Author: SKYNEWS

Japan’s first moon lander has responded to a signal from Earth in what has been hailed as a “miracle” by the country’s space agency. The response, received late on Sunday, suggests the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) craft survived a second freezing weeks-long lunar night, when temperatures can plunge to -170C. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) said it was a “miracle” because the probe was not designed to survive the lunar night.The SLIM probe, dubbed the “moon sniper”, made a “pinpoint” touchdown on 19 January – earning Japan a place in the history books as the fifth country…

Mary Poppins has had its UK age rating lifted from U to PG almost 60 years after its release because of “discriminatory language”.The British Board Of Film Classification (BBFC) said the decision over the 1964 classic, starring Dame Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, had been made over the use of the colonial term, Hottentots. The derogatory word was historically used by white Europeans to refer to the Khoikhoi people in South Africa.Actor Reginald Owen’s character, Admiral Boom, uses the term twice in the film, once when he asked one of the children, Michael, if he was going on an…

A tour operator dubbed “the Lonely Planet for the 21st Century” is journeying into American ownership after striking a deal with a US-based publisher.Sky News understands US News & World Report, a digital media company, has struck a multimillion pound deal to acquire Culture Trip. The agreement, which is expected to be announced publicly on Tuesday, comes about seven months after Culture Trip initiated a review of its strategic options.Sources said the deal would augment US News’ travel franchise, which includes rankings and advice to aid international travellers.Culture Trip has been working with Lazarus Consulting, a mergers and acquisitions advisory…

The owner of the country mansion used in the film Saltburn has described the rush of fans visiting his home as “weird” and says he would “prefer the interest to blow over”.Charles Stopford Sackville, 63, lives in Drayton House, the medieval mansion at the heart of Emerald Fennell’s dark satire about the super-rich. Image: Pic: Chiabella James/Prime Video The Grade I listed stately home, in the village of Lowick in Northamptonshire, has previously been described as “one of the best-kept secrets of the English country house world”.But it turns out a 127-room, 200-acre mansion complete with turrets is quite hard…

Holidaymakers face higher air fares this summer due to a lack of available aircraft, Ryanair has warned.Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary has predicted the budget airline’s ticket prices could be up to 10% more expensive compared with the same period last year. He said problems with aircraft at Boeing and Airbus – delaying the delivery of aircraft – will constrain capacity for passengers.Money latest: Briton’s biggest financial regrets revealedMr O’Leary said: “Fares in summer 2024 are going to be up again on summer 2023. “Our average air fares in summer 2023 rose 17%.”We don’t think we’ll see that kind of…

The UK has seen a “persistent under delivery” of new homes, according to the competition watchdog which has launched an investigation into eight major housebuilders.Too few new homes are being delivered due to a “complex and unpredictable” planning system and the gap between what’s being built by private developers and what people need, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said. Its report into the housebuilding industry also identified “substantial concerns” about estate management charges – with homeowners “often facing” high and unclear charges for the management of roads, drainage and green spaces.Less than 250,000 new homes were built last year…

Footballer Romeo Beckham has announced he has split from his girlfriend Mia Regan after five years together.The 21-year-old son of former England football captain David Beckham and fashion designer Victoria Beckham had been dating the model since 2019. After speculation circulated online, Romeo confirmed they had gone their separate ways in a post to his Instagram Stories. Image: The couple pose for photographers at the premiere of Beckham last October. Pic: AP Alongside a photo of the pair pulling a funny face at each other while out on a country walk, he wrote: “Mooch and I have parted ways after…

A collectable coin celebrating George Michael has been unveiled by the Royal Mint.The coin features the singer-songwriter’s signature look from his debut solo album Faith. It is the latest in the Mint’s Music Legends series, following David Bowie, Sir Elton John and Queen.Designed by artist and sculptor Sandra Deiana, the new collectable coin portrays a headshot of Michael wearing his trademark sunglasses and an engraving of the refrain of Faith. The colours black and red feature on a selection of the coins.Rebecca Morgan, director of collector services at the Royal Mint said: “From his debut with Wham! to becoming one…

The prime minister has revealed how some of the money from abandoning the HS2 northern leg will be reallocated.Northern England will get £2.5bn and the Midlands £2.2bn after plans to run the high-speed line to the North were scrapped last year. The cash will go to a “local transport fund” to help towns, rural areas and smaller cities.Councils and local authorities will decide how to spend the money, the government said. For example using it to mend potholes, build roads, improve mass transit or renovate bus stations.The announcement comes as Rishi Sunak holds a cabinet meeting in northern England on…

Kenneth Mitchell, an actor who appeared in Captain Marvel and a Star Trek series, has died. The actor, who was 49, was diagnosed with ALS – also known as motor neurone disease – five and a half years ago. His family said in a statement on Instagram that Mitchell was “an inspirational work of art to all the hearts he touched”.Mitchell appeared in a variety of TV shows and films, including in Captain Marvel, in which he played the titular character’s father, Joseph Danvers.Born in Toronto, Canada, Mitchell was married to actress Susan May Pratt and the pair had two…