Author: SKYNEWS

A joke by Edinburgh Fringe veteran Mark Simmons has been named the funniest of the lot at this year’s comedy festival.A vote by 2,000 people found this joke by Simmons the funniest during the August event: “I was going to sail around the globe in the world’s smallest ship but I bottled it.” Simmons has said he is “really chuffed” with the win – which comes a decade on from his first appearance at the event.Some of the leading comedy critics and comedians in the UK were on the judging panel for the Funniest Joke Of The Fringe award, which…

A planned £2.5bn merger between British housebuilders Barratt Developments and Redrow Plc looks set to go ahead despite concerns from the competition regulator.It comes after Barratt announced on Monday it planned to push ahead and start the process of taking over its rival this week, even though the two firms will officially remain separate until the watchdog gives its final approval. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has been investigating the deal and earlier this month expressed worries that the acquisition could lead to higher prices and lower-quality homes in the Whitchurch region in Shropshire. Both firms have developments in…

Top tips for photographing the night sky Welsh astrophotographer Dafydd Wyn Morgan gives some top tips for people take pictures of night-sky spectaculars. Tip one: Get to know your local area’s darkest spots “Seek out somewhere where you live which has minimal light pollution,” says Mr Morgan. Plan ahead as to where you’re going to spend the night – make sure it is safe and you’re allowed to be there, and let someone know where you’re going. Tip two: Give stargazing a go first “Get to understand what you can see in the night sky. What are you looking at?”…

French actor Alain Delon has died at the age of 88 after suffering from ill health, his family has announced.The star was known for his roles in films such as Purple Noon in 1960, The Leopard in 1963, and Le Samourai in 1967. A family statement said: “Alain Fabien, Anouchka, Anthony, as well as (his dog) Loubo, are deeply saddened to announce the passing of their father.”He passed away peacefully in his home in Douchy, surrounded by his three children and his family.” Image: Delon in Rome in 1969. Pic: AP The actor had been in poor health since suffering…

ASLEF’s lead negotiator has denied the union sees the new government as a “soft touch” after announcing fresh strikes two days after train drivers were offered a pay deal.Drivers working for London North Eastern Railway (LNER) – which runs the passenger service on the East Coast main line between London and Edinburgh – will walk out on weekends from the end of August in a dispute over working agreements. Lead negotiator Nigel Roebuck said it is a separate issue from the long-running row over pay, which looks likely to be resolved after a much-improved new offer from the government which…

Social media company X says it will close its operations in Brazil, after claiming a judge on the country’s supreme court threatened to arrest its legal representative in Brazil if the company did not comply with his orders.X, formerly Twitter, said it was removing its remaining staff in Brazil “effective immediately” though the service will still be available there. The company, owned by billionaire Elon Musk, has already clashed with the justice in question, Alexandre de Moraes, over free speech, far-right accounts, and misinformation on X. Image: Brazil’s Supreme Court judge Alexandre de Moraes. Pic: Reuters Image: Elon Musk. Pic:…

Sean Wilson will not reprise his role as Martin Platt on Coronation Street as previously announced, ITV has confirmed.The actor, who last appeared on the cobbles six years ago, was set to reappear on screen in October as part of the departure storyline of his character’s ex-wife, Gail Platt. It comes following a previous announcement that Helen Worth was to leave the ITV soap after starring as Gail for 50 years.”Sean Wilson has stepped down from filming for personal reasons,” a spokesperson for ITV confirmed on Friday.An initial announcement said Wilson was to start filming scenes on July 24, with…

The private equity backer of Six Nations Rugby is plotting to buy a stake in one of Britain’s biggest audit firms – a deal which could have ramifications across the professional services sector.Sky News has learnt that CVC Capital Partners is among the buyout firms preparing to table bids for a controlling stake in Grant Thornton UK. The process, which is at an early stage, is expected to value the accountancy group at between £1bn and £2bn, and could result in the most significant transaction to date in the UK’s audit industry.CVC’s interest is particularly significant, however, because it already…

Fortnite is back on mobile phones for the first time in four years, after bitter legal rows got the game taken off both Android and Apple app stores. Now, developer Epic Games has launched its own app store, making it one of the first third-party stores available on iOS – although UK iPhone users will have to wait until next year to play. Android users can get flossing straight away, but they’ll need to download the new Epic Games Store, which also contains Fall Guys and Rocket League.The store’s launch marks the latest chapter in a long-running battle royale between Epic…

Police are investigating a report of a “hate incident” after two Israeli audience members were reportedly heckled out of Reginald D Hunter’s Edinburgh Fringe show.The US stand-up comedian issued a statement on Thursday following reports two people were booed out of his Fluffy Fluffy Beaver show at Assembly George Square Studios over their objection to a joke about Israel. Hunter, who regularly tours the UK and has appeared on comedy panel shows Never Mind The Buzzcocks, Have I Got News For You and 8 Out Of 10 Cats, described it as an “unfortunate incident”.When asked about the gig, a Police…