Latest news with #Kent-based
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Chinese takeover of UK smoke alarm maker triggers national security alert
National security restrictions have been placed on a tiny British manufacturer of smoke alarms after it was taken over by a state-owned Chinese company. Pat McFadden, minister for the Cabinet Office, issued a notice banning Kent-based FireBlitz Extinguisher from selling its own internet-connected devices and from sharing data with 'certain entities'. The order was imposed through the National Security and Investment Act after the company was acquired by Canadian-based Maple Armor, which is in turn part of Beijing-headquartered fire alarm company Jade Bird. Jade Bird's largest shareholder is Peking University, which like other Chinese academic institutions has close links with the country's communist government. Weimin Cai, who is Jade Bird's chairman and founded the business in 2001, has also been listed as a director of FireBlitz since April 2024, according to Companies House. No explicit reason was given for the UK Government's restrictions on FireBlitz. However, under the 2021 act, ministers have wide-ranging powers to intervene in takeovers that are seen to pose potential risks to national security. The Cabinet Office said Mr McFadden had deemed the restrictions 'necessary and proportionate' following 'a detailed national security assessment'. A spokesman said: 'The National Security and Investment Act enables the government to continue championing open investment while protecting national security. 'As you would expect, we cannot comment further given the quasi-judicial nature of the Government's investment screening powers.' Such orders are usually issued to tackle either imminent security risks or perceived risks that might arise in future. There is no suggestion of wrongdoing by FireBlitz, Maple Armor or Jade Bird. FireBlitz's products are used by a string of fire and rescue services across the country, as well as other public bodies. It secured a joint contract worth up to £40m in 2015 to supply smoke alarms and hard-wired alarms to YPO, a major supplier to the public sector, as well as another joint contract worth up to £30m in 2021 to supply smoke alarms to all of the country's fire services. The Government's order restricts what kinds of devices the company can sell in future and how it uses data. It bans FireBlitz from developing, manufacturing or marketing its own 'internet of things' devices – products that can connect to the internet and wirelessly transmit information to each other – or sell them in partnership with companies based in countries 'outside of a pre-approved list'. The company was also banned from sharing data it collects from any internet-connected devices with any other entities. One cyber security expert said that digitally-enabled fire alarms could theoretically pose a risk as they could be remotely accessed and used for snooping or to gain access secure buildings. Ken Munro, founder of Pen Test Partners, said such alarms are typically connected to 'smart' door systems and automatically disengage the locks when a fire is detected in a building, so that people can escape safely. He said: 'So if you want to break in somewhere, you just trigger the alarm remotely, and it unlocks all the doors.' Internet connected smoke alarms also amounted to 'a sensor in every room', he added. 'Who's to say what's inside that smoke sensor? It's going to be networked, so it's going to be somewhere on the core network. It's going to have an interface, so could easily end up being a backdoor, particularly if it's cloud connected. 'So therefore, you've got a fire alarm that's probably connected to a cloud [computing server]. And that cloud's probably in China somewhere, if it's Chinese.' China has previously been accused by Ken McCallum, the head of MI5, of espionage on an 'epic scale' and MPs have called for the country to be designated as a threat to Britain. There is no suggestion that Jade Bird or FireBlitz is engaged in espionage. FireBlitz was contacted for comment. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Scottish Sun
21-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
Moment man storms bus to confront driver in ‘road rage' row – but who's really in the wrong?
BUS FURY Moment man storms bus to confront driver in 'road rage' row – but who's really in the wrong? THIS is the moment a man stormed onto a bus to confront the driver who he said crashed into his car. Nico Gaballonie, 29, told The Sun he plans to take Stagecoach to court after he was "attacked" by a bus driver. Advertisement 3 Nico Gaballonie, 29, told The Sun he plans to take Stagecoach to court after he was attacked by a bus driver who fled the scene of an accident Credit: Supplied 3 CCTV footage shared with The Sun shows the stand off unfold Credit: Supplied He said the driver fled the scene of an accident that left his work vehicle damaged. Kent-based Nico, who works as a delivery driver, said Stagecoach accepted liability to his solicitors after one of their bus drivers 'squared up' to him and 'asked for a fight'. Nico said he received a right hook after he chased after the driver. He told The Sun: 'The bus driver hit the front of my work vehicle - I followed him and the bus stopped so I went in. Advertisement 'The bus driver was shouting absurdities at me and put my life at risk by driving off with the door open, where I could have fallen out and seriously injured myself." CCTV footage shared with The Sun shows the stand off unfold, with Nico struggling to keep the doors of the bus open during the incident. He's heard repeatedly asking the driver to exchange details after the crash, which happened on December 16, 2023, in Eltham, south east London. Nico said the incident has left him 'too scared to come back to London', and he now 'can't touch public transport'. Advertisement He added: 'There was no apology from Stagecoach over his dangerous and reckless driving - which was putting people at risk. TfL apologised but I got nothing from Stagecoach.' Nico confirmed to The Sun that he plans to continue legal action against Stagecoach, after the late disclosure of CCTV footage led to the police investigation into the incident being dropped. He added: 'They're hiding away and it hasn't been acknowledged - I would like compensation. 'They always talk about bad stuff happening to drivers but never about what drivers do. The driver hasn't faced any consequences.' Advertisement A Met Police spokesperson said: "Police investigated an alleged assault following a road traffic collision in Greenwich. "On 16 December 2023, a man reported he was punched after an altercation between the two men on Eltham Road that day. "Officers took statements from both men and reviewed CCTV. No further action was taken, if anyone was a witness or has any information which may help police, please call 101 with the reference 01/RY/10897/24." A Stagecoach spokesperson said: 'The incident reported by Mr Gaballoni has been fully investigated, and relevant CCTV footage has been preserved. Advertisement "Due to potential ongoing legal proceedings, we are unable to comment further at this time. We remain committed to co-operating fully with the police in any enquiries they may pursue.'
ITV News
19-05-2025
- Climate
- ITV News
Why your strawberries are going to be bigger and sweeter this year
However you like to eat your strawberries - with cream, sugar, or as Sir Andy Murray once quipped "with my fingers" - this season is set to be one the sweetest and most shapely on record. The bumper harvest of strawberries is down to an unusually sunny spring, with the highest levels recorded by the Met Office in more than 100 years, paired with some cooler weather, which has allowed the crop to develop slowly with sweeter results. Heightened bee activity during March and April has also resulted in excellent pollination - an essential factor in producing the classic strawberry shape. Marion Regan from the Kent-based Hugh Lowe Farms praised the "glorious spring this year which has contributed to a really good crop of the fruit." "We have been noticing that this year's berries were a good size so far but that the most marked thing was their sweetness and full flavour," she said. Peter Judge from British Berry Growers added this year's weather conditions have allowed the crops to deveop slowly. "This has supported the creation of strong root systems, which create a really strong engine for the plants to grow fantastic fruit with excellent levels of natural sugars," he added. Hugh Lowe Farms count Wimbledon tennis among one of their clients, with those attending likely to be the benefactors of this year's crop - with the iconic of pairing of cream. British Berry Growers also stress this year's harvest is producing a wide variety of strawberries with differing flavour profiles. "I'd encourage consumers to look out for the varieties on packs and try something new this year. There's so much choice now that there really is a strawberry for every palate," said Judge. The high light levels and mild weather in the early stages of spring also brought the crop forward by around seven days compared to other years, according to growers. But they also say they expect to see this continue throughout the season. Marion Regan added: "Given that we are at the front end of the season we're excited to see this trend continue to deliver fantastic berries to supermarket shelves from now until November.'
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Will 2025 be a sweet year for strawberry growers and consumers?
The UK's strawberry season is off to a "stonking start", according to one grower, with warm days and cooler nights meaning they are sweeter than usual. Marion Regan, managing director of Kent-based Hugh Lowe Farms, told the BBC that a "glorious spring" this year had contributed to a "really good crop" of the fruit. That is good news for strawberry lovers, including those attending Wimbledon this year - one of Hugh Lowe Farms' clients. This spring is currently ranking as the driest in over a century, according to the Met Office, with the Environment Agency recently warning there is a "medium" risk of a summer drought. Ms Regan, who has been growing strawberries for more than 50 years, said she was noticing that this year's were a "good size" so far but that the "most marked thing" was their sweetness. A combination of warm days and cool nights are known to make strawberries sweeter. The lower night temperatures allow them to rest and put the energy they have gained during the day into producing more natural sugars. However, Ms Regan said it remained to be seen what the rest of their growing season - which lasts until November - would bring. Asked about the warnings over potential drought conditions, she said that she, like all good soft fruit growers, have irrigation systems in place to mitigate the effects of extreme weather and to ensure their crops get a steady supply with water. Nevertheless, some help from mother nature would not go amiss. "All farmers could do with the rain, it would be nice," she added. Pauline Goodall, a strawberry farmer from Limington in Somerset, told the BBC earlier this month that a warmer than average start to May was having a noticeable effect on the timing of this year's harvest. "They're just ripening at a phenomenal rate," she said of her strawberries. The Summer Berry Company, based in Colworth near Chichester, recently said that the warmer weather had helped increase its production to 200 tonnes – 50 tonnes more than by the same time last year - and that the plants were producing "lush-sweet tasting fruit". This all bodes well for consumers keen to get their berry fix over summer, but how should we be making the most of these sweet flavours? While some people may prefer to keep it classic with cream, there are other options available for those who are looking to be more adventurous. According to the BBC Food, a little black pepper or balsamic vinegar helps to give them more flavour, while pairing them with some form of chilli can help balance the flavours out. This year marks a very different start to the strawberry-growing season than in 2024, when the fruit was delayed in ripening following one of the wettest winters on record. Scientists have said climate change was a major factor in this weather. It is also well-established that human-caused climate change is making spells of hot weather more likely, and that hot days have become more common in the UK. Over the decade 2014-2023, days exceeded 28C more than twice as often as the 1961-1990 average, according to the Met Office. BBC Weather forecaster Chris Fawkes said the coming week should provide some good strawberry-growing weather with long spells of sunshine and cool nights. A few showers could come in the first half of the week, and some could turn to thunder and hail, which would not be welcomed by growers although the risk to individual farms would be very low. A change in weather patterns next weekend and the following week would lead to rain becoming widespread, which would "probably welcomed by farmers given that this spring is likely to be the driest in over a century", he added. Four ways your plants could be affected by hot spring weather 'Warm weather means strawberries are Easter ready'
Miami Herald
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
School becomes first to get new $200,000 skate park
By James Gamble A state school has become the first in Britain to get its own skate park. Folkestone Academy's new $198,000 facility is available to students during school days and to the wider community at weekends. There are also plans to use it for PE lessons in the future. Skateboard GB, the nation's governing body, says Kent is fast becoming the UK's "capital"of skateboarding. A $17m multi-storey F51 skate park, also in Folkestone, is believed to be the first purpose-built, multi-storey skate park in the world. Skateboarding has seen its profile grow in Britain in the wake of teenager Sky Brown's success at last year's Paris Olympics. Neil Ellis, head of engagement at Skateboard GB, confirmed Folkestone's Academy's skate park is the first with a "concrete bowl" at a state school. And he said: "There has definitely been a growth in the number of youngsters turned off by competitive sports. "We are always playing to win, whereas in skateboarding, you are competing against yourself. It's freedom of expression and it's a massive step forward. "There are many more schools bringing in skateboarding; Northern Ireland and Wales are implementing skateboarding into their curriculum. "Kent does really well in skateboarding at schools; Canterbury Academy do a lot as well. F51 is the first, purpose-built multi-storey skate park in the world and also the most expensive skate park ever built in the UK. "Margate is looking to build the biggest outdoor skate park in the country in the next two years." Folkestone Academy also say the skating facilities are encouraging students disinterested in other aspects of education to go to school and have even improved attendance. "That's a definite win," Mr Ellis continued. "Kids look forward to the skateboard sessions as part of their school day. "It's adding value to their days." The opening of the skate park at Folkestone Academy - part of Kent-based academy trust Turner Schools - earlier this month was attended by local families as well as pro skaters who enjoyed live DJ sets, coaching and giveaways. The $198,000 facility, designed by British-Norwegian company Betongpark, was mainly funded by charity Friends of Folkestone Academy (FFA). The post School becomes first to get new $200,000 skate park appeared first on Talker. Copyright Talker News. All Rights Reserved.
