London's News

Drivetime's Eddie Nestor is off to climb Mount Kilimanjaro to raise money for a number of charities. Before he went we thought we'd give him a little encouragement... For more information visit: http://geestor.co.uk/silimanjaro/#

A public ballot has been launched to allow 8000 people to attend the Battle of the Somme centenary event in a year's time. The ceremony in France takes place on July 1st next year. The Government is also allocating a further four-million pounds to the Heritage Lottery Fund so communities can explore and share local connections to the First World War. Today's announcement was made at the Guards Memorial overlooking Horse Guards Parade. BBC London 94.9's David Friend spoke to the Culture Secretary John Whittingdale... For more information go to: www.somme2016.org

Rachel Johnson has criticised her brother, London Mayor Boris Johnson, over Black Cabs in London. Speaking to BBC London 94.9's Joanne Good, she said he needs to do more to protect the licensed cab trade in the capital.

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has now spent three years inside the Ecuadoran embassy in London. Mr Assange, who denies allegations he sexually assaulted two women in Sweden, faces arrest if he leaves the building. It's thought the cost of providing a 24 hour police presence has now past 10 million pounds. One of Julian Assange's most vocal supporters has been the journalist and film-maker John Pilger. He's been speaking to BBC London 94.9's Eddie Nestor... #WikiLeaks #Assange

Maida Vale Station on the Bakerloo Line is celebrating its 100th birthday. When it opened, on June 6th 1915, it was staffed entirely by women. They were filling the roles left open by the departure of men to the Fronts of World War One. Celebrations have been taking place at the station and BBC London 94.9's David Friend was invited.

It's 100 years since London first came under attack from the air. On the evening of May 31st 1915 an incendiary bomb was dropped, from a German Zeppelin airship, onto the roof of a home in Stoke Newington. Hackney Council has now unveiled a new plaque at the site of the incident. BBC London 94.9's David Friend went there to find out more... #WW1 #WW1AtHome www.iwm.org.uk www.iancastlezeppelin.co.uk www.hackney.gov.uk

Widely practiced in the American South before the Civil War, Sacred Harp singing has crossed the pond and is becoming more popular here in London. The name comes from the title of the book from which the songs are sung. The notes are shapes which help the singers read music. To find out more, BBC London 94.9's David Friend took a trip to St George's Church, Bloomsbury and was introduced to a man called Michael Walker... #SacredHarp #ShapeNote @LDNSacredHarp londonsacredharp.org

In 1984, Jude Whyte's parents were killed in a bomb blast in Belfast. He tells Jumoké Fashola how he was able to understand, and forgive, his parents killers in the week that Prince Charles shook hands with Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams.

This week is Mental Health Awareness Week.. On Saturday May 16th a charity walk's taking place through London with the aim of ending the stigma of mental illness. Walking Out of Darkness is organised by suicide prevention charity Clasp. BBC London 94.9's David Friend has been finding out more from Clasp's CEO Kenny Johnston... http://www.claspcharity.com/walkingoutofdarkness.htm

A new Star Wars exhibition is opening at Madame Tussaud's. BBC London 94.9's David Friend was invited along for a sneak preview... https://starwars.madametussauds.com/london/en/ #StarWars

On Christmas Day 2013, Ilse Fieldsend's 3-year-old daughter Georgia died suddenly of a ruptured brain aneurysm. On that same day, she made the decision to allow Georgia's organs to be used to save six other lives. Now, to mark what would have been Georgia's fifth birthday, Ilse has released a song to raise money for the Children's Critical Care Unit at Kings College Hospital.

Victoria Borwick takes over Kensington after the departure of Sir Malcolm Rifkind. She's been speaking to BBC London 94.9's Vanessa Feltz. #GE2015 #Election2015

Labour's Meg Hillier held on to her Hackney South and Shoreditch seat. She spoke to BBC London 94.9's Vanessa Feltz about her win. #GE2015 #Election2015

Joan Ryan is back as Enfield North's MP. She's been speaking to BBC London 94.9's Anna O'Neill. #GE2015 #Election2015

Barry Gardiner held on to Brent North for the Labour Party. He's been speaking to BBC London 94.9's Andy Rowley. #GE2015 #Election

Paul Scully speaks to BBC London 94.9's Louise Pepper after winning Sutton and Cheam from the Liberal Democrats. #GE2015 #Election2015

#GE2015 Labour MP Wes Streeting gains seat in Ilford North from Conservative Lee Scott

#GE2015 Conservative MP Gavin Barwell speaks on the BBC London 94.9 Breakfast show after news he remains MP for Croydon Central.

#GE2015 Neil Coyle, new Labour MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark, speaks on the BBC London 94.9FM breakfast show after taking the seat from Lib Dems Simon Hughes

#GE2015 Labour MP Diane Abbott speaks on the BBC London breakfast show after retaining her seat in the Hackney North and Stoke Newington constituency