The Standard

Later today US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet in Alaska for a highly anticipated summit on the Ukraine war. Ahead of the talks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his country was "counting on America” and Trump has called the summit “high stakes”. The Standard’s Chief Political Correspondent Rachael Burford joins us to explain more. And in part two, The Standard’s Comedy Critic Bruce Dessau shares his top recommendations so far from this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today A-Level results have reached record highs since the Covid pandemic, with London students achieving the best grades in the country. However, experts say the gap between the best and worst performing regions appears to be widening, with the North-South divide becoming further entrenched. Efua Poku-Amanfo, a researcher at the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), joins us to discuss.  And in part two, John Darlington, director at the World Monuments Fund, joins us to explore the history of Kirkaldy’s Testing Works museum in Southwark, which features as this week’s Hidden London destination. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told Donald Trump that "Putin is bluffing” as he discussed the obstacles to ending the war in Ukraine with the US President and other world leaders in a phone call. It comes ahead of this Friday's Trump-Putin summit in Alaska. Before the world leaders met, Dr Svitlana Romanko, the Ukrainian Executive Director of Razom We Stand, a climate campaign fighting to cut off the money fuelling Russia’s war, shared her thoughts about what lies ahead. And in part two, freelance journalist Sophie Peachey joins us to discuss why Gen Z are so lonely and how to overcome social anxiety to make new connections. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The capital is experiencing its fourth heatwave of the summer, with amber warnings in place for parts of England until Wednesday, as temperatures are expected to hit 34 degrees. But housing in the UK isn’t designed for such heat, and residents of tower blocks are at particular risk. Experts say that many new homes being built in the UK are not designed to withstand extreme summer temperatures. To find out more, architecture writer Phin Harper joins us alongside Joshua Emden, a senior research fellow at The Institute for Public Policy Research think tank. And in part two, author Amber Medland discusses her latest book Attention Seeker, about life with ADHD and how the neurodevelopment disorder affects dating and relationships.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

London’s disgusting Wet Wipe Island is finally set to be removed from the Thames, with work under way to excavate the estimated 180 tonnes of congealed waste near Hammersmith Bridge. We hear from John Sullivan, Thames Water’s Head of Tideway Integration Group, and Emily Carr, policy adviser at the independent think tank and charity Green Alliance, about how to prevent more waste from accumulating in the capital’s waterways.And in part two, The Standard’s Head of Culture Martin Robinson joins us to discuss FX’s’s Alien:Earth series, which is released tomorrow, and the accompanying alien egg on display at London’s Natural History Museum.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Labour’s homelessness minister, Rushanara Ali, has resigned from government after it emerged she evicted four tenants from a property she owns - before re-letting it just weeks later and hiking the rent by £700 a month. The move would likely be prohibited under Labour’s Renters’ Rights Bill, which introduces new protections for tenants. When Labour’s Renters’ Rights Bill comes into force, this action will be illegal. We hear from The Standard’s Chief Political Correspondent Rachael Burford, and Anny Cullum, political officer with the community and renters union ACORN. And in part two, journalist Arielle Domb investigates why people are administering their own botox cosmetic treatments. What’s behind the DIY movement, and what are the risks? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Millions of homeowners were handed a boost today when the Bank of England cut its interest rate from 4.25% to 4%. The reduction is the fifth over the past year, and brings borrowing costs down to their lowest since March 2023. Theo Harris, an economist at the New Economics Foundation joins us to discuss the news. And in part two, Nick Curtis, The Standard’s Theatre Critic and co-host of The London Theatre Review Podcast, reviews broadway show Good Night, Oscar, which features Will & Grace star Sean Hayes as troubled pianist Oscar Levant.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Metropolitan Police plans to close half of its front desk to save money. In a list published overnight, Scotland Yard confirmed it will break its pledge to have one accessible 24 hours a day, in each of the 32 boroughs. It comes amid an epidemic of knife crime, mobile phone snatches, shoplifting and bike theft across the capital. The Standard's Crime Correspondent Anthony France reacts to the news.And in part two, features journalist Katie Strick delves into the grim reality of modern dating, after the women's safety app Tea was targeted in a revenge attack by the right-wing anti-women group 4Chan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sir Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron's migrant deal comes into force today, with detentions set to begin from tomorrow. The ‘one in, one out’ pilot scheme allows the UK to send some people who have crossed the Channel back to France, in exchange for asylum seekers with ties to Britain. Daniel Sohege, a specialist in international refugee law and protection, and the director of human rights organisation Stand For All, joins us to discuss whether it will deter people from crossing the Channel. And in part two, The National Gallery has announced that a citizens’ assembly will help shape its future. The Standard’s columnist and arts critic, Melanie McDonagh shares her thoughts.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Met Police could be “tested to the limit” as hundreds have been urged to declare support for Palestine Action in central London this weekend. Protesters are being urged to turn up en masse to test whether the state can respond to such a big endorsement for the recently proscribed terror group, with organisers saying “there is safety in numbers”. Tim Crossland, a former government lawyer, who now campaigns with the civil liberties movement Defend Our Juries, has the latest. And in part two, freelance journalist Arielle Domb joins us to discuss the demise of late night dining.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.