Gayathri Kallukaran is a Junior Journalist with Eastern Eye. She has a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from St. Paul’s College, Bengaluru, and brings over five years of experience in content creation, including two years in digital journalism. She covers stories across culture, lifestyle, travel, health, and technology, with a creative yet fact-driven approach to reporting. Known for her sensitivity towards human interest narratives, Gayathri’s storytelling often aims to inform, inspire, and empower. Her journey began as a layout designer and reporter for her college’s daily newsletter, where she also contributed short films and editorial features. Since then, she has worked with platforms like FWD Media, Pepper Content, and Petrons.com, where several of her interviews and features have gained spotlight recognition. Fluent in English, Malayalam, Tamil, and Hindi, she writes in English and Malayalam, continuing to explore inclusive, people-focused storytelling in the digital space.
The Met Office weather forecast confirms that the recent spell of dry, sunny and warm weather across much of the UK will come to an end over the weekend.
This week saw temperatures well above the April average. Thursday was the warmest day of the year so far in Scotland and Northern Ireland, with 23°C recorded in Aboyne and 22°C in Castlederg. By Friday, the warmth had extended further south, with Usk in Monmouthshire, Wales, reaching 22.4°C, equalling its highest temperature of 2025 so far.
Many areas have also experienced wide temperature differences between day and night. In Aboyne on Thursday, there was a 26°C variation – a phenomenon known as the diurnal range. While large swings are not unusual in spring, the prolonged dry and sunny period has been notable. Some parts of southern England have not recorded significant rainfall since 23 March.
The first ten days of April have been particularly sunny, with most places seeing over 100 hours of sunshine. Some areas have already received around 80-85% of their monthly average sunshine total.
Cause of the recent weather
High pressure systems have dominated the UK’s weather pattern, according to the Met Office weather update. These systems have blocked the usual Atlantic weather fronts, pushing the jet stream further north and maintaining stable, dry conditions. Meanwhile, the Canaries and Iberia have experienced stormy weather, with Storm Nuria and Storm Olivier bringing heavy rain and record winds earlier this month.
Weekend outlook
The Met Office weather forecast shows that high pressure will move away eastwards this weekend, allowing low pressure and weather fronts to advance from the west.
By Saturday morning, cloud and rain will begin reaching the south-west of England. Through the day, the rain will spread across Wales, Northern Ireland and north-west England. While the south-east will enjoy the last of the sunshine, with temperatures possibly reaching 22°C, western parts will turn cloudier.
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Overnight into Sunday, the rain will continue moving east. Sunday is expected to bring a mix of sunshine, showers, and cloud, with fresher temperatures between 11°C and 18°C.
Although rainfall will generally be light and patchy, the weekend marks a shift to more typical April weather, including cloudy skies, south-westerly winds, and some much-needed rain for the dry ground.
Looking ahead
There is ongoing debate about whether a dry spring leads to a wet summer. Historical patterns show mixed results. While spring 2020 was the sunniest on record, the following summer was wetter and duller. In contrast, last year’s record warm May followed a wet April, with summer conditions closer to average.
The BBC’s longer-range forecast suggests a chance of a brief cold spell in May, meaning spring temperatures could settle closer to seasonal norms. Rainfall is expected to be near to below average, with April likely to remain one of the driest months overall.
As the Easter bank holiday approaches, the forecast remains unsettled, with showers and spells of rain expected. Temperatures are likely to stay around the seasonal average, ranging from the low to mid-teens Celsius.
THE High Commission of India in London on Thursday (14) commemorated Partition Horrors Remembrance Day with a special photography exhibition and a documentary screening reflecting on India’s Partition in August 1947.
Community leaders and Indian diaspora members recounted memories of the past on the eve of the country’s 79th Independence Day.
“When we recall Partition, we must also recall that this was a tragedy for everybody, because it was a tragedy that happened to all communities,” Indian high commissioner, Vikram Doraiswami, told the gathering.
Many people were uprooted to come to India and likewise in Pakistan and that impact is still seen in the way people deal with each other even now, the envoy said.
"That at least should tell us, if nothing else, that the experiment that is the modern Indian nation is a valid argument,” he added.
“Our continued existence as a state that is there for all Indian citizens is the best answer we can give anybody who seeks to suggest that we are different by virtue of our faith or by dealing with the absence of faith,” Doraiswami added.
UK-based filmmaker Lalit Mohan Joshi presented an abridged version of his documentary Beyond Partition, with film-makers Shyam Benegal, Govind Nihalani and Gulzar whose work features themes of Partition.
“My film explores the trauma of Partition and how it impacted on filmmakers from the Indian subcontinent,” said Joshi.
The memorial event, held in the Gandhi Hall of India House, also included a photographic exhibition tracing the history of the Partition.
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King Charles records a VJ Day message in the Morning Room of Clarence House, in London. (Photo: Reuters)
UK MARKED the 80th anniversary of VJ Day on Friday with a national remembrance service, tributes to veterans, and commemorations across the country.
In a recorded six-minute message, King Charles paid tribute to the “courage” of veterans and civilians who made sacrifices to end World War II.
He said the conflict remained a reminder that “war’s true cost extends beyond battlefields, touching every aspect of life, a tragedy all too vividly demonstrated by conflicts around the world today.”
The king referenced the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which led to Japan’s surrender on August 15, 1945. “In the war’s final act, an immense price was paid by the citizens of Hiroshima and Nagasaki — a price we pray no nation need ever pay again,” he said.
King Charles also praised the cooperation between nations during the war, saying those who served “proved that, in times of war and in times of peace, the greatest weapons of all are not the arms you bear, but the arms you link.” He vowed the “service and sacrifice” of those who “saw the forces of liberty prevail” would “never be forgotten” and urged people to be “vigilant guardians of the values they bequeathed to us.”
The National Service of Remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum was attended by the king, Queen Camilla, prime minister Keir Starmer, the Japanese ambassador, and dozens of veterans aged 96 to 105 who served in East Asia and the Pacific.
The event included a two-minute silence at noon, a flypast featuring the Red Arrows and historic Spitfire and Hurricane aircraft, and performances by military bagpipers at The Cenotaph, Edinburgh Castle, and the arboretum.
On Friday evening, landmarks including Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, the Tower of London, and the White Cliffs of Dover were to be illuminated.
Earlier, Starmer hosted a reception at Downing Street for veterans. “Our country owes a great debt to those who fought for a better future, so we could have the freedoms and the life we enjoy today,” he said. “We must honour that sacrifice with every new generation.” He also noted that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, whom he hosted on Thursday, is “fighting for the same values as we were fighting for.”
In Japan, Emperor Naruhito expressed “deep remorse” on the anniversary of the nation’s surrender. Tens of thousands of people visited Tokyo’s Yasukuni Shrine, which honours 2.5 million mostly Japanese soldiers who died since the late 19th century, as well as convicted war criminals.
(With inputs from agencies)
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FILE PHOTO: Irish Garda police officers stand on duty on Parnell Street, in Dublin. (Photo by PAUL FAITH/AFP via Getty Images)
AN INDIAN man living in Dublin, who was assaulted by a group of teenagers over the weekend, has said he will return to India following the incident. He added that members of the Indian community in Ireland are feeling increasingly unsafe.
The man, who did not wish to be named, told Irish media he was attacked by three people last Sunday (10) evening while walking home from Fairview Park. One attacker, riding an electric scooter, kicked him in the stomach.
As he tried to walk away, two others joined in, hitting him repeatedly. Even after he fell to the ground, the attackers continued to punch and kick him. One assailant took his metal water bottle and struck him above the eye, causing a deep cut and heavy bleeding.
He was taken to hospital, where he received stitches for his injuries. Irish police have confirmed they are investigating the case, which is the latest in a series of violent assaults on members of the Indian community.
The victim said his parents in India urged him to come home after the attack, and he has now made arrangements to leave. He added that many friends are “scared to go outside” and some are also planning to return to India.
India’s ambassador to Ireland, Akhilesh Mishra, met senior Irish police officers on Wednesday (13) to discuss the attacks. The meeting followed a statement from Irish president Michael D Higgins, who “unequivocally” condemned the “despicable attacks”, calling them contrary to national values.
The Archbishop of Dublin also denounced the “truly shocking” and “unprovoked” assaults.
Citing security concerns, the Ireland India Council postponed its annual “India Day” celebrations, which were due to take place in Dublin on Sunday (17).
An Garda Síochána said investigations are ongoing and it is liaising with the victims in each case.
A-LEVEL students across England, Wales and Northern Ireland have achieved record-high results outside of the Covid years, with boys overtaking girls in the top grades for the first time since 2018.
Figures released on Thursday (14) showed that 28.3 per cent of entries were awarded an A or A*, up from 27.8 per cent last year and well above the 25.4 per cent seen in 2019. Almost one in ten results — 9.4 per cent — achieved the highest A* grade, the largest proportion since the top grade was introduced in 2010, excluding the pandemic years.
More than 340,000 teenagers received their grades this morning, while the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) confirmed a record number had secured university and college places.
Education secretary Bridget Phillipson said, “Today is a time for celebration as young people up and down the country collect their exam results. Every young person should have the opportunity to achieve and thrive. This government won’t stand by and accept the entrenched inequalities that continue to blight the life chances of too many young people, especially those from white working class backgrounds who have long been overlooked.
“We’re already taking decisive action and making encouraging progress. With great options from degree apprenticeships and high-quality technical qualifications to traditional university routes, we are giving young people the tools they need to get great jobs, fill talent gaps, and help drive economic growth as part of our Plan for Change.”
London mayor Sadiq Khan congratulated students and encouraged those disappointed with their grades to seek advice from teachers, parents or the National Career Service. “I wish you all every success as you now take your next step in life,” he said.
This year, 28.4 per cent of boys’ entries achieved an A or A*, compared with 28.2 per cent of girls’. Boys also extended their lead in the highest A* grade, with 9.9 per cent compared with 9.1 per cent for girls. Girls continued to outperform boys across more subjects overall, especially in psychology, biology, sociology, art and design, and economics, and more girls achieved grades C and above.
Vivienne Stern, chief executive of Universities UK, said: “Today marks the beginning of doors opening for thousands of students. The increase in applications confirms that people rightly recognise the value of going to university, and it is particularly positive that we have seen an increase in students from the least advantaged backgrounds.”
Claire Thomson of exam board AQA said the differences between genders “bounce around a bit over time” and were likely due to “multi-faceted and complex” causes.
According to reports, mathematics remains the most popular A-level subject for the 12th year running, with entries rising 4.4 per cent to 112,000. Psychology stayed in second place, followed by biology. Business studies entered the top five for the first time, while physics jumped from ninth to sixth place.
Jo Saxton, chief executive of UCAS, said students were becoming more strategic about their subject choices, with a rise in STEM and business-focused studies reflecting career considerations. “Students are super savvy. They are clearly thinking about what they imagine their future career might look like,” she told Times Radio.
London recorded the highest share of A or A* grades at 32.1 per cent, while the north-east had the lowest at 22.9 per cent. The gap between these regions has grown to 9.2 percentage points, the widest since the current grading system began in 2010.
Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: “Big differences in attainment between regions, reflecting socioeconomic factors, remain a massive challenge. We have to stop merely talking about these issues and actually address them with investment in communities suffering from generational disadvantage.”
The results raised questions about whether grade inflation could be returning, but Ofqual chief regulator Sir Ian Bauckham insisted that standards had not changed. “We can be absolutely confident that the standard of work required to get any grade at A-level is the same this year as it was last year,” he said.
While students celebrate, many face rising university costs. From September, tuition fees for full-time courses in England will rise to £9,535 — the first increase since 2017.
Despite economic pressures, UCAS has assured students that universities have “student protection plans” in place to safeguard their studies.
Queen Elizabeth’s School students with their results
Queen Elizabeth’s School shines
Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet, has marked its 20th consecutive year of outstanding A-level results, with more than 95 per cent of grades at A*–B throughout this period.
This year, 98 per cent of grades achieved by the school’s largest ever Year 13 cohort of 174 boys were in the top range. Over half of all grades (51 per cent) were at A*, a four per cent rise on the best pre-pandemic year, while 85 per cent were A* or A. In all, 51 boys – 29 per cent of the year group – achieved straight A*s, a statement said.
Headmaster Neil Enright praised the results, saying: “Huge congratulations go to our students on these brilliant results. At Queen Elizabeth's we see consistent excellence every year, with our boys securing places on highly sought-after courses at world-leading universities.”
This year, 49 boys (28 per cent) gained offers from Oxford or Cambridge. Overall, 62 per cent hold offers from QS World Top 10 universities, including Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London and UCL. Twenty-two of the 24 Russell Group universities made offers to the pupils.
Popular degree choices included mathematics, medicine, engineering and economics, with 14 boys taking up computing courses at top universities. More students are also choosing degree apprenticeships, with offers from companies such as Goldman Sachs, Amazon, Deloitte, Jaguar Land Rover and PwC, the statement added/
Enright credited the school’s academic and co-curricular programmes for the breadth of success. He said support would continue for leavers in the coming weeks and looked forward to welcoming them into the school's connect alumni network.
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Pakistani women in London faced a 60 per cent gender pay gap compared with men from the same ethnic group, and Bangladeshi women faced a 50 per cent gap.
A CITY Hall report has called for employers, local leaders and the government to take action to support Bangladeshi and Pakistani women into London’s workforce.
The research found that in 2022, 48.1 per cent of Bangladeshi and Pakistani women in London were economically inactive, with unemployment levels more than three times higher than men from the same communities (16.9 per cent compared with 5.5 per cent). Pakistani women in London faced a 60 per cent gender pay gap compared with men from the same ethnic group, and Bangladeshi women faced a 50 per cent gap.
Barriers identified in the report include bias in recruitment and promotion, inflexible workplace cultures, lack of childcare, exclusion from networks, unrecognised qualifications, limited digital skills and visa restrictions. Some women reported changing their names to secure interviews.
Commissioned by the Mayor’s Workforce Integration Network (WIN) and conducted by the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, the report recommends inclusive outreach, flexible working, recognition of overseas qualifications and clear progression opportunities.
Deputy Mayor for Communities and Social Justice Dr Debbie Weekes-Bernard said: “London is one of the most diverse cities in the world but shockingly too many Londoners experience huge barriers when trying to find secure, well-paid jobs. This research highlights the obstacles facing Bangladeshi and Pakistani women, and outlines how prejudice, discrimination and a lack of support severely limits their chances to succeed. We all have a role to play if we are to reduce this inequality, and from City Hall we’re working with communities, businesses and local leaders to help remove everyday barriers, including through the Workforce Integration Network and the London Anchor Institutions’ Network to build inclusive workplaces and improve access to good jobs. Only by listening to the experiences of Londoners can we build a more inclusive city, where everyone has the chance to succeed.”
Professor Adrian Pabst from the National Institute of Economic and Social Research said: “Despite having long enriched the city’s social, cultural, and economic life, Bangladeshi and Pakistani women in London continue to face entrenched structural and systemic barriers, which prevent them from accessing and advancing their chosen careers. The recommendations from our research offer practical solutions that have implications for the national effort to reduce economic inactivity.”