• Cook has never felt more nervous ahead of CT semi with Proteas

  England captain Alastair Cook has admitted that he is 'he has never felt more nervous' ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy semi-final against South Africa, despite backing his team to withstand the pressure. Stating that the 'quarter-final' victory over New Zealand was most stressful moment of his reign, Cook said that he expected the Wednesday game to be worse, although he added that he is proud ...

• US Taliban to have direct peace talks

  The US has decided to hold direct peace talks with the Taliban, senior White House officials have announced. The first meet is due to take place in the coming days in Qatar's capital, where the Taliban have opened their first official overseas office, BBC reported. US officials told reporters the first formal meeting between the US and Taliban representatives was expected to take place in Doha ...

• Enfield Mayor visits local centre during National carers week

  Mayor Anwar pays a visit to the Enfield Carers Centre Enfield Mayor Councillor Anwar toured the facilities at Enfield Carers Centre as it hosted a number of activities during National Carers week. The guest of honour also met and spoke with carers and gave a short speech about the need for the council to continue funding the Centre. "The Carers Centre is doing lots of ...

• Mereditch Kercher murder acquittals illogical say Italian judges

  Meredith Kercher, 21, was murdered in 2007 Judges in Italy have outlined their reasons for ordering for rejecting the acquittals of Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito over the murder of Coulsdon student Meredith Kercher. American Miss Knox and Mr Sollecito, her Italian boyfriend, were cleared in 2011, two years after they were convicted of murdering 21-year-old Miss Kercher in the house ...

• Council to work with football club and community over move to ground

  By Bruce Thain Harrow Borough council says it will work together with Barnet FC and the community about issues around the Hive. The comments come following a public meeting organised by MP Bob Black concerns over the playing of first team football on the site in Camrose Avenue. Other issues such as parking and the terms of the lease signed with the council were also raised by ...

• Man in hospital after being struck by train

  By Bruce Thain A man is in hospital after he was hit by a train earlier today. London Ambulance service were called to the scene at Harrow-on-the-Hill Station just before 12.30pm to reports of a man under a southbound Metropolitan line train. The London Air Ambulance was also called to the station and the man was treated at the scene. He was taken to hospital with Royal ...

• Train delays at Dartford and Gravesend following trespasser on the line at Ebbsfleet

  By Alan Woods TRAINS travelling through Dartford and Gravesend will be delayed for the next hour following an earlier trespasser on the line near Ebbsfleet. A Southeastern spokesman said trains travelling through Dartford, Gravesend and Ebbsfleet could be delayed or cancelled at short-notice because of the incident. It is believed the trespasser was on the high speed line between ...

• Tributes paid to mother and daughter killed in Plumstead fire

  TRIBUTES have been paid to a mother and daughter who died in a horrific house fire in Plumstead yesterday. Hayleigh Kaur and her mother Caroline Kaur were reportedly the victims of the fierce flames that destroyed their family home in Purrett Road in the early hours of June 18. Three more women, two men and a dog managed to ...

• FC Elmstead announces improvements to home ground Chislehurst Recreation Ground

  By Patrick Grafton-Green TODAY is a big day in the footballing calendar: not only has next season's fixture list been revealed but FC Elmstead has announced it is to improve its home ground. Work can get underway at Chislehurst Recreation Ground after the club, in partnership with Bromley Council, received a grant of 49,349 from the Football Foundation, the country's largest ...

• Dance star vows to ‘bring West End to Dartford’

  Kate Cobb A WEST End star will soon be teaching a new generation of performers in Dartford. Kate Cobb, who has appeared in Chicago and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, is to take up a role as programme manager at Reynolds Dance Academy. Having freelanced for the Academy before, she has returned to teach full time after a spell in Australia. She said: "I hope to bring the West End ...

• Neigbours enjoy free street party

  Children enjoy freedom to play in the street There was laughter and the sounds of children playing last Sunday as neighbours came together to celebrate their street. Children played on scooters and bikes and adults enjoyed a social drink together as Dalmeny Road in New Barnet took advantage of Barnet Borough Council's decision to waive street party fees. The residents gathered ...

• Business bonanza for Surrey firms thanks to county council initiative

  News Surrey firms have won deals worth more than 500,000 in a business bonanza sparked by a new online initiative spearheaded by the county council. For Surrey County Council has revealed that local businesses have been awarded 26 contracts totalling 521,000 through the BuildSurrey website - within six months of launching it. Surrey created the site to help companies land building ...

• Larkswood Primary School embarks on sponsored walk for new playground

  Larkswood Primary School embarks on sponsored walk for new playground Around 700 children embarked on a sponsored walk last week to raise money for a new school playground. The pupils from Larkswood Primary School in New Road, Chingford, walked laps round Larkswood Playing Fields on Thursday to raise cash to revamp the school's recreational area. The school spent 50,000 to ...

• Barnet Market revamp moves one step closer

  Stall holders complained the dilapidated car park was putting off customers and killing trade A car park that houses Barnet's most historic market will be given a revamp under new ownership. The St Albans Road site in High Barnet was bought by developers William Pears as part of a 34million takeover of The Spires shopping centre in May. Under plans approved by Barnet Council ...

• Users appeal for Wimbledon day centre to remain

  Users of much loved day centre launch impassioned appeal over changes to service Vulnerable users of a much loved day centre have launched an impassioned appeal to the Wimbledon Guild to rethink major changes to the service. The Wimbledon Guild, Worple Road, provides a day centre service including pick up a hot lunch and activities between 11am to 3pm on selected days. The service ...

• The age of consort begins. - - Husbands tweet reveals new Kingston Council leader

  Councillor Liz Green has been named the new leader of Kingston Council. The St Marks ward representative was unanimously voted the new leader of Kingston Liberal Democrats by fellow councillors in Guildhall. As head of the ruling party, she will automatically become the new leader of Kingston Council. Earlier today, Coun Green's husband Michael, a Labour supporter, appeared ...

• Number of female executives at FTSE 100 companies is falling despite efforts to boost women in industry

  The numbers of female executives in business and industry are falling despite efforts to boost the representation of women in senior positions in large companies, ministers were warned ...

• Ex-footballers son James Francis denies burglary

  The son of former England footballer Trevor Francis has denied stealing ladies' shoes and souvenir football shirts from a cottage belonging to ex-Aston Villa player Lee ...

• Health watchdog investigates sham psychometric tests for job seekers

  The Department for Work and Pensions is under investigation by a health watchdog for administering "sham" psychometric tests to the unemployed and threatening to withdraw their benefits if they did not complete them.The Guardian has learned that the chief psychologist at the DWP, Dr David Carew, is being questioned by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), which is the ...

• Reckless misconduct proposals will be in banking reform bill says PM

  The government will amend a parliamentary bill to introduce the central recommendation of the banking commission to allow bankers to be jailed for reckless ...

• Ian Brady still psychotic says doctor

  Moors Murderer Ian Brady remains "chronically psychotic" and should remain in a hospital setting for treatment, his mental health tribunal heard ...

• Naked rambler Stephen Gough jailed for breaching Asbo

  The "naked rambler" has been jailed for 11 months after being found guilty of breaching an anti-social behaviour order (Asbo) banning him from being naked in public just minutes after it was ...

• The heat is on for UKs warmest day of the year... but it wont last

  The nation was set to bask in the warmest day of the year so far. Temperatures were expected to reach highs of 26C (78F) or 27C (80F), according to MeteoGroup forecasters. However that may only be achieved where the cloud doesn't blot out the sun and thunderstorms stay away.Meanwhile the above-average humidity means it will certainly feel sticky and individual misery will be heightened by ...

• England bowl out S. Africa for 175 in Trophy semi

  David Miller plays for Kings XI Punjab against Deccan Chargers in Hyderabad last year. South Africa were bowled out for 175 in 38.4 overs, with Miller top scoring on 56, after being sent in to bat by England in the Champions Trophy semi-final at the Oval in London on ...

• Video New England Patriots player questioned in possible murder investigation

  Aaron Hernandez, a tight end with the New England Patriots, was questioned for hours by police in Massachusetts who are investigating a possible homicide. A body was found not far from Hernandez's home. Bree Sison, of CBS Boston station WBZ, ...

• Ex-Dartford Cricket Club captain Jeremy Dassrath jailed for rape

  Jay Dassrath. A FORMER Dartford Cricket Club captain has been jailed after a jury convicted him of rape. Jeremy Dassrath, 30, of Ribblesdale Road, Dartford, was jailed for a total of seven years and six months when he was sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Monday. Following a five-week trial, Dassrath was found guilty of two counts of rape between June and September in ...

• Person under train closes train station

  By Bruce Thain An underground station was closed earlier today due to a person under a train. Harrow-on-the-Hill Station was closed and services on the Metropolitan line were suspended due to the incident which happened just after12:30pm today. There are still sever delays on the Metropolitan Line and tickets are being accepted on local buses, London Overground and Chiltern ...

• Mole Valley Ramblers North Downs stroll

  News Mole Valley Ramblers will hold a six-mile walk on Wednesday, July 24, meeting at 10am at the Big Field car park, Brockham, and going through undulating farmland and woods to the North Downs via Coach Road, Box Hill, Duke's Meadow and Betchworth. For more details call 0791 7772333. Website: ...

• I was told to use my kids money to pay the rent

  spoke to a mother who is facing eviction as a result of the changes to welfare. Samantha Watson, of Farrant Avenue, Wood Green, is facing eviction because the cap means she can't afford to pay the high rent in London. She said: "I pay 975 per month for a two-bedroom flat which for the area is pretty cheap but now I only get 600 a month so I'm being ...

• Enfield primary school claims heaviest potato prize

  Capel Manor played host to five Enfield primary Schools in the annual 'Grow Your Own Potatoes' competition. The event, held by the Potato council is into its ninth year of raising awareness about the importance of knowing where our food comes from. Racing to a clear victory with their ravishing Rocket potatoes was Honilands Primary School, with a total weight of ...

• Calls for Londons first organic golf course in place of proposed campsite

  , Reporter A campaign group is calling for London's first organic golf course to help declining numbers of bees in place of a proposed camping site. Save Lea Marshes (SLM)want Lee Valley Regional Park Authority (LVRPA) to turn the WaterWorks site into a chemical-free course rather than the campsite they have planned which targets visitors to the Olympic Park. The campsite is to ...

• Dartford distraction burglar had young boy accomplice says disabled victim

  Police want to speak to this man about a distraction burglary in Dartford. A MAN wanted by police over a Dartford distraction burglary used a young boy as an accomplice, according to the disabled victim. On Friday 7 June at around 12 pm a young male, aged between 9 and 11, knocked on the door of the victim at his home in Wyvern Close. The child asked if he could access the back ...

• Photographer David Bailey has blue plaque unveiled at childhood home in Leytonstone

  David Bailey and the blue plaque at his former home Legendary photographer David Bailey has had a blue plaque unveiled on his childhood home. The snapper was present when Waltham Forest Council presented the heritage plaque at his former home in Wallwood Road, Leytonstone, today. Bailey's photography is widely regarded as having immortalised the 1960s, with iconic images of pop ...

• Jeremy Forrest - accused of abducting schoolgirl - will not give evidence

  By Anna Roberts A TEACHER who allegedly abducted a schoolgirl to France will not give evidence in his defence. Jeremy Forrest, aged 30, of Chislehurst Road, Petts Wood, denies an offence of child abduction at Lewes Crown Court. The trial has heard the pupil was aged 15 when she started a sexual relationship with Forrest after developing a crush on him at Bishop Bell CofE School in ...

• Bexleyheath and Dartford named identity fraud hotspots

  Watch out for identity fraud in Bexleyheath and Dartford. BEXLEYHEATH and Dartford are hotspots for identity fraud, according to new figures. In Bexleyheath there were 22 cases of identity fraud attempts per 10,000 adults in 2012 - more than five times the national average of four. This put the town third in London behind Romford on 23 and East Ham at number one with 27. ...

• NHS watchdog cover-up deeply disturbing says Downing Street

  Attempts by the health watchdog to cover up its failings are "deeply disturbing and appalling", the prime minister's spokesman said on Wednesday. But he insisted the government had already taken "very clear, strong action" to reform the Care Quality Commission (CQC).The comments follow the admission by the head of the CQC that the organisation was "not fit for ...

• BT chief executive exits to become trade minister

  Lord Green , who has served as a minister since early 2011 and is approaching retirement.The son of a Glasgow GP, Livingston's talent was spotted early by the Dixons chairman Sir Stanley Kalms, who made Livingston the youngest FTSE 100 finance director at the age of 32. He joined BT in the same role, before becoming chief executive in June 2008 at the age of 43.Having transformed the former ...

• Health chief criticised by anti-cuts campaigners for out of touch Superman video

  A health chief has been criticised by anti-cuts campaigners after he appeared in an online video cavorting around an NHS building dressed as ...

• PMQs Government will legislate to ensure reckless bank bosses can be jailed says David Cameron

  The Parliamentary Commission on Banking Standards called on the Government to hold senior bankers personally responsible for malpractice and introduce a new criminal offence for reckless management that carries a custodial ...

• G8 summit Britain will not plunge recklessly into deeper involvement in the Syrian civil war says David Cameron

  David Cameron promised today that Britain will not "plunge recklessly" into deeper involvement in the Syrian civil war, but said it was not possible to ignore the escalating slaughter going on in the ...

• PMQs and statements on CQC cover-up and G8 Politics live blog

  says many campaigner will feel positive about what was achieved at the G8. But the press will always be cynical, he says. Cameron says he understands why people are sceptical about conference communiques. But the G8 made real progress on issues like kidnapping and hostage takers, he says. And he says the Lough Erne Declaration is the clearest statement yet of what needs to be done on ...

• England on top of S. Africa despite Trescothick blow

  NOTTINGHAM, England (AP) -- Swing bowler James Anderson captured five wickets on Saturday to dismiss South Africa for 362 but not before the tourists had reduced the first innings deficit to 83 runs in the third cricket test at Trent Bridge. England then lost opener Marcus Trescothick to the first ball of the second innings and stumps were drawn after an absorbing day's play. Facing the ...

• Unusual Smith dismissal lifts England vs. S. Africa

  NOTTINGHAM, England (AP) -- England on Friday cheaply dismissed South Africa's record-breaking batsman Graeme Smith for the first time in the series to take control of the third cricket test at Trent Bridge. After England made 445 runs in its first innings, South Africa struggled to 84 for two by stumps on the second day, batting under pressure for the first time. England dismissed ...

• Smith eager for S. African series win in England

  NOTTINGHAM, England (AP) -- Captain Graeme Smith said Wednesday his team needed to be relentless and ruthless to win South Africa's first series in England since 1965. The Proteas lead the five-test series 1-0, and Smith, 22, singled out the Thursday's third test at Trent Bridge as the most crucial for his young side. South Africa failed to win its two previous series here in ...

• Vaughans England at crossroads in South Africa series

  By Charles Froggatt, CNN NOTTINGHAM (CNN) -- As South Africa reinforces its test-winning lineup with all-rounder Jacques Kallis, England and newly-appointed captain Michael Vaughan find themselves at a selection crossroads as they attempt to come back after last ...

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