Southern Daily Echo • 18th February 2026

Southampton councillor abused by anti-immigration protesters

John Savage, who is the cabinet member for Environment and Net Zero, has stated that he has received threats and has been targeted online.

Cllr Savage was first confronted by anti-immigration protesters in Hoglands Park on the October 26 last year.

“I was surrounded by a group of people who were asking what I was doing there.

“As a councillor, I was reminding them that they were not allowed to leave their vehicles in a public park - they responded with abuse.

“In the park there’s...

South East Londoner • 6th February 2026

Injuries from e-bike and e-scooter fires in London rise for seventh year in a row | South East Londoner

The number of injuries from e-bike and e-scooter fires in London has increased for the seventh year in a row, new data reveals.A total of 109 injuries were recorded by the London Fire Brigade (LFB) in 2025, with three deaths resulting from lithium and electric vehicle fires.According to LFB, a record number of these fires involved e-bikes and e-scooters – with faulty batteries, which often do not meet UK safety standards, being blamed for starting the blaze.Spencer Sutcliff, Deputy Commissioner,...

South West Londoner • 31st January 2026

Thailand's food diplomacy serves up success - with a pinch of salt

The United Kingdom’s love of Thai food is undeniable. A recent YouGov survey polled Thai as one of Britain’s favourite cuisines, only behind Chinese, Indian and Italian food - which have long been established here.
Thai food has muscled its way into the UK’s extremely competitive hospitality sector, with more than 2,500 restaurants across the country. The Asian food market is estimated to be worth about £8.5 billion, which includes Thai establishments. 
W...

North West Londoner • 5th December 2025

Islington schools have highest London suspension rates

Islington schools have the highest suspension rate in London, new data released by the Department for Education has revealed.


The research – which was collected from the 2024/25 autumn term – shows that 932 pupils were suspended in Islington, which is equivalent to a rate of four suspensions per 100 pupils.


Persistent disruptive behaviour, physical abuse towards other pupils, and verbal abuse towards staff were the top three reasons given for the suspensions in Islington.


Islington Coun...

South West Londoner • 5th December 2025

WATCH: Richmond cooking charity tackles food poverty and social isolation

A cooking charity based in Richmond is planning to expand across more London boroughs – including Putney and Wandsworth – if more funding can be secured.


Cooking Up – who currently operate out of community hubs in Hampton, Whitton and Ham – offer free cookery classes to people who’re eager to learn simple and healthy recipes.


The charity’s chair, Janet Hilton, got inspiration for the charity after working in a food bank during the Covid-19 pandemic, where she observed how users were reluct...

South West Londoner • 20th October 2025

Twickenham school protest: Families demand TfL address safety concerns at 'dangerous' crossing

Children and parents from a Twickenham primary school have demanded safety improvements to the St Margarets Roundabout crossing following a protest.


A swell of families from the St Stephen’s School community were also joined by dozens of residents, Munira Wilson MP and Richmond Council leader Gareth Roberts, at the demonstration which happened on Friday.


The protest – which took place next to the A316 crossing – came after a parent-led petition aimed at London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Transp...

North East Londoner • 22nd September 2025

British Filipino community divided on former President Rodrigo Duterte's ICC detention

The British Filipino community is divided about former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte’s continued detention at the International Criminal Court (ICC).Duterte, 80, was extradited to ICC in The Hague, Netherlands, back in March and is charged with crimes against humanity. Duterte has contested his extradition.ICC prosecutors allege that Duterte, whilst president between 2016 and 2022, pursued an anti-drugs policy which directed a systematic attack against a civilian population, resulting in...

SunStar Publishing Inc. • 29th April 2024

Saving Philippine Eagle is in Our Hands (Part 2)

The reason they’re here (in rescue centers) is because they have nowhere else to go. It all comes back to preventing habitat loss.”After their period of monitoring and quarantine at Vandenbroeck’s clinic, the eagles will transfer to the Philippine Eagle Center in Davao.The Center, overseen by the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF), offers hope for the Philippine Eagle and other endangered species of indigenous birds and animals. They have a successful breeding program, with 29 eaglets raised over...

SunStar Publishing Inc. • 22nd April 2024

Saving Philippine Eagle is in Our Hands

Vandenbroeck battled over the loud metal clang of the eagles banging against the cage door to detail that the birds are feeding well, which is good news for their recovery. However, this may also indicate that the eagles have been in captivity for some time.“It seems from their behaviour, we are thinking they could have been caught for awhile, because they are not as aggressive. They would be a lot more aggressive if they were freshly caught from the wild, that banging would be non-stop,” Vanden...