Author: SKYNEWS

Imported foods may be labelled when they do not meet welfare standards, as the government considers measures to help shoppers “buy British”.Environment Secretary Steve Barclay is set to announce plans to change labelling on goods to clarify if it is produced to the highest standards, as part of sweeping reform to support farmers. Mr Barclay will also speak with major online retailers about ways of helping customers understand where their food comes from, including the option of a “buy British button” on supermarket websites.He will say at the Oxford Farming Conference on Thursday: “British farmers take pride in producing food…

Wearable blood sugar monitors have been life-saving for people with diabetes. Now, some companies are trying to repurpose them as a health tool for everyone.The growth in popularity of the monitors among people without the condition has accelerated in recent years. Zoe, a company selling the monitors in the UK, had more than 200,000 people on their waiting list in 2022 and currently has more than 100,000 users.Lingo, which was launched in 2023, is a wearable device for non-diabetics, produced by Abbott, the American pharmaceutical company behind the world’s most-used glucose monitor for diabetes.But access to the data comes at…

Elvis Presley fans will be able to see a lifesized digital version of the king of rock ‘n’ roll performing on stage in the UK for the first time later this year.The US music superstar is being brought back to life – and it’s a British company behind the project. Layered Reality claims the event, which uses artificial intelligence and holographic projection, will be the “world’s first Elvis immersive experience”. Elvis Presley’s estate has granted access to thousands of the singer’s personal photos and hours of home video footage, and the firm says this is being used to create “never…

Two of the world’s largest container ship operators have extended diversions from the Red Sea following an attack on a vessel at the weekend that has been blamed for renewed oil price volatility.On Sunday, Maersk suspended sailings near or via the Suez Canal after one of its giant carriers, the Maersk Hangzou, was targeted by Houthi militants – the latest in a string of attacks on shipping vessels since November. US military helicopters sank three boats, killing 10 militants, after receiving a distress call in the early hours of New Year’s Eve.The response was part of a pledge last month…

From stars like The Beatles to Ed Sheeran, it is where they began.UK grassroots music venues have provided a platform to young music talent for decades. But these small, independent spaces are now closing at the rate of one per week.”Around 93% of UK grassroots music venues have got a private landlord,” says Jay Taylor from charity, Music Venue Trust. Image: Jay Taylor from the Music Venue Trust And that private landlord and the venues have got very different objectives. “Landlords want to collect rent: music venues want to champion artists,” he said.And those rents are increasing, year on year.…

Ian King welcomes in the new year by speaking to investment expert Russ Mould about the latest downturn in British manufacturing.He also discusses trading with the chief executive of the furniture retailer The Cotswold Company.And discount retailers Aldi and Lidl have posted record Christmas trading results.:: Listen and subscribe to The Ian King Business Podcast here. Source link

Women have dominated the UK’s music scene in 2023, spending the most weeks at number one in the official singles chart since its inception in 1952. A few familiar names and some new entrants featured in the UK Top 40 as women claimed a record-breaking 31 weeks at number one, according to British Phonographic Industry (BPI), the record industry’s trade association. Miley Cyrus led the way with her post-breakup song Flowers which stayed 10 weeks at the top of the charts, calculated by a combination of streaming and retail sales.Dave and Central Cee’s track Sprinter took second place but it…

HSBC has become the latest lender to cut mortgage rates amid predictions that more banks and building societies will follow suit in the coming weeks.The high street bank said its new deals will be introduced on Thursday. They will include a two-year fixed remortgage rate of 4.49% and a five-year deal of 3.94%. First Direct, a division of HSBC, is also set to announce mortgage rate cuts on Friday.A HSBC spokesperson said: “Our new fixed mortgage rates will see significant cuts across the board which will be a welcomed move.”Specifically, for customers wishing to remortgage, our rates will start from…

Jimmy Kimmel has threatened to take legal action against an American football player over suggestions the presenter’s name may appear on Jeffrey Epstein’s client list.Aaron Rodgers, a quarterback for the New York Jets, said on ESPN’s Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday: “There’s a lot of people, including Jimmy Kimmel, really hoping that doesn’t come out. “I’ll tell you what, if that list comes out, I definitely will be popping some sort of bottle,” Rodgers added. Image: Aaron Rodgers on the field after a New York Jets game on Christmas Eve Read more:What to know about the documentsThe list refers to…

Tube strikes will affect commuters over several days from 7 January as London Underground workers walk out over pay.A strike by Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) members is set to cause heavy disruption to Tube services until 12 January. Union members from various departments of London Underground will strike on different days, meaning there will be “little to no service” on strike days.The industrial action comes after RMT members voted against the latest pay offer of 5% at the end of last year.Transport for London (TfL) has urged passengers to only travel on the strike days if their journey…