Police carried out the largest seizure of synthtic opioids in a series of raids which lead to 11 arrests.

Around 150,000 tablets of a drug called Nitazene were found in Waltham Forest, east London, in a factory set up to make the pills, police said.

Detectives believe the drug was being sold on the dark web.

They also found various other class A and B drugs, a gun, a pill pressing machine, more than £60,000 in cash and £8,000 in cryptocurrency stored on hard drives.

A series of raids were carried out in Enfield, north London, on October 24.

Some 11 people were arrested between August 21 and November 21 and all charged with conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs.

Detective Superintendent Helen Rance, leading the investigation, said: ‘Synthetic opioids have been detected in batches of heroin found in London and across the UK.

‘They substantially raise the risk of incredibly serious harm to the user and are believed to be linked to a number of deaths.

‘We are working closely with partners to monitor and proactively tackle this issue, provide advice and remove the availability of these dangerous drugs from our streets.’

Police say anyone who has taken synthetic opioids should get medical treatment urgently.

They have taken the unusual step of highlighting signs of someone who may have taken one of these drug.

These include having small, narrowed pupils; reduced or loss of consciousness; dizziness or drowsiness; difficulty breathing; nausea or vomiting; cold or clammy skin; blue or grey lips and fingernails; low blood pressure or decreased heart rate.

Ms Rance added: ‘The public health advice remains that illegal drugs should not be consumed.

‘There are support services available for people who need help. Anyone who has consumed synthetic opioids and experiences the symptoms described should seek urgent medical treatment.’

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A vehicle crashed through a brick bridge in south London today, upending morning commutes for countless travellers.

Railway lines running through between Sutton (Surrey) and West Croydon are cancelled while engineers remove fallen debris, Network Rail Kent and Sussex said on X.

Photographs uploaded by the operator show chunks of brick lying on the tracks.

‘Please continue checking before you travel,’ Network Rail added.

Southern said no trains are able to run between the two stations ‘until further notice’ and called on riders to give themselves an extra hour to get to their destiation.

Rail replacement bus services are in place between Epson Downs and Sutton calling at Banstead and Belmont.

The Transport for London (TfL) status update website says: ‘No service between Sydenham and West Croydon due to a vehicle striking a bridge in West Croydon area.

‘Good service on the rest of the route. Good service on all other London Overground routes.’

TfL, Southern, the British Transport Police and London Ambulance Service have been contacted for comment.

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Eerie ‘ghost marks’ have appeared on the walls of Elizabeth Line tube stations – left by previous commuters.

Photos at Tottenham Court Road on London’s newest line show grey outlines of people left by travellers sitting on benches.

The marks also appear at Liverpool Street, with the station’s white walls appearing to be stained by commuters’ coats and heads.

While eerie, they seem have formed from passengers leaning back on the freshly painted walls – not by spirits.

Transport for London, who operates the line, say that they maintain a ‘rigorous’ cleaning programme at all stations to ensure they are safe for commuters.

A spokesperson for the TfL said: ‘We are exploring new ways to clean the walls behind seating at some of our Elizabeth line stations to try to remove any marks and protect the walls in future.’

The Elizabeth Line, named after the late Queen Elizabeth II, opened on May 24, 2022 – 13 years after construction on the line began in 2009.

The 41-stop route now hosts 204 million passenger journeys per year, costing the Government around £18.9 billion.

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After hopping off one tube, you’re now trying to push your way through the hustle and bustle to get your connecting line.

But the doors close seconds before you’re able to jump on and you try not to look too embarrassed about missing it.

As city dwellers, we’re all used to having to wait a few minutes for the next train. But why does a four-minute pause seem to make us 30 minutes late?

On X – the app formerly known as Twitter – Londoners have come up with a theory.

You see, while friends, family and employers think your lateness is due to tardiness, time just isn’t the same in the capital – and there are theories that prove it.

In response to a meme showing Sharon from EastEnders sprinting down the market, people are sharing their oh-so-relatable issues with ‘London time’.

‘Can’t explain it, but when I lived in London, taking a tube four minutes later somehow made you 30 minutes later. Time works differently there’, one person said.

Other commuters weighed in on the theory and the comments are hilarious.

‘It’s the link bruh, the chain effect. That tube might be the difference in catching the once in 30 mins bus/tram/district line,’ one person shared.

Another agreed, adding: ‘It’s the connections, you take the four minute later train, you miss the next one and that’s another five mins to wait, that late connection you miss your last bus etc. suddenly the extra three minutes waits here and there end up being 35 mins’.

Another commuter added: ‘Leaving the house five minutes later makes me 45 mins later to where I’m going’.

Someone else quipped: ‘That’s because, in the world of TFL, a minute isn’t 60 seconds. It’s whatever they want it to be.’

The ‘unwritten math’ of London time was explained by a commenter, who shared: ‘Every minute you’re late means you delay every connecting tube by five times that amount. The cycle repeats. It’s unwritten math that everyone in London knows. Next thing you know your travel time went from 35 mins to three business days’.

Maybe this explains why everyone in London is always in a rush.

Of course there are the unexpected cancellations, delays, and part suspensions in the mix, too. But don’t worry, chances are you’re not a ‘time optimist’ – a person who is ‘habitually late because they think they have more time than they do’. 

You’re just on London time.

Running late for Christmas drinks? Trapped in the rush-hour crush? Sky Mobile customers no longer need to worry about keeping in touch with friends and family as the network has expanded its 4G and 5G coverage to more than 20 stations.

Passengers can now text or call while underground, as well as browsing the web for some Christmas shopping, listening to a podcast or streaming a calming TV show amid the commuter hustle and bustle.

Coverage includes stations on the Jubilee line between Canning Town and Westminster, and the Central line from Holland Park to Queensway and between Oxford Circus and Tottenham Court Road.

On the Northern line, Sky Mobile will cover Archway to Euston and Belsize to Euston on the northern branches, and Goodge Street to Tottenham Court Road on the Charing Cross branch.

Sky Mobile also confirmed it would be expanding its 4G and 5G network further in 2024, as TfL rolls out coverage to the Victoria and Elizabeth lines.

Which networks offer service on the tube?

A number of other networks already provide 4G coverage on the Tube, while WiFi is available at most stations.

EE offers 4G to passengers on the Central line between Holland Park and Queensway, the Northern line between Archway and Kentish Town, and on the Jubilee line between Westminster and Canning Town.

Virgin Media O2 also offers 4G between the same stops on the Central, Jubilee and Northern lines, while Notting Hill, between Holland Park and Queensway, now offers 5G.

Vodafone recently introduced 4G to sections of the Jubilee, Northern and Central lines, with 5G available at selected stations and tunnels including Oxford Circus, Tottenham Court Road and Camden Town.

Can I get WiFi on the Tube?

Most mobile networks offer WiFi at all Tube stations.

Free WiFi is also available at most Overground stations, Victoria Coach Station and, most recently, Elizabeth line stops under central London.

The WiFi does not cover the tunnels between stations yet, but Transport for London has pledged to eliminate these mobile ‘not spots’ by the end of 2024.

A 300 ft high ‘crystal ball’ proposed to be built in east London has been rejected by Sadiq Khan.

The 21,000-capacity MSG sphere would have been illuminated on the outside and have the highest resolution LED screen on Earth – as well as immersive sound systems to host concerts, shows and sporting events.

But the proposals, similar to another huge venue in Las Vegas, have been rejected by the city’s mayor.

A Mayor of London spokesperson said: ‘London is open to investment from around the world and Sadiq wants to see more world-class, ambitious, innovative entertainment venues in our city.

‘But as part of looking at the planning application for the MSG Sphere, the Mayor has seen independent evidence that shows the current proposals would result in an unacceptable negative impact on local residents.’

Mr Khan said the venue would cause ‘significant light intrusion resulting in significant harm to the outlook of neighbouring properties, detriment to human health, and significant harm to the general amenity enjoyed by residents of their own homes’.

A Sphere Entertainment spokesperson said: ‘While we are disappointed in London’s decision, there are many forward-thinking cities that are eager to bring this technology to their communities. We will concentrate on those.’

The 4.7-acre site intended for the dome had been bought by MSG after it was left empty following the the 2012 London Olympics.

MSG said thousands of jobs would have been created, had the dome been allowed to be constructed.

Newham Chamber of Commerce chair Lloyd Johnson said: ‘As a global destination, Sphere would attract visitors year-round to Newham, which would benefit our shops, bars, restaurants and hotels – bringing in £50 million a year in revenue for local businesses along with well-paying jobs for residents.

‘We see the Sphere as a great opportunity that would create a direct investment in our area.’

Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove has the final say on the plans.

Fighting the plans are the campaign group Stop MSG Sphere London and a spokesperson for the group Lindesay Mace previously told the Daily Telegraph: ‘The fact that where we are now, on the permission being granted, is a travesty of justice.

‘The sphere is designed for Vegas, the city of lights. It is not designed for a small site that is surrounded with three blocks of residential properties.’

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A former soldier who bit, stabbed and raped a woman in a ‘perverted and cannibalistic’ attack in his apartment has been jailed for 14 years.

Malawian Theodore Mkuzi, 42, put his victim through the terrifying ordeal after taking her back to his home in upmarket Maida Vale, London on January 3 last year.

He savagely bit her lips, nose and face while repeatedly raping her, Southwark crown court heard.

Police arrived at the flat in Greville Place – where apartments can fetch £2 million – to find Mkuzi naked in the living room and the woman in a bath full of blood-stained water.

Mkuzi admitted two counts of rape and two counts of unlawful wounding.

Sentencing Mkuzi, Judge Christopher Hehir referred to the victim’s impact statement.

He said: ‘The long-term effect is clear from her victim impact statement.

‘It is utterly clear that what you did had the most devastating effect on her.

‘She describes her ordeal as being like a horror movie. She describes your conduct towards her as perverted and cannibalistic.

‘I do not think that you are a cannibal, but I understand why she would express herself in that way.

‘You told her that the two of you were going to die that day. Had Yonas Gurja not raised the alarm, and had the police not arrived on time, there is a very real possibility that you would have killed her.

‘You are a dangerous man. You pose a grave risk of physical and psychological harm to women.’

‘You must go to prison and remain in prison for a very long time.’

Matthew Dalton, prosecuting said early on January 3, 2022, the pair had been drinking together with his friend Mr Gurja before the pair had consensual sex.

Later while they were having sex again, Mkuuzi started biting her lips, nose and face with considerable force causing significant pain.

Mr Dalton said: ‘She made clear her discomfort and withdrew her consent.

‘She tried to push him off her, but he was holding her tight and restraining her. He bit her cheeks causing injury. She pleaded with him to stop.’

At this point Mr Gurja came into the room where he confronted Mkuzi.

The prosecutor said: ‘Mr Gurja told Mkuzi to stop. Mkuzi told him not to get involved.

‘Mr Gurja picked up a knife in self-defence. He ran to the lavatory and dropped from the second floor window, injuring himself while landing.

‘Mkuzi said that she and he were going to die that day.

‘Mkuzi obtained a large kitchen knife and stabbed her in the chest. She also sustained an injury to the back of her head.

‘He obtained some bottles of soft drink and poured it over her in an attempt to wash her of her injuries.’

The court heard he then ordered her to get into the bath and then raped her again.

Eventually police arrived to find the woman still in the bath.

Mr Dalton said: ‘The word blood bath is very apt, She was hysterical, her face was swollen and had difficulties communicating with the officers.’

She told the officers that she had been bitten and stabbed by Mkuzi.

Emma-Louise Heath, defending Mkuzi, said: ‘He has put his time in custody to good use. He has attended regular drug and alcohol awareness courses.

‘What Mr Mkuzi has begun to do is to address those issues and those risks that make him a potential risk to the public.’

She said Mkuzi had pleaded guilty and therefore the woman did not have to give evidence.

Ms Mkuzi told the court that Mkuzi had come to the UK from Malawi 20 years ago, and had served in the British armed forces. After this, he worked as an HGV driver.

Mkuzi, of Kilburn, was jailed for 14 years with a six year extended license period.

He will serve at least two thirds of the sentence in custody, and no restraining order was imposed.

Judge Hehir said to Mkuzi: ‘You escaped a life sentence by a whisker.’

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Artificial Intelligence (AI) advancements could see millions of people working a four-day week with the same pay in the next ten years, according to a new report.

Around 28% of the nation’s workforce (8.8m employees) are set to work 32 hours a week full time by 2033, figures published by independent research organisation, Autonomy, has revealed.

Eight local authorities where workers are most likely to move to a four-day week have been identified, all in the south-east.

Five are in the capital, including the City of London, Wandsworth, Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea and Richmond upon Thames.

They are joined by St Albans in Hertfordshire, Wokingham in Berkshire and Elmbridge in Surrey.

‘All of these local authorities hold the potential for 38% or more of their workforces to move to a four-day week using AI augmentation over the next decade,’ the Autonomy report said.  

The research, using data from the International Monetary Fund and Goldman Sachs, pointed to an improvement in worker productivity while maintaining pay and performance, particularly in desk-based jobs.

The introduction of the technology to lower working hours could also reduce widespread mental health illnesses and physical ailments associated with overwork, the report found – creating more time for ‘democracy, leisure consumption and social cohesion’.  

‘In the case of the UK – where work-related stress, anxiety and depression constitute one of the most significant labour market issues today – these wellbeing factors cannot be emphasised enough,’ the report said.  

Up to 88% of workers – almost 28million – across Britain could see their working hours reduced by at least 10% if Large Language Models (LLM) are introduced.

LLMs are a type of AI trained to create whole sentences, paragraphs and even essays.

They were initially developed to predict language but have also been trained to be used in a wide variety of applications, from customer service chatbots to personal assistants and friends to lonely people.

In London, 89% of the workforce could see their hours reduced by at least 10% due to AI-productivity gains.

Will Strange, director of research at Autonomy, said developments in AI could ‘usher in a new era of four-day working weeks for all’.

‘Our research offers a fresh perspective in debates around how AI can be utilised for good.

‘A shorter working week is the most tangible way of ensuring that AI delivers benefits to workers as well as companies.’

But the report comes amid growing fears about the threat to humanity posed by AI.

Elon Musk described AI as an ‘existential risk’ for humans, warning how for the first time ever, we are faced with something ‘that is going to be far more intelligent than us’.

‘It’s not clear to me if we can control such a thing,’ he said, ‘but we can aspire to guide it in a direction that’s beneficial to humanity,’ he told the UK’s AI Safety Summit at Bletchley Park in Buckinghamshire earlier this month.

Also addressing the summit, King Charles issued a chilling warning about the ‘significant risks’ of the emerging technology.

In a video address filmed at Buckingham Palace, he said: ‘We are witnessing one of the greatest technological leaps in the history of human endeavour.

‘AI holds the potential to completely transform life as we know it, to help us better treat, and perhaps cure conditions like cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer’s.

‘However, if we are to realise the untold benefits of AI, then we must work together on combating its significant risks, too.’

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said mitigating the risk of extinction because of AI should be a global priority alongside pandemics and nuclear war.

In an extreme scenario, humans could ‘lose control of AI completely’, he warned.

However ‘it is not a risk that people need to be losing sleep over right now,’ he said.

Earlier today, he urged world leaders to harness the power of AI and other cutting-edge technology to end malnutrition worldwide.

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A man and a woman have been rushed to hospital after a dog attack in south east London.

The Metropolitan Police, ambulance and air ambulance were called to Bedwell Road in Belvedere at around 9am today.

The woman has been left in critical condition following the attack, and the man received minor injuries.

The dog was Tasered by police officers who had shut it in a different room, where the dog then died.

A spokesperson for the London Ambulance Service told the BBC the woman and man were taken to a ‘major trauma centre as a priority’.

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A secondary school in London has been evacuated for the second time in four days after a series of hoax bomb threats.

Parents of children at Oaks Park High School in Carshalton were told on Monday morning that police had asked teachers to urgently evacuate pupils onto the playing fields.

The school said it had received an ‘identical threat’ via email at the same time on Friday.

One mother, who has a 13-year-old boy at the school, said the latest ordeal was ‘terrifying’.

She told MailOnline: ‘Everything goes through your head… You don’t know if it’s real or not. Imagine if they said to the pupils that you can go in and something happens.

‘I would rather collect my kid from school but you just have to trust the police have done their job.’

After sending an alert to parents at 8.19am, the school issued another update at 9.14am to say that police had ‘given clearance for the school to reopen’.

The Met Police previously said Friday’s incident was being treated as malicious communications and they had no wider concerns.

Officers searched the building and nothing was found on Friday.

No one has been arrested in connection with the threatening emails.

Metro.co.uk has approached the Met Police for further comment on today’s incident.

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If you’re a Londoner, you’ve no doubt got some pretty strong opinions on where’s the best place to live in the capital.

The mere mention of ‘south of the river’ leaves some cold, while others may as well get ‘south west is best’ tattooed on their foreheads.

But now, a new ranking has revealed the most desirable areas in London, and it won’t come as a surprise that some of the poshest spots in the capital all make the top 10.

And the neighbourhood people want to move to the most? That goes to north London’s leafy Hampstead.

Known for attracting A-list residents such as Harry Styles and Ricky Gervais, and with the sprawling Hampstead Heath on your doorstep, it’s got a lot to boast about.

But, if you’re house hunting around there, be warned. According to Foxton’s the average price of a Hampstead house last year was a whopping £1,847,180.  

The list, which was part of Time Out’s ranking of the Coolest Neighbourhoods in the World, was compiled by asking 12,000 people about their city’s areas. One of the questions asked was: where would you like to move in your city?  

Second place for Londoners went to Chelsea. While you might bump into a few reality stars there, you can also wonder down the bustling King’s Road, head to the Saatchi Gallery and stroll along the side streets, picking out which townhouse you’d like to move into.

Rounding out the top three was north London’s Islington.

The area’s Upper Street is home to an array of bars, restaurants and shops, or if you fancy a more laid-back afternoon, mooch along the canal – just mind those cyclists.

Plenty of other glam neighbourhoods also made the cut, from Soho to Notting Hill.

Ted Lasso’s Richmond was one of the only south London area to make the cut – but we can see why: the area comes alive during the summer, with a glorious park, and a river perfect attempting to row along.

The other was Greenwich, the home of literal time, as well as the popular market, and stunning views across London from the observatory.

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A mistakenly-issued parking ticket has cost a construction worker his business – and forced him to lay off 10 staff.

Dwight Henry received a PCN in April for parking his van in a suspended parking spot – despite leaving the space five minutes before it became unavailab.e

The £65 ticket was ripped up by the parking officer, but nearly six months later bailiffs demanded payment.

His work van was seized, and even though Hackney council has apologised, cancelled the fine and returned his van, Dwight was unable to earn for months and has had to shut down his business – Phoenix Construction East London Ltd.

He lost out on £45,000 worth of contracts and has been forced to let his 10 staff go, as his work tools were locked up in the seized van.

Dwight, a 45-year-old dad of five who lives in Lower Clapton, north east London, is now looking for work and has called on the council to pay out compensation.

He said: ‘It has ruined my life. The council have never reached out to me to say “let’s try and make amends”.

‘I had to lay everyone off. I am pretty much out of business.

‘Construction for me is over. 30 years. All my life it’s all I’ve known… Since I was 16 years old.’

Dwight approached his van on the morning of April 5 and found a parking attendant issuing him with a ticket at 7:55am – five minutes before the bay he’d parked in became suspended.

After the construction company owner pointed out his mistake, Mr Henry says it was agreed that the fine should be cancelled and the £65 parking ticket ripped up.

But five months later he was shocked to receive a letter from bailiffs Newlyn Plc, saying they had been passed a debt of more than £200 for the ticket.

Then, despite beginning the process of challenging the fine with the Traffic Enforcement Centre, his van was clamped and seized by ‘aggressive’ bailiffs at the end of October and he was told his debt had increased to £1,300.

He said: ‘I’ve been looking for delivery jobs. I usually take jobs three or four months in advance, but the council took that away from me. I have no jobs to sustain me for the winter.

‘This PCN is not legal. It can’t be legal because it was issued before the time of the contravention hours.

‘I haven’t earned a penny from October 23 to this present day. I haven’t been able to work – I’ve had no tools, no transportation.

‘Bear in mind I’m paying for insurance for this van, I’m paying tax and MOT. I’ve just lost three contracts for £45,000 because of this situation.

‘No one wants to review the evidence because if they review the evidence they will see I did not park illegally. No one is listening to me.’

Despite the fine now having been cancelled and his van having been returned to him earlier this week, the business owner says that having been unable to arrange new contracts for the winter means he will now be forced to close his business.

Dwight also said if a council worker he had spoken to over the phone on October 23 had bothered to review his case, he might not be in the dire situation he now finds himself in.

He said: I’m past furious. The stress this brought on me is a different level. The bailiffs were so aggressive it was unbelievable. It was an abuse of power.

‘I think the council should pay me back what I have lost and compensate me for the stress and damage they have caused. The council should take full responsibility for the negligence.

‘But I’m not rich enough to hire a big-time lawyer or anything. The council already destroyed my life.

‘The council officers are still in their jobs, getting paid… But what about my kids, my family? What about the guys I’ve had to lay off, permanently?

‘The council don’t take responsibility for their actions. It’s not fair; a man shouldn’t lose their livelihood because of what happened.

“I can’t say what they should give me, but they should compensate me. I am seeking justice. It’s embarrassing. How can I tell someone “I lost my van because the council took it over a parking ticket for £65?”

‘It sounds like I’m broke… It’s the implication. It’s embarrassing what they have done to me. They’ve embarrassed me in my profession and left me in financial ruin.’

Dwight was forced to shut his previous construction business during the pandemic, and was in the process of rebuilding when the incorrectly-issued parking ticket was handed out in April.

Despite apologising and confirming the PCN was issued incorrectly, Hackney council claim they wrote to him three times before bailiffs became involved, which included details of how to challenge the ticket.

The council say they did not receive a response, which is why the PCN was escalated.

They say they also received a phone call from the enforcement agent in September saying they had spoken to Mr Henry who had confirmed he’d received correspondence from Hackney council before the PCN was registered as a debt.

A spokesperson for Hackney council said: ‘More than a month passed between Mr Henry speaking to the enforcement agent on September 18 and the vehicle being impounded on October 23, when Mr Henry had the opportunity to resolve the case.

‘We’d urge Mr Henry to contact us if he would like us to review his case.

‘We’ve reviewed this case and found that the PCN was issued three minutes before the parking suspension began. This should have been cancelled and we apologise to Mr Henry for the inconvenience this has caused him.’

Hackney Council did not comment on whether it planned to compensate Dwight or not.

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From Thurso in Scotland to Truro in Cornwall, the UK has an impressive array of towns that are well worth a visit.

But if you’re after a day trip to a picture-perfect place, where should you go?

Well, the UK’s prettiest towns have been ranked, and the top spot was claimed by Lewes, in Sussex.

With it’s quaint medieval streets, impressive castle and beautiful parks, you could spend hours mooching around here.

And the best part? It’s just an hour away from London.

The list was revealed by The Telegraph, who asked a group of travel experts to rank Britain’s towns from ugliest to prettiest, based on factors such as shopfront aesthetics, historic architecture, traffic levels, litter volume and the number of viewpoints.

The East Sussex town came out on top with an average rating of 46. It was follows by Queensferry, West Lothian, in Scotland in second place with a score of 45, and St David’s, Pembrokeshire, Wales, which scored 44. 

However, there were some British towns that didn’t fair so well. Down at the bottom of the list was Slough, with the worst score of just 12.

The experts wrote of the Berkshire town: ‘[The] High Street has been rated one of the unhealthiest in the UK for its preponderance of takeways and lack of leisure facilities, and pound shops colonise the stores that cling on in boxy 20th-century shop fronts.’ Ouch.

Methyr Tydfil in Wales was the second ugliest town, and Telfrod, Shropshire came in at third.

What’s so good about Lewes?

Lewes is a quaint mediaeval town nestled in the Sussex countryside, and, to be fair, it is really pretty.

With a historic high street, a castle, bustling Christmas markets and acres of green space, the traditional market town is certainly a top contender for most beautiful places in the UK.

Plus, it was named best place to live in Sussex for 2023, which is partly down to its banging local beer and even more banging bonfire night celebrations — the biggest in the country. 

How to get to Lewes from London

The two best ways to get from London to Lewes is by train or car — but the train is more than twice as fast as driving. 

You can get from London Victoria Lewes in just over an hour. Tickets cost around £6 when you book in advance. 

It takes around 2-and-a-half hours to drive from London to Lewes following the A2.

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A woman surprised her partner with a proposal by asking him through a map on her running app.

Sarita Aujla, 29, decided she was ready to pop the question to her boyfriend of almost two years, Jack Tench.

But she wasn’t content with a run-of-the-mill proposal – so instead set herself a ‘big, impossible idea’.

Sarita, a charity fundraiser and trustee, told Metro.co.uk: ‘I never really fully understood why men had to propose to women, and why men didn’t get an engagement ring and I thought that was a bit harsh, so I quite liked the idea of proposing.

‘I’m also quite an extroverted, loud person and I wanted to make a grand gesture… a big gesture of love to show the world just how much I love Jack.

‘I was also weighing up that he’s a lot more of an introvert, so probably wanted something much more low key than I thought he would.

‘A huge part of our relationship has been running, and we like Parkrun and running around the world together, and it’s a fun thing we share. I then thought… I wonder if I could run a proposal into Strava?’

She said she started plotting out in June everywhere she was going to visit with Jack, 31, over the following months – but struggled to find an appropriate place to carry out the task.

She made it even more difficult by wanting to write a full sentence: ‘Jack, will you marry me?’ instead of just a couple of words.

‘But I discovered Greenwich University was enough of a grid system to do it,’ Sarita added.

‘It took me probably the best part of…. four hours looking at maps and drawing on them. Then I had to sit down and draw it all out on Google Maps.’

She said she then had to appoint some helpers to do a practice run the week beforehand using some cones – and to make sure she hadn’t planned her route through any blocked off areas, fences or obstacles.

She also had to hide everything she was doing online so Jack, who she met through mutual friends, didn’t see any of her practice runs.

By Saturday, November 11, she decided she was ready, and headed to south-east London for the most important run of her life.

Sarita said: ‘I was very relieved because I’d set everything up so it had to happen on that day… luckily it was a beautiful, sunny and crisp winter’s day.’

The first two words of the message went really well, then disaster struck: ‘There was quite a big hiccup in that they were setting up the Greenwich ice rink smack bang where I was going to run “you”…’

She said she had to wrap the letter Y around the scaffolding of the ice rink.

‘Then some children tried to take the cones, bless them,’ she added.

‘But it miraculously went well despite the ice rink, I was so relieved and happy.’

The run was 6.26km (3.89 miles) and took her just under 40 minutes in total to do.

Sarita had then planned to meet Jack for brunch in Greenwich at midday – but without knowing the importance of the situation, he was in no rush to arrive on time.

When he eventually turned up, she took him to the fountain next to the university and then told him to look at her latest run on Strava.

As he did that, she got down on one knee and was about to launch into an emotive speech – before he exclaimed, ‘Yes! Yes, I will marry you.’

She said: ‘I haven’t asked you yet!’ and her now-fiancé replied: ‘You have – it’s right here,’ and held up his phone.

Jack, a software engineer, told Metro: ‘Sarita was not happy at all because she had a whole speech planned and hadn’t considered I was immediately going to get the question!

‘I was over the moon happy, and I think I was so surprised by the whole thing – I genuinely didn’t see it coming – that when she was giving the speech, it was going in one ear and out of the other. I was just in shock and so happy, and so excited.

‘I wasn’t paying any attention to anything going on around me – it was all a bit of a blur.

‘The first thing I thought afterwards – I was just so impressed by all the route planning that had gone into it and see how you’d actually pulled it off.

‘Normally on all our adventures cycling, running and hiking around the world, I’m often really involved in the route planning so I can appreciate how complicated it must have been.’

The couple, who live together in Shadwell, east London, had Buck’s Fizz from a pair of engagement mugs and then spent the rest of the day celebrating in Greenwich.

They are now preparing to tie the knot almost one year from now, in December 2024.

Jack added: ‘We’re both so excited for the wedding – so much so, that everything’s already planned.

‘It’s all booked, we know exactly what we’re doing and we’re having a really exciting Christmas wedding next year, which we’re both looking forward to.’

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When you think of summer getaways, Spain, Portugal and Greece no doubt spring to mind.

But a budget airline has just launched bargain flights to a European city that is so often forgotten by holidaymakers.

Wizz Air is offering flights from London Luton to Chişinău – the capital of Moldova – for just £17.99 one way.

After a brief suspension earlier this year, the flights now operate every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

In just three hours and 15 minutes you could be in the land locked country, where temperatures typically reach the high 20s in mid-June.

If you decide to take advantage of the cheap flights, be sure to put the Mileștii Mici winery at the top of your list. The cellar has 34 miles of underground galleries and holds the Guinness World Record for having the biggest wine collection in the world – nearly two million bottles. 

But if the mere thought of that hangover is enough to put you enough, there’s still plenty to do.

Moldova was part of the Soviet Union until 1991, meaning Chişinău is perfect for architecture buffs, as it’s filled with examples of Soviet and brutalist architecture.

There’s also the Nativity Cathedral, which was built in the 1830s before being destroyed in WW2. Now, it’s been rebuilt, and stands in the heart of the capital.

Not far from the cathedral, visitors can find the National Museum of History of Moldova. Costing just over €1, there are over 265,000 exhibits including a replica of St Stefan’s sword, the weapon of a warrior revered across the nation.

‘We are pleased to reintroduce the route from London Luton to Chisinau in Moldova’, Zsuzsa Trubek, Communications Manager at Wizz Air said.

‘Eastern European destinations like Chisinau are becoming more popular with tourists and we are delighted to expand our offering for passengers looking to explore the region.

‘Chisinau has a rich history with beautiful architecture and the route will allow our UK passengers to connect with family or enjoy a holiday in a beautiful location.’

So, what are you waiting for? Get those dates in the diary and discover the little-known beauty of Chişinău.

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A woman was allegedly raped in the street in the early hours of the morning in south London.

The reported victim, aged in her 30s, said she was attacked near West Croydon railway station shortly before 1am on Saturday.

She has been taken to hospital following the assault near the junction of London Road and Kidderminster Road.

A 28-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of rape at the scene and was also taken to hospital as a precaution.

Police have erected a cordon along a major road between Croydon and Norbury until around 10am, according to MyLondon.

Detective sergeant Walter said: ‘I know the local community will be incredibly concerned to hear about this terrible incident.

‘I want to offer my full reassurance that a thorough investigation is underway.

‘Local residents should expect to see an increased police presence in the area as we continue our enquiries.’

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‘I wear what makes me happy, not anyone else – and that’s colour. That’s what makes me happy.’

This is style advice from fashion-fanatic Sylvia Ezer. Currently the face of a nationwide clothes campaign, she’s not your average model. 

Plucked at random while out shopping, her story has echoes of Kate Moss’ 1988 rise to fame after the British supermodel was spotted at New York’s JFK airport while smoking a cigarette.

However, while Kate Moss was just 14 when was she was scouted for stardom, former teacher Sylvia was 88. It also happened a bit more closer to home – at her favourite White Stuff store in London’s Muswell Hill, where she lives.

‘I was just looking through the rail, as I always do, when someone came up and asked if I’d like to pose myself,’ she tells Metro.co.uk ‘I’d done a little bit of modelling-  a very long time ago – so thought it would be fun.’

Within weeks, Sylvia was whisked away to Fulham Palace Meadows Allotments for a photoshoot and the images soon went viral, as people praised her ageless style.

‘I couldn’t quite believe it,’ Sylvia admits with a smile.

‘I’ve always been happy in comfortable, casual gear rather than anything too formal or tight. So White Stuff was always my cup of tea. When I walk into a shop I cast an eye on the rails and the styles and, usually, I can pick out what will look good. My eye knows what is going to suit me. 

‘If I wear something I’m not comfortable in, the moment I open my front door I’m taking it off and getting changed. It’s important to be confident in what you like. For me, colour makes me happy.’

Sylvia’s love of all things bright began in the small village of Robertson in South Africa’s Western Cape, where she was surrounded by vibrant plants and rich wine fields. 

Her family ran the village’s Commercial Hotel which often hosted a travelling acting troupe. Sylvia remembers watching a performance in the local village hall when she was six-years-old. She was “fascinated’ by their colourful outfits and bold accessories. And so a lifelong love of clothing began.

The self-professed ‘country bumpkin’ moved to a bigger town of Worchester as a teenager and then to the University of Western Cape to study drama. Her confidence and love of fashion grew when she moved to London in 1958, just in time to enjoy the swinging sixties in full flow.

‘I remember even going on the tube and seeing everyone dressed in different things, there was a freedom’, she recalls.

‘I still loved the theatre and went there often. I would love going to Portobello Market and browsing the rails. It was all very exciting, I was certainly a city girl by this point.’

She admits she did lose her colour at points at low points in her life. In the wake of the death of her husband Colyn, who was only 59, and death of her second partner Jim, in 2020, her wardrobe took a back seat.

But in her return to a new normal, it was clothing like a familiar pink jumper and deep red trousers that gave her something to smile about.

These days, the former drama teacher turned model is happy to impart her style knowledge to a new generation, which is why I jumped at the chance to spend an afternoon with her. As the most fashion conscious person in the world, I wanted to find out her style secrets. 

As a teenager – with a full-face of terrible acne that lasted years – I embraced our black school uniform and clothes that would help me blend in. That mindset of ‘not standing out’ has continued on until adulthood where I’m still pretty nervous to veer away from a dark hoodie and jeans combination.

So meeting Sylvia was quite the jump. Her love is colour, and colour gets you noticed. 

As I got glammed up, 5’2” Sylvia reached up to the rail to investigate her options. She held up each one as she expertly envisioned what could be paired together.

But would I like what she chose? Here’s how we got on…

Sylvia's makeover magic: outfit by outfit

Look 1

First outfit was a knitted white jumper with a sprinkling of colour on the sleeves, Sylvia’s speciality, teamed with a rusty corduroy long skirt.

Sylvia says: ‘Colour as key and this earthy, brick style red is one of my favourites – it takes me back to my upbringing in South Africa. Going for a skirt rather than pairing a jumper with jeans is an easy way to elevate a classic look, so you can wear it anywhere.’

Kirsten says: ‘Coupled with a long red skirt, it made for a very cosy piece of autumnal wear that could take me from the office to after work drinks. I’d definitely never worn a skirt as long, it felt fairly alien, and I was definitely nervous about pulling it off. Longer skirts do seem to be getting back into style again, Sylvia is onto a new trend here.’

Jumper: £75, White Stuff

Skirt: £38, Next

Look 2

Second outfit included some striking pink trousers coupled with a pink high neck fluffy jumper.

Sylvia says: I chose to roll up the sleeves, this outfit means business. It’s the perfect example of how colour can make you smile – this would liven up any trip to the office. Two simple choices which make a big impact.

Kirsten says: ‘I must admit, Sylvia’s second choice for me looked pretty daunting on the rail. Bright pink trousers and a fluffy pink jumper – a pairing I wouldn’t normally run a million miles from. But Sylvia gave me the confidence to pull it off after some words of encouragement to trust her, and I was glad I did. Not just the office, it would be fun for any girls afternoon or suit for some winter nights out – where being warm is just as essential as looking good.

Trousers, £38, River Island

Jumper: Pink High Neck Jumper, £40

Look 3

Our third outfit provided a chance to match up fashionista Sylvia with the fashion guinea pig Kirsten. The 88-year-old went with a plain white t-shirt and the 27-year-old with a pair of wide-length jeans. A smattering of buttons and deep velvet green completed the look on our matching blazer.

Sylvia says: ‘The blazer was a key fashion piece I’ve seen reinvented dozens of times over my decades in London. But again, simplicity is key. Paired with a set of smart jeans and stunning shirt, the blazer could be the perfect choice for a spot of networking or to elevate a work outfit. 

Kirsten says: ‘When I first saw them on the rail I thought they would be far too big for me, but the oversized look worked wonders. This is something I’d love to wear round the office or on a Sunday stroll to the shops, this was my favourite of Sylvia’s selections.

Blazer: £75, White Stuff

Jeans: £38, River Island

Shirt, £39.50, M&S Autograph Collection

Look 4

The final outfit of the day reflected a key component for Sylvia – comfort. She picked out a pair of brown cord trousers and a cosy bright green jumper.

Sylvia: This kind of outfit is perfect for hosting duties. Just the other day, I held a lunch party in a similar pair of White Stuff trousers and I was able to dash back and forth the kitchen in style. They’re super comfortable and last a long time.

Kirsten: As Sylvia says, this comfortable outfit would be ideal for having friends over. The trousers really were comfortable and, really, perhaps the most easy-to-repeat way of switching up my boring jeans and hoodie style. The combo was also perfect for not letting chilly temperatures get in the way of a nice outfit, or for fading into the background. 

Trousers: £44.25, White Stuff

Jumper: £29.50, M&S

Conclusion

While the overall experience of being a fashion guinea pig was daunting, it really was a learning experience and showed me that style doesn’t have to be as scary as the Instagram reels or perfectly curated social media posts make out. As Sylvia says, the experience should be a joy, not a chore.

She did take me out of my comfort zone initially but it was good to be encouraged to try out bolder colours and combinations I would not have considered myself 

Inspired by the likes of Maggie Smith who – at the age of 88 –  became the new face of fashion brand Loewe’s, Syvlia taught me that any outfit can stand out – but there’s a key accessory needed if you really want to make it pop: confidence.

‘With getting older, I have learned more to wear what makes me happy. You can always make something your own with confidence,’ Sylvia explains.

Thanks to her stylish eye I will definitely be bolder and braver when I look through the high street fashion rails in the future and not always head for the dark colours all the time. I’m definitely going to be more daring in my colour choices in future.

Sylvia's beauty regime

While we had her, we wanted to find out Sylvia’s beauty regime that’s helped her stay looking fabulous over the years.

She told us that her must-have piece of make-up is the Clarins Joli Rouge lipstick. ‘It’s a shade of orange and adds a lovely pop of colour. I’ve very fond of it and have replenished it several times over the last few years. The lipstick lights up my face.’

Occasionally she will dip into a brown shade of Lancome lipstick, but she says this ‘depends on my mood’. She’s partial to a Lancome foundation each day as well.

When it comes to keeping her skin fresh, she has a strict evening routine. But she’s not devoted to a particular brand, she’s happy to find whatever is the most ‘economical’ in Boots. Syliva starts by using a cleansing milk then wipes it away with a tissue or soft sponge.

She repeats this twice to make sure she’s captured all the dregs of the day. ‘Then I’ll use some eye-make up remover, add some serum, then use my night cream. Occasionally I’ll use an eye cream.’

A No 7 lipbalm comes next, especially in winter.

‘I never go to bed without taking off my make-up’, Sylvia adds. ‘When it comes to my night routine, I use products which are on sale, never anything too expensive. I do have a lot of skin damage from when I was younger, I never wore sun cream.

‘We weren’t taught all that, we would even put things like lemon juice on our face. We didn’t realise how bad that was. So I have to keep my face hydrated, at morning and night I use a Garnier Rose Water miscellar cleanser, which I wipe on with a cotton pad.’

Photographs by: Natasha Pszenicki, Hair & Make Up: Desmond Grundy

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A man has admitted to killing his elderly mother by smothering her in her own bed.

Kevin Pearce, a 59-year-old full-time carer, attacked 89-year-old Eileen Pearce at their home in Bexleyheath, southeast London, in June 2021.

He was previously accused of murder but denied the charge, stating that he caused her death but had no memory of doing it.

Prosecutors accepted a charge of manslaughter by diminished responsibility after psychiatric reports on his mental state were completed.

Pearce pleaded guilty to the charge on Friday and was granted bail ahead of a sentencing hearing early next year.

Prosecutor Michelle Nelson KC said: ‘In the circumstances and a review, the CPS think it’s appropriate to accept the plea.’

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The rental property market is a wild place, to say the least.

And in the latest instalment of ‘can the landlord actually do that?’, one woman stumbled across a rental listing charging £75 per month in ‘pet rent’.

The two-bed, two bath flat is situated in London’s Stepney Green, near Whitechapel and Bank. Professional landlord Fizzy Living is offering the property for a deposit of £2,300 and £2,180 per calendar month rent.

This means if you have a pet it’ll take your monthly total to £2,255. As if pets aren’t already expensive enough.

X (formerly Twitter) user Hannah Louise wrote: ‘Sometimes I think there is nothing a landlord could do that I would find shocking anymore and then they hit you with PET RENT.’

One person jokingly responded: ‘How is your pet meant to pay rent? Do they have a job?’

Another wrote: ‘PET RENT?!?!? I am aghast,’ while another said: ‘How much for a tamagotchi?’

Fellow renters on the platform shared their experiences of being charged for pets in their rental properties.

Hannah shared a screen shot from one person, who messaged her to say their building was charging £25 for hamsters.

Another wrote: ‘We pay £50 a month for our dog,’ while another said: ‘Mines £15 extra a month which I don’t massively mind, but I wish we didn’t have to.’

Someone else shared that they had to pay an extra £500 deposit so their landlord would allow their cat to live in the property, while another had to pay £200 and has to get the property professionally flea sprayed if they move out.

Clearly people are forking out the money. Research from Zoopla showed that a rental property being ‘pet friendly’ made it much more desirable but as of 2021 just 7% of landlords advertised their homes as being suitable for pets.

Of the 1,261 landlords surveyed by SpareRoom back in 2018, 69% said they don’t allow pets in their properties because they’re worried about the smell or damage a pet might cause.

But, the same study found 88% of pet owners have never had any complaints and that their pets have never caused damage to a property.

The landlord for this two bed, two bath, Fizzy Living, states: ‘We love pets! Fizzy is London’s most pet-friendly landlord (thanks TimeOut London!) and we welcome pets at all Fizzy buildings.’

However, its £75 per month ‘pet rent’ is in place across every single one of its properties, which it claims ‘contributes to the additional cleaning and maintenance required’.

This only applies to pets like cats and dogs, not hamsters or fish that are contained.

But can landlords actually charge you for having pets in the property?

The short answer is yes, but not excessively.

According to the House of Commons Library, in its explanation of the rules on pet ownership in rented properties, ‘Landlords cannot charge a fee for agreeing to a request to keep a pet and cannot ask for a higher deposit if this would breach the deposit cap requirements in the Tenant Fees Act 2019’.

When it comes to private landlords ‘the default position is for landlords not to unreasonably withhold consent where a tenant asks for permission to keep a pet’, but renters must seek permission.

Landlords have to be reasonable and should agree to this if they believe the tenant to be ‘a responsible pet owner and the pet is of a kind that is suitable in relation to the nature of the premises at which it will be kept’.

‘Clause C3.5 prohibits a landlord from exercising a blanket ban on pets. A responsible pet owner will be aware of their responsibilities in making best efforts to ensure their pet does not cause a nuisance to neighbouring households or undue damage to the Property,’ according to the House of Commons Library.

Reasons landlords can say no to requests are not wanting large pets in small properties and also if they deem it impractical.

‘If consent is given on the condition that additional deposit is paid by the tenant, the total deposit must not breach the deposit cap introduced under the Tenant Fees Act 2019 and must be protected in an authorised tenancy deposit scheme.’

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Friday sees many of us Brits reach for the classic dish of hearty fish and chips.

But one Londoner was outraged after being served a portion for the eye-watering price of £37.

It wasn’t the price that had him so angry though. He took to X (formerly Twitter) sharing a picture of his ‘bland’ dinner, which pictured just nine chips on the plate.

The dish is on the menu by celebrity chef Tom Kerridge in Harrods, and commentators on the social media platform were also up in arms.

The disappointed diner wrote on X: ‘THIRTY SEVEN POUNDS for this bland plate of fish & chips at Tom Kerridge’s in Harrods. NINE chips. NINE.’

Kerridge’s Fish and Chips is, as the name suggests, dedicated to fish and chips, with £37 being the cheapest option for a fish and chip dish on the menu.

The internet was horrified at the diner’s experience, with the post amassing 3,300 comments.

One user said: ‘Blimey! What fish is it? Koi carp?’

Another commented: ‘Frigging disgrace! Fine dining taking the royal piss,’ while someone else said: ‘You’ve been had.’

One even joked: ‘The food is socially distanced too,’ to which another replied: ‘Yeah, most of the chips stayed away completely.’

While it may be a longstanding tradition to avoid meat on a Friday and eat fish instead (it’s a Roman Catholic belief), if it’s going to set us back this much money in a cost of living crisis, we think we’ll give it a miss.

Kerridge’s Fish and Chips writes on their website: ”And as you’d expect, Kerridge does not neglect the chips, which take two days to be prepared before they arrive at your table, piping hot and triple-cooked alongside a choice of dips.’

The chef came under fire back in July for the cost of his food and said: ‘I’ve learnt to deal with it. I’m seen as a man of the people, so when I put fish and chips on for £35, they shout at me for it being expensive.

‘The fish in most chippies is frozen at sea, in a big block, a year ago, then cut up and portioned.

‘The potatoes are maybe four weeks old, have gone through a chipper, been cleaned and put into cheap oil. They’re wrapped in paper, with malt vinegar and salt. 

‘I love it, but at Harrods it’s line-caught, day-boat turbot. The potatoes are specifically sourced for their sugar and starch content, then individually cut up by a person.’

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A manhunt is underway after a woman who tried to break up an argument was almost pushed in front of a Tube train.

The woman saw her attacker arguing with an elderly man at Leicester Square station on November 6.

The man, wearing a puffer jacket, then turned on her, grabbing her arms and dragging her towards the tracks.

There was a struggle and she managed to escape from him, but he grabbed her again and pushed her as a train arrived at around 3.30pm.

Two witnesses intervened and managed to pull the woman away from the suspect who got onto the train.

A British Transport Police spokesperson said: ‘The suspect is described as a male believed to be in his late twenties with a muscular build, wearing a beige scarf over his head and a short puffer jacket.’

A man tried to pull a woman into the path of an oncoming tube train at King’s Cross Underground station last year before her friends intervened.

Arthur Hawrylewicz, from Cardiff, was jailed for 10 years for attempted murder.

Detective sergeant Mike Blakeburn said of the incident: ‘Had it not been for their brave actions pulling her from his clutches, we could easily have been dealing with a murder investigation.’

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It’s the time of year when Christmas enthusiasts will be heading to ice rinks and markets, ready for some festive fun.

Far flung destinations like New York, with it’s Rockefeller Centre Christmas tree, will be a bucket-list trip for many, or families may head to Lapland, where children can visit Santa Claus at home.

But when it comes to the world’s most picturesque Christmas spot, you don’t have to travel as far as you might think.

In a recent study, we’re very pleased – and not at all surprised – to announce that our very own London was awarded the number one spot.

The research by long-haul holiday specialists, Travelbag, analysed Instagram hashtags for 100 of the best-rated cities.

With more than 270,000 hashtags, London was the winner, with New York in at second place with 255,000.

Paris comes in at number three, while those looking for a slightly balmier Christmas, will be pleased to hear that Dubai is fourth.

Completing the top five is Chicago, the setting for everyone’s favourite Christmas film, Home Alone.

While we rarely get a white Christmas here in London (we last saw snow in London on Christmas Day in 1999), it can still be pretty picture-perfect during the holidays.

The Christmas lights are already twinkling on Oxford Street, and elsewhere, visitors to Covent Garden will be treated to a display of over 40 giant bells with bows, 12 giant baubles and eight spinning mirror balls.

And, while you’re out on London’s shopping streets, you may as well pop into Hamley’s – the oldest toy store. Whether you’re a big kid, or an actual kid, walking into the giant shop feels like walking into a the elves workshop, with pretty much every toy a child could think to add on their Christmas list.

The capital is also home to some idyllic ice-skating rinks, the most famous of which sits in the courtyard of Somerset House, underneath the iconic Christmas tree.

And, if it’s Christmas markets you’re after, you’re spoilt for choice. Of course, there’s the slightly heady Winter Wonderland, with it’s neon lights and giant rides, but there are other more low-key options too.

The Winter Market on the Southbank is great choice for those who want to mooch among the craft stalls in the shadow of the London Eye, with a beer in one hand and a German sausage in the other.

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A sixth body has been recovered after five members of the same family died in a house fire in west London on Sunday evening.

The bodies have included adults and children and have not yet been formally identified. A seventh person was taken to hospital with serious burns.

The families of all those concerned have been informed that a sixth body has been discovered.

The adults who lived at the home have been named locally as Aroen Kishen and wife Seema, while tributes named the youngsters as Riyan, Shanaya and Arohi.

A blaze tore through a home on Channel Close in Hounslow at about 10.30pm, the Metropolitan Police said.

The house was gutted by the flames, with the ground and first floor of the mid-terrace house destroyed.

Tributes now line Channel Close, a residential cul-de-sac road by Great West Road, with a note on a bunch of flowers reading: ‘Rest in peace, sweet child.’

Police are treating the deaths as unexplained and have appealed for witnesses.

Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Garth Hall said: ‘Firstly, I want to express my sincere condolences to all those affected by this terrible incident.

‘The deaths of so many people, including children, is simply heart-breaking.’

Hall said that investigation efforts have been hampered by the scene being ‘too unstable and dangerous’.

‘It was only after the walls were shored up, and the roof removed, that it became safe enough for search teams to enter the premises,’ he added.

‘We have now been able to sadly confirm the death of a sixth person.

‘The investigation into the cause of the fire continues and I must express my thanks to the London Fire Brigade, their knowledge and experience has been crucial in helping us understand what may have happened that dreadful night.’

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A woman subjected passengers on a London bus to an aggressive ‘antisemitic’ outburst in which she shouted: ‘Only Jews eat at McDonald’s.’

Wearing a black bandana, black coat, ripped blue jeans and white trainers, she was filmed confronting and threatening other people on board on Armistice Day. 

The eyewitness who was on the bus with her husband when she recorded the footage described the attack as ‘distressing’ and ’scary’.

It first started when the woman overheard other passengers talking about McDonald’s chips and interrupted by saying: ‘Only jews eat McDonald’s.’

Shortly after the video begins, she can be heard asking someone: ‘Are you a Jew?’

When she realises she’s being recorded, she takes a violent swipe at the woman filming in an attempt to smash the phone out of her hand. 

Another passenger intervened and stood in between the pair, to which the woman said ‘don’t touch me’ and asked ‘why are you recording me?’

Referencing her remarks about Jews, the woman filming asks her to ‘say it again’.

But she responds by trying to aggressively push past the man attempting to keep her away and shouts: ‘Why are you touching me, fam? I’ll smash your glasses into your eyes, bro.’

She then walks along the bus towards another passenger and says: ‘Oh. cos I said something about Jews?

‘You’re lucky I don’t smash your phone, you know. Stop recording me, please stop recording me.’

The passenger tells her: ‘Everyone is recording you, I think you need to get off the bus.’

She aggressively leans towards the man and squares up to him, repeatedly shouting: ‘Can you please stop recording me? I’m telling you, stop recording me.’

Another woman can be heard also asking her to get off a bus and a man says ‘what you are saying is offensive’.

Refusing the requests from other passengers to leave the bus, she then slumps into a seat, waves her hands and says: ‘Get me off the bus, bro.’

Her bizarre tirade of abuse came on the same day that around 300,000 people marched through London in support of Palestine, calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Far-right protesters also clashed with police at the Cenotaph and others were later filmed abusing people at railway stations in the capital for showing their support to Palestine.

Speaking after the incident, the eyewitness told MailOnline: ‘It is not safe to be a Jew in London right now. We are experiencing everything that we were warned about as children. 

‘Each bus or train journey becomes increasingly intimidating, making us question if this is a place we can continue to call home. 

‘As the granddaughter of two Holocaust survivors, I am appalled, but sadly, not completely surprised, that this is something I have to face in my lifetime.

‘I was scared. This is a route I take daily, and while I had my husband with me this time, I can’t help but wonder who would stand up for me if I were alone?’

The Met Police has not yet commented on this specific incident but condemned the acts of violence committed by far-right protesters and anti-Semitic hate crimes over the weekend and arrested 145 people.

Matt Twist, the Met’s assistant commissioner, said the force is working hard to continue identifying those who have committed offences.

So far, 11 people have been charged with offences including assault on an emergency worker, criminal damage, racially aggravated assault and possession of an offensive weapon.

Pro-Palestine protesters have recently targeted McDonald’s restaurants across the UK by throwing mice onto the floor.

Targeted mice attacks have been part of a campaign to boycott McDonald’s for offering free meals to IDF soldiers, which some claim shows they are favouring Israel in the ongoing conflict.

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A teenager was stabbed to death after two groups clashed in a running knife battle in the street, described as ‘utter mayhem.’

The 17-year-old was killed in the attack close to Burket Close, Southall, just after midnight today.

Scotland Yard said despite the best efforts of the emergency services he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police added that his next of kin have been informed and that four males have been arrested on suspicion of murder. The Met are yet to release their ages.

A witness told the Standard: ‘Some guys turned up in a car and they started fighting with people on the street.

‘There was screaming and fighting… it was utter mayhem.

‘I saw a boy with a wound in his side and he was being savagely beaten by guys with sticks.

‘I told them to stop but they just continued. Then a car sped off as this was happening…they left him for dead.’

Shortly after the brutal attack, a neighbor said the victim’s mother showed up at the scene and began screaming.

A neighbour added: ‘She was in a terrible way. It was heartbreaking to see.’

Virendra Sharma, MP for Ealing and Southall said: ‘No mother, parent or loved one should lose someone in this way.

‘Another young life is lost to society, it’s such a loss for everyone.’

Four men have been arrested on suspicion of murder, but police have yet to release their ages.

Anyone with information is urged to come forward.

A spokesman for Metropolitan Police said: ‘A murder investigation has been launched following a stabbing in Southall.

‘His next of kin have been informed. Four males – no further details – have been arrested on suspicion of murder.’

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Families of Palestinians imprisoned in Israel and hostages in Gaza will spend another 24 hours in fear if their loved ones will finally be freed.

Their release is part of a ceasefire – expected to last four days – which was agreed by Israel and Hamas early on Wednesday.

But the exchange will not happen until Friday, Israel’s national security adviser and the US said, dashing hopes of relatives that some would be freed on Thursday.

The deal also includes the deployment of desperately needed humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Speaking on Thursday morning, Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesperson Majid bin Mohammed Al Ansari said an announcement on the beginning of the truce could come in the next few hours.

Qatar has been mediating in the negotiations on the truce.

Meanwhile, Israel has continued its deadly operation in the Gaza Strip, targeting multiple areas overnight.

Warplanes and artillery hit the southern city of Khan Younis in at least two waves and 15 people were killed.

Meanwhile, Hollywood celebrities continue to suffer consequences for publicly standing up for Palestinians in the conflict.

Greta Thunberg ran out of a Westminster courtroom after denying a public order offence after a central London protest last month.

The 20-year-old activist was arrested on October 17 during a demonstration outside of the InterContinental Hotel in Mayfair, as oil executives met at a forum inside.

She and four other Fossil Free London protestors pleaded not guilty at Westminster Magistrate’s Court this morning to breaching the Public Order Act.

The protesters attempted to block access to the InterContinental Hotel on Park Lane on October 17 by sitting and standing on the pavement by the entrance.

The activist was smiling and laughing as the hearing took place, and she was granted unconditional bail ahead of a trial in February.

A group of Greenpeace and Fossil Free London protesters gathered outside the court, chanting and holding banners reading ‘Oily Money Out’ and ‘Make Polluters Pay’.

Addressing journalists outside the hotel on the day of the protest, Miss Thunberg said: ‘The world is drowning in fossil fuels. Our hopes and dreams and lives are being washed away by a flood of greenwashing and lies.

‘It has been clear for decades that the fossil fuel industries were well aware of the consequences of their business models, and yet, they have done nothing.

‘The opposite – they have actively delayed, distracted and denied the causes of the climate crisis and spread doubts about their own engagement in it.’

On Saturday, she had a microphone snatched from her at a climate rally in Amsterdam.

The man could be seen reaching for the microphone as Greta resisted – seemingly unbothered – before he was apprehended by security and members of the rally onstage.

He said into the microphone: ‘I have come here for a climate demonstration, not a political view.’

One attendee yelled in reply: ‘Climate is politics.’

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A glitch at a cash machine meant a swarm of customers were handed ‘double the money’ they asked for.

Dozens of people rushed to the NatWest machine in East Ham, east London after footage of the ATM issue was shared online.

The machine suffered a ‘one-off manual error’ the bank said, meaning that ‘a number of transactions at one ATM dispensed more cash than the requested amount.’

It later said the ATM had been fixed and customers could use it again as normal.

Just over a month ago, NatWest customers said they had gone overdrawn because of an issue with its cash deposit machines – with some worried they would be charged fees.

Several people said that recently-deposited cash was not showing up in their balance.

In August, technical faults at the Bank of Ireland allowed people to withdraw funds despite having little or no money in their accounts.

Large queues formed at many cash machines in the Republic of Ireland after word of the glitch spread.

Posts on social media later appeared to show police officers deployed to ATMS.

However the incident from last night has now been resolved, the bank said.

In footage shared on X (previously Twitter) large groups of customers can be seen huddled around the machine in east London.

One man commentating over the top says that one of the machines is giving out ‘double cash’ claiming out twice the amount of cash that customers were requesting.

It is unclear whether customers were then charged the double amount or if they were actually handed the cash without any extra charges.

NatWest has been contacted for further confirmation.

A NatWest spokesperson said: ‘Due to a one-off manual error, a number of transactions at one ATM dispensed more cash than the requested amount.

‘This has since been fixed and customers can use this ATM as normal.’

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It started as a Wednesday like any other.

I had my usual, daily chat with dad on the way to work where we spoke about a property deal we were looking at together. The numbers didn’t work, but he seemed desperate to make it happen.

I didn’t know then – in 2010 – that this would be the last time I ever spoke to him.

That afternoon, I received a panicked phone call from one of his employees telling me that he had been declared bankrupt and no one could reach him.

When I tried to call him, it rang out and went to voicemail. I started to worry.

I knew things were getting tricky after the financial crisis of the late 2000s, but I had no idea they were this bad.

I headed to Mayfair to look in some of the places he frequented, but Dad was nowhere to be seen.

Then I had an idea. He always parked in the same car park, so I went to see if his car was still there. It was.

My battery was running low and the porter there knew me, so I asked him for my dad’s keys so I could get in the car and charge my phone.

I glanced around for any clues as to where he could be, but just saw his gym kit and golf clubs. I sat in the car listening to the radio while my phone charged.

Then the news came on: ‘Central Line suspended due to a person on the tracks at Bond Street station.’ Could it be him? No way. Dad wouldn’t even know where the Tube station was.

I went to the station just so I could cross it off the list; the idea of suicide was still not in my head. Station staff instructed me to call the British Transport Police just to check it wasn’t him.

I’ll never forget the moment I made that call – I was on the corner of Grosvenor Square and Duke Street. It was pouring with rain so I was standing under a canopy.

Hearing the person at the other end of the phone confirm it was him and that he had died will stick with me forever. Thinking about it now sends chills down my spine.

It doesn’t help that I pass the spot where I made the call every day on my way to work. These are all constant reminders that I get on a daily basis but have learned to live with.

While being interviewed by the police, they asked if I had any indication as to why he could have chosen to take his own life, and the honest answer was no. I didn’t have a clue.

He was so good at hiding it. No one could have guessed what was going on inside the head of this seemingly indestructible, fearless man. This is the case with so many suicides.

I ended up calling my uncle to ask him to tell everyone else – including my grandparents – as I didn’t have the courage to do so. I was numb and in complete shock.

My father’s death got a lot of press attention because he was a successful property entrepreneur who came from a very modest background but played polo with the then-Prince Charles – so it was on the front page of the Evening Standard.

As a result, I actually wore a balaclava home from work that night as I was worried that I would be recognised: ‘There’s the guy whose father went bankrupt and killed himself.’

In the aftermath of Dad’s passing, I went into autopilot and became so focussed on the mundane admin tasks ahead of me to deal with the bankruptcy.

The days leading up to the funeral dealt me with a plethora of emotions: shame, guilt, anger, loneliness, confusion. All the unanswered questions were exasperated by the fact there was no note.

I missed a call from him earlier in the day that he died, would he still be alive if I took it? Should I have picked up on his desperation during our call earlier on? Could I have stopped it? These are the questions that I now live with for the rest of my life – just like the millions of others impacted by suicide.

Hundreds turned up to the funeral – he was very loved. I read my eulogy without shedding a tear, including talking about how amazingly loved he was.

I thought I was brave not showing emotion – how wrong I was. Brave would have been showing my vulnerability in front of all those people.

In the months since, I was a total mess. I went off the rails and was spiralling out of control to the point that my friends and family were extremely worried about me.

Then I met my wife, Simone, nine months after my dad passed and I immediately felt safe around her. To anyone else, I barely spoke about what happened, but I felt comfortable enough to open up to her within 10 minutes.

We got married in 2015 and my uncle – Dad’s brother, Jonathan – walked me down the aisle with my mum. Dad’s parents were also under the Chuppah with me as I got married.

It was a beautiful day full of happiness, but there was a constant longing in my mind for my dad to be there. I know he would have loved Simone and would be constantly joking about how much I was punching.

Telling my two kids – Arthur, six, and Jack, two – about how their grandpa died is one of my biggest fears. How do you even begin to approach that and when?

I don’t have any of the answers and I struggle to comprehend what to do. I suppose I just have to take it each day at a time and I’m sure I will know when the time is right.

There is still so much stigma around suicide and I know they will have many questions that I won’t be able to answer – like why he was sad and why didn’t I help him. I don’t want to burden them with the pain, yet I am also desperate for them to know what an amazing man Granddad was.

Knowing my wife and kids will never meet my dad is a constant regret, they would have loved each other so much.

I live with so many what ifs, and I still go through life every day wanting to call him to tell him something and remembering that I can’t.

Around the 10-year anniversary of Dad’s death – in 2020 – I wanted to grow a moustache while in lockdown, but my wife really wasn’t keen.

Then I found out about Movember, which is a charity that encourages men to grow a moustache to raise awareness of men’s health – especially mental health and suicide awareness.

It felt like a fitting thing to do in his memory – and my wife thankfully agreed. I posted about my dad’s story on social media and that’s when I started to realise the impact I could have.

Now  – with the help of Movember – I am telling my story once more in the hope of saving a life. And I would definitely recommend others to get involved, too.

People always say to me: ‘Your dad would be so proud of what you’re doing’. Ironically, I don’t agree.

Dad was a stereotypical macho man. He didn’t believe in crying or showing vulnerability. I like to think that was all a front and behind it, he knew his struggles could have been helped by opening up.

Unfortunately for him, it was too late. But if I can help one person overcome their struggles, that will make it all worthwhile.

This November marks 20 years of Movember – the moustache that powered a men’s health movement. Find out more on their website here.

Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing James.Besanvalle@metro.co.uk. 

Share your views in the comments below.

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A cyclist was left shocked after he was knocked off his bike in front of a police officer – only to be told he should have been wearing a helmet.

Travis Nelson was riding a rental bike in Farringdon, central London on Monday along with his pet cat Sigrid, who was sat in the handlebar basket.

His ride through the city was cut short when a moped driver cut past on his right hand side, knocking Travis’s handlebar and causing him to fall to the floor.

Travis stopped at a red traffic light, and as the light turned green, he started to make his right turn – however he was unable to gain much speed before a moped snuck past on his right.

Sigrid was flung from the basket and fell perilously close to the moped’s wheels before Travis could grab her.

The incident was witnessed by a police officer, who then proceeded to tell Travis he should have been wearing a helmet, before dismissing both parties.

In the clip, the female officer asked ‘are you alright?’ and when he confirmed he was fine she said: ‘You’ve not got a helmet on. I’d really recommend wearing a helmet.’

The officer then checks on the moped driver who said: ‘Make sure you’re safe and everything before you get back onto your bike.’

Travis shared the footage on social media and said: ‘Impatient, close passing moped driver knocked us off our bike today.

‘Fortunately, the police (?) were right behind us, so they could scold me for not wearing a helmet and then leave. First time off my bike since 2007.

‘Sigrid is fine; my knee is messed up, can’t ride for a bit.’

The clip has drawn criticism on social media, with some suggesting Travis rode into the moped’s path and others even suggesting he put his cat in danger.

But Travis hit back, sharing a snipped of the Highway Code which shows he was in the right for dominating the lane – and that it’s not a legal requirement to wear a helmet while cycling, even if it is the safer option.

One user said: ‘You veered across the motorcycle’s path. All that needs doing here is informing the RSPCA because by your own admission you don’t like stopping at red lights but you’re wilfully putting that cat in harm’s way.’

Another added: ‘I think you’re arguing with everyone for no reason. Wear head protection. Keep the cat safe. You nearly lost him.

‘Drive with an eye to everyone else’s safety and you’ll hopefully stay safe too. You know you nearly lost him? That’d play on my mind. Keep safe.’

However, a third replied: ‘Glad you and Sigrid are okay. Unacceptable behaviour from the moped driver.

‘Would still recommend the helmet, though. As an ED nurse, I’ve seen way too many life-threatening/life-changing head injuries from people not wearing them.’

Another commented: ‘Glad to hear you’re both okay. Sorry it happened, unfortunately far too common in London and even the police who’re supposed to protect us are victim blaming. Unbelievable. See you and Sigi around.’

The Metropolitan Police have been contacted for comment

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