Author: SKYNEWS

AstraZeneca has begun the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID vaccine – ending an era in which it saved millions of lives while being dogged by controversy.The jab, developed at Oxford University, was once hailed as “the vaccine for the world” because it could be stored in fridges rather than the ultra-cold freezer temperatures originally required for alternative mRNA shots, making it more suitable for developing countries. But AstraZeneca (AZ) said demand for the jab had tailed off as more up-to-date vaccines target newer variants of the virus. It no longer manufactures nor supplies the vaccine.The voluntary withdrawal has started in…

Lorraine Kelly says it has become “almost impossible” for working-class youngsters to break into TV.The ITV presenter spoke candidly about the financial barriers preventing some from accepting a job in the media. She criticised a London-centric approach from the TV industry and media that often priced out many people due to the capital’s sky-high rent prices and cost of living compared to other parts of the country.Kelly said: “The high cost of living and working now makes it almost impossible for working-class kids from the rest of the country to accept a job in London.”That has to change.” The presenter…

An online marketplace which had been considered a prime candidate to float on the London stock market has hired bankers to pursue a sale.Sky News has learnt that Fruugo, which counts the former Marks & Spencer chairman Lord Rose of Monewden among its shareholders, is working with DC Advisory on options for its future. Fruugo, which helps consumer brands localise themselves when selling to international audiences, was founded in 2006.An outright sale is said to be the likeliest outcome, although the sale of a minority stake is also expected to be considered.Money latest: Reaction as Bank of England holds off…

Apple’s ad for its latest iPad Pro has sparked outrage, with Hugh Grant saying it represents the “destruction of the human experience”.The ad promoting the thinnest ever iPad features creative tools including cameras, books, paint cans and musical instruments being crushed in an industrial press. Once an arcade game machine, old-model TV, record player, metronome and array of other symbols of creativity have been reduced to smithereens between two slabs of metal, the top of the machine is raised to reveal the new iPad.All of this is set to the tune of Sonny & Cher’s 1972 single All I Ever…

The Bank of England has edged closer to a cut in interest rates, with another member of its nine-person Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voting for lower borrowing costs this month.While the MPC voted 7-2 to leave UK interest rates on hold at 5.25%, the change in the vote will be seen as a further sign that they could be coming down soon – perhaps as soon as next month. Money latest: Reaction to interest rates announcementForecastsAlongside its rate decision, the Bank published new forecasts for the UK economy, which show that gross domestic product (GDP) is projected to be stronger…

The Only Way Is Essex star Gemma Collins has said she terminated a pregnancy after being told her unborn child was intersex.Intersex is an umbrella term for people born with anatomy or chromosomes that do not fit with the traditional conceptions of male or female. Speaking on the Everything I Know About Me podcast, the 43-year-old star said she was advised to end a pregnancy in her early twenties after being told the foetus was a “hermaphrodite”.The term hermaphrodite is considered outdated and medically inaccurate, and intersex or differences in sex development (DSD) is now used instead.Collins said she had…

People are having to play “pharmacy bingo” – going from shop to shop to find stocks – as medicine shortages are worsening, experts have said.Health leaders say some patients are even having to “ration” their drugs, with a new poll suggesting shortages are a “daily occurrence” for many of England’s pharmacies. Treatments for ADHD, diabetes and epilepsy are among those affected this year, according to trade body Community Pharmacy England.Its survey of more than 6,000 pharmacies and 2,000 staff found shortages are “wreaking havoc” on patients.Nearly all (97%) of staff said patients were being inconvenienced, while 79% said health was…

Malmo is all a sparkle. Outside the city arena, sequins twinkle in the light.Eurovision fans have been arriving in force, kitted out in a range of fabulously flamboyant outfits. In the queue, we meet a group who have travelled from Iceland.They are all wearing the same multi-coloured glittering jackets.”United by sequins,” one of them quips, riffing on the contest’s slogan “United by music”. Image: Eurovision superfan Dimi Further along we meet Eurovision superfan Dimi.”I love it, I grew up on it,” she gushes.She explains she is sad her native Australia has been knocked out, but it hasn’t taken the shine…

Experts have hailed a “critical turning point” as renewable power generated a record-breaking 30% of the world’s electricity last year, new data has found.It raises hopes that the peaking of global greenhouse gas emissions is on the horizon. But there are concerns many countries are being held up in their switch to clean power because they cannot access the cash needed to fund it.Last year’s renewable power “milestone” was driven by yet another booming year for wind and especially solar.China, Brazil and the Netherlands led the way in terms of fast roll-outs, thinktank Ember said in its annual Global Electricity…

A British girl has had her hearing restored after becoming the first person worldwide to take part in a pioneering new gene therapy trial.Opal Sandy was born totally deaf due to auditory neuropathy, which disrupts nerve impulses from the inner ear to the brain. But the 18-month-old’s hearing is now almost normal – and could improve further – after having the one-time treatment.Opal was treated at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge and the head of the trial, Professor Manohar Bance, said results were “better than I hoped or expected” and he hopes medics might be able to cure others with this…