London news

• University opens government-funded lab to help train biomedical scientists

  09-08-2026 03:45 via standard.co.uk
  
  The £2.5 million facility at the University of Essex, which includes a dedicated cancer diagnostics laboratory, was funded by the Office for Students.
  
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• Balfour Beatty shares jump as profit and cash guidance hiked

  12-08-2026 14:17 via standard.co.uk
  
  The FTSE 250 firm, which has a market capitalisation worth more than £4 billion, cheered a ‘strong’ performance for the half-year.
  
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• Solar eclipse 2026 LIVE: Countdown to spectacular event over London as thousands scramble for special glasses

  12-08-2026 14:16 via standard.co.uk
  
  The capital is gearing up for a spectacular solar eclipse this evening
  
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• Gilruth: ‘Hostile times’ for women in politics as online abuse ‘normalised’

  12-08-2026 14:15 via standard.co.uk
  
  Scotland’s Deputy First Minister spoke about the challenges faced by female politicians and those from minorities.
  
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• Mourners arrive for Ann Widdecombe’s funeral

  12-08-2026 13:47 via standard.co.uk
  
  A requiem mass is taking place at Buckfast Abbey in Devon, a Catholic abbey where the former MP regularly worshipped.
  
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• How can I watch the partial solar eclipse safely?

  12-08-2026 13:40 via standard.co.uk
  
  Looking directly at the eclipse can pose severe health risks.
  
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• Drivers told they may need to turn headlights on during eclipse

  12-08-2026 13:40 via standard.co.uk
  
  The RAC warned about limited visibility for those without automatic headlights.
  
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• Tube sex 'monster' Simon Levy who killed two women in London jailed for rest of his life

  12-08-2026 13:26 via standard.co.uk
  
  Levy sexually assaulted 10 women on busy rush-hour trains in London
  
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• Packed-out planetarium welcomes eclipse watchers in Co Armagh

  12-08-2026 13:23 via standard.co.uk
  
  Families have gathered to watch the astronomical event.
  
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• Serial sex attacker Simon Levy jailed for whole life over murders of two women

  12-08-2026 13:21 via standard.co.uk
  
  The 40-year-old killed Carmenza Valencia-Trujillo, 53, in March 2025 and mother-of-four Sheryl Wilkins, 39, in August that year.
  
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• When will London get another solar eclipse after 2026?

  12-08-2026 13:07 via standard.co.uk
  
  There will be several partial eclipses in the years ahead
  
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• Fact check: Government sought injunction over Afghan data breach

  12-08-2026 13:02 via standard.co.uk
  
  Additions by the judge were credited with upgrading the injunction request to a superinjunction.
  
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• Both spending and revenue hit record highs in Scotland last year – figures

  12-08-2026 12:51 via standard.co.uk
  
  The Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland report detailed how much was raised from taxes in 2025-26, as well as how much was spent.
  
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• Cambridge University ‘tried to shut down whistleblower’ – tribunal

  12-08-2026 12:43 via standard.co.uk
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• Stop using disposable BBQs in London, says Andy Burnham to prevent wildfires as fifth heatwave hits city

  12-08-2026 12:36 via standard.co.uk
  
  The London Fire Brigade has responded to hundreds of wildfires in recent months
  
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• Ricky Gervais offers support to Lucy Davis after cancer diagnosis

  12-08-2026 12:27 via standard.co.uk
  
  The actress, who is best known for playing Dawn Tinsley in the BBC sitcom, has been diagnosed with ‘incurable’ breast cancer.
  
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• Da Vinci rapist could be monitored for life after latest conviction

  12-08-2026 12:22 via standard.co.uk
  
  Robert Greens was previously jailed for 10 years in 2006.
  
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• Solar eclipse prompts plea from electricity grid for back-up power

  12-08-2026 12:15 via standard.co.uk
  
  The National Energy System Operator said it is taking the ‘precautionary measure’ to ensure a ‘greater safety cushion’ over supplies.
  
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• Tube sex 'monster' Simon Levy who killed two women in London facing life behind bars

  12-08-2026 12:00 via standard.co.uk
  
  Levy sexually assaulted 10 women on busy rush-hour trains in London
  
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• Burnham to consider disposable BBQ ban amid heatwave and wildfire risk

  12-08-2026 11:49 via standard.co.uk
  
  The Prime Minister will chair an emergency Cobra committee later on Wednesday in response to a prolonged spell of exceptionally hot and dry weather.
  
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• What time is today's solar eclipse in London - and how long will it last?

  12-08-2026 11:44 via standard.co.uk
  
  Around 90% of the sun will be covered by the moon in the most complete solar eclipse since 1999. Here’s everything you need to know
  
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• Can't get solar eclipse glasses? Three ways to watch safely without specialist kit

  12-08-2026 11:44 via standard.co.uk
  
  Guide to watching the solar eclipse safely if you can’t get specialist glasses
  
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• Warning for heat and drought-hit UK: It gets worse without climate action

  12-08-2026 11:42 via standard.co.uk
  
  Climate Change Committee’s Baroness Brown said the ‘evidence is screaming at us’ of the need to act on climate change.
  
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• Solar eclipse frenzy sweeps London as thousands scramble for glasses

  12-08-2026 11:39 via standard.co.uk
  
  Londoners queue for hours to get their hands on a pair of specialised glasses ahead of this evening’s solar eclipse
  
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• Shoplifters set to be tagged and banned from London town centre

  12-08-2026 10:46 via standard.co.uk
  
  Croydon Council is proposing to fix persistent thieves with GPS trackers and exclude them from parts of the borough
  
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• Scottish Labour facing leadership fight ‘it could have done without’, MP says

  12-08-2026 10:45 via standard.co.uk
  
  Labour MP Michael Shanks said the timing of Anas Sarwar’s move from Holyrood to the House of Lords had been a ‘surprise’.
  
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• Faces of Oxford Street shoppers to be scanned in hunt for wanted crime suspects

  12-08-2026 10:44 via standard.co.uk
  
  Sadiq Khan indicates newly pedestrianised Oxford Street will be included in a roll-out of live facial recognition cameras
  
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• Housing more migrants in affluent areas is 'matter of fairness', says minister

  12-08-2026 10:43 via standard.co.uk
  
  More than 3,000 people have arrived in Britain across the Channel on small boats since Andy Burnham became Prime Minister 23 days ago
  
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• Telling affluent areas to house more migrants is 'matter of fairness', says minister

  12-08-2026 10:41 via standard.co.uk
  
  More than 3,000 people have arrived in Britain across the Channel on small boats since Andy Burnham became Prime Minister 23 days ago
  
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• William Hill owner suffers £46m tax hike blow ahead of £243m takeover

  12-08-2026 10:22 via standard.co.uk
  
  Evoke saw underlying earnings slump 10% to £150.2 million in the six months to June 30.
  
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