A proposed ban on vaping and smoking in pub gardens will not go ahead, the health secretary has confirmed. Wes Streeting said the Labour government would not press ahead with the idea after it was floated over the summer and caused an outcry within the hospitality industry. Back in August, Sir Keir Starmer said his
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A £15bn merger between two of the UK’s biggest mobile networks could get the green light – if they stick to their commitments to invest in the country’s infrastructure, the competition watchdog has said. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said the merger of Vodafone and Three had “the potential to be pro-competitive for the
The Queen is unwell with a chest infection and has withdrawn from her engagements this week, Buckingham Palace has announced. A palace spokesperson said Camilla’s doctors “have advised a short period of rest” and added that “with great regret, Her Majesty has therefore had to withdraw from her engagements for this week”. They added the
Open Extended Reactions Knight’s Choice has won the 2024 Melbourne Cup, defeating Warp Speed and Okita Soushi in a thrilling finish at Flemington on Tuesday afternoon. The massive outsider saluted for Irish-born jockey Robbie Dolan, who claimed victory in what was his first ever ride in the “race that stops a nation”. Editor’s Picks In
An apparent firebomb attack at a DHL warehouse in Birmingham, linked to Russian-backed saboteurs, was believed to be a trial run for a US attack, according to Polish officials. Poland’s National Prosecutor’s Office has confirmed four arrests after parcels “containing explosives” were allegedly sent via courier companies to countries including the UK. Counter-terror police in
Oprah Winfrey, Sir Elton John and Barack Obama among the famous figures who have paid tribute to Quincy Jones following his death at the age of 91. Following the announcement of his death on Monday, a string of friends, collaborators and admirers have been speaking out to praise the music producer and composer. TV host
The education secretary has said no decision has been made on whether university tuition fees will increase with inflation each year. Bridget Phillipson has announced the maximum cap on tuition fees in England will go up in line with inflation from April 2025. The cost of tuition will increase by £285 to £9,535 next year
Amy Dowden will not take part in the rest of this year’s Strictly Come Dancing. The professional dancer made a return to the celebrity contest this series after undergoing treatment for breast cancer and had been partnered with JLS star JB Gill. However, the 34-year-old has now had to pull out of the competition due
Dozens of migrants living in “abhorrent” conditions on the Chagos Islands may now be offered the chance to be transferred to the UK following legal action. Some 61 Tamil Sri Lankan asylum seekers, including 16 children, have been living on Diego Garcia – the largest of the islands in the Indian Ocean – since October
Business leaders expressed frustration with ministers on Monday amid a growing budget backlash that bosses said would trigger an “avalanche of costs” and leave them with no choice but to slash investment and increase prices. Sky News has learnt that bosses of large retail and hospitality companies and trade associations told Jonathan Reynolds, the business
The group of financial heavyweights offering Britain’s biggest water supplier a £1.5bn lifeline is calling on the company’s other backers to accept the plan in a last-ditch bid to save the utility. Thames Water has been fighting to stay afloat since March when its investors declined to give it more money, raising the prospect of
Donald Trump says he would end Russia’s war in Ukraine should he return to the White House – but any rushed deal will likely leave Kyiv much weaker and European security in even greater peril. Another major flashpoint a Trump presidency would immediately seek to influence is the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel. Mr
Ryanair – Europe’s largest budget airline – has reported a significant profit decline and scaled back its growth expectations amid challenges from Boeing aircraft delivery delays, lowered fares, and consumer spending pressures. For the six-month period ending in September, Ryanair’s net profit dropped by 18% to £1.5bn, down from the same period last year. The
Two of Britain’s biggest food retailers will this week face pressure to publicly disclose whether they expect a fresh spike in prices next year as the industry grapples with huge tax hikes imposed in last week’s budget. Sky News understands that Marks & Spencer (M&S), which will unveil half-year earnings on Wednesday, and J Sainsbury,
After emerging victorious in the Tory leadership race, Kemi Badenoch has begun to unveil her top team in her new shadow cabinet. Ms Badenoch, who beat Robert Jenrick to become the new Tory leader, has said the party’s first duty would be to hold Labour to account and to prepare for government by the time
The former Conservative chancellor Nadhim Zahawi is in talks to smooth the path to a takeover of The Daily Telegraph being led by the New York-based media investor Dovid Efune. Sky News has learnt that Mr Zahawi has been working for several weeks with LionTree, Mr Efune’s investment banking adviser, on the deal, which is
Coldplay’s Chris Martin has fallen through a stage during a concert in Australia. The 47-year-old was performing at the Accor Stadium in Sydney as part of Coldplay’s world tour. In footage shared on social media, Martin appeared to stumble into a gap in the stage while walking backwards. Image: Coldplay’s Chris Martin performing in June.
Quincy Jones, one of the most influential jazz musicians of the 20th century, was a titan of the music industry who worked with many of the world’s biggest stars. He produced and collaborated with hundreds of recording artists during his seven-decade career, and kept company with presidents and foreign leaders, movie stars and musicians, philanthropists
Dawson’s Creek star James Van Der Beek has said he has been diagnosed with bowel cancer. The 47-year-old American actor – famous for his role as Dawson Leery in the drama series – told US outlet People on Sunday that he has colorectal cancer. Bowel cancer – sometimes also called colorectal cancer – starts in
Another £75m will go towards “smashing the gangs” as the government beefs up its new Border Security Command unit. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is set to announce the additional funding as he hosts the Interpol general assembly in Glasgow from today, the first time the UK has hosted it in more than 50 years.