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In the second episode of Thames Unfiltered, host Lucy Tobin asks the question:What does clean really mean?The River Thames is healthier than it was decades ago, with wildlife returning to parts of the river once declared biologically dead. But beneath the surface, the picture is far more complicated.In this episode, Lucy speaks to scientists, campaigners and conservationists about how river health is measured.From real-time sewage maps and wet wipe pollution to seahorses, porpoises and harbour seals, we discover that a healthy Thames isn't necessarily a pristine one — it's a living, thriving ecosystem.Listen to Thames Unfiltered, brought to you by The Standard, in association with Thames Water. All content has been created under The Standard's editorial control.Next episode: We go inside Abbey Mills pumping station — London's historic "Poo Palace" — to explore the Victorian engineering miracle that transformed the capital and still carries its waste more than 150 years later.We hope you enjoy this new series from The Standard. To listen to more episodes now, check out Thames Unfiltered.

In the first episode of Thames Unfiltered, host Lucy Tobin asks the question:How healthy is the Thames today?Since being declared biologically dead in the mid-20th century, we explore the state of the Thames today, and who and what will impact its future.We examine the role of Thames Water, the impact of climate change and population growth, the importance of the river’s tributaries and ecosystems, and whether major projects like London’s £5 billion “super sewer” - the Tideway Tunnel - can help secure the river’s future.As the debate over Britain's waterways intensifies, this episode sets the scene for a series exploring one of the country's most important rivers—and everything that depends on it.Listen to Thames Unfiltered, brought to you by The Standard, in association with Thames Water. All content has been created under The Standard's editorial control.Next episode: What exactly is in the Thames? We investigate the pollutants, runoff and hidden contaminants affecting river health, and ask what "clean water" really means.We hope you enjoy this new series from The Standard. To listen to more episodes now, check out Thames Unfiltered.

Small and medium-sized enterprises accounted for 99.9% of the UK’s 5.7 million new companies last year. So what does it really take to build a business from scratch today, and how easy is it to secure funding?In this episode, host Tamara Kormornick sits down with Raphael Sofoluke, the founder of the UK Black Business Show and UK Black Business Week, and Izzy Obeng, the founder and CEO of Foundervine. Both guests are on the judging panel for the AXA Startup Angel Competition from AXA Business Insurance - in partnership with the Standard - and in a couple of months they will select impressive entrepreneurs to win top prizes, including £25,000, expert mentoring, plus business insurance for a year. Together, they discuss what it takes to be a founder, including the most common mistakes, tips on how to impress investors, and how to build a supportive business network that pays dividends in the long run.Competition entries close on 21 June 2026. For more information and to enter this year's AXA startup Angel competition, visit https://axastartupangel.standard.co.uk/

It’s the final show with Alan Leer, and we’re not going out quietly. A major study is mapping pesticide exposure against cancer hotspots and raising awkward questions about what “safe” even means when chemicals mix in the real world. Meanwhile SpaceX tries to get Falcon Heavy back up, but the weather does what it does. Back home, London gets a proper academic flex out of UCL, and in gaming, Diablo IV drops Lord of Hatred — the kind of expansion that eats your evening and asks for seconds. For the full reads, it’s all on standard.co.uk — and cheers for listening.

Al’s on for your Monday commute as White City gets a fresh AI flex — Imperial and Lenovo are launching a new London AI Technology Centre aimed at turning big-model theory into real deployments. Then we pivot to your iPhone, because Apple’s patched a privacy flaw tied to message notifications that really shouldn’t have been hanging around. And in gaming, Nintendo’s dealing with a class-action headache as gamers argue tariff refunds should trickle down to customers — not just sit on a balance sheet. Plus, Motorola’s teasing a new Razr launch this week, because foldables refuse to die and honestly… fair enough.

Al’s in your ears for the Friday commute, because London’s recycling future just got a bit more robotic — Imperial-linked Recycleye has been acquired, and the bin-sorting glow-up continues. Then it’s proper science cinema: researchers get closer to explaining why volcanoes throw lightning tantrums mid-eruption. After the break, Cisco shows off a universal quantum switch prototype — basically plumbing for the quantum internet — and in gaming, Ubisoft finally leans into the “we know you know” era with Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced. Plus, DJI drops new beginner drones with UK pricing that’s dangerously convincing. More on all of it at standard.co.uk

Alan Leer in your ear for the Thursday commute, because London’s just green-lit a new research hub in Paddington aimed at taking on antimicrobial resistance — the superbug problem that makes modern medicine quietly terrifying. Then it’s CyberUK season: ministers want AI companies helping build national cyber defence, while security chiefs warn the worst threats are coming from hostile states. After that, science goes full sci-fi with extreme laser work, plus a space project you can join from your sofa — Euclid wants your eyes on gravitational lenses. And in gaming, Xbox is teasing another Discord link-up for Game Pass. More on everything at standard.co.uk — and follow Tech and Science Daily from The Standard for your weekday hit.

London’s open-science crowd takes over the Francis Crick Institute, UCL and UCLH share a seriously encouraging bowel cancer trial follow-up, and Sony starts nudging UK PlayStation users toward age verification ahead of June. Plus, Oppo’s next flagship tees up its UK arrival, and Fallout 76 gets its latest tune-up. Read more at standard.co.uk — and follow Tech and Science Daily from The Standard for your weekday briefing.

Al’s on the mic with a tight commute sprint: London-led researchers say gut bacteria could help flag Parkinson’s risk years before symptoms — then it’s a UK move to get robots out of the lab and into actual workplaces, with “one-stop shop” adoption hubs. After the break, Hubble celebrates 36 years with a gorgeous Trifid Nebula update. More at standard.co.uk — follow Tech and Science Daily from The Standard for your weekday briefing.