SADIQ KHAN

A gunman fired multiple shotgun rounds into a gathered crowd of funeral mourners in what was a potential Colombian drug cartel related drive by shooting.

British police say two children and four women were injured in a drive-by shooting in central London.

Rebecca Ikumelo, 33, died on Saturday after she was critically injured in the crush at a concert by Afrobeats singer Asake at Brixton Academy, police said.

Rebecca Ikumelo was one of eight people hospitalized after mayhem outside the O2 Brixton Academy, where the Nigerian recording artist was due to perform.

Police say a woman injured in a crush outside a London concert venue has died

Police say a woman injured in a crush outside a London concert venue has died.

The police force said it would hold a thorough investigation into what happened and how officers responded.

Four people have been hospitalized in critical condition after a suspected crush at a London concert venue.

Critics are slamming London Mayor Sadiq Khan after he flew 7,000 miles from London to Buenos Aires, Argentina to speak at a climate change summit.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan says Monday’s state funeral for Queen Elizabeth II is an “unprecedented” security challenge.

The incident comes as London is flooded with mourners for Queen Elizabeth II's lying-in-state, but the stabbing did not occur near any commemorative sites, and police said the injured officers were not part of the royal operation.

Hotels, restaurants and shops are packed as royal fans pour into the heart of London to experience the flag-lined roads, pomp-filled processions and brave a mileslong line for the once-in-a-lifetime chance to bid adieu to Queen Elizabeth II.

London’s police force says two officers have been hospitalized after being stabbed in central London early Friday

London’s police force says two officers have been hospitalized after being stabbed in central London early Friday.

July was the driest July for England since 1935, according to provisional statistics released Monday from the Met office, the United Kingdom's weather service.

The Lionesses will take on either France or Germany at Wembley Stadium on Sunday evening.

Europe is buckling under an heat dome and wildfires spreading rapidly due to extreme drought. Climate change is making extreme weather more frequent.

Britain’s Conservative Party has chosen Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss as the two finalists in an election to replace Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Britain’s record-breaking heat wave has disrupted travel for a third day and firefighters remain on alert even as cloudy skies and showers have brought relief from the scorching temperatures of recent days

Britain’s record-breaking heatwave is spurring calls for the government to speed up efforts to adapt to a changing climate after wildfires created the busiest day for London firefighters since bombs rained down on the city during World War II.

Four-time Olympic champion Mo Farah says he was illegally brought to the U.K. as a young boy and forced to care for other children before he escaped a life of servitude through running.

The British government says veteran counterterrorism police officer Mark Rowley will be the new chief of London’s troubled Metropolitan Police.

More than 600 LGBTQ groups were expected to take part in the march, which was headed by members of the Gay Liberation Front from the 1972 protest.

More than 600 LGBTQ groups were expected to take part in the march, which was headed by members of the Gay Liberation Front from the 1972 protest.

The streets of London have been filled with color as the U.K. capital marked 50 years of Pride

The streets of London have been filled with color as the U.K. capital marked 50 years of Pride.

The names of the 72 people who lost their lives in a London high-rise tower blaze have been read out at a memorial service to mark five years since the tragedy.

Sam Knight writes about London’s newly opened railway route, the Elizabeth Line, which took more than a decade and twenty billion pounds to complete, and which decreases commute time between the east and west points of London.

Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, traveled to California to try to convince Silicon Valley tech leaders to invest more money in the U.K. capital.

Justin Verlander and the Astros try for their eighth straight win when they visit Joe Ryan and the first-place Twins in a matchup of American League contenders with identical 18-11 records.

At the Academy Awards in Los Angles Sunday night, attendees expressed support for Ukraine by going silent for 30 seconds.

A high quantity of chlorine gas was discharged inside the Aquatics Center at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park due to a chemical reaction.

A high quantity of chlorine gas was discharged inside the Aquatics Center at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park due to a chemical reaction.

The occupation of the home reflects an idea floated by politicians to help refugees.

Cities need to reduce car traffic. But a proposed pay-as-you-drive plan may not work without expanding London’s public transit system.

The British monarch, 95, is expecting to “continue light duties" in the coming week, the palace said.

Millions of Britons are being urged to cancel travel plans and stay indoors amid fears of high winds and flying debris

The second major storm in three days has smashed through northern Europe, killing at least nine people as high winds felled trees, cancelled train services and ripped sections off the roof of London’s O2 Arena.

The departure of Britain’s top police officer brings a chance for a fresh start. It’s time to stop pitting civil rights against public safety.

Cressida Dick was supposed to be a pioneering reformer, but she couldn’t overcome the culture of the force.

Cressida Dick said she is resigning after a string of controversies that undermined public confidence in London's Metropolitan Police and prompted a falling out between her and the capital's mayor.

The Met Commissioner was put "on notice" by the mayor of London following a damning watchdog report.

The Mayor of London has called for a register of overseas property ownership in a bid to crack down on money laundering as threats of Russian sanctions grow.

Most coronavirus restrictions, including mandatory face masks, have been lifted in England after Britain’s government said its vaccine booster rollout successfully reduced serious illness and COVID-19 hospitalizations.

A double-decker public bus in London has crashed into a building and emergency workers say that five people required hospital treatment.

Britain’s health secretary has refused to rule out imposing tougher COVID-19 restrictions before Christmas amid the rapid rise of infections and continuing uncertainty about the omicron variant.

The surge comes as officials express growing concern over the Omicron virus.

British police investigating the killing of a 28-year-old woman in London say they are probing whether she was attacked by a stranger.

British police investigating the killing of a 28-year-old woman in London said Thursday they are probing whether she was attacked by a stranger, in a case that sparked new concerns for the safety of women walking the capital's streets. The Metropolitan Police are calling for information over the killing of primary school teacher Sabina Nessa on Sept. 17 in Kidbrooke, southeast London. Detectives believe she was attacked during what would have been a five-minute walk through a local park on her way to meet a friend at a pub.

Khan warned that inaction would have a disastrous impact on the environment, and called on delegates attending the summit in November to make serious changes.

London’s subway has opened two new stations in the network’s first expansion since the 1990s.

Londoners are cleaning up after torrential rain left homes, roads and several subway stations flooded, the second unseasonal inundation in as many weeks.

London’s mayor has sent a message of support to Hong Kong residents fleeing China’s crackdown on democracy to seek new lives in the United Kingdom.

London’s mayor on Thursday sent a message of support to Hong Kong residents fleeing China’s crackdown on democracy to seek new live in the United Kingdom, saying his office will spend 900,000 pounds ($1.2 million) to help new arrivals with housing, education and finding jobs. Mayor Sadiq Khan said London is expected to welcome the largest proportion of arrivals from Hong Kong to the U.K. this year, after Britain’s government introduced a new immigration pathway for those with a British National Overseas passport to live and work in the country. The government estimates that about 123,000 to 153,000 people will take up the visa this year.

England’s nightclubs have reopened as the country lifted most remaining restrictions after more than a year of lockdowns, mask mandates and other pandemic-related curbs on freedom.

Thousands of young people across England plan to dance the night away at “Freedom Day” parties as soon as it turns Monday.

COVID-19 deaths and cases are on the rise again globally in a dispiriting setback that is triggering another round of restrictions and dampening hopes for a return to normal life.

London's mayor says mask-wearing will be required on the city's transport network even after legal restrictions in England are lifted on July 19.

Five things you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic this Wednesday morning.

Face masks are to stay compulsory on the London Underground and buses under plans announced by the capital's Mayor, Sadiq Khan. Mr Khan has asked Transport for London (TfL) to retain face coverings as a mandatory measure after next Monday, when national guidance changes. This week, Boris Johnson confirmed that, from July 19, the legal requirement to wear a mask will end but they will be "expected and recommended" in crowded and enclosed spaces such as public transport. Mr Khan has gone a step fu

The manager of the England team called the abuse "unforgivable," and London's Metropolitan Police said they would investigate.

British police have opened investigations into the racist abuse of three Black players who failed to score penalties in England’s shootout loss to Italy in the European Championship final.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday condemned the racist abuse directed at three Black England players who missed their penalties in the team's shootout loss to Italy in the final of the European Championship. Marcus Rashford's penalty hit the post and spots kicks from Bukayo Saka and Jadon Sancho were saved by Italy's goalkeeper on Sunday night.

Legal regulations forcing Britons to wear face masks indoors are set to be scrapped from July 19 – but businesses can set the rules on their own premises, Boris Johnson has announced. The Prime Minister has said that, at the end of his roadmap out of restrictions, face coverings will no longer be mandatory under the law, with individuals instead encouraged to "exercise judgment". Transport operators and shops will be given permission to decide their own policy, setting conditions for their own p

Wearing face masks and social distancing when ordering at bars are expected to continue to be advised by the Government for months, even if the July 19 reopening goes ahead. The Telegraph understands that laws underpinning both rules are due to be lifted in time for July 19 but advice to Britons to that effect is set to remain in place. Boris Johnson and his ministers are said by well-placed sources to be increasingly optimistic the new "terminus date" for lockdown can be delivered as hoped. Rul

“The Lehman Trilogy” was able to make only four preview performances on Broadway before the pandemic shut its doors.

Johnson under growing pressure to lift lockdown on June 21 Allison Pearson: The NHS is blaming us for its own failings Cut red tape to stop rise of variants, scientists tell G7 Hancock fights back against Cummings’s care homes claims Vaccines keeping patients out of intensive care, say NHS chiefs The biggest risk during the pandemic was not to find a vaccine at all, Matt Hancock is expected to reveal, as he delivers a speech on the lessons learned from the response to coronavirus. Speaking at th

Boris Johnson launched a report in 2019 following complaints of Islamophobia in the party.

UK proposes customs checks for food heading to NI to ease Brexit tensions Boris Johnson: Everyone must 'play their part' to beat Indian variant Vaccines appear to prevent 97 per cent of Indian variant infections Andrew Marr hints at BBC exit over impartiality frustrations Coronavirus latest news: PM's advice on hugging as lockdown eases Subscribe to The Telegraph for a month-long free trial Downing Street is no longer promising that conclusions of the social distancing and Covid passports reviews will be announced this month, citing uncertainty caused by the Indian variant. The Prime Minister's official spokesman said at a briefing of political journalists this afternoon that there was no "set time" for those announcements to be made. Yet Boris Johnson had set out a time frame only last week, saying an update on whether social distancing will continue and Covid status certificates will be needed after June 21 would come later in May. The change in position reflects the new uncertainty created by a surge in the Indian variant of Covid-19, which early data suggests could be more transmissible than other variants. Number 10 was also unable to confirm that a decision on relaxing rules on weddings would be made on May 24, despite Mr Johnson also saying that would be the case last Monday. The decision to no longer pledge announcements by the end of the month will raise concerns that the June 21 unlocking could happen on a smaller scale than hoped for just a few weeks ago. Government figures have stressed that early data suggests the Covid vaccines remain effective against the Indian variant and urged people to get their two doses when eligible.

A band of pro-Palestinian activists who drove in convoy through North London chanting anti-Semitic slurs has been condemned by the Prime Minister and numerous Cabinet ministers. Scotland Yard has launched an "urgent" investigation into the incident, which appeared to target areas of the capital with large Jewish populations, and has made four arrests. The protest came after two Leicester City football players held up a Palestinian flag to celebrate their victory in the FA Cup final on Saturday. The move drew controversy but is not expected to result in disciplinary action against the players. Sunday saw the bloodiest attack in Gaza so far, with 42 killed in a single strike by the Israeli military. Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister, said the attacks would continue with "full force" until underground tunnels, which Israel says harbour Hamas militants, have been destroyed. In London, activists protesting against Israel's attacks drove in convoy through Golders Green and Finchley, both areas with large Jewish populations, shouting "F*** the Jews, rape their daughters" through a megaphone. The Metropolitan Police have arrested and held four men on suspicion of racially-aggravated public order offences. Officers deployed a police helicopter and traced a vehicle to the A40 in Hillingdon, West London. Superintendent Jo Edwards said: "This behaviour was utterly shocking and will not be tolerated. "I understand that this would have caused considerable concern within the community and we have arranged extra patrols in the St John's Wood and Golders Green areas this evening."

Scotland’s leader has told British Prime Minister Boris Johnson that a second Scottish independence referendum is “a matter of when, not if,” after her party won its fourth straight parliamentary election.

The Scottish National Party has won its fourth straight parliamentary election on Saturday and insisted it will push on with another referendum on Scotland’s independence from the U.K. even though it just failed to secure a majority.

British voters are casting their ballots in local and regional elections that could have huge repercussions for the future of the United Kingdom.

Hartlepool by-election When Hartlepudlians go to the polling booth on Thursday, they will be voting for both their local representatives on the council, which is currently a coalition between Independents and Conservatives, as well as a new MP, after a by-election was called when Mike Hill, the former Labour MP, stood down following sexual harassment allegations. The Tories have never won Hartlepool, which has remained Labour since its creation in 1974, but it is now the party’s most vulnerable seat. Jill Mortimer, a farmer and North Yorkshire district councillor, is the Tory candidate. Shane Moore, leader of Hartlepool Council, said the feeling on the ground was that the Tories would win the by-election. “It’s theirs to lose”, he said. On Monday, Boris Johnson visited Seaton in Hartlepool, a sure sign he knows how important this seat is, as winning it would suggest the fall of the North’s “Red Wall” is not a one-off.

Brexit and the coronavirus pandemic have hit London in a perfect storm.

FILE - In this file photo dated Saturday, March 20, 2021, floral tributes and messages surround the bandstand on Clapham Common in London after the nearby disappearance of Sarah Everard. A U.K. police watchdog said Tuesday March 30, 2021, that officers did not behave in a heavy-handed manner when they broke up a vigil for Sarah Everard, who disappeared while walking home in London and was later found murdered. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali, FILE)LONDON – A U.K. police watchdog said Tuesday that officers didn't behave “in a heavy-handed manner” when they broke up a vigil for a London woman whose killing sparked an outcry about women's safety. Her body was later found hidden in woodland more than 50 miles (80 kilometers) away. Images of police officers tussling with women at the peaceful rally, and leading some away in handcuffs, drew strong criticism.

A bird flies above an Underground sign at one of the entrances to King's Cross tube station in London, Friday, March 12, 2021. Even as many of its famous institutions closed during the coronavirus pandemic for most of the past 12 months, London's Underground kept running through three successive lockdowns. Nicknamed the Tube, its staff from cleaners to train drivers take pride in maintaining a system that keeps London's heart beating. Its continued operation was a sign that even in a pandemic, London's heart was still beating. In the early weeks, when most Britons were told to stay at home and fear outpaced facts about the virus, Underground employees kept going to work, but worried about getting sick.

Patel said that "some of the footage circulating online from the vigil in Clapham is upsetting" and said she had asked the Metropolitan Police for a "full report on what happened" at the vigil. In a statement, Khan echoed her call, saying that "scenes arising from the policing of the vigil were completely unacceptable." Everard, a marketing executive, was last seen on March 3 walking home from a friend's house in south London. Women came together to mourn Sarah Everard - they should have been able to do so peacefully. Police detain a woman as people gather at a memorial site in Clapham Common Bandstand, following the kidnap and murder of Sarah Everard.

Patel said that "some of the footage circulating online from the vigil in Clapham is upsetting" and said she had asked the Metropolitan Police for a "full report on what happened" at the vigil. In a statement, Khan echoed her call, saying that "scenes arising from the policing of the vigil were completely unacceptable." Everard, a marketing executive, was last seen on March 3 walking home from a friend's house in south London. Women came together to mourn Sarah Everard - they should have been able to do so peacefully. Police detain a woman as people gather at a memorial site in Clapham Common Bandstand, following the kidnap and murder of Sarah Everard.

But the vigil ended with clashes between police and those attending, and many questioned whether the police force was too heavy-handed. Home Secretary Priti Patel said scenes from the vigil in south London were “upsetting." AdPolice were seen scuffling with some women at the event, and one woman was seen pinned to the ground by two officers. Everard, a marketing executive, was last seen walking home from a friend’s apartment in south London at about 10:30 p.m. on March 3. Her body was found hidden in an area of woodland in Kent, more than 50 miles southeast of London, on Wednesday.

More than 3 million people in the U.K. have tested positive for the coronavirus and 81,000 have died — 30,000 in just the last 30 days. Anthony Costello, professor of global health at University College London, said “dilly-dallying” in March about whether to lock down the U.K. cost thousands of lives. Johnson tightened restrictions for London and the southeast, but the government’s scientific advisory committee warned Dec. 22 that would not be enough. Johnson did not announce a third national lockdown for England until almost two weeks later, on Jan. 4. So don’t beat them up too badly.”___Follow AP coverage of the coronavirus pandemic at:https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemichttps://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-vaccinehttps://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak

LONDON — London Mayor Sadiq Khan on Friday declared a major incident over the rapid spread of the coronavirus in the U.K.'s capital city. "I have declared a major incident in London because the threat this virus poses to our city is at crisis point," Khan said via Twitter. The announcement comes shortly after weekly data through to Jan. 2 found London's coronavirus infection rate had surged to 1,038 per 100,000 population. This figure compares with a city-wide infection rate of 818 per 100,000 for the previous week. By comparison, the national infection rate stood at 612 per 100,000 for the week ending Jan. 2.

A man wearing a face covering walks past the London Eye in London, Friday, Jan. 8, 2021. Not all the deaths announced by the government on Friday occurred on the same day. The hospital was one of several built in the spring to help during the pandemic, but was not heavily used. The U.K. is recording virus-related deaths at a level last seen during the worst days early in the pandemic. According to figures compiled by Johns Hopkins University, the U.K. has the most COVID-related deaths in Europe and the fifth highest number in the world.

A British coroner has ruled on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020 that excessive air pollution from traffic fumes contributed to the death of a 9-year-old girl who died of a fatal asthma attack. The girl is believed to be the first person in the U.K. to have air pollution listed as the cause of death on their death certificate. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham, File)LONDON – A British coroner ruled Wednesday that excessive air pollution from traffic fumes contributed to the death of a 9-year-old girl who died of a fatal asthma attack. The girl is believed to be the first person in the U.K. to have air pollution listed as the cause of death on their death certificate. Her mother has long fought to have the role of air pollution in her daughter’s death recognized.

London — Air pollution "made a material contribution" to the death of nine-year-old London schoolgirl Ella Kissi-Debrah, a U.K. coroner ruled on Wednesday. "Now that one truly understands the impact of air pollution, and especially on children's lungs, the picture seems to be so very clear." The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that air pollution kills around seven million people every year. Children living in poor, urban areas are more likely to suffer from severe asthma than children living elsewhere. "Toxic air pollution is a public health crisis, especially for our children," London Mayor Sadiq Khan said in a statement.

Two of the country’s leading medical journals were among those imploring Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Conservative government to ax plans to allow more household mixing over the Christmas period. Any potential easing over Christmas contrasts with measures being taken by other European nations such as Germany and the Netherlands, w ho have announced sweeping new restrictions for the holidays. When the Christmas easing was first announced last month, Johnson was careful to stress that households should be "jolly careful, especially with elderly relatives.”However, that easing announcement was predicated on an assumption that new cases would be on a downward trajectory. London Mayor Sadiq Khan was among those calling on the government to look again at its Christmas plans. They could pass the virus on to older relations.”___Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak

Much of the world Saturday welcomed the election of Joe Biden as the next president of the United States after several suspenseful days of vote counting. Dozens of world leaders rushed to congratulate Biden and running mate Sen. Kamala Harris, not bothering to wait for President Trump to concede. “I am looking forward to working with President Biden in the future. As supportive of Trump as they may have been, it is in their strategic interest to be cordial to Biden. Many Chinese supporters of Trump are suspicious of Biden because of rumors that he is friendlier with China’s Communist Party, Qi said.

The government is negotiating with the leaders of Manchester, Lancashire and other communities in northern England about moving into the top risk tier, which would require the closure of many businesses. The opposition Labour Party’s spokesman on health issues, Jonathan Ashworth, described the measures as inadequate to stem the exponential growth of the virus. Hancock said discussions were continuing with Greater Manchester and Lancashire about moving those communities into the government’s highest risk tier. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham once again rejected government pressure to accept the higher risk rating without further financial support. “They are willing to sacrifice jobs and businesses here to try and save them elsewhere,″ a visibly furious Burnham said.

TOLGA AKMEN | AFP via Getty ImagesLONDON — The U.K. government has imposed tougher coronavirus restrictions on London in an attempt to curb the rapid spread of the disease. The U.K.'s capital city will move to a so-called "high" alert level from midnight on Friday, up from the current "medium" alert level. Hancock said the government's decision to move London to alert level "high" followed talks with London Mayor Sadiq Khan, cross-party council leadership, as well as national and local public health officials. The majority of England remains at the "medium" alert level, which allows businesses to continue to operate in a Covid-19 secure manner and includes a 10 p.m. curfew for hospitality settings. People are not allowed to meet in groups of six or larger at this alert level, both inside and outside.

Connecticut has seen an uptick in virus cases in communities across the state over the past few weeks. There were 3,747 newly confirmed COVID-19 cases reported Thursday, breaking the record of 3,279 set on Tuesday. The day of high case numbers comes just two weeks after the Republican governor repealed that same statewide mask mandate, citing declining numbers of virus cases. Mississippi has had more than 108,000 virus cases and at least 3,152 virus-related deaths. Mississippi’s state health officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs said Monday that six hospitals have no beds available in their intensive care units.

Cities around the U.K. are imposing new coronavirus restrictions as they race to slow the spread of COVID-19, and London could be next. (Andrew Milligan/PA via AP)LONDON – Cities around the U.K. imposed new coronavirus restrictions Friday as they raced to slow the spread of COVID-19 — with London at risk of following soon. In the Welsh cities of Cardiff, Swansea and Llanelli, households also will be banned from mixing indoors. Together with local lockdowns announced previously, one-quarter of the UK population is now living under heightened restrictions. We’re seeing a sharp rise in 111 calls, hospital admissions and patients in ICU,'' Khan said, referencing Britain's hotline for medical assistance.

A police officer stands outside Croydon Custody Centre where a police officer was shot in the early hours of Friday, Sept. 25, 2020, in Croydon, England. A British police officer has been shot dead inside a London police station while detaining a suspect. Londons Metropolitan Police force said the officer was shot at the Croydon Custody Center in the south of the city early Friday. (Aaron Chown/PA via AP)LONDON – A British police officer was shot dead inside a London police station early Friday by a suspect he was detaining, who then appears to have turned the gun on himself. The officer is the 17th from the London force to be killed by a firearm since 1945.

DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS | AFP | Getty ImagesLONDON — The U.K. could be headed for a second, "mini" lockdown for two weeks to counter a resurgence in coronavirus cases, as the government's top scientists predict how quickly the virus could spread if no action is taken. Plans to introduce stricter measures on the public come as daily new infections rise, with almost 4,000 new cases reported Sunday. "50,000 cases per day would be expected to lead ... to 200-plus deaths a day," by the middle of November, Vallance said in a press briefing. The U.K.'s Health Secretary Matt Hancock warned on Sunday that the U.K. was at a "tipping point." London Mayor Sadiq Khan has called for tougher restrictions in London, warning that the city could be just a few days behind other areas of northern England that are under local lockdowns.

Britain has Europe’s highest death toll since the start of the pandemic, with 41,821 confirmed virus-related deaths. In Australia, about 100 protesters gathered in the Melbourne beachside suburb of Elwood on Saturday before being scattered by police. Romania is among the countries that has had a new spike in confirmed cases, including a national daily record of 1,713 cases earlier in the week and 1,333 more on Saturday. In all, Romania has had 111,550 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 4,402 deaths from the disease since the start of the pandemic. Protesters in Bucharest’s University Square drew parallels between the protective measures against the pandemic and Nazi regimes.

People queue up outside a coronavirus testing centre offering walk-in appointments in north London, Friday Sept. 18, 2020. Johnson's comments came amid mounting speculation that the government will announce fresh curbs on the hospitality sector, such as pubs and restaurants, potentially involving curfews — something already in place in areas facing extra lockdown restrictions. The spike, which has been largely seen among young adults, has already led to lockdown restrictions being reimposed. The other nations of the U.K. — Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland — have announced similar clampdowns on meetings. There are also more targeted restrictions across the U.K. in areas seeing acute spikes.

A staff member waits at empty lanes of a Covid-19 drive thru testing facility at Twickenham stadium in London, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020. The comments came after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned that authorities will have to impose tougher measures to combat the spread of COVID-19 and “protect’’ the Christmas holidays. Dido Harding, who is in charge of the virus testing program, told a parliamentary committee that constraints in the system were due to processing in laboratories. While younger and stronger individuals are usually more resilient to the effects of COVID-19, the demographic group is now spreading the virus to older people. Local leaders are also demanding the government increase testing capacity to stave off a second wave of infections.

(AP Photo/Matt Dunham)LONDON Britains government will demand people wear face coverings in shops as it seeks to clarify its message after weeks of prevarication amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The order comes into effect on July 24, giving shops and the police time to prepare. Environment Secretary George Eustice also did not rule out the possibility that mandatory face coverings would become compulsory in offices and other workplaces in the future. Scotland has already made masks mandatory in stores. A growing body of evidence suggests wearing face coverings brings some benefit in preventing the spread of the virus.

Stun guns are in limited but increasing use in France already. According to the French police oversight agency, stun guns killed one person last year and three suffered severe injuries. The human rights group has said at least 500 people died after being hit by stun guns between 2001 and 2012 in the United States. The Netherlands began issuing stun guns to police in 2017 and is training 17,000 of the forces 40,000 officers. There are about 15,000 stun guns in France, which has a total police and gendarme force of around 240,000.

Scaffolders erect boarding around the statue of Sir Winston Churchill at Parliament Square, in London, Thursday, June 11, 2020, following Black Lives Matter protests that took place across the U.K. over the weekend. The protests were ignited by the death of George Floyd, who died after he was restrained by Minneapolis police while in custody on May 25. (Kirsty O'Connor/PA via AP)LONDON Authorities in London boarded up a war memorial and a statue of wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill ahead of expected rival demonstrations by anti-racism and far-right protesters, as the citys mayor on Friday urged protesters to stay home because of the coronavirus pandemic. Several other statues have been defaced during mass protests around the country, including Churchills, which was daubed with the words was a racist. Police now fear far-right groups plan to seek confrontation under the guise of protecting statues. With more demonstrations expected on the weekend, a protective plywood screen was erected late Thursday around Churchills statue outside Parliament.

(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)LONDON More statues of imperialist figures could be removed from Britains streets, following the unauthorized felling of a monument to slave trader Edward Colston in the city of Bristol, the mayor of London said Tuesday. Mayor Sadiq Khan said he was setting up a commission to ensure the citys monuments reflected its diversity. Debate over who should be publicly commemorated has been reignited in Britain by the felling of a monument to Colston, a 17th-century slave trader and philanthropist. Many Bristolians welcomed the statues removal, but the British government called it an act of vandalism and urged police to prosecute the perpetrators. At weekend protests in London, demonstrators scrawled was a racist on a statue of Winston Churchill.