London Southend Airport said all flights to and from the airport have been cancelled while emergency services, police, and air accident investigators are at the scene.
A plume of black smoke rises from an area near the runway after a small plane crash, as seen from inside a building at London Southend Airport on July 13, 2025. (Photo: Reuters)
Vivek Mishra works as an Assistant Editor with Eastern Eye and has over 13 years of experience in journalism. His areas of interest include politics, international affairs, current events, and sports. With a background in newsroom operations and editorial planning, he has reported and edited stories on major national and global developments.
LONDON Southend Airport in Essex has been closed until further notice after a small plane crashed at the airport on England’s south-east coast on Sunday, according to police.
In a post on X, London Southend Airport said all flights to and from the airport have been cancelled while emergency services, police, and air accident investigators are at the scene.
“We remain on the scene of a serious incident at Southend Airport,” Essex Police said. The police said they were called just before 4 pm to reports of a collision involving a 12-metre (39.4-foot) aircraft.
It is not yet known how many people were on board the plane.
Photos published by British newspaper websites showed a fireball above Southend Airport, which is located around 35 miles (56 km) east of London.
The East of England Ambulance Service said it had deployed four ambulances along with other response vehicles to the site.
The airport’s website showed that five international flights were cancelled after the crash.
KING CHARLES will host US president Donald Trump in September for a second state visit to Britain, Buckingham Palace announced on Monday.
The visit is scheduled to take place from 17 to 19 September.
“His Majesty the King will host the President and Mrs Trump at Windsor Castle,” the palace said in a statement. Further details will be shared later.
Trump said last month that he had agreed to meet King Charles after UK prime minister Keir Starmer delivered a handwritten letter from the monarch to him at the Oval Office.
Trump will become the first elected political leader in modern times to be hosted for two state visits by a British monarch.
The late Queen Elizabeth hosted Trump for a three-day state visit in June 2019 during his first term. That visit included a private lunch with the Queen and tea with Charles, who was then the Prince of Wales.
Starmer and Trump are also expected to meet in Scotland later this month, a source told Reuters last week. The specific date of the meeting has not yet been confirmed.
The two leaders have built a close relationship in recent months. Last month, they signed a framework trade deal during the G7 summit that formally reduced some US tariffs on British imports.
In May, Canadian prime minister Mark Carney criticised the UK's invitation to Trump for a state visit. He said it undermined the government's efforts to show a united front against Trump's remarks about annexing Canada.
Trump’s earlier visits to Britain have seen large protests. His 2018 trip required the deployment of 10,000 police officers and cost more than 14 million pounds.
Most Britons view the US president unfavourably, according to opinion polls.
State visits typically include ceremonial events such as an open-top carriage procession through central London and a formal banquet at Buckingham Palace.
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'This fund will give hundreds of thousands of children, young people and their families a better chance,' Reeves said in a statement. (Photo: Getty Images)
THE UK government on Sunday launched a £500 million Better Futures Fund aimed at supporting up to 200,000 vulnerable children over the next 10 years.
According to the government, the fund will focus on helping struggling families by improving children's access to education and ensuring a safe home environment.
The announcement comes as prime minister Keir Starmer and chancellor Rachel Reeves face calls from Labour Party lawmakers to expand support for low-income families.
Earlier this month, Starmer was forced to scale back key parts of his welfare reform plan to secure parliamentary approval.
"This fund will give hundreds of thousands of children, young people and their families a better chance," Reeves said in a statement. "Our 'Plan for Change' will break down barriers to opportunity and give them the best start in life."
The finance ministry also said it plans to raise another £500million through contributions from local government, social investors and philanthropists.
Mel Stride, finance spokesman for the opposition Conservative Party, welcomed the funding but criticised Labour's economic approach, saying it had harmed struggling families.
The government is also reviewing the two-child limit on welfare payments to parents as it considers changes to several unpopular policies following a drop in its poll ratings.
(With inputs from agencies)
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Following Thatcher’s third general election victory in 1987, Tebbit stepped back from frontline politics to care for his wife. (Photo: Getty Images)
LORD NORMAN TEBBIT, the former cabinet minister who introduced the controversial “cricket test” to question the loyalty of migrants, has died at the age of 94. The test, later known as the “Tebbit Test,” suggested that immigrants who supported cricket teams from their countries of origin instead of England were not fully integrated into British society. His death was confirmed on Monday by his son, William, who asked for privacy for the family.
Tebbit first spoke about the test in 1990 as a Conservative MP. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, he said, “A large proportion of Britain's Asian population fail to pass the cricket test. Which side do they cheer for? It’s an interesting test. Are you still harking back to where you came from or where you are?”
The comments drew criticism from migrant communities and the media. Tebbit later defended his stance in 2005 following the July 7 bombings in London, which involved suspects of Pakistani heritage. Speaking to the Today programme, he said, “We have generated home-grown bombers; a combination of the permissive society together with a minority population deeply rooted in its own moral code.” He added that better inner-city schooling could have helped integration.
In 2014, Tebbit said his views had changed. In an interview with the BBC, he praised British Asian players for energising cricket and said it helped them feel part of the nation. “Not only that, but it encourages the generations of British-born Asians to feel part of the nation – and those of long British ancestry to welcome them into our team,” he said.
He also suggested a new test for migrants based on whether their ancestors fought for the UK during World War II.
Tebbit served as MP for 22 years, held senior roles in government, and retired from the House of Lords in 2022. He was injured in the 1984 IRA bombing in Brighton, which paralysed his wife. Tributes were led by Rishi Sunak and Priti Patel, who described him as a “titan” and a “giant” of Conservative politics.
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Amber heat health alerts have been issued across several regions of England
Amber heat health alerts in place for large parts of England
Hosepipe bans announced in Yorkshire, Kent and Sussex
Temperatures could reach 33°C over the weekend
Health risks rise, especially for elderly and vulnerable groups
Heat warnings in effect as UK braces for another hot weekend
Amber heat health alerts have been issued across several regions of England, with temperatures expected to climb to 33°C in some areas over the weekend. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) activated the warning at 12 pm on Friday, with it set to remain in place until 9 am on Monday.
The alerts cover the East Midlands, West Midlands, south-east, south-west, East of England, and London. Additional yellow alerts were issued for the north-east, north-west, and Yorkshire and the Humber, starting from midday Friday.
According to the Met Office, this is the third heatwave of the summer and while temperatures may not surpass July’s earlier peak of 34.7°C, this wave is expected to be more widespread.
Increased health risks for vulnerable groups
The UKHSA has warned of a likely increase in illness and mortality, especially among older people and those with pre-existing medical conditions. The agency advises the public to keep cool, stay hydrated and check in on vulnerable family, friends and neighbours.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) echoed these concerns. Its policy director Steve Cole said:
“Heat is no longer just a holiday perk, it’s a growing public health risk. We’re seeing more frequent and intense heatwaves, both in the UK and globally, and the data shows a clear rise in heat-related illness and fatalities.”
Hosepipe bans come into force
As the dry spell continues, hosepipe bans are being introduced in multiple areas to manage water supply. Yorkshire Water implemented restrictions on Sunday, while South East Water confirmed similar measures would begin in Kent and Sussex from 18 July.
Under the restrictions, residents are banned from using hosepipes to:
Water gardens or plants
Clean vehicles
Fill swimming or paddling pools
Top up ponds or clean outdoor surfaces
Yorkshire Water said the ban was necessary to protect supplies, with dry conditions expected to persist. South East Water reported record levels of drinking water demand since May, leaving reservoirs and underground stores under pressure.
Customers who breach the restrictions could face fines of up to £1,000.
Official advice during the heatwave
Authorities are urging the public to take precautions during the heatwave. Recommended steps include:
Drinking water regularly
Staying in the shade during peak sun hours
Wearing light, loose-fitting clothing
Using high-factor sunscreen
The Met Office continues to monitor the situation, with updated forecasts expected throughout the weekend. This latest heatwave adds to growing concerns about climate resilience and health risks associated with prolonged periods of extreme weather in the UK.
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One of the largest gatherings was filmed on a beach at Point Clear
Ladybird swarms reported across Essex and Suffolk coastal towns
Hot weather likely driving the sudden surge in population
Sightings include Point Clear, Shoebury, Clacton and Felixstowe
Similar outbreaks occurred in 1976 during another hot UK summer
Sudden surge in ladybird numbers across the southeast
Millions of ladybirds have been spotted swarming towns and villages along the Essex coast, with similar sightings stretching into Suffolk. Residents have reported unusually high numbers of the red and black-spotted insects, particularly near coastal areas, with the recent hot weather believed to be a major contributing factor.
One of the largest gatherings was filmed on a beach at Point Clear, a village near St Osyth in Essex, where the insects could be seen piling on top of each other on driftwood and plants.
Sightings have also been reported in Shoebury, Clacton, Felixstowe, and Lowestoft, with many locals surprised by the sheer volume of insects.
Locals share surprise at ‘millions’ of beetles
A local resident from St Osyth described the scene:
“There were just millions of them. I was just in shock, really, because I've never seen that many ladybirds all together at once. There was loads flying about. One landed on my face, and other ones were landing on my dogs."
The insects, which belong to the beetle family Coccinellidae, appeared to cluster in warm areas along the coast, particularly on wood, vegetation, and man-made objects on the beach.
Link to high temperatures and past infestations
This summer is shaping up to be one of the hottest on record in the UK, with temperatures forecast to reach 34°C in some parts over the weekend. June 2025 was already recorded as England’s warmest June ever, and the second hottest UK-wide since records began in 1884, according to the Met Office.
Hot summers have previously caused surges in ladybird numbers. In 1976, a prolonged heatwave led to an infamous nationwide infestation. According to the British Entomological and Natural History Society, an estimated 23 billion ladybirds swarmed southern and eastern England that year.
Species information and identification
While the ladybirds currently being seen are believed to be native red species, they are occasionally confused with the Asian lady beetle, which was introduced to the UK in 2004. The Asian species, originally used in North America to control aphids, has since established itself in parts of Britain.