Storm Boelo Cancels Diwali on the Square as Police, Housing and Sport Updates Emerge Across London

The Mayor of London has announced the cancellation of Diwali on the Square 2026. According to My London, the London Diwali on the Square event was called off after storms made the celebration unsafe. The London Evening Standard reported that London's Diwali celebrations were scrapped as Storm Boelo battered the UK with 80mph winds.

Police and broadcasters have also reported two security incidents in the capital. British Transport Police stated that a man was arrested following a stabbing at a Tube station in south London. In a separate case reported by the BBC, a manhunt is under way after a prisoner escaped from a London medical unit.

Several housing policy changes and property pressures have been reported across the city. The Barnet Post reported that City Hall is reducing regulations to ease pressure on housebuilders. At the same time, Yahoo News UK reported that music studios and creative spaces in London face eviction as a homes plan expands. Meanwhile, The Times reported that London homes are to be frozen out of a new Help to Buy scheme and separately examined what it is like to live in Croydon's Stirling prizewinning council flats, while GOV.UK announced that veterans will be supported into work to help build more homes.

At City Hall, the London Evening Standard reported that Sadiq Khan made his strongest call yet for the UK to rejoin the EU, saying: "It must be our destination." In sport and major events, CyclingUpToDate.com reported that the London Mayor called the city "The undisputed capital of women's sport" as Marion Rousse prepares a historic Tour de France Femmes team time trial. In the WSL, Sky Sports and Tottenham Hotspur reported that an Alessia Russo penalty gave Arsenal a 1-2 north London derby win over Tottenham, easing pressure on Renée Slegers, while Chelsea Football Club shared coverage of the Blues arriving for their London derby with Spurs and The Rugby Paper reported that London Irish aim for a 2027 return. The London Evening Standard also published ticket release dates, prices and viewing zones for the London NYE fireworks.