The Standard

As excitement builds around the Eurovision Song Contest, The London Standard’s Commissioning Editor and Culture Writer Vicky Jessop highlights the standout acts to watch — amid ongoing protests and controversy surrounding Israel’s participation.And in part two, as part of this week’s hidden London, world war two historian, Dr Helen Fry, is at Latimer House, where intelligence services extracted secrets from the Nazis.

Reporter Megan Howe joins us from the High Court to explain the row over events such as Mighty Hoopla and Field Day, which are held in Brockwell Park - and how the verdict will impact London’s festival scene.Plus, Claudia Cockerell shares the sour truth about London’s sugar babies, who are dating older, wealthy men to fund their lives in a cost of living crisis.

The Government has slashed Sir Sadiq Khan’s affordable housing targets after the number of affordable homes being started in London last year was revealed to be the second lowest on record.Local democracy reporter Noah Vickers joins us to unpack the latest data from City Hall.And in part two, Chief Theatre Critic Nick Curtis tells us about the hottest theatre tickets in town this summer.

Chief political correspondent Rachael Burford joins us to discuss the backlash against Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s migration reforms, with his immigration speech likened by MPs to the rhetoric of Enoch Powell.And in part two, Courts Correspondent Tristan Kirk brings us the latest from P Diddy’s trial in New York, where the music mogul is accused of sex trafficking, racketeering and prostitution charges

Chief political correspondent Rachael Burford joins us to discuss the secret underground world propping up some of the capital’s most-hyped restaurants, fuelled by illegal immigration.And in part two, Commissioning Editor and Culture Writer Vicky Jessop shares all the news, shocks and surprises from Sunday’s BAFTA TV Awards ceremony.

Between 2023 and 2024, police recorded a record high of 37,959 blackmail offences in England and Wales but what’s behind the increase in this type of crime? Alexandra McCready is Head of Reputation and Privacy for law firm, Vardags, and joins us to reveal what really goes on behind closed doors when it comes to dealing with blackmail and sextortion.  Plus, how and why the recent papal election process fuelled a new online obsession amongst Gen-Z. The London Standard’s Features writer and columnist, Maddy Mussen is here with the lowdown on PopeCrave, fan-cams and the fan fiction inspired by Conclave.

After several days of commemoration events to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, culminating in a memorial service today at Westminster Abbey, we’re joined by Laura Clouting, Senior Curator at the Imperial War Museum, to explore why the historic event still holds importance in today’s society and what we can learn from those who endured the Second World War. Plus, as Sir David Attenborough celebrates his 99th birthday, he releases a new film with possibly one of his most important messages to date. The London Standard’s Culture writer, Vicky Jessop, joins us to tell us what we can expect from ‘Ocean’. 

Tensions are rising between two nuclear powers after India launched missile strikes into Pakistan-controlled territory. Pakistan’s calling it an “act of war”. The London Standard’s reporter Jacob Phillips joins us to explain what’s happened, why now, and what it means for the UK and wider world.Plus, we hear from James Ashton, co-founder of Oscar’s Book Prize. He tells us about this year’s winning picture book “Just The Two of Us” by Polly Noakes - and the moving legacy behind the award.

The Home Office has announced plans to crackdown on VISA applications to the UK.Under the proposed crackdown, applications from people who fit the profile of someone who may claim asylum and who are from countries with high rates of asylum claims will be rejected.The London Standard’s Chief Political Correspondent Rachael Burford discusses the ins and outs of the plans, and considers whether the crackdown will ultimately benefit the UK.Plus, Entertainment Editor Lisa Mcloughlin discusses the outfits, celeb goss and drama from the 2025 Met Gala, including the celebs whose designs were more 'Meh Gala'.