The Standard

Amid the escalating Middle East conflict, Iran’s near-closure of the Persian Gulf is rattling global markets. The disruption has sent oil prices soaring and sparked global concern over oil supply, which has had a spill-over effect on equity and gilt markets. In this episode, host Tamara Kormornick speaks to the Standard’s business editor, Jonathan Prynn, to discuss the impact of these events on markets – and our wallets. The two discuss how quickly bills will rise, how costly this could be for Brits, and which sectors will be rocked by the continuing conflict in the Middle East.

London’s property market has come out of hibernation early and is experiencing one of its earliest “Spring surges”. Is now a good time to buy, and where can the best bargains be found? In this episode, host Tamara Kormornick speaks to Anna White, a freelance writer who covers homes and property for The Standard, who produced a bumper guide for first-time buyers for the paper. They discuss prime locations for bargains, new and accessible mortgage options, and whether the government will offer more help to first-time buyers in order to meet its house-building target.

Keir Starmer has spent much of the week defending his decision not to join the US and Israel’s offensive in Iran, saying that “any UK actions must always have a lawful basis'.In this episode, host Tamara Kormornick speaks to international legal expert Marko Milanovic, Professor of Public International Law at the University of Reading. They discuss the legality of the US-Israeli intervention in Iran, if Starmer made the right call on behalf of Britain, and whether flouting international law can ever be justified on moral grounds.

Restaurateur Jeremy King’s latest venture, a revamp of the 200 year old Simpson’s in The Strand, speaks to London’s latest trend – classic dining.In this episode, host Tamara Kormornick speaks to The Standard’s Going Out Editor and restaurant critic, David Ellis, about why diners are regaining an appetite for traditional fare. Plus, David shares his recommendations for London’s most classic institutions, including newcomers who are embracing tried and tested dishes with a modern twist. 

Dubai, alongside its Middle Eastern neighbours, is being targeted by Iranian strikes that have so far caused damage to airports, hotels and ports. At least 94,000 stranded Brits have registered their location with the Foreign Office to prepare for evacuation, and airlines have, albeit slowly, begun to repatriate travellers.In this episode, host Tamara Kormornick speaks to freelance writer, Tom Place, who has been reporting on the repatriation story for The Standard. She also speaks to London expat Harley Mcgaughran, the CEO and founder of luxury shopping service, Trendsourcing, who does not regret his decision to ditch London for Dubai as of yet.

Over the weekend, the US and Israel seized on an opportune moment to eliminate senior figures of the ruling militia in Iran, including the supreme leader Ayatollah Khemeni. The UK, however, has not been instrumental to the success of this mission so far. In this episode, host Tamara Kormornick speaks to The Standard’s chief political correspondent, Rachael Burford, about Keir Starmer’s decision to  refuse to send British military support for the initial strikes. Plus, a conversation with Laila Jazayeri, the Director of the Association of Anglo-Iranian Women in the UK, to discuss the reaction to Khemeni’s death in Iran and the diaspora, and lay out alternative leadership paths for the country.

Londoners may notice their outgoings increase, due to higher TFL fares that kicked in yesterday. The cost of pay as you go Tube, rail and DLR services are rising by an average of 6% but it’s not all bad news, as bus fares and travel card fares have been frozen for now. To understand the latest changes to fares, host Tamara Kormornick sits down with Ross Lydall, the Standard’s City Hall and Transport correspondent, for a London travel update. They discuss  why TFL made the decision to raise fares this spring, access to airports via public transport, and  whether it is time to discontinue travel subsidies that older Londoners enjoy to fill in TFL’s funding gap.

There will be no major clubs left at all in the UK by 2030 if venue closures continue at the current rate, according to the Night Time Industries Association. Will Sadiq Khan’s London Nightlife Taskforce be able to preserve the capital’s late-night scene?In this episode, host Tamara Kormornick speaks to Cameron Leslie, co-founder of Fabric and chair of the Independent Nightlife Taskforce. They discuss the recommendations from the taskforce’s latest report, the city’s evolving club culture, and Cameron’s outlook for London’s night-time economy.

For this episode of Brave New World, Evgeny is joined by Dr Sabine Donnai, a physician specialising in precision medicine, preventive health, and is the founder of Viavi Healthcare. They explore brain health beyond standard scans, discussing how gut function, inflammation, environmental exposure, and stress interact over time. Drawing on Evgeny’s own test results, Sabine explains why she believes long-term cognitive resilience starts not with extreme biohacks, but with fixing the basics - particularly the gut. The conversation concludes with practical takeaways: reduce inflammatory foods, increase dietary diversity and fermented foods, support cardiovascular health, and avoid turning longevity into another source of stress.