The Standard

Today the New York private equity firm KKR dramatically pulled out of a financial rescue plan for the heavily indebted Thames Water. Eleanor Shearer, a senior research fellow at the Common Wealth think tank, joins us to ask what happens next. Plus, the Standard’s showbiz correspondent Tina Campbell, is here to discuss the latest development in the continuing feud between It Ends With Us co-stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni.https://www.standard.co.uk/business/new-york-private-equity-kkr-thames-water-rescue-ofwat-b1230923.htmlhttps://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/blake-lively-justin-baldoni-medical-records-b1230950.html

The London Standard’s defence editor Robert Fox joins us to discuss the government’s newly released strategic defence review.And in part two, he explains the latest on peace talks in Istanbul following Ukraine’s long-range drone attack on Russia on Sunday.https://www.standard.co.uk/comment/defence-review-keir-starmer-spending-donald-trump-b1230498.html

Who is behind the red paint attacks both in and outside the capital? Journalist David James Smith reports on the latest, as Stella Creasy, MP for Walthamstow, urges the Met Police to treat the repeated vandalism with the seriousness it deserves.And in part two, journalist Lucy Pavia shares how you can bring the cottagecore garden trend to your own urban outdoor space.

Ashok Kumar, an American associate professor of political economy at Birkbeck University, shares how the action of the US federal court has scuppered Trump’s tariff plans, and impacted global trade relations.The Court of International Trade found the president overstepped his authority by imposing across-the-board duties on imports from US trading partners.And in part two, The Standard’s review of Kylie Minogue at London’s O2 with culture writer and commissioning editor Vicky Jessop.

As the Mayor of London urges the government to consider decriminalising possession of small amounts of cannabis, Steve Rolles, a senior policy analyst for Transform Drugs Policy Foundation, unpacks the findings of the London Drugs Commission.And in part two, The Standard’s culture writer Claudia Cockerell questions the power and popularity of the slogan t-shirt.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is positioning his party against Labour, with policies that will allegedly be funded by axing net zero projects, saving up to £225 billion. The London Standard’s chief political correspondent Rachael Burford explains more.And in part two, news reporter Megan Howe tells us why one London borough is seeking independence to rejoin Essex.

As Ofgem announces the latest energy price cap, we’re joined by Emily Seymour, from consumer champion Which? to unpack today’s facts and figures.And in part two, The London Standard’s lifestyle and culture writer India Block reveals the winning songwriters of the Ivor Novello awards - and the state of the music industry.

On the day that a package of fundamental reforms to the justice system is announced, The London Standard’s Courts Correspondent Tristan Kirk reports on the action.And in part two, we explore why Clarkson’s Farm has proved to be Prime Video’s most successful original series of all time, with Commissioning Editor and Culture Writer Vicky Jessop.

There’s been a bigger-than-expected inflation jump for households across Britain - and The London Standard’s chief political correspondent Rachael Burford unpacks the news, alongside Keir Starmer’s surprise policy u-turn.And in part two, Tamara Davidson reports on the release of Final Destination Bloodlines, which is the cult franchise’s sixth film after 25 years.