Gatwick’s second runway bid casts doubt on Heathrow expansion justifications
London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan said approval for a second Gatwick runway would represent a “slam dunk” against the rationale for expansion at Heathrow
Sir Sadiq Khan
By Noah VickersJan 22, 2025
GATWICK Airport getting permission to operate a second runway would destroy Heathrow Airport’s arguments for needing an extra runway of their own, Sir Sadiq Khan suggested last Thursday.
The London mayor, who has said he is against any airport expansion due to the UK’s net zero carbon goals, said approval for a second Gatwick runway would represent a “slam dunk” against the rationale for expansion at Heathrow.
A decision on whether to approve the Gatwick project is expected from the government by February 27.
The Sussex airport wants to bring its existing second runway, currently used for taxiing planes and emergencies, into regular use for departures. It says this would involve moving the runway 12 metres north, as it is currently too close to the other runway for simultaneous use.
Heathrow’s plans for a third runway secured parliamentary approval in 2018, but were delayed by legal challenges over the environmental impact, and have officially been paused since the pandemic.
Heathrow CEO Thomas Woldbye recently said, however, that he hopes for a “positive indication” from ministers that the new government would support a third runway at the airport, which would give them the confidence to invest in getting the project off the ground again.
The question about what the Gatwick scheme could mean for Heathrow was raised at Mayor’s Question Time by Gareth Roberts, a Liberal Democrat on the London Assembly.
“Gatwick has an application for an additional runway,” said Roberts. “Should this be approved, do you feel that this will fill the need that Heathrow has got for additional capacity which they’re currently vying for?”
The mayor said he was “always careful not to be pitting one airport against the other”, but added: “Clearly, if Gatwick was to – in the hypothetical case – be given permission for a second runway, that makes it a slam dunk against any possibility of a third runway at Heathrow, even if there was a theoretical possibility of a third runway at Heathrow [in the first place].
Heathrow Airport argues expansion is key to boosting UK trade and economy
“I think it’s possible to understand the importance of aviation to our economy, but also recognise the crisis we face in terms of climate. You’ll be aware it’s not just climate, it’s also noise and air pollution as well.”
When he first ran for mayor in 2016, Sir Sadiq said he supported a second runway at Gatwick rather than a third at Heathrow. By 2022, however, the mayor adopted a more hostile attitude to airports overall, saying – in response to a question about Gatwick – that he “fail[s] to see how any airport expansion can be justified, being incompatible with achieving the UK’s net zero target”.
Responding to the Sir Sadiq’s comments last Thursday, a Heathrow spokesman said: “Heathrow is the best-connected airport in the world. That competitive advantage for UK plc already enables over £200bn of British trade annually. But growing the economy means adding capacity at the UK’s hub airport which is full.
“That’s why we’re planning to unlock capacity by improving and upgrading our existing infrastructure, while also looking at potential options to deliver a third runway at Heathrow in line with strict tests on carbon, noise and air quality.”
Gatwick has said its own plans will “inject an additional £1bn into the UK economy every year, and create 14,000 jobs across the UK”.
A spokesperson at the Department for Transport told the BBC last month: “We are committed to securing the long-term future of the UK’s aviation sector. But any expansion proposals must demonstrate they contribute to economic growth, which is a foundation of this government’s Plan for Change, while remaining in line with existing environmental obligations.” (Local Democracy Reporting Service)
THE skeletal remains of a girl aged between four and five have been identified among 65 sets of human remains exhumed from a mass grave in Sri Lanka’s Jaffna district. The site first came into focus during the LTTE conflict in the mid-1990s.
“The findings of the excavation at the Chemmani mass grave were reported to the Jaffna Magistrate’s Court on on Tuesday (15) by Raj Somadeva, a forensic archaeologist overseeing the exhumation,” Jeganathan Tathparan, a lawyer, said on Thursday (17).
Earlier this year, the court ordered a legally supervised excavation at the site after human skeletal remains were uncovered during routine development work.
Tathparan said the child’s remains were found alongside school bags and toys. Somadeva informed the court that the remains were those of a girl aged between four and five, he added.
Two additional skeletons are also suspected to be those of children, based on similarities in clothing and anatomical features, the lawyer said.
The Chemmani site first attracted international attention in 1998, when a Sri Lankan soldier testified to the existence of mass graves containing hundreds of civilians allegedly killed during the conflict between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the Sri Lankan government in the mid-1990s.
An initial excavation in 1999 uncovered 15 skeletons, but no further action was taken until the recent findings.
The gravesite is one of dozens unearthed across the country. Thousands of people died or disappeared during the 26-year civil war, which ended in 2009.
The main Tamil political party, Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK), in a letter to president Anura Kumara Dissanayake, described the Chemmani mass grave as clear evidence of war crimes and “a genocidal campaign against Tamils”.
The excavation work, which was halted last Thursday (10), is scheduled to resume on July 21.
Amnesty International estimates that between 60,000 and 100,000 people have disappeared in Sri Lanka since the late 1980s.
The Tamil community in Sri Lanka claims that nearly 170,000 people were killed in the final stages of the civil war, while United Nations estimates put the figure at around 40,000.
The LTTE was seeking a separate homeland for Tamils.
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Aakash Odedra recently won Best Male Dancer and Outstanding Male Classical Performance at the National Dance Awards.
AAKASH ODEDRA has been appointed a Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist, the organisation has announced.
Born in Birmingham and based in Leicester, Odedra is known for combining classical and contemporary dance to reflect British Asian experiences.
He recently won Best Male Dancer and Outstanding Male Classical Performance at the National Dance Awards.
Odedra founded his company in 2011 and has performed over 300 full-length shows in 40 countries. His new work Songs of the Bulbul, which blends kathak dance with Sufi poetry, will be staged at Sadler’s Wells East from 17 to 19 July 2025.
His previous productions at Sadler’s Wells include Mehek in 2024, a duet with Aditi Mangaldas, and Samsara in 2022, presented with the Bagri Foundation.
Aakash Odedra said: “To become an Associate Artist of Sadler’s Wells feels like the golden gates of dance heaven have opened. It is, in the truest sense, an honour, and I am deeply humbled.”
Sir Alistair Spalding said: “As Aakash goes from strength to strength both as a performer and as a choreographic artist it is a pleasure to bring him to the family of Sadler’s Wells Associate Artists.”
Rob Jones said: “He is an incredible artist who over the years has grown and developed and we’re looking forward to following him on this journey.”
Odedra joins a group of Associate Artists including Akram Khan, Crystal Pite, Hofesh Shechter, and others. The appointments were made by Sir Alistair Spalding and Rob Jones.
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Trump’s administration has been working on trade deals ahead of an August 1 deadline, when duties on most US imports are scheduled to rise again. (Photo: Getty Images)
THE US is very close to finalising a trade agreement with India, while a deal with the European Union is also possible, president Donald Trump said in an interview aired on Real America's Voice on Wednesday. However, he said it was too soon to tell if an agreement could be reached with Canada.
Trump’s administration has been working on trade deals ahead of an August 1 deadline, when duties on most US imports are scheduled to rise again. The push is part of efforts to secure what Trump considers better trade terms and reduce the large US trade deficit.
"We're very close to India, and ... we could possibly make a deal with (the) EU," Trump said when asked about upcoming trade agreements.
Trump’s comments came as EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic travelled to Washington on Wednesday for discussions on tariffs. An Indian trade delegation also arrived in Washington on Monday for fresh negotiations.
"(The) European Union has been brutal, and now they're being very nice. They want to make a deal, and it'll be a lot different than the deal that we've had for years," Trump said.
On Canada, which has said it is preparing countermeasures if talks do not lead to an agreement, Trump said: "Too soon to say."
His remarks echoed the view of Canadian prime minister Mark Carney, who said earlier on Wednesday that a deal that works for Canadian workers was not yet on the table.
Trump also said he would probably impose a blanket 10 per cent or 15 per cent tariff on smaller countries.
(With inputs from agencies)
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The incident occurred when hundreds of thousands gathered to celebrate with the RCB team after their IPL final win against Punjab Kings. (Photo: Getty Images)
A STATUS report submitted to the Karnataka High Court on the stampede at Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium, which left 11 people dead, has blamed Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), their event management partner DNA Networks Pvt Ltd, and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) for organising the June 4 victory parade and celebration without permission or providing mandatory details to city authorities.
Government sources confirmed to PTI that the report has been submitted to the court.
Event intimation, not permission: report
According to the report, the KSCA, on behalf of DNA Networks Pvt Ltd, submitted a letter to Cubbon Park police station at around 6.30 pm on the day of the IPL final between RCB and Punjab Kings in Ahmedabad.
The letter stated, “Should RCB emerge victorious in the tournament, the management of RCB/DNA Entertainment Networks Private Limited intends to plan potential victory parades around the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, culminating in victory celebrations at the stadium. This was in the nature of an intimation, not a requisition for permission as required under the law.”
Police denied permission due to missing information on expected crowd size, logistics, and crowd control plans. The short notice also made it difficult to process the proposal.
Victory parade held despite denial
Despite the denial, RCB went ahead on June 4 and announced the public ‘Victory Parade’ via multiple posts on social media, starting at 7.01 am.
The final post at 3.14 pm announced the parade would begin at 5.00 pm and end with celebrations at the stadium. This was the first post to mention the availability of free passes online, but by then large crowds had already gathered.
The first four posts received significant attention with viewership figures of 16 lakh, 4.26 lakh, 7.6 lakh, and 17 lakh.
BMRCL ridership that day was 9.66 lakh, compared to an average of six lakh, supporting estimates of a much larger gathering.
“Therefore, including those who travelled on foot, used public transport, and private means on June 4, the estimated gathering would be well beyond three lakh individuals,” the report stated.
Permission not formally sought
The report noted that the organisers did not apply for permission in the format mandated by the Licensing and Controlling of Assemblies and Processions (Bangalore City) Order, 2009.
It stated that an intimation cannot be considered as permission, especially for a large public gathering in the city centre.
Key details such as the number of expected participants, the exact location and time of the assembly, names and contacts of organisers, and plans for traffic and crowd management were not submitted.
The report said this lack of information made it impossible for police to assess the scale or prepare safety arrangements.
No trained staff, loudspeakers or bandobast requested
The report said there was no signage or loudspeakers for public instructions, no trained staff to manage crowds at entry gates or inside the stadium, and no request for loudspeaker use or police bandobast.
It also noted that the organisers did not pay for police deployment as required by a Government Order dated May 22, 2019.
Police responded on ground despite lack of coordination
Despite the lack of coordination or official approvals, Bengaluru City Police took several steps to manage the situation on June 4.
A planning meeting was held at 10 am at the office of the Joint Commissioner of Police. A total of 654 traffic police personnel were deployed, including 4 DCPs, 6 ACPs, 23 PIs, 57 PSIs, 104 ASIs, and 462 constables.
The RCB team’s route from HAL to Taj West End, Vidhana Soudha and then Chinnaswamy Stadium was regulated to avoid major disruption.
Traffic advisories and maps were shared via press, social media, and FM radio. Nine traffic diversion points were created and 125 barricades were installed, along with 11 additional barricading zones. Local schools were asked to close by noon.
BMTC’s Sarathi teams were deployed and the E-Path app was activated to help manage ambulances. A control room was set up to monitor traffic during the event.
Police personnel were stationed across eight major zones to control the public movement.
Organisers held responsible for violations
The report concluded that RCB, DNA Networks, and KSCA violated required procedures and failed to follow safety protocols.
Their failure to obtain permission and share event details in advance left the city administration to respond reactively to an event that gained traction through social media posts.
Govt action against police officials
The report said, “Recognising the need for accountability within the law enforcement hierarchy, the government took action against police officials on June 5, 2025.”
A Government Order suspended five officers, including three IPS officers: the Commissioner of Police, the Inspector General and Additional Commissioner of Police, and the Deputy Commissioner of Police, along with the Assistant Commissioner of Police for Cubbon Park and the Police Inspector of Cubbon Park.
(With inputs from PTI)
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Voters go to the polls as local elections are held in England on May 01, 2025 in Hull, England.
THE government said on Thursday (17) it planned to give 16 and 17-year-olds the right to vote in all UK elections in a major overhaul of the country's democratic system.
The government said the proposed changes were part of an effort to boost public trust in democracy and would align voting rights across Britain, where younger voters already participate in devolved elections in Scotland and Wales.
"They're old enough to go out to work, they're old enough to pay taxes ... and I think if you pay in, you should have the opportunity to say what you want your money spent on, which way the government should go," prime minister Keir Starmer told ITV News.
The change will require parliamentary approval, but that is unlikely to present an obstacle because the policy was part of Starmer's election campaign last year which gave him a large majority.
Despite that win, Starmer's popularity has fallen sharply in government after a series of missteps set against a difficult economic backdrop. His party sits second in most opinion polls behind Nigel Farage's right-wing Reform UK Party.
A poll of 500 16 and 17 year-olds conducted by Merlin Strategy for ITV News showed 33 per cent said they would vote Labour, 20 per cent would vote Reform, 18 per cent would vote Green, 12 per cent Liberal Democrats and 10 per cent Conservative.
There are about 1.6 million 16 and 17 year-olds in the UK, according to official data. Just over 48 million people were eligible to vote at the last election, in which turnout fell to its lowest since 2001. The next election is due in 2029.
Research from other countries has shown lowering the voting age had no impact on election outcomes, but that 16-year-olds were more likely to vote than those first eligible at 18.
"Voting at 16 will also help more young people to cast that all-important, habit-forming vote at a point when they can be supported with civic education," said Darren Hughes, chief executive of the Electoral Reform Society.
The reforms would also expand acceptable voter ID to include UK-issued bank cards and digital formats of existing IDs, such as driving licences and Veteran Cards.
A more automated system will also be introduced to simplify the process of registering to vote.
To tackle foreign interference, the government plans to tighten rules on political donations, including checks on contributions over £500 from unincorporated associations and closing loopholes used by shell companies.
“By reinforcing safeguards against foreign interference, we will strengthen our democratic institutions and protect them for future generations,” democracy minister Rushanara Ali said in a statement.