The Standard

In the third episode of the Evening Standard’s year-long series of specials called ‘Let Girls Learn’, we’re going to Duhok in Iraqi Kurdistan.  The Lotus Flower is a non-profit organisation that supports women and girls impacted by conflict and displacement. Their centres also offer classes such as; English, yoga, art and music.The Evening Standard’s Charline Bou Mansour finds out how Yazidi girls are using activities such as boxing to recover from the trauma of ISIS brutality, defying some of the traditions of their community to build new futures.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 lives 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.

Harry and Meghan’s bombshell Netflix series is out - How will it impact their reputation? Accusations of ‘unconscious bias’ in the royal family, ‘more of the same’ after Oprah interview, Harry and Meghan’s penguin onesies. Royal Commentator Richard Fitzwilliams discusses the impact the series might have on the royals, and the Evening Standard’s Insider Editor Suzannah Ramsdale considers how the public might react to the series. In this episode:How does the series compare with the Oprah interview?Does the show make you sympathise with Harry and Meghan?Could the Royal Family respond?The focus on Harry and Meghan's ‘love story’Potential ‘low blows’ aimed at William and Kate?Follow us on Twitter #TheLeaderPodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The radical new relationship workshops in London schools. Lessons on communication, toxic relationships, and unhealthy behaviours. How girls and boys think differently about relationships. Why male pupils say they’re ‘scared’ of how they might act in future. Our Commissioning Editor and Features Writer Katie Strick takes us on her journey learning about these important and expanding workshops taking place across London schools. In this episode:Why £1 million is going into relationship sessions by domestic abuse charity TenderHow the Everyone’s Invited movement put a spotlight on sex educationPupils on what they’ve learned from the workshopsWhy it’s important not to “isolate” or “demonise” young menHeadteacher sees noticeable increase in reporting of inappropriate behaviourFollow us on Twitter #TheLeaderPodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nine children in the UK have died with Strep A in recent weeks. What symptoms should parents look out for? How can we avoid infection? Are lockdowns to blame for a drop in immunity? We hear from mum of three Hayley Tidley about her son’s experience with Strep A. Plus our Health Reporter Daniel Keane talks through the symptoms, how Strep A spreads, and why we've seen a rise in infections over recent weeks. In this episode:Hayley’s experience looking after her son with Strep AWhat symptoms did he develop?Hayley's advice to parentsWhat has caused this recent outbreak?Are Covid lockdowns partly to blame for this recent rise in infections?Could antibiotics be the solution?Follow us on Twitter #TheLeaderPodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer reveals Labour’s proposal to abolish the House of Lords. How could changes at the top benefit the public? The government’s muted response to the plans, and the pros of devolution. Our Political Editor Nicholas Cecil deconstructs the proposals. Plus Parth Patel from the IPPR discusses why democratic reform can be key to dealing with wider issues. In this episode:What has Labour announced?How the proposals could mean more funding for regionsHow Labour’s showing itself as a ‘government in waiting’Why centralisation causes problems for the countryHow changes to the political system are needed to improve our servicesFollow us on Twitter #TheLeaderPodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rebekah Vardy and Coleen Rooney court drama staged in The Wagatha Christie Trial at Wyndham’s Theatre. Nick Curtis, the Evening Standard’s chief theatre critic, joins deputy culture editor Nick Clark to discuss why this story is more than just a social media whodunnit.Plus, culture editor Nancy Durrant on how Elf the Musical is not one to watch with a festive hangover, but why kids will love it.Part 1: Vardy v Rooney: The Wagatha Christie Trial at Wyndham’s TheatreThe infamous ‘dot, dot, dot...’ tweet that fuelled the Twitter gossip millCourt transcript of the Vardy Vs Rooney trial, in this production directed by Lisa Spirling and adapted by Liv HennessyAre the women in the public eye mocked?Lucy May Barker as Rebekah Vardy and Laura Dos Santos as Coleen RooneyWhat was the audience’s reaction?How this isn’t just a play about social media drama - and why it reminds Nick Clark of the Amy Winehouse documentary Should the show have been 90 minutes?Will there be a rematch?Part 2: Elf the Musical at the Dominion TheatreWho is Buddy the Elf?If you like an extremely Christmassy show, then this one’s for you – but it’s very expensiveWhy it’s not a musical to watch with a hangoverThe songs, the cast …and the questionable dressesHow a supermarket festive ad helped boost Elf the Musical’s ticket salesWhy the audience has a rip-roaring time, and could this be the perfect children’s Christmas show?What's on right now in the West End? Well, this is your Theatre Review.For the latest visit: www.standard.co.uk/culture Clips used with permission: Elf: The Musical (Original Broadway Cast Recording) - soundtrack album by Chad Beguelin and Matthew Sklar Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Huib van Bockel is the CEO and founder of the energy drink company Tenzing. Formerly head of marketing at Red Bull, he’s taken his company from start-up to significant player, while maintaining a commitment to environmental protections. But, it's not been an easy journey, one hurdle in fact was his first pitch to Selfridges... which didn't quite go according to plan.This is taken from our How to be a CEO podcast, you can hear the full episode here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Never mind the 12 days of Christmas, Britain’s facing eight days of rail strikes.The government’s urging the RMT union to suspend industrial action, saying it will cost the UK economy in excess of £1.7 billion.Now, the Elizabeth line could also be hit by its first strike as the TSSA union balloted members on Friday in a dispute over pay.At the same time, MPs are probing the decision by Southeastern to axe more than 700 trains a week on rail services crucial for commuters.The New Year will also heap misery on to passengers with annual ticket rises.While on the Tube, TfL bosses are looking to fill a financial chasm by pumping up fares by 40 per cent in the next three-and-a-half years.To analyse the latest on strikes, Christmas travel, fare increases and - hopefully - how to save a few pounds on train tickets, the Leader’s joined by Dr Tom Haines-Doran, author of Derailed: How to Fix Britain’s Broken Railways, and Evening Standard transport editor Ross Lydall. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Battle of Britain-style NHS winter “war rooms” are being set up by London hospitals to deal with a health service crisis set to be worsened by looming strikes.NHS England describes hospitals as being “full” and says digital hubs inspired by air traffic control towers will use “real-time” data to work around bottlenecks.Forty-two such centres will monitor A&E performance, waiting times and staff levels to find free beds or divert ambulances to where there’s an available slot.It comes as the Royal College of Nursing says up to 100,000 nurses will strike in England, Wales and Northern Ireland on 15 and 20 December. Ambulance unions have also balloted workers over strike action.Evening Standard health reporter Daniel Keane joins The Leader with the latest on the hospitals crisis and examines what patients can expect into 2023. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How London’s least glamorous train station is being transformed into Britain’s priciest transport hub - while solving a nightmare Tube interchange long tormenting commuters. Interviews with HS2 project client director Andy Swift and Evening Standard transport editor Ross Lydall.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.