Author: SKYNEWS

Paula Vennells, the former chief executive of the Post Office, has had her CBE formally stripped from her by the King for “bringing the honours system into disrepute”.Ms Vennells received the honour in 2019 but was widely criticised amid the fallout from the Post Office scandal. She ran the organisation while it routinely denied there was a problem with its Horizon IT software system, and had said last month she would give up the honour.Politics latest: Why Speaker appears safe for nowThe action was announced on the Cabinet Office website, which also revealed that grime artist Wiley – real name…

Sir Rod Stewart has lashed out at Vladimir Putin on the eve of the second anniversary of Russia’s war on Ukraine. The music veteran branded the Russian president an “arsehole” in an interview with Sky News on Friday night. And he said revealed his fears about the consequences of the US “pulling money away from Ukraine” as the conflict enters its third year.Ukraine-Russia war latestSir Rod told Sky News’s Friday Night With Niall Patterson: “You let that arsehole into Ukraine, he’ll get into every NATO country.” “And we’ll have to join the army,” he added.”We have to support Ukraine right…

The energy price cap is to fall by £20 a month, the industry regulator has announced, but households are to face an additional “temporary” charge to help suppliers support struggling customers with record levels of debt.Ofgem confirmed a 12% price cap reduction will take effect from 1 April, taking the annual energy bill for a typical household paying by direct debit for gas and electricity to £1,690. The current level, in place from January to March, is £1,928.The fall reflects lower wholesale prices, with natural gas costs over the peak winter season falling across Europe due to higher stockpiles.A mild…

The rapper Wiley has been stripped of his MBE after he made antisemitic posts on social media.Often referred to as the ‘Godfather of Grime’, he received the honour for services to music in 2018. But in 2020 he was banned from X, Facebook and Instagram after a series of posts in which he described Jewish people as “cowards and snakes” and also compared them to the Ku Klux Klan. Image: Wiley with his MBE in 2018. Pic: PA Wiley, whose real name is Richard Cowie, told Sky News at the time that he was sorry “for generalising” but refused to…

As household energy bills are set to fall in April, Ian King talks to Sky’s business correspondent Paul Kelso.He also speaks to Bill Winters, the chief executive of Standard Chartered, about its $1bn share buyback.Erik Hirsch, co-chief executive of Hamilton Lane, a leading private markets investment firm, also joins Ian.Listen and subscribe to The Ian King Business Podcast here. Source link

A 240-million-year-old marine reptile with an extraordinarily long neck – likened to a “Chinese dragon” – has been depicted in full for the first time.The Dinocephalosaurus orientalis fossils were first discovered in Guizhou province in southern China in 2003. After finding other, more complete specimens, scientists have now been able to present a full depiction of the creature.The dinosaur, which lived during the Triassic period, had 32 separate neck vertebrae, and flippered limbs. Image: The Dinocephalosaurus orientalis fossils were discovered in Guizhou province in southern China in 2003. Pic: National Museums Scotland/PA A team of international researchers found well preserved fish…

John Savident, best known for playing Fred Elliott in Coronation Street, has died aged 86.Savident arrived on the famous cobbles in 1994 and was quickly established as a fan favourite, known for his booming voice while playing butcher Fred on the ITV soap.The show’s X account paid tribute to an actor with “peerless comic timing, combined with deep pathos”, while EastEnders actor Stuart Antony described him as “lovely and witty”.”We are sad to announce the death of the actor John Savident who died on Wednesday 21 February,” Savident’s agent said.”He was a much-loved husband and father of two and will…

The growing international stature of padel, the racquet sport, will be underlined on Friday when its leading professional tour unveils a huge commercial tie-up with Red Bull.Sky News has learnt that Premier Padel, which is owned by Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) and the Austrian-founded energy drinks manufacturer, will announce a four-year partnership spanning broadcast, production and sponsorship. Under the deal, which insiders said was worth tens of millions of pounds, Premier Padel matches from the latter stages of each tournament will be streamed on Red Bull’s media platform, Red Bull TV, in more than 130 countries.Red Bull will also create…

Serco has been ordered to stop using facial recognition technology to monitor its staff for “prioritising business interests over its employees’ privacy”.The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) found that a division of the outsourcing company, Serco Leisure, and community leisure trusts were unlawfully processing the biometric data of more than 2,000 employees at 38 leisure facilities across the UK. The watchdog said facial recognition and fingerprint scanning were routinely used to monitor workers’ attendance and then the subsequent payment for their time.The ICO found the leisure centre operator failed to show why these methods were needed over “less intrusive” means, such…

Former talk show host Wendy Williams has been diagnosed with dementia.A statement released on behalf of her caretakers says the 59-year-old has primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia, the same form of the illness as actor Bruce Willis. The condition has “already presented significant hurdles in Wendy’s life” and caused behavioural and cognitive impacts, it said”Wendy is still able to do many things for herself.”Most importantly, she maintains her trademark sense of humour and is receiving the care she requires to make sure she is protected and that her needs are addressed. “She is appreciative of the many kind thoughts…