London Overground map

Outer London rail orbital opens

Passengers will now be able to travel on an orbital route on London Overground after the opening of a new link in south London.

Manali Lukha

Saturday's weather

Dry and settled. A week when you can finally leave the umbrella at home.

Live updates

New form of IVF pioneered in London

A new, more natural IVF treatment offering hope for women at risk of life-threatening complications from traditional fertility treatments has been pioneered at London's Hammersmith Hospital.

The study, conducted in conjunction with Imperial College London, tested the use of a naturally occurring hormone, kisspeptin, to induce egg development.

This allows women to avoid the use of traditional IVF drugs which can trigger a serious condition called ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.

The women most at risk are those with polycystic ovary syndrome.

The study proved that kisspeptin can be successfully used in IVF treatment, with the first baby, a healthy boy, being born in April.

Advertisement

Celebrities come out against fire station closures

Celebrities have added their voices to calls not to go ahead with the proposed closure of twelve fire stations across the capital.

As an Islington resident who would prefer my fellow Islington residents to remain unburnt, this cost-cutting plan worries me. There are some things that should never be run for profit, and the fire service is one of them. I think people feel this in their bones, and are grateful for the reassurance a not-for-profit fire service gives them.

Of course it's good news that the number of fires is decreasing. But that's no

reason to cut back on cover. By that logic, as John O'Farrell says, we should all save money by not buying smoke alarms.

– Samuel West, actor

It's easy to feel helpless in the face of the cuts but it is possible to fight back... Cuts to the Fire Service put lives at risk... Let's start by saving Clerkenwell Fire Station, and the hundreds of Fire Service jobs under threat across London. I don't doubt that the banks in the City, that did so much to land the country in the financial state it's in, have state of the art alarms and sprinkler systems. But the same can't be said for thethousands of flats throughout the Borough of Islington, where the extra waiting time for a Fire Engine to arrive will eventually lead to a tragedy.

– Alan Davies, Comedian and TV presenter

As a one time resident, and recently returned business user, I’m extremely unhappy at the proposed closure of Clerkenwell Fire station. Apart from anything else, the prospect of losing forty odd years worth of carefully stored drum kits due to lack of fire fighting support, fills me with alarm.

– Nick Mason, Pink Floyd

Samuel L Jackson backs cancer awareness campaign

A leading London cancer hospital has persuaded one of Hollywood's finest to urge men to be more open about their health problems, in bid to tackle the disease.

Samuel L Jackson is fronting a new charity called 'One for the Boys' to raise money for the Royal Marsden to buy new scanners to diagnose cancer. The launch of "One For The Boys" is tonight at Lethbridge House in Regent's Park.

National

Gareth Bale applies to trademark goal celebration logo

Spurs forward Gareth Bale could stand to make up to £3 million a year if he successfully manages to trademark a logo based on his goal celebration, a heart-shaped hand gesture he dedicates to his long-time girlfriend.

Bale has filed an application to the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) to trademark the "Eleven of Hearts" logo, which copies the goal celebration with a number 11 - his shirt number - inside the heart.

Gareth Bale celebrates scoring a goal for Wales with the heart-shaped hand gesture.
Gareth Bale celebrates scoring a goal for Wales with the heart-shaped hand gesture. Credit: Nick Potts/PA Archive/Press Association Images

Nigel Currie, director of sports marketing agency Brand-Rapport, said the trademark could make Bale a third of his overall income and up to £3 million a year if an independent tribunal gives him the green light.

"The possibilities are huge for Gareth Bale. Once he has that right he can cash in on it and become a more well-known player", Mr Currie said

"Beckham does various things for various brands, but having this logo gives you the opportunity to use it as the brand image".

Advertisement

Bet fair? 83rd betting shop for London borough

A London borough with 82 betting shops will have to make room for one more.

The bookmakers "Paddy Power" have won a legal battle against Newham Council over opening a new shop there. A court has today rejected the council's claims the move would attract crime and anti-social behaviour.

This report from Carolyn Sim.

Load more updates