saying goodbye to President Trump. He'll then leave America and go to Bermuda.

3:15Despite Donald Trump's claims on King Charles's political views, royal historian and author Ed Owens told Times Radio about how the visit will have improved the relationship between both countries. I don't think we can say anything long term when it comes to President Donald Trump. But in the short term, for sure, I think there probably will be a warming of relations between the White House and Keir Starmer's administration back in the United Kingdom. I think that was the hope in the first instance. And I would anticipate certainly in the coming weeks and months that there could be some improvement in relations.

3:45Doctors, dentists and dieticians are issuing joint guidance advising parents not to give under fives vegan milk alternatives because they risk causing obesity, tooth decay and malnutrition. that can be misleadingly marketed as healthy options, with organic versions the least likely to be fortified with the nutrients children need. For more stories like this, listen throughout the day to Times Radio.

4:25not so much. So how do you get beyond the hype and deliver AI that powers reinvention and growth across your business? Strong foundations unlock AI's potential. That's why PwC takes you further with tech, strengthening the data quality, processes and workflows that shape how well AI performs. PwC turns innovation into implementation so you can accelerate from experiment to scale. Discover more at pwc.co.uk. Are you really buying a car online on AutoTrader right now? Really? I can get super specific with dealer listings and see cars based on my budget. You can really have it delivered. Or pick it up.

5:06Mommy, look! I think your kid is walking up the slide. Really? AutoTrader. Buy your car online. Really?