A man has been arrested after climbing the Big Ben tower at the Palace of Westminster in central London while barefoot and holding a Palestinian flag.

Britain joined large swathes of Europe in a coronavirus lockdown designed to save its health care system from being overwhelmed. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)LONDON – The British government and the Bank of England joined forces Thursday to provide further support to an economy facing a difficult winter following the imposition of new coronavirus lockdown measures. However, it was reinstated on Saturday when the government abruptly announced another lockdown for England to last until Dec. 2. The Bank of England estimates that the number of people on furlough will more than double in November to 5.5 million. The government had for months balked at calls for an extension, arguing it wasn't its role to support every job forever.

The sun sets on Big Ben (the Elizabeth Tower) as it is covered in scaffolding on Dec. 8, 2017, in London. LONDON - Many people think the name Big Ben has always referred to the tower that looms over the UK Houses of Parliament, but they are mistaken. Big Ben was originally the name of the bell that sits inside the 315-foot Elizabeth Tower, and it turned 160 years old on Thursday. Although it first rang the hour on July 11, 1859, Big Ben has been silent since the Elizabeth Tower restoration project started in 2017, according to a press release from Parliament. Once the Elizabeth Tower reopens, it is hoped that there will be more capacity for visitors to tour the tower.