London's Oxford Street becomes permanently traffic-free

Nearly 1 kilometer of London's iconic Oxford Street became permanently traffic-free on Monday, as part of efforts to revitalize one of Europe's busiest shopping destinations. The pedestrianized section, stretching from Orchard Street to Great Portland Street, is now closed, giving more space to pedestrians.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who first proposed the project in 2016, called the transformation a "truly momentous occasion" and said it would turn the country's best-known shopping street into a world-class pedestrian space, alongside New York's Times Square and Paris' Champs-Elysees. Business representatives welcomed the move, highlighting its potential to improve the shopping experience and support local businesses.