Sadiq Khan

Britain's ruling Conservatives lost a parliamentary seat to the main Labour opposition Friday, as the country awaited local election results likely to pile more pressure on embattled leader Rishi Sunak.

Days ahead of the controversial expansion of London's road charging scheme for the most polluting vehicles, businesses in the British capital remain wary despite the mayor unveiling further subsidies.

The High Court in London ruled on July 28 that contentious plans by the city's mayor to extend a scheme requiring more polluting vehicles to pay a daily charge when driven can go ahead next month.

Britain's ruling Conservatives on Friday held the former seat of ex-Prime Minister Boris Johnson but saw hefty majorities in two other seats blown away as scandals and high inflation took their toll.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has called on the British government and the British Museum to reach a "win-win arrangement" over the Parthenon Sculptures, facilitating both Greece and the UK to "share" the 2,500-year-old sculptures. 

The U.K. government on March 9 announced a two-year delay to construction on part of the HS2 high-speed railway connecting London with cities in the north of England.

The part of the line running into central London would also be delayed, as part of cost-saving measures, Transport Minister Mark Harper said.

The storm Eunice hit the United Kingdom today, AFP reported. The British Meteorological Service announced yesterday a "red alert" from South West England all the way to South Wales. Winds along the coast can reach speeds of 145 km/h.

London faces a move to tier three - England's highest level of coronavirus restrictions - in the coming days, the BBC has been told.

 Ministers and officials are said to be "deeply concerned" about a sharp rise in Covid-19 cases across the capital.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan urged ministers to act "with open eyes" and avoid damaging the capital's economy.

Nearly 250,000 activists descended on the streets of central London today to protest Donald Trump's visit to the UK, organisers said. 

Protesters marched through the capital carrying placards reading "Dump Trump" and "Star Spangled Gobs***". 

Sky News - More than a million people celebrated the LGBT community at a colourful and glitter-filled Pride parade in London on Saturday.

Parade director Christopher Joell-Deshields said this year's event was the most diverse yet.

He added: "It's just a day to be proud of really - people are able to just come and be who they are and celebrate whatever they want."