Stories from london · United Kingdom

A stabbing attack took place in Goldersgreen, London, on Wednesday. Police have processed the charge in the immediate aftermath of the event. UK police have charged a 45-year-old man following the attack on two Jewish people in Golders Green. The national terrorism threat level in the UK has been raised to severe as a result of the incident. A man has been charged with the attempted murder of two Jewish men who were stabbed in Golders Green, North London. Two Jewish men were attacked during the incident. One victim remains in hospital. The Prime Minister promised to increase security measures at Downing Street. 45-year-old Esa Suliman is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court later today regarding the Golders Green attack.

Chris Train has resigned from his position as chair of South East Water. The resignation follows a no-confidence vote by a cross-party group of MPs regarding the company's board. MPs cited failures in the company's performance as the reason for the lack of confidence. The Environment Select Committee also described the board as incompetent. The resignation follows a report by the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee regarding major water outages in Sussex and Kent. A group of Members of Parliament has expressed no confidence in the company's leadership. The resignation follows parliamentary pressure to address the company's service issues.

A BBC investigation found some restaurants in Britain are passing off catfish as traditional fish and chips to reduce costs. The river cobbler is a species generally farmed and imported from Southeast Asia and is considered safe to eat. Ten portions of fish were sent for DNA testing after findings indicated the presence of catfish. Businesses are legally required to disclose the specific type of fish being sold to customers. The investigation is treating the incident with care and urgency. The source stated that some pieces were regular and are safe to eat. The catfish species, known as river cobbler, is typically farmed and imported from South East Asia. This species is significantly cheaper than the cod or haddock usually used for the dish. The investigation noted that incidents of fish being mislabeled are difficult to detect.

The UK government has agreed to temporarily increase payments to pharmacies for a record number of medicines. Pharmacists in England report that supplies of drugs for epilepsy, high blood pressure, and certain cancer treatments are facing shortages. Officials expressed concerns that the Iran War could exacerbate these supply challenges. The UK could reach a 10 per cent increase in these payments by the end of the year. The concession list now covers more than 200 medicines. Pharmacy leaders stated that these concessions are often insufficient and can make stocking certain drugs too costly. The Department of Health noted that the vast majority of licensed medicines remain in good supply and highlighted increased investment in UK manufacturing. This pricing gap may force patients to travel away from their local communities to access necessary medications.

Hospitality company Whitbread is divesting assets not directly related to its hotel business. The company has already exited the jewelry and beer sectors. Whitbread is now selling numerous underperforming restaurants to convert those spaces into hotel bedrooms.

More than 5,000 councillors are scheduled for election across 136 councils in England next Thursday. Six council mayors will also be up for election.

Authorities identified the suspect in a recent antisemitic attack as a 45-year-old British citizen from Somalia. The UK government is conducting a review to address the rise in antisemitic behavior across the country. The process includes government-led reviews and work by Lord Mann to find permanent solutions. Officials stated that citizen safety remains the government's first priority. The specific nature of the review and its implications for various groups are currently ongoing. A suspect has been charged in connection with the attack against the Jewish community in Golders Green on Wednesday. Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited the location on Thursday. The man charged with attempted murder in Golders Green, Esser Suleiman, was referred to the Prevent system in 2020. The case involving him was shelved that same year, according to the report.

An attempted arson attack targeted the Iran International television station, which is based in London and critical of the Iranian regime. According to spokesperson Adam Baye, individuals threw Molotov cocktails into an adjacent parking lot, causing an explosion. Police arrived at the scene following the incident. The attack follows similar security concerns regarding the safety of personnel in the area. The attack occurred in a parking area adjacent to a departmental road. Spokesperson Adam Baye confirmed the incident involved explosions in the parking area. Police identified the suspects as three youths aged 16, 19, and 21 who were reportedly recruited for money. Authorities described the individuals as amateurs rather than professionals. The Islamist group Arrakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamya claimed responsibility for the attack on Telegram.

An anonymous statue featuring a signature on the pedestal has been identified as a work by Banksy. The artist posted a video of the pedestal on Instagram, which serves as confirmation of the work's origin. The report was filed by Gabi Biesinger in London.

Assistant Commissioner Lawrence Taylor of counter-terrorism policing stated the UK is experiencing a gradual increase in terrorist threats. The warning follows a recent attack on Wednesday. Officials stated the heightened alert is a culmination of various factors including a rising level of anti-Semitism. The Metropolitan Police is reviewing whether scheduled pro-Palestine marches can proceed following a rise in the UK terrorism threat level to 'severe'. The review comes as analysts suggest Britain may need to ban certain Iranian terror groups. Counter-terrorism analyst Roger McMillan is participating in discussions regarding the security implications of these marches. Police are currently reviewing whether to ban upcoming pro-Palestine protests in response to the situation.