Author: SKYNEWS

For 30 years Mariah Carey’s All I Want For Christmas Is You has been the soundtrack to Christmas.Released as part of the singer’s fourth studio album, Merry Christmas – her first festive-themed collection of songs – the track had modest beginnings, peaking at number two in the UK singles chart and number 12 in the US. But over time, the song seems to have taken on a life of its own.This year alone, it has topped the Billboard Hot 100 charts for the sixth year in a row, surpassed two billion streams on Spotify, and has reached 16x Platinum -…

Brewdog founder James Watt has been met with criticism after asking his followers to vote on whether he should delay his marriage to TV star Georgia Toffolo to ensure he does not miss out on tax relief.The founder of the brewery and pub chain, who stepped down as chief executive of BrewDog in May amid controversy over staff wages, announced his engagement to the Made In Chelsea star in October. But in a post on LinkedIn, Mr Watt has now said his tax adviser “dropped a bombshell” that has left him contemplating whether to hold off on his marriage.Money latest:…

The US central bank has announced an interest rate cut, just hours before the Bank of England is tipped to refrain from following suit.The Federal Reserve cut its main funding rate by a quarter point to a new target range of 4.25%-4.5%, as markets had expected, but signalled that future reductions would happen more slowly. A resurgence in the pace of inflation is a big worry, with the prospect of new trade tariffs under Donald Trump from 20 January also risking a leap in the pace of US price growth in the New Year as imported goods would cost more.Money…

Dozens of newly discovered plants and fungi have been named for the first time in 2024 by scientists from the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew.Toothy toadstools from the UK and climbers from tropical Asia are among a list of 149 plants and 23 fungi discovered across the world. Among the species, scientists highlighted a ghostly palm from the island of Borneo and marzipan-scented lianas, while another top pick includes a bracket fungus found in Buckinghamshire. Image: Plectocomiopsis hantu, a ghostly palm from Borneo. Pic: Royal Botanical Gardens Senior research leader in Kew’s Africa team Dr Martin Cheek said it is…

Jean Adamson, the children’s author known for writing the Topsy And Tim book series, has died at the age of 96.Her family, who confirmed the writer died on Sunday, said her memory will “live on in the hearts” of those she loved and in people who “remember her through her stories”. The Topsy And Tim series follows the adventures of two twins and was created with her husband Gareth Adamson, who died in 1982.It spawned more than 150 books and a television series.In a statement released by Topsy And Tim publisher Ladybird Books, Adamson’s family said: “It is with deep…

Inflation has risen for the second month in a row, according to official figures. The overall rate of price rises – as measured by the consumer price index (CPI) – grew by 2.6% in November, a significant rise. It’s a further move away from the Bank of England’s target 2% inflation rate after the rate ticked up to 2.3% in October, the first increase in three months.   This is due to the higher cost of clothing, petrol and diesel, compared to last year, the ONS said.Costlier tobacco products elevated through higher tobacco duty announced in the October budget also…

A giant “hiccupping” star in the last stages of its life before exploding has been documented for the first time by researchers.The international team – including from Queen’s University Belfast – were able to record the event by coordinating observations from telescopes around the world. Previously a theoretical concept but never observed, Pulsational Pair Instability (PPI), or “hiccupping” happens when a star develops a very hot core, which contracts and expands quickly in the final phase of its life.Every time the star pulsates, it ejects shell material which strips down the core star. These shells can then collide with each…

Tom Cruise has been presented with the US navy’s highest civilian award, for “boosting the force’s recruitment of pilots” thanks to his performance in Top Gun.The Hollywood star, who played Lieutenant Pete “Maverick” Mitchell in the hit film, was presented with the Distinguished Public Service Award – given for acts of heroism or support – at a ceremony held at the Longcross Film Studios in Chertsey, Surrey. US navy secretary Carlos Del Toro said the original action film, about a young naval aviator who trains at the force’s fighter weapons school, had “significantly increased” recruitment numbers since its release in…

Zakir Hussain, one of the greatest exponents of tabla music, a form of Indian drumming, has died.Hussain, who during his career worked with George Harrison and Van Morrison among others, died at a hospital in San Francisco from complications arising out of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, his family said. A family statement said: “He leaves behind an extraordinary legacy cherished by countless music lovers around the globe, with an influence that will resonate for generations to come. His prolific work as a teacher, mentor and educator has left an indelible mark on countless musicians.”He hoped to inspire the next generation to…

The sale of Royal Mail to Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky is to be approved by the government after details of an agreement have been published. Mr Kretinsky’s company EP Group will buy the postal service’s parent company International Distribution Services (IDS). The £5.3bn deal had been agreed in May but was subject to a review under national security laws as Royal Mail is considered vital national infrastructure. It’s possible competition regulator the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) could decide to investigate the takeover.Money blog: Been overpaid? Lawyer explains if you need to return itRoyal Mail’s headquarters, tax base, and corporate…