West End Live returns with free theatre

London's thriving live theatre industry celebrates its productions with the West End Live festival June 19 and 20 in Leicester Square. The event features performances by the casts of several shows, music, and other activities.

UK and European airports reopen

Most UK flights operating on Wednesday. Details on Examiner.com

UK and European airports reopen

Most flights will operate in the UK and Europe on Wednesday April 21. Details here.

Tuesday resumption of London flights in doubt

Fresh volcanic activity may derail plans to re-open London airports on Tuesday. Follow the story here.

Britain flights grounded through Monday

British airlines cancel flights through Monday - details here

Half of European flights may fly Monday

Latest comments from European officials show that the flight ban may be loosened. No firm word from UK officials. Follow the story here.

British Airways cancels flights through April 18

British Airways cancels its complete flight schedule through Sunday, April 18 due to volcanic eruption in Iceland. See our updated coverage on Examiner.com

London airports still closed

All London airports and UK airspace closed until at least 7 a.m. Sunday (London time). Almost all northern and central European flights grounded. Ash continues to spew from Iceland's volcanic eruption. See our continuing coverage here.

Like a bad disaster movie...

...with a cast of thousands—Europe Versus Volcano.

See our updates on the latest air traffic restrictions and flight cancellations

British election coming...tourists unfazed

Britain will have its first national election in five years on May 6.

Now, British elections are quirky affairs to American eyes. First, the Prime Minister–in this case Labour Party leader Gordon Brown–has to trek over to Buckingham Palace and get permission from the Queen to dissolve Parliament. Some Brits would probably be happy enough to end the process right there, sans Parliament, given the scandals that have plagued the body in recent years.

But, no, carry on they must. Next step is to announce an election date–which has already been done, at least informally.

Oddly enough, Prime Minister Brown's call for elections may lead to his defeat and removal from office. Again, from an American perspective, this parliamentary procedure seems absurd. Call an election when you think you may not win? Huh? Not to worry, Mr. Brown would likely remain a member of Parliament, albeit no longer the PM.

And finally, this election is about more than just who is going to be prime minister. Some polls indicate that after the election results are tallied, parliament may be "hung" (again, something that a good portion of the British electorate may think is perfectly fine if it were literally true). A hung parliament means that no party has a clear majority. That can lead to a coalition government or to a repeat election.

And is any of this relevant to a tourist heading to Britain? In a word, "no." Oh sure, there will be a surfeit of pre-election hoopla in the British media, but it's not as if pubs are closed on election day or any such nonsense.

Olympic Ugly?

London's mayor Boris Johnson announced construction of a tower-like structure to mark the site of the 2012 Olympic Summer Games. Reactions came fast and furious, but compliments were rare, as art critics and ordinary London residents weighed in on the design of the Orbit.