Author: SKYNEWS

An expert in financial regulation at one of the big four accountancy firms is in talks to become the inaugural boss of English football’s powerful new watchdog.Sky News has learnt that Richard Monks, a partner at EY, is the leading contender to become chief executive of the Independent Football Regulator (IFR). The new body will be formally established once the Football Governance Bill receives Royal Assent, which is expected this month.Mr Monks spent 18 years at the Financial Conduct Authority and its predecessor regulator, the Financial Services Authority, before becoming chair of the G20/OECD Taskforce for Consumer Financial Protection, according…

After years of protest, promised action, and bill increases, it would be reasonable to expect the sewage scandal to have improved. In fact, it’s done the complete opposite: A 60% increase in pollution incidents between 2023 and 2024. Water firms admit they’re not doing well enough, but point out, correctly, that 2024 was a wet year.Wet weather means a greater likelihood of sewage spills from pipes that carry both rainfall and sewage.Environment Agency data reveals that the excuse doesn’t wash. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:56 Water pollution up by 60% Serious pollution incidents are up…

Avon and Somerset Police will take no further action over Kneecap’s performance at Glastonbury.The force announced on 30 June that officers had launched a criminal investigation following the performance, as well as investigating comments by punk-rap duo Bob Vylan, at the festival. It said they it was probing a possible public order incident and that a senior detective had been appointed to lead the investigation.However, on Friday, it was announced that the force would be taking no further action against Kneecap. In a statement, the force added that it was still investigating Boy Vylan’s performance.It comes as Kneecap also posted…

The first Post Office Capture conviction is to be sent to the Court of Appeal, Sky News understands, in a “breakthrough” moment in the IT scandal.The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) has decided to refer the case of sub-postmistress Patricia Owen, who was convicted in 1998 of theft.Mrs Owen was found guilty by a jury based on evidence from the faulty IT software Capture, which was used in 2,500 branches between 1992 and 1999, before the Horizon Post Office scandal. Image: Patricia Owen, pictured here with her husband David, always maintained her innocence but died in 2003 with a criminal…

A scan which forms part of a routine eye test could help predict a person’s risk of having a heart attack or stroke within the next 10 years, a study has suggested.Researchers at the University of Dundee used artificial intelligence (AI) to analyse digital retinal photographs, which are taken to capture images from the back of the eye to look for certain conditions. The technology was able to produce personalised risk predictors in less than a second.It is hoped the simple test could one day be offered alongside blood pressure and cholesterol checks to allow doctors to treat patients earlier.For…

A huge fire has destroyed the main stage of a major festival in Belgium – two days before it was due to begin.Tomorrowland is a dance music event as big as Glastonbury – and David Guetta was due to perform. Footage showed flames and thick plumes of black smoke engulfing the stage and spreading to nearby woodland on Wednesday. Image: The fire gutted the main stage The annual festival in the town of Boom, north of Brussels, is one of the biggest in Europe and attracts about 400,000 people over two consecutive weekends.It is famous for its immersive and elaborate…

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has revealed plans to cut 500 jobs as it tries to save costs while battling a sharp decline in sales. The UK-based firm said the reduction in management roles, which amounted to 1.5% of its workforce, would be completed through a voluntary redundancy programme. JLR has been struggling recently off the back of the US trade war.Money latest: The rising cost of airport drop-off fees It temporarily paused exports to the US, its biggest single foreign market, in April after Donald Trump’s hike to duties covering cars to 25%. It was later trimmed to 10% under…

Whether or not the UK will have a Royal Family in the future is something that often comes up in debate.If we do, the latest evidence suggests there will be no lack of artists around to paint them. A new portrait titled “Algorithm King” has perhaps offered a glimpse of how members of the Royal Family may be painted in the decades or even centuries ahead – after it was created by a female “robot artist” named Ai-Da.The artistic humanoid used advanced artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms and a robot arm using on oil canvas to create the painting of King…

An American Idol TV executive and her husband have been found dead in their LA home.Robin Kaye was a music supervisor on the long-running reality TV series. The bodies of the 70-year-old and her husband Thomas were discovered after officers conducted a welfare check at their home.Both had died from gunshot wounds. Image: Robin Kaye and her husband Thomas. Pic: Facebook Detectives say Raymond Boodarian has been arrested in connection with their deaths. It is alleged the 22-year-old had burgled their property while they were away on 10 July – killing the couple upon their return.According to Los Angeles Police,…

The owner of Loveholidays, the online travel agent (OTA), has drafted in bankers to advise on a potential stock market debut.Sky News understands that Livingbridge, the private equity firm, has appointed Rothschild to help coordinate plans for an initial public offering (IPO) of Loveholidays. Sources said that Rothschild would oversee the appointment of other investment banks to work on a flotation in the coming weeks.Money latest: Inflation jumps by more than expected The London market has been hit by a steep decline in IPO activity, with data showing that the first half of 2025 was among the worst for decades…