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The Dusty Knuckle Bakery in east London won a King's Award for Enterprise for its youth training program, helping young people, many with criminal backgrounds, transition into stable employment. Sixty percent of program graduates secure jobs or further education after completing the 12-week course. The bakery's focus on social mobility aims to empower those often overlooked by society.
The Prince Charles Cinema in Leicester Square has been designated an asset of community value by Westminster City Council, allowing locals to potentially bid for the venue if it goes up for sale. The cinema's landlord seeks to raise the rent as its lease nears expiration in September, prompting concerns about its future. Over 160,000 supporters have signed a petition to preserve the cinema.
Transport for London (TfL) announced that a third of London's boroughs, including Wandsworth, now participate in e-scooter trials. The trials, which began in June 2021, have recorded over five million trips, with a focus on safety and sustainability, while private e-scooters remain illegal on public roads.
A construction company and four individuals face manslaughter charges related to the death of Michaela Boor, who was struck by falling bricks in March 2018. The Crown Prosecution Service charged Higgins Homes PLC with corporate manslaughter, while the four men face gross negligence manslaughter charges. They are set to appear in court on June 16.
Graham Linehan, co-creator of Father Ted, pleaded not guilty to charges of harassment and criminal damage against transgender activist Sophia Brooks. The 56-year-old comedian faces accusations of online harassment and damaging Brooks' phone during a conference in London. A trial is scheduled for September.
Chelsea Pensioners, a group of 300 British army retirees aged 66 to 103, commemorate VE Day by sharing their World War Two experiences. The oldest pensioner, John Morris, reflects on his service during the Blitz and his time in the Special Air Service. Younger veterans express their admiration for the sacrifices made by their predecessors.
Electricity Network Company (ENC) Ltd has been fined £7,016 for unsafe roadworks in Tooting, south London, due to inadequate safety measures. The company admitted guilt for breaching safety regulations and expressed regret over the incident. Local officials emphasized that such carelessness poses risks to residents and will not be tolerated.
Nearly 30,000 ceramic poppies are displayed at the Tower of London to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. The installation, titled "The Tower Remembers," is designed to evoke reflection on the loss of life during wartime. Queen Camilla visited the installation, which will remain open until Armistice Day on November 11.
Vapes have caused a significant rise in fires in the UK, with incidents quadrupling since 2020. Sean Holness, a loader at a waste management company, reported two fires in six months due to improperly discarded vapes. Experts urge the public to recycle battery-operated items responsibly to prevent further dangers.
A 23-year-old British student nurse, Elizabeth Odunsi, was fatally stabbed in Texas, leading to the arrest of her roommate, Chester Lamar Grant, 40. The incident occurred just days before Odunsi was set to graduate, prompting an online fundraising appeal that raised over £65,000 for her return to the UK.