Author: SKYNEWS

Two new projects on the site of a former oil refinery could create up to 460 new jobs in the coming years, with the help of cash from the UK and Scottish governments.Scottish Energy Secretary Gillian Martin said the announcements by two firms of plans to create jobs shows a “long-term, new industrial future at Grangemouth is achievable”. Scottish biotech firm MiAlgae hopes to create 130 direct full-time jobs over the next five years – and support 180 further posts – by making fish-free Omega 3 supplements using leftover by-products from the whisky production process.With the proposals announced in the…

OpenAI has signed its first major licensing deal to bring well-known characters to life on its Sora video generation tool.The company said the agreement with Walt Disney was part of a push to ensure the rights of creators in the generative artificial intelligence (AI) space amid growing concerns over copyright, fakes and misinformation. It forms part of a $1bn Disney investment in OpenAI, that will see the entertainment firm roll out ChatGPT to its staff and grow its AI capabilities.Money latest: Urgent warning over tumble dryers The initial three-year licensing deal will allow Sora users to generate and share videos…

Tax changes announced in the budget could have “devastating, unintended consequences” on live music venues, including widespread closures and job losses, trade bodies have warned.The bodies, representing nearly 1,000 live music venues, including grassroots sites as well as arenas such as the OVO Wembley Arena, The O2, and Co-op Live, are calling for an urgent rethink on the chancellor’s changes to the business rates system. If not, they warn that hundreds of venues could close, ticket prices could increase, and thousands could lose their jobs across the country.Politics latest: Ex-Olympic swimmer nominated for peeragesBusiness rates, which are a tax on…

Snapchat is the most commonly-used social media platform in reported child exploitation and abuse offences, according to new police figures.In 2024, 122,768 child sexual exploitation offences were recorded – an increase of 7,279, or 6%, on 2023. Child sexual exploitation and abuse online increased by 26%, with 51,672 crimes recorded – 42% of the total.Some 11,912 were on Snapchat, followed by Meta-owned WhatsApp and Instagram on 1,870 and 1,705.Acting Chief Constable Becky Riggs, national lead for child protection and abuse investigation, said social media platforms must do more to report crime and stop underage images being shared. “I know that…

Iceland has announced it is boycotting next year’s Eurovision over Israel’s participation in the competition, saying taking part would “neither be a source of joy nor peace”.The announcement from Iceland’s RUV follows withdrawals by broadcasters from the Netherlands, Spain, Ireland and Slovenia. In a statement, RUV said participation of Israeli national broadcaster KAN had “created disunity” among members of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organises Eurovision, and the general public.Israel’s place in the contest was confirmed at the EBU’s general assembly last week. Image: Yuval Raphael represented Israel at this year’s competition in Switzerland. Pic: Reuters/ Denis Balibouse The…

A legal technology start-up which was feted as one of the industry’s most promising players after raising tens of millions of pounds from blue-chip investors is on the brink of selling the bulk of its operations to a rival.Sky News understands that Robin AI, which was forced to lay off a big chunk of its workforce during the autumn after a new funding round failed to materialise, is selling its managed services division to Scissero, a UK-based peer. Sources said the deal, which was said to have been struck at a knockdown price, was likely to be announced publicly on…

Do you suffer from ringing in your ears? For millions of people in the UK who do, researchers say they may have found a solution.Experts are hopeful that a new sound therapy for tinnitus could one day be available as a smartphone app. The therapy involves patients listening to modified sounds in an effort to disrupt patterns of activity in their brains and quieten the ringing.The trial, led by Newcastle University and part-funded by RNID, the national charity for deaf people, included 77 patients with tinnitus, which can be caused by hearing loss, certain medications or depression and anxiety.Tinnitus leaves…

British drama Adolescence has seen its lead stars all nominated for Golden Globe awards.The drama, starring Stephen Graham, depicts the aftermath of the stabbing of a teenage girl, as a 13-year-old boy from her school is arrested for her murder. It was one of the most talked-about shows of the year. Image: (R-L) Owen Cooper and Stephen Graham in Adolescence. Pic: Netflix Graham, along with Owen Cooper, Ashley Walters and Erin Doherty are all up for gongs. It follows a host of wins at the Emmys in September.Receiving five nominations in total, the Netflix limited series was only beaten by…

👉 Follow Trump100 on your podcast app 👈  A new White House National Security Strategy gives us an insight into how Donald Trump views the world, and the US’s place within it. Is this America rejecting Europe and uprooting the established world order?Two massive media companies go head-to-head to buy Warner Bros in a media shake-up that will have a massive impact on the film and TV industry.The Supreme Court seems poised to expand the president’s powers which could see the structure of the federal government significantly changed.You can also watch all episodes on our YouTube channel.Email us on trump100@sky.uk…

A new strain of mpox has been discovered by scientists in England.The new strain was found in a person who had recently travelled to Asia, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said. Officials said they had identified a “new recombinant mpox virus” – meaning it has genetic material from different viral strains.The UKHSA said genomic sequencing showed the mpox genome contained elements of clade Ib and IIb mpox.Dr Katy Sinka, head of sexually transmitted infections at UKHSA, said: “It’s normal for viruses to evolve, and further analysis will help us understand more about how mpox is changing. “Although mpox infection…