Latest news with #LyndonFarnham
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Chief minister to meet with PM over new EU deal
Jersey's chief minister will visit Downing Street on Monday night for a meeting about the UK's new deal with the European Union. It comes after UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced the government had struck a post-Brexit agreement which would include terms for areas such as fishing rights, trade and defence. Lyndon Farnham said: "We hope to reaffirm our priorities at the highest level today, to the prime minister, members of his cabinet and other EU partners. "Detail surrounding agricultural trade and youth mobility with our European neighbours will be of particular interest to us, and we will continue to input into those discussions in the coming weeks." Assistant Chief Minister Ian Gorst added that the event was "an important opportunity to ensure Jersey's voice is heard by the UK government and the European Union as they discuss their relationship". EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will be at the meeting too. More news stories for Jersey Listen to the latest news for Jersey Follow BBC Jersey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to What will 'reset' deal mean for UK economic growth? Data shows Jersey economy shrank by 1.5% last year Government of Jersey
BBC News
19-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Jersey's chief minister to meet with UK PM over new EU deal
Jersey's chief minister will visit Downing Street on Monday night for a meeting about the UK's new deal with the European comes after UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced the government had struck a post-Brexit agreement which would include terms for areas such as fishing rights, trade and Farnham said: "We hope to reaffirm our priorities at the highest level today, to the prime minister, members of his cabinet and other EU partners."Detail surrounding agricultural trade and youth mobility with our European neighbours will be of particular interest to us, and we will continue to input into those discussions in the coming weeks." Assistant Chief Minister Ian Gorst added that the event was "an important opportunity to ensure Jersey's voice is heard by the UK government and the European Union as they discuss their relationship".EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will be at the meeting too.
BBC News
14-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Jersey's chief minister appalled by events in Gaza
Jersey's chief minister said he was "absolutely appalled and distressed at the tragic circumstances that continue to unfold in Gaza".Deputy Lyndon Farnham was responding to a question asked in the States Assembly on Tuesday by Constable Karen Shenton Stone, who asked if he would commit Jersey to use its voice and resources to ensure aid can reach Shenton Stone quoted a UN-backed assessment which found the entire population of Gaza was at critical risk of security cabinet said it had approved, in principle, a plan to deliver aid through private companies, which would end a two-month blockade the UN said had caused severe food shortages, despite opposition from the UN and its humanitarian partners, who say they will not co-operate because it appears to "weaponise" aid. The assessment said Gaza's population of about 2.1 million Palestinians is at "critical risk" of famine and faces "extreme levels of food insecurity" as an Israeli blockade on humanitarian aid addressing the chief minister, Shenton-Stone referred to the island's recent 80th anniversary of Liberation Day where islanders reflected on their "experiences of starvation during occupation".Farnham responded: "There is a potential for a major famine unfolding in Gaza and everyone needs to work together to end this situation as soon as possible and Jersey will play its part."The UK is responsible for the defence and foreign affairs of the island, but Jersey's external relations minister meets with counterparts in Westminster to advocate for Jersey's interests on the international stage. 'Making our views known' Israel's security cabinet has approved a plan to expand its military offensive against Hamas which includes the "capture" of Gaza and the holding of its territory, according to an Israeli chief minister said: "I strongly endorse a recent common statement made by the UK's minister for the Middle East in parliament in which he outlined the UK government's fierce opposition to any of expansion of the Israeli defence forces operation in Gaza including the reported plans for a full military operation."I know the external relations minister and his team are making our views known vociferously in Westminster and we will continue to do so."
ITV News
07-05-2025
- ITV News
Jersey cyber security experts warns islanders to protect themselves against deepfake video scams
ITV Channel reporter Emma Volney reflects on the rise in AI scams and asks an expert how to spot them A cyber security expert in Jersey is urging members of the public to act "logically, rather than emotionally" when using social media in order to protect themselves against online scammers. It comes as a deepfake video recently circulated on social media appears to show Jersey's Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham in conversation with ITV Channel's Emma Volney, discussing a new "government-backed investment programme". Generated using artificial intelligence (AI), the deepfake video claims to offer islanders £800 per week if they sign up to the new 'government scheme' and invest £200. The fake voice of 'Lyndon Farnham' states, "This has nothing to do with FOREX trading, pyramid schemes, and other nonsense found everywhere" in an attempt to reassure viewers of the scheme's legitimacy. The voice adds that if investors do not earn £800 within a week, "I am willing to give you your money back out of my own pocket". It also urges viewers to act quickly, warning that if they close the web tab, "their link will expire and so will their chance to profit" because "it's impossible to give everyone access to this financial platform and have everyone become millionaires". However, this video is completely false and was generated by scammers to encourage people to hand over their money and sensitive information. Deepfake videos take pre-existing footage, audio, and pictures to create new content depicting events that never happened. Relying on AI tools such as facial recognition and machine learning software, they are often very difficult to identify as false. Matt Palmer, director of Jersey's Cyber Security Centre, says this type of scam is likely to become more commonplace as technology advances. "It's quite scary the way that people can pull these together in a way that you could very easily assume is real," he says. "I think the reality is we are going to see more and more of these with the advancement of artificial intelligence tools. "They're great for us as resources - but also good for organised crime, hackers, and people who'd like to do us harm." However, Mr Palmer believes the "telltale signs of a scam" have not changed and islanders are still able to take simple steps to protect themselves. How can I identify a deepfake? Video quality: Is the video high-quality? Is there a degree of 'jitteriness' that is unexpected? Mr Palmer says this will "get harder to spot" as technology advances but at the moment, AI-generated content tends to be of a lower quality. Mannerisms & tone of voice: Is the person in the video acting as you'd expect them to? Is the language they're using typical? Have you seen them speak or act that way before? Mr Palmer says the "ideal target for a scammer is somebody who generates an emotional response, because that will get people to respond more quickly"; hence why trusted community figures such as Lyndon Farnham or Emma Volney are being used. He adds that if this person is acting or speaking in a way that feels unfamiliar, it could be a sign the video is not real. "If you watch the video, you will see they're saying 'you must act now' and 'you must fill your details in on this website or you will lose this opportunity'", Mr Palmer says. He adds: "In a normal transaction you know if you walk away and come back, that's completely normal. "If people are asking us not to, it's because they're trying to short-circuit those thought processes and instead ask us to act emotionally: so don't act emotionally, think it all through." Logic & reason: Does the video use understandable language? Do you understand what it is selling you? Are the offers made reasonable and realistic? "I think most islanders wouldn't claim to be experts in areas like cryptocurrency", he says, "so if you don't understand what you're investing in - don't invest". "Ask a friend or call an expert to ask 'is this real' before proceeding", he says. "Rather like walking in the street in an unknown town, treat the online world like something you need to be cautious of - and don't trust people unless you know who they are and what they're selling." Deputy Farnham describes the deepfake video as "absolutely appalling". "I'm deeply disappointed that criminals will resort to this kind of action to extort money from people," he says. "I fear we could well see more of this as the technology improves and it becomes easier for criminals to do - it's extremely important we remain careful and cautious in our online activities." Deputy Farnham adds that if islanders have any concerns, they should contact the Jersey Cyber Security Centre (JCSC) and if they fall victim to any scams, they should immediately contact the police. The fake video has been reported to both the JCSC and the States of Jersey Police.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
DFDS takes over ferry routes to and from Jersey
DFDS has launched its ferry routes to and from Jersey, after winning a government contract to operate sailings for the next 20 years. On Thursday, the company cancelled its first passenger sailings between Jersey and St Malo with less than 24 hours notice. Its freight service was scheduled to arrive in Jersey at 05:00 GMT on Friday. Earlier this month, the DFDS boss Filip Hermann said the firm was not "completely ready" but would be prepared for the launch. Chief Minister Deputy Lyndon Farnham has thanked the island's previous ferry company, Condor Ferries, for its 60 years of service and has urged passengers to be patient as DFDS takes over. Farnham wished the Danish ferry firm good luck, acknowledging that "these change overs take a bit of time to settle". He said: "I know DFDS are going to throw everything at it to make sure it's as smooth as possible". He said he was looking forward to a "long and productive relationship" with the Danish firm. DFDS cancelled the Tarifa Jet, it's first passenger service scheduled under the contract, that was due to arrive in Jersey around 16.00 GMT bringing 114 passengers to the island from St Malo. The 125m (410ft) Stena Vinga, a combined freight and passenger ship, is due to take 266 people from Jersey on an overnight journey to Portsmouth, leaving the island at 20:00 on Friday. Jersey route director at DFDS Chris Parker said the company was excited to finally be in the island. He said the firm was "dedicated to creating stronger ties between Jersey, the UK and France". Five things to know about ferry firm DFDS Steven Bailey, who worked at Condor Ferries for 15 years, said it was sad to see the company leave Jersey. He said there were difficult times for Condor but there were also many occasions when it contributed to the island's wellbeing. He warned DFDS should not "reinvent the wheel" with its operations in Jersey, particularly when it comes to sailing schedules. He said it had to look at its route to St Malo, as it currently only offers day trips for around four hours as opposed to the six hour stay Condor used to provide. He also advised the firm to remember its purpose is to "serve the islands", adding it's going to be tough with Jersey and Guernsey using separate ferry operators. While Jersey opted for DFDS, Guernsey picked Brittany Ferries, Condor's parent company, to run its routes. Condor boats will continue to operate in Guernsey but with Brittany Ferries branding. Follow BBC Jersey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to More crossings to France added to ferry schedule We're not ready but we'll get there - DFDS boss Portsmouth to Jersey Sunday ferry set to be axed DFDS
