The Standard

The metaverse...it’s being sold to us as the next big thing in social media, using high-definition 3D online avatars to communicate with each other online. It’s boomed over the last year, with Big Tech wanting to draw consumers deeper into their worlds and Facebook rebranding as Meta. But with increasing concerns about the impact of compulsive social media use on our mental health, what are the risks and possibilities of this new virtual dimension? We speak to Phil Reed a psychology professor at Swansea University, who’s an expert on the effects of the internet on our brains. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two passenger jets operated by British Airways and Virgin Atlantic took off in unison on the 3,500-mile route to New York’s JFK, 20 months after America’s entry ban for non-US passengers travelling from the UK as the pandemic took hold. How has the air travel experience changed, and can the government square its cheerleading of the aviation industry with Cop26 pledges to cut pollution? We speak to Sean Tipton, a spokesperson for Abta, and aviation expert Dr Lynnette Dray, principal research associate at University College London. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Prime Minister is under pressure amid the fall out from the increasingly toxic Owen Paterson row. Senior Tories say Boris Johnson has been ‘weakened’ by the humiliating u-turn. Has this damaged his authority? The Evening Standard’s Political Editor Nicholas Cecil shares his insight on how we got here and where this all leaves the PM now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is the end of coal in sight? It’s energy day at COP26 and the focus is on how the world can move away from fossil fuels. More than 40 countries have committed to moving away from coal but big users and producers like China, India, Australia and the US have not. The Evening Standard’s Deputy Political Editor, David Bond, walks us through the progress so far and the potential sticking points with this contentious issue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cleo Smith, the missing four-year-old in Australia, has been found safe and well after disappearing 18 days ago from her family’s tent at a campsite. Police officials and the Australian Prime Minister have spoken about their joy and relief to have reunited the little girl with her family. John Dunne, Crime Reporter for the Evening Standard, walks us through this incredible story with a happy ending. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The UK has had to apologise to an Israeli minister who couldn’t attend the COP26 summit because the venue was not wheelchair accessible. Israel’s Minister of National Infrastructures, Energy and Water Resources tweeted that it was "sad" the UN "does not provide accessibility to its events". So, just how does the UK compare when it comes to disability rights and accessibility? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In line with COP26, we find out about the celebrity comic book which is trying to combat climate change.We speak to Rewriting Extinction's Paul Goodenough and Hollywood star Andy Serkis who, with a host of other names, have teamed up to create 'The Most Important Comic Book on Earth' - a book full of original comics aimed at highlighting the climate and biodiversity crisis.They want more creatives to come up with innovative ways to spread important messages and they tell us about their hopes for the world’s most talked about climate change summit. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Insulate Britain spokesperson and eco-home builder Craig Scudder discusses the group’s continuing protests, the need for public support and his hopes for the upcoming COP26.On Friday, some activists from the group decided to try and walk along the M25 into oncoming traffic to get their message heard. Craig tells the Evening Standard; the group is not officially changing tactics to walking along motorways and will continue their sit-ins on key routes instead. He also talks about protests on roads as a ‘last resort', apologises to those affected, and discusses the UK’s position as host of the upcoming COP26 Climate Conference in Glasgow. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As reports of people being spiked by injections continue to rise, students and young women across the country have held boycotts against nightclubs to raise awareness of the issue. Data from a student survey as well as figures from The National Police Chiefs Council show there is a real problem growing for people on nights out. The Evening Standard’s feature writer Katie Strick discusses the growing epidemic of injection spiking, how widespread the issue appears to be, and what campaigners are asking clubs to do in response. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced his budget for the UK’s recovery from the pandemic. It was full of terms about the country becoming a ‘World Leader’ in things like innovation and science, as Mr Sunak laid out his plans to boost the economy post-covid. HSBC’s Senior Economic Advisor and Evening Standard columnist Stephen King discusses some of the highlights, which measures are questionable and how the Chancellor’s decisions will impact the wider economy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.