The Standard

It is the impossible dream - cut-price commuter tickets to help ease the crushing financial burden of daily travel into the capital.So, why are long-suffering London rail travellers always bearing the brunt of expensive fares, when there are deals to be had on other lines out of London?It comes as a low-cost train operator has announced plans for a new no-frills service linking London and Manchester.But, it’s not due to start until 2027.Mark Blunden hears how it’s been a significant week for rail infrastructure from our transport editor, Ross Lydall.Plus, in part two Rachelle Abbott speaks with ES commissioning editor El Hunt about her five-star review of the much anticipated third album from Billie Eilish, titled Hit Me Hard And Soft.El discusses the record’s themes, its best tracks, rumours about Eilish’s next album and if now is a competitive time for an album release.

This is a preview of Brave New World season two. In episode one, Evgeny Lebedev talks to stoicism expert Professor Bill Irvine, whose books detail the ancient wisdom of Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius for a new generation.To hear the full episode search Brave New World Evening Standard.

London's been named the worst region in the country for recycling. How plastics are sent to Bristol to be incinerated. Why China and other far-away countries are picking up the Capital’s trash. In Part One, author and journalist Oliver Franklin-Wallis explains what’s really happening to our recycling and why. And in Part Two, our acting culture editor Nick Clark explains why he gave the V&A’s ‘Fragile Beauty’ exhibition five stars.Follow us on X or on Threads.

A London council has revealed officials are investigating owners of nearly 2,500 properties who it’s claimed have broken the rules on short-term lets.Westminster is pledging a crackdown on what's described as a "wild west" of residents renting out homes to holidaymakers, in an ongoing battle with owners breaching a 90-day limit governing short-term rentals.To discover more, we’re joined by Evening Standard chief political correspondent Rachael Burford.Plus, Gucci turns the Tate Modern art gallery into a plant-filled runway - and Evening Standard fashion director Victoria Moss explains why the Italian luxury label chose Southwark for its showcase.

The prime minister has sought to brush off Labour claims of 14 years of Tory failure and portray his party as best placed to lead Britain.Rishi Sunak set out his election stall to Britain’s voters, claiming it was his government that could be trusted to keep families safe and warning of “increasing dangers” facing the nation.Sunak gave the speech in central London before Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer met his party’s regional mayors, including London’s Sadiq Khan, at a pre-General Election summit in Wolverhampton.With the latest, the Standard podcast is joined from Parliament by Evening Standard political editor Nicholas Cecil.

Lawrence Dallaglio and the Evening Standard’s Steve Cording are joined by Lawrence’s World Cup winning team mate and former Leicester and Harlequins centre, Will Greenwood.To hear the full episode, which includes Evening Standard rugby correspondent, Nick Purewal for his predictions for Round 17 of the Premiership, search The Evening Standard Rugby Podcast with Lawrence Dallaglio wherever you find your podcasts, or click this link.

A report suggests London could be on course to become something of a “Manhattan-on-Thames” as almost 600 more skyscrapers are planned to cram into gaps of the capital’s crowded historic skyline.The 10th annual tall buildings report from think-tank New London Architecture finds there are 583 tall buildings of more than 20 storeys that authors describe as “queuing up in the pipeline”.Plus, Gordon Ramsay’s plans to become the BT Tower’s successor as London’s highest restaurant and Savile Row tailors are unhappy at Westminster Council's pushback over redevelopment of a former police station.From the newsroom, join Evening Standard business editor Jonathan Prynn in conversation with Mark Blunden.

Protest tents are popping up at London universities following student encampments in the US, set up in opposition to Israel over its war against Hamas in Gaza.But there are concerns the flashpoint violence we’ve seen at august academic institutions including UCLA and Columbia, could spread to Britain.It comes as Education Secretary Gillian Keegan joins the prime minister in urging vice-chancellors to “crack down” on anti-Semitic abuse on campuses and create “a safe environment for all students”.The Standard podcast is joined by Sharon Booth, founder of Solutions Not Sides, a London charity aiming to bridge the chasm through dialogue, listening, understanding and critical thinking - including young inviting Israeli and Palestinian speakers to speak with 14 to 18 year olds.

There were no happy landings at UK airports after a national IT network meltdown left passport e-gates firmly closed - and many thousands of exhausted travellers stranded.The tech failure bricked e-gates to blank screens as Border Force officials at airports including Heathrow, Stansted and Luton processed passengers the old-fashioned way - by hand, at the desk.Some travellers complained of waiting for hours without food and water - or even bed town on terminal floors as onwards transport options were overcrowded or services had finished for the night.For the latest on the travel implications for your summer holiday - and some important passport news, The Standard podcast is joined on the line by Sean Tipton, spokesperson for travel association Abta.