The Standard

Londoners will have to pay more in transport costs from March 2026, as mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has revealed that tube fares are set to rise.The cost of a single tube journey in zone 1, central London will be hiked by up to 7.1 per cent, which is about double the current rate of inflation. According to details published by City Hall, most Tube and train fares – for TfL services such as the Elizabeth line and London Overground – will increase by a maximum of 20p, although many fares will only increase by 10p.For the first time in years, bus fares will also be increased, although not until July.  The Standard’s City Hall and Transport Editor Ross Lydall is here with the latest - and also shares what action he’d take if he were London mayor for the day.

Londoners are being urged to get the flu vaccine in the next few days to get maximum protection by Christmas Day, as the capital experiences a tidal wave of contagious super flu.Cases are rising sharply in the capital, new figures revealed, as health chiefs warned the NHS was facing a “worst-case scenario” with the doctors’ strike set to start next week.Those with flu-like symptoms are being urged to stay at home rather than risk spreading the virus on the Tube, trains, buses and in the workplace.The Standard’s Political Editor Nic Cecil is here with the latest.

A “world-leading” social media ban has been enforced by the Australian government, to prevent under-16s from accessing social media sites, including Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube. Platforms that do not comply risk fines of up to $49.5m.Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the move as "the day when Australian families are taking back power from these big tech companies". The ban has garnered worldwide attention, with several nations indicating they will adopt a ban of their own, including Malaysia, Denmark and Norway.But could similar legislation be introduced in the UK? We’re joined by Daisy Greenwell - founder of Smartphone Free Childhood, a movement of families standing together to delay smartphones and social media - to discuss. 

Jamie Oliver is to relaunch his Italian restaurants in 2026 - seven years after the chain went out of business - having reached a deal with Brava Hospitality Group, the owners of Prezzo.At its peak, there were more than 40 Jamie’s Italian sites across the UK, but after rapid expansion and a changing market, the company ran into trouble.Now the first UK branch in six years is set to open in Leicester Square next year, at a time when UK hospitality bosses have complained of a tough trading environment, increased costs and changes to business rates. So can the celebrity chef pull off this comeback - and does the capital need another Italian chain restaurant? The Standard’s Food & Drink Writer Josh Barrie is here with the latest.

Nominations for the Golden Globe Awards 2026 are in - effectively kicking off a film awards season that will last until the Oscars in March. Leonardo DiCaprio film One Battle After Another has swept up with nine nominations, whilst Netflix drama series Adolescence and Hamnet actor Paul Mescal are among the other nominees.Other Hollywood heavyweights recognised for their work include Timothee Chalamet for Marty Supreme, Emma Stone for Bugonia, and George Clooney for Jay Kelly. But there was shock, as Wicked: For Good was snubbed from the category of Best Picture - Musical or Comedy - though leads Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo made history by being the first two actors from the same film to be consecutively nominated for their respective roles as Glinda and Elphaba.The Standard’s Commissioning Editor and Culture Writer Vicky Jessop is here with the latest. 

You might not have heard of the Hinduja family, but with a net worth of over £35 billion, they topped the Sunday Times Rich List for six of the past 10 years.The eldest two of four sons, Srichand and Gopichand, were co-chairmen of the Hinduja Group - which always prided itself on being a family business. They brought billions to London and built the capital’s grandest hotel - the Owo - and their private home round the corner from Buckingham Palace is estimated to be worth over £300 million.But after the death of the family patriarch, what will happen to their empire?The Standard’s Feature Writer Claudia Cockerell joins us to discuss this Succession-style battle in the capital.

In the blink of an eye, the year is almost over - and that means only one thing: Christmas is upon us once more. Alongside all the playing of board games, eating of turkey and unwrapping of presents, there’s one other thing that remains a mainstay in most British festive households: the telly. Nothing quite beats the feeling of sitting in front of the TV, sliding into a post-feast food coma and drowsily watching the year’s collection of festive specials.And this year, there’s plenty to look forward to on TV over Christmas, from Will Sharpe donning a white wig to Walton Goggins and Ella Purnell reuniting. The Standard's Commissioning Editor and Culture Writer Vicky Jessop joins us to discuss the best Christmas TV to watch this festive season.

A special preview from our sister podcast Brave New World, which has just launched Season 4. Host Evgeny Lebedev sits down with Steven Bartlett to talk ambition, mindset, burnout, and the lessons failure can teach us — including one learned on a padel court. Listen to the full conversation on the Brave New World podcast here.

A damning inquiry into sex crimes against women and girls in public places has been published, concluding that too many perpetrators are slipping through the cracks and that prevention schemes are often “just words”.Four years after the murder of Sarah Everard in Clapham by a Metropolitan police officer, the second part of the Angiolini Inquiry found that there is a “critical failure” to answer basic questions about sexual violence, including how many women are raped by strangers each year. It said that urgent action is now needed to prevent further violent, sexual attacks against women and girls, and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the government would carefully consider the recommendations. The Standard’s Chief Political Correspondent Rachael Burford is here with the latest.