Given that Russia has not yet succeeded in causing a nuclear meltdown in Ukraine, we can start with the big news in our capital, which is that Sadiq Khan is set to expand the Ultra-low emission zone (Ulez) to cover the whole of Greater London.
At present, drivers of most diesel vehicles more than seven years old or petrol cars more than 16 years old have to pay the £12.50 Ulez charge if they enter or move within the zone, currently the area within the North and South Circular roads. Drivers who fail to pay receive a £160 fine.
The reasons for this announcement are both environmental and financial. The former, because Londoners continue to suffer from breathing in toxic air. The latter, because the Mayor needs the money, has few options for how to obtain it, and the latest TfL bailout from the government requires him to accelerate his search for it.
As our City Hall Editor Ross Lydall reports, Khan also announced his decision to abandon plans to impose a Greater London boundary charge, nicknamed ‘Checkpoint Chigwell’, of at least £3.50 a day for out-of-town motorists entering London.
He’s also ditched another option of introducing a £2-a-day “clean air charge” on all petrol and diesel cars driving in the capital.
Local Democracy reporter Joe Talora brings you everything you need to know about the proposed extension (yes, there’s a map).
As we set out in today’s leader column, for the Ulez expansion to work, i.e. improve air quality and not simply be a punitive tax, Londoners need two things:
First, nothing short of an electric charging revolution, without which millions of people will feel unable to make the switch. And second, a world-class, dependable public transport network, something conspicuous by its absence this week following days of Tube strike chaos.
Elsewhere, the paper is as you’d expect full of Ukraine coverage. There’s the attack on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, Europe’s largest, which started a fire in the facility during which, as firefighters raced to put out the flames, they reportedly came under attack.
Ukraine’s President Zelensky claimed damage to the plant could have sparked destruction across Europe on a level of “six Chernobyls”. Zelensky himself has survived three assassination attempts in a week, according to reports.
It is simply difficult to get away from the sheer devastation taking place. These before and after photographs come close to telling the story of what is being wrought on Ukrainians and their homeland.
These aren’t pictures you’ll see on Russian state television, however. As the invasion enters its eighth day, Daniel Keane looks at how the Kremlin’s media machine is reporting the crisis.
In the comment pages, Emily Sheffield writes that, hooked on Putin’s gas, the West has sleepwalked into a nightmare. Laurie Purnell Prynn says, like it or not, we Gen Zers may grow up in a new Cold War.
Meanwhile, this came out yesterday but worth plugging: Thanks to Matt Hancock, Simon Kurs concludes he can never wear a turtle-neck jumper again.
And finally, you didn’t have to love cricket to be captivated by Shane Warne, who has passed away aged 52. His career can’t possibly be summed up in statistics, though Malik Ouzi gives it a good go. This was his ball of the century.
Have a good weekend.
The Evening Standard has launched its Ukraine Appeal, with proceeds going to the Red Cross and Save the Children. If you are able, please do donate here.
