Author: SKYNEWS

The UK government has procured 150,000 doses of additional mpox vaccine in preparation for anticipated cases of a new potentially deadlier strain causing a growing outbreak in Africa and isolated cases in Europe and Asia detected in recent weeks.The UK has yet to identify a case of the Clade 1b strain of mpox, and health officials say the risk to the UK remains “low”. However, its spread outside Africa led the World Health Organization (WHO) last month to declare the resurgence of mpox a “public health emergency of international concern”.Despite precautions at UK borders, the long incubation time of mpox…

From “childless cat lady” jokes to calls to vote, the upcoming US presidential election loomed large at this year’s Emmy Awards.Following Taylor Swift’s public endorsement of Kamala Harris, which mocked Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance’s now infamous “childless cat ladies” comment, both Selena Gomez and Candice Bergen also joked about the remarks on stage at the Emmys. However, despite the political references running throughout the ceremony, there was no reference made on stage to the latest apparent assassination attempt on former president Donald Trump. Image: (L-R) Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez on stage at the Emmys. Pic:…

Financial market participants are increasingly of the opinion the US central bank will impose a bigger than expected interest rate cut this week, with the Bank of England holding off on a fresh reduction.At the start of a major week for central bank announcements and economic data, the focus of attention is firmly on the United States as the Federal Reserve prepares for its first rate cut since early 2020. It has been held at its 5.25%-5.5% target range since July last year, but will be reduced when the Federal Open Market Committee concludes its latest policy meeting on Wednesday.Money…

Warning: This story contains offensive language, including antisemitic content.The rant by Adolf Hitler is full of antisemitic vitriol, saying that Jewish people are working to undermine peace in Europe.What’s unusual is the fast-paced music laid on top, and the fact that the combined audio is available on more than 100 posts on TikTok – and is attracting likes.Sky News has found Nazi speeches and marching music have been turned into popular ‘sounds’ (audio used as the basis for multiple videos) on TikTok and are being used as soundtracks on at least 72,534 posts.Videos using these sounds have attracted high levels…

Strictly Come Dancing has returned for its 20th anniversary series – launching with pizazz as usual, despite the controversy surrounding the show in recent months.Hosted by Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly, the opening show saw this year’s celebrities – including former England footballer Paul Merson, TV presenter Nick Knowles, JLS star JB Gill, singer Toyah Willcox and Olympic hockey gold medallist Sam Quek – paired with their dancing partners. It also marked the return of professional dancer Amy Dowden, who underwent a mastectomy and chemotherapy after being diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2023. Dressed in hot pink, the 34-year-old…

The number of second homes being put up for sale in one part of Wales has increased by more than 250% – as homeowners and businesses criticise the Welsh government’s council tax premium.Many councils in Wales now charge an inflated tax rate for second homes, up to 300%, with the aim of freeing up rarely used housing stock for locals and generating income. In Pembrokeshire, the council tax premium increased to 200% in April, trebling the cost for homeowners and leading to many selling up. Image: Many suspect properties are being listed in a loophole to temporarily avoid the upped…

A billionaire astronaut and his crew have returned to Earth after taking part in the first private spacewalk. Polaris Dawn, operated by SpaceX on behalf of billionaire Jared Isaacman, splashed down at 8.37am today in the Gulf of Mexico near Florida’s Dry Tortugas in the predawn darkness. Carrying four private citizens, including SpaceX engineers Anna Menon and Sarah Gillis, the SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket launched into space on Tuesday and spent five days in orbit.”We are mission complete,” Isaacman radioed as the capsule bobbed in the water, awaiting the recovery team.While orbiting the planet, Mission commander Mr Isaacman joined a…

Chad McQueen, who played the villain in The Karate Kid, has died aged 63.His wife and children shared a statement on Instagram on Thursday afternoon from McQueen’s verified account announcing the news with “a heavy heart”. “His remarkable journey as a loving father to us, along with his unwavering commitment to our mother, truly exemplified a life filled with love and dedication,” the statement says.”His passion for racing not only highlighted his exceptional talent, but also served as a way to honor his father’s legacy, a testament to the values instilled in him.”He passed his passion, knowledge and dedication down…

Babcock International, the London-listed defence contractor, is weighing a possible bid for some of the assets of Harland and Wolff, the shipbuilder which is close to collapse.Sky News has learnt that Babcock, which has a market value of £2.4bn, has expressed an interest in Harland and Wolff’s Belfast shipyard which is famous for having built The Titanic. News of its interest comes amid reports that Harland and Wolff could fall into administration as soon as next week.The company has been struggling under the weight of a substantial debt-pile, and was dealt a hammer blow soon after the general election when…

Two astronauts who are set to be stuck in space for eight months have said the International Space Station is now their “happy place” but admitted to “tough times”.Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams said in a press conference on Friday that it was hard to watch their Boeing Starliner capsule return to Earth without them last week – but said they do not feel let down by the company. The pair expected to be in space for eight days but will remain there until 2025 after NASA determined the problem-plagued capsule posed too much risk for them to return to…