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Telegraph
2 days ago
- Business
- Telegraph
China's super-embassy in London ‘must be blocked' after US warning
Plans for a new Chinese 'super-embassy' in London must be blocked after a warning from the White House, the Tories have said. Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, said the proposals for a huge new complex near the city's financial hub pose a 'security risk' and should be thrown out. The proposed 'mega embassy' at the former Royal Mint site near the Tower of London has been locked in a planning battle for years, with the decision called in for review last year. The proposal has proved extremely controversial, with fears the building could effectively become a nest of spies in the heart of London. It has now been reported that the White House has warned the UK to reject the proposals on security grounds, given the site's proximity to a hub of sensitive data near key financial centres. It comes after cyber experts for the UK Government privately sounded the alarm about the plans in an exchange sent to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. A senior US official told The Sunday Times: 'The United States is deeply concerned about providing China with potential access to the sensitive communications of one of our closest allies.' On Sunday, Mr Philp said it was 'likely' the embassy would be used as a base for Chinese espionage and urged the Government to block it. Asked for his view on the reports in The Sunday Times, he told Sky News' Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips: 'Well, I agree with the United States. We think it is a security risk. 'In government the Conservatives were very clear, we should not be allowing the Chinese to build this super-embassy. 'It is likely to become a base for their pan-European espionage activities and it sits very close to, of course, the UK's financial centre. 'It's very close to three critical data centres … data cables connecting, for example, Canary Wharf to the City, run very close or indeed even underneath the site, and it is very likely the Chinese would use it to organise espionage activities. 'We've seen the Chinese government cracking down on dissidents, running secret police stations in the UK, even putting bounties on the heads of dissidents, some of whom I've met. We should not be giving permission to this.' The row presents an awkward dilemma for Sir Keir Starmer, who has pursued a strategy of engagement with Beijing while attempting to maintain a positive relationship with Donald Trump, a prominent China sceptic. The White House official quoted by The Sunday Times said: 'The United States expects that all decisions will be taken with our (both US and UK) national security interests in mind and after thorough mitigation as recommended and approved by counter-intelligence professionals.' Peter Kyle, the Science Secretary, said the UK would offer a 'fulsome response' to any security concerns raised. He told Phillips: 'These issues will be taken care of assiduously in the planning process. 'But just to reassure people, we deal with embassies and these sorts of infrastructure issues all the time. 'We are very experienced of it, and we are very aware of these sorts of issues constantly, not just when new buildings are being done, but all the time.' Asked about the US warning, he said: 'These are the issues that we talk about as two countries all the time… we're in the Five Eyes agreement, America and Britain share intelligence… We are one of the few countries in the world that share intelligence.' He added: 'If people raise security issues even though it relates to planning, then I'm sure we will have a fulsome response for them. But look, the key thing is, these are issues which are quite routinised in the way that we deal with the security of our country. 'This is not new. It's going through planning. These are issues that will be dealt with in that process.'
Japan Forward
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Japan Forward
NHK Mile Cup: Panja Tower Edges Magic Sands in a Thrilling Finish
The Tower of London progeny held off Magic Sands and Cerbiatto in a pulsating dash to the wire in the 30th NHK Mile Cup at Tokyo Racecourse. Panja Tower (11), ridden by Kohei Matsuyama, wins the 2025 NHK Mile Cup by a head on May 11 at Tokyo Racecourse. (©KYODO) Ninth favorite Panja Tower claimed his first G1 and second graded title in the 30th NHK Mile Cup on Sunday, May 11 at Tokyo Racecourse. The bay colt, who is among the first crop of Tower of London, who won the 2019 Sprinters Stakes, broke his maiden in his debut start in September 2024 (Chukyo, 1,200 meters). And he immediately registered his first grade-race victory in the Keio Hai Nisai Stakes (Tokyo, G2, 1,400 meters) two months later. On Sunday, Panja Tower provided trainer Shinsuke Hashiguchi with his second JRA G1 success following the 2018 JBC Sprint with Graceful Leap. Jockey Kohei Matsuyama scored his sixth G1 title and his first since the 2021 Champions Cup with T O Keynes. Panja Tower was swift out of gate 11 and was reserved in a wide mid-pack position of the 18-horse field. Making the widest turn into the straight, the son of Tower of London unleashed a furious closing kick, drawing even with the frontrunner 300 meters out. Panja Tower pulled away while rallying with, and narrowly holding off, Magic Sands (Yutaka Take's ride) on the inside and Cerbiatto (Michael Dee) digging in between them in the final strides. ( Watch the race on the JRA's YouTube channel. ) Winning jockey Kohei Matsuyama (©SANKEI) "We were able to sit in a good position, but the rhythm was more of an important factor," Matsuyama said in a post-race interview. "And I'm happy he ran steadily in a good rhythm today." The jockey added, "As you know, he's shown his strength since his debut and has a graded win in Tokyo, and the way he stretched incredibly today proves he has a bright future ahead of him." The 30th running of the NHK Mile Cup. (©SANKEI) Third choice Magic Sands was unhurried, settling second from the rear, and was steered to an inner route by Take rounding the final corner to make a bid. The Kizuna colt, while launching the fastest drive over the last three furlongs (33.7 seconds) from behind, found a clear path 300 meters out and eventually dueled with the winner in the last 100 meters. But Magic Sands was a head short at the wire and had to settle for second. Cerbiatto, the 12th pick, sat on the rails just behind Panja Tower and after straightening away, increased speed to shoot out from the pack. The filly dug in fiercely in the final strides, nearly catching the top two finishers but was a head-and-nose short at the wire to finish third. Mondo dell'Amore (Keita Tosaki) and Lance of Chaos (Seinosuke Yoshimura) finished fourth and fifth, respectively. Breaking smoothly from stall eight, race favorite Admire Zoom (Yuga Kawada) was a bit keen in the backstretch but settled on the rails to stalk the pace in second. Picking off the pacesetter in the early stretch, the Maurice-sired colt showed effort in sustaining his lead. But he dropped away once, overtaken by the eventual winner, and faded to 14th. Kawada stated after the race that the colt had lost a shoe 200-300 meters out of the gate. The Victoria Mile on Sunday, May 18 at Tokyo Racecourse is the next G1 race on the JRA calendar. Read the full report , including details on each of the NHK Mile Cup entrants, on JRA News. Author: JRA News
Telegraph
10-05-2025
- Telegraph
The UK's best castles, and how to visit them
Castles come in all shapes and sizes – castellated or moated, ruined or repurposed, fantasy or bouncy – and they've been a feature of the UK's landscape since 1066. One definition might be a battle-station crossed with a domestic abode: the Tower of London, for example, one of Britain's earliest castles, was a fortress and working palace, with a handy private mooring that we now call Traitors' Gate. Castles defended borders and fiefdoms and evolved according to the weapons technology they faced. All this makes them both fun to clamber over and fascinating to find out about. Here's a list of our favourites across the UK. Carisbrooke Castle, Isle of Wight A motte-and-bailey structure built on older earthwork, King Charles I was imprisoned here for 14 months before his execution and allegedly once got stuck in a window trying to escape. Walk the walls, see the former King's private room, then explore the contemporary garden inspired by Queen Victoria's daughter, Princess Beatrice, who was also the island's Governor for 48 years. Insider tip: Meet the castle's much-loved resident donkeys, who help to demonstrate how water was once drawn from the well house. Price: Admission from Visit Isle of Wight; £13.10, adult; £8.10, child; £11.80, concession Where to stay: The Bowling Green Apartment in the grounds of Carisbrooke Castle (0370 333 1181) sleeps four from £435 for three nights, excluding breakfast. Warwick Castle, Warwickshire Warwick Castle delivers a hectic schedule of commercial events, from siege engine demonstrations to birds of prey shows. It's great fun (over-10s: risk the immersive Castle Dungeon show if you dare) but there's plenty of serious history on offer, too – this is, after all, a 1,000-year-old powerhouse with pioneering landscaping courtesy of the 18th-century gardener Lancelot 'Capability' Brown. Castle accommodation ranges from glamping to tower suites. Insider tip: Climb the ancient Mound for views over the town of Warwick. Where to stay: The Warwick Castle Hotel (01926 406610) has double rooms from £99, including breakfast. Dunnottar Castle, Aberdeenshire Dunnottar crouches on a promontory between two bays, glaring at the North Sea. St Ninian built a chapel here in 400, the Vikings invaded in 900, William Wallace attacked 400 years later, and the Honours of Scotland were kept safe here. Later, stripped bare, it was rescued by the Cowdrays, who still own it. Insider tip: Walk from Stonehaven via the Black Hill War Memorial and get the X7 back from near Dunnottar. Allow 90 minutes each way. Where to stay: Ship Inn, Stonehaven (01569 762617) has sea views and 11 rooms. Doubles from £130, including breakfast. Leeds Castle, Kent This beauty, reflected in its own moat, rose on older foundations in the 13th century and has been much altered, most notably in the 1820s. Associated with many queens, it became a glamorous home in the 1920s under chatelaine Olive, Lady Baillie. Children love the obstacle course and yew maze with a grotto at its heart. Insider tip: 1) It's not in Yorkshire. 2) See the original Norman cellars, used for salted meat, dry goods, wines and candle wax. Where to stay: There's plenty of places to stay in the castle itself, but book early. Doubles from £145, including breakfast. Enniskillen Castle, Co Fermanagh For 600 years, Enniskillen Castle has dominated the waterways south of Lough Erne. Built by the Maguires, it was in English hands by 1609, and its distinctive gatehouse symbolises the Plantation of Ulster. Six buildings include a local history museum and a military museum for not one but two famous local regiments. Insider tip: Ulster ancestry? Book a free 30-minute session at the Fermanagh Genealogy Centre in the former castle barracks. Where to stay: Killyhelvin Lakeside Lodges & Hotel has double rooms from £130 per night, including breakfast. Chepstow Castle, Monmouthshire Earl William FitzOsbern built Chepstow Castle in 1067, just pipping the Tower of London to the post. Now ruined, it crowns a ridge with the town of Chepstow on one side and the River Wye on the other. It was owned by a series of magnates keeping a watchful eye on Wales; what survives is the remains of a rare triple bailey, an 11th- century Great Hall and magnificent walls, mostly walkable. Insider tip: Europe's oldest castle doors, thought to be 12th century, are on display inside (today's gatehouse doors are replicas.) Price: Admission to Chepstow Castle is £10, adult; £7, child; £9, concession Where to stay: The St Pierre Marriott Country Club (01291 625261) occupies a 14th-century manor house in parkland, with spa, pool and two golf courses. Doubles from £164, including breakfast. Middleham Castle, North Yorkshire Middleham sits on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales and in 1260, via marriage, became a stronghold of the powerful Neville family. Edward IV stayed here with Warwick 'the Kingmaker' and the future Richard III grew up in his household and wed his daughter. See the replica gold and sapphire Middleham Jewel, found here in 1985 (the original is in the Yorkshire Museum). Insider tip: The castle is just near the Middleham Gallops; stop to watch the racehorses and jockeys fly past in training. Where to stay: The Priory Hotel opposite (01969 623279) has double rooms from £155 per night, including breakfast (minimum two-night stay). Burgh Castle Roman Fort, Norfolk That Burgh Castle's flint walls are still guarding the 'Saxon Shore' after 1,700 years is a tribute to Roman builders. It overlooks Breydon Water, which divides the southern and northern Norfolk Broads; three rivers join here on route to the sea at Great Yarmouth and wading birds stalk the tidal mud flats. Perfect for a picnic or a jaunt to the nearby pub. Insider tip: Walk the Angles Way from Great Yarmouth and get the X11 Coastlink bus back. Where to stay: Fritton Lake (01493 484008), four miles south on the Somerleyton estate, has double rooms from £180, room only. Castell Harlech, Snowdonia This hulking beast, standing foursquare over the sand dunes in Harlech (and caravan park) that now separate it from the Irish sea, is an essay in mediaeval aggression. It is one of four Welsh castles built for King Edward I that share Unesco World Heritage status, and at one time was taken by the Welsh prince Owain Glyndwr. Insider tip: Board a train for a coastal journey on the scenic Cambrian Line from Barmouth to Harlech from £6.80, adult; £1.45 child (Anytime Day Return). Where to stay: Penmaenuchaf Hall Hotel (01341 422129) is a cosy, 14-room Victorian country house, 35 minutes' drive away. Doubles from £191, including breakfast. Old Sarum, Wiltshire Talk about value for money: Old Sarum is a perfect Norman castle mound sitting on the perfect ramparts of a 400 BCE Iron Age fort, with the perfect outline of the original cathedral and perfect views of Salisbury Cathedral below. The cathedral moved to Salisbury in 1220, due to friction with the castle's garrison. Insider tip: The loos in the car park occupy a Second World War pillbox and wireless station. Where to stay: The Riverside Salisbury (01722 338388), by the River Nadder, has plenty of parking and doubles from £120, including breakfast.
BBC News
06-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Thousands of poppies on display at Tower of London for VE Day
Poppies pour across Tower of London to mark VE Day 10 minutes ago Share Save Maia Davies BBC News Share Save Reuters Poppies are a symbol of remembrance in the UK Nearly 30,000 ceramic poppies are on display at the Tower of London to mark 80 years since the end of World War Two in Europe. The red poppies have been positioned to resemble a cascading "wound" at the heart of the Norman fortress, which was bombed during the Blitz. Some of the flowers were first shown at the site in 2014, when an installation of 888,246 poppies - each representing a military life lost during World War One - drew more than five million visitors. The new artwork, named The Tower Remembers, is designed to reflect the loss of life through war and provide a space for remembrance. It was designed by Tom Piper, while the ceramic flowers were made and designed by the artist Paul Cummins. Piper previously said the scale of the 2014 installation, named Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red, could never be repeated, but that he came to learn "smaller installations could still carry great emotional power". He added: "Everywhere these poppies have been, they have brought people together, with their own stories of sacrifice, commemoration, and hope for the future. "They have much to say about the universality of war and the anguish of suffering and loss." Getty Images The poppies are on loan from the Imperial War Museums' collection Visitors will be able to see the poppies as part of a general admission ticket to the Tower of London, though a small part will be visible from the public footpath. The display will remain until Armistice Day on 11 November, which marks when the World War One armistice came into effect. A tradition with its roots in World War One, poppies are a symbol of remembrance in the UK and are worn to commemorate those who lost their lives in two world wars and other conflicts. Getty Images Part of the display will be visible from the public footpath
Perth Now
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Incubus confirm new album
Incubus have confirmed their new album will be called 'Something in the Water'. The 'Drive' hitmakers revealed last month they had finished work on their ninth studio LP - the follow-up to 2017's '8' - and ahead of their show at London's The O2 on Saturday (26.04.25), they shared the title in attention-grabbing fashion. Projections featuring the title were shared along the River Thames and shared onto the band's Instagram account, showing footage from locations including the Houses of Parliament and the Tower of London. Fans walking to the gig from nearby North Greenwich station passed giant posters stuck to the ground featuring a QR code which, when scanned, took them to a pre-order link for the record. The gig at The O2 saw the band play their beloved 2001 album 'Morning View' in its entirety, including the single 'Wish You Were Here' and saw the crowd singing along to every word. The show was rounded out with a selection of fan-favourite tracks including 'Anna Molly', 'Pardon Me' and closer 'Drive', while the set was also interspersed with snippets of various covers, including Phil Collins' 'In the Air Tonight', which was blended into 'Are You In?', a nod to Rihanna's 'Umbrella' within their own 'Under My Umbrella' and Portishead's 'Glory Box', which was paired with 'Vitamin'. The stage set up was simple but the tracks were complemented by a dazzling laser show and giant screens switching between footage of the group on stage and abstract patterns in vivid colours. Frontman Brandon Boyd regularly thanked the crowd for their wild reception, and at one point noted it was bassist Nicole Row's first performance in the city. The rocker recently praised Nicole for being a "breath of fresh air" and having "amazing ideas" within the band. During the interview with Flux FM, he also said of the new album: 'I think it's a really great record, and I'm really proud of it, and all of us in the band are really proud of it. We had a wonderful time recording it.' 'Something In The Water' will be out this year on Virgin Music.
