The 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.

It’s a third term for Sadiq Khan as London’s record-breaking mayor begins a fresh tenure at City Hall - but to the background of tragedy.Over the weekend, another Londoner’s life was lost, this time in a Bethnal Green stabbing.So, as Khan begins his ninth year in charge of the capital, what are his priorities - and how can he match delivery with rhetoric?The Labour incumbent, who first won power in 2016, took his third term with about 44 per cent of the vote - or just over a million of ballots cast, which was nearly 276,000 more than his Conservative challenger, Susan Hall.Mark Blunden is joined by Evening Standard City Hall editor Ross Lydall to discuss Khan’s mayoral roadmap for his third term

From our How to be a CEO podcast: An interview with the boss of AXA UK and Ireland, Tara Foley.We’ll also be looking at the AXA Start-up Angel competition, which is run in partnership with the Evening Standard and gives budding entrepreneurs the chance to win capital, and get first-class mentoring. There are six opportunities to win, including two top prizes of £25,000 to fund your business idea, and you’ll get mentoring from the AXA Startup Angels along with business insurance for a year. Entries close on June 2nd 2024. For more details, and Ts and Cs, head over to the website.For more interviews, news and analysis, go to the business page at standard.co.uk/business, or pick up the Evening Standard newspaper.