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The Notting Hill Carnival, Europe's largest street party, will take place from August 23 to 25, 2025, in West London, expecting over two million attendees. This year's events will include a 72-second silence to honor Grenfell Tower fire victims and new policing methods, including facial recognition technology. Various parades, live music, and family-friendly activities will highlight the festive atmosphere.
Actors across England report that Lucy Harrison Casting has failed to pay them for completed jobs, leaving some thousands of pounds in debt. The agency, which represents hundreds of models and actors, is under scrutiny due to allegations of withheld payments and its recent liquidation of one of its companies.
A 24-year-old woman named Kelly was sexually assaulted on a Qatar Airways flight, and although the perpetrator has been jailed, she struggles with the trauma and seeks compensation. Her application for compensation was denied because the assault occurred on a Qatari-registered aircraft, which she believes is unjust. Kelly's lawyers argue that the current compensation rules are irrational and call for reform.
Basketball player Anthony 'TJ' Hibbert, who died in a car crash, may be memorialized as part of plans to renovate Argyle Square court in north London. The Argyle Kings group seeks to upgrade the court and has garnered support from Basketball England and Camden Council. Community leaders express urgency for the project amid challenges in engaging local officials.
Law student Paddy Friend was among 521 people arrested during a sit-in protest supporting Palestine Action, a group banned as a terrorist organization in the UK. The Home Secretary defended the proscription, citing violent actions linked to the group, while critics warn that the law risks infringing on free speech. The group plans to challenge the ban in court in November.
Comedian Dara Ó Briain criticized contrasting e-bike licensing decisions between Hounslow and Richmond councils, likening the situation to Cold War Berlin. Hounslow permits Forest and Voi e-bikes, while Richmond only allows Lime, leading to confusion and abandoned bikes at borough borders. Lime and Forest have called for a unified regulatory framework across London to enhance rider experience.
Props and costumes from the acclaimed series Downton Abbey will be auctioned for charity in London. The auction features iconic items from the British historical drama, drawing interest from fans and collectors alike. Proceeds will support charitable causes.
A 32-year-old man, Evan Forde, pleaded guilty to causing the death of 22-year-old Maria Carolina Do Nascimento in a 140mph car crash in north London on Christmas Day 2022. Forde, who fled the scene, faces likely imprisonment, with sentencing scheduled for October 22.
Westminster Council plans to expand its public space protection order to combat anti-social vehicle use in Soho and Mayfair. The decision, driven by rising incidents of car racing and revving engines in the West End, will be finalized on August 20, with measures effective from August 29.
The Met Police commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, defended the use of Live Facial Recognition (LFR) technology at the Notting Hill Carnival, citing its role in enhancing public safety. Civil liberties groups criticized the technology as a form of mass surveillance that unfairly targets attendees, particularly women and people of color.