A woman, said by police to have bought cryptocurrency now worth billions of pounds using funds stolen from thousands of Chinese pensioners, is due to be sentenced this week for money laundering. After fleeing China, she moved to a mansion in Hampstead, north London. The Metropolitan Police raided it a year later and made one of the world's single largest crypto seizures. More than 100,000 Chinese people invested their money in her company - which claimed to be developing high-tech health products and mining cryptocurrency.
I would like to say it has been the privilege of my career to serve as the CEO of BBC News and to work with our brilliant team of journalists. I stepped down over the weekend because the buck stops with me. But I'd like to make one thing very clear, BBC News is not institutionally biased. That's why it's the world's most trusted news provider.
The 68-year-old has also been charged with nine counts of indecent assault and two counts of sexual assault. Three of the accounts of indecent assault are alleged to have taken place in BBC studios in the 1990s. The charges related to seven women, some as young as 17 years old, with the allegations spanning from 1983 to 2016. Mr Westwood was granted bail at a hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Monday.
The airport's owners want to build a full-length 3,500m (2.2-mile) runway, which would involve diverting the M25, while Arora Group is seeking permission for a 2,800m runway, negating the need to move the motorway. A decision on which developer will build Heathrow's third runway is due by the end of the month. In the summer, Heathrow Airport revealed its 49bn plans to build a third runway and accompanying infrastructure, including a new road tunnel under the airport, and widening the M25 motorway between junctions 14 and 15.
When it comes to just Christmas markets, in 2025 Londoners are truly spoiled for choice. This year's Time Out list of the capital's top festive fairs stretches beyond 30, giving you more than enough places to sip mulled wine, snack on gingerbread and get some present shopping inspo. Only the finest markets make the cut, with each one judged on its food, drink and gift shopping options (as well as overall Christmassy vibe).
Monday morning rush hour commuters are facing disruption on the railways with an electricity failure disrupting trains in and out of London Victoria station. The problem between Victoria and Clapham Junction is preventing trains from leaving the depot, according to National Rail. It says the worst affected services are likely to include the Gatwick Express between London Victoria, Gatwick Airport and Brighton, along with multiple Southern trains. It says the issue is likely to last through to 10am.
In a televised sentencing on Monday, Mr Justice Cavanagh said Lloyd-Hall had carried a knife to feel "powerful" and out of "bravado" - and not for protection, as he had claimed in his trial. He said Harry had been a normal "boisterous and exuberant" 16-year-old who was "full of charm". The judge said: "You stabbed Harry because you lost your temper with him and you acted like a big man in front of your friends."
It may seem like a once-in-a-lifetime anecdote but, this week, Cruise was back and, when the purpose for his visit was revealed, the chance sighting of the Mission: Impossible star in a West Sussex town makes a lot more sense. East Grinstead is home to the Church of Scientology its Saint Hill Manor is the UK headquarters for the organisation.
A four-year-old boy is fighting for his life after being hit by a firework. Lancashire Police are now appealing for a man to come forward in connection with the incident, warning this year has gone too far. The force said officers attended a number of incidents involving the anti-social use of fireworks in Burnley on Wednesday. During these incidents on Guy Fawkes Night in the Elm Street area, a four-year-old child was severely injured. He remains in hospital in a critical condition.
National stereotypes often have some element of truth to them, but my experience of people from north of the border suggests the dour Scotsman trope does not. This erroneous view is never more evident than when applied to the subject of the Scotland national men's team in the November tests. Like a crystal clear stream feeding a distillery producing bottles of an adeptly aged, 80% cask strength spirit of optimism, hope springs eternal from fans and commentators alike among the reddening leaves and mellow fruitfulness.
Kawtar Boudad Dupont, 31, said she was travelling with her two daughters, aged two and eight, on 30 October when she went into a baby changing room in the South Terminal to feed one of her children. She said the room was so small she was forced to leave their luggage outside, but when she came out a few minutes later their belongings were gone.
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
Its coverage spans the City of London Corporation, the City of London Police, the Barbican Centre, City of London schools, parks, libraries and protected heritage locations such as Epping Forest, the iconic ponds at Hampstead Heath and Mansion House. With over 200 locations, the City of London has to ensure connectivity reaches every employee, official, resident and visitor in its community.
Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
While overall footfall fell for the sixth consecutive month, there was some good news on High Streets, which saw positive shopper traffic after a disappointing September. With consumer confidence remaining weak ahead of the possibility of a tax-raising Budget, many households have stayed away from shopping centres and retail parks. However, a Friday Halloween brought some welcome relief, delivering a late-month boost for retailers.
Michaela Boor, 29, sustained fatal injuries when a pallet containing more than two tonnes of bricks fell from a crane at a building site on Burdett Road, Bethnal Green, on 27 March 2018. Higgins Homes Plc is accused over her death, along with Thomas Anstis, 68, of Banstead, Surrey; Stephen Coulson, 69, of Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire; Dawood Mann, 60, of Ashford, Kent; and Alexander McInnes, 33, of Islington, north London. At the Old Bailey, the defendants all denied gross negligence manslaughter.
The closure of Heathrow tunnel has caused huge delays for motorists travelling along the M4. It has also affected access to Heathrow Airport's terminals 2 and 3. Traffic is heavily congested on the M4 Heathrow Spur and the A4 Bath Road; eight bus routes are also on diversion. Motorists are being warned to plan ahead as disruption looks to continue throughout the morning. Follow below for live updates...
ITV plc notes the recent press speculation and confirms that it is in preliminary discussions regarding a possible sale of its M&E business to Sky for an enterprise value of £1.6bn,
Julia Wandelt, 24, turned up at the home of Kate and Gerry McCann and sent sinister letters and messages repeatedly begging for a DNA test. The 24-year-old Polish national gasped and put her hands to her face when jurors returned a guilty verdict for harassment on Friday, but a not guilty verdict for stalking. The jury unanimously decided Julia Wandelt was not guilty of stalking, but guilty of harassment (Go Get Funding)
"My whole life I've wanted to know him," the 21-year-old told BBC London. "I got to a state where I accepted I wasn't going to meet him." Mr Archer said he struck up a conversation with the man in the shop in Ladbroke Grove on 27 October after hearing him speaking Turkish on the phone.
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
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