Author: SKYNEWS

It was the showdown nobody wanted. But in the end, it saved the climate summit.As the clock ticked past the deadline of 6pm on Friday in Belem, Brazil, the issue that, rightly or wrongly, came to define this year’s UN climate talks was still unresolved.The great, unanswered question was how to talk about fossil fuels: two words pathetically controversial for a summit trying to tackle climate change, given they are the main cause.But it had taken 28 COP meetings to even name those words in a deal. Finally, the promise came in Dubai in 2023 to “transition away from fossil…

Sydney Sweeney says she finds it challenging to accept help when it’s offered to her, saying it’s viewed as a “sign of weakness”.Speaking to Sky News about her new film Christy, which is based on the life of boxer Christy Martin, the US actress says it was a common feeling between her and the character she portrays. “I have a really hard time with asking for help and my friends recently have really pointed that out to me, and they’re like, ‘Sydney, it’s okay to ask. Like, you can’. There’s nothing wrong with it, but I have really a hard…

Ovo Energy, one of Britain’s biggest domestic gas and electricity suppliers, is preparing to take an axe to its workforce next week as part of efforts to convince regulators that it has a viable turnaround plan.Sky News has learnt that Ovo, which serves about four million customers across the UK, is drawing up proposals to cut hundreds of jobs as early as Wednesday in a bid to save millions of pounds in costs. The redundancies – the precise scale of which could not be ascertained this weekend – are said to form part of a revised business plan submitted to…

There’s a lot going on at TikTok right now. As well as online safety updates and new features, the company is introducing sweeping changes to how it moderates the platform’s content. At the same time, there’s an intense focus on online safety, particularly here in the UK.With all that going on, Sky News got a rare, exclusive sit-down with one of TikTok’s senior safety executives, Ali Law.The increasing role of artificial intelligence One of the biggest changes happening at TikTok is around artificial intelligence.Like most social media companies, TikTok has used AI to help moderate its platform for years – it…

A woman has been charged with fraud offences over the alleged sale of Oasis tickets.Rosie Slater has been charged with 11 counts of fraud by false representation, Staffordshire Police said. The 32-year-old, of Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, has been granted unconditional bail and is due to appear in court at North Staffordshire Justice Centre on 11 December.The charges relate to the alleged sale of Oasis tickets in May.Read more from Sky News:Scotland fans caused ‘extremely small earthquake’ in Denmark winFirst saplings planted from felled Sycamore Gap treeIt comes as ministers confirmed plans to make it illegal for tickets to concerts, theatre, comedy,…

The biggest external investor in Curve, the digital wallet provider, has filed a legal challenge aimed at overturning its £125m sale to Lloyds Banking Group.Sky News has learnt that IDC Ventures issued a petition in the High Court on Friday seeking to overturn the deal, which was formally announced by Britain’s biggest high street lender following months of negotiations. The legal claim alleges “serious failures by key directors and investors”, including Curve founder and chief executive Shachar Bialick, and chairman Lord Fink.In it, IDC alleges that directors and Hanaco, another major Curve shareholder, had “undermined shareholder rights, concealed material information…

The UN climate talks are a “nightmare” but the “best process we’ve got”, the UK energy secretary Ed Miliband told Sky News as the COP30 summit ran into overtime, with a showdown on fossil fuels looming.Countries gathered in northern Brazil are still locked in a stand-off over a deal to wean the world off fossil fuels, the main cause of the climate crisis. Other key sticking points are cash for developing countries to adapt to more extreme weather, like drought in Afghanistan, which they have generally done little to cause.But despite the divisions, UK energy secretary Ed Miliband told Sky…

A Grammy-winning rapper who “betrayed his country for money” has been sentenced to 14 years in prison.Prakazrel “Pras” Michel, who was part of 1990s hip-hop group The Fugees, was convicted of illegally funnelling millions of dollars in foreign contributions to Barack Obama’s re-election campaign in 2012. The Justice Department had accused the 53-year-old of accepting $120m (£92m) from Malaysian financier Low Taek Jho, who wanted to gain political influence in the US. Image: The Fugees after winning Grammys in 1997. Pic: Reuters Prosecutors said Michel “lied unapologetically and unrelentingly to carry out his actions” – and sought to deceive the…

Government borrowing was higher than expected and consumers tightened their belts, spending less than anticipated, official figures show. Government borrowing rose to the third-highest October level since records began in 1993, though less than a year ago, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Money blog: Three reasons why unexpected rise in energy bills comingIt’s the last assessment of public finances we’ll get before Chancellor Rachel Reeves makes her budget announcement next week. It showed spending on benefits and public services was up, which was offset by higher tax takes.Expensive borrowing Billions were spent on borrowing money last month,…

The Stone Roses bassist Gary “Mani” Mounfield has died at the age of 63, his family has said. Mani’s brother, Greg, said in a post on Facebook: “It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to announce the sad passing of my brother.” “RIP RKID,” he added. Image: Gary “Mani” Mounfield and his wife Imelda at the world premiere of “The Stone Roses : Made Of Stone” in 2013. Pic: Reuters Mr Mounfield joined the Manchester band in 1987 and played on both their albums, remaining with the group until their split in 1996.He subsequently joined Primal Scream,…