Author: SKYNEWS

Zilch, the consumer lender which has become one of Britain’s fastest-growing fintech companies, has begun a search for international takeover targets as it accelerates its expansion ahead of a bumper stock market listing.Sky News understands that Zilch, which is run by co-founder Philip Belamant, is working with advisers to identify peers outside the UK which it can acquire in the coming months. The company, which is regulated in the UK and counts eBay among its investors, has amassed a customer base of more than five million people.Money latest: Another airline faces baggage fees investigation It is now among the UK’s…

Oasis have reunited on stage for the first time in almost 16 years – with brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher sharing a high five and the briefest of hugs as they closed a performance that for fans was more than worth the wait.After the split in 2009, for many years Noel said he would never go back – and for a long time, as the brothers exchanged insults through separate interviews (and on social media, for Liam), it seemed pretty unlikely to ever happen. But now, here they are. As they walked out on stage at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, all…

A 23-year-old man who convinced his victim to attempt suicide and seriously self-harm online has become the first person sentenced under new internet safety laws.Warning: This story contains details of encouraging self-harm and suicide which some readers might find disturbingTyler Webb, from Loughborough, Leicestershire, was sentenced to nine years and four months imprisonment, subject to a hospital order.He will be taken back to the secure mental health hospital where he is being treated in Chesterfield.Once his doctors decide he is well enough to be discharged, he will serve out whatever time he has left in prison and will then be…

Octopus Energy Group, Britain’s largest residential gas and electricity supplier, is plotting a £10bn demerger of its technology arm that would reinforce its status as one of the country’s most valuable private companies.Sky News can exclusively reveal that Octopus Energy is close to hiring investment bankers to help formally separate Kraken Technologies from the rest of the group. The demerger, which would be expected to take place in the next 12 months, would see Octopus Energy’s existing investors given shares in the newly independent Kraken business.A minority stake in Kraken of up to 20% is expected to be sold to…

Oasis are set to kick off their reunion tour in Cardiff this weekend, with thousands expected to descend on the Welsh capital.The 41-date Oasis Live 25 tour begins in the city on Friday and Saturday, amid warnings for people to plan ahead before they travel. The Gallagher brothers’ last performance together was in 2009, and the tour sold out within hours of its announcement last August, with fans eager to catch a glimpse of the reunion.But where is the tour heading – and why was Cardiff chosen as the city where the brothers will perform for the first time together…

A fierce wildfire driven by gale-force winds has torn through southern Crete, forcing the evacuation of more than 1,500 people from homes and hotels.The blaze, which ignited near the village of Achlia, in the Ierapetra area of the Greek island’s southern coast, swept across forests and farmland overnight into Thursday. Crews battled the flames with 230 firefighters and 10 aircraft dropping water from above. Image: Firefighters try to extinguish a wildfire near Lerapetra, on the island of Crete, Greece. Pic: Reuters Image: People stand with their luggage as smoke billows from a wildfire, in Ferma, Crete. Pic: Reuters/d_morice Read moreHow…

The Official Receiver has reached a deal with the commodities trading giant, Glencore, that will ensure supplies of crude oil to the ailing Lindsey refinery following its owner’s collapse this week.Sky News has learnt that the OR – which oversees the initial stages of bankruptcies ordered by a court – struck an agreement with Glencore in the early hours of Friday morning. Further details of the arrangement were unclear.Money latest: ‘Lifeblood of mortgage market’ enjoying lower rates The deal provides a temporary lifeline to the Lindsey refinery in Lincolnshire while the OR and special manager FTI Consulting race to secure…

The BBC has said it will no longer live broadcast “high risk” performances after the controversy over Bob Vylan’s Glastonbury gig.It comes after it showed the punk-rap duo leading the crowd in chants of “death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)”. The BBC said it was “clear that errors were made” before and during Saturday’s performance.It admitted the band were judged “high risk” during an assessment of all acts at Glastonbury, but deemed suitable for live streaming with “the use of language or content warnings” .”This was clearly not the case,” the BBC said. The broadcaster said Bob Vylan’s show…

Tesla’s woes have deepened as latest production and deliveries figures showed a greater fall than expected. A total of 384,122 Teslas were delivered from April to June this year, a 13.5% drop on the same period last year and the second quarter of slumping output. Wall Street analysts had expected Tesla to report about 1,000 more deliveries.It’s bad news for Tesla chief executive Elon Musk in a week of attacks from President Donald Trump on him personally, as well as his companies.Money blog: Customers to get up to £2,000 compensation from water companies Mr Musk found himself on the wrong…

The CBI has begun a search for a successor to Rupert Soames, its chairman, as it continues its recovery from the crisis which brought it to the brink of collapse in 2023.Sky News has learnt that the business lobbying group’s nominations committee has engaged headhunters to assist with a hunt for its next corporate figurehead. Mr Soames, the grandson of Sir Winston Churchill, was recruited by the CBI in late 2023 with the organisation lurching towards insolvency after an exodus of members.Money latest: Has bond market calmed after chancellor’s tears?The group’s handling of a sexual misconduct scandal saw it forced…