The Standard

One in five employees may be too ill to work during a coronavirus outbreak this year, according to the Government’s battle plan which is putting Britain on an unprecedented war footing against the growing threat. The strategy’s been revealed by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and could see police told to focus on responding to serious crimes if the disease cuts through their ranks. The Evening Standard’s political editor Joe Murphy’s seen the document and tells the Leader podcast what it says. Apple pay-outApple’s to pay out up to $500m dollars (in total) to some iPhone users in the US. It comes three years after Apple admitted it had been pushing out software updates which slowed down older phones. It’s settled a court case in the States, although without admitting any wrong-doing. The Evening Standard’s technology journalist Amelia Heatham explains to the Leader podcast what’s happening, and who can claim. Pretty Woman the MusicalIt’s the movie about a prostitute that became 1990’s surprise rom-com hit, and launched the career of Julia Roberts. But does Pretty Woman work as a West End musical in a post #MeToo world? The show stars Aimie Atkinson as Vivian Ward and Danny Mac as Edward Lewis. Evening Standard critic Nick Curtis has seen it at the Piccaddilly Theatre…. and gave it 4 stars. He tells the Leader podcast why.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Health Secretary, Matt Hancock’s written in the Evening Standard to outline the Government’s coronavirus “battle plan”. He describes how the country is in a ‘containment’ phase, and calls on the public to ‘do their duty’ to stop its spread. He also says the government has the powers to ‘enforce’ self-isolation. As the number of cases in the UK rises again, the newspaper’s comment editor Susannah Butter talks to the podcast about what the government’s doing, and how far it can go. Super Tuesday 2020They call it “Super Tuesday” – when Democrats from 14 states across America will vote for who they want to take on President Trump. Apart from the election itself in November, this is the biggest night in US politics this year. Pete Buttigieg didn’t last the distance, dropping out on Sunday, leaving candidates including Bernie Sanders, Joe Biden, Elizabeth Warren, Mike Bloomberg and four others scrambling to pick up votes. Our US correspondent David Gardner’s been analysing the stats and tries to predict the outcome.Subscribe, rate and review The Leader on Apple Podcasts, Acast, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe is being held inside an Iranian jail where campaigners claim people are dying from coronavirus. Tehran denies there is an outbreak among inmates at Evin, but the British government says they’re not taking that as “authoritative,” and Nazanin’s family say they’re extremely worried. Her husband, Richard Ratcliffe, speaks to the Leader podcast about his calls for Downing Street to intervene before it’s too late. He reveals how the jail has run out of cleaning products, and that authorities are refusing to test Nazanin for the virus even though she has the symptoms of a cold. He also talks about how their 5-year-old daughter Gabriella is settling into life in the UK without her mother. Subscribe, rate and review The Leader on Apple Podcasts, Acast, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While doctors and governments struggle to stop the spread of coronavirus, the bug is already infecting stock markets and sports schedules. Trillions have been wiped off shares around the world in less than a week. Football games are being played behind closed doors. Massive events like the Olympics are reported to be at threat. The Leader Podcast speaks to the Evening Standard’s sports editor James Major and business news editor Alex Lawson to look at who’s being affected, including the famous lager label that’s unwittingly been caught up in the panic. Heathrow’s runway dream groundedHeathrow Airport have had a blow to their dream of building their third runway, as the plans have been blocked by the High Court. The judges told the Government that they had “unlawfully” failed to assess the impact it had on climate change.But will Boris Johnson support Heathrow Airport’s project? The Prime Minister has previously campaigned against the third runway from happening. The Leader podcast connect to Courts Correspondent Tristian Kirk who’s at the High Court and has been following the story.Homeless Appeal success:Prime Minister Boris Johnson has approved highly of the success of the Evening Standard’s campaign to help end homelessness in London. Oliver Poole joins The Leader podcast to reveal what Boris had to say, as well as discussing the most recent figures on those tragically sleeping rough in London. Subscribe, rate and review The Leader on Apple Podcasts, Acast, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Millions of people are being urged to avoid getting close to others as doctors say the coronavirus outbreak is now likely to become a pandemic. In the UK, the number of confirmed cases remains at 13, but the Health Secretary Matt Hancock warned MPs in the Commons that the number is ‘expected’ to rise. Does the government have a plan to deal with Covid-19 if it starts to spread in the UK? Mr Hancock says yes, but few details have been released to the public. The Evening Standard’s deputy political editor Nicholas Cecil updates the Leader podcast on the global battle against the bug, and how ‘British politeness’ may prove to be the UK’s best defence. Just call me HarryThe Duke of Sussex has dropped his Prince title at his first event in the UK since his move to Canada. Speaking at a sustainability conference Harry is finishing off his senior member duties of the Royal family. The Evening Standard’s Insider Editor Lucy Pavia explains to the Leader podcast why the soon-to-be-former prince has chosen to do this now. Sing-Along-A-JohnThe Coach and Horses pub in Soho has been well known by Londoners for its heart-warming charm of weekly sing-alongs beside the piano. The pub also features in the Evening Standard’s London’s top 50.Sadly, for the first time in years the pub will stop their popular sing-along Wednesdays tonight, until further notice. Ahead of tonight’s final gig the Leader podcast is joined by lead singer John Orchard who explains why these evenings have been so special and what tracks encourage the best belters. Subscribe, rate and review The Leader on Apple Podcasts, Acast, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An official report has concluded that politicians and institutions at Westminster ‘turned a blind eye’ to sex abuse against children for decades to protect their own reputations. The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse say’s there’s ‘ample evidence’ of abusers linked to Westminster carrying out crimes – and that ‘nobody seemed to care about the fate of the children involved’. It also describes the failure by the then Liberal leader Lord Steel to take action against the late MP Cyril Smith as “an abdication of political responsibility” which occurred despite him being told by Smith that allegations made against him at the time were true. The Evening Standard’s home affairs editor Martin Bentham was at the release of the report and talks the The Leader Podcast about what it says. Harvey Weinstein’s ‘seismic’ conviction Harvey Weinstein is in hospital. He’ll soon be in jail. Convicted of sexual assault and rape, he was en-route to prison when he complained of chest pains. He’s being treated for high blood pressure and heart palpitations. He is, though, scheduled to be sentenced on March 11th and faces up to 25 years. The case is being described as a ‘seismic’ moment for the #MeToo movement, but in the UK while the number of rape cases reported to police is up 65 percent, the number of prosecutions last year dropped from 3,034 to 2,343. Acting features editor Phoebe Luckhurst says the legal system in Britain has a lot of catching up to do. Subscribe, rate and review The Leader on Apple Podcasts, Acast, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A fifth person has died in Italy from Coronavirus, South Korea reported more cases over the weekend, billions have been wiped off stock markets around the world. Despite global prevention measures, Covid-19 is continuing to spread, and cause damage to both health and the economy. In the UK, Downing Street insists the country is 'well prepared' and the risk to individuals 'remains low'. But for how long can Britain keep the bug at bay? The Evening Standard's health editor Ross Lydall and consumer editor Jonathan Prynn talk to the Leader podcast about the impact and continuing threat of the infection.Bernie Sanders wins in NevadaAfter victory in Nevada is Bernie Sanders now the Democrat’s man to take on Donald Trump for the White House? There’s a long way to go yet, and he’ll have to charm a lot of sceptics in other States. With Super Tuesday on the horizon, our US correspondent David Gardner assesses the Vermont senator's chances.Hilary Mantel has finished the Cromwell TrilogyHilary Mantel's final novel in her Cromwell Trilogy, 'The Mirror and the Light', is released next week, but Evening Standard critic Melanie McDonagh's already raced through her review copy. It's 854 pages long, but is it a fitting end to one of modern literature's greatest series?Keep up to date with our audio news bulletins – they’re available every weekday through your smartspeaker. Just ask for the news from the Evening Standard. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Britain’s top spy, Sir Alex Younger, has told the Evening Standard how teenagers are being recruited to MI6 as it battles to stay ahead in a new technology race. The agency’s lowering its recruitment age from 21 to 18, and appealing to the “best talent” from all social backgrounds in the UK. Our deputy political editor Nicholas Cecil talks to the Leader Podcast about his exclusive story, including the secret visit by a group of teenagers to MI6 headquarters, and how they were given tasks including toppling an arms dealer called “Beetlejuice”.Chilean gang’s targeting LondonChilean gang leaders are recruiting low-level thieves to fly to the UK as ‘burglary tourists’, raiding homes in affluent areas including that of TV chef Marcus Wareing. Provided with cash, a car and phone the thieves move in on pre-selected targets. Evening Standard reporter Liam Coleman joins the podcast to reveal how a joint investigation between the paper and Chilean magazine Revista Capital is raising questions about how easy it seems to be for these criminal to get into the UK. Subscribe, rate and review The Leader on Apple Podcasts, Acast, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Germany fears the rise of the far right after a neo-Nazi gunman killed nine people in drive-by shootings. Tobias R also killed his mother before taking his own life, and left behind a video and note expressing “extreme” views on immigrants. The Leader speaks to the Evening Standard’s Allan Hall in Berlin, who tells us this is the latest in a series of killings connected to the far right, and the neo-Nazis pose “a very, very dangerous threat”. Turner’s art: off the wall & into people’s hands:One of the UK’s most loved artists, JMW Turner, is the new face of the £20 note. He is known for his paintings of the Thames, imaginative landscapes and striking maritime scenes, including his famed The Fighting Temeraire . But, he was also a radical of his time using his art to expose 19th century exploitation and slavery. An unveiling of the new note was held at the Tate Britain, which houses many of his best known works, and the Evening Standard’s arts correspondent Robert Dex joins the podcast to explain why this is more than just a simple painting on a bank note.Subscribe, rate and review The Leader on Apple Podcasts, Acast, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The government says its proposed points-based immigration system is “firm and fair”. Business leaders warn it’s “a disaster”. The Leader speaks to the Evening Standard’s Jonathan Prynn to find out what the plans actually involve, and what their true impact on the UK and its economy could be. Will events like Wimbledon really be hit by a shortage of workers?The National Theatre's new season:When National Theatre artistic director Rufus Norris was appointed, he made diversity his main goal. Now he’s confirmed he’ll do another five years in the job, Evening Standard arts editor Nancy Durrant looks at whether or not he’s achieved that. We also talk about the theatre’s new season, including the return of Small Island.  Subscribe, rate and review The Leader on Apple Podcasts, Acast, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.