Conservative government will ban under-16s from using social media
Kemi Badenoch said the Conservative government will ban under-16s from using social media to stop them spending hours on “addictive” sites. The Tory leader vowed to introduce age limits on social media apps if his party wins the next general election.
He argued that we should not leave children in the “Wild West” of the Internet and advocated for enhanced protections for them. The mother of three told the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme that the platforms were profiting from children’s “anxiety” and “distraction” and were “designed to be addictive”.
The Conservatives said tech companies like TikTok and Snapchat would be required to use age checks that don’t rely on government digital IDs.
It comes as teachers’ union NASUWT said the government should bring in laws that would prevent big tech platforms from blocking children from accessing their platforms. In Australia, a ban on social media for under-16s came into effect in December.
Mrs Badenoch said, “What we want to see is common sense – protection for children and freedom for adults. We want to give parents some sense that the government understands what they are doing. That’s why we want to bring in the age limit.”
Following her interview, Andy Burnham, the Labour mayor of Greater Manchester, wrote, X: “I find myself agreeing with everything Kemi Badenoch is saying about children and social media. I feel that parents would welcome a cross-party consensus for more bold action.”
NASUWT surveyed 5,800 teacher members in 2025 and found that four in five (81%) reported an increase in the number of pupils displaying violent and abusive behaviour.
Nearly three in five (59%) of respondents in the same survey said they believed social media was one of the factors behind worsening behaviour. In a separate survey of 300 members, NASUWT found that 89% said they would support statutory social media bans for under-16s.
Former schools minister Lord Nash said, “I strongly welcome Kemi Badenoch’s bold step to put children first. Raising the age limit for social media is now being supported across all political parties, including Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs, the NEU and NASUWT.
“The evidence is abundant and the political support is there. The government should support my amendment and begin to reverse the devastating harm it is causing to a generation of children.”
A government spokesperson said, “We support headteachers to take the necessary steps to prevent disruption in their schools – supported by our guidance, the vast majority already restrict phone use during the school day so that they do not disrupt learning.
“Through the Online Safety Act, we have taken some bold steps to ensure children have an age-appropriate online experience anywhere in the world, mandating that social media companies protect children under 18 from harmful content.
“We are striking the right balance: protecting children from harm and ensuring they can safely benefit from the digital world.”
An avalanche at a popular French ski resort claimed the life of a British skier.
The man, in his 50s, was found under 2.5 meters (eight feet) of snow after about an hour of searching.
The body of a man around 50 years old was found under eight feet of snow. Credit: GettyThe man was skiing off-piste when the accident occurred. Credit: Getty.
More than 50 rescue workers were deployed to search for him.
Unfortunately, he could not be revived.
He was skiing off-piste, according to a statement issued by La Plagne ski resort in southeastern France.
Tragically, his death was one of three reported in three separate avalanches in the French Alps on Sunday.
He’ll arrest
The owner of the Swiss bar, where 40 people died, ‘wants to apologise’ following her husband’s arrest.
helicopter disaster
Helicopter crashes after becoming entangled in ski lift cables
Yesterday, three other skiers died in similar incidents, bringing the weekend death toll to six.
Rescue teams recovered the body of another skier who was buried in an avalanche in Courchevel, the resort said, without giving further details.
And the local gendarmerie said on Sunday that a 32-year-old off-piste skier died after being caught in an avalanche in Vallorsin, in the Haute-Savoie region of the Alps.
Two separate avalanches killed three off-piste skiers in the French Alps on Saturday.
French weather forecasters warned of a high risk of avalanches this weekend.
Authorities in the Savoie region recorded at least six avalanches in the department’s ski areas on Sunday morning.
It happened after a British skier died of a heart attack while skiing the slopes in Italy.
The 49-year-old man was descending a slope on the North Clavier slope in Italy when his heart suddenly stopped beating.
The alpine tragedy occurred at about 10.50 am on 4 January when a man fell without warning.
Local media reports indicate that ski patrol teams launched an immediate response, performing emergency CPR on Brittain and using a defibrillator.
A helicopter rescue team from Azienda Zero also arrived at the scene, as access to the location was difficult on the slope.
Despite their best efforts, Brittany was pronounced dead at the scene.
Many more to follow… Keep checking back with The Sun Online for the latest news on this story.
Thesun.co.uk is your destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, stunning photos and must-see videos.
Michael B. Jordan is nominated for Best Actor for his performance in the 1930s vampire drama Sinners
The Golden Globes is a major milestone of the film awards season and is held less than a fortnight before the Oscar nominations are announced (January 22).
Sinners, Marty Supreme and One Battle After Another are among the films set to compete at the Golden Globe Awards this Sunday night.
Frankenstein, Sentimental Value, Hamnet and Wicked: For Good are some of the other films going for gold medals at the festival in Los Angeles.
A new category, Best Podcast, has been introduced this year, while Adolescence, The Pit, and The Studio have been nominated in the TV categories.
The Globes hand out more trophies than many other ceremonies because they divide their film categories by drama and musical or comedy.
Timothée Chalamet, Emma Stone, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jessie Buckley and Michael B. Jordan all received acting nominations this year.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of this year’s event.
Main film nominees
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Chase Infiniti, Leonardo DiCaprio and Teyana Taylor are all nominated for One Battle After Another
Kate Hudson is nominated for Song Sung Blue, while Timothée Chalamet could win for Marty Supreme
The Golden Globe Awards will air on the CBS network in the US and will also stream on Paramount+.
Sadly, the UK has no legal way to watch the ceremony, but BBC News will cover it all night.
The ceremony begins at 01:00 GMT (Monday morning) and usually lasts between three and four hours.
It is broadcast live from the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California.
Which films are nominated?
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Sentimental Value Stars (left to right) Inga Ibsdotter Lilias, Elle Fanning, Renate Reinsve and Stellan Skarsgård
One Fight After Another, about a former revolutionary whose daughter is kidnapped, is leading the pack this year after becoming one of the most critically acclaimed films of 2025.
Its competition includes sentimental value, A Norwegian drama about two sisters who, after their mother’s death, reconnect with their estranged father, a film director who is planning his comeback.
sinners, The film, a vampire horror-drama set in 1930s Mississippi, was one of the first Oscar contenders out of the gate, achieving box office success on the heels of last year’s Academy Awards.
Elsewhere, the screen adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s novel explores the family tragedy that many believe led William Shakespeare to write one of his most famous plays.
A new adaptation of Frankenstein provides a more emotional take on Mary Shelley’s novel about a mad scientist and the creature he creates than a blockbuster like Wicked: for good.The origin story of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, concludes.
The kidnapping drama, which is one of the best films of this year’s awards season and the winner of the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival, tells the story of a man who seeks revenge on the former officer who tortured him in prison.
Marty Supreme follows a table tennis player in 1950s New York who tries to stay economically active while establishing himself as an athlete.
Other nominated films include the conspiracy theory drama Bugoniakorean black comedy No Other Choice. The Brazilian political thriller Secret Agent and the animated musical smash K-Pop Demon Hunter are also nominated films.
Which actors are leading the race?
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Rose Byrne is in the running for Best Musical Comedy Actress, while Jessie Buckley could win Best Drama Actress
Box office titans Timothy Chalamet (Marty Supreme) and Leonardo DiCaprio (One on One Battle) will compete fiercely in the Best Musical or Comedian category. Ethan Hawke (Blue Moon) has the potential to emerge as a surprise contender.
In Best Drama Actor, Michael B. Jordan (Sinners) has a strong chance, though the more international tilt the Globes have taken in recent years suggests we shouldn’t count out the Cannes winner. Wagner Moura is a secret agent.
While the Best Musical or Comedy Actress field is led by experienced professionals Rose Byrne (If I Had Legs I Would Kick You) and Kate Hudson (Song Sung Blue), it has stiff competition from relative newcomer Chase Infinity (One Fight After Another).
It’s very easy to predict the best drama actress, Jessie Buckley (Hamnet), is considered to be far ahead of even its strongest competitors. Renate Reinsway stands out due to her emotional value.
Supporting actor and actress contenders include amy madigan (Weapon), Jacob Elordi (Frankenstein), benicio del Toro, and Sean Penn. Teyana Taylor is also a contender, competing against the others one after the other.
Who is hosting the Golden Globes?
golden globes
Nikki Glaser was photographed earlier this week before hitting the Globe’s red carpet in Los Angeles.
American comedian Nikki Glaser is returning to hosting duties after at least a year of barnstorming performances at the ceremony.
She delivered an opening monologue that rivalled the Globes’ greats—Ricky Gervais, Tina Fey, and Amy Poehler—and roasted the A-list celebrities in the room.
Afterwards, Glaser expressed that hosting the Golden Globes was the most enjoyable experience of her career.
But, Glaser told the BBC’s Regan Morris earlier this week, she often feels intimidated by all the “star power” in the room, adding, “When I’m on stage I get my eyes misty; I’ll do it so hard at night.”
Why are teens still being enrolled?
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Adolescence continues to win awards, including last week’s Critics’ Choice Awards
It’s been almost a year since most people watched the Netflix hit about a teenage boy accused of stabbing his classmate, and the series has already racked up wins at the Emmys, Critics’ Choice, and National Television Awards.
But because many other awards shows run more or less according to the calendar year, teens are only being recognised at events like the Golden Globes.
Expect to see even more of Owen Cooper, Stephen Graham and Erin Doherty at other upcoming events – like the Actors Awards (formerly the SAGs) in March and the BAFTA TV Awards, which won’t take place until May.
Which awards have already been given?
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Dame Helen Mirren and Sarah Jessica Parker have already received their lifetime achievement awards
Two special awards recognising lifetime achievements are usually given on the night, but this year they were presented at the inaugural Globes Eve ceremony last week.
While receiving the Carol Burnett Award for Outstanding Contribution to Television, Sarah Jessica Parker was recognised, and Dame Helen Mirren received the film’s counterpart, the Cecil B. DeMille Award.
During his acceptance speech, Dame Helen said the award was “career recognition for me.”
“But”, she added, “I like to think of it as a life lived, a life lived, a life enjoyed, a life sweated, and a life carried forward, hopefully.”
In his speech, Parker thanked friends, colleagues and family who had supported him throughout his decades-long showbiz career and told him, “You have been an integral part of an unimaginable life; it is a reward. Thank you.”
Why are the Golden Globes important?
getty images
Weapons star Amy Madigan is hoping to repeat her supporting actress win at last week’s Critics’ Choice Awards
An actor or film that wins at the Golden Globes won’t automatically win at the Oscars, but it can help strengthen its chances of a nomination.
As one of the opening ceremonies of awards season, the Globes can provide a significant boost in momentum, as a win or a well-received acceptance speech will encourage more Academy voters to see a particular film.
Stars like Sebastian Stan, Demi Moore, and Fernanda Torres all secured Oscar nominations after winning the Globes last January, although Stan’s nomination was for a different film.
Movies like “Flow” and “I’m Still Here” had their awards campaigns get off to a strong start thanks to early wins at the Golden Globes, and both films later swept the Oscars in the animated and international categories, respectively.
Affectionately known as the “drunken uncle” of awards season, the Globe Awards are a much less formal affair than the Oscars.
You can expect the celebrities to be in a relaxed mood and ready to have fun with their speeches—as long as they can avoid getting roasted by Nikki Glaser first.
The owners of The Very Group, one of Britain’s largest online shopping platforms, are to launch a £2bn auction of the company just months after taking control.
US private equity giant Carlyle is partnering with Barclays and JP Morgan to handle the sale of Very, which sells a wide range of fashion, toys and electrical goods, Sky News has learnt.
The auction is expected to begin soon and will come after a series of pre-sale plans drawn up under the ownership of the financially troubled Barclay family were put on hold.
The government has announced new parking rules.
The proposal to launch an “immediate” sale process was disclosed in a filing by administrators at Companies House to VGL Holdco, a corporate entity that no longer has any connection with Very’s operations.
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) was appointed to oversee the bankruptcy of VGL Holdco in November, enabling Carlyle – a long-time lender – to take control of a token amount of £1.
Very, which has annual revenues of more than £2 billion and is chaired by former Conservative Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi, is expected to report strong sales next week for the Christmas and Black Friday period.
The change of control last autumn ended more than 20 years of involvement by the Barclay family in the business, which was known as Littlewoods when it last changed hands in a £750 million deal in 2002.
Very Group’s capital structure,
Nasdaq-listed Carlyle had invested several hundred million pounds in Very Group’s capital structure, initially in 2021, to support it during the Covid pandemic.
This support, which included an additional £85 million from Carlyle in 2024, paved the way for it to take ownership control under the terms of the financing.
In documents filed at Companies House this week, PwC said the M&A process “will be conducted on the basis of the timescales expected for a business of the size of the operating group”.
One insider said Carlyle’s ownership was always intended to be transitional, timing the sale forward to maximise value for all stakeholders.
IMI, the Abu Dhabi-based media group which was also part of efforts to take control of The Daily Telegraph from Barclays, is also a lender to Very.
Formerly known as Shop Direct, the Very Group employs thousands of people and sells general merchandise under the Very and Littlewoods brands, including electrical goods, home goods, fashion and toys.
It has 4.4 million customers and operates a major consumer finance business, helping buyers manage their payments.
Last year, the company borrowed £600m from Arini, a Mayfair-based fund, as it sought to avoid a cash crunch and buy itself relief space.
Retail industry insiders believe the business is likely to be valued at around £2bn–£2.5bn, lower than the valuation the Barclay family placed at an auction several years ago.
People familiar with the situation declined to comment on the potential price of the sale, saying it would be determined by the level of interest from bidders.
Very’s most recent quarterly figures show flagship brand Very UK is growing 3.7% year-on-year, while revenues at the group’s Very Finance arm are up 5.7% to £113m.
Barclays, which owned London’s Ritz hotel, has already lost control of other corporate assets, including the Yodel delivery service, as well as Telegraph newspapers.
In recent weeks, the decline in their business affairs has accelerated after it was reported that HSBC, another of their long-term creditors, had filed a bankruptcy petition against senior members of the family.
The Telegraph also revealed that IMI had engaged advisers to sell Barclays’ assets, aiming to recover a portion of its outstanding debt.
Liam Rosenior won his first game as Chelsea’s new head coach, beating Charlton 5-1 in the FA Cup third round.
In his pre-match press conference, the Blues boss urged fans to judge him on performances and results and got off to a good start with victory at The Valley.
He opted for a youthful starting XI – as many Premier League teams do at this stage of the competition – and his team saw plenty of the ball and pressure around the Charlton area throughout the first half.
Addicks goalkeeper Will Mannion – making just his second appearance of the season – was worked too, but Charlton’s low block was a clear frustration for a Chelsea XI who love to show off their tricks.
Image: Jorrel Hato’s sumptuous volley in first-half stoppage time put Chelsea 1-0 up at Charlton
The breakthrough came precisely in the fourth minute of first-half injury time. A Moises Caicedo cross was kindly cleared into Jorrel Hato’s path, and his ferocious shot on a tight angle arrowed past the goalkeeper.
Chelsea added another five minutes after the break. Facundo Buonanotte sent in a wicked free kick, which Tosin Adarabioyo nodded home.
Image: Tosin Adarabioyo headed in from a free-kick as Chelsea went 2-0 up early in the second half
But Charlton were not about to make life easy for Chelsea or Rosenior and halved the deficit soon after, sending the fans into raptures. It came from a corner, with Lloyd Jones’ header rebounding into Miles Leaburn’s path. The Addicks academy graduate then fired home from close range.
However, Chelsea restored their two-goal lead shortly after the hour. Alejandro Garnacho – who took boos from the Charlton fans all evening – sped down the pitch before finding Buonanotte. His shot was weak but the parry from Mannion landed directly to Marc Guiu, who slotted it home.
Charlton had a late penalty shout turned down as Enzo Fernandez appeared to go through the back of Lloyd Jones, but referee Chris Kavanagh waved away the claims. But after Pedro Neto turned home Chelsea’s fourth, the referee did award the Blues a late spot kick.
Image: Miles Leaburn (centre) pulled a goal back for Charlton, 2-1.
Estevao was fouled as he tried to round Mannion, and Kavanagh pointed to the spot. With the last kick of the game, Fernandez powered his penalty into the back of the net to book Chelsea’s place in Monday’s fourth-round draw.
Despite a spirited performance from Charlton, their dismal run in the third round of the competition goes on, now exiting at this stage for a sixth successive season.
Rosenior: A positive start
Image: Marc Guiu’s goal restored Chelsea’s two-goal lead over Charlton at 3-1
Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior to TNT Sports: “A positive start. Professional.
“I thought the first goal came at an important time in the game. Charlton stood up really well; they defended in a block, which was difficult to break down.
“Jorrel was fantastic. I thought he was really good at Fulham; he deserved to play today. He put in a strong performance.
“We scored a goal from a set piece, which always makes you happy. Then we concede, but I’ve said it from the start – the quality of my players – they’re outstanding. Strong start, something to build on; bring on Wednesday night.
“Goals change games, and that comes down to quality. We had control in the first half, but I don’t want just control. To get the goal was really good – but when Charlton score, they want the second.
“It’s a cup tie, and they have to deal with me bringing on Estevao, Enzo Fernandez, and Liam Delap, but I was delighted with the starting players. I thought Marc Guiu was good and deserved his goal – Jamie [Gittens] and Ale [Garnacho] were really good on the wings. While it’s a promising start, we shouldn’t overreact just yet.
“It’s something that’s happened here already. I was delighted with Jorrel – he actually played as a No. 10; he took his goal really well. I was delighted with Tosin and Big Ben at the back. I could discuss the entire team, but overall, I was very pleased with their performance.
“It’s a busy two months, but the last 48 hours I was really pleased. The lads have been really receptive. If we keep working like that, I’m excited for the future.”
What did we learn from Rosenior’s first game?
Image: Liam Rosenior picked up an FA Cup third-round victory in his first match as Chelsea head coach
Analysis from Sky Sports’ Charlotte Marsh at The Valley and Noah Langford:
It was perhaps a bit of a false positive watching Liam Rosenior’s first Chelsea side, having made eight changes from defeat at Fulham and blooded a lot of his younger players.
Perhaps the most significant difference was the use of a back three, which was his preferred line-up at Strasbourg. In a season where jobs have hinged on the make-up of a defence, it will be interesting to see if he persists with it going forward or whether it’s a case of “sticking to what you know” for the first game.
That said, wingers were used more than in recent games.
Tosin was spraying passes all game, and Jamie Gittens and Garnacho felt more involved in comparison to games gone past.
There had been times too in the early exchanges when cute balls were attempted through the middle to try and find Guiu, but that soon came to an end when it proved ineffective.
But the youngsters certainly weren’t afraid to play directly at Charlton, even if it’s not the best way to try and beat a low block. Of course, the scoreline might say otherwise, but there was at least a sense of trying to make something happen.
When asked whether his team were close to where he wants them to be – with a wry smile – Rosenior responded, “I’m one game in. Some of our passes were beautiful to watch. We’ve got magnificent players.
“My personal view on football is not significant.” It’s about winning games of football consistently. It’s a good start, but it’s just a start. We have to stay consistent now in a very, very hectic schedule.
“We are a good team. They’ve been well coached; I’ve made no secret of that.
“There are additional aspects of football beyond just tactics.” Tactics are one element. Shape, systems, and technique – they’re all wonderful things.
“But there are other things that I feel like maybe we can improve on. That’s what we’ll keep working on as well as the tactical side of the game.”
Ultimately, we will have a better idea of where he intends to take this Chelsea team when they face Arsenal in the midweek Carabao Cup semi-final first leg and Brentford in the Premier League on Saturday.
Rosenior has made a strong start, but he still has a lot to prove.
Jones disappointed with conceding ‘schoolboy’ goals
Charlton manager Nathan Jones: “For long periods, we competed really well. My biggest disappointment is just the second and third goals because, late on, they’re playing with the flourish and I think the fifth goal isn’t a pen; it’s a decision.
“The fourth goal, we’re a little bit open but the second and third goals kill us really and they’re schoolboy; they’re poor.
“We can’t concede from that type of set play and we do the work and it’s just too easy for them to get ahead of.
“The third goal really disappoints me because it’s stuff that we work on; we preach to them, we show them, we blow it up, and we give them clear pictures about the edge of the box and how we defend counter-attacks and we don’t drop in and think that it’s a safe haven when we drop all the way into a box when people wait on the edge of the box.
“We’ve conceded from that in the past and that’s the frustration because at the time when we thought, ‘Can we have a rouse in?’ we did something that cost us the game effectively.”
Some people are waiting more than a year for their disability benefit claims to be processed, putting them at risk of being pushed into debt and poverty, MPs have warned.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) aims to process 75% of new claims for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) within 75 working days, but last financial year only 51% of claims were processed within this time frame.
A report by the cross-party Public Accounts Committee (PAC) said the department was providing “unacceptably poor service levels.”.
The DWP said that at the end of October, the average time to a decision on a PIP claim was 16 weeks.
A spokesperson said the department’s aim is always to process claims “as quickly as possible” and that the ongoing review of PIP will ensure “it is appropriate and fair for the future”.
PIP is the primary disability benefit in England and Wales.
PIP – which is paid to people with a long-term physical or mental health condition – is the main disability benefit in England and Wales.
It’s not linked to someone’s income or whether they’re in work and provides extra help with living expenses.
The number of people claiming PIP has been increasing in recent years, with benefits awarded to approximately 3.7 million people.
The PAC report said the long waiting times for Pip’s claims to be processed were “unacceptable,” with people having to wait more than a year in some cases.
The DWP told the committee that these experiences were not reflected in its data but acknowledged that this was a real situation that needed to be addressed.
The department is trialling an online application process in some postcodes, which it says has reduced the processing time for claims to the typical 20 days.
It previously told the committee it intended to process up to 20% of PIP claims using the new online service by 2026 but has since said it is confident it can reach this target by 2029.
“This is too long for claimants to wait to receive better service,” the report said.
The committee’s chairman, Conservative MP Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, said, “Our committee received assurances three years ago that the reforms would have come forward by now; now we have been told there is a further three years of delay.
“This is simply no good for our constituents, who we know are at risk of being pushed into debt or poverty by a department unresponsive to their needs.”
Government sources say more than 90% of new PIP claimants can now submit their health information online after starting their claim.
The committee’s report also raised concerns about Universal Credit claimants’ first meeting with a work coach being shortened from 50 to 30 minutes.
It warned that without reduced action from the government, “claimants with more complex needs will not get the support they need.”
Last year, the government abandoned plans that would have made it harder for people to claim PIP in the face of a major rebellion from Labour MPs.
The government estimated that the proposals would save £5 billion a year by 2030.
Instead, it launched a review of PIP, led by Social Security and Disability Secretary Sir Stephen Timms, which is expected to report by the autumn.
The government has said that the aim of the review is to ensure that Pip is “fair and fit for the future rather than generate proposals for further savings”.
A DWP spokesperson said, “By giving claimants the support they need to get into good, secure jobs and out of poverty, we are fixing the broken welfare system we have inherited.
“We have carried out the most ambitious employment reforms in a generation, as well as redeploying almost 1,000 work trainers to help sick or disabled people who have been left behind.
“These improvements are being made as we replace ageing systems through our ambitious £647m modernisation programme.”
A UAE-based steel company has moved to buy Britain’s third-largest steel producer, just months after it was declared “hopelessly insolvent” and fell into the hands of official receivers.
Sky News has learnt that Arabian Gulf Steel Industries (AGSI), headquartered in Abu Dhabi, is one of a number of smaller parties that have lodged an offer to take control of the Speciality Steels UK (SSUK) business, which until last summer was owned by metals tycoon Sanjeev Gupta’s Liberty Steel empire.
The business collapsed into compulsory liquidation in August, leading to a scramble in Whitehall to find a buyer for it as part of efforts to preserve the UK’s steelmaking capabilities.
The SSUK business operates sites in Rotherham and Stocksbridge in South Yorkshire and employed around 1,500 people across its operations when it collapsed last summer.
This weekend, it was unclear how advanced any discussions were between AGSI and the official receiver, while the terms of any proposal were also unclear.
One source suggested that AGSI may be keen to receive financial assistance from the UK National Wealth Fund to support the takeover of SSUK and to restart steelmaking at its sites in Yorkshire.
the epitome of net zero steel.”
AGSI describes itself on its website as “the epitome of net zero steel” and has pledged to produce five million tonnes of steel by 2030, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by more than 95% compared to traditional steelmaking processes.
Asma Hussain, the founder and chief executive, privately owns and runs the company.
AGSI did not respond to an emailed request for comment, but a source expressed scepticism that it would ultimately acquire the Liberty Speciality Steels business.
In recent months, several other parties have also expressed interest in purchasing the operation.
Mr Gupta himself has secured backing from third parties, including BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, although the chances of him being selected to buy back the business appear extremely slim.
A spokesman for the Insolvency Service said, “We can confirm that the official receiver is putting forward bids for the sale of Speciality Steel UK.
“The sale process is ongoing with the aim of completing it as quickly as possible.”
In response to Sky News enquiries, a government spokesperson said, “We are committed to a bright and sustainable future for steelmaking and steelmaking jobs in the UK.
“The independent official receiver is carrying out its duties as liquidator, while we also ensure that employees and local communities are supported.”
The sale process for SSUK comes during a period of wider uncertainty for the British steel sector, against the backdrop of US President Donald Trump’s tariff regime and the metal’s continued global glut.
In November, Sky News revealed that ministers were appointing bankers to Evercore to review options for the industry.
Business Secretary Peter Kyle and UK Government Investments (UKGI), the Whitehall agency that manages taxpayers’ interests in a number of companies, including the Post Office and Channel 4, are expected to consider whether to merge some of the remaining companies in the sector.
These would include British Steel, the Scunthorpe-based manufacturer, which is legally owned by China’s Jinghe Group but was seized by the government last April amid threats to close its remaining blast furnaces.
So far the government has spent millions of pounds on running British Steel.
The government’s move prevented the immediate loss of more than 3,000 jobs, although questions remain about the company’s viability as a standalone entity.
“We will continue to work with Xinghe to find practical, realistic solutions for the future of British Steel,” Industry Minister Chris McDonald said in a statement to parliament in November.
“Our long-term ambition for the company will require co-investment with the private sector to enable modernisation and decarbonisation, safeguarding taxpayers’ money and maintaining steelmaking in Scunthorpe.”
In 2024, ministers agreed to provide £500m of grant funding to the Indian company Tata Steel to install an electric arc furnace at its Port Talbot steelworks in Wales.
The new facility is expected to open in 2027 but has been strongly opposed by trade unions, angry that the new funding was effectively used to make thousands of redundancies at the plant.
Ofcom says it is conducting an urgent assessment of X in response, with the support of Technology Secretary Liz Kendall.
But the chairs of parliament’s technology and media committees have said they are concerned that “gaps” in the Online Security Act could hinder the media regulator’s ability to deal with the case.
Axe has now limited the use of the AI imaging function to those who pay a monthly fee, with Downing Street labelling the change “disrespectful” to victims of sexual violence.
The BBC has seen several examples of free AI tools stripping women and putting them in sexual situations without their consent.
Kendall said on Friday that he expected to receive an update from Ofcom within a few days and that the government would also fully support the decision to block X in the UK.
Musk reposted several messages on the site overnight, criticising the government’s rebuke of Groke— one of which showed AI-generated images of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in a bikini.
“They just want to suppress freedom of expression,” Musk wrote.
the mother of one of Elon Musk’s children,
Ashley St Clair, the mother of one of Elon Musk’s children, told BBC NewsHour on Friday that Groke had made sexually explicit photos of her as a child.
The conservative influencer said that, despite telling Grok that she did not consent to sexualised images, her image was “stripped” so that she appeared “basically naked and bent over.”
St Clair accused the social media site of “not doing enough” to deal with illegal content, including child sexual abuse imagery, while filing a lawsuit against Musk for sole custody of their child in 2025.
“This can be stopped by just messaging an engineer,” he said.
As of Friday morning, Grok was telling users to change images uploaded to
An Ofcom spokesperson said on Friday: “We immediately contacted X on Monday and set a deadline of today to explain our position, to which we have received a response.”
We are urgently conducting a rapid assessment and will provide further updates soon.
Ofcom’s powers under the Online Safety Act include being able to seek a court order to prevent third parties from helping X raise money or entering the UK if the firm refuses to comply.
But Dame Chi Onwurah, chair of the innovation and technology committee, said she was “concerned and confused” about how the matter “is actually being addressed” and has written to Ofcom and Kendal for clarification.
Dame Chee said it was “unclear” under the Online Safety Act whether the creation of such images using AI was illegal, as was the responsibility of social media sites for what is shared on their platforms.
“This Act should make something really harmful to so many people clearly illegal, and the responsibility for X should be clear,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
Caroline Dinenage, chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, similarly said she had “real fears that there is a gap in regulation”.
“There are doubts about whether the Online Safety Act actually has the power to regulate the functionality – meaning the ability of generative AI to discredit someone,” he told BBC Breakfast.
The use of Grok to generate non-consensual sexual images has been condemned by politicians on all sides:
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer referred to it as “disgraceful” and “disgusting”.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said it was “appalling in every way” and that X “needs to go further” than the changes made to Grok on Friday, but he said banning the platform would be an attack on free speech.
The Liberal Democrats called for access to X to be temporarily restricted in the UK while the social media site was investigated.
Meanwhile, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he agreed with Starmer that the material was “absolutely disgusting.”
“This is once again an example of social media not showing social responsibility,” Albanese said. He said Australia’s Digital Security Commissioner is monitoring the situation.
“Australians and, indeed, global citizens deserve better.”
Meanwhile, Grok was temporarily suspended in Indonesia on Saturday. The country’s digital minister said, “Sexual deepfakes without consent [were] ‘serious violations of human rights, dignity and security of citizens in the digital sphere.'”
Grand Theft Auto VI is unquestionably the most anticipated video game of 2026.
The long-awaited sequel from developer Rockstar Games is expected to be released in November—13 years after the record-breaking GTA V.
The game was scheduled to be released in autumn 2025 but was pushed to May 2026 before it gets delayed again.
Rockstar said the extra time would help the team “finish the game with the excellence you expect and deserve.”
Once launched, players will return to Vice City, a Miami-flavoured metropolis in the fictional kingdom of Leonida.
The Bonnie and Clyde-style story will follow the criminal couple Jason Duvall and Lucia Cimino – the first playable female characters in the series’ history.
image: Jason Duvall. Image: Rockstar Games
image: Lucia Camino. Image: Rockstar Games
GTA has consistently satirised American culture, despite some aspects of the country’s politics over the past decade appearing inappropriate in the game.
GTA VI is sure to continue the series’ tradition of satire, and based on the footage released so far, it appears that no expense has been spared in regard to bringing the sun-soaked streets of Vice City to life.
image: Grand Theft Auto VI returns to Vice City. Image: Rockstar Games
image: Image: Rockstar Games
image: Image: Rockstar Games
Dundee, Scotland is the birthplace of the GTA series, making it one of the industry’s largest franchises.
It is one of the best-selling video games of all time.
GTA V became the fastest entertainment product in history to earn $1 billion (in its first three days) and has since sold over 220 million copies worldwide – making it the second best-selling video game of all time, behind Minecraft.
GTA VI is also expected to be popular worldwide and achieve giant sales.
image: Image: Rockstar Games
image: Image: Rockstar Games
image: Image: Rockstar Games
Should past trends continue, GTA Online is poised to generate significant revenue.
The persistent online world offers endless opportunities for monetization— gamers are tempted to spend money on new vehicles, weapons, properties, businesses, and cosmetic upgrades.
Expert research analyst Michael Pachter previously told Sky News that he believes Rockstar and its parent company, Take-Two Interactive Software, would be able to charge $100 (about £75) for just the base game with little complaint.
However, the GTA series boasts two winning elements that some other games don’t have – brand power and fan loyalty.
image: Raul Bautista. Image: Rockstar Games
image: Brian Hader. Image: Rockstar Games
If other AAA (Triple-A) game publishers attempt to follow suit and raise their starting prices, they may find that any accepted GTA increase is the exception rather than the rule.
As the career criminal and former bank robber Trevor Phillips, a character from GTA V, famously said, “I said something good, not expensive.”
fable
image: The long-awaited Fable reboot is expected to drop sometime in 2026. Image: Microsoft
After a delay from its initial 2025 release window, we expect the long-awaited Fable reboot to release sometime in 2026.
It will be the first new installment in the action-RPG franchise since Fable: The Journey in 2012.
The series has been on hiatus since Microsoft cancelled Fable Legends and subsequently closed down original developers Lionhead Studios in 2016.
Playground Games, the parent company behind the successful Forza Horizon series, is developing a reboot for Xbox Game Studios.
Still based on the fantasy world of Albion, the series will be updated with contemporary gameplay mechanics and visuals to attract a new generation of players.
According to the footage released so far, fans can expect a classic fantasy adventure full of “life and death stuff.”
The storybook-style world features beautiful horseback rides, magical creatures, playful dialogue, and player-driven choices.
As well as the action-heavy combat, Fable’s signature chicken-kicking option appears to be alive and well.
While not much is known about our hero, British comedians Richard Ayoade and Matt King will play a legend and a once-great champion turned guru, respectively.
The game will release on Xbox Series X/S as well as PC and will be playable from day one through Games Pass.
Given that the IP (intellectual property) is owned by Microsoft, it’s unlikely that the game will be arriving on PS5 any time soon after its initial release.
007 first light
image: 007 First Light is a James Bond origin story. Photo: IO Interactive
007 First Light is a James Bond origin story that follows a resourceful recruit during his time on the MI6 training program before becoming the world-famous spy we know and love.
The action-adventure game is scheduled to be released in May – having been pushed back from March – and is inspired by the novels and short stories by Ian Fleming.
The origin story is expected to follow Bond as he sets out on a mission that will give him a licence to kill.
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It is the first Bond game since 007 Legends in 2012.
The franchise went on an extended hiatus in 2013 after Aeon Productions and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer revoked the non-exclusive licence to make James Bond video games held by previous publisher Activision.
image: Photo: IO Interactive
image: Photo: IO Interactive
IO Interactive, known for developing the Hitman and Kane & Lynch franchises, is behind 007 First Light.
Expect a heart-pounding mix of close combat, car chases, secret murders, glamorous locations, gadgets galore, and appearances from M, Q, and Miss Moneypenny.
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At The Game Awards 2025, renowned musician Lenny Kravitz was introduced as Bond villain Bawma.
The “unexpected and charismatic” antagonist is described as someone who “rose up from nothing, broke free, and created his own Aleph Empire.”.
image: Photo: IO Interactive
image: Photo: IO Interactive
The game should whet fans’ appetites ahead of Bond 26 – which Denis Villeneuve is set to direct and will mark a new era of 007 films following the conclusion of Daniel Craig’s performance.
Capcom takes us back to Raccoon City with Resident Evil: Requiem.
The survival horror game is due to be released in February, with the developers promising a “heart-stopping experience that will chill you to the core”.
image: Photo: Capcom
image: Photo: Capcom
Fans will be introduced to a new leading lady – FBI intelligence analyst Grace Ashcroft, who is the daughter of Alyssa Ashcroft from the Resident Evil Outbreak games.
Grace’s nightmare begins when she is sent to investigate a mysterious death at an abandoned hotel where her mother was murdered eight years ago.
As Grace investigates the team’s person of interest – Victor Gideon – she crosses paths with veteran Agent Leon S. Kennedy.
The fan favourite returns to the series as a playable character, with both Grace and Leon forced to confront their past to uncover the truth behind the Raccoon City incident that changed the world forever.
The game follows on from Resident Evil Village, with players once again expected to face the coming horrors through combat, puzzle-solving, and resource management.
Previous antagonist Lady Dimitrescu proved to be a hit on social media, so the next relentless stalker monster has big shoes to fill.
Greenland’s prime minister has told Donald Trump, “We don’t want to be American,” after the US president warned he could take the island “the easy way or the hard way”.
In a joint statement with Greenland’s top politicians, Jens-Frederik Nielsen said, “We don’t want to be Americans, we don’t want to be Danes, we want to be Greenlanders.”
Greenland’s prime minister has strongly rebuked Trump’s threats. Credit: EPATrump said he needs the Danish island for national security reasons Credit: AlamyDanish and European NATO forces take part in an exercise in Nuuk, Greenland Credit: AP
It comes after the US commander-in-chief said on Friday he was “going to do something about Greenland, whether they like it or not.”
Faced with Trump’s insistence that Greenland is a “national security priority”, Nielsen said, “Greenland’s future must be decided by the people of Greenland.”
He added, “As leaders of the Greenlandic party, we would like to once again emphasise our desire that the United States’ contempt for our country end.
“No other country can interfere in this. We have to decide the future of our country ourselves – without pressure to make hasty decisions, without delay, and without interference from other countries.”
ice-cold
Trump tells Denmark on Greenland: ‘We can do it the easy way or the hard way.’
Deal or no deal?
Greenlanders reveal what they really think about Trump’s plan
Trump said the US needs the strategically important island; otherwise, ‘Russia or China will take it over.’
“Because if we don’t do that, Russia or China will take over Greenland – and we won’t have Russia or China as our neighbours.”
The President said, “I would like to make a deal the easy way. However, if we choose not to take the easy route, we will have to confront the challenges head-on.”
Trump has repeatedly made it clear in recent days that he wants Greenland for the U.S. — saying he needs the Danish island “from a national security standpoint”.
Speaking on Friday, he said, “I’m a fan of Denmark…but, you know, the fact that they had a boat land 500 years ago doesn’t mean they own that land.”
The threat comes despite Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warning that any US military move on Greenland would signal “the end of the NATO alliance”.
Trump replied, “If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have NATO right now.”
It follows reports that Trump is considering sending a $100,000 lump sum to Greenlanders.
US officials have reportedly discussed paying between $10,000 (£7,443) and $100,000 (£74,437) to try to lure the islanders to freedom.
This sensational proposal will cost the US $5.7 billion to win over the local people.
Washington is “actively” discussing a possible proposal to buy the semi-autonomous Danish territory, and this is one of the solutions under consideration.
Trump said he wants the islands, but he wants the land regardless.
He has refused military action on the island.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has warned against invasion Credit: AFPUS Vice President JD Vance visits the US military’s Pituffik Space Base in Greenland Credit: AFP
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told US lawmakers that Dawn was looking for a peaceful way to take over the island – and reduce the threat of invasion.
Rubio is scheduled to meet with Danish officials next week to discuss the future of the island.
Danish politicians are now clamouring for help and have urged their European counterparts to provide military support.
France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Britain and Denmark have all united to support the Danish autonomous region.
Conservative MP Rasmus Jarlov said Copenhagen should welcome Allied troops “if the cost of a military invasion would be too high for the Americans”.
“We must make it clear that this will be an armed conflict,” said leftist leader Pelle Dragstad.
He warned that Trump should never be allowed to “just land a helicopter in Nuuk and fly the American flag.”
Denmark confirmed that it would “shoot first and ask questions later.”. If Trump invaded Greenland,
The strict commitment is part of Copenhagen’s military constitution – and it states that soldiers must open fire “immediately” in the event of an attack.
We’re going to do something on Greenland, whether they like it or not
donald trump
A 1952 rule says soldiers must defend against attackers without waiting for orders – Copenhagen said the law “remains in force.”.
The US already has more than 100 military personnel permanently stationed at its Pituffik base on the northwestern tip of Greenland.
The US has operated the facility since World War II.
Under existing agreements with Denmark, the US is empowered to bring as many troops as it wants to Greenland.
Experts have said it would be worryingly easy for the US to capture the strategically important Arctic island.
US Vice President JD Vance has warned European leaders to “take on the president of the United States of America seriously”.
The majority of the island’s 57,000-strong population wants Greenland to eventually become an independent nation.
And 85 per cent of people surveyed last year refused to become a part of America.
Polling also shows that only 7 per cent support the idea of a US military invasion of American territory.
Four ways Trump could take Greenland
By Harvey Geh
Here are four ways Donald Trump could take over Greenland.
Attack: Trump would have no problem using the world’s strongest military to occupy a poorly defended target like Greenland. Denmark could also surrender before the battle to avoid the risk of complete collapse of NATO. But any attack would still be vulnerable to several problems, including extreme weather conditions and long supply lines.
Pressure: The threat of military intervention alone may be enough to force Copenhagen to capitulate and cede the important island. But aside from imminent threats, Trump could buy Greenland outright from the Danes. Previous US administrations have tried this at least three times in the past, the first instance dating back to 1867.
Free association: Washington is reportedly already working on plans to sign an “agreement of free association” with Greenland. The deal would mirror the US’s existing arrangements with countries such as Palau, Micronesia and the Marshall Islands. In these relationships, the US military has free rein over these areas in exchange for duty-free trade. However, achieving such an agreement would require Greenland to first gain independence from Denmark.
By prolonging the status quo, Greenland could benefit from the influences of both Denmark and Trump without actually gaining independence or becoming subservient to the US. If Washington agrees to a stronger military presence and mineral-mining contracts on the island, they may call off further plans to take it over completely.
French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer have declared that Greenland ‘belongs to the people’ Credit: EPATrump has repeatedly refused to rule out military action to take Greenland for the US. Credit: Alamycity center in the capital city Credit: Paul Edwards
