Author: SKYNEWS

Mike Ashley, the high street billionaire, is exploring a cut-price takeover bid for struggling Revolution Beauty – a move that would stoke animosity between him and rival London-listed retailer Debenhams.Sky News has learnt that Frasers Group, which owns retailers ranging from House of Fraser to Evans Cycles, has approached Revolution Beauty about a potential offer for the company. Retail industry sources said this weekend that Frasers was considering whether to bid but was not certain to do so.Revolution Beauty, which sells branded cosmetics, put itself up for sale last month as it warned investors that it was evaluating options to…

Research into faster drug treatments and longer-lasting batteries will form part of the £86bn science and technology funding due to be unveiled in the government’s spending review next week. On Wednesday, Chancellor Rachel Reeves will unveil how much taxpayer money each government department will get.Each region in England will be handed up to £500m to spend on science and technology projects of their choice, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) says.In Liverpool, the funding is being earmarked to speed up the development of new drug treatments, while in South Wales, it will fund longer-lasting microchips for smartphones and…

Sir Rod Stewart says he is devastated to have to cancel a series of US concerts, blaming lingering flu for the decision.It affects four shows in Nevada, along with a further two in California, which he plans to reschedule. They were due to take place over the next eight days.”So sorry my friends. I’m devastated and sincerely apologise for any inconvenience to my fans. I’ll be back on stage and will see you soon,” he wrote in a message on Instagram.Sir Rod, 80, has been struggling to recover from flu and this week had already cancelled two concerts at Caesars…

The family behind River Island, the high street fashion retailer, is drawing up a radical rescue plan which could put significant numbers of stores and jobs at risk.Sky News has learnt that the chain’s owners have drafted in advisers from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to devise a formal restructuring plan. The proposals, which are expected to be finalised within weeks, are subject to sign-off, with sources insisting this weekend that any firm decisions about the future of the business have yet to be taken.River Island is one of Britain’s best-known clothing chains, operating roughly 230 stores across the country, and employing approximately…

Appointment reminders, invitations to health screenings and test results will now be received by patients on their phones.The government says moving to a more digital-focused NHS will mean 50 million fewer letters need to be sent out by the health service, saving an estimated £200m over the next three years. Instead, under the new plans, millions of people will be notified about appointments and other important notices via the NHS app on their phone or digital device.The app is set to become the go-to method for the NHS to communicate with people, the Department of Health and Social Care said.The…

Denim chaps and hot pants aren’t most people’s go-to outfit for standing outside on a drizzly June day in London but Beyonce fans with tickets to her Cowboy Carter tour joked they were enjoying their very own “rain-aissance”.Referencing the singer’s 7th studio album, for Wilfy – originally from Brazil – the weather wasn’t going to dampen his spirits. “We came to rock and this time I’m going to see her 5 times, so on Saturday I’ll be back. It’s Beyonce – this is a rain-aissance!”Her album Cowboy Carter may be responsible for the plethora of country-themed outfits, but this is…

A former McKinsey boss is among the candidates being considered to replace Sir Mark Tucker as the chairman of HSBC Holdings.Sky News has learnt that Kevin Sneader, who was voted out of the global consulting firm in 2021 following a string of crises, has been approached about the top job at the London-headquartered bank. City sources said that Mr Sneader was one of a number of people being considered by the board nomination committee assembled by HSBC.Money latest: Tesla takes $150bn hit as Musk-Trump row explodes The identities of the other contenders was unclear on Friday. Scottish-born Mr Sneader left…

Japan’s private space company ispace has said its latest uncrewed moon lander has probably crashed on to the surface, two years after another unsuccessful touchdown attempt.The Tokyo-based company declared the mission a failure on Friday, several hours after communication was lost with the lander, named Resilience. It follows its failed inaugural mission in 2023. CEO and founder Takeshi Hakamada issued an apology at a news conference. Image: Staff are shocked after the company announced they lost signal from the lander. Pic: Reuters “This is the second time that we were not able to land. So we really have to take…

The National Trust says it has taken down a piece of art featuring JK Rowling’s name after it was “tampered with by a member of the public”.It has urged people “not to damage or tamper with artworks” once they are finished and on public display. Between April and November last year, visitors to Derbyshire’s Hardwick Hall were invited to nominate a “contemporary Virtuous Woman”, whose name was then sewn into the fabric, before it was put on public show in February.Until recently, the artwork, A Virtuous Woman, has continued to be on display, featuring the Harry Potter author’s name, which…

Every Thursday, our Money blog team interviews chefs from around the UK, hearing about their cheap food hacks and more. This week, we chat to Ryan Honey, head chef at The Duke in Henley-on-Thames.The best chef in the UK is… Mark Birchall at Moor Hall, hands down. The guy has just bagged three Michelin stars, and if that doesn’t make him the best in the country right now, I don’t know what does.His food is next-level, the kind of stuff that makes chefs jealous.If you’re not dreaming of eating at Moor Hall, are you even serious about food? Check today’s…