Notting Hill Police — Cosmopolitan district authority for a diverse West London enclave
Independent and Business Insider UK highlight travel and lifestyle preferences and top destinations in the UK and US, with Cornwall topping readers’ travel picks and Wyoming and New York City cited as personal favorites. Independent's Travel Awards celebrate destinations, airlines and tours.
New research proposes a 2% wealth tax on households with £100m+ assets to raise revenues and narrow inequality. The plan, authored by Gabriel Zucman and Ben Tippet, would require HMRC to assess total wealth, including private firms, assets, and charitable holdings, and would apply for a decade after wealth holders leave the UK. Prime Minister Burnham hints at tax reforms as discussions continue.
William Orbit, the producer behind Madonna’s Ray of Light, has died at home on 23 July at age 69. Born in north London, he shaped late-1990s electronic pop with a string of collaborations, including Blur and All Saints. His death is announced by family and friends in posts on social media.
Independent and Guardian outlets report a flurry of openings, chef moves, and pub-to-restaurant conversions across London this September. Kerridge’s Bar & Grill evolves into two spaces; Dishoom expands; Borough Market welcomes Kismet; and new pubs and cafés join the city’s lively food landscape.
The Notting Hill Carnival is under way in London, with the three-day festival drawing crowds for steelpan competitions, parades, and family-friendly events. Reports from The Guardian, BBC, and Independent describe the weekend’s activities, routes, and cultural significance, alongside commemorations for Grenfell victims.
Micro-dramas—short, mobile-first series—are expanding from China to the US, with revenue projections reaching billions. Platforms like Peacock and TikTok are experimenting, while Hollywood talent enters the space, signaling a broader shift in how audiences pay for and consume portable entertainment.