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The Standard
Battling UK extremism & social media disinformation
Season 1
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Emergency services report almost 40 police officers were injured as riots hit Southport after three girls were killed in a devastating knife attack.
Violence on Tuesday flared as crowds gathered in the north-west seaside town for a vigil honouring Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, who were all fatally stabbed at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club on Monday.
Tensions were already running high in the wake of the tragedy, which escalated into violence.
A police van was torched and a mosque attacked by a far-right mob after false rumours circulated on social media about the identity of the 17-year-old male suspect arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder at the dance studio.
In this episode of the Standard podcast, with our home affairs editor Martin Bentham, we examine how social media disinformation is fanning the flames of extremism.
Plus, why the British legal process won’t give you a suspect’s name or crime scene evidence immediately.
In part two, reporter Robert Dex with Paris Olympics 2024 analysis as Great Britain leap to fourth in the medal table with two more golds, in the men’s triathlon and women’s quadruple sculls.
More episodes
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How to unprocess your diet in 30 days, with Johannes Cullberg
11:45||Season 1In today’s episode, Nicola Barron from Masterclasses for The London Standard is joined by Johannes Cullberg – entrepreneur, food industry expert, and author of Unprocess Your Diet in 30 Days.They discuss the rise of ultra-processed foods and how they’ve taken over our diets. Johannes offers practical advice on making small, sustainable changes to improve your health without drastic restrictions or extreme diets.Johannes’s session from The Bigger Life Festival is available to watch until 17 March.For more from Johannes Cullberg:Visit standard.co.uk/masterclasses to access his session.Buy Johannes’s Book:Unprocess Your Diet in 30 Days is available now.
FTSE 100: Green shoots of growth for UK business
15:22||Season 1The London Standard’s business editor, Jonathan Prynn, joins us to discuss this year's remarkable rise in the FTSE 100. For an hour or so, the City’s famous index of shares in leading British listed companies grew for the first time in history, above the 8900 mark. So, what has driven this sudden reappraisal of the UK and the London stock market?In part two, we’re joined by award-winning children’s author and screenwriter Frank Cottrell-Boyce to discuss this year’s London Book Fair, could AI write a better story?
Can Ukraine survive without US aid backing?
13:07||Season 1The fallout from Friday's public disagreement between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has continued, with the US pausing military aid to Ukraine.As Europe reels from Donald Trump’s decision, the UK’s Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner, has insisted the Prime Minister will not be “blindsided or bounced” from the pursuit of peace.But how long could Ukraine hold out without US support? We’re joined by The London Standard’s political editor, Nicholas Cecil.
The Crust We Trust: British Pie Week
15:31||Season 1Restaurant critic David Ellis and food writer Josh Barrie take over the podcast to celebrate British Pie Week (March 3-9).This year’s celebration comes with a twist as ministers recently urged the government to grant pies protected status.David and Josh discuss whether some restaurants are cashing in on nostalgia, the closure of traditional pie and mash shops, and how modern interpretations are reshaping the scene. Plus, they reveal their favourite pies and go-to spots for the best in London.Listen in—and if you’re hungry for more, check out their full guide here.
Battle for Oxford Street: Sadiq Khan and city hall editor Ross Lydall
17:13||Season 1London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan meets city hall and transport editor Ross Lydall to discuss the news of a public consultation and his plans to take control of Oxford Street.CALM CEO Simon Gunning joins us to discuss recent figures revealing that 50% of London-based adults believe the government should do more to prevent youth suicide.Plus, lifestyle and culture writer India Block visits Dennis Seevers' House in Shoreditch—a theatrical reimagining of Georgian-era living.If you have been affected by the topics discussed in this podcast, call Samaritans for free on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org or CALM.
Gordon Ramsay and restaurant critic David Ellis face off in the sky
14:58||Season 1This episode includes explicit language. Our restaurant critic David Ellis interviews the famed chef Gordon Ramsay at the glass-walled dining room of Lucky Cat, his new restaurant on the 60th floor of 22 Bishopsgate - London’s highest dining spot.Gordon discusses pricing, breaking America, and his reputation in the UK.To read the full interview, pick up a copy of this week’s edition of The London Standard or click here.
Grenfell inquiry: Government pledges 'change and reform'
10:48||Season 1Following Wednesday’s PMQs, the Government has responded in full to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, setting out what they call tough new reforms to fix building safety and strengthen accountability.58 recommendations made by Sir Martin Moore-Bick when he published his long-awaited report in September are to be accepted in full.Grenfell Next of Kin, a group representing some of the bereaved, said it will be ‘paying close attention to these words and intentions’.To walk us through their pledge we’re joined by The London Standard’s chief political correspondent, Rachael Burford.
Why millions face energy bill rises from April
16:16||Season 1Was T.S. Eliot telling the truth when he wrote “April is the cruellest month”? Perhaps he had foreseen today, as news broke that millions of people are facing a perfect storm of rising bills on or around April 1 - including energy, water, council tax, train fares, mobile, and broadband bills. Helena Wadia is joined by The London Standard’s Business Editor Jonathan Prynn, to explain the predicted energy bill rises for millions of households.In part two, Commissioning Editor and Culture Writer Vicky Jessop gives us a look-ahead to this Sunday's Academy Awards - which films are leading the Oscar nominations, is there a clear frontrunner, and what controversies have created a storm?
Sarah Brown: Ukraine's front-line schools three years on
11:05||Season 1Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, millions of children have had their education disrupted. To mark the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, we’re joined by Sarah Brown, Chair of charity TheirWorld, to discuss how the organisation is supporting education and children throughout the conflict. Sarah has been working at Ukrainian President Zelensky's request directly with the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, as well as First Lady Olena Zelenska’s Foundation.