Adriana Elgueta

Londoners gathered in Greenwich Park, Brockwell Park, Kew Green, Regent’s Park, Bermondsey and other locations to watch a partial solar eclipse on 12 August 2026. The eclipse began at 18:17 BST, reached a maximum shortly after 19:00 with about 91% of the Sun covered, and ended at 20:06. The Royal Observatory Greenwich said it was the deepest eclipse visible from London since 1999. Spectators used certified eclipse glasses as well as improvised pinhole viewers made from kitchen colanders and cereal boxes.

The government announced a £251m package to enhance safety for Jewish communities in England following rising antisemitic attacks. The Metropolitan Police will receive £86m to hire hundreds of officers and strengthen community protection teams, while Greater Manchester Police will receive £22m to maintain increased policing after a fatal attack. Seven additional police forces will share £43m, with further funding allocated for national coordination, antisemitism training and counter‑terrorism efforts. Protective security at Jewish sites and previously announced measures, including support for schools and community programmes, were also confirmed.

The UK government announced £251m in new funding to enhance safety for Jewish communities amid rising antisemitic attacks. The Metropolitan Police will receive £86m to recruit around 300 officers and expand community protection units, while Greater Manchester Police will obtain £22m following a fatal attack in Heaton Park. Additional funding is allocated to other regions with significant Jewish populations, antisemitism training for officers, and counter‑terrorism policing. Further support includes security grants for Jewish sites and previously announced initiatives on antisemitism in education and community cohesion. Officials and community leaders welcomed the increased resources as necessary for improved protection.

A beaver colony reintroduced to Paradise Fields in west London has prevented flooding at nearby Greenford Station by slowing water flow through newly created wetlands. Project conservationists say the beavers’ dams now hold back rainwater for hours rather than minutes, eliminating flooding in recent winters. The expanding colony, which has produced new kits, has also boosted local biodiversity, with increases in invertebrates, birds and bat species transforming the once-neglected site.

Beavers reintroduced to Ealing in west London have reduced flooding at Greenford station by slowing water flow through a series of dams and wetlands. Ecologists report the colony is thriving, with at least two new kits born this year, and the surrounding habitat has seen significant biodiversity improvements, including increases in invertebrates, birds and bat species.