What we're reading:
- Boat-dwellers 'are being priced off London's canals' as mooring costs soar.
- Reality check: is London's murder rate still higher than New York's?
- Londoners reveal the most bizarre conversations they've overheard on the Underground.
- Six airports in nine hours for £139.90. Which London airport train comes out on top?
- Dramatic aerial images show scale of the Wanstead Flats grass fire.
Things to do:
CEASELESS MOTION: You still have a few more chances to catch the Royal College of Physicians' exhibition about the revolutionary work of William Harvey. Discover how the anatomist uncovered the secrets of blood circulation back in the 1600s — upsetting 1,500 years of established scientific thought. The Royal College of Physicians (Regent's Park), free, just turn up, until 26 July
BLUEPRINT FOR THE FUTURE: Follow a trail of exhibitions dreamt up of by London's finest architecture grads. They've taken over 12 showrooms in Clerkenwell to show off their work. If you fancy making a day of it, Italian design-led firm Arper will be hosting an evening seminar of the future of architectural education. Multiple venues (Clerkenwell), free, book ahead, 12pm-7pm/7pm-9pm, exhibition until 19 July
NELSON MANDELA: Tomorrow would have been Nelson Mandela's 100th birthday and in celebration Southbank Centre will today unveil an exhibition dedicated to the iconic leader's life, career, and commitment to equality and justice. If that doesn't inspire you, we don't know what will. Southbank Centre, free, just turn up, from 4pm today until 19 August
SILVERSMITH SECRETS: If you pride yourself on being the host with the absolute most, you need to hear award-winning silversmiths Adi Toch and Rebecca de Quin give you the low-down on contemporary silver tableware. They'll also explore how silverware design has evolved over the past 50o years — so if you're lacking the cash to splash out on your own sparkling centrepiece, at least you can add a bit of lustre to your dinner party conversation. The Goldsmiths' Centre (Clerkenwell), £10, book ahead, 6pm-8.30pm
IAN SMITH: Join multi award-winning comedian Ian Smith on a misguided, off-brand energy drink-fuelled, journey of self-belief. His new work in progress is all about confidence, companionship, and churros. Museum of Comedy (Holborn), £9, book ahead, 7pm
CYCLING CORE CLASS: Are you making the most of your bike? The secret's all in the cycling core. Find out what that actually is, and how a cycling specific strength programme can stop you squandering your energy on stabilising your set of wheels. Pure Sports Medicine (Raynes Park), £15, book ahead, 7pm
MOON, MARS AND BEYOND: Where will mankind take its next giant leap? Should we keep things (slightly) closer to home and consider settling on the moon or on Mars? Apollo Astronaut Al Worden and other space experts air their views on colonising the cosmos. The Royal Institution (Mayfair), £16, book ahead, 7pm-8pm
ROA: Who's up for a bit of Japanese alt-rock? Tokyo-hailing ROA blend Western guitar rock stylings with the sounds of Tsugaru Shamisen — for the uninitiated, that's a traditional Japanese string instrument. The Underworld (Camden), £12, book ahead, 7pm-11pm
UNIVERSALLY CHALLENGED: Put your geek knowledge to the test at a seriously silly pub quiz and cabaret night hosted by science troubadour Jonny Berliner and ugly animal wrangler Simon Watt. We're not sure what either of those callings entail but they sure sound intriguing. The Book Club (Shoreditch), £6-£8, book ahead, 7.30pm
FEMME FATALE: In a black comedy about fame, failure, and firearms, radical feminist Valerie Solanos breaks into a hotel room on a mission to assassinate Andy Warhol. Instead, she finds herself confronted by his muse — Velvet Underground collaborator Nico — and a duel to the death begins. While that's not exactly historically accurate, Fireraisers' imaginary confrontation between two sixties counter culture icons certainly sounds like a blast. Wilton's Music Hall (Whitechapel), £15, book ahead, 7.45pm
Good cause of the day
Light up the streets of London on a marathon night walk in aid of Cancer Research UK. The event's not until 22 September but that gives you plenty of time to train and plan your outfit — the charity is encouraging participants to adorn themselves in fairy lights, neon paint, and whatever other luminous accessories take your fancy as you stroll across the city.
