The Standard

Our political editor Joe Murphy tells us why the “pitch is being rolled out” ahead of England being subjected to new, tougher, coronavirus restrictions. He says Boris Johnson’s been under huge pressure from within his own party, with former health secretary Jeremy Hunt among those calling for a national lockdown immediately. Meanwhile, education editor Anna Davis says headteachers are trying to work out how they can ever re-open schools, while the government continues to insist that exams will take place this year as planned.

And Julian Assange will not be extradited from the UK to the US, and the suicide of Jeffrey Epstein in an American jail is one of the reasons why. Our courts correspondent Tristan Kirk says a judge at the Old Bailey ruled the prison service Stateside wouldn’t be safe enough for Mr Assange, who the court heard has been suffering from depression while at Belmarsh. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A huge swathe of the South-East and London’s commuter belt is to be plunged into Tier 3 restrictions, meaning pubs and restaurants must close. Our political editor Joe Murphy tells us the decision will affect millions of people, but it's still been decided that Big Ben should ring out the New Year. That's even though the Prime Minister has urged people to stay away from Westminster as 2020 comes to a close. 

And a rail line is to return to London’s Tube map more than two decades after it was removed. Thameslink services, which were first displayed in 1987 but removed in 1999, will be back on the map from next month. We speak to Thameslink's Jenny Saunders who tells us why the change is being made, and about the company's hopes it will last more than the planned 12 months. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Boris Johnson's rejecting calls for him to scrap the relaxation of coronavirus rules, instead telling the Commons he wants people to "exercise extreme caution". Our deputy political editor Nicholas Cecil says that's despite an alarming rise in cases, particularly in London. He also says Wales and Scotland are deviating from what was once a UK-wide agreed course, piling more pressure on the Prime Minister who refuses to budge.

And the Wonder Woman 1984 reviews are in, and it's almost universal praise for the superhero sequel. Our critic Charlotte O'Sullivan gives her verdict, and says in ordinary times it would be a huge hit. But these are not ordinary times, and it's controversially being released for streaming in the US at the same time as it goes into theatres.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An IPSOS Mori poll for the Evening Standard's revealed half the public thinks coronavirus rules over the Christmas period aren't strict enough. Meanwhile, Boris Johnson's under pressure to scale back the so-called festive “bubbles” as top scientists, medical experts and former Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt call for a review. But our political editor, Joe Murphy, says many people have already made their plans, and forcing them to be cancelled at this stage would be difficult. 

Also, Jonathan Prynn tells us how & why London's set to lose around £700 million under Tier 3. He says businesses are "angry" at the new restrictions, particularly in hospitality and retail which have spent thousands to make their premises covid-safe. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Health Secretary Matt Hancock's told the Commons, the UK's identified a "new variant" of Covid-19 as he announced London and parts of the south east are going into Tier 3 on Wednesday. He said the mutation may be associated with a faster spread of the virus in recent weeks. Our deputy political editor, Nicholas Cecil, tells us ministers had been trying to avoid the move, which will put businesses in jeopardy, but felt they had no choice as infection rates soar. He also says the government could come under pressure to drop plans allowing the rules to be relaxed over Christmas. 

And, education Anna Davis tells us why some schools in London boroughs are closing early. Greenwich and Islington have said they're moving classrooms online now, ahead of the planned Christmas break. Anna says it's to stop coronavirus spreading, but the last minute announcement's causing problems for teachers and parents. She also warns the closures may last into January.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tens of thousands more Londoners are to be tested for Covid-19 in a bid to stem a rise in cases as the capital faces being plunged into Tier 3 restrictions. Our deputy political editor Nicholas Cecil says Health Secretary Matt Hancock has ordered the emergency action, which will see some of the extra 75,000 tests taking place as soon as this weekend.

And the Evening Standard's Nick Curtis explores Dame Barbara Windsor's deep connections to her home city, London. The Shoreditch-born actress has died at the of 83. Nick tells us how she started her career in the capital at a very young age, and was connected to some of its most famous, and controversial, figures. He also looks at her extraordinary career, and how the Carry On movies overshadowed her huge talent, until that legendary performance as Peggy Mitchell in EastEnders.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While Boris Johnson insists there's still a Brexit deal emerging, the Evening Standard's Jack Kessler looks at why the negotiations have been so hard. Geography, politics and even personalities have been among the unexpected issues conspiring to cause a deadlock. And we look at why it could be said Brussels has already got what it wanted: what other country would want to leave the EU after all this? 

And, Nigella Lawson's been winding up her TV show audiences with her pronunciation of "microwave". It follows previous outrage when she made double-buttered toast. Our columnist Anne McElvoy's interviewed Nigella for the Economist Asks podcast, and she tells us why the chef still considers herself a journalist first and foremost, which is why she enjoys provoking people so much. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our health editor Ross Lydall's been speaking to some of the first people in London to receive the coronavirus vaccine. He tells us it's been an emotional moment for many of them, and even Health Secretary Matt Hancock couldn't hide his feelings as he was interviewed on TV about it. But, he also warns the number of cases and deaths in the capital is on the rise, leading to concerns the city could be plunged into Tier 3 restrictions when they're up for review next week. 

Also, mistletoe traders are reporting a collapse in demand this year as the pandemic persuades people to avoid traditional Christmas kisses. The Evening Standard's Rob Dex tells us social distancing rules also mean it's just about impossible to sell the plant at auction anyway. He also gives us some of the creative suggestions people have come up with to replace the tradition.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.