Author: News Desk

Protests and arrests as anti-Syrian riots rock Turkey Turkey’s government is calling for calm after violence against Syrian refugees broke out in Melikgazi and spread to other areas. The unrest began after a Syrian man was arrested for allegedly abusing a seven-year-old Syrian girl in Kayseri, sparking outrage among Turkish residents. In response, locals flipped cars and set Syrian-run shops on fire, demanding the expulsion of Syrians from the country. The violence spread to Hatay, where a Syrian grocery store was set ablaze. Turkey’s Interior Minister, Ali Yerlikaya, condemned the riots, stating they “damaged houses, workplaces, and vehicles belonging to…

More than 120 killed in crush at India religious event A devastating crush at a religious gathering in Hathras district, Uttar Pradesh, has claimed the lives of at least 121 people. The incident occurred during a satsang, a Hindu religious event, in Phulrai village. Many of the victims were women and children. Survivors recount the chaos as they attempted to exit the event. Witnesses described a narrow exit compounded by a sudden dust storm, which led to confusion and panic, causing many to be trampled. Images and videos from the site are circulating online, showing the injured being transported to…

The Counter Soho restaurant review: ‘legendary Mediterranean food’ Notting Hill’s upmarket Turkish grill, The Counter, has reached something of a mythical status – whispers of a promised land filled with white chocolate babaganoush and almond-flaked lamb chops. Now Kemal Demirasal, one of Turkey’s most aclaimed chefs, has opened his second London restaurant right in the middle of Soho. But does the new venture measure up to its West London predecessor? The Verdict: 8/10 AMBIENCE: ★★★★★ PRICE: £££ QUALITY: ★★★★☆ BOTTOM LINE: Some people have had very bad things to say about The Counter. I’m not one of those people. It’s a sophisticated restaurant with some…

Dame Judi Dench just broke a 193-year tradition aged 89 Dame Judi Dench and Dame Siân Phillips have just become the first women to join The Garrick Club in its 193-year history, it has been reported. In May, around 60% of members of the London private members club voted to admit women in a move that was reportedly previously blocked. The Covent Garden’s closely-guarded members list has been a point of contention over the years, with many criticising those involved in an institution that until recently barred women. Until now, no woman had been allowed into the Garrick unless invited…

Audi driver speeds wrong way on M4 motorway in west London | UK News A dangerous driver was spotted in the fast lane of a motorway in London – on the wrong side of the road. The driver of a white Audi caused panic on the M4 after travelling in the wrong direction of the major carriageway near Heston in Hounslow. A video shows the Audi A3 suddenly appear on the motorway at around 9.18pm on Friday, June 27. The illegal move was caught on camera by a passenger in an oncoming Tesla whose driver luckily spotted the car in…

New train line from London to Manchester could plug HS2 hole | UK News Plans for new trains with ‘up to 50% cheaper fares’ between London and Manchester have been revealed after the HS2 drama that ended with its northern leg being cancelled. A fleet of multi-million pound electric trains could finally be the solution to transport woes that have long plagued the capital and the north of England. London Northwestern Railway unveiled plans to launch a new train service in the next two years after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s controversial decision to scrap the northern leg of the much-anticipated…

Inside London’s secret slums taken over by squatters | UK News ‘Tom’ has lived in various squats for ten years. Homeless since he was 17, he hasn’t known a permanent safe place to call home at any point in his adult life. Now 28, Tom’s lost count of the different types of property he’s lived in, but, so far, he has managed to find somewhere to sleep in abandoned warehouses, vacant offices, empty schools, a police station, fire station, post office and even a leisure centre. ‘It’s a just a way of life,’ Tom tells Metro. He’s part of the…

Two boys aged 15 and 16 shot in London | UK News Two teenagers have been injured in a late-night shooting in London. Armed police went to Verity Close in Notting Hill at around 11.40pm last night following reports of gunshots. Officers found two boys, aged 15 and 16, with gunshot wounds and they were taken to hospital by paramedics. A Met Police spokesman said: ‘Their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. ‘Trident detectives are leading the investigation and are working closely with colleagues from the Central West Command Unit who police Kensington.’ ‘A crime scene remains in place.’…

Inmate ‘filmed having sex with Wandsworth prison guard’ was jailed for heist as girlfriend ‘hospitalised’ | UK News A prisoner who was allegedly filmed having sex with an officer inside HMP Wandsworth was jailed over a £65,000 heist and has a heavily pregnant girlfriend at home. Linton Weirich, 36, was jailed in April after raiding a property in Kensington, west London, in March 2022. He stole a litany of handbags, jewellery and a laptop which were kept inside a safe in the luxury flat. Weirich has a partner outside of jail who is said to be seven months pregnant, and…

Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez says he has no doubt that Bayern Munich will be a better team next season if they beat the likes of Manchester United and Barcelona to Joao Palhinha this summer. Palhinha, 28, appeared on the verge of a move from Fulham to Bayern last August but the deal collapsed in the final few hours of the transfer window and the midfielder remained at Craven Cottage for the 2023/24 campaign. The Portugal international has made no secret of his desire to push through a switch to Bayern since the initial move broke down and the Bundesliga…