Author: SKYNEWS

Banknotes featuring the King’s portrait are being issued from Wednesday for the first time.The new banknotes will co-circulate alongside those featuring Queen Elizabeth II. The portrait of Charles will appear on all four banknotes – the £5, £10, £20 and £50.In line with guidance from the royal household, the new notes will only be printed to replace those that are worn, and to meet any overall increase in demand.The approach aims to minimise the environmental and financial impact of the change. Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey said: “We’re very pleased to be issuing the new King Charles banknotes.”This is…

A Chinese spacecraft is on its way back to Earth after becoming the first ever probe to collect samples from the far side of the moon.The Chang’e-6 lifted off just after 12.30am UK time on Tuesday to begin its journey home, according to the China National Space Administration. Officials said it had been successful in collecting rocks and soil – by using a drill and robotic arm to dig below the lunar surface.After completing the task, the probe unveiled a Chinese flag.Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “Mission accomplished! “An unprecedented feat in human lunar exploration…

A dementia ad which detailed how a woman affected by Alzheimer’s disease died “again, again and again” received 235 complaints by viewers. The Alzheimer’s Society ads were broadcast on both TV and radio in March and April, but some viewers claimed they caused “unjustifiable distress” and were irresponsible. The ad featured a man at his mother’s wake describing how dementia eventually made her forget even the basics, including his name. Image: The ads have been cleared of causing ‘unjustifiable distress’. Pic: PA “Mum first died on the 12th of May 2019 when she couldn’t work out how to prepare her…

If, as expected, the European Central Bank (ECB) cuts its main policy rate on Thursday it will be a hugely significant moment.At a very basic level, the cut – the ECB is expected to trim its deposit rate from 4% to 3.75% – should benefit millions of households and businesses across the eurozone, who have never known interest rates this high since the single currency was born 25 years ago. British tourists venturing to the usual summer hotspots should also benefit although it is fair to say the foreign exchange markets have been pricing in a rate cut for a…

The physical and emotional toll of menstruating is real and widespread for many women, but new research challenges the assumption that women perform worse when on their periods.Just the opposite, it has found women are quicker at reacting and make fewer mistakes while menstruating. However, the study by University College London and the Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health (ISEH), found between ovulation and menstruation, a period known as the luteal phase, women showed slower reaction times and poorer timing anticipation.There were also more errors noticed around ovulation.The research is surprising as women tend to report feeling worse on their…

Are you ready for it? Because this week, Taylor Swift rolls into town for the first UK dates of her record-shattering Eras tour, to dominate front pages, social media, and a large proportion of the national conversation for the foreseeable.Something has shifted in the Swiftverse in the past few years. She now transcends even the highest echelons of pop fame, massively boosting everything from music sales to, well, the entire global economy. The Eras tour is a cultural and economic juggernaut; the first to cross the $1bn mark, according to Pollstar’s 2023 year-end charts, and already beating the record set…

The commitments offered by the Czech tycoon seeking to buy Royal Mail’s parent firm do not go far enough, according to the union leader representing its 112,000 UK frontline workers.Communication Workers Union (CWU) general secretary Dave Ward made his remarks following talks with representatives of Daniel Kretinsky’s EP Group. International Distribution Services (IDS) revealed last week it had formally accepted a revised £3.6bn offer for the business, which includes the international parcels arm GLS.Money latest:Six signs you’re addicted to spending moneyUnder the full terms, the total value to shareholders represents a premium of more than 70% to the IDS share…

A number of procedures have been cancelled or redirected to other NHS providers after a ransomware attack struck major hospitals in the capital.King’s College Hospital, Guy’s and St Thomas’, including the Royal Brompton and the Evelina London Children’s Hospital, and primary care services were hit by the attack on pathology partner Synnovis on Monday. Synnovis “was the victim of a ransomware cyberattack”, according to chief executive Mark Dollar.”This has affected all Synnovis IT systems, resulting in interruptions to many of our pathology services,” he said.The hospitals have declared a “critical incident” which is having a “major impact” on the delivery…

A statue of comedian Victoria Wood has been knocked over by a taxi driver in her hometown of Bury. Greater Manchester Police said the driver was taken to hospital after colliding with the two-metre-tall bronze sculpture shortly after 10pm on Monday. He was left with minor injuries, and no arrests have been made in connection with the incident.The statue of the As Seen on TV star was unveiled in May 2019 after the actress died aged 62 from cancer in 2016.’Terrible shock’ Her brother, Chris Foote Wood, said after the collision: “It’s a terrible shock to be told that your…

A member of Liechtenstein’s royal family is joining the ranks of backers of Octopus Energy, the £7.2bn utility which has become one of Britain’s most valuable companies.Sky News has learnt that Lightrock, which is chaired by Prince Max Von Liechtenstein but based in London, is acquiring an undisclosed stake in the UK’s second-largest domestic energy supplier. Lightrock and Galvanize Climate Solutions, a climate-focused investment firm based in San Francisco, are said to be buying shares in Octopus Energy from existing investors.The size of their investments was unclear on Tuesday, although one insider said the transaction would be announced publicly on…