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Boris Johnson's deputy mayor Tim Parker resigns
Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, faces fresh embarrassment after a third senior member of his team announced his resignation.
> Guy must be a nightmare to work for methinks. Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, faces fresh embarrassment after a third senior member of his team announced his resignation. ... more -
Greyhounds run their last race at Walthamstow
It’s the end of an era at Walthamstow. The greyhounds ran their last race round the famous Stow track on Saturday, before it closed for good.
It's the most famous dog track in the UK, frequented by celebrities and David Beckham apparently had his very first job there.
Sadly, many greyhound tracks are going the same way. This sport used to be hugely popular, with 77 tracks around the UK back in the 1950’s and 1960’s. Over £16 million was gambled on the dogs at the Stow in 1989. However, online gambling has replaced the action for many, and takings were down to less than £9 million last year. It’s the end of an era at Walthamstow. The greyhounds ran their last race round the famous Stow track on Saturday, before it closed f... more -
Victory parade for British Olympic heroes
A heroes parade through London on October 16, is being planned by London Mayor Boris Johnson, the British Olympic Association (BOA) and the British Paralympic Association have confirmed.
Team GB have now won 13 golds - and more may come.
Mr Johnson said: "Just over half way through the Beijing Games and Team GB has put in one of its best ever performances.
"In September our Paralympians will I hope return from Beijing having achieved similar success. So to reflect the excitement and pride of the country in our athletes' superb victories we've set a date in the diary now when we can cheer all our heroes and honour their extraordinary feats at this summer's Games.
I'm all for a celebration of success but do we need a parade after every sporting achievement? Oh and why does is always have to be in London? A heroes parade through London on October 16, is being planned by London Mayor Boris Johnson, the British Olympic Association (BOA) an... more -
Banksy's Spray Party
Some of the biggest names in stencil graffiti converge on the capital for this one off event
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A Renters' Market in London
On a construction site in the heart of the City, London's financial quarter, a tower stands half-demolished, its bruised concrete and severed beams exposed. Here — between the Lloyd's building, a monument to the City's 1980s boom, and the Gherkin, Norman Foster's popular pickle-shaped tower at 30 St Mary Axe — work on the foundations for the 738 ft (225-m) Leadenhall Building is underway. Intended for completion in 2011, the skyscraper — designed by celebrated British architect Richard Rogers — would have stood as the tallest in the City.
That was the plan, anyway. But on Aug. 14, British Land, the U.K.'s second-biggest property developer, announced that construction of the building — already dubbed "The Cheesegrater", in honor of Rogers's wedge-shaped design — would likely be delayed, pushing completion back a year to 2012. The firm's motive? With the financial services sector trimming costs amid turmoil in the credit markets, both the demand and rental values for City offices are dwindling. British Land — itself hit by a $1.1 billion loss for the three months to July as the value of its portfolio tumbled — reckons it'll score lower construction costs and higher rents for the 47-story building by sitting out the downturn.
It's got a point. Net job losses among banking and insurance businesses in the City will hit 10,000 before 2011, according to Experian, the credit services company. Hardly a good time to be marketing empty office space; commercial real estate firm Atisreal says banking and finance firms are currently taking just 110,000 sq ft (10,200 sq m) of City space in a three-month quarter. Throughout 2005 and 2006, the take-up rate averaged more than four times the current level. The flatter demand will drive down rents in the City by 16% this year, Atisreal estimates, and a further 5.7% in 2009.
Worse still: the slump comes just as a rash of new office developments hit the market. With more than 7 million sq ft (650,000 sq m) of speculative office space coming online in the City this year and next, according to Atisreal, British Land may not be the only developer to take a time out. Rival Land Securities, Britain's largest property firm, will decide next March whether to go ahead with construction of a planned 509 ft (155-m) tower around the corner from Leadenhall Building; it too was originally planned for completion in 2011. "It seems an increasingly large percentage of that pipeline [of new developments] won't be built, or at least will be delayed," says Kelvin Davidson, a property economist at Capital Economics in London. "It's classic economics: weak demand and rising supply. There's only one way rents can go." On a construction site in the heart of the City, London's financial quarter, a tower stands half-demolished, its bruised concrete... more -
Toxic teddy bears: Harrods recalls hundreds of toys
Harrods is recalling hundreds of teddy bears that contain potentially harmful levels of formaldehyde.
Apparently, the 2008 Christmas teddy bears' foot pads contain too much of the chemical that has been linked to cancer, can cause skin irritations, headaches and other health problems. Toddlers with sensitive skin and asthma are particularly at risk.
Harrods sent a letter to customers who bought the bears last month and recalled the 8 in Michael bear and the 13 in Elliott bear, which cost between £15 and £25.
Trading standards officers spotted the problem after 800 of the soft toys, which are collectors items, had been sold. Harrods is recalling hundreds of teddy bears that contain potentially harmful levels of formaldehyde. ... more -
Credit crunch to overshadow this years Notting Hill carnival
London's Notting Hill Carnival's festive mood, lavish costumes and hectic pre-event buzz could be missing from this years event.
The west London carnival, normally involves about 50,000 party goers wearing 150,000 feather plumes and 30 million sequins, is said to be smaller, quieter and much less flamboyant this year due to the lack of money in the capital.
The credit crunch has affected some performing groups' sponsorship, which was needed to pay for costumes, floats and music equipment. London's Notting Hill Carnival's festive mood, lavish costumes and hectic pre-event buzz could be missing from this years ev... more -
Sir Ian Blair, Metropolitan Police commissioner, had his rival bugged
The papers allege Tarique Ghaffur, an assistant commissioner, had more than 300 of his telephone calls tapped in an elaborate operation overseen directly by Blair.
He was also photographed and taped attending more than 30 meetings with a fellow officer at restaurants and cafes in west London.
Ghaffur's lawyers are preparing this week to announce formal legal proceedings for race discrimination against Blair, who was placed under formal investigation by the Home Office this month.
Blair is under investigation over £3 million worth of police work awarded to close friend Andy Miller.
The documents prepared by Ghaffur's lawyers state: "AC Ghaffur was the subject of direct surveillance and given a pseudo name. This was a direct attack on his honesty and integrity."
Although the surveillance operation officially targeted another officer, Ghaffur believes it was designed to trap him in a compromising position. The papers allege Tarique Ghaffur, an assistant commissioner, had more than 300 of his telephone calls tapped in an elaborate operatio... more -
Teenage street stab victim named
A 17-year-old youth stabbed to death in a street fight in south London has been named by police.
Nilanthan Murddi, from Croydon, was among six to eight people involved in the fight in Croydon early on Saturday.
The teenager died three hours later. A post-mortem examination found he died from a single knife wound to the neck.
Police want to trace a mini-cab driver who stopped at the scene. A 31-year-old man questioned in connection with the death has been released on bail.
Nilanthan was a member of the Tamil community. No-one else was hurt during the incident.
Officers want to contact the mini-cab driver who stopped at the scene of the fight at about 0100 BST on Saturday.
The driver, who they believe was in a blue Ford Mondeo, stopped at the scene while carrying a passenger suspected of being involved in the incident.
The driver and passenger argued when the car stopped at traffic lights in Sumner Road.
The passenger did not leave the car, which subsequently drove off, but he returned to the scene of the incident on foot a short time later.
A confrontation then took place in which Nilanthan was fatally injured.
He was the 23rd teenager to be killed in a stabbing or a shooting in the capital this year. A 17-year-old youth stabbed to death in a street fight in south London has been named by police. ... more -
Fergie Leggy Candids in London
Whoa! Strong and toned... Fergie look amazing!She`s wearing some sort of one-piece short short jumpsuit and hot pair of Christian Louboutin platform sandals and a camo Louis Vuitton bag. Anyway you can check Fergie’s incredible legs in the following pictures! Whoa! Strong and toned... Fergie look amazing!She`s wearing some sort of one-piece short short jumpsuit and hot pair of Christian Loub... more
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London Zoo opens new Outback exhibit
Photographs from London, England on Thursday, August 14, 2008.
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Anorexic models ok for London fashion week?
The British Fashion Council, which runs London Fashion Week, has said it has ditched a plan to demand health certificates proving models do not have anorexia.
The idea came out of the Model Health Inquiry, set up by the BFC in March last year to investigate health problems suffered by models in the British fashion industry, following a furore over "size zero" super-skinny models.
New York, Paris and Milan -- other centres of the fashion industry -- have said the plan is unworkable.
So another year of malnourished models in expensive clothes. Is this fashionable? The British Fashion Council, which runs London Fashion Week, has said it has ditched a plan to demand health certificates proving mode... more -
Another 3 day tube strike for London....
Commuters and tourists face huge disruption to their journeys after London Underground maintenance workers said that they would strike in a dispute over pay and conditions.
About 1,000 members of the Rail Maritime and Transport union at Tube Lines will walk out at 12 noon next Wednesday and again from noon on Wednesday, September 3.
Although the turnout was just 361, the union said that the workers voted by more than three to one in favour of industrial action in protest at a 4.85 per cent pay offer. RMT officials said that the package was an inferior deal to one accepted on behalf of staff employed on Metronet contracts, the company which collapsed last year and has been taken over by Transport for London.
Bob Crow, the RMT’s general secretary, is fast becoming the most hated man in London. Perhaps the frequent disruptions to the London Underground will force people to seek better modes of transport. Get on your bikes people! Commuters and tourists face huge disruption to their journeys after London Underground maintenance workers said that they would strike... more -
United Kingdom Talk Thursday 14th August 2008
Thursday's edition of my three times a week talk show.Watch the show here on CURRENT TV on Tues, Thurs & Sats.
In today's show :
Another email catch up show.
Mashed & formed.
Watching bits & pieces.
The new computer has arrived.
The Earth has a 40-a-day cigarette habit.
Should I move it over ?
Oops - a loose wire.
Robert on planes.
The best opening ever.
A challenge for Suko & Catherine.Who will win ?
A good Summer.
Well done China.
My nephew and his girlfriend have booked a holiday.
Good clean living.
A strange place to put one's ashes.
Attach sandbags.
The flying certificate.
Normal crisps or Pringles ?
Little nations & big nations.
Thank you Joe from Americantalkusa.com .A new direct ITUNES subscribe button now to the left of this main UnitedKingdomTalk.co.uk page underneath all the dates.Choose audio, or video.
Bubbles.
Is it working ?
Can I be taught hip hop dancing ?
Who will get the free holiday ?
Will James Dean end up as Britney Spears ?
Chris Reardon's mobile disco.
Email : chris@unitedkingdomtalk.co.uk
WWW.UNITEDKINGDOMTALK.CO.UK Thursday's edition of my three times a week talk show.Watch the show here on CURRENT TV on Tues, Thurs & Sats. ... more -
Abandon the North and move to London says report
A report from a leading conservative think tank today suggested the government should abandon regeneration of the Northern English cities as they are beyond help. Their solution is to expand London creating millions more homes to house the migrants from the economic wasteland of Northern England and be honest to residents of certain areas about their economic prospects if they stay in their respective cities.
The report singles out Liverpool, Hull and Sunderland in particular. It argues that with these being important 19th century coastal cities that were useful for shipping they are now no longer relevant to the modern British economy because of their distance from London, Heathrow as a key point of arrival into the UK and Liverpool in particular for its distance from the rest of the continental European Union (although it does remain well connected to the Republic of Ireland and trans Atlantic shipping routes).
The report has caused outrage in many of the fiercely proud Northern Cities singled out by the think tank. Local media on Humberside, Teesside and Merseyside has reacted with fury along side local government. Nationally the Labour party has disagreed with the findings of the report and the Conservative party has distanced itself from the findings of an organization normally the party's chosen ideological powerhouse. This is at a time the party is attempting to increase its chances in key marginal areas and in particular key northern cities following the new Labour meltdown in the Glasgow East by election. A report from a leading conservative think tank today suggested the government should abandon regeneration of the Northern English cit... more -
Free screening of bomb-it at tate modern saturday 16th at 7pm
Fingers crossed the weather holds...there's a whole host of graf films across the weekend including writers. full details on the tate website.
d Fingers crossed the weather holds...there's a whole host of graf films across the weekend including writers. full details on the ... more -
Northerners should move south for a better life.
Northerners should move to the South East if they want to improve their quality of life because regeneration policies in the North are doomed, a radical report by the Policy Exchange has claimed.
After over a decade of failed attempts to regenerate the former shipping enclaves of areas such as Sunderland and Liverpool is this the only option?
These places had "little prospect of offering their residents the standard of living to which they aspire", the report added.
As a northerner, living in the south this is ridiculous to me.
Flickr photo by: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ozofnene/ Northerners should move to the South East if they want to improve their quality of life because regeneration policies in the North are... more -
London Transgender Film Festival announced
Organisers have announced that the London Transgender Film Festival is set to take place on 7th - 9th November 2008.
The aim of the festival is to 'increase trans visibility and acknowledgement, question the gender binary, to dispel ignorance and demystify stereotypes, unite and support a diverse LGBTQI community and celebrate trans spaces and their friends.'
The festival was described as "independent, experimental, cutting edge and diverse" with films featured are to represent and focus on intersex, androgyny, gender variance, trans feminists, gender queer, and gender fluid persons of all natures, all races and cultures, ages and abilities.
In addition to film screenings, the festival will include an exhibition, workshops, and a panel with special guests. Organisers have announced that the London Transgender Film Festival is set to take place on 7th - 9th November 2008. ... more -
£5 note-only cash machine helps you beat the crunch
A cash machine which only lets its users withdraw £5 notes has been launched to help people in 'cash strapped areas manage their budgets.'
The debut of the £5-only ATM is located in East London, but there are many more scheduled for a nationwide roll-out.
And to help us save our pennies that little bit more, the machine will limit users to taking out £50 a day.
One the plus side, ten £5 notes in my wallet makes me feel much richer than I really am, you think that this is really gonna help out us young Britons?
Photo by pinkaholic girl: http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1233/533773200_18b9c9cc0... A cash machine which only lets its users withdraw £5 notes has been launched to help people in 'cash strapped areas manage their ... more -
The new Lara Croft revealed
Former gymnast Alison Carroll, 23, is presented as the new face of computer game character Lara Croft at Pineapple Studios on August 11, 2008 in London, England. The new Tomb Raider game 'Underworld' comes out on November 21, 2008. Check out the photos! Former gymnast Alison Carroll, 23, is presented as the new face of computer game character Lara Croft at Pineapple Studios on August 1... more
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