Afternoon briefing Wednesday 20th May

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 the Times Radio afternoon briefing on Wednesday 20th May. Kemi Badenoch says the government watering down sanctions on Russian oil and gas is insane.

0:44Ministers have changed the rules so liquefied natural gas can now be directly imported, as can jet fuel and diesel made in third countries using Russian oil. The Ukrainian MP Alexei Gonchorenko told Times Radio it's a moral and strategic mistake. I think that shows to Russia that in the end of the day everything can be bought. So when we're speaking about values, when we're speaking about Russia threatening London, when we're speaking about Russia killing people in Salisbury, and after this, the UK government says, OK, we want a little bit cheaper kerosene for flights. The decision is temporary, but ministers have not set an end date.

1:24Times Radio's business correspondent Dominic O 'Connell says it's a huge change in policy. A complete reverse of the whole thrust of sanctions, not just since Russia invaded Ukraine, but going back to the annexation of Crimea in 2014 when sanctions were first put on and they've steadily been tightened and only recently the government and Sir Keir Starmer was boasting about its efforts and tracking down the Russian shadow fleet. Now we're opening our arms and asking them to come here. The Chancellor says inflation falling by more than expected is the sign her economic plan is working. It was 2.8 % in April, however petrol inflation was the highest for four years and economists say the energy price shock from the war in Iran will be felt later this year.

2:03Some GPs will no longer issue sick notes as part of a government trial to reduce the number of benefit claimants signed off work. The pilot in England will see doctors refer people to social prescribers instead, and they will suggest people take up exercise regimes or job coaching instead. The head of the Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee has written to Channel 4 and Ofcom about Married at First Sight UK. Dame Caroline Dynage says she has serious concerns about their response to allegations of rape and sexual assault made by women on the show. Southampton are expecting to hear whether their appeal against being expelled from the Championship playoff final is successful.

2:38They've been thrown out and replaced with Middlesbrough, who they beat in the semi-finals because they've admitted spying on them and other opponents. The naturalist and TV presenter Chris Packham is a big Southampton fan and says he's been driven to his wits end. And then we see this disproportionate, last-minute, inordinately extensive action being taken. And meanwhile, Chelsea and Manchester City are mired in some ghastly financial scandal that's been dragging on for years. Talk about one rule for the rich and one rule for the downtrodden. And Arsenal fans have been celebrating into the morning after their team won the Premier League for the first time in 22 years.

3:18Times Radio's Max Scott was at a pub in North London with them. And this man has come from Hong Kong. Yeah, let's go, Gunners. All the way from Hong Kong. He left his newborn son with his wife. That's what football does to people. It's absolutely incredible what's happening here today. Don't forget to subscribe to the Times Radio News Briefing on Spotify or listen live to Times Radio Online.

3:46This episode of the Times Radio News Briefing is sponsored by PwC. AI is everywhere. In the news, in our hands, but return on investment, not 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.

4:28Hey, Pablo Torre here. As a sports journalist, I've covered global sports for many years now. And there is one thing that I can promise you. Nothing compares to the World Cup. And this time, it is even better thanks to McDonald's. You have the chance to take home one of nine legendary cups when you order the FIFA World Cup meal. The cups feature some of the biggest legends in football, like David Beckham, Terry Henry, and Ronaldinho, Christian Pulisic, Lamin Amal, and Alfonso Davies. Right now, get one of nine legendary cups when you order the FIFA World Cup meal only at McDonald's. At participating McDonald's, only for a limited time, while supplies last.

5:04All rights reserved. Copyright 2026. McDonald's at the FIFA World Cup 2026.