Author: SKYNEWS

Stethoscopes powered by artificial intelligence (AI) could help detect three different heart conditions in seconds, according to researchers.The traditional stethoscope, invented in 1816 to listen to the sounds inside a person’s body, has been “upgraded for the 21st century” and used in a pilot involving more than 200 GP surgeries in London. The AI stethoscopes could be a “real game-changer”, potentially allowing patients with heart failure, heart valve disease and abnormal heart rhythms, also known as atrial fibrillation, to be treated sooner, the trial suggests.Researchers found that heart failure was 2.3 times more likely to be detected in patients over…

Shares in UK banks have fallen sharply on the back of a report which urges the chancellor to place their profits in her sights in the coming budget.As Rachel Reeves stares down a growing deficit – estimated at between £20bn-£40bn heading into the autumn – the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) said there was an opportunity for a windfall by closing a loophole. It recommended a new levy on the interest UK lenders receive from the Bank of England, amounting to £22bn a year, on reserves held as a result of the Bank’s historic quantitative easing, or bond-buying, programme.Money…

Tennis star Kamil Majchrzak has responded to footage of a boy having his cap snatched from him in the crowd at the US Open this week.Majchrzak signed balls and towels for fans at Flushing Meadows after beating Russia’s Karen Khachanov on Thursday. After interacting with several supporters, Majchrzak took his cap off and gave it to a young boy in the crowd.Within seconds, however, a man standing next to him grabbed it from his hands and put it in a bag that a woman next to him was holding.It is not clear whether the man had any connection to the…

From eight weeks until 14 years old, the NHS recommends a number of vaccines for children and teenagers.The health service says immunisations are the best defence against potentially serious illnesses, and it is important they are given at the correct time. Here are all the vaccinations children are recommended to have, at what age and what they protect against.Babies under one year oldAt eight weeks, babies are recommended to have the following jabs:• 6-in-1 vaccine• Rotavirus vaccine• MenB vaccine The 6-in-1 vaccine protects against the following illnesses:• Diphtheria – a contagious infection that affects the nose and throat, and sometimes…

Naguib Kheraj, the City veteran, has been shortlisted to become the next chairman of HSBC Holdings, Europe’s biggest bank.Sky News can reveal that Mr Kheraj, a former Barclays finance chief, is among a small number of contenders currently being considered to replace Sir Mark Tucker. HSBC, which has a market capitalisation of £165.4bn, has been conducting a search for Sir Mark’s successor since the start of the year.Money latest: How Gen Z investors are making their way in propertyIn June, Sky News revealed that the former McKinsey boss Kevin Sneader was among the candidates being considered to lead the bank,…

Jessie J has been forced to rearrange or cancel all upcoming tour dates as she will be having a second operation as part of her treatment for breast cancer.The 37-year-old announced in June that she had been diagnosed with early breast cancer. She had her first operation later in the same month. The singer, whose real name is Jessica Cornish, was due to tour the UK and Europe in October, before gigs in the US in November.In a video posted on Instagram, she’s now told fans: “Unfortunately, I have to have a second surgery, nothing too serious, but it has…

A vaccine against chickenpox will be rolled out on the NHS in England for the first time next year.The varicella vaccination is currently only available through private treatment and costs around £150. But under new plans, the jab will be included in a new NHS childhood immunisation programme – joining the current range against measles, mumps, and rubella.In a statement, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said GPs will be able to offer the MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella and varicella) vaccination from January 2025.It will be available for babies aged between 12 and 18 months old, and is expected to…

The man dubbed “Britain’s most hated boss” for his controversial policy of sacking hundreds of seafarers and replacing them with cheaper agency staff is to quit.Sky News can exclusively reveal that Peter Hebblethwaite, the chief executive of P&O Ferries, is leaving the company. Sources said he had decided to resign for personal reasons.Money latest: The exact time to book train ticket at bargain priceMr Hebblethwaite joined the ranks of Britain’s most notorious corporate figures in 2022 when P&O Ferries – a subsidiary of the giant Dubai-based ports operator DP World – said it was sacking 800 staff with immediate effect…

BAFTA-winning actor Micheal Ward has been granted bail after appearing in court charged with two counts of rape.The 27-year-old, who appeared at Thames Magistrates’ Court this morning, is also accused of two counts of assault by penetration, and one count of sexual assault. The offences relate to one woman and are reported to have taken place in January 2023.Ward, who starred in the popular British series Top Boy and was awarded BAFTA’s rising star honour in 2020, spoke to confirm his name, address and date of birth during a short court hearing.He did not enter any pleas and was granted…

The world’s most valuable company, and first to be valued at $4trn (£2.9trn), beat market expectations in keenly anticipated financial results.Microchip maker Nvidia recorded revenues of $46.7bn (£34.6bn) in just three months up to July, latest financial data from the company showed, slightly better than Wall Street observers had expected. The company’s performance is seen as a bellwether for artificial intelligence (AI) demand, with investors paying close attention to see whether the hype is overblown or if significant investment will pay off.Originally a creator of gaming graphics hardware, Nvidia’s chips help power AI capability – and the UK’s most powerful…