Author: SKYNEWS

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…

The reduction in the Ofgem price cap that will apply from April may be the final step on the long, ruinously expensive road to a new normal for consumer energy prices. The guide price for typical annual dual-tariff use of £1,690 – a fall of 12.3% from the previous cap – is a dramatic reduction from the peak of more than £4,000 that applied just a year ago and prompted multi-billion pound state support for every household in the country. After bouncing between £1,800 and just shy of £2,000 in the three quarters since last June, this reduction, taken with projections…

The Victoria and Albert museum is looking to recruit a Taylor Swift super-fan adviser.The museum is looking for insights into the culture and craftsmanship behind handmade signs, friendship bracelets and memorabilia associated with the singer ahead of the European leg of her Eras tour. Swifties regularly swap friendship bracelets with each other at the shows.The American musician was the biggest-selling global recording artist in 2023, according to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry.The London-based museum has already filled four super-fan roles, for Toby jugs, Pokemon cards, Gorpcore clothing and Lego. The Toby jug is an 18th-century English pottery jug…

Don’t underestimate the significance of this latest moon landing.The first by the US in more than 50 years, the first by a private company and the first so close to the intriguing south pole. Many other nations have landed during America’s absence: Russia, China, India and most recently Japan. The US is a late runner in the new dash to the moon.When America was last there it was with the Apollo programme, which employed 500,000 people and consumed 2.5% of GDP annually for a decade.NASA is sending humans back, perhaps in as little as two years. But this time it…

Delivery riders are to strike again on Friday as takeaway order numbers fell during the Valentine’s Day walkout.There were roughly 30% fewer orders in London during the strike period last Wednesday than the same 5pm to 10pm hours on Valentine’s Day in 2022 and 2023, according to delivery rider app, Rodeo. Across the UK the fall was 10% to 20% of normal volumes.Money latest: New energy price cap announced tomorrow with big drop predictedRodeo expected 750,000 to 1 million orders would have taken place across the UK throughout the five Valentine’s Day hours. The sum is based on the 10…