Author: SKYNEWS

Dozens of newly discovered plants and fungi have been named for the first time in 2024 by scientists from the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew.Toothy toadstools from the UK and climbers from tropical Asia are among a list of 149 plants and 23 fungi discovered across the world. Among the species, scientists highlighted a ghostly palm from the island of Borneo and marzipan-scented lianas, while another top pick includes a bracket fungus found in Buckinghamshire. Image: Plectocomiopsis hantu, a ghostly palm from Borneo. Pic: Royal Botanical Gardens Senior research leader in Kew’s Africa team Dr Martin Cheek said it is…

Jean Adamson, the children’s author known for writing the Topsy And Tim book series, has died at the age of 96.Her family, who confirmed the writer died on Sunday, said her memory will “live on in the hearts” of those she loved and in people who “remember her through her stories”. The Topsy And Tim series follows the adventures of two twins and was created with her husband Gareth Adamson, who died in 1982.It spawned more than 150 books and a television series.In a statement released by Topsy And Tim publisher Ladybird Books, Adamson’s family said: “It is with deep…

Inflation has risen for the second month in a row, according to official figures. The overall rate of price rises – as measured by the consumer price index (CPI) – grew by 2.6% in November, a significant rise. It’s a further move away from the Bank of England’s target 2% inflation rate after the rate ticked up to 2.3% in October, the first increase in three months.   This is due to the higher cost of clothing, petrol and diesel, compared to last year, the ONS said.Costlier tobacco products elevated through higher tobacco duty announced in the October budget also…

A giant “hiccupping” star in the last stages of its life before exploding has been documented for the first time by researchers.The international team – including from Queen’s University Belfast – were able to record the event by coordinating observations from telescopes around the world. Previously a theoretical concept but never observed, Pulsational Pair Instability (PPI), or “hiccupping” happens when a star develops a very hot core, which contracts and expands quickly in the final phase of its life.Every time the star pulsates, it ejects shell material which strips down the core star. These shells can then collide with each…

Tom Cruise has been presented with the US navy’s highest civilian award, for “boosting the force’s recruitment of pilots” thanks to his performance in Top Gun.The Hollywood star, who played Lieutenant Pete “Maverick” Mitchell in the hit film, was presented with the Distinguished Public Service Award – given for acts of heroism or support – at a ceremony held at the Longcross Film Studios in Chertsey, Surrey. US navy secretary Carlos Del Toro said the original action film, about a young naval aviator who trains at the force’s fighter weapons school, had “significantly increased” recruitment numbers since its release in…

Zakir Hussain, one of the greatest exponents of tabla music, a form of Indian drumming, has died.Hussain, who during his career worked with George Harrison and Van Morrison among others, died at a hospital in San Francisco from complications arising out of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, his family said. A family statement said: “He leaves behind an extraordinary legacy cherished by countless music lovers around the globe, with an influence that will resonate for generations to come. His prolific work as a teacher, mentor and educator has left an indelible mark on countless musicians.”He hoped to inspire the next generation to…

The sale of Royal Mail to Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky is to be approved by the government after details of an agreement have been published. Mr Kretinsky’s company EP Group will buy the postal service’s parent company International Distribution Services (IDS). The £5.3bn deal had been agreed in May but was subject to a review under national security laws as Royal Mail is considered vital national infrastructure. It’s possible competition regulator the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) could decide to investigate the takeover.Money blog: Been overpaid? Lawyer explains if you need to return itRoyal Mail’s headquarters, tax base, and corporate…

The prime minister is visiting Norway to launch a new green energy deal before attending a defence summit in Estonia.Sir Keir Starmer will travel to a carbon capture and storage site today and meet his Norwegian counterpart Jonas Gahr Store to discuss the new Green Industrial Partnership. Number 10 said both leaders intend to sign the deal in spring 2025.Read more: Major shake-up of UK energy system could ‘lower bills for good’Sir Keir said the energy partnership with Norway, which has a border with Russia, would help to boost growth and protect against spikes in international energy prices like those…

“Drastic change” is needed to end the “backwards” British stunt industry’s use of men in wigs pretending to be women, according to leading female stunt experts.”From my point of view, it’s heartbreaking,” says stunt co-ordinator Tiger Lilli Rudge talking to Sky News at Space Studios in Manchester. A stunt performer for 15 years, she now helps train other women with the skills needed to work in film and television, all too aware from her own experience that they will be fighting on multiple fronts.”Women put in all the time and effort and are more than capable to do a job…and…

Royal Mail has been fined £10.5m for missing postal delivery targets.Regulator Ofcom said 74.7% of first class mail and 92.7% of second class was delivered on time in 2023/24. The targets were 93% and 98.5%.It is the second time Ofcom has fined Royal Mail since the pandemic and it “needs to do much better”, the regulator saidThe company blamed a “challenging financial position” for its poor performance, Ofcom said in a statement. There were also “delays to the ballot on a deal that followed the previous year’s industrial action”.But Ofcom said it did “not consider either of these to be…