This Week In London’s History Monday – 21st July 2005: Two weeks after the July 7th bombings, four would-be suicide bombers attempt to detonate explosive devices on London’s public transport system. None of the bombs explode fully, but widespread disruption of the transport system ensues nonetheless. Tuesday – 22nd July 1987: Palestinian political cartoonist Naji Salim al-Ali is shot in the face outside his office in Chelsea. He would die of his injuries several......

This Week In London’s History Monday – 23rd July 1986: Prince Andrew marries Sarah Ferguson at Westminster Abbey. As a wedding present (of sorts), the Queen grants them the title of Duke and Duchess of York. Tuesday – 24th July 1987: At the High Court, Jeffrey Archer wins damages of £500,000 in his libel case against the Daily Star. 14 years later he would be convicted of perjury and perverting the course of justice......

Two Canaletto piantings depicting two of eighteenth-century London's most popular and fashionable places have been rescued from deportation by a mystery donor (the best kind of donor don't you think?). Back in December of last year a temporary export bar was placed on the two paintings: View of the Grand Walk, Vauxhall Gardens (pictured) and The Interior of the Rotunda, Ranelagh (Chelsea to you and me) after the anonymous owner of the pictures received......

The subject of our most recent ENO review, Anthony Minghella's Madame Butterfly is officially a smash hit -- it is completely sold out (although, as ever, standing room and day tickets go on sale at 10 am, and there are always released tickets to be had if you're lucky). In addition, rumour has it that the production is heading for New York, presumably with better singers. All this despite the best efforts of certain......