The Standard

The Grenfell Tower Inquiry has delivered a damning final report into the disaster that claimed 72 lives.It found the west London tower was turned into a death trap in June 2017 by “dishonest” construction firms, architects and negligent politicians who ignored fire safety for decades.Bereaved families and survivors vowed to continue their fight for justice, with Wednesday's report paving the way for criminal prosecutions over one of the worst disasters in modern British history.A seven-year public inquiry, chaired by Sir Martin Moore-Bick, exposed how refurbishment prior to the devastating fire left the North Kensington block coated in cheap, highly flammable cladding and foam insulation - while warnings of impending disaster from Grenfell residents were ignored.We’re joined from the inquiry in Paddington by Evening Standard courts correspondent Tristan Kirk. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The UK Defence Secretary has told his Israeli counterpart that the British government is ‘following the law’ with its decision to suspend around 30 arms export licences over the Gaza conflict.The Government says that humanitarian concerns and the treatment of detainees were among the reasons why they suspended some arms sales to Israel, amid concerns a “clear risk” exists that they could be used to breach international humanitarian law.Nicholas Cecil, the Standard’s Political Editor, explains the decision and potential repercussions. In part two, our features journalist, Maddy Mussen discusses the rumours that there could be a potential plot to reintroduce Prince Harry back into the royal family… and why she’s all for the idea.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s been announced that the one and two-word Ofsted ratings for schools will be scrapped with immediate effect. The Government said the change, which follows the suicide of head teacher Ruth Perry in 2023, was needed to reduce the high stakes for schools and give parents a better picture.Darren Northcott, National Official for Education at NASUWT, gives his reaction and discusses whether the changes go far enough. In part two, the Standard’s culture writer, Vicky Jessop, joins us to discuss why Oasis fans across the country have been left feeling outraged over dynamic ticket pricing.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're treating you to an episode from London Love Stories. What’s that they say about buses and two coming at once? Perhaps the same can be said of bus-related love stories, too. Host Katie Strick meets Rory and Charlotte, another couple who have a lot to thank the number 17 bus route for... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The 81st annual Venice International Film Festival is officially underway. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, the long-awaited sequel to Tim Burton’s 1988 classic comedy horror, opened up the festival this week but there’s still plenty more to come from the event which runs until 7th September.Jo-Ann Titmarsh, freelance film critic for the Evening Standard, joins us from Venice to discuss all the hotly anticipated premieres, including; Joker: Folie à Deux with Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, Maria starring Angelina Jolie, and Luca Guadagnino’s Queer with Daniel Craig.Follow us on X or on Threads. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this preview of Brave New World….Is there such a thing as perfect sleep? Leading expert in circadian neuroscience from Oxford University, Professor Russell Foster, joins host Evgeny Lebedev, to explain the science behind nighttime slumber and why it's crucial to living our best lives awake. The pair discuss everything from sleep hygiene, napping, our circadian rhythm and body clocks, and the impact of technology before bed.Listen to the full conversation on the Brave New World podcast here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Team GB's 220 athletes have arrived in Paris ready for the Paralympic Games. Our senior editor and feature writer Katie Strick discusses what she learned from interviews with some of this year’s athletes, including Zak Skinner and Stef Reid, such as the need for resilience, humour and a change in mentality to succeed in the games.Find Katie's full article here, and more on the Paralympic games here.Follow us on X or on Threads. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a 15-year hiatus the Gallagher brothers are finally getting the band back together. Wembley stadium is set to host four shows as part of the UK and Ireland tour in 2025. The Standard’s Celebrity Correspondent Lisa McLoughlin and Executive News Editor Mark Wilkinson discuss the huge announcement, what it means for London, and what the tour could entail.Follow us on X or on Threads. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're treating you to an episode from London Love Stories. Host Katie Strick meets Alice and Elliot, the first of two couples who fell in love after meeting on the same bus route from King’s Cross. Make sure to come back next Saturday for part two...  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The August bank holiday weekend brings a feast of music to west London as Notting Hill Carnival marks its 56th year.The celebration of Caribbean culture runs over three days, with musical styles from calypso to dancehall for over two million expected revellers.Mark Blunden is joined by sound system pioneer and Notting Hill Carnival director Linett Kamala, who in 1985 at 15 years old was one of the first female DJs to perform at the event.Linett spoke to The Standard podcast from Powis Square, where she was putting the finishing touches to her dubstep-focussed Trojan 7 x Lin Kam Art sound system collaboration.In part 2, Rachelle Abbott speaks with Joshua Thomson, artistic director of Australian performance art troupe Legs On The Wall.His production Thaw will see members of the daredevil dance troupe suspended above Docklands from a crane atop a 2.5-ton melting block of ice in a bid to urge action on climate change. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.