An affluent West End district in London
The High Court has sanctioned TG Jones’s restructuring plan, enabling a turnaround after insolvency fears. The plan includes extra funding from Modella Capital, rent reductions for landlords, and store closures. The chain, formerly WH Smith, now operates around 450 stores with thousands of staff. The judge stressed the plan is complex but necessary to preserve the core store estate.
The R&B star has seen charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and possessing an offensive weapon dropped in a Southwark Crown Court hearing. Co-defendant Omololu Akinlolu pleads guilty to affray; Brown faces sentencing on 26 October.
European wildfires are intensifying amid prolonged drought and hotter summers. Authorities are scaling up cross-border firefighting, while experts warn prevention and land management must adapt to a warming climate. The cost to homes, farms and insurers is rising, prompting talks on resilience and reform of forest policy.
Westminster Council’s draft licensing policy discourages vertical drinking and table service in the West End to curb noise and disorder. The plan is open for consultation and has drawn sharp reactions from hospitality groups, the Mayor of London, and Prime Minister allies, who argue devolved powers must support nightlife.
Multiple robberies in London involve machete-wielding suspects targeting Rolex watches. Recent court actions have seen suspects admitting to robberies and awaiting sentencing, with ongoing psychological assessments and potential deportation proceedings. Victims include a mix of high-end shop-goers and individuals in public spaces.
A 35-year-old man from Ruthin, Denbighshire, has been jailed for three years and two months for defrauding four victims after posing as a wealthy businessman with hospitalisation deception. Victims funded investments, private treatment and living costs, with losses totaling around £68,000. The court heard the deception was sustained from July 2020 to October 2021.