The Standard

Rachelle Abbott joins acclaimed British author and comedy writer John O’Farrell. From his favourite Christmas tales to the art of storytelling, John shares insights from his illustrious career, including the inspiration behind his witty novel, Family Politics.As an award-winning author, lead writer for Spitting Image, scriptwriter for Have I Got News For You, and co-author of Chicken Run and its sequel, he’s also the co-host of the hit podcast We Are History and the creative mind behind musicals like Mrs. Doubtfire and Just for One Day.

As part of The Bigger Life Festival, brought to you by Masterclasses from The London Standard, host Nicola Barron is joined by Josh Smith—celebrity interviewer, podcast host of Reign, and author of Great Chat: Seven Lessons for Better Conversations. With the festive season in full swing, Josh shares his expert tips on navigating tricky family dynamics, handling small talk at parties, and making meaningful connections during holiday gatherings.The Bigger Life Festival kicks off in January with a series of live, interactive workshops designed to help you start the new year with purpose. From wellness to career advice, there’s something to inspire every part of your life. Early bird passes are available now—don’t miss out!

The London Standard’s crime editor Anthony France reports a phone is now stolen in the capital every six minutes amid a 150 per cent increase in device snatches.As part of an investigation into this crime epidemic, he interviewed phone theft victims and spent time with a City of London Police team to examine the work of the force’s anti-phone theft squad. Anthony joins The Standard podcast to discuss his findings.In part two, writer and director Susie McKenna on how a new pantomime production of the classic fairy tale Sleeping Beauty has been given a "modern remix".Sleeping Beauty is on at Broadway Theatre in Catford until 31 December.

Thames Water bills will rise by more than a third to an average of £588 over the next five years despite its dismal record on pollution and leaks.Water regulator Ofwat said the UK’s biggest water company, which supplies London and was recently fined £18 million for breaking share dividends rules, will be allowed to hike its bills by an inflation-busting £152, or 35 per cent - that’s an average £31 a year.The charges are being hiked to fund a £104 billion spending plan, with other water companies in England and Wales following suit increasing customer bills.The Standard podcast is joined by Matthew Topham, lead campaigner at We Own It, a pressure group for public ownership.In part two, patients with sleep apnoea are receiving a choice of two nerve stimulators from University College London Hospitals to combat the condition, and it’s the first UK healthcare provider to offer both therapies without needing bulky equipment.We’re joined by Mr Ryan Chin Taw Cheong, consultant ENT and sleep surgeon at UCLH’s Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals.

The government has confirmed London’s new HS2 station at Euston will have just six platforms.The London Standard’s transport editor Ross Lydall reports rail commentators fear this could result in a lack of capacity should HS2 ever be extended north of Birmingham.Ross joins us to discuss what the reduced number of platforms could mean for passenger journeys and also an update on the mega-project’s price tag.In part two, Dr Enrico Amico, assistant professor in applied mathematics at the University of Birmingham, on methods behind research that uses neuroimaging to reveal new ways of mapping the brain.

Ukraine has claimed responsibility for an e-scooter bomb that killed a top Russian general in Moscow on Tuesday.Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, chief of Russia’s nuclear, biological and chemical protection troops, and his assistant were killed by an explosive hidden inside the electric transport device outside Kirillov's apartment as they exited the building.We’re joined for analysis of this developing story with The London Standard’s defence editor, Robert Fox.In part two, a High Court judge has ruled that the alleged Chinese spy at the heart of a scandal about access to Prince Andrew can now be named as Yang Tengbo, a 50-year-old “close confidant” of the Duke of York who denies the claim.The businessman, named in an immigration tribunal appeal hearing, was banned from the UK over national security fears that he could compromise the royal amid Yang's access to the heart government. We’re joined for insight into the case by The London Standard’s courts correspondent, Tristan Kirk.

Royal Mail has been cleared to be taken into foreign ownership for the first time in its 508-year history.Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky was given the green light by ministers to buy Royal Mail’s parent company International Distributions Services in a £3.6 billion deal, likely to be signed early next year.What will it mean for Britain’s postal service and the price of sending a letter?In part two, planning consent has been approved for the Square Mile building known as 1 Undershaft, which will rise to 1,008ft - nearly 310 metres - and equal the height of the Shard across the river at London Bridge. We’re joined by The London Standard’s business editor Jonathan Prynn.

Welcome to The Standard podcast’s round-up special edition. In this episode:Assad flees Syria: what now for Middle East after rebels topple regime?Ivy League graduate Luigi Mangione charged with UnitedHealthcare boss NYC murderSilvertown & Blackwall tunnel tolls: future cost of London driving revealedFarmers’ new London protest against Labour ‘tractor tax’Fabric 25th anniversary: new book on east London superclubMarie Antoinette’s £24 million ‘smartwatch’ & first moon map

Transport for London has announced fare increases for Tube travellers next year at more than double the rate of inflation.Mayor Sadiq Khan confirmed the cost of travelling on the Underground, London Overground and Elizabeth line would increase at double the rate of inflation - but bus fares remain frozen, stay tuned for details.The London Standard’s transport editor, Ross Lydall, interviewed the mayor following Friday’s announcement, and joins us to examine cost, policy and politics.In part two, the Science Museum’s curatorial lead of exhibitions Dr Glyn Morgan on Versailles: Science and Splendour, which includes a late 18th Century Breguet No.160 watch created for Marie Antoinette - once valued at almost £24 million.