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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.
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.
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.
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.
Greenwich Council approved plans to convert Meridian House, a 1930s Art Deco building, into 73 residential units. The redevelopment will include 11 affordable units and will revamp the clock tower's observation deck for public access. The building has remained unoccupied since 2019.
Southwark Council in south London will refund approximately £485,000 to drivers after issuing over 10,000 incorrect bus lane penalty notices due to an administrative error. The council will automatically reimburse affected motorists and cancel any unpaid notices.
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.
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.
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.
Renters in Bristol now spend an average of 44.6% of their income on housing, significantly exceeding the 30% threshold deemed affordable. This trend mirrors rising costs in London and Brighton, with landlords selling properties amid increasing regulations.