Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to give the go-ahead for an extension of the Docklands Light Railway to Thamesmead in her Budget next week.

London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has described the news as a “win-win” as it will improve transport links in a poorly connected part of south-east London and should “unlock” thousands of new homes and jobs.

But what does it mean in practice? Where will the new stations be built, what difference will it make to commutes – and does it mean that other London transport schemes such as the Bakerloo line extension will be less likely to happen? The Standard’s City Hall and Transport Editor Ross Lydall is here with the latest.

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In Darfur, at least twice as many people have been killed than in Gaza since 2023. As the crisis looks likely to worsen, one nation has questions to answer over its links to the atrocities.

In this week’s special report, The Standard’s Defence Editor Robert Fox shines a light on the situation in Sudan - and specifically how the United Arab Emirates is involved in its war.

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It’s predicted to be the movie event of the year, and this Friday 21 November, Wicked: For Good is finally released in cinemas - the follow-up to last year’s Oscar-nominated first film, featuring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.

We’re joined by The Standard’s Culture Writer India Block, who gave the sequel a five star rating, and said if it doesn’t get more Oscar nominations, she’ll eat her witch's hat!

Plus, India is joined by Paul Tazewell, the costume designer behind the epic outfits of the show, who offers a glimpse inside the visual world of Oz…and have you spotted the London destination that has been given a Wicked makeover?

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Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has launched a crackdown on illegal migration, with new reforms aimed at stopping the UK being seen as a ‘golden ticket’ for asylum seekers. They include fast-tracking the deportation of illegal migrants, an overhaul of human rights law and changes to refugee status. The Home Secretary’s proposals are based on those adopted by Denmark, which has seen the number of illegal arrivals in the country plummet in ten years.

The plans have been billed as the most radical since World War II, but have proven controversial, especially with backbench Labour MPs. As ministers facing a growing revolt over the sweeping immigration changes, The Standard’s Chief Political Correspondent Rachael Burford is here with the latest.

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It’s been confirmed that the long-awaited Renter’s Rights Act will come into force next year on May 1, with the government setting out a staggered timeline for sweeping renters' reforms.

As the biggest shake-up to private renting in a generation, the lobbying organisation Generation Rent described it as a “vital first step in righting the power imbalance between landlords and tenants”. But critics are concerned it will prompt more landlords to sell up.

We’re joined by Matt Hutchinson, Communications Director of flat-sharing site SpareRoom, who shares his perspective on the capital’s housing market, whether landlords will be deterred by the new housing regulations, and what further action the government should take.

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On 5th November, Ugandan-born Zohran Mamdani secured an astounding, against-the-odds victory in the New York mayoral election, becoming the youngest person in over a century to lead the largest city in the US. It was Mamdani’s message about affordability and the high cost of living that resonated with voters in the Bronx and other underserved areas of New York, but now he has to actually deliver on this mandate for change.

But can he actually run New York successfully, and how might the capital be impacted by his election win? We’re joined by Sarah Baxter, Director of the Marie Colvin Center for International Reporting, in New York City.

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Refugees and people experiencing homelessness and food insecurity are London’s most disadvantaged groups. To support them, The Standard is launching our Winter Appeal with the backing of Rita Ora - and in collaboration with Comic Relief, who have pledged £500,000 to get us underway.

We’re joined by The Standard’s Campaigns Editor David Cohen, and CEO of Comic Relief, Samir Patel, to discuss how you can help the most vulnerable people in society - those who are homeless, struggling with food insecurity or who have been forced to flee their homes and are seeking asylum in the UK.

Click here to make a donation.

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Britain’s jobless rate has surged to its highest level for more than four-and-a-half years, as the labour market continues to weaken. London had the highest unemployment rate of any region in the UK at 6.5%, up 0.5% since the previous quarter, the Office for National Statistics reports. Hikes to employer national insurance contributions have been largely blamed for the trend. But the grim jobless figures make a December interest rate cut from the Bank of England a near certainty.

The capital has been hit particularly hard because of its large numbers of relatively low paid workers in hospitality and retail. It comes ahead of Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ autumn budget later in the month, when it’s widely expected that she will break Labour’s manifesto pledge and increase taxes in an attempt to kickstart the UK’s sluggish economy. The Standard’s Business Editor Jonathan Prynn is here with the latest.

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