Author: SKYNEWS

Channel 4 will announce plans this week for deeper-than-expected job cuts amid a steep downturn in the broadcast advertising market.Sky News has learnt that the state-owned broadcaster will say on Monday that it is cutting nearly 250 roles, a figure equating to just over 15% of its full-time workforce of more than 1,300 people. Industry sources said this weekend that while the number of people being made redundant would be approximately 200, in line with earlier reports of the cost-cutting, close to an additional 50 roles were also being axed by chief executive Alex Mahon.It is expected to be the…

An episode of Dragon’s Den that led to complaints that it promoted “unfounded” claims about the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome, has been edited and restored to the iPlayer after being pulled from the platform, the BBC has said.A statement on the corporation’s website, said “a clarification has been added to the programme on the streaming platform to address the concerns raised.” A text message appears on screen during the show, as businesswoman Giselle Boxer pitches her Acu Seeds business, which reads: “Acu Seeds are not intended as a cure for any medical condition and advice should always be sought…

The government’s plan to drill for more oil and gas in the North Sea passed its first major hurdle in the Commons this week.But will it, as the government claims, deliver energy security and protect the jobs we need to help drive a transition to a low-carbon economy? Or are the Petroleum Licencing Bill’s many critics correct in that it’s just a short-term political move to secure votes among those sceptical of the costs of net zero and one that could end up making the transition harder and more expensive?On the face of it, the government’s argument makes sense.Nearly 80%…

Two men are due to go on trial over the killing of Run DMC star Jam Master Jay more than 20 years ago.The DJ was shot in his recording studio in 2002 in one of New York City’s most notorious unsolved cases. It took until 2020 for two men to be charged. A third was arrested and charged in 2023.Here is what you need to know about the trial – and what happened back in 2002.Who was Jam Master Jay – and what happened to him?The musician, whose real name was Jason Mizell, was the DJ for the hip-hop group…

The business secretary has said she “felt there was a need for new leadership” at the Post Office as it was announced its chairman is being forced out of the role.Henry Staunton has stepped down amid ongoing tensions with the government in the wake of the Horizon IT scandal. An interim will be appointed “shortly”, the Department for Business and Trade said. Image: Henry Staunton Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch said: “The Post Office is rightfully under a heightened level of scrutiny at this time.”With that in mind, I felt there was a need for new leadership, and we have parted…

Sir Tony Blair and Lord Hague have issued a joint call for NHS medical records to be sold to fund the development of cutting-edge treatments. Britain’s former prime minister and the ex-Conservative leader have produced a report of more than 40 recommendations on regulation and state support, to help the UK remain at the forefront of growth in artificial intelligence and biotechnology. The NHS medical records would be anonymised and sold to an independent company, free of government interference, which would “strictly preserve privacy while bringing massive benefits to research, public health and patient treatment”. Please use Chrome browser for…

Searching for Taylor Swift’s name on X yields no results days after the pop star fell victim to deepfake sexual pictures circulating on the website. “Something went wrong. Try reloading” appears when Swift’s name is typed into the search box. Sky News approached X for comment.On Friday President Joe Biden’s spokesperson said the fake, sexually explicit images of the star were “very alarming”.White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said social media companies have “an important role to play in enforcing their own rules”, as she urged Congress to legislate on the issue. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella admitted the company needs…

The legislation being used to exonerate hundreds of sub-postmasters wrongly convicted over the Horizon IT scandal should include measures to protect the specialist finance sector which helped Alan Bates to overturn Britain’s biggest miscarriage of justice, according to an influential trade body.Sky News understands that the International Legal Finance Association (ILFA) wants ministers to use the Horizon Bill to reverse a Supreme Court ruling which has cast a pall across the litigation funding sector. Litigation funding sources argue that the ruling in a case known as PACCAR, which concerned truck manufacturers accused of acting as a cartel, has made litigation…

UK scientists are to carry out studies on a new “breakthrough” blood test which could be used to detect certain types of brain cancer.Described as a “liquid biopsy”, the test, believed to be a world-first, could reduce the need for invasive and risky surgery currently needed to diagnose some brain tumours. The tests could also lead to an earlier diagnosis, which in turn could speed up treatment and potentially increase survival rates for patients with one of the deadliest forms of brain cancer, experts say.Patients with inoperable brain tumours could particularly benefit – because an early diagnosis would allow them…

The singer Morrissey is being treated for “physical exhaustion” after cancelling a string of concerts.He has also been told to rest for two weeks, his tour manager said. The former Smiths frontman had been due to play at the Honda Centre in Anaheim, California, on Friday, and at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles on Saturday.Both venues said on social media that the gigs had been cancelled “due to unforeseen circumstances”.They were going to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his solo album You Are The Quarry. The singer, 64, is on a tour called “40 years of Morrissey” – but…