Local news

Eight people have been arrested at a pro-Palestine rally in central London, as thousands gathered in over 30C heat. In an updated statement, a spokesperson for Met Police said: “Today’s protest has now come to an end. In total there were eight arrests for offences. “Officers remain in the area to ensure any further incidents can be dealt with.” Thousands ...

The redesign of London’s Liverpool Street station has been described by opponents as a “billion pound gamble” after a report raised doubts over its financial viability. The review found the planned scheme was not currently profitable due to the expected costs of revamping the Victorian site compared with the income it would generate. However, the plan was close to becoming ...

  Islington Council has been been ranked as the best single-tier local authority in the country for efforts to tackle climate change, with the Greater London Authority (GLA) being awarded best for combined authorities. Climate Emergency UK’s “climate scorecard” rankings were based on actions taken by councils towards becoming net zero. In a statement, Islington Council’s environment chief, Rowena Champion ...

Southwark Council has confirmed the “difficult” closures of two further primary schools amid a declining birth rate and a growing number of families choosing to move outside of London. Charlotte Sharman Primary School in Elephant and Castle and St Mary Magdalene Church of England Primary School in Peckham will both close at the end of August despite efforts to keep ...

Seven men have been arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm after two people were assaulted outside the Iranian embassy. The Met Police have said they believe the altercation happened between protesters supporting and opposing the Iranian monarchy, and there were no links to Israel. Officers had responded to reports of an altercation in Princes Gate in Knightsbridge, west London, ...

A woman has appeared in court charged with murdering her 69-year-old sister who was discovered stabbed inside her north London home. In a short hearing at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court, Nancy Pexton, also 69, spoke only to confirm her name and date of birth. Jennifer Abbott, also known as Sarah Steinberg, was found dead at her flat in Camden last ...

A former Debenhams department store in the Westfield shopping centre in White City is to be turned into a new 600-person theatre after the venue was granted planning permission. Capital Theatre, a joint venture by Karl Sydow and Adam Kenwright, is to open with a run of Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story Live on Stage this autumn. Its licence was ...

A London Council has warned it is having to spend an extra £8.5 million to plug the gap created by the Government’s “cruel” cuts to disability benefits. A new analysis by Tower Hamlets Council has found that 16,388 households in the borough will be directly affected by changes to Personal Independent Payments (PIP) and Limited Capability for Work-Related Activity (LCWRA). ...

Bereaved families, survivors and local residents will come together in west London this weekend to remember the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire. The Met Police investigation into what led to the “avoidable” tragedy in 2017 which claimed the lives of 72 people – 18 of whom were children – is still ongoing . In a few months’ time, work ...

  The King will formally confer the prestigious Harmony Award 2025 on Chief Adviser Prof Yunus. Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus held a private one-to-one meeting with King Charles III today. Upon arrival, King Charles III welcomed the chief adviser at Buckingham Palace for a private one-to-one meeting, said Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder. By meeting ...