Author: SKYNEWS

The founder of Superdry is in talks with the owner of Laura Ashley and an investor which previously backed Paperchase about a bid to take the London-listed fashion retailer private.Sky News has learnt that Julian Dunkerton has held initial discussions with Gordon Brothers and Rcapital, both of which specialise in investments in financially challenged companies, about helping to finance an offer for Superdry. The talks are not yet at an advanced stage and people close to them cautioned that they may yet fall apart.Rcapital is a backer of a firm called Retail Realisations, which has invested in a number of…

Carl Weathers, the actor famous for playing Apollo Creed in the Rocky films, has died aged 76.In a statement, his family said: “We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Carl Weathers. “He died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, February 1st, 2024.”Carl was an exceptional human being who lived an extraordinary life.”Through his contributions to film, television, the arts and sports, he has left an indelible mark and is recognised worldwide and across generations. He was a beloved brother, father, grandfather, partner, and friend.” Image: Carl Weathers in Rocky. Pic: Rex/Moviestore/Shutterstock Weathers, a former NFL linebacker who went…

Emma Crosby fills in for Ian King on today’s podcast. She is joined by David Henderson, the chief executive of trade association Water UK, to talk about a rise in bills. Dr Ilham Kadri, the chief executive of Syensqo – who was formerly the head of Solvay – discusses the chemical giant’s demerger.And chief executive at E1, Rodi Basso, speaks about the launch of the electric raceboat championship this weekend.:: Listen and subscribe to The Ian King Business Podcast here. Source link

American actress and rapper Awkwafina says British pigeons are “more polite” than their New York counterparts, because they walk slower.The 35-year-old star voices Chump, the scrappy leader of a New York City pigeon gang, in animated movie Migration. Image: Chump. Pic: Illumination Entertainment/Universal Studios From the makers of Despicable Me, Minions, and The Secret Life Of Pets, it tells the story of a Mallard family who go on a family adventure to Jamaica.Like her character Chump, Awkwafina – who is 5′ 1″ tall – tells Sky News she has “a big, big personality, but is very small” adding, “and she’s…

TSB is planning to close branches and cut jobs as it battles to reduce costs.The high street bank says it will be speaking to staff before any details are announced. News of the plans was disclosed in its full-year financial results, which showed a 30% rise in pre-tax profits to £237m.The increase of more than £50m was partly driven by higher interest rates.TSB spends a higher percentage of its income on running the business than rivals including Santander UK and Virgin Money. Executives are trying to reduce this by simplifying operations and boosting efficiency.Read more on Sky News:Shares in Meta…

Tony Blair and Elton John joined other famous mourners at the funeral of Derek Draper, the husband of television presenter Kate Garraway, in London today.Draper, a former political adviser and psychotherapist, died last month. Image: Derek Draper in 2009. Pic: PA He was said to be one of the UK’s longest-suffering COVID patients after catching the disease in March 2020 and spending 13 months in hospital.Garraway followed behind the coffin while the procession walked to the Church of St Mary the Virgin in Primrose Hill – where the Good Morning Britain presenter and Draper married in September 2005. Image: Kate…

Nvidia’s market value surged by £232.6bn in January – the biggest monthly increase in history.The world’s largest chipmaker has become a darling of the stock market because its processors are widely used for artificial intelligence. Nvidia’s stock has risen by 31% since the year began, and 190% over the past 12 months – breaching all-time highs on a regular basis. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:39 How AI is being used in the workplace Last month’s unprecedented surge leaves Nvidia with a market cap of £1.22trn as investor enthusiasm surrounding AI shows no sign of…

An asteroid the size of a skyscraper will pass close to the Earth today – cosmically speaking.The hulk of space rock is expected to soar within 1.7 million miles of our planet, but there’s no chance of it hitting us, NASA says. The space agency’s Centre for Near Earth Object Studies estimates the asteroid is between 210 metres and 480 metres across.This means it could be a similar size to New York City’s Empire State Building or London’s The Shard.Discovered in 2008, the asteroid won’t be back our way again until 2032 – Friday is when it’s expected to be…

Britney Spears appears to have hit out at ex-boyfriend Justin Timberlake after apologising for things she wrote about him in her autobiography.The 42-year-old singer initially shared a post on Instagram on Sunday, saying she was sorry if she had “offended any of the people I genuinely care about” in her memoir, The Woman In Me. The book, published in October, revealed she had an abortion while dating the former NSYNC star.Spears posted the apology along with a clip of Justin Timberlake singing on Saturday Night Live, and added: “I also wanted to say I am in love with Justin Timberlake’s…

Apple shares slumped in after-hours trading – driven by disappointing iPhone sales in China and a warning that future revenues will fall well short of expectations on Wall Street.The gloomy market reaction overshadowed an otherwise strong financial performance in Apple’s first fiscal quarter. In the three months to 30 December, the tech giant reported sales of $120bn (£94bn) and profit per share of $2.18 (£1.71) – comfortably beating targets set by analysts.However, Apple’s chief financial officer has warned that revenue in this current quarter will be at least £5bn (£3.9bn) less than the same period a year ago.Sales of iPhones…