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James Sillars, business and economics reporter
Jan 27
Hundreds of jobs lost as Revolution bars owner enters administration

The Revel Collective, which revealed on Monday that it had filed notice of an intention to appoint administrators, said it had since formally appointed FTI Consulting. Venues closing with immediate effect include 14 Revolution bars, six Revolucion de Cuba bars and one Peach Pub - with the loss of 591 jobs. However, FTI confirmed a pair of deals which will secure the future of 41 sites and 1,582 jobs. Money latest: BBC to use iPlayer to catch licence fee evaders The locations of the Revolution sites closing are: Manchester (Oxford Road), Huddersfield, Leicester, Glasgow (Renfield Street), Cardiff, Nottingham, Leeds, Sheffield, Ipswich, Manchester (Parsonage Gardens), Plymouth, Durham, Exeter and Preston. The Revolucion de Cuba sites affected are: Cardiff, Derby, Liverpool, Reading, Harrogate and Aberdeen while the Peach premises to be shut was The Almanack at Kenilworth in Warwickshire. The announcement was made shortly before the chancellor was expected to reveal a partial U-turn on business rates changes facing pubs. The industry said they were expected to add almost £13,000 in costs over three years to the average pub in advance of the climbdown. It has battled rising costs for many years, with new minimum pay levels and heightened national insurance contributions adding to the burden last spring. Revel undertook a major restructuring in 2024, shutting 15 unprofitable bars in a bid to turn around its performance. But the revamp fell flat and a strategic review resulted in the group being placed up for sale. Revel had partly blamed weak trading, with younger customers having little disposable income. Higher costs also weighed on its bottom line and growing debt pile.

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Gemma Peplow, culture and entertainment reporter
Jan 27
One Battle After Another leads BAFTA 2026 nominations - as Hamnet breaks a record

It is closely followed by period vampire horror Sinners, which has 13, and frenetic ping-pong flick Marty Supreme and Shakespeare drama Hamnet, which each have 11. All four are nominated for best film, with the category completed by Norwegian film Sentimental Value, which tells the story of an estranged father reuniting with his daughters. The nods for Hamnet bring a BAFTA record for director Chloe Zhao, with the British-made film making history as the most nominated ever by a female director. BAFTAs 2026: The full list of nominations Hamnet's Irish star Jessie Buckley, widely considered a favourite after Golden Globe and Critics Choice wins for her portrayal of the bard's wife, Agnes, is shortlisted for leading actress, while Marty Supreme star Timothee Chalamet also repeats his awards season success so far with a nod in the leading actor category. DiCaprio is also nominated for best actor, with One Battle After Another also shortlisted for best film and best director for Paul Thomas Anderson, among its 14 nods. The film is loosely based on Thomas Pynchon's novel Vineland, and DiCaprio plays Bob Ferguson - a paranoid former radical living off-grid in California - who embarks on a frantic quest to find his missing daughter Willa, played by Chase Infiniti - a first-time BAFTA nominee who is up for best actress. Its supporting stars are also heavily represented, with Teyana Taylor, Sean Penn and Benicio Del Toro also nominated. Sinners' nods include Michael B Jordan in the best actor category and best director for Ryan Coogler, while Buckley's Hamnet co-star Paul Mescal is also recognised in the supporting actor category. Emma Stone is on the shortlist for leading actress for her performance in conspiracy theory drama Bugonia. The BAFTAs also include categories to recognise British films and talent, with I Swear and The Ballad Of Wallis Island among those shortlisted, as well as Hamnet. Robert Aramayo, who stars as the real-life Tourette's campaigner John Davidson in I Swear, is the sole UK hopeful in the best actor category, while his co-star Peter Mullan is also the only UK nominee for best supporting actor. Aramayo is also up for the rising star award, which recognises actors at the start of their careers. The UK's strongest category is best supporting actress, where three of the six nominees are British: Wunmi Mosaku (Sinners), Carey Mulligan (The Ballad Of Wallis Island) and Emily Watson (Hamnet). Wicked: For Good star Cynthia Erivo is among the biggest surprises to have been left off the list, but the film has not done as well generally this awards season as the first part did in 2025. Unlike the Oscars, it has not been completely left out, with nods for costume, and make-up and hair. Read more:The Tourette's film fighting back at 'cheap laughs'The BAFTA nominations - everything you need to know BAFTA chief executive Jane Millichip said the nominations reflect "an incredible breadth of storytelling". She said: "There are some big subjects tackled, whether it's the ambiguity of activism, black identity, corruption, some really big subjects being tackled in very different ways... then films that are exquisite personal films, like Hamnet and I Swear." Emily Stillman, chairwoman of the BAFTA film committee, said: "It feels so much of this year's films are around human connectivity and human stories and particularly at a time like this, it promotes kindness and thought about the human relationship, and that is particularly important with what is going on in the world right now." The BAFTAs ceremony takes place on Sunday 22 February at the Royal Festival Hall, and will be hosted by actor and US Traitors host Alan Cumming.

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No Writer
Jan 27
Ministers left in tears as Holocaust survivor Mala Tribich makes speech at Number 10

Mala Tribich, 95, demanded that the government's top ministers do "everything to tackle antisemitism" after being left "shaken to the core" by recent terror attacks in Manchester and Sydney. Some were so moved by the speech that they had to lower their heads and dry their eyes. Mrs Tribich had been sent to the Bergen-Belsen death camp with her younger cousin when she was around 14-years-old, spending three months there until it was liberated by British troops. She told the cabinet, on Holocaust Memorial Day: "I sit before you as one of the last remaining eyewitnesses to one of the darkest chapters in human history. "I'm here as a representative of the British Holocaust survivor community. For decades, we have spoken to people across the country, sharing our painful memories. "Soon, there will be no eyewitnesses left. "That is why I ask you today not just to listen, but to become my witnesses." The rousing five-minute speech on Tuesday was met with a standing ovation. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer told her: "You are the first Holocaust survivor ever to address the cabinet in this country, and so it really is an incredible occasion. "All of us, myself included, are humbled by your courage and inspired by your story. "It is our duty not just to hear and listen, but also to act and to absolutely deal with anybody who tries to deny or distort what happened in the Holocaust." Mrs Tribich had largely been incapacitated by typhus during her stay at the brutal death camp. Her mother and eight-year-old sister were murdered by the Nazis in a local forest. Tens of thousands of people, including diarist Anne Frank, died at the Nazi camp in northern Germany, which was liberated by the British on 15 April 1945. Mrs Tribich, who was made an MBE in 2012 for services to education, shares her testimony in schools and colleges across the UK. She said: "We survivors never imagined we would witness antisemitism at the level it is today. "What we have seen in Manchester, and Sydney on Hanukkah has shaken us to the core. "How, 81 years after the Holocaust, can these people once again be targeted in this way? "Remembering the past is no longer enough. "I speak to you, leaders of this country I proudly call home, and I plead that you do what needs to be done." Read more from Sky News:Storm Chandra hits UKWhite House changes tone on ICE crackdown Sir Keir thanked Mrs Tribich for her "powerful words", and said the government would do "everything to tackle antisemitism wherever it reared its ugly head". Karen Pollock CBE, chief executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, added: "Mala, and survivors like her, share their stories in the hope that the next generation will always know what happened during the darkest days in our shared memory, acting as a memorial to the six million Jewish men, women and children who were murdered by the Nazis. "As the Holocaust passes from living memory into history, today's meeting with the prime minister and cabinet is a poignant reminder of the responsibility to confront anti-Jewish hatred and ensure that the legacies of Holocaust survivors endure."

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No Writer
Jan 27
Cole Palmer transfer news: Chelsea view England international as 'untouchable' amid reported links to Man Utd

Palmer is contracted until 2033 and is seen as a key player in the club's future. Recent reports have suggested the England international was feeling unsettled in London and was open to a move to Manchester United in order to return to the north west, but Chelsea believe the player is happy at Stamford Bridge. Transfer Centre LIVE! | Chelsea news & transfers🔵Man Utd news & transfers🔴 | January transfer window done dealsGot Sky? Watch Chelsea games LIVE on your phone📱Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW📺 Palmer's season has been hampered by injuries to his groin, toe and, most recently, thigh which caused him to miss Sunday's victory at Crystal Palace, but he returned to training on Tuesday ahead of their Champions League fixture at Napoli. The 23-year-old has not provided an assist in the Premier League this season, scoring four goals in 12 league appearances, having netted 15 in 46 last term and providing 11 assists. Palmer joined Chelsea from Manchester City in a £40m deal in 2023, and has scored 41 goals and made 20 assists across his 81 league appearances for the Blues. Jacquet prefers Chelsea move Rennes centre-back Jeremy Jacquet has expressed a preference for joining Chelsea despite interest from multiple teams. Talks are ongoing between the two clubs, with the Ligue 1 side wanting to keep the 20-year-old until the summer. Jacquet has played 18 times for Rennes this season having been on loan at Clermont Foot in Ligue 2 last season. Disasi exit expected Axel Disasi is expected to leave Chelsea before the January transfer window closes. Multiple clubs are interested in England, Germany, France and Italy, with West Ham an option. Disasi had previously been surplus to requirements under Enzo Maresca, but has been training with the first team since the arrival of Liam Rosenior. Sterling expected to leave this month Chelsea are in talks with Raheem Sterling and his representatives, with it expected that he will no longer be at the club when the January transfer window closes. Sterling has been training away from the first-team squad and still has 18 months left to run on a contract worth more than £300,000 a week. The winger does not want to leave on another loan deal. There is still time to find a potential permanent move or an agreement could be reached regarding his contract. Jorgensen to stay at Chelsea Filip Jorgensen is expected to remain at Chelsea in this window. Chelsea's second-choice goalkeeper has been the subject of interest this month from clubs in England, Germany and Turkey, who are keen to offer him more regular football, but Chelsea are reluctant to let the Dane leave before next Monday's deadline. Chelsea signed Jorgensen from Villarreal for £20.7m in July 2024. Jorgensen played 24 times for Chelsea last season, predominantly in cup competitions, and was key to their Conference League success, but has been limited to just eight appearances this season. Jorgensen suffered an injury against Pafos last week and was not pictured at Chelsea training on Tuesday morning.

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No Writer
Jan 27
UK authorities help to seize 'narco sub' and record cocaine haul in Atlantic Ocean

The mammoth seizure weighed nearly as much as a school bus and the sub was 230 nautical miles from the Azores when it was intercepted. The semi-submersible eventually sank before authorities could take all its cargo - sending 35 of the 300 packages to the bottom of the Atlantic. Portuguese police led the operation, assisted by authorities in the UK and US. The nearly nine-tonne cargo is "the biggest seizure of cocaine ever in Portugal", a police spokeswoman told AFP news agency. The boat came from Latin America and had three Colombians and a Venezuelan on board, police said. "Inside the vessel - 300 bales of cocaine were being transported," they added. Such vessels have been dubbed "narco subs", with cartels using them to try to smuggle drugs undetected. Sky News' Alistair Bunkall lats year reported on the tactics being used smugglers off the Iberian peninsula and how, in November, Portuguese security intercepted the kind of narco submarine that is rarely discovered. Narco subs had previously been used to ferry drugs north from Colombia to central America and Mexico. But traffickers have been setting their sights further and using them to sail across the Atlantic and Pacific. Read more from Sky News:Storm Chandra hits the UKWhite House change tone on ICE crackdown Last March, police said officers had confiscated more than six tonnes of cocaine from a semi-submersible off the Azores while bound for the Iberian peninsula. The UK's National Crime Agency played a role in that bust - alongside the US Drug Enforcement Administration and the Spanish Guardia Civil. In 2023, a sub with two dead bodies and nearly three tonnes of cocaine aboard was seized off the coast of Colombia.

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No Writer
Jan 27
BAFTA nominations 2026: The full list of stars and films shortlisted for awards

One Battle After Another leads the nominations with 14, while Sinners has 13, and Marty Supreme and Hamnet each have 11. There are 26 categories in total, including the public-voted rising star award. Here is the list of nominations in full. Best filmHamnetMarty SupremeOne Battle After AnotherSentimental ValueSinners Best actor Robert Aramayo - I SwearTimothee Chalamet - Marty SupremeLeonardo DiCaprio - One Battle After AnotherEthan Hawke - Blue MoonMichael B Jordan - SinnersJesse Plemons - Bugonia Best actressJessie Buckley - HamnetRose Byrne - If I Had Legs I'd Kick YouKate Hudson - Song Sung BlueChase Infiniti - One Battle After AnotherRenate Reinsve - Sentimental ValueEmma Stone - Bugonia Outstanding British film 28 Years LaterThe Ballad Of Wallis IslandBridget Jones: Mad About The BoyDie My LoveH Is For HawkHamnetI SwearMr BurtonPillionSteve Outstanding debut by a British writer, director or producerThe Ceremony - Jack King (director, writer), Hollie Bryan (producer), Lucy Meer (producer)My Father's Shadow - Akinola Davies Jr (director), Wale Davies (writer)Pillion - Harry Lighton (director, writer)A Want In Her - Myrid Carten (director)Wasteman - Cal McMau (director), Hunter Andrews (writer), Eoin Doran (writer) Best adapted screenplayThe Ballad Of Wallis Island - Tom Basden, Tim KeyBugonia - Will TracyHamnet - Chloé Zhao, Maggie O'FarrellOne Battle After Another - Paul Thomas AndersonPillion - Harry Lighton Best original screenplayI Swear - Kirk JonesMarty Supreme - Ronald Bronstein, Josh SafdieThe Secret Agent - Kleber Mendonca FilhoSentimental Value - Eskil Vogt, Joachim TrierSinners - Ryan Coogler Non-English language filmIt Was Just An AccidentThe Secret AgentSentimental ValueSiratThe Voice Of Hind Rajab Best directorBugonia - Yorgos LanthimosHamnet - Chloe ZhaoMarty Supreme - Josh SafdieOne Battle After Another - Paul Thomas AndersonSentimental Value - Joachim TrierSinners - Ryan Coogler Best supporting actressOdessa A'Zion - Marty SupremeInga Ibsdotter Lilleaas - Sentimental ValueWunmi Mosaku - SinnersCarey Mulligan - The Ballad of Wallis IslandTeyana Taylor - One Battle After AnotherEmily Watson - Hamnet Best supporting actorBenicio Del Toro - One Battle After AnotherJacob Elordi - FrankensteinPaul Mescal - HamnetPeter Mullan - I SwearSean Penn - One Battle After AnotherStellan Skarsgard - Sentimental Value Best children's and family filmArcoBoongLilo & StitchZootropolis 2 Best costumeFrankensteinHamnetMarty SupremeSinnersWicked: For Good Special visual effectsAvatar: Fire And AshF1FrankensteinHow To Train Your DragonThe Lost Bus Production designFrankensteinHamnetMarty SupremeOne Battle After AnotherSinners SoundF1FrankensteinOne Battle After AnotherSinnersWarfare Make-up and hairFrankensteinHamnetMarty SupremeSinnersWicked: For Good Best original scoreBugoniaFrankensteinHamnetOne Battle After AnotherSinners Best animated filmElioLittle AmelieZootropolis 2 British short animationCardboardSolsticeTwo Black Boys In Paradise Best British short filmMagid/ ZafarNostalgieTerenceThis Is EndometriosisWelcome Home Freckles CastingI SwearMarty SupremeOne Battle After AnotherSentimental ValueSinners CinematographyFrankensteinMarty SupremeOne Battle After AnotherSinnersTrain Dreams EditingF1A House Of DynamiteMarty SupremeOne Battle After AnotherSinners Best documentary2000 Meters to AndriivkaApocalypse In The TropicsCover-UpMr Nobody Against PutinThe Perfect Neighbor Rising star - voted for by the publicArchie Madekwe - LurkerChase Infiniti - One Battle After AnotherMiles Caton - SinnersRobert Aramayo - I SwearPosy Sterling - Lollipop The 2026 BAFTA film awards ceremony takes place on Sunday 22 February at London's Royal Festival Hall.

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No Writer
Jan 27
Reform and Greens eye major by-election scalp amid Burnham row

The Gorton and Denton by-election is to take place on 26 February. Politics Hub: Follow the latest It was called after suspended Labour MP Andrew Gwynne decided to stand down, and many saw it as a chance for the ambitious and popular Mr Burnham to return to Westminster. But Labour's ruling National Executive Committee has decided not to allow him to run for the seat, which is located in Greater Manchester, therefore ending - for now at least - any chance of a leadership bid. The prime minister defended the decision, saying it would have diverted party resources away from May's local elections, and potentially force another by-election for Mr Burnham's mayoralty. Sky's chief political correspondent Jon Craig said in a meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party on Monday night, the attorney general - a key ally of Sir Keir - had to bat off "plenty of gripes" from MPs about the decision. Craig said many believe the prime minister "has bungled this badly", treating Mr Burnham "unfairly" and also "made himself weaker". Attorney General Lord Hermer told colleagues he did not underestimate the challenge the party faced, but insisted the government's policies will "take hold" and "change this country for the better and for the long-term". It is now understood that more than 50 Labour MPs from across the party have written to Sir Keir Starmer about the decision, warning it has left them with a "huge amount of anxiety and anger". In the letter, they added losing the Gorton and Denton seat to Reform UK would be "unimaginable" and is an issue "all of us must now take very seriously". "This decision is a real gift to Nigel Farage," the letter continues. It calls on the PM to reconvene the NEC and reconsider the decision, stating there is "no legitimate reason" why Mr Burnham should not have been able to run, and that blocking him risks "the idea that politics is a remote stitch-up from a small group of people at the very top in London". A second, separate letter has also been sent to Sir Keir about the same issue, this time by the seven MPs on the executive committee of the Tribune group, a caucus within the party. Only Burnham would do a better job as PM than Starmer The anger over the NEC's decision comes as an exclusive poll for Sky News has revealed that only Mr Burnham would do a better job as prime minister than Sir Keir. Thirty per cent of the general public polled thought Mr Burnham would do a better job, while 12% thought he would do a worse job. Other leading potential leadership contenders all came out worse, in a boost for the PM. Only 12% thought former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner would do a better job, vs 37% a worse job. Health Secretary Wes Streeting would do a worse job, according to 19% of those polled, versus 12% who thought he would be better. While 22% of people polled thought Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood would do a worse job, as opposed to 8% who thought she would do a better job. What happened last time? Labour won the Gorton and Denton seat with a majority of 13,413 in the 2024 general election - over half the vote. Reform came second on 14.1%, and the Greens were third with 13.2%. Both believe they can win when voters go to the polls next month. Labour face 'anti-Starmer vote' Nigel Farage said his party will announce its candidate today, and that "an anti-Keir Starmer vote" will prove crucial. "There would have been a pro-Burnham anti-Starmer vote, that won't be there any more, and I think the anti-Starmer vote will come to us," he said. Read more from Sky News:Farage says he's uniting the right. Really? Sky's political correspondent Alexandra Rogers understands the Greens will announce a candidate on Sunday, but leader Zack Polanski will not be standing. While he has a claim to northern roots (he was born in Salford), Polanski lives in Hackney, north London, and it's understood he's more likely to run for a seat in the capital. But he is expected to visit the constituency this week. A party source said: "We're throwing the kitchen sink at this, and believe we can win."

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No Writer
Jan 26
NFL playoffs: New England Patriots reach Super Bowl LX as they edge out Denver Broncos in AFC Championship

The Patriots tallied only 72 yards on offense, and three first downs, in the first half but managed to go into the break level at 7-7 after a costly Jarrett Stidham fumble for Denver. The Broncos' back-up quarterback, making his first NFL start in two years due to Bo Nix's season-ending injury suffered in the divisional round, started the game well and earned Denver a 7-0 lead after following up a 52-yard strike to Marvin Mims with a touchdown toss to Courtland Sutton in the first quarter. NFL playoffs 2026: All you need to know How California is gearing up for historic 2026 of sportNot got Sky? Get instant access with NOW But, with the Broncos' defense completely shutting down New England's offense, Denver were left to rue a Stidham fumble from their own 33-yard line that gifted the Patriots their game-tying score. Elijah Ponder seemingly returned the fumble for a touchdown, only for the referees to have ruled the play dead too soon. The error did not prove too costly, however, as Patriots QB Drake Maye ran in a six-yard TD off the turnover two plays later. Denver could, and perhaps should, have still had a lead at the half, but their decision to go for it on fourth and one from the New England 14-yard line earlier in the second quarter - instead of kick a field goal - was a mistake, as the Patriots' defense held firm and forced a turnover on downs. Both teams missed field goal tries shortly before half-time, Will Lutz missing from 54 yards for the Broncos before Andy Borregales failed with an even more opportunistic effort for the Pats from 63 yards as time expired. Stats leaders: Patriots Passing: Drake Maye, 10/21, 86 yardsRushing: Rhamondre Stevenson, 25 carries, 71 yardsReceiving: Mack Hollins, 2 catches, 51 yards Broncos Passing: Jarrett Stidham, 17/31, 133 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT (& 1 fumble)Rushing: RJ Harvey, 13 carries, 37 yardsReceiving: Marvin Mims Jr, 4 catches, 62 yards During the interval, conditions quickly worsened in Denver as high winds and heavy snow rolled in to make scoring even tougher in the second half, but the Patriots crucially came away with the game-clinching three points off the opening drive. New England almost eclipsed their total first-half yardage on their opening possession after the break, driving 64 yards to set up a 23-yard field goal - shortly after Maye converted a key fourth and one play as the Pats opted to go for it. That proved to be the difference, with New England's defense completely locking down Denver's offense in the second half, restricting them to just one first down and 32 yards as they booked their place at the Super Bowl in Santa Clara in two weeks' time. Both teams had further field-goal tries that were missed, Denver's 46-yarder with four minutes and 46 seconds left in the game being blocked, while Stidham threw an interception to all-but end the contest with just over two minutes remaining. The victory extends New England's record number of Super Bowl appearances to 12 as they look to win a seventh and first without legendary quarterback and coach combo Tom Brady and Bill Belichick at the helm. Watch every minute of the NFL playoffs and Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium live on Sky Sports NFL.

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