Evening Standard - London

Heathrow Extends Trial for Simultaneous Landings and Take-Offs

HEATHROW was today given the go-ahead to extend its trial of using one runway for simultaneous takeoffs and landings. Aviation Minister Theresa Villiers announced that the second phase of so-called "operational freedoms" would run from July to March next year -- six months longer than planned.

Thames Estuary Airport 'Would Boost London for Next 500 Years'

A NEW hub airport in the Thames estuary would transform London and bring benefits that will last for more than 500 years, Boris Johnson's top aviation adviser said today. Daniel Moylan, one of the Mayor's closest aides, told the Standard the aviation crisis is now so serious that unless it is tackled urgently by the Government, Britain's premier hub airport will soon be Amsterdam Schiphol.

French Leader Sworn in Then Visits Merkel for Crisis Talks

FRANCOIS HOLLANDE was dashing to Berlin today in a bid to save the eurozone just hours after being sworn in as French president. He was meeting German Chancellor Angela Merkel to head off an economic catastrophe if Greece is forced out of the single currency.

Come On Over, Valerie

Brollies at the Ready As Bromley Welcomes Diamond Jubilee Tour

AFTER hours of rain, the sun came out for the Queen today as she made her "summer" tour of south London. Thousands lined streets and gardens in Bromley as she toured a fashion exhibition and, with the Duke of Edinburgh, met six couples from the borough celebrating diamond anniversaries this year. Many had brought photographs of their wedding day and anniversary parties to show her.

Queen's Role in Bond's Next Mission ; Rumours of Hrh Helicopter Rescue at Games Ceremony

LONDON2012 The Londoner THE Queen has dedicated her life to serving others. But has she now accepted a mission on her own service? The Londoner has been told that her Majesty is set to "drop in" to the Olympics ceremony via helicopter. It has already been reported that Daniel Craig will help open the Olympics in character as James Bond, following a personal invitation from the Queen. This will form part of a short film made by the ceremony's artistic director Danny Boyle in which 007 travels ...

Banksy's Back New Work Attacks Child Labour

STREET artist Banksy has chosen a north London discount store for his new work -- a child making jubilee street party bunting in a sweatshop. Residents in Whymark Avenue, near Turnpike Lane, found the artwork on the side of the local Poundland today. It was revealed two years ago that a seven-year-old boy worked more 100 hours a week in an Indian sweatshop to produce some of the chain's goods. The company severed ties with the supplier.

Britain's 10 Million Tweeters Make Us Fourth in World

TWITTER today announced that it had reached the landmark figure of 10 million active users in the UK -- making British tweeters among the world's most active. Releasing figures about the UK for the first time, the social networking and microblogging service said Britain was now fourth behind the US, Brazil and Japan. Twitter has 140 million users globally.

The Pounds 500,000 Party ; Jay-Z and Kanye Kick Off Tour with Star-Studded Bash in West End

AS TWO of the biggest names in rap they are hardly renowned for their frugality. But this week Jay-Z and Kanye West plan to host a party in London that will be lavish even by their standards. The pair are due to play the first date of their joint European tour at the O2 Arena on Friday, and will mark the occasion afterwards with a Pounds 500,000 bash at the former home of casino Fifty in St James's Street.

Rocking de Niro Hollywood Star at Show's 10th Anniversary

'Riot Laws Will Be Changed to Help Victims'

OLD laws which have left hundreds of riot victims waiting months for compensation will be overhauled, the Government has vowed. Home Office minister Lynne Featherstone said the Government was "committed" to reviewing the Riot Damages Act, which dates from 1886, adding: "We need to ensure that the legislation is fair and reflects a modern policing world." The pledge came as it emerged there are still 707 outstanding claims in London, nine months after the violence which hit the capital.

Ticket Office Closures 'Save Train Firm Pounds 1.25m a Year'

A TRAIN operator serving London will save Pounds 1.25 million a year for five years by closing ticket offices, according to company documents leaked today. Bob Crow, leader of the RMT union which obtained and released the papers, said: "These documents show that for vandalising ticket offices and destroying jobs across the service, London Midland and its shareholders stand to profit."

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Match of Today

Tube Better Than Ever, Says Tfl ... As Thousands Are Hit by Delays

BORIS JOHNSON today hailed figures showing that the Tube is more reliable than ever -- as thousands of commuters suffered long rush- hour delays. Transport for London revealed that the number of hours lost by passengers in delays was at its lowest since measurements began in 1999. The number of hours lost is down by nearly 40 per cent since 2007/08. Later this year, the Mayor will announce how he plans to fulfil his manifesto pledge of reducing delays by more than 30 per cent over the next th...

Girl, 10, Given a Fresh Start As Surgeons Take Out 3kg Tumour

A 10-YEAR-OLD girl's life has been transformed after surgeons removed a tumour weighing more than three kilos from her abdomen. Eliana Mann is said to be like a "new child" after the rare growth -- which had reached the size of a small football -- was taken out in a nine-hour operation.

Miliband Praises 'Value-for-Money' Nhs

ED MILIBAND today hailed the NHS as Britain's most "value for money asset". He praised the health service's "productivity" as Health Secretary Andrew Lansley seeks to push through Pounds 17.5 billion of efficiency savings. He vowed that if Labour won power in 2015 it would repeal key parts of the Health and Social Care Bill which brings in more competition and hands GPs greater control over the Pounds 60 billion NHS commissioning budget.

How Dimon Lost His Sparkle ; As Head of Jp Morgan, Jamie Dimon Was Supposed to Be Invincible -- 'The World's Most Important Banker'. Then Came the Shock News of a Pounds 2 Billion Loss

[broken bar] HERE'S how Jamie Dimon met his wife. At a Harvard Business School party, a passing dress caught the eye of the Future Most Important Banker in the World. "I'm Jamie," purred the FMIBW. "I'm going home and I want you to come with me." If that sounds impossibly cocky, Dimon, now 56, might note that Judith Kent did as she was bid and that they are still married.