Author: SKYNEWS

The first US moon landing mission in more than 50 years appears to be doomed after a private company’s spacecraft developed a “critical” fuel leak just hours after it launched.Private firm Pittsburgh-based Astrobotic Technology estimated the Peregrine lander would start losing power in about 40 hours. The company had managed to orient it towards the sun, so the solar panel could collect sunlight and charge its battery while a team assessed the status of what was termed “a failure in the propulsion system”. Image: United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket is launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida But it soon became clear…

EDF Energy has revealed investment plans to extend the lives of its operational nuclear power plants in the UK.The French state-owned firm said its proposals, which are subject to regulatory approval and a final investment decision, would bolster energy security at a time when the world is seeking emission-free power amid the battle against climate change. The plans would see its advanced gas-cooled reactors (AGRs) at the Torness, Heysham 1 and 2 and Hartlepool plants maintain output at current levels for “as long as possible.”It is also examining the potential for its Sizewell B plant to run for 20 years…

Jeremy Hunt held talks with some of the City’s top business leaders on Tuesday in a bid to inject fresh momentum into London’s flagging market for new company listings.Sky News understands that the chief executives of asset managers Abrdn and Schroders and their counterpart at HSBC Holdings were among those scheduled to attend a breakfast summit with the chancellor. City sources said the objective of the meeting was to review existing initiatives aimed at boosting the competitiveness of UK equity capital markets following the Mansion House reforms unveiled last year by Mr Hunt.Among the measures he announced last summer was…

Rupert Gavin, the former BBC Worldwide and Odeon Cinemas chief, is to become the next chairman of English National Ballet (ENB) amid intensifying debate about the funding of London’s arts scene.Sky News has learnt Mr Gavin has been picked to succeed Sir Roger Carr, the veteran businessman who stepped down last year as chairman of BAE Systems, the defence contractor. An announcement is said to be likely as early as Tuesday.Mr Gavin is a respected figure in the arts and culture arenas, having also chaired Historic Royal Palaces for several years.His appointment as Sir Roger’s successor will come less than…

Alaska Airlines has said more “loose hardware” has been found on some of its Boeing 737-9 Max fleet of aircraft. It follows the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grounding all 171 737-9 Max planes operated by US airlines after a window and chunk of fuselage blew out of one Alaska Airlines aircraft on 5 January shortly after it took off from an airport in Portland, Oregon. Six crew members were seriously injured after the door plug – used to replace an exit that would be installed on planes configured to carry more passengers – tore off around six minutes into the…

Oppenheimer and Succession were the big winners of this year’s Golden Globes – but which stars won the red carpet ahead of the show?The celebs showed off their looks ahead of the ceremony, with Margot Robbie, Jennifer Lawrence, Jennifer Lopez, Taylor Swift, Bradley Cooper (and his mum), Dua Lipa, Angela Bassett, Leonardo DiCaprio and Helen Mirren among the A-list guests.Here’s what the stars wore to the Golden Globes 2024. Image: Best actress (musical or comedy) nominee Jennifer Lawrence, for No Hard Feelings. Pic: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP Image: The Crown and Sex Education star Gillian Anderson. Pic: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP Image: Cinematic and…

The energy regulator has warned suppliers over their conduct as a temporary ban on the forced installation of prepayment meters ends.Ofgem said on Monday that it was allowing EDF, Octopus and Scottish Power to resume “involuntary” ‘Pay as you Go’ meter installations. That was because the three firms had met conditions to restart the controversial practice.It was outlawed by the watchdog industry-wide in February last year following an investigation that revealed how debt collectors had forced their way into the homes of vulnerable customers to install prepayment meters.They can be fitted when a household is in debt and mean that…

Oppenheimer and Succession have been crowned the big winners at this year’s Golden Globes – with Barbie’s box office domination celebrated too.In the film categories, Emma Stone’s Poor Things, Paul Giamatti’s The Holdovers, and the French thriller Anatomy Of A Fall were also successful, while road-rage thriller Beef and frenetic kitchen drama The Bear took home big prizes in the TV categories. This year’s Golden Globes ceremony introduced the first award for cinematic achievement – and with Barbie grossing more than $1.4bn worldwide, there could only be one winner (despite tough competition from Taylor Swift). Star and producer Margot Robbie,…

Spending in the run up to Christmas was weak, latest retailer and payments card data showed, further illustrating the cost of living pressures affecting purchasing power.When inflation was factored in, both retail sales and card payment data showed spending rose below the rate of price rises. While the official measure of inflation was 3.9% in November, spending rose at a slower pace – UK retail sales, as calculated by retail representative British Retail Consortium (BRC) and big four accountancy firm KPMG, increased by 3.6% from 2022.Similarly, consumer card spending was outpaced by price rises and grew just 2.3% in December…

Who won what at this year’s Golden Globe Awards?The ceremony in LA kicked off the 2024 awards season, honouring the best films and TV series of the past year. In the film categories, Oppenheimer, Anatomy Of A Fall, The Holdovers and Poor Things were the big winners, while Succession, The Bear and Beef dominated the TV awards.Here are the films, shows and stars that took home prizes at this year’s Golden Globes, along with the other nominees.Best film (drama) – OppenheimerAnatomy Of A FallKillers Of The Flower MoonMaestroPast LivesThe Zone Of Interest Best film (musical or comedy) – Poor ThingsAirAmerican…