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.
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.
Nigel Farage poses in front of a mock passenger departures board following the Reform UK Deportations Policy Announcement on August 26, 2025 in Oxford. (Photo: Getty Images)
Nigel Farage sets out plans to repeal human rights laws to allow mass deportations.
Reform UK targets removal of 600,000 asylum seekers if elected.
Farage warns of "major civil disorder" if action is not taken.
Government minister calls proposals "a series of gimmicks".
NIGEL FARAGE, leader of Reform UK, on Tuesday set out plans to repeal human rights laws to enable mass deportations of asylum seekers, saying the step was needed to prevent "major civil disorder".
Farage said his party would take Britain out of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), repeal the Human Rights Act and override other treaties that have been used to stop forced deportations.
"We are not far away from major civil disorder," Farage said at a press conference. "It is an invasion, as these young men illegally break into our country."
Protests and public anger
The announcement followed protests in recent weeks outside hotels housing asylum seekers, triggered by concerns over public safety after individuals were charged with sexual assault.
Polls show immigration has overtaken the economy as the main issue for British voters. Reform UK, which has four MPs but is leading in surveys of voting intentions, is pressuring Labour prime minister Keir Starmer to act on the issue.
Britain received 108,100 asylum applications in 2024, almost 20 per cent more than the previous year. The largest groups of applicants were from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and Bangladesh. Numbers arriving by small boats across the Channel also hit a record this year.
Deportation target of 600,000
Reform said it could deport 600,000 asylum seekers in its first term in power if it wins the next election, due by 2029. At the press conference, Farage asked Reform official Zia Yusuf if the target of 500,000 to 600,000 deportations was possible.
Starmer’s government, like previous ones, has struggled with undocumented migration. Reform’s plan includes deals with Afghanistan, Eritrea and other countries to repatriate nationals who entered Britain illegally.
Government response
Government minister Matthew Pennycook dismissed the plans as "a series of gimmicks" and said the ECHR underpinned agreements such as the Good Friday Agreement, which ended decades of violence in Northern Ireland.
Farage said the peace deal could be renegotiated but added it would take years.
On Tuesday, an Ethiopian asylum seeker went on trial accused of sexual assaults against a woman and a teenage girl, an arrest that sparked protests last month.
Farage presses case
Farage said he was the only leader willing to take steps to address public concerns.
"It's about whose side are you on," he said. "Are you on the side of women and children being safe on our streets, or are you on the side of outdated international treaties backed up by a series of dubious courts?"
Starmer’s government has pledged to target smuggling gangs by reforming the asylum appeals process and recruiting more enforcement staff.
The previous Conservative government’s plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda was ruled unlawful by Britain’s top court.
Conservative Party response
In response to the Reform immigration press conference, Chris Philp MP, shadow Home secretary, said: “Nigel Farage is simply re-heating and recycling plans that the Conservatives have already announced.
“Earlier this year we introduced and tabled votes on our Deportation Bill in Parliament, detailing how we would disapply the Human Rights Act from all immigration matters, and deport every illegal immigrant on arrival.
“Months later, Reform have not done the important work necessary to get a grip on the immigration crisis and instead have produced a copy and paste of our proposals. Only Kemi Badenoch and the Conservatives are doing the real work needed to end this scourge – with further, detailed plans to be announced shortly.”
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The Siddhashram Community Hub in Harrow hosted a special gathering of devotion and culture as the Indian diaspora came together to honour Shri Pankajbhai Modi from Gujarat, India. Pankajbhai spent five days in London attending a Shiv Katha at Siddhashram in remembrance of the Air India Air Crash victims, an offering that resonated deeply with the audience.
The event took place on 22 August 2025 in the divine presence of HH Shri Rajrajeshwar Guruji, whose vision and guidance have united communities across the UK. The occasion was further blessed by Param Pujya Shri Jogi Dada, Param Pujya Shri Maheshbhai Bhatt, and Shri Dhruv Bhatt.
In his address, Pankajbhai Modi urged families to uphold their roots through language and culture. “If you are Indian, speak your language with pride. At home, embrace your mother tongue with respect,” he said.
Guruji, praising Pankajbhai’s humility, described him as “a saint in civil duties, devoted to service and unity.”
The evening included a cultural performance by Chittal Vyas and her team, and the presence of distinguished guests such as Radhika Rupani and family, along with community leaders from Mahavir Foundation, The Jain Centre, Anoopam Mission, and Pinner Swaminarayan Mandir.
The gathering ended with a strong call for unity, service, and cultural pride, reinforcing the values that continue to strengthen the diaspora in the UK.
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Zia Yusuf said the party would consider paying the Taliban to take back migrants who entered Britain illegally. (Photo: Getty Images)
REFORM UK would consider paying the Taliban to take back migrants who entered Britain illegally, former party chairman Zia Yusuf has said.
Yusuf told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme he believed it was “quite reasonable” for the UK government to offer money to Afghanistan’s regime as part of a returns deal.
He said: “Well, we have a £2bn budget to offer countries… It's not a drop in the ocean to Afghanistan, certainly not a drop in the ocean for Eritrea, the two countries that are top of the list of boat crossings.”
He added: “This country already gives £151m a year to Afghanistan in the form of foreign aid. I think it's quite reasonable.”
The comments come as Nigel Farage prepares to set out Reform’s plan on illegal migration, including leaving the European Convention on Human Rights, scrapping the Human Rights Act and introducing a British Bill of Rights.
The party would also deport those arriving by small boats to their country of origin or third countries.
Housing minister Matthew Pennycook criticised Reform’s plans, calling them “put together on the back of a fag packet” in an interview with Sky News.
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'These offences have often been misunderstood by professionals, resulting in victims not getting the support they deserve,' said home secretary Yvette Cooper.(Photo: Getty Images)
UK POLICE will be trained to recognise the signs of honour-based abuse and victims encouraged to come forward as part of a new crackdown, the government said on Tuesday (26), prompting praise from survivors and campaigners.
Recent statistics showed that police in England and Wales have recorded 2,755 honour-based abuse offences, defined as crimes or incidents committed to defend the "honour" of a family or community.
"For too long, these devastating crimes which include honour-motivated killings, female genital mutilation and forced marriage have been allowed to happen in the shadows," the government said in a statement.
Police will be trained to spot the signs of honour-based abuse so they can "step in and support victims as soon as possible".
The Home Office will also pilot a study looking at how widespread the crime is and launch a community awareness campaign to encourage victims to come forward.
"These offences have often been misunderstood by professionals, resulting in victims not getting the support they deserve," said home secretary Yvette Cooper.
"Make no mistake - we will use everything at our disposal to make sure perpetrators face justice and victims are protected," she added.
The charity Karma Nirvana and 22 other organisations welcomed the move, which will also include the introduction of a new legal definition of honour-based abuse.
"Alongside investment in awareness, training, and the national helpline, this change... has the potential to save countless lives and protect future generations," said Natasha Rattu, executive director of Karma Nirvana.
The mother of Fawziyah Javed, who was murdered by her husband as she planned to leave their marriage, also praised the plan.
"I am pleased that the government has listened to our calls for a statutory definition of honour-based abuse, and that this change has been made in Fawziyah's memory," said Yasmin Javed.
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British media reported that Northumbria Helicopter confirmed one of its aircraft, a G-OCLV model, was involved in the incident during a flying lesson. (Photo credit: X)
THREE people were killed and another was seriously injured after a helicopter crashed in a field during a flying lesson near Ventnor on the Isle of Wight on Monday, police said.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said they could not provide further details about those involved and would not comment on the circumstances of the crash.
British media reported that Northumbria Helicopter confirmed one of its aircraft, a G-OCLV model, was involved in the incident during a flying lesson.
Earlier, police said the helicopter came down in a field near the seaside resort town.
The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance sent a critical care team, including a doctor and specialist paramedic, to the scene.
A spokesperson for the service said one person was airlifted to hospital.