Author: SKYNEWS

The director of the next James Bond film has been announced. Denis Villeneuve – a four-time Academy Award nominee who earned critical acclaim for the Dune Franchise and Blade Runner 2049 – said the role is a “massive responsibility”. The Canadian filmmaker described himself as a “diehard” fan since childhood, adding that it is a “huge honour” to come on board.”Some of my earliest movie-going memories are connected to 007. I grew up watching James Bond films with my father, ever since Dr No with Sean Connery,” Villeneuve said. Image: Sean Connery as James Bond. Pic: The Legacy Collection/THA/Shutterstock 1963…

Train journeys can be frustrating at the best of times – with passengers having to put up with delays, noisy commuters or a lack of available seats.However, train users could soon have one less thing to worry about as mobile signal blackspots – where the internet cuts out and pauses your favourite TV show or game – are set to be eliminated on many of the UK’s major train routes by 2028. The move, called Project Reach, comes after the Department for Transport (Dft) signed a deal with Network Rail and telecoms companies Neos Networks and Freshwave.The installation of infrastructure…

The government is snubbing a £25bn renewable energy project which promised to import enough solar and wind power from Morocco to meet nearly a tenth of the UK’s electricity demand.Sky News has learnt that Ed Miliband, the energy security and net zero secretary, has decided not to proceed to formal negotiations with Xlinks, a privately owned company, about a 25-year price guarantee agreement. A ministerial statement is expected to be made confirming the decision later on Thursday.Money blog: Top chef on overrated trend he doesn’t get The government’s move to snub Xlinks after protracted talks with the company will come…

Richard E Grant has shared an emotional video of his trip to Barry – the town made famous by the hit TV show Gavin And Stacey.He was joined by the show’s co-creator Ruth Jones, who is best known for playing Nessa. They are both filming a new drama called The Other Bennet Sister, which delves into a character in Jane Austen’s Pride And Prejudice.Grant excitedly said “oh my god” as he stood outside Stacey’s family home – and headed across the road to Uncle Bryn’s. Instagram This content is provided by Instagram, which may be using cookies and other technologies.…

Regulators are looking into suspected problems with Elon Musk’s self-driving “robotaxis” after videos showed a few braking suddenly and driving on the wrong side of the road.The tests began on Sunday in Austin, Texas, and it’s the first time Tesla cars without a human driver have carried paying passengers. Musk sees the concept as a major part of the company’s financial future and envisages thousands of the cars operating across the US.However, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on Tuesday it was looking into the apparent errors.”NHTSA is aware of the referenced incidents and is in contact with the…

The government has not done enough to ensure all victims entitled to compensation from the Post Office scandal have applied for it, a report has found.Many current and former postmasters affected by Horizon IT failings and associated miscarriages of justice are not yet receiving fair and timely compensation, according to the report by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC). Only 21% of the 18,500 letters the Post Office sent to postmasters to make them aware of the Horizon Shortfall Scheme had been responded to, figures provided by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) show. About 5,000 further letters are expected…

Former Sky News presenter Dermot Murnaghan has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.The 67-year-old announced his diagnosis on social media, saying it was one of stage four “advanced” cancer.He said he was “fortunate to have a simply outstanding medical team” looking after him that was “administering the best possible care with expertise, compassion and sensitivity”.”I’m responding positively to their excellent treatment, and feeling well,” he added.”I’m blessed to be fortified by the monumental love and support of my wife, family and close friends.”Needless to say, my message to all men over 50, in high risk groups, or displaying symptoms, is get…

Doctors are using AI software that does not meet minimum standards to record and transcribe patient meetings, according to a Sky News investigation.NHS bosses have demanded GPs and hospitals stop using artificial intelligence software that could breach data protection rules and put patients at risk. A warning sent out by NHS England this month came just weeks after the same body wrote to doctors about the benefits of using AI for notetaking – to allow them more time to concentrate on patients – using software known as Ambient Voice Technology, or “AVT”.Health Secretary Wes Streeting will next week put AI…

Smith & Williamson (S&W), the private equity-backed professional services firm, has tabled an approach that would result in the break-up of the London-listed investment bank Cavendish.Sky News has learnt that S&W, which itself was part of Evelyn Partners until earlier this year, made an offer in recent weeks to acquire Cavendish’s mergers and acquisitions arm. The value of the offer, which is said to have been rejected, was unclear on Tuesday morning.It was also unclear whether news of the approach from S&W might flush out interest from other parties in a potential deal with Cavendish.Money blog: ‘My water bill has…

Festival season is under way, and leading the charge: the Isle of Wight Festival – dubbed “Europe’s Woodstock” – with headliners including Sting and the Stereophonics.Former N-Sync star Justin Timberlake – a man who’s crooned about his love of “dance, dance, dance” and has recently become a meme for his mic-centric moves on stage – is a headliner too. Image: Justin Timberlake – and his trusty mic stand. Pic: Reuters Meanwhile, Glastonbury Festival will see headline acts including Olivia Rodrigo, the 1975, and Charli XCX.But along with the headline stars and hot weather, politics has also found its way into…