Notting Hill, West London district's policing entity
William Orbit, the London-born producer behind Madonna’s Ray of Light, has died at home on 23 July. His work spans Torch Song, Bassomatic, Beth Orton, Blur and All Saints, reshaping late-90s pop with electronic textures. Tributes have poured in from peers and artists who collaborated with him.
The Clarence, a neighbourhood bar and restaurant in Glasgow’s west end, has opened in January 2025 after transforming from Shucks and Nick’s Italian. It now pairs a refined dining menu with a lively bar scene, offering seasonal dishes, cocktails, and a popular roasts on Sundays, drawing steady crowds since opening.
The Notting Hill Carnival is underway in London over a three-day weekend, with Panoramas, J’Ouvert, family parades and Monday’s Adults’ Parade shaping a festival of Caribbean culture. Crowds fill the route in west London as communities celebrate history, music and food, while Grenfell tribute events run alongside the celebrations.
Micro-dramas—short, mobile-first scripted series—are expanding beyond China into the US, with revenue projections reaching billions. Platforms like Peacock and TikTok are experimenting, Hollywood talent is entering the space, and new vendors are pushing AI-driven content to niche audiences.
A wave of UK and European travel pieces are steering readers toward autumn getaways, with Cornwall topping a reader travel awards and St Ives standing out as a surf-and-art hub. Pieces highlight off-season value, non-flight stays, and regional diversity.