Free Christmas lunch helps combat loneliness Free Christmas lunch helps combat loneliness A free festive lunch was held in Bristol on Christmas Day as part of an initiative to help combat loneliness. Vehicle hire firm Motability Operations said it hosted 42 guests in its office in Stoke Gifford to ensure
South West rail passengers face limited services South West rail passengers face limited services Rail passengers in Devon and Cornwall are facing limited Great Western Railway (GWR) services due to major construction work. GWR said no trains were running on Boxing Day and an amended service was in place between
King praises health workers and calls for unity after riots King praises health workers and calls for unity after riots King Charles has delivered a personal message of gratitude to health workers who have supported him during his cancer treatment, in his annual Christmas speech. In a candid message, he
Alfie Boe sings Happy Birthday to UK’s oldest man Alfie Boe sings Happy Birthday to UK’s oldest man Opera star Alfie Boe has serenaded the UK’s oldest man with a special version of Happy Birthday as he turned 110. The singer made a special appearance, by video call, during Donald
Attempted murder arrest after car hits four people Attempted murder arrest after car hits four people A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after four pedestrians were injured in London’s West End. Police were called following reports a car was driven on the wrong side of the
Zelensky condemns ‘inhumane’ Christmas Day attack Zelensky condemns ‘inhumane’ Christmas Day attack Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Russia made a “conscious choice” by launching a major overnight attack on his country’s energy infrastructure on Christmas Day. Ukraine’s air force said it had detected 184 missiles and drones, but many were
Morrisons Christmas delays extend to second day Morrisons Christmas delays extend to second day Some Morrisons customers encountered further delays with their Christmas orders more than 24 hours after after the supermarket experienced what it called “systems issues” on Monday. One customer told the BBC she was left waiting for
Met Office forecasts a ‘green Christmas’ in the UK Met Office forecasts a ‘green Christmas’ in the UK People across much of the UK should be safe to leave their winter layers and umbrellas at home on Christmas Day, as a run of unseasonably mild weather continues. Highs of between
UK economy had zero growth between July and September UK economy had zero growth between July and September The UK economy had zero growth between July and September, revised official figures show.. The revised data comes after a series of disappointing figures including inflation rising at its fastest pace for
Meat traders agree plan for ‘New Smithfield’ Meat traders agree plan for ‘New Smithfield’ The City of London and Smithfield traders have agreed on a plan to move the market to a new location “within the M25” when the site closes. The agreement comes after concerns that the historic Smithfield
Old Oak Common – mega station starts to grow Old Oak Common – mega station starts to grow Trains won’t run into Paddington from Christmas Day until 30 December because of preparation work at the new mega station being built at Old Oak Common in north-west London. As well as
Cadbury loses royal warrant after 170 years Cadbury loses royal warrant after 170 years Chocolate maker Cadbury has been dropped from the list of royal warrants for the first time in 170 years. The Birmingham-based chocolatier was awarded its first royal warrant as chocolate and cocoa manufacturers by Queen Victoria
Man charged with murdering south London teacher Man charged with murdering south London teacher A man has been charged with murdering a teacher who was found dead in south London on Thursday morning. Gemma Devonish, who worked as head of year at Rosebery School in Epsom, Surrey, died at the
‘Severe’ disruption to Christmas train services ‘Severe’ disruption to Christmas train services East of England train passengers are being warned journey times over the holidays will be “significantly longer than normal”, due to substantial engineering works. A section of the Midland Main line will close from the 21-29 December –
Phone snatch victim gives chase – and gets it back Phone snatch victim gives chase – and gets it back A designer from Tottenham says she “can’t believe” she recovered her mobile phone after it was snatched from her earlier this week. A designer from Tottenham says she “can’t believe”
Police appeal over car used in triple shooting Police appeal over car used in triple shooting Information about a black Kia Niro car used in the shooting of Michelle Sadio could “hold the key” to the investigation into her death, police said. Ms Sadio was fatally injured in a triple
Groucho Club to reopen following alleged rape Groucho Club to reopen following alleged rape London’s The Groucho Club is to reopen after its licence was put under review following an alleged rape at the premises. Westminster Council had forced the private members’ club in Soho to close at the request
Man ‘attacked with alkali’ at Winter Wonderland Man ‘attacked with alkali’ at Winter Wonderland Three people have been arrested after a man had a bottle of corrosive liquid thrown at him while visiting Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland, the Met Police said. The man, 22, was taken to hospital after being
Leaves blamed for Piccadilly line part-closure Leaves blamed for Piccadilly line part-closure The part-closure of a London Underground line has been blamed on significant leaf fall. Services between Uxbridge and Rayners Lane on the Piccadilly line remain suspended, which has led Transport for London (TfL) to apologise to customers. Metropolitan
Sara Sharif’s father and stepmother jailed for life for her murder Sara Sharif’s father and stepmother jailed Sara Sharif’s father and stepmother are sentenced to life in prison for the 10-year-old’s murder Sara Sharif’s father and stepmother are sentenced to life in prison for the 10-year-old’s murder Urfan Sharif, 43,
New law to end ‘scourge’ of badly parked bikes New law to end ‘scourge’ of badly parked bikes Local transport authorities across England are set to be given new powers which includes regulating bike hire schemes, in plans published by ministers on Monday allowing for more devolution. In London, where
Woman killed and two injured in London shooting Woman killed and two injured in London shooting A woman has been killed and two men have been injured in a shooting in north-west London. The Metropolitan Police said officers were called to reports of a shooting at about 21:15 GMT on
Tenants call for rent controls in demonstration Tenants call for rent controls in demonstration Hundreds of tenants have staged a protest in central London calling for action on the capital’s “spiralling” rents. The London Renters Union (LRU), which organised Saturday’s event that began in Cavendish Square, said there had been
Tower as tall as The Shard approved for Square Mile Tower as tall as The Shard approved for Square Mile A skyscraper the same height as The Shard has been approved by the City of London Corporation. One Undershaft will be the tallest in the City of London containing 74
Elizabeth II memorial could cost up to £46m Elizabeth II memorial could cost up to £46m A national memorial to Queen Elizabeth II could cost as much as £46m, with the government calling on leading artists, architects and engineers to put forward ideas for the monument. The permanent memorial to
Balcony gardens to ‘modernise’ vacant City Hall Balcony gardens to ‘modernise’ vacant City Hall London’s former City Hall, which has stood empty since the mayor and London Assembly left in 2021, is to be re-purposed into shops, restaurants and offices under plans from its landlord. Southwark Council’s planning committee has
Euston big screen to show travel updates not ads Euston big screen to show travel updates not ads The big screen in Euston station that caused complaints when it was used for advertising will now display information about train departures and arrivals. Network Rail, which runs the station, said the
TfL ticket inspectors to strike TfL ticket inspectors to strike Nearly 300 ticket inspectors at Transport for London (TfL) will go on strike later this week over what they say are unfair wages. The Compliance, Policing, Operations and Security Directorate (CPOS) workers, who enforce ticket checks at railways stations and
London Victoria trains facing major disruption London Victoria trains facing major disruption Trains to and from London Victoria are facing major disruption on Sunday due to a signalling fault. National Rail said Southeastern and Thameslink services may be cancelled, delayed or revised until the end of the day. The fault
Winter fuel payment replaced by some London councils Winter fuel payment replaced by some London councils An east London council is rolling out its replacement winter fuel payment after the government changed the criteria, meaning millions of pensioners no longer qualify. Tower Hamlets Council is offering a £175 cash payment
Injunction temporarily bans north London car meets Injunction temporarily bans north London car meets Unauthorised car meets will be temporarily banned across Enfield after the High Court granted an interim injunction to Enfield Council. The council previously said groups of people wanting to “show off their cars” were illegally gathering
Heaven nightclub to reopen after licence hearing Heaven nightclub to reopen after licence hearing Popular London nightclub Heaven is allowed to reopen after its operating licence was revoked on public safety grounds following an alleged rape. The Metropolitan Police had successfully applied to Westminster Council to suspend the licence of
Thousands of Santas descend on capital for charity Thousands of Santas descend on capital for charity More than 3,000 runners dressed as Father Christmas descended onto the capital on Wednesday night to raise money for more than 50 charities. The run saw a wave of red-suited runners race through London’s
TfL contactless refunds return after cyber attack TfL contactless refunds return after cyber attack Transport for London (TfL) customers who use a contactless card or a mobile device to pay for journeys can now claim refunds for delays, after the online service was disabled following a cyber attack in September.
Rail operator seeks to reassure London commuters Rail operator seeks to reassure London commuters A rail operator has sought to reassure commuters to London as its rival operator is due to axe its services. LNER blamed a lack of passenger numbers for its decision to axe the Sunderland route, which
HS2 machines will make Euston final destination HS2 machines will make Euston final destination Each weighing 1,250 tonnes, the machines are being assembled at Old Oak Common. Karen and Madeleine are then expected to take around 18 months to reach the railway’s final destination. Major HS2 construction work at a
Be careful drinking abroad warns mum of woman who died in Laos Be careful drinking abroad warns mum of woman who died in Laos “If it can happen to her, it can happen to anybody”, the mother of British lawyer Simone White, who died in a suspected poisoning in Laos,
Dogs in Christmas jumpers parade in London Dogs in Christmas jumpers parade in London More than a hundred dogs dressed in Christmas jumpers have joined a festive parade in central London in support of rescue charities. About 130 pets made their way from St James’s Park, down the Mall towards
Two men arrested after Holloway takeaway fire Two men arrested after Holloway takeaway fire Two men have been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life following a fire at a takeaway in Holloway. The Metropolitan Police and London Fire Brigade were called at 03:50 GMT on Thursday
More tickets for London’s NYE fireworks go on sale More tickets for London’s NYE fireworks go on sale The final round of tickets for London’s annual New Year’s Eve fireworks display will go on sale at midday on Monday. They are priced between £20 and £50, depending on the viewing
Overground lines named in ceremony in east London Overground lines named in ceremony in east London The six London Overground lines have been officially named in a ceremony at Dalston Junction station. The Liberty, Lioness, Mildmay, Suffragette, Weaver and Windrush lines will make it easier for people to navigate the
Public access to BBC’s HQ permanently restricted Public access to BBC’s HQ permanently restricted Public access to parts of the BBC’s London headquarters, New Broadcasting House, will be permanently restricted after a council meeting was told the corporation faced “increased threats”. When planning consent was given to redevelop the site
Slowthai rape victim felt ‘helpless’ court toldSlowthai rape victim felt ‘helpless’ court told Slowthai rape victim felt ‘helpless’ court told A woman alleging she was raped by Grammy-nominated rapper Slowthai said she felt “helpless” during the attack and did not resist. The 29-year-old and his friend Alex Blake- Walker are
New tram-like bus involved in crash on launch day New tram-like bus involved in crash on launch day Transport for London (TfL) has said it is investigating after one of its new electric “tram-like” buses collided with a car on the day the new fleet was launched. The Go-Ahead London
Thief jailed for snatching designer watch from man Thief jailed for snatching designer watch from man A thief has been jailed after snatching a designer watch off a man’s wrist in London. Sami Rakene, 28, stole a Patek Philippe watch from Edward Barnett in the area of Kilburn High Road,
Man arrested after eight-year-old girl shot in car Man arrested after eight-year-old girl shot in car A 22-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a double shooting into a car which left an eight-year-old girl and her father with serious injuries. They were both taken to
Man critical after fight on Westminster Bridge Man critical after fight on Westminster Bridge A man is in a critical condition in hospital being treated for a heart attack after a fight broke out on Westminster Bridge, the Met Police said. London Ambulance Service and the air ambulance took him
Cyclist dies after late night crash with bus Cyclist dies after late night crash with bus A cyclist has died in east London after a collision with a bus, the Met Police has said. The force added emergency services were called to Westferry Road, near Arnhem Place in the Isle
Elizabeth line staff to strike on New Year’s Eve Elizabeth line staff to strike on New Year’s Eve Union members who work on the Elizabeth line will walk out on New Year’s Eve over a pay dispute. Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) staff based in the control room will take
Trafalgar Square’s ‘majestic’ Christmas tree felled Trafalgar Square’s ‘majestic’ Christmas tree felled A Norwegian spruce, which is sent to London every year for Christmas, has been felled in a traditional ceremony. To make the tradition more environmentally friendly, this year the tree is travelling part of the way to the
