Tarporley project includes private sale homes and affordable housing

Plans for dozens of new homes in Tarporley have been rubber-stamped, with bosses at the firm behind the scheme hailing it a ‘landmark achievement’ for the company.

Cheshire West and Chester Council planners have signed off on an outline application for a development on land off Eaton Lane in the village.

It is the brainchild of Tarporley-based CB Homes and includes a mix of properties for private sale and affordable housing.

According to the plans there will be 30 homes for the private market with a mix of two to five-bedroom homes, including bungalows, apartments, semi-detached and detached properties.

Affordable housing makes up the rest, comprising 14 homes with a mix of apartments and family properties to meet what the developer called ‘local housing needs’.

CB Homes owner Nathan Booth said the approval was the largest in the firm’s 45-year-history, calling it a ‘landmark achievement’.

He said: “It reflects the dedication, commitment and motivation of our team.

“This milestone aligns strongly with our long-term business strategy and we are excited about the future.”

The application said green spaces were ‘integral’ to the design masterplan.

It added: “The layout prioritises sustainable and accessible living, featuring pedestrian routes and cycleways connecting to the village centre, promoting active travel.”

The 5.4-acre site is split across two adjoining parcels of land to the west of Eaton Lane and backs onto existing residential neighbourhoods, including a Taylor Wimpey housing estate.

The application said the scheme was designed to act as a natural completion to that part of the village.

It said: “By preserving landscape features like existing trees, hedgerows, and pond into the design, the development not only respects the site’s natural character but also uses these features to create attractive, green spaces that benefit residents, local wildlife and the wider community.”

Several objections were made over the plans, with other comments submitted in support.

To find all the planning applications, traffic diversions, road layout changes, alcohol licence applications and more in your community, visit the Public Notices Portal.

Air Canada announced on Friday that the airline is suspending select U.S.-bound flights as jet fuel prices continue to skyrocket in the wake of the Iran war. 

The cuts, set to take effect this summer and last at least five months, will impact all service to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York City and the Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) in Utah, the airline said. 

“As we regularly do, we monitor and review our network to ensure that routes are meeting profitability targets,” the air carrier said in a statement. 

“Jet fuel prices have doubled since the start of the Iran conflict, affecting some lower profitability routes and flights which now are no longer economically feasible. Schedule adjustments including some frequency reductions are being made in response.” 

DELTA, SOUTHWEST HIKE CHECKED BAGS AS AIRLINES FACE SURGING FUEL COSTS

An Air Canada plane lands at Pearson Airport in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on July 1, 2024. (Mert Alper Dervis/Anadolu via Getty Images / Getty Images)

Affected customers will be contacted with alternative travel options, the Canadian carrier said. 

The airline specified that JFK will not see service from June 1 through Oct. 25, 2026, from its two hubs in Montreal and Toronto.

The move could reflect a consolidation strategy, as routes to nearby Newark (EWR) and LaGuardia (LGA) airports remain unaffected, according to the release.

Air Canada operates more heavily out of those two airports than JFK, its website shows, with local outlet CTV News reporting roughly 34 daily departures from across Canada.

SOUTHWEST AIRLINES LIMITS PASSENGERS TO 1 PORTABLE CHARGER PER PERSON OVER FIRE CONCERNS

A person watches an Air Canada airplane being towed away from a gate at Toronto Pearson International Airport on Feb. 6, 2024, in Toronto, Canada. (Gary Hershorn/Getty Images / Getty Images)

Flights to Salt Lake City, typically served only from Toronto Pearson (YYZ), will be suspended beginning June 30, with service expected to resume in 2027, creating a roughly six-month gap. 

The airline also said two domestic routes and one international service were affected.

Routes between Vancouver and Fort McMurray will be suspended on May 28, while service between Toronto and Yellowknife will be halted on Aug. 30.

Both Fort McMurray and Yellowknife, which are considered lower-volume markets, were not given a resumption date.

JETBLUE HIKES BAGGAGE FEES BY UP TO $9, CITING RISING FUEL PRICES AMID IRAN WAR

Travelers at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York, on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. (uki Iwamura/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)

The airline was also planning to launch service between Montreal and Guadalajara, Mexico, which has now been indefinitely suspended.

Air Canada said the changes represent only a small portion of its global operations, affecting about 1% of its total annual flying capacity for 2026. 

Jet fuel prices increased to $3.79 on Friday, more than a 50% increase since the day before the Iran war broke out on Feb 27, according to Airlines for America. 

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Several U.S. airlines have also adopted new cost-cutting measures to offset rising jet fuel prices, with JetBlue, Southwest, American and United Airlines increasing checked bag fees.

FOX Business reached out to Air Canada for more information. 

Apple’s next-generation in-car system, CarPlay Ultra, is poised to expand beyond its initial debut, with new reports indicating wider adoption across major automotive brands.

After initially launching in select Aston Martin vehicles, the platform is now expected to reach more mainstream markets.

Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis Set to Adopt CarPlay Ultra

According to MacRumors, Apple previously confirmed that Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis are preparing to integrate CarPlay Ultra into upcoming models.

Recent reports suggest that at least one new vehicle from these brands could feature the system in the second half of the year. If confirmed, this would mark a major shift from luxury exclusivity toward broader consumer accessibility.

What Sets CarPlay Ultra Apart

Unlike traditional Apple CarPlay, CarPlay Ultra delivers deeper integration with a vehicle’s internal systems.

The platform extends beyond the infotainment display into the instrument cluster, enabling drivers to view real-time data, including speed, fuel levels, tire pressure, and engine temperature, within a unified interface. It also supports direct control over features like climate settings, radio, and rear-view camera displays.

Personalized Interface Meets Brand Identity

According to VOI, the key feature of CarPlay Ultra is its adaptability. Apple allows automakers to customize the interface to match their brand identity, ensuring a consistent in-car aesthetic.

Drivers can also select from multiple design layouts, adding a layer of personalization that enhances both usability and visual appeal.

For everyone who’s always interested in any Apple software, what the Cupertino giant did with CarPlay Ultra is one step ahead of others.

Originally published on Tech Times

Scheme largely funded by £6.5m from the UK Government’s Town Deal

A multi-million pound community sports village for Blackpool has taken a major step forward as new details on the project emerge.

A planning application for the Revoe Community Sports Village project, which is primarily funded by £6.5 million from the UK Government’s Town Deal, was last week submitted to Blackpool Council, which is working with Blackpool FC and Blackpool FC Community Trust.

The scheme includes the provision of two 7- a-side synthetic 3G football pitches, two padel courts and a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) and associated floodlighting.

A 3G (third-generation) football pitch is a modern, high-performance synthetic turf surface designed to replicate natural grass, featuring long fibers (40mm-60mm) infilled with sand and rubber crumb. They offer durable, all-weather play for training and competitive matches.

In addition, the plans also include proposed enclosures and boundary treatments, hard and soft landscaping, car parking and installation of two storage containers and associated works .

A Planning, Design and Access Statement in support of the project stated: “This project will support sport and community provision by creating new facilities adjacent to Blackpool Football Club’s Bloomfield Road stadium.

“The Council is working alongside Blackpool Football Club and the BFC Community Trust to implement and subsequently operate the development.”

It concludes: “The proposals are considered to represent appropriate development which supports the overall aims of the Local Authority in improving access to sports facilities to support the health and wellbeing of the local community.

“For these reasons, it is considered that full planning permission for the proposed development should be granted. “

What does the scheme offer?

The statement says: “All of the pitches would have associated floodlighting and two storage containers to be installed on-site would allow for equipment storage.

“The 3G pitch is designed to be configured as either two 7-a-side or four 5-a-side pitches, to FA standards.

“Each pitch will be bound by 4.5m high weld mesh fencing with floodlighting provided.

“It is proposed that the facilities would be open between 9am and 9pm daily. This reflects the opening hours of other 3G pitch facilities in Blackpool. The pitches would not be in use when first team home games are being played to mitigate any potential impact on traffic.”

School use and possible tournaments

The BFCCT will manage the use of the facilities once operational. This will include facilities for educational provision and other sports programmes.

In respect of the 3G pitches, the Blackpool Football Club Ladies and Girls grassroots teams are expected to utilise the facilities as will the FA Girl’s Emerging Talent Centre, which is the Fylde Coast’s centre of excellence.

Bookable slots will be offered to local schools and junior grassroots football clubs, to utilise the space and hire facilities. The Community Trust will also be exploring options for developing some competitive opportunities, such as matches and tournaments.

What the council says

Cllr Mark Smith, Blackpool Council’s Cabinet Member for Built Environment and Economy, said the project was part of the council’s aim to improve the area around Central Drive with quality housing and green space.

He said: “While our housing projects are about providing better homes for people to live in, this (sports) project is about improving the healthy lifestyles of people who live centrally, by creating community sports facilities for everybody to enjoy.

“The project will also help the football club’s community trust to increase its offer to local people, while also facilitating improvements to the East Stand to make the area around the football stadium a nicer place to visit.”

To find all the planning applications, traffic diversions, road layout changes, alcohol licence applications and more in your community, visit the Public Notices Portal.

By Indrani De, CFA, PRM, Head of Global Investment Research FTSE Russell, David McNay, CFA, Director – Global Investment Research FTSE Russell, and Zhaoyi Yang, CFA, FRM, Sr Manager – Global Investment Research FTSE Russell

A recall affecting more than 400,000 power banks has been reissued after federal regulators reported additional incidents, including a fatal fire and a separate onboard airplane fire.

About 429,000 Casely Power Banks 5000mAh portable MagSafe compatible wireless chargers are included in the recall announced last week due to fire and burn hazards, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

The recall was first announced in April 2025. At that time, Casely had received 51 consumer reports of the charger overheating, swelling or catching fire while being used to charge phones, causing six minor burn injuries.

MORE THAN 30K WIRELESS POWER BANKS RECALLED AFTER REPORTS OF FIRE, EXPLOSIONS

About 429,000 Casely Power Banks 5000mAh portable MagSafe wireless phone chargers are impacted by the reannounced recall. (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission / Unknown)

Since that recall was regulators say 28 additional incidents have been reported, including the death of a 75-year-old woman from New Jersey.

In August 2024, the elderly woman was charging her cell phone with the power bank on her lap when it caught on fire and exploded. She suffered second- and third-degree burns and later died from her burn injuries.

In another incident, a 47-year-old woman in February was charging her cell phone with the power bank on a plane when it caught on fire and exploded, causing first-degree burns to the woman.

The recall was first announced in April 2025. (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission / Unknown)

The power banks affected by the recall have the model number “E33A” printed on the back and “Casely” engraved on the front right side.

The chargers were sold on Casely’s website, Amazon and other online retailers from March 2022 through September 2024 for between $30 and $70.

Consumers are urged to stop using the power banks immediately and contact Casely for a free replacement.

OVER 1.1M POWER BANKS RECALLED AFTER REPORTS OF FIRES, EXPLOSIONS

The chargers were sold at the Casely website, Amazon and other online retailers from March 2022 through September 2024. (REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz / Reuters)

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The power banks should not be thrown away in the garbage since they pose a risk of fire, the commission warned. Consumers are instructed to contact local household hazardous waste collection centers for disposal guidance.

Southeast Asia faces a complex web of interconnected risks, from economic downturns and job scarcity to geopolitical rivalries and the disruptive force of AI. The region’s diverse economies, from wealthy Singapore to poorer Myanmar, experience these challenges unevenly, forcing nations to balance immediate stability with long-term strategic autonomy.

Key Details

• Economic growth is uneven: While Singapore thrives, countries like Myanmar, Laos, and Brunei struggle with debt, inflation, and joblessness; even wealthy Singapore faces cost-of-living pressures.
• Geopolitical tensions are acute: ASEAN nations, heavily reliant on China for trade, are squeezed by U.S. tariffs (e.g., 46% on Vietnamese exports) and legal uncertainty after the 2026 U.S. Supreme Court ruling, forcing ad-hoc bilateral deals.
• AI adoption is accelerating but unequal: Major investments in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam contrast with low SME adoption (15% in Singapore); energy-intensive data centers risk massive emissions spikes (e.g., 7x in Malaysia by 2030).
• Risks reinforce each other: Trade shocks fuel inflation and unemployment; AI gains may widen inequality; supply chain shifts expose cybersecurity gaps; domestic politics limit fiscal flexibility.

While AI adoption promises growth, uneven implementation, energy constraints, and workforce displacement could exacerbate inequalities. Governments and businesses must adopt integrated, adaptive strategies, acknowledging that economic, geopolitical, and technological pressures are converging, demanding a coordinated, forward-looking response to navigate this volatile landscape.

There is growth but it’s not reaching everyone

Economic growth is a case in point. In the survey, the top three perceived risks in the region are economic downturn, lack of jobs or economic opportunity and inflation, reflecting a shared anxiety about how individuals will experience growth. The signs of stress are already visible.

In Thailand, growth forecasts have been revised downward due to trade uncertainty and high household debt. Meanwhile, Brunei is still trying to reduce its reliance on oil and gas, and Lao PDR faces serious debt pressures that limit room to manoeuvre.

Meanwhile, ageing demographics in Malaysia and Viet Nam are outpacing economic development, a challenge requiring different investments in productivity and skills.

AI Surge in the Region Sparks Opportunities Amid Growing Divides

Southeast Asian executives rank the risks from artificial intelligence (AI) adversely at fourth regionally, compared to 10th globally. There is also relatively higher concern about online harms and the risks posed by frontier technologies more broadly.

AI-driven growth initiatives are gaining momentum across the region. For instance, Microsoft has unveiled significant cloud and AI investment programs in Indonesia and Malaysia.

Qualcomm has launched an AI research and development center in Viet Nam. Meanwhile, Singapore’s Green Data Centre Roadmap positions computing capacity as a strategic national infrastructure, akin to how previous generations prioritized highways and ports.

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