The Standard

Welcome to The Standard podcast’s special edition, where we bring you news highlights from the week that was.Headlines were dominated by escalating moves in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, policies around Kyiv’s use of powerful British-American missiles in the war, and Moscow’s retaliation with what the Kremlin says is a new type of hypersonic weapon.Here in Britain, we looked at the impacted of shocks to the energy market and our household bills that the war, as well as the recent cold snap, has caused.There was also continuing domestic anger about the first Rachel Reeves budget, as thousands of farmers marched on Westminster in protest at Labour’s so-called ‘tractor tax’ on inheritance. You’ll also hear our interview with Andrea Sella, professor of chemistry at UCL about the impact of methanol on the body after six people died after drinking alleged ‘tainted’ alcohol shots at the Nana Backpacker Hostel in Vang Vieng, Laos.Plus, inside one of the capital’s Lime e-bikes maintenance depots and could pondlife bacteria be repurposed to power space lasers?

A sixth person has died after allegedly drinking 'tainted alcohol shots' suspected of being laced with poisonous methanol during a backpacking holiday in Laos.All are thought to have died after allegedly ingesting the drinks at the Nana Backpacker Hostel in Vang Vieng, Laos, where online reviews mention “free unlimited shots”.The hostel manager and owner have reportedly been detained by police.Rachelle Abbott interviewed Andrea Sella, professor of chemistry at University College London, about acute dangers of methanol consumption and its impact on the human body.In part two, The London Standard’s transport editor Ross Lydall discusses the latest data on London’s busiest railway stations, and visits Liverpool Street to report on the latest redevelopment plans amid a forecast passenger boom.

Kyiv claims Russia launched a long-range intercontinental ballistic missile for the first time in an attack on Ukraine, but that account has reportedly been disputed by US officials.The powerful weapon is believed to have been fired from Russia’s southern Astrakhan region during a morning attack on Thursday at the central-eastern city of Dnipro -  at a time of escalation in the 33-month-old invasion launched by Russia in Ukraine.But the ICBM claim has been disputed by the Americans, with a senior US official telling the New York Times that the weapon appeared to be an intermediate-range ballistic missile, who however added that it was “a new type we have been tracking”.It comes after Ukraine used American Atacms and British Storm Shadow missiles to strike targets inside Russia this week, something Moscow had warned for months would be seen as a major escalation.Just hours later, Vladimir Putin approved­ an updated Russian nuclear doctrine lowering the threshold for the use of nuclear strikes.We’re joined by The London Standard’s defence editor Robert Fox, who discusses the strike, Russia capabilities and why the UK government must “level with the public” to address people’s worries.

UK inflation has risen to its highest level since April driven by an increase in household energy bills, according to official figures.The Office for National Statistics said Consumer Prices Index inflation rose to 2.3 per cent for October, up from 1.7 per cent in the previous month.It is the sharpest month-on-month increase in the rate of inflation for two years.So, what’s behind this jump, and what does 2025 hold for energy bills and Bank of England interest rates?The Standard podcast is joined by Theo Harris, a researcher in economic and environmental policy at the New Economics Foundation think-tank.In part two, six new London Overground lines, each with a new name and colour, were being rolled out by Transport for London on Wednesday.Mayor Sadiq Khan says the £6.3 million rebrand will make it easier for passengers to find their way on the Overground and to “celebrate” London’s culture and recent history - but does it offer passengers value for money?The London Standard’s transport editor, Ross Lydall, discusses the new direction for London’s orange line, which was delayed after a cyberattack against TfL.

Thousands of British farmers marched on Westminster as tractors converged in central London to protest against Labour plans to end inheritance tax exemption.Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced last month in the budget that farmers with land worth more than £1 million will no longer be able to leave their farms to their children tax free from 2026.We’re joined from Westminster by The London Standard’s chief political correspondent Rachael Burford, who’s been covering the protest.In part two, electric Lime bikes have overtaken Boris bikes as London’s preferred method of pay-as-you-go transport on two wheels.But it comes amid complaints about bikes being ditched across pavements and riders jumping red lights - so what’s the firm’s future in the capital?The London Standard’s transport editor visits Lime’s servicing depot in White Hart Lane, Tottenham, to find out.

Cabinet minister Bridget Phillipson stressed Britain was giving “full backing” to Ukraine amid a report that it will join America in allowing Kyiv to fire West-supplied long-range missiles into Russia.Outgoing US president Joe Biden’s decision could see long-range missiles used initially in the Kursk region of Russia, where Ukrainian troops seized a swathe of territory in a surprise attack in the summer - ahead of Donald Trump taking office in January.So, where does this leave British policy now, after many months of holding off approval for its version of the American ATACMS weapons, known as Storm Shadow?We’re joined from Parliament by The London Standard’s political editor Nicholas Cecil. In part two, we speak with Erik Gauger, professor in quantum theory at Heriot-Watt university’s Institute of Photonics and quantum sciences in Edinburgh, about an innovative space energy project.Researchers are seeking to use bacteria more usually found in ponds on earth help convert sunlight into laser beams to send power across space- could the technology be used on future Mars missions? 

Evgeny Lebedev joins Dr Aubrey de Grey, a pioneer in biomedical gerontology - the study of life extension and rejuvenation - and co-founder of the SENS Research Foundation.Known for his radical approach to ageing, Dr de Grey discusses his latest research, society’s attitude to the human lifespan and his hopes for future anti-ageing treatments. 

The temperature in London next week is set to plummet into chilly single digits.But what effect is this cold weather having on our brains - and what can we do to keep our wellbeing levels topped up as the mercury drops, stave off seasonal depression and ensure our bodies enjoy a regular rest pattern in order to reboot effectively?It comes after the ‘anticyclonic gloom’ loomed over the capital, when fog and grey clouds blotted out the sun.Rachelle Abbott asked neuroscientist Dr Henry Mahncke, chief executive of ‘brain fitness’ platform BrainHQ, about winter’s impact on the brain and our mental health.You’ll also hear Dr Mahncke’s top tips for boosting mood and staying more balanced during the colder months.

Today marks the launch of The London Standard’s 2024 Winter Appeal, in collaboration with Comic Relief. The campaign’s aim is to help organisations in London and across the UK that support refugees and homeless people. In this episode we’re joined by our campaigns editor, David Cohen, and CEO of Comic Relief, Samir Patel.We also hear of Claude's story. One of the organisations we are backing is The Running Charity, which uses the power of running to help both refugees and those who are homeless to build mental health, confidence and fitness — and where Claude now works as programme manager and head coach. The group will be given a grant of £50,000 to assist its work of mentoring more than 120 vulnerable people aged 16 to 25 each year.To make a donation, visit comicrelief.com/winter.