The Standard

As we welcome a new year of film and the awards season draws near - with buzz aplenty! We’re here to run down everything you need to know in the world of cinema.The ones to watch, what to take your kids to and which to avoid altogether. From entering the ‘Barbieverse’, to potential Oscar-winning fat suits as well as lesser-known movie gems.Charlotte O’Sullivan, Chief Film Critic for the Evening Standard, gives you the definitive guide on the most anticipated films of 2023. In this episode:Barbie The Little Mermaid Blue JeanIndiana Jones and the Dial of DestinyThe WhaleWonkaTárKillers of the Flower Moon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a series of bombshell leaks of his new book, Prince Harry claims his brother William physically attacked him.This comes as more clips from the Duke of Sussex’s ITV interview are released ahead of the publication of ‘Spare’ next week.Robert Dex, the Evening Standard’s Arts Correspondent, discusses whether after so much damage there is any way back for ‘Willy’ and ‘Harold’.‘Harry: The Interview’ airs on ITV1 and ITVX at 9pm on 8th January. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Health experts are sounding the alarm over the NHS crisis. It’s been revealed ambulance crews in London lost the equivalent of three-and-a-half months because of handover delays, with 7,000 Londoners waiting more than 12 hours to be admitted to A&E - a rise of 46 per cent.Daniel Keane, the Evening Standard’s Health Reporter, explains the current situation faced by health services.In part two, Professor Azeem Majeed, head of the Department of Primary Care & Public Health at Imperial College London, a GP and a consultant in public health, gives his views on what can be done to save the NHS. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Around 16 million journeys could be affected by what is expected to be the worst week of rail disruption for 30 years. About 40,000 members of the RMT at Network Rail and 14 train operators are staging a 48-hour walkout, with another to follow on Friday, while drivers in the Aslef union will strike on Thursday.Ross Lydall, the Evening Standard’s City Hall Editor & Transport Editor, explains the latest on the industrial action, what’s next for the talks and whether this means Londoners could be put off taking the train moving forward. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s not all been strikes, delays and looming apocalypse in 2022 - this year’s also brought the shocking, the surreal and the slapstick.Collating our greatest hits of the 2022 zeitgeist is a reminder how we saw in the new year amid Omicron and dodged a Christmas lockdown.But enough of that because, in the words of Gogglebox, this year we’ve enjoyed a lot of great pop culture moments.So who makes this Leader special’s Top 10? You’ll have to tune in by clicking the link below to find out, but it’s all there - an Oscars ruckus, dodgy celeb texting, plenty of shade thrown, awkward moments and the attraction of the wholesome online gaming.The Leader’s joined by two expert commentators with their fingers on London’s - and the internet’s - cultural pulse.Commentary with Evening Standard acting celebrity correspondent Tina Campbell, and arts writer and commissioning editor Vicky Jessop. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Back in February 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed his nation, announcing a “special military operation” against Ukraine. The biggest attack by one state against another in Europe since World War II. Since then it's estimated that tens of thousands of lives have been lost. But, Ukraine has and continues to show resilience, endurance and spirit that completely surpassed expectations. In this special episode, the country’s Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Transformation, Mykhailo Fedorov, explains the efforts that have gone into the fight online. Also, Denys Ganzha, a Ukrainian Youth delegate to the UN, discusses living through the war, what life is like on the ground and his hopes are for 2023.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gymshark started in Ben Francis’s parents' garage in the Midlands, with lessons from his gran on how to sew.Ten years on, the fitness apparel company’s a global business valued at one and a quarter billion pounds and has just opened its first IRL store on London's Regent Street.This is a cut-down version of the full episode. To listen to the full episode click here.For all the latest business news visit standard.co.uk/business Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As energy companies’ profits continue to soar, many Britons in fuel poverty can't afford to heat their homes this Christmas.Now, campaigners are alerting London households with pre-payment meters eking out their heating amid rocketing gas and electricity prices - claim your £400 energy discount vouchers.Despite the recent cold snap, more than one million UK households have not cashed in the monthly energy support they’re owed.The Leader gets all the details from Simon Francis, co-ordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thousands of NHS paramedics, technicians and call handlers follow nurses taking to picket lines for 12 hours in a long-running pay dispute.Amid sustained pressure on 999 and 111 services, eight English and Welsh NHS and ambulance trusts declare critical incidents, despite promises of “life and limb cover”.Londoners requiring an ambulance until midnight on Wednesday are even being told in some cases they should get to A&E under their own steam.Meanwhile, the army’s been deployed to help deal with driving ambulances, but they’re not cleared to treat patients.For the latest analysis on this historic industrial action and where it all leaves Rishi Sunak, the Leader’s joined by Evening Standard political editor Nicholas Cecil. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ten thousands nurses walked out on Tuesday - and are set to be joined on strike by legions of paramedics.It comes as soldiers meant as emergency stand-ins for paramedics say they’re being stopped from carrying out treatments or using 999 blue lights.Rishi Sunak is ruling out reopening negotiations in the pay dispute, suggesting he’s dug in for a war of attrition with the unions.For the latest from the picket line and modern NHS working pressures, the Leader’s joined by Ameera, an A&E nurse and a union member at a central London hospital, and Evening Standard health reporter Daniel Keane. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.