The Standard

As Israel attacks Iran’s nuclear facilities, The Standard’s Defence Editor Robert Fox joins us to explain the latest developments in the Middle East. And in part two, criminal investigative psychologist Professor Donna Youngs reveals why so many of us are drawn to true crime stories, as digital app Readly launches a true crime retro series with The Standard.

On December 30, 2014, Katja Faber wakes from a horrific nightmare—Alex’s face is twisted in pain, and something is terribly wrong. Hours later, at 2 a.m., her worst fears are realised when police arrive at her home in Spain to tell her that Alex has been killed. As the gruesome details of his final moments emerge, Katja struggles to process the unimaginable loss and the shocking reality of what happened.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has unveiled her spending review today, with budgets set out for all government departments over the next few years. The Standard’s business editor Jonathan Prynn has the latest. And in part two, as featured in The Standard’s Hidden London series, we’re joined by John Darlington, an archaeologist and director of projects for the World Monuments Fund, to explore Boston Manor House. 

More than 700 children, as young as 10, have been caught with knives and firearms in London schools, according to new figures obtained by The Standard. Crime correspondent Anthony France joins us to explain more. And in part two, food and drink writer Josh Barrie reveals the big winners from last night’s National Restaurant Awards - with 56 restaurants in the capital making the top 100 list. 

A boat of 12 activists - including Greta Thunberg - headed for Gaza to deliver urgent aid has been diverted to Israel and those on board ‘kidnapped’. Asad Rehman, Executive Director of the UK based human rights organisation War on Want, explains the latest. And in part two, news reporter Megan Howe reveals The Standard’s exclusive freedom of information data on how much the Met police spent managing two large protests against China’s proposed mega embassy in London. 

Katja Faber is a former barrister and journalist who has lived through every parent’s worst nightmare—the death of her 23-year-old son, Alex Morgan. In our opening episode, Katja takes us back to 2014, introducing us to Alex and the glamorous, globetrotting world he was part of before his tragic killing later that year. We explore the circumstances surrounding his death and how he and his killer ended up taking drugs together in a Swiss villa on that fateful night.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has revealed what to expect in the upcoming spending review - including that winter fuel payments will be restored to some pensioners this year, in a government u-turn on the allowance cuts.To run us through the latest, we're joined by The Standard's Chief Political Correspondent, Rachael Burford.Plus, in part two, we’ll be exploring whether monogamy is still a realistic, with culture writer Claudia Cockerell. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/pensioners-winter-fuel-payments-reeves-spending-review-b1231164.html https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/london-monogamy-modern-relationships-b1230343.html

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