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Private tenants in Ealing experienced the highest rent increases in London, with a 52.5% rise from December 2019 to December 2024. The average rent now stands at £2,089 per month, surpassing both the London and UK averages. Ealing Council reported that many residents face affordability issues, with 7,500 applications on the housing register.
Brewdog plans to close 10 pubs across the UK, including its flagship location in Aberdeen, due to ongoing industry challenges. The closures, which could happen within days, have drawn criticism from the trade union Unite, which claims the company is disregarding employee rights. Brewdog emphasized that the decision aims to refocus on long-term profitability.
Right Reverend Christopher Chessun, the bishop of Southwark, survived a severe taxi accident that shattered every bone in his face except for his lower jaw. Following extensive surgery led by Professor Kathy Fan, he returned to work three months later, praising the medical team's skill and support. Chessun reflects on the accident as a life-changing event, emphasizing the importance of health and well-being.
A nine-year-old girl was shot in the head during a drive-by shooting in east London, which prosecutors describe as a planned assassination targeting rival gang members. Javon Riley, 33, faces charges of attempted murder and grievous bodily harm for his alleged role in the incident, which left three other men injured. The shooting is linked to an ongoing gang rivalry between the Tottenham Turks and Hackney Turks.
Yostin Mosquera murdered Albert Alfonso and Paul Longworth in July 2024, revealing a complex relationship centered on extreme sexual content and financial transactions. The court heard that Mosquera, who had been in a transactional relationship with Alfonso, dismembered the men’s bodies and attempted to dispose of them in Bristol.
A vigil will be held for Brazilian electrician Jean Charles de Menezes, shot dead by police at Stockwell Tube station 20 years ago. De Menezes was mistakenly identified as a suicide bomber and shot seven times in the head. The family continues to seek justice and truth surrounding his death.
Celebrity osteopath Torben Stig Hersborg, 64, received a three-year and five-month prison sentence for secretly filming approximately 2,000 women over a decade. His voyeuristic acts occurred at his east London clinic and in public spaces, violating the trust of his patients and strangers alike. The case highlights the significant scale of his offenses and the impact on victims.
A hidden mural featuring a pair of vast eyes is located atop the Blenheim Shopping Centre in Penge, London. This artwork is only visible from above, making it a unique feature of the area. The mural adds a distinctive artistic element to the local landscape.
A man received a life sentence with a minimum of 24 years for murdering 20-year-old footballer Abdul-Latif Pouget in Clerkenwell, London. Oguzcan Dereli, 27, stabbed Pouget with a machete during an altercation last year, leading to Pouget's death days later in the hospital. The judge noted Dereli's prior convictions and attempts to evade arrest as aggravating factors.
Barking and Dagenham Council in east London plans to spend over £10 million to build three new specialist children's homes. The council currently spends about £1.9 million annually for 20 high-risk children placed in unregulated care facilities. The initiative aims to provide better, regulated care for vulnerable girls under 16 facing complex needs.