Author: SKYNEWS

A new Banksy mural in north London has been defaced after appearing just days ago.The huge green painting on the side of a block of flats in Hornsey Road, near Finsbury Park, was first spotted on Sunday. A day later, the anonymous artist confirmed that he was behind the project.But photos show that just three days after it first appeared, white paint has been thrown over the mural.Two streaks appear to have been thrown over the green patches on the side of the building, meant to replicate the absent leaves of a nearby tree which has been cropped. Image: The…

Average private rents rose at their fastest annual pace last month since comparable records began in 2015, according to official UK figures.The data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed no let up in the surging costs faced by renters since 2022. It reported a leap of 9% over the 12 months to February in a provisional estimate, up from the 8.5% annual rate seen in January.The ONS said that average UK house prices decreased 0.6% in the 12 months to January, to £282,000, noting an easing in the pace of decline.Money latest: Reaction as UK inflation eases by…

The rate of inflation slowed sharply to an annual rate of 3.4% in February, according to official figures charting a big contribution from food costs.Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed an easing in the headline measure from the 4% rate recorded the previous month to a level last seen almost two-and-a-half years ago. It was led, the report said, by food prices being almost flat this year compared with a large rise last year, while restaurant and café price rises also slowed.Money latest: Reaction as UK inflation eases by more than expected”These falls were only partially offset…

A cure for HIV could be on the horizon after scientists eliminated the virus from cells in a laboratory.Using a gene-editing tool known as Crispr-Cas, researchers were able to target HIV DNA and remove all traces of the virus from infected cells. Working essentially as scissors, the Nobel Prize-winning technology can cut DNA at certain points, allowing unwanted genes to be deleted or new genetic material to be introduced into cells.The study authors said their aim is to develop a robust and safe Crispr-Cas regimen, “striving for an inclusive ‘HIV cure for all’ that can inactivate diverse HIV strains across…

Campaigners and MPs are calling for a parliamentary inquiry into the Loan Charge scandal – accusing HMRC of “airbrushing” its approach to a harsh tax crackdown linked to several suicides. The Loan Charge Action Group (LCAG) has hit out at the Treasury Committee after it wrote to the tax office requesting information on its approach to contractor loan schemes. These were widely – but wrongly – promoted by employers as HMRC compliant in the early 2000s, and tens of thousands of workers who signed up for them are now facing life-ruining bills for tax on their salaries which their employer…

Kris Jenner has paid tribute to her sister Karen Houghton, who has died “unexpectedly” at the age of 65.The Kardashian star shared the news in a post on social media, along with touching photos of her sibling over the years. Karen was Kris’s only sister and the two were known to have had a complicated relationship.In a tribute shared on Instagram, Kris, 68, said: “It is with the heaviest heart and deepest sadness that I share that my sister Karen passed away yesterday unexpectedly.”My heart aches for my mom MJ and my niece Natalie and I pray that God guides…

Hundreds of high street jobs are at risk after Ted Baker’s British operations veered to the brink of administration.Sky News has learnt that No Ordinary Designer Label, which trades under the Ted Baker brand, filed a notice of intention to appoint Teneo Financial Advisory as administrators on Tuesday. The move is expected to result in store closures and job losses, although the scale of both was unclear.Although jobs are at risk, no redundancies would be announced on day one of the insolvency process, according to a source.Money latest:The story of olive oil’s 110% price rise It comes roughly 18 months…

The final episode of the Hairy Bikers has aired, after star Dave Myers died earlier this month.Myers died at the age of 66 towards the end of February, less than two years after revealing his cancer diagnosis. His death was announced by co-star Si King, who said he was with him when he passed.But the pair’s final show had already been filmed, taking place as Myers underwent chemotherapy.The BBC decided to continue to air the series in tribute to Myers, as it began shortly before he died. Tonight, the final episode of The Hairy Bikers Go West, aired in which…

Tesco has lost an appeal in a row with discount rival Lidl over the use of a yellow circle against a blue background in its Clubcard branding.The High Court ruled last year that the UK’s biggest retailer had taken “unfair advantage” of the Germany-based firm’s distinctive reputation for low prices when it brought in the Clubcard Prices discount scheme. However, the judge in the case last April rejected the claim that Tesco had “the deliberate subjective intention of riding on Lidl’s coat tails”.Lidl has traditionally used a yellow circle on a blue background in its main logo.Money latest:Washing powder ‘shrinkflation’…

The Princess of Wales’s doctored family photograph has been the subject of intense scrutiny and speculation in the UK since it was posted on the royal’s Instagram on Mother’s Day.The photo aimed to quell speculation about Kate’s health since she spent a short period in hospital in January for abdominal surgery, shortly after her 42nd birthday. The princess has since been filmed smiling and looking happy while out shopping with her husband Prince William, but The Sun’s footage came after the edited image prompted far-fetched conspiracy theories – not just here but in the United States as well.Sky News analysis…