The Standard

Tens of thousands more Londoners are to be tested for Covid-19 in a bid to stem a rise in cases as the capital faces being plunged into Tier 3 restrictions. Our deputy political editor Nicholas Cecil says Health Secretary Matt Hancock has ordered the emergency action, which will see some of the extra 75,000 tests taking place as soon as this weekend.And the Evening Standard's Nick Curtis explores Dame Barbara Windsor's deep connections to her home city, London. The Shoreditch-born actress has died at the of 83. Nick tells us how she started her career in the capital at a very young age, and was connected to some of its most famous, and controversial, figures. He also looks at her extraordinary career, and how the Carry On movies overshadowed her huge talent, until that legendary performance as Peggy Mitchell in EastEnders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After nearly half a century, and an estimated 14,000 meals, Fay Maschler's putting down the cutlery as the Evening Standard's chief restaurant critic. She talks to our Reveller editor David Ellis about her pioneering career, from the death threats she received as a young woman to the "compost of average restaurants" she had to wade through to find those true gems. What is her favourite restaurant. And is Marco Pierre White really the best chef this country's ever produced?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While Boris Johnson insists there's still a Brexit deal emerging, the Evening Standard's Jack Kessler looks at why the negotiations have been so hard. Geography, politics and even personalities have been among the unexpected issues conspiring to cause a deadlock. And we look at why it could be said Brussels has already got what it wanted: what other country would want to leave the EU after all this? And, Nigella Lawson's been winding up her TV show audiences with her pronunciation of "microwave". It follows previous outrage when she made double-buttered toast. Our columnist Anne McElvoy's interviewed Nigella for the Economist Asks podcast, and she tells us why the chef still considers herself a journalist first and foremost, which is why she enjoys provoking people so much.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our health editor Ross Lydall's been speaking to some of the first people in London to receive the coronavirus vaccine. He tells us it's been an emotional moment for many of them, and even Health Secretary Matt Hancock couldn't hide his feelings as he was interviewed on TV about it. But, he also warns the number of cases and deaths in the capital is on the rise, leading to concerns the city could be plunged into Tier 3 restrictions when they're up for review next week. Also, mistletoe traders are reporting a collapse in demand this year as the pandemic persuades people to avoid traditional Christmas kisses. The Evening Standard's Rob Dex tells us social distancing rules also mean it's just about impossible to sell the plant at auction anyway. He also gives us some of the creative suggestions people have come up with to replace the tradition. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our political editor Joe Murphy on the Brexit negotiations: what's real and what's just "theatre" at the roundtable in Brussels. He also discusses what's going on outside the room, with France and Germany bearing down on the talks. And he tells us why he believes it'll be Boris Johnson who will make the compromises needed to get a deal done. Also, people getting the first covid-19 vaccinations will also receive a card confirming they've had it. That's led to claims of a covert passport operation beginning, where those who have had the jab will get preferential treatment over others. But the Evening Standard's Nicholas Cecil says the cards are just reminders to make another appointment, and any kind of passport system would be impractical to put in place anyway. And, what's it really like on the royal train? The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are getting to use it for the very first time as they begin a whistlestop tour of the country. Royal editor Robert Jobson says the inside is a lot more "practical" than you might think, but he suspects there's a subtle significance to William and Kate being given permission to use the carriages normally reserved for the Queen and Prince of Wales.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A public health chief's warning of the risk of London being plunged into Tier 3 restrictions as the squeeze on Covid-19 cases appears to be faltering. Professor Kevin Fenton, London director for Public Health England, has told the Evening Standard people must stick to social distancing and self-isolation rules ahead of the first weekend since lockdown was lifted. The Leader podcast talks to Dr Paul McKay, from Imperial College London, who warns that young people in particular appear to be being complacent about the disease, and may not appreciate just how badly it can affect even the healthy. Also, theatre critic Nick Curtis tells us about being in a live audience again, after seeing a performance of A Christmas Carol at the Bridge Theatre. He also talks about his delight that some, although not all, of London's Pantomime's will be going ahead under Tier 2 restrictions, saying it's one of this county's "only indigenous art-forms".  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

International organisations involved in distributing Covid-19 vaccines have been targeted by possible state-linked cyber spies, according to IBM. The US tech giant says it's uncovered a “global phishing campaign” it believes started in September. We speak to security expert Professor Alison Wakefield who says there's been a rise in hacking attempts during the pandemic, and this latest one looks like it came from a nation state. Also, the Evening Standard's launched its Shop London campaign to encourage our readers to support our great city by shopping local this Christmas. Shopping editor Ellie Davis joins the podcast to explain what we're doing, and how to get up to fifty percent off participating brands. Find out more here.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Covid-19 jab has been approved in Britain. The UK is believed to be the first country in the world to give the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine approval and it will be available across the country from next week. Our health editor, Ross Lydall, says it's going to be a "challenge" to get the injection to everyone who wants it, but hospitals in London are being prepared right now. He also says doctors and government ministers are insisting "no corners have been cut" in ensuring the safety of the vaccine, despite the speed in which it's been prepared. And, London has sprung back to life on a frenzied “Wild Wednesday” of shopping and eating out after the four-week lockdown to control Covid-19 infections ended at one-minute past midnight. The capital returned to Tier 2 status that allowed “non-essential” retailers to open again as well as restaurants and pubs that serve drinks with a “substantial meal”. We speak to the editor of the Evening Standard's Reveller pages, David Ellis, who says people have been missing the "sense of occasion" that going out can bring, but warns even with a busy few weeks ahead some establishments may still close in the spring.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In four weeks, new laws will end the decades-old duty free regime for travellers from outside the EU. The result will be to make shopping here 20 per cent more expensive for them. Our city editor Jim Armitage has written an open letter to Rishi Sunak, urging the chancellor to drop the plans. He argues they will wreck the hospitality and retail sectors at a time when they need customers most.Also, Mariah Carey's 'All I Want for Christmas is You' is as much a Christmas classic as Jingle Bells, but it's never been to number 1 in the UK charts. This year, it looks like it will finally hit the top spot, but what's the story behind it. We speak to the Evening Standard's Jochan Embley who reveals the heart-breaking reason the singer loves the Festive season so much, and why the song is so important to her. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Scotch egg may amount to a “substantial meal” so ordering one in a pub or restaurant could entitle people to drink alcohol under Covid-19 rules.  Environment Secretary George Eustice has said provided it was served as part of table service, he believes it would meet the criteria to be allowed to drink alcohol in pubs or restaurants in Tier 2. But our deputy political editor, Nicholas Cecil says Downing Street doesn't seem so certain. Meanwhile, he also tells us why the latest figures for coronavirus infection in London appear to how the city's heading in the right direction.Also, shops could stay open 24 hours a day in the run-up to Christmas in a Government bid to boost England’s ailing high street. We speak to the CEO of the British Independent Retailers Association, Andrew Goodacre, who says even though smaller stores don't have the resources to stay open all night, extra hours might help some of them get through 'the most important December ever'. And, Rita Ora has apologised for “breaking the rules” to attend a “small gathering with some friends” to celebrate her 30th birthday. The pop star reportedly held a private event at Casa Cruz restaurant in Notting Hill, west London, on Saturday. The Evening Standard's Lizzie Edmonds says Rita's also volunteered to pay the maximum possible fine for breaking lockdown rules, despite not being charged with anything. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.