Author: SKYNEWS

It’s not the start to the week that Ed Miliband, the energy secretary, would have been hoping for: more than 2,000 private sector jobs in Scotland at risk from the collapse of Petrofac, the London-listed oilfield services group.Its slide into insolvency was triggered by last week’s cancellation of a major contract by its biggest customer, but the failure of a company once valued at more than £6bn has been a long time coming. Money blog: ‘We protect UK from attack, our salaries can be limitless’Administrators at Teneo will now attempt to salvage what they can from Petrofac’s wreckage.”The group’s operations…

Apple has lost a landmark lawsuit over fees in the App Store, which could benefit around 36 million iPhone and iPad users in the UK.The Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) has ruled that the US tech company abused its dominant position by “charging excessive and unfair prices in the form of the commission which it charges developers”. Lawyers for Dr Rachael Kent, the academic who brought the case, claim Apple had made “exorbitant profits” by excluding all competition for the distribution of apps and in-app purchases.It is argued Apple should pay around £1.5bn in damages for purchases made over the last…

Two men have been arrested following a robbery at the Louvre museum in Paris which saw thieves escape with priceless jewellery, including part of the French crown jewels.Confirming arrests had been made on Saturday night, French public prosecutor Laure Beccuau appeared furious with the way the arrests were announced. She said: “I deeply deplore the hasty disclosure of this information by informed individuals, without consideration for the investigation.”This revelation can only harm the investigative efforts of the hundred or so investigators involved in the search for both the stolen jewellery and all the perpetrators.” Image: Police officers near a basket…

The UK’s largest supermarkets are calling on the chancellor to exclude stores from a new business rates surtax, warning that shoppers will bear the brunt of higher prices.Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Marks & Spencer, Waitrose, Morrisons, Asda, Aldi and Lidl are among the stores that have signed a letter addressed to Rachel Reeves, arguing that easing taxes on grocers would help curb food inflation. Industry group the British Retail Consortium (BRC), which organised the letter, said large shops could face higher business rates if included in the government’s proposed surtax on properties valued at more than £500,000.Smaller high street firms are expected…

Experts are warning that without “fast changes” the UK could run out of drinking water in the future.The first seven months of 2025 were the driest since 1976, with reservoirs across England only 56.1% full on average, according to the Environment Agency. “I think that we do need to worry about the fact that there is this possibility we could run out,” Hannah Cloke, professor of hydrology from Reading University, told Sky News.”It’s only if we start thinking like that, that we’re going to start conserving our water, otherwise we just take it completely for granted.”It is all of our…

Kim Kardashian has revealed that she has been diagnosed with a brain aneurysm. Footage from the latest season of The Kardashians shows the reality TV star going for an imaging scan. The 45-year-old appears to suggest her small aneurysm may have stemmed from stress.Brain aneurysms are relatively common, with data suggesting they affect about one in every 50 people.In many cases, patients may be unaware that they have one – as they tend to cause few symptoms when unruptured. Image: Brain aneurysms are common but often go undiagnosed. iStock file pic Should an unruptured aneurysm grow to a larger size,…

Administrators are on standby this weekend to handle the collapse of Petrofac, the oil and energy services group – an insolvency which could threaten the future of more than 2,000 jobs in Scotland.Sky News has learnt that directors of Petrofac has lined up Teneo for an administration process which could be confirmed as early as Monday morning. The company’s board, chaired by former Anglo American finance director Rene Medori, is said to be holding emergency talks this weekend.One industry executive said a decision to file for administration was likely to be taken before the stock market opens on Monday.Ed Miliband,…

More than 2,000 counterfeit weight loss jabs have been confiscated from a factory in Northampton, in what’s believed to be the world’s largest seizure.The UK’s medicines regulator and police joined forces to smash the illicit facility, which was manufacturing and distributing unlicensed products. Labels suggested the knock-off pens contained tirzepatide, an ingredient found in Mounjaro.But Eli Lilly, the company behind the real medication, said anyone who bought these jabs on the black market would have “no way of knowing what they actually contain”. Image: Pic: MHRA This is the first seizure of its kind in the UK – with raw…

The rapper Ghetts has been charged after a man was killed in a hit-and-run in northeast London.The musician, whose real name is Justin Clarke-Samuel, was charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He allegedly failed to stop after hitting a 20-year-old man in Ilford last Saturday, the Met Police said.The 41-year-old appeared at Stratford Magistrates’ Court on Monday – the same day the man died in hospital.The indictment is expected to change from causing serious injury to causing death by dangerous driving at the next hearing. Ghetts was remanded into custody and is due to appear at Barkingside Magistrates’…

Spotify is increasing the cost of its UK premium subscription, the Money blog has revealed.Emails have started going out to subscribers informing them the cost for an individual subscription will rise from £11.99 to £12.99 a month. It equates to an 8.3% increase.Money latest: Restaurant sends bitter message to customersSpotify says subscribers will get a one-month grace period. It had announced earlier this year that prices would go up in various territories – but it had not been clear if this included the UK.The last hike, also of £1, was introduced in the spring of 2024. Image: Spotify users have…