Welcome to The Standard podcast’s special edition, where we bring you news highlights from the week that was. Headlines were dominated by escalating moves in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, policies around Kyiv’s use of powerful British-American missiles in the war, and Moscow’s retaliation with what the Kremlin says is a new type of hypersonic weapon. Here in Britain, we looked at the impacted of shocks to the energy market and our household bills that the war, as well as the recent cold snap,...

A sixth person has died after allegedly drinking 'tainted alcohol shots' suspected of being laced with poisonous methanol during a backpacking holiday in Laos. All are thought to have died after allegedly ingesting the drinks at the Nana Backpacker Hostel in Vang Vieng, Laos, where online reviews mention “free unlimited shots”. The hostel manager and owner have reportedly been detained by police. Rachelle Abbott interviewed Andrea Sella, professor of chemistry at University College London,...

Kyiv claims Russia launched a long-range intercontinental ballistic missile for the first time in an attack on Ukraine, but that account has reportedly been disputed by US officials. The powerful weapon is believed to have been fired from Russia’s southern Astrakhan region during a morning attack on Thursday at the central-eastern city of Dnipro -  at a time of escalation in the 33-month-old invasion launched by Russia in Ukraine. But the ICBM claim has been disputed by the Americans, with a...

UK inflation has risen to its highest level since April driven by an increase in household energy bills, according to official figures. The Office for National Statistics said Consumer Prices Index inflation rose to 2.3 per cent for October, up from 1.7 per cent in the previous month. It is the sharpest month-on-month increase in the rate of inflation for two years. So, what’s behind this jump, and what does 2025 hold for energy bills and Bank of England interest rates? The Standard podcast...

Thousands of British farmers marched on Westminster as tractors converged in central London to protest against Labour plans to end inheritance tax exemption. Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced last month in the budget that farmers with land worth more than £1 million will no longer be able to leave their farms to their children tax free from 2026. We’re joined from Westminster by The London Standard’s chief political correspondent Rachael Burford, who’s been covering the protest. In part two,...

Cabinet minister Bridget Phillipson stressed Britain was giving “full backing” to Ukraine amid a report that it will join America in allowing Kyiv to fire West-supplied long-range missiles into Russia. Outgoing US president Joe Biden’s decision could see long-range missiles used initially in the Kursk region of Russia, where Ukrainian troops seized a swathe of territory in a surprise attack in the summer - ahead of Donald Trump taking office in January. So, where does this leave British...

Evgeny Lebedev joins Dr Aubrey de Grey, a pioneer in biomedical gerontology - the study of life extension and rejuvenation - and co-founder of the SENS Research Foundation. Known for his radical approach to ageing, Dr de Grey discusses his latest research, society’s attitude to the human lifespan and his hopes for future anti-ageing treatments.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The temperature in London next week is set to plummet into chilly single digits. But what effect is this cold weather having on our brains - and what can we do to keep our wellbeing levels topped up as the mercury drops, stave off seasonal depression and ensure our bodies enjoy a regular rest pattern in order to reboot effectively? It comes after the ‘anticyclonic gloom’ loomed over the capital, when fog and grey clouds blotted out the sun. Rachelle Abbott asked neuroscientist Dr Henry...

Today marks the launch of The London Standard’s 2024 Winter Appeal, in collaboration with Comic Relief.  The campaign’s aim is to help organisations in London and across the UK that support refugees and homeless people.  In this episode we’re joined by our campaigns editor, David Cohen, and CEO of Comic Relief, Samir Patel. We also hear of Claude's story. One of the organisations we are backing is The Running Charity, which uses the power of running to help both refugees and those who are...

Victims of the Church of England’s worst ever child abuser have demanded further resignations after the Archbishop of Canterbury quit in ‘shame’ over the scandal. Justin Welby had been under days of pressure after a damning review into attacks by barrister John Smyth QC - who died in South Africa 2018 - that found he may have been brought to justice had Welby formally alerted authorities in 2013. Over decades from the 1970s, Smyth, a lay church reader, subjected as many as 130 boys and young...

The second incarnation of president-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet is taking shape. The London Standard’s deputy political editor Jitendra Joshi reports on Tuesday that Team Trump 2.0 ushers in potentially dismal consequences for Ukraine, illegal immigrants and the global climate. Trump has already announced a few cabinet-level appointments - so, who’s in? Joshi joins us to discuss what we know about the Republican president-elect’s appointments so far, and whether there’s anyone who could be...

Sir Keir Starmer joined French president Emmanuel Macron for Armistice Day commemorations in Paris - the first time a British leader attended the remembrance event in the French capital since Winston Churchill with Charles de Gaulle in 1944. They met French and British veterans as part of commemorations for the 106th anniversary of the 1918 Armistice, with services held across the UK following Remembrance Sunday. The London Standard’s political editor Nicholas Cecil discusses the significance...

Nicola Barron delves into the fascinating world of negotiation with Simon Horton, a globally recognised negotiation skills trainer. In this episode, Simon shares strategies for achieving win-win outcomes, building trust, and knowing when to walk away. Simon reveals the secrets to effective negotiation that you can use in both personal and professional settings.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Standard’s lifestyle and culture writer, India Block, has been looking into the growing problem of ‘mankeeping’. A new term from Stanford researchers which describes how women are bearing the brunt when it comes to male loneliness.  In part two, our Deputy Political Editor, Jitendra Joshi, explains everything you need to know about Susie Wells, Donald Trump’s first appointment and the first female chief of staff. Plus he discusses the rumours about whether Elon Musk could be getting a...

ITV’s Until I Kill You, starring Anna Maxwell Martin, has gripped audiences across the country.  But, how does the hit drama compare to the true story behind it? Our culture writer Vicky Jessop has the details.  In part two, The London Standard’s Will Hosie catches up with the star of Emily in Paris, Lily Collins, as part of our 100 people shaping London in 2024 series. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In JD Vance’s words, Donald Trump has pulled off ‘the greatest political comeback in US history’, and will be the next president of the United States.  He’s the first person in over a century to secure two non-consecutive terms, since Grover Cleveland in 1897.  Andrew Rudalevige, professor of government at Bowdoin College in Maine, joins us from the US to analyse Donald Trump’s ‘historic’ victory, and discuss what his second term as president will look like for America and the rest of the...

It’s election day in the US and polls suggest that it’s neck and neck between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump.  Our Deputy Political Editor, Jitendra Joshi, joins us to discuss what role the Supreme Court could play in this extremely close race.   In part two, Nick Curtis, the Standard’s Chief Theatre Critic, gives his verdict on the latest movie installment from Britain’s most famous bear, Paddington in Peru.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...

Our Deputy Political Editor, Jitendra Joshi, discusses the most pivotal moments from an extraordinary campaign trail.  There’s been assassination attempts, court cases, high-profile blunders, a new Democratic nominee, and plenty of drama.  But, where does this all leave the presidential race now? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nicola Barron joins one of the UK's most respected literary agents, Juliet Mushens, to talk about the publishing world and her upcoming Masterclass for The Standard. Juliet shares her expertise and gives practical advice for aspiring authors. Topics include: The role of literary agentsTips on submitting your manuscript and catching an agent’s attentionInsider advice for those just starting their writing journeyWhat to expect from Juliet’s upcoming Masterclass, "How to Get Published: Finding a...

On this preview of Brave New World, Evgeny Lebedev is in conversation with the Oscar-winning actor, Dame Helen Mirren. They discuss everything from the evolution of technology, ageing, the contemporary media landscape and the idea of God. “It’s so sad that Kurt Cobain died when he did, because he never got to see GPS” Listen to the full conversation on the Brave New World podcast here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The London Standard is unveiling The Standard 100, a list of the top hundred men and women shaping the capital in 2024. The line-up covers the variety of expertise and knowledge that make our capital great - from politics and media, the arts, music, food, to science and medicine. In this episode, we hear from our editor-in-chief Dylan Jones, and Charlotte Hill, chief executive of food redistribution charity The Felix Project, who features on today’s list. The charity gave out the equivalent...

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced £40billion of tax rises in Labour’s first budget for nearly 15 years. In a 77-minute speech before a packed House of Commons, the UK’s first female Chancellor of the Exchequer announced massive tax hikes to help “fix the foundations” of the economy. Reeves plans to raise £25 billion from employers’ national insurance contributions plus increases to capital gains tax, while also making changes to inheritance tax and stamp duty. Billions of pounds in...

With the Budget on Wednesday getting us more focussed about stretching the pennies - who’s splashing out on £1,000-a-night on London’s new five-star hotel suites, amid a building boom?  It seems there’s plenty of business at the top-end, with The London Standard’s business editor Jonathan Prynn reporting the capital is on the brink of a new luxury hotel “gold rush”, with destinations offering hundreds of five-star rooms and suites due to open over the next 18 months. In part two, could east...

The Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has given a speech to prepare the ground for the Budget, saying Britain "must embrace the harsh light of fiscal reality". Elsewhere in the Labour party, Mike Amesbury MP has been suspended after CCTV appears to show him repeatedly punching a man.  Our Political Editor, Nicholas Cecil, shared his insight.  In part two, we have a special preview of The Standard’s series on London’s hidden gems. In this episode we get an exclusive peek inside the Transport...