The Standard

In this month’s special ‘Let Girls Learn’ episode, we’re finding out about life for pregnant teenagers in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Being a girl here can be tough, they can often be exploited for sex by men and boys offering them ways to jump the extremely long queue for the water pump line, something known locally as ‘water for water’. Teenage pregnancy can be common here but the girls are often rejected by their families, making them extremely vulnerable.The Evening Standard’s Radhika Aligh visits the 2YoungLives project in the capital Freetown to hear how a mentoring scheme is helping young mothers in the community.In the #LetGirlsLearn series, we’re aiming to shine a light on innovations and solutions that are helping girls to fulfil their right to education and healthy, productive futures around the globe.You can find out more online at www.standard.co.uk/optimist/let-girls-learn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fourteen charities have teamed up to fundraise for Turkey & Syria. Government’s pledge to match-fund up to £5 million. How Londoners have been “absolutely amazing” in offering donations. Our Political Correspondent Rachael Burford explains the details behind the earthquake appeal, and Mas Patel from Abdullah Aid discusses how they’re supporting survivors. In this episode:The Earthquake Appeal explainedHow long will it take Turkey & Syria to recover?Is the government’s £5 million match-fund enough?How Abdullah Aid are contributing to the humanitarian effortLondoners’ response to the disasterFollow us on Twitter #TheLeaderPodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Twelve days after the mum-of-two's disappearance, what has the investigation uncovered? Head of SGI marine search team: “I don’t think she fell into the water”, Lancashire Police’s caution over harmful speculation, and a warning for ‘amateur vigilantes’ visiting the area. The Evening Standard's Crime Reporter John Dunne discusses:What we know about Nicola’s disappearanceHow police have used helicopters, underwater drones, and CCTV footageHow long will divers continue their search?Why Nicola’s disappearance is so uniqueThe fractious relationship between the police and specialist SGI diversWhy ‘amateur vigilantes’ have been told to stay awayFollow us on Twitter #TheLeaderPodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rishi Sunak’s cabinet reshuffle: four new departments plus five MPs given new roles - but why now? And who is the new Conservative chairman Greg Hands? Our Deputy Political Editor David Bond examines the motive behind Rishi Sunak’s mini cabinet reshuffle, and discusses whether the public will see any tangible changes as a result. In this episode:What are the biggest changes from this mini reshuffle?Who is the new Conservative Chairman Greg Hands?Could reshuffle ruffle the feathers of big Tory characters?What has prompted Rishi’s cabinet shake-up?Should the public expect to see major changes now?Follow us on Twitter #TheLeaderPodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Did Happy Valley just pull off one of the best endings to a TV series of all time? Around 7.5million viewers tuned in, and there's been a wave of reaction on social media. Could the show and cast win Baftas this year? The Evening Standard’s Lizzie Edmonds discusses why fans of Happy Valley love the show. And our Deputy Culture Editor Nick Clark examines Sarah Lancashire’s performance as the show’s protagonist Catherine Cawood. In this episode:Why have fans stuck with the show for so long?Social media reacts to the series conclusionWill more shows adopt themes from Happy Valley?Did Sarah Lancashire deliver in the finale?Does the UK offer more roles for middle-aged women?Follow us on Twitter #TheLeaderPodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wayne Ting is the CEO of Lime Bikes, a start-up that launched in San Francisco in 2017, before doubling its value in 2019 and now has bikes in cities in all over the world. In this episode, Wayne talks to us about: •The race to raise emergency funding with 90% of Lime's revenue disappearing.•Why "management with optimism" is essential during a crisis.•The challenges of persuading cities to introduce electric micromobility.•The problems with electric cars and continuing contribution to climate change.Listen to the full How To Be A CEO episode and others here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The world’s biggest music awards - now in its 65th year - are just around the corner. Insight with Evening Standard music reporter Jonathan Kanengoni.In this episode:Beyoncé on cusp of becoming most nominated artist in Grammys historyStars taking stage in Lose Angeles include Lizzo, Mary J. Blige and Sam SmithFlorence & the Machine, Coldplay and Arctic Monkeys also representing British contingentAbba nominated after stellar Voyage London virtual showsHip hop 50th anniversary celebration includes Salt-N-Pepa, De La Soul and Run-DMCMegadeth, Bryan Adams and Ozzy Osbourne with the late Jeff Beck in rock categoryNoms drama around Drake and The WeekndWhen is the Sunday night Grammys UK time? Streaming 1am Monday Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Bank of England heaps more misery on Londoners with mortgages and credit card debt as the interest rate hits its highest level since 2008 - when Gordon Brown was prime minister.In this episode:- Base rate jump to four per cent now, up 0.5 per cent- Tenth successive hike- Bank of England tries desperately to curb soaring inflation- What hike means for personal finances and food bills- Now 2.3 million UK households say they missed essential payments amid cost-of-living crisis- Oil giant Shell reports record mega-profits of more than £32 billion - fresh calls for new windfall tax- Expert analysis with Dr Jo Michell, associate professor of economics at UWE Bristol. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hundreds of thousands of public sector workers are striking in Britain’s biggest day of industrial action for over a decade.In this episode:- Many schools closed and railway stations deserted- Train and bus drivers join civil servants and teachers walking out in pay and pensions dispute- Widespread disruption caused- Lecturers on picket line after rejecting below-inflation pay offer- Evening Standard senior feature writer Katie Strick interviews Dr Pat McGovern, associate professor in sociology at LSE- Final-year King’s College London undergraduate and freelance journalist Liv Facey on studying through strikes and Covid.Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is lab-grown meat the future? Find out how it’s made, what it tastes like and when it might be available at a restaurant near you as we tour the lab at Ivy Farm Technologies. In this episode:How Ivy Farm select and grow animals’ muscle and fat cellsWhy growing cultivated meat is similar to brewing beerHow does a lab-grown meatball cook?Why cultivated meat can be suitable for vegetarians and vegansWhy animals are ‘inefficient’ and converting plant calories into meat caloriesFollow us on Twitter #TheLeaderPodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.