The Standard

Today Israeli families are welcoming home hostages as hundreds of Palestinian detainees are freed, following Friday’s ceasefire agreement in the Middle East. US President Donald Trump addressed Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, and said that the “the war is over”, with today marking “a new beginning”. He then headed to Egypt for a peace summit with world leaders. Meanwhile, Irish deputy premier Simon Harris said the horrors, genocide and famine in Gaza cannot be forgotten, as he announced an additional five million pounds for aid organisations in Gaza. Palestinian political commentator and writer Ahmed Najar, who has family in Gaza, is here with his reaction to the news.And in part two, The Standard’s Food & Drink writer Josh Barrie joins us to discuss how AI is being used in the ancient craft of beer brewing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On World Homeless Day, the government has announced a new £36.5 million funding package to help Londoners facing homelessness this winter. The money will be directed towards supporting families in temporary accommodation, and comes after London boroughs revealed they were collectively spending a staggering £5.5 million a day to tackle homelessness. The New Homelessness Minister Alison McGovern is here to discuss today’s announcement. And in part two, John Darlington, Director of Projects at the World Monuments Fund, joins us to talk about this week’s Hidden London destination, St Dunstan in the East. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, a story of murder, fraud and a fugitive on the run. This week’s special report explores the fascinating tale of city poster boy Anthony Constantinou, who became known as London’s Wolf of Wall Street. Despite amassing a huge fortune with all the trappings of success, he was charged with financial malpractice and sexual misconduct - a spectacular fall from grace. He appeared in the dock for the start of his trial, but then suddenly disappeared. Now he's at the centre of a worldwide manhunt, and is attempting to evade a 28-year prison sentence in the UK. The Standard’s Courts Correspondent Tristan Kirk joins us with the latest. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has promised to abolish stamp duty tax if the Tories form the next government, which will be welcomed by many London buyers. Speaking at the Conservative party conference in Manchester, the embattled Tory leader thanked party members for ‘standing by’ her amid dire poll ratings, and announced a host of new proposed policies. The Standard’s Chief Political Correspondent Rachael Burford is here with the latest. And in part two, The Standard’s Commissioning Editor and Culture Writer Vicky Jessop joins us to discuss the first episode of tonight’s Celebrity Traitors on BBC One. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today is the second anniversary of Hamas’ deadly attacks on Israel, which took place on October 7, 2023, and killed 1,200 people, with a further 251 others taken hostage. We’re joined by Maoz Inon, an award-winning Israeli peace activist and co-author of the forthcoming book The future is peace: A Shared Journey Across the Holy Land, who lost both his parents in the Hamas attack. It comes as UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has condemned pro-Palestine student protests taking place today as unpatriotic. Meanwhile, indirect talks are taking place in Egypt between delegations from Hamas and Israel, aimed at ending the war in Gaza, as part of Donald Trump’s Peace Plan. And in part two, The Standard’s Food and Drink Writer Josh Barrie is here to discuss Nathaniel Morley - aka Natty Can Cook - and his soon-to-open pan-Carribean restaurant in Herne Hill, 2210. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Shadow Chancellor Sir Mel Stride has promised that the Conservatives would slash £47 billion from public spending as the party continues to battle dire poll ratings, with some surveys putting them in fourth place. Speaking at the Tory Party Conference in Manchester, he outlined a “radical plan to rebuild our economy”. The Standard’s Chief Political Correspondent Rachael Burford is here with the latest. And in part two, The Standard’s Celebrity Correspondent Tina Campbell joins us to discuss the 40th anniversary of Les Miserables - the world’s longest running musical - which is on stage at London’s Sondheim theatre.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

London is rapidly expanding its electric vehicle infrastructure, with over 21,000 charging points across the city – nearly a third of the UK’s total. But to meet its 2030 net zero targets, London will need tens of thousands more, with significant investment required across all boroughs. Upcoming changes to the Cleaner Vehicle Discount, which would end EVs’ exemption from the congestion charge, risk slowing that progress.The Electric London coalition, following The Standard’s Leading the Charge campaign, is calling on Mayor Sadiq Khan to protect London’s EV uptake and ongoing infrastructure growth.In this second special episode focusing on investment and infrastructure, The Standard’s Business Editor, Jonathan Prynn, speaks with Matt Croucher, Chief Commercial Officer at ChargePoint operator Believ, and Judy O’Keefe, Director of Fleet at Openreach, who is overseeing one of the UK’s largest commercial EV transitions. They explore what it takes to electrify London at scale, the challenges facing fleet operators and charging providers, and what needs to happen to keep the city on track for a cleaner, electric future. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, we’re following the attack on worshippers at a Manchester synagogue during one of the holiest days in the Jewish calendar. Amos Schonfield, British Jewish Community activist and leader, joins us to share the devastation it’s caused in the Jewish community. And in part two, The Standard’s Culture Writer India Block joins us to review the much-anticipated 12th album from pop megastar Taylor Swift, The Life of a Showgirl, which is expected to top charts around the world.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Scotland Yard chief Sir Mark Rowley has apologised after serving officers called for immigrants to be shot, revelled in the use of force and were dismissive of rape claims in an undercover BBC documentary, which was aired on Wednesday night. He said the behaviour of some at Charing Cross Police exposed by Panorama is “reprehensible and completely unacceptable” - but he denied that the Met Police is institutionally racist. Dr Aaron Winter, a senior lecturer in sociology at Lancaster University, responds to the news. And in part two, The Standard’s Theatre Critic and Host of The London Theatre Review podcast, Nick Curtis, joins us to review a new rendition of Oscar Wilde’s famous play The Importance of Being Earnest, from director Max Webster, which is showing at London’s Noel Coward Theatre.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, on the final day of the Labour Party Conference, Sir Keir Starmer has signalled that his government is planning to change the way human rights laws are applied to tackle the challenge of “mass migration”. The Prime Minister says he won’t ‘tear down’ international laws but says a rethink is needed on how they are applied. The Standard’s Chief Political Correspondent Rachael Burford is here with the latest. And in part two, The Standard’s News Reporter Megan Howe joins us to discuss the latest celebrity split between Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban, and the ‘cocaine clause’ designed for Keith Urban to earn $600,000 for every year they were married, if he remained sober. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.