Breastfeeding initiation rates across the globe have risen by 20% since the Baby Friendly Initiative was established in 1992.

Richmond has now achieved stage 2 accreditation meaning all staff have been trained to support infant feeding.

Emily Dexter reports.

 Old Wimbledonians is inviting people who will be on their own to spend Christmas at the club.

Those attending will be treated to a hot Christmas dinner and can enjoy the company of other patrons.

If you know someone who will be alone this Christmas and want to invite them to the occasion, contact Luke Fiffee at [email protected].

 The airport wants to start operating its “emergency,” or northern runway to help with growing capacity.

Mole Valley Council bosses say there are a number of concerns including noise, air quality, climate change and carbon impacts.

Gatwick says opening the second runway would “reduce delays, bring new global connections and allow us to grow.”

 MPs will get a vote on the measures on Tuesday, with compulsory mask wearing in some places coming into effect tomorrow.

Richmond continues to have the highest Covid case rate in London at 668.7 per 100,000 population.

This is well above the London average of 451.7 per 100,000 and the England average of 493.3 per 100,000.

 Captain Pontus Jansson also left it late to equalise for Thomas Frank's side, who were without some key players due to Covid-19.

The Brentford boss says that makes the victory all the more impressive.

The two time Wimbledon Champion and the 3-time Grand Slam champion will join up with Jan De Witt for the Mubadala World Championships in Abu Dhabi.

Murray has won the event twice, in 2009 and 2015.

They're concerned many are being shut down without solutions to protecting access to cash.

It wants banks to prove they can take effective action so people can still get their money, and use other banking services.

Almost 300 branches closed for good between June and August this year.

Over 100 Santander branches, including in Hounslow West, closed this year, despite a campaign by Feltham MP Seema Malhotra.

The animal was put down in earlier this year following two positive tests for TB.

APHA in Weybridge, which is the leading centre for the study of the disease in animals, weren’t able to culture bacteria due to the “complexity of the disease”.

His owner, Helen Macdonald, took the case to the High Court to save him, disputing the test results, but lost the legal battle.

The Daily Mail reports she’s considering suing the government.

She’s the first woman to hold the position, and has been appointed a three-year-term.

Part of her job will be to improve the image of the tournament, after a controversy over its handling of Naomi Osaka’s requests regarding mental health.

She won the women’s singles in 2006, and was a doubles finalist in 2005.

He'll also step down from his role on the board, to set up a sports investment firm.

Phil Giles will continue as the Premier League club's sole director of football.

Police were responding to reports of a drunk driver, and found it being driven “badly”.

They then entered a “slow speed pursuit” through Chertsey and stopped the driver.

It was found that he’d also burst two tyres.

The 21-year-old from Lincolnshire was shortlisted against Lola Young who rose to fame after studying at the Brit School in Croydon and viral artist Bree Runway.

The award - which has previously been won by Adele, Sam Smith and Ellie Goulding - recognises those who are likely to go on to have successful music careers.

That includes a 29-year-old man from Tooting.

Contemporary Home Improvements Limited convinced people they were legitimate by using a kitchen built by somebody else as a fake show home, and fake reviews.

Wendy Martin, from Trading Standards, says it was “build on dishonesty and deceit” and hope the verdicts can provide comfort for the victims.

There are 17 confirmed cases of the Omicron variant in Surrey.

Reigate and Banstead has a case rate of 874 per 100,000 people, and has increased nearly a quarter over the past seven days.

Surrey as a whole has a rate of nearly 700, compared to 641 across the South-East.

It’s one of only 15 locations to receive a monetary handout via the “High Streets for All Challenge” initiative. 

Kingston Council says the money will be spent on creating a “vibrant culture scene.”

The authority is asking residents to come forward with ideas. 

The star, who was born and raised in Kingston, says he might quit to pursue "other things" after starring in roles since he was 11.

No Way Home comes to cinemas on Wednesday.

They're now mandatory in places like community centres and cinemas.

But there's a backlash about proposals to enforce vaccine passports in venues with some calling it an infringement on liberties.

Labour say they will support the vote on the change on Tuesday.

The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan says London's Tube network is proof that enforcement of the rules works.

Crews were called to Barclay Close this morning at around half past midnight.

Two more people left the building before the brigade arrived, and were both taken to hospital.

The cause is under investigation.

37-year-old Niranian Sriskantharajah from Worthing has also been disqualified for 20 months.

Police saw the man driving near Addlestone in September and tried to stop him, but he continued in lane 1 at 20mph for over a mile.

He’s been fined £500, along with costs and surcharges, which are said to means tested.

Walk the Walk encourages men to take part in its Moonwalk at Clapham Common every year.

It has also launched a “men get breast cancer too” campaign. 

There are around 400 reported cases of male breast cancer in the UK every year.

Charity founder Nina Barough explains why men may not be as fast at spotting the signs of breast cancer as women.  

Police were called yesterday at around 2am to Garratt Lane.

A 47-year-old man was located nearby and arrested for GBH and attempted sexual assault.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101, or Crimestoppers to remain anonymous.

They're short, intensive courses, designed to address the shortage that's caused a number of supply chain problems this year.

At the height of the crisis in the summer, the haulage industry estimated it was 100,000 drivers short.

The programme guarantees a fast-tracked interview for a job afterwards.

The research, published today in Veterinary Pathology, reinforces the conclusion of the Metropolitan Police.

More than 400 felines were discovered dead across various locations in London over a four-year period.

Police spent three years investigating but decided that foxes were most likely responsible. 

Sutton Vision were announced as the Rainbow Award winners at the Visionary Awards.

The organization was celebrated for their services and positive difference made to the lives of blind and partially sighted people.  

It’s awarded to charities and individuals who have been a “Rainbow” throughout the pandemic by being open and generous.

Police are appealing for witnesses after they were called to the address by a security alarm system at 6:33 on Wednesday night.

The suspect used garden furniture to climb up to the first floor balcony and then smashed a window to get inside. 

Anyone with information or CCTV footage is urged to contact police on 101.

Police were called yesterday morning at around 7.30 to near the student union.

The vehicle was later recovered at a nearby car park with the keys still in the ignition.

Crews were called at around 10am yesterday after builders at a neighbouring property saw smoke.

A spokesperson says not to overload extension leads and always check you’re using the right fuse for the plug.

There were no reports of any injuries.

Police were called to Weybridge Road at around 4.30pm yesterday to reports of a collision between a pedestrian and a silver BMW estate.

The man has been taken to St George’s Hospital.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Surrey Police.

MPs will get a vote on the measures on Tuesday, with compulsory mask wearing in some places coming into effect tomorrow.

Richmond continues to have the highest Covid case rate in London at 668.7 per 100,000 population. 

This is well above the London average of 451.7 per 100,000 and the England average of 493.3 per 100,000. 

In a separate incident, another device held by TfL in lost property caught fire in October.

The new rule comes into place on Monday and does not apply to e-bikes or mobility scooters.

Sarah Gayton from the National Federation of the Blind of the UK doesn’t think escooters are safe for anyone. 

In November, more than 10-thousand patients had to wait that long before being admitted to a ward.

The NHS says over 2-million people were seen at emergency departments last month.

Dr Amir Hassan is from Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust.

Emergency services were called to Rutherwick Rise just before 11am to reports of a vehicle colliding with a wall.

The road was closed whilst paramedics treated the woman at the scene before taking her to hospital.

There are no reports of any other injuries.

The 18-year-old rose to prominence after sealing a maiden Grand Slam victory at the US Open in September.

She says her run to the fourth round at Wimbledon was what laid the foundation for her success.

“Unspeakable” features Moazzam Begg, the British national held without trial at Guantanamo Bay for 3 years by the US Government. 

Hate crime offences recorded against Muslims accounted for 45% of all religious hate crimes documented in the year up to March. 

That’s according to the Home Office Census Report for 2021. 

Barnaby Joyce was visiting London and tested positive for coronavirus after touching down in the US.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps and Dominic Raab is also being tested as a precaution while they wait to hear if Mr Joyce has picked up the Omicron variant.

Europe's Ryder Cup winner has been found not guilty of sexually assaulting a woman, having blamed his behaviour on taking sleeping pills.

Olesen was also cleared of assault and being drunk on an aircraft.

As well as the one at 10 Downing Street in December, it'll look into an earlier one in November, and a Christmas do at the Department for Education.

MPs have suggested other parties may have taken place, including in the Prime Minister's flat, which he's denied.

Putney Labour MP Fleur Anderson has been asking these questions of the government in the Commons.

The woman was walking in Englewood Road at around 2am on the 25th of September, when she noticed a man walking behind her.

When she stopped to look for something in her bag, he approached her from behind and attacked her.

The holders conceded a last minute goal in their 3-all draw at Zenit St Petersburg, which means they progressed to the last-16 as runners-up behind Juventus.

Tuchel says his players have a bad habit of relaxing when ahead in matches.

The area’s MP, Ruth Cadbury, spoke about how the club did it to reduce the environmental impact of polyester and save fans money.

Commons Leader Jacob-Rees Mogg says he was “very impressed”, especially considering the possible hit to its finances.

Police were called yesterday at around 9.20pm to Chessington Road, to reports of a collision involving a silver Mercedes.

A man in his 30s was declared dead at the scene.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Surrey Police.

 James Brown is serving a 12 month sentence at Wandsworth Prison.

He glued himself to the roof of a plane during an Extinction Rebellion at London City Airport.

The 57 year old was jailed in September after being convicted of causing a public nuisance at an earlier trial.

Almost 4,000 youngsters are eligible for free school meal vouchers.

The Council has committed to funding meals during the holidays until Easter next year.

The combined total spend from October half term to next Easter will be £425,000.

It follows a whistleblower alleging that the evacuation was “dysfunctional” and saw staffing and computer issues.

Ruth Cadbury says the reports will “only add to the heartbreak and worry” and the government should open their Afghan resettlement scheme.

Esher MP Dominic Raab who was foreign secretary at the time, says 15,000 people were airlifted out in two weeks, and that's something to be "proud of."

It was held in order to raise money for the Mayor of London’s annual Winter Rough Sleeping Fundraising Campaign. 

Jamie was joined on stage by Battersea Power Station Community Choir.

Sam Evans is the choir’s Music Director and told us how it felt to perform alongside Jamie:

They're already through to the last-16 as group winners and face Leeds in the Premier League at the weekend.

Tuchel says that game is on his mind.

Camilla met staff this afternoon before touring the Mulberry Room. 

Royal Trinity is the oldest hospice in the UK, founded in 1891 by a member of the Hoare banking family. 

It is located in Clapham Common and provides specialist palliative care.

A new campaign from the NHS was mostly shot at Epsom Hospital, and features the trust’s head of Midwifery.

Since May, just three pregnant women have been hospitalised after having their first jab, and none after having their second.

Christina was found to have coronavirus while in hospital waiting to give birth.

Andrew Spencer is taking on the challenge for Macmillan Cancer Support. 

It’s after his father, Francis, died after battling the disease last year. 

Andrew, who runs Hammertons Ferry, as his father did before him, says “I couldn’t be more willing to stretch myself to help”.

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/captainfrancis

The footage shows officials - including his former press secretary - joking that the event last December was a business meeting.

The Prime Minister's raised the case himself in the Commons.

He's ordered an investigation but says he's been assured there was no party.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer says he's taking the public for fools.

Meanwhile Brentofrd MP Ruth Cadbury says she’s heard “many heart-breaking stories” stories from people across Hounslow who’ve been bereaved due to Covid. 

She says there now “anger and anguish at a government which laughed about breaking breaking the rules

But instead of presents, Kevin Smith and his team will be delivering over £1,000 worth of food donations this festive season.

They’re placing “Food Boxes” in Morrisons’s supermarkets so shoppers can donate items such as pasta and tinned tomatoes. 

Kevin tells us it’s about big companies giving back.

Police were called in May to reports of screaming and banging at an address.

It was disclosed that 44-year-old Christopher Malone had pointed kitchen knives at his then-girlfriend and attacked her.

He’s been sentenced to two-and-a-half-years behind bars.

The case rate is very high in the county, with a rate of 711 per 100,000, compared to 485 nationally.

Reigate and Banstead is showing a rate of 826, an increase of nearly a quarter of the past seven days.

Hospital admissions have risen sharply as well, with nearly 800 over the past seven days, an increase of 113 on the previous week.

50 relatives from 18 families across the UK will travel to Westminster, as a charity warns more than 400 addicts in England take their own life each year.

Gambling Minister and Croydon South MP, Chris Philp, will be among the speakers at the event.

Liz Ritchie, co-founder of Gambling With Lives, lost her 24-year-old son Jack in 2017.

It would've been banned under Covid restrictions at the time.

In a recording obtained by ITV News, aides mocked up a news conference dismissing it as a 'business meeting'.

Boris Johnson will likely face questions on it later.

Twickenham Lib Dem MP Munira Wilson says number 10 are “taking the public for fools”.

Tooting Labour MP Dr Rosena Allin-Khan says “frontline workers weren’t given proper PPE and paid with their lives to save us” while it was going on.

It's been revealed the ex-education secretary held one of his own, too.

The Mirror reports Gavin Williamson hosted an event for staff just before Christmas, at a time of strict Covid restrictions.

A spokesperson's confirmed it happened, calling it 'unfortunate.'

31-year-old Thorbjorn Olesen denies sexual assault, being drunk on an aircraft, and assault.

The jury heard he had drunk alcohol and taken sleeping pills, and “staggered” around.

Olesen says he has no memory of his behaviour, and his lawyer says he’s a “hard working individual who is dedicated to his profession”.

The trial continues.

It shows that recently applied to just under two thirds of alleged victims, up from almost a fifth since 2019.

Meanwhile, one percent of those who said they'd been attacked in London saw their case reach trial.

Mayor Sadiq Khan says it's “unacceptable” and “we urgently need a complete overhaul of rape investigations and increased support for all rape victims.”

The Law Commission's also suggested the government looks at the need for a specific offence of public sexual harassment.

The body's 550-page report to ministers contains a total of 34 recommendations, and it insists they wouldn't criminalise 'offensive' comments, though.

Women’s rights campaigner from Epsom, Ava Vakil, says the legislation is different for different offences.

Both pump houses will be merged into a single building with a UV filtration system, new pipework, pool liner and electrical substation.

An initial programme of works to deal with subsidence issues was approved last year at a cost of £867,000.

But further inspections revealed the need for a more comprehensive package of works at a cost of £2.1 million.

Firefighters found an older woman on the ground floor of the property in St James’s Road at lunchtime.

She was pronounced dead at the scene. 

A man left the property before the Brigade arrived.

All Saints Benhilton CoE Primary was chosen for the ‘Good Diabetes Care in School Award 2021’ by Diabetes UK.

The charity says it was because of the help it offers children to manage their condition and their inclusion in activities.

Type 1, which affects around 8% of those who have Diabetes, is not affected by your lifestyle or weight, like Type 2 is.

Luke Williams reports:

Around 60 electrical tools, that are believed stolen, were recovered from a vehicle that failed to stop for officers in September.

Three men were arrested on suspicion of theft of and theft from motor vehicles.

They were subsequently released under investigation.

31 year old Louise Lennon is accused of causing or allowing the death of a child.

31 year old Jake Drummond, who appeared at the Old Bailey via videolink, is charged with the 15-month-old's murder.

Jacob Lennon was taken to hospital from the family home after suffering a head injury in August 2019.

A further court hearing has been scheduled for February.

The former foreign secretary says the government did everything it could - but Raphael Marshall says 'bureaucracy and disorganisation' saw people left behind following the Taliban takeover.

Labour says Mr Raab should consider his position.

Croydon North MP and Shadow Justice Secretary Steve Reed says they want to “change the law to comply with their decisions”.

The Times reports that the PM is considering if the judicial review and courts bill goes far enough.

Downing Street is denying its considering any changes beyond what’s already proposed, and wants to strike “the right balance”.

The short stroll will begin at 5.30pm in the Quadrant and finish at York House in Twickenham.

It’s there that 133 white flowers will be laid, one for every woman killed by a man in the UK this year. 

People are being encouraged to join the walk with either an electric torch or the torch on their phone.

It shows that recently applied to just under two thirds of alleged victims - up from almost a fifth since 2019.

Meanwhile, one percent of those who said they'd been attacked in London saw their case reach trial.

Mayor Sadiq Khan says it's “unacceptable” and “we urgently need a complete overhaul of rape investigations and increased support for all rape victims.”

24 installations created by the borough’s artists have popped up across Nine Elms.

The Reverend Betsy Blatchley is the leader of Nine Elms Arts Ministry.

She explains why this year’s theme is “Peace on Earth.”

The Daily Mail is carrying the letter, which is signed by the MPs for Wallington, Croydon South and Wimbledon.

Sadiq Khan says it will help London’s recovery, as he asks for more financial aid from the government.

It would mean that some people driving from outside the capital to the centre would have to pay £33, with the ULEZ and Congestion Charge.

The work is down to a grant awarded to the council by South Western Railway.

The authority’s share of £5.5 million will be used for a number of projects including making areas around the stations brighter.

Work has already commenced in Epsom Town Centre with festoon lighting introduced along Station Way. 

Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku is among those who've paid tribute to him, saying “RIP my brother, you will be missed” on Instagram.

Morgan set up his own team, Fresh Ego FC, to raise awareness around racism in the game.

The borough currently has London’s highest infection rate.

The council says the aim of the marshals is to help advise people and businesses how to slow the virus’s spread.  

They’ll patrol outside rail and bus stations, visit premises to deliver advice and be on hand to answer questions. 

The “Starman” fell to Tolworth in February 1972 when Bowie launched him at the now demolished Toby Jug Pub.

Robin Hutchinson is Director of The Community Brain initiative.

He says Bowie’s links with Tolworth need to be recognised and celebrated:

On November the 26th, at around 6.15pm, he was on his way to meet friends, and the group called him over and he went over there.

However, when he got up close, they shone a torch in his face and robbed his phone and branded clothes at knifepoint.

Police are telling parents to speak to their children to tell them to avoid dark and isolated areas after dark.

Police were called to Parkside just before 9 o’clock this morning. 

Enquiries are ongoing to establish the man’s identity and locate his next of kin.

At this stage the death is not being treated as suspicious.

44-year-old Emma Smart is now into her twentieth day, and Dr Ben Buse has now refused food for 12 days at HMP Thameside.

Ms Smart says she feels “resolute that what I am doing is right” and there will be deaths from fuel poverty and cold homes this winter.

Both of them are serving four-month jail terms.

The brigade was called at around 2am to Mitcham Lane.

A man and a woman left a flat above the shop before crews arrived, and there were no reports of any injuries.

Most of the ground floor of the shop was damaged.

It comes after Storm Arwen affected power supplies to more than a million households 10 days ago.

The majority of the affected homes are in the north east of England.

Energy Secretary and Spelthorne MP Kwasi Kwarteng says he'll take enforcement action against the distribution companies, if necessary.

Among the items stolen were £700 in cash, laptops, a passport and number plates.

14 were reported in the area between the 17th of November and the 2nd of December, compared to 22 across 2020 and 9 in 2019.

Police are increasing patrols, and are advising visitors to Kew Gardens to take all possessions with them.

Others are going ahead, either virtually, or with vigorous safety procedures in place. 

Emma King-Farlow is founder of Shadow Road Productions theatre company in Barnes.

She tells us that however Nativities are done this year, it’s important that children are encouraged to express themselves. 

The 33 year old was kidnapped by an off-duty officer in Clapham, and later murdered, prompting a national outcry about women's safety.

Now Sussex Police, an entirely female-led force, is calling on men to "do the right thing" and rethink their behaviours.

Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne explains why she decided to launch the initiative.

Esher and Walton’s Dominic Raab told Andrew Maar on the BBC that it would be “unusual” for police to investigate “things” that happened a year ago.

Shadow Justice Secretary and Croydon North MP Steve Reed says Mr Raab “doesn’t understand how justice operates in our country”.

A clip of Mr Raab making the comment has been liked almost 7,000 times on social media.

The government denies any rules were broken.

The authority says five gritters “are at the ready” to treat the borough’s roads. 

Its contractor has already been out and about gritting roads and pavements on priority routes.

A winter maintenance duty officer is also on call 24/7 to make decisions on gritting activity based on Met Office forecasts

The Blythe Spirit playwright’s notoriously clean comedy, Hay Fever, was first performed in 1925 and is about a chaotic weekend with an unconventional family and their house guests.

This Richmond Shakespeare Society production of Hay Fever will run from Saturday 11th to Saturday 18th December.

The festive experience is called Winter Wonderlounge and is open to the public and hotel guests.

The savoury menu includes mulled wine, artisan cheese fondue and continental charcuterie boards.

It will be open every evening, weather permitting, with fairy lights, heaters and blankets.

The hospital was issued NJR Quality Data Provider certificate which acts as a blueprint for hospitals that reach high standards of patient safety.

The National Joint Registry which issues awards, monitors hip, knee, ankle and elbow joint operations to improve clinical outcomes.