Eric the UK's first ever robot

Technical reporter(wp/es):
London’s Science Museum has brought the UK’s first ever robot “back to life” – thanks to a crowdfunding campaign.
Eric the robot disappeared just months after wowing crowds across the world when he was created in 1928.
The Rebuilding Eric Kickstarter campaign was launched in May and pulled-in £51, 813 from 861 donors.
 A replica of the machine was launched tonight and will go on display to the public from tomorrow until November 30.

Ben Russell, curator at the museum, described how Eric was put together based on “a few newspaper clippings and an old video”.
He said: “Eric holds a unique place in our history. He was everything we now imagine a robot to be – a talking, moving mechanical person.
“Originally built in 1928 by Captain Richards & A.H. Reffell, Eric was one of the world’s first robots. Built less than a decade after the word robot was first used, he travelled the globe with his makers but then disappeared, seemingly forever.
 “In May 2016, 861 backers joined our Kickstarter campaign to bring Eric back to life. Thanks to this support we worked with artist and robot builder Giles Walker to recreate Eric, keeping his appearance as close to the original as possible. Eric has now been saved for the nation as part of our permanent collection.”

London Fields Lido to close for months after 'major problems' discovered

Staff reporter(wp/es):
An east London lido is set to close for months after major problems were discovered with the tiling.
London Fields Lido will be out of action from late November until spring 2017 so that Hackney Council can carry out emergency repairs.
Tiles began coming away from the side of the Olympic-sized pool earlier this year and industry experts have now confirmed that an entire tile and render replacement is required.
Labour Councillor John Burke, a Hackney Cabinet Member for Energy, Sustainability, & Community Services, said: “Although we are disappointed at being forced to close the Lido for urgent repairs, we have decided to take advantage of this unavoidable closure to refurbish the indoor changing rooms and reception area.

“This means swimmers will be able to enjoy better, more modern facilities when the Lido reopens next year.”
Pre-paid members, who will be able to continue swimming at no extra cost at other nearby pools, have expressed dismay at losing the amenity for at least four months.
Hackney resident Ben Alden-Falconer, who swims in the lido at least twice a week, told the Standard: "Where else can you swim in crystal clear water under the sun, stars or rain, all year round?
"The fact that it is 50 metres and heated - I still go when it snows - makes it pretty unique.

"Other local pools are just not the same experience. Hopefully the works will not take longer than the projected four months," added the Cambridge University graduate.
An exact date for the closure has not yet been set but it is likely to be towards the end of November.
London Fields Lido is popular year-round with Hackney residents, offering swimming lessons, fitness sessions and lane swimming as well as a café, sundeck and sunbathing area.
It is another blow for London’s outdoor swimming community, with the King’s Cross pond due to shut next week despite a petition signed by thousands calling for it to remain.

Man arrested after motorcyclist dies in Lea Bridge Road East London

Staff reporter(wp/es):
A 46-year-old man has been arrested after a young motorcyclist was killed during an alleged hit-and-run in east London.
The 21-year-old died in hospital after suffering head injuries during a collision in Lea Bridge Road, Waltham Forest, on Friday night.
He has not yet been identified, although his next of kin have been informed.
Police had appealed to find the driver of a black Volkswagen Sirocco which, it was claimed, had been involved in the crash but failed to stop at the scene.
On Sunday, a man handed himself in at an east London police station where he was arrested on suspicion of of causing death by careless driving and failing to stop at the scene of a collision.

He has been bailed pending further enquiries to a date in January.
Detectives from the Met's Serious Collision Investigation Unit are continuing to appeal for witness to come forward.

Sadiq Khan becomes first London Mayor to join hundreds celebrating Africa on the Trafalgar Square

 
Pic: Sadiq Khan takes photos with people at the Africa celebration event.
Staff reporter(wp/es):
Hundreds of people took to Trafalgar Square today to celebrate Africa as part of Black History Month.
The iconic square came alive with music and dancing at the 'Africa in the Square' event, which is now in its third year.
Sadiq Khan became the first London mayor to ever visit the annual event, which saw vistors enjoy live music, DJs, dancing, food stalls and an African market as the Mayor of London mingled with people and gave a speech.
The celebrations, which include a procession with African drumming and dancing, began at 12pm and will go on until 6pm.
"From Ghana to Gambia, Nigeria to Namibia, South Africa to Somalia, the contribution of African Londoners to our city is immense," Sadiq Khan told the crowds.
 Entrepreneur Kanya King, who founded the MOBO awards which celebrate black artists and music, welcomed Sadiq Khan to the stage and said she was "proud" to introduce the very first London mayor to speak at the event.

Many took to Twitter to share photos of the event, which is organised by the mayor's office.
Yusuf Manneh, said: "Hands up to Africa on the Square. This is just one amazing event, loving every second."
Emma Donnelly shared a photo of crowds listening to music on the stage and said: “I bloody love London."
 On his Facebook page shortly after he appeared at the event, Sadiq Khan said: "From Nigeria to Namibia, the Gambia to Ghana, Africa is beautifully weaved into the tapestry of London life.
 "Amazing energy here at Trafalgar Square - where I'm proud to be the first Mayor of London to attend #AfricaOnTheSquare and join thousands of Londoners to celebrate the contribution our African communities make to our city. #LoveLondon #LondonIsOpen."

Car flipped onto roof in dramatic crash in East Ham East London

Staff reporter(wp/es):
A woman has been taken to hospital after her car overturned following a crash with a parked vehicle in east London.
Emergency services were called to the scene on High Street South in East Ham today to reports of a car overturned in the middle of the road.
The female driver has been taken to hospital.
Her injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
An LFB spokeswoman added: "We were called to a motorvehicle in collision with a parked vehicle at 2.25pm. The  driver was not trapped and was removed from the vehicle safely.

"One injured person has been taken to hospital."
The road was closed in both directions at the junction with Norman Road and officers remain at the scene while the incident is being dealt with.

after landing gear emergency British Airways flight was forced to return to Heathrow

Staff reporter(wp/es):
A British Airways flight was forced to make an emergency stop at Heathrow after the plane’s landing gear failed, it has emerged.
The flight, carrying 293 passengers, had to return to the airport when the crew made the shocking discovery that the switch for the landing gear was stuck.
Despite this, the pilot managed to safely land the Boeing 747-436 at Heathrow with only the nose and body landing gear deployed, averting a potential disaster.
The report from the Air Accidents Investigations Branch (AAIB) revealed that the landing gear on the plane had been replaced shortly before the flight from Heathrow to Chicago O’Hare International Airport.
But after take-off the crew found that the landing gear lever could not be moved and decided to return to Heathrow.

Fortunately for the 310 people aboard the flight, the pilots managed to lower part of the gear using the extension procedure.
The plane then landed at Heathrow with half of the plane’s braking power, causing it to slide right to the end of the runway.

The report stated: “The landing gear lever jam was attributed to a maintenance error which had resulted in incorrect rigging of the landing gear lever system.”
The fault in the landing gear has been attributed to a rig pin not being fitted in the equipment
It is believed the problem was caused by an engineer losing concentration when taking a break, as well as an inadequate handover sheet.
The report adds: "The following causal factors were identified by the operator’s maintenance investigation:
"The distraction of the engineer when he saw the quadrant move and he took his break and an inadequate handover between the night shift and the day shift."
The incident happened on January 30 but the AAIB report has only just been released.

Woman rushed to hospital after being hit by train

Staff reporter(wp/es):
A woman has been rushed to hospital after she was hit by a train at a station on a major line into Heathrow Airport.
Police and ambulance crews were called to West Ealing station at 11.30am after reports of the incident.
The Air Ambulance also landed nearby as paramedics raced to the station.
A spokesman for the London Ambulance Service said: “We treated a woman at the scene for multiple injuries and took her as a priority to a major trauma centre in west London."
British Transport Police say the incident is not being treated as suspicious.
George Eason tweeted: "West Ealing station surrounded by tens of fire, ambulance and police, anyone know what's going on?"

Heathrow Express services were unable to travel in either direction following the incident.
It also left Great Western Railway trains unable to call at Paddington for almost one hour.
Although services are on the move again, trains were still unable to call at West Ealing by 12.30pm.