Author: SKYNEWS

Authorities in California have been mocked over a “billion-dollar” bridge to nowhere.The state government of California has long planned for a Los Angeles to San Francisco high-speed rail project. Despite initial funding being approved back in 2008, the line is still a long way off and expected to cost over $100bn in total.So far, construction has only begun on the earliest phase and further funding has been used on environmental planning ahead in the Phase I System.However, the California High-Speed Rail Authority recently publicised one of the completed sections of construction – finished back in 2018 and reported to cost…

Madonna has played her biggest-ever gig to an estimated 1.6 million people on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro.It was the last show in her Celebration tour and she performed hits such Like A Prayer, Vogue, Hung Up, Into The Groove and Like A Virgin. The Brazil city was buzzing ahead of Saturday’s free two-hour show, with hotels and Airbnb’s packed and about 170 extra flights expected into the city. Image: Pic: Reuters Image: The famous Rio beach was packed with fans. Pic: AP Helicopters and drones buzzed over the beach as the Queen of Pop took to the stage…

You may have noticed an unusual German rap song in the background of an increasing number of videos on your TikTok feed.But what is it – and how did it spread so fast? What is Barbara Rhubarb Bar?What sounds like a rap is in fact a German tongue twister written by musical comedian Bodo Wartke and his content creator friend Marti Fischer.The pair posted a two-part video of them reciting the rhyme, entitled ‘Barbaras Rhabarberbar’, in December last year. It begins: “In a small village there once lived a girl with the name Barbara. Barbara was known in the area…

Ordinary investors will be awarded ‘bonus’ shares in NatWest Group if they hold onto stock they acquire in the taxpayer-backed bank, under a plan expected to be finalised by ministers later this month.Sky News has learnt key details of the options being explored by the Treasury for a multibillion pound retail offer of NatWest shares, including a likely £10,000 cap on applications from members of the public. Jeremy Hunt, the chancellor, announced in last year’s autumn statement that he would explore a mass-market share sale “to create a new generation of retail investors”.Since that point, further buybacks by the bank and…

An AI-controlled warplane has taken a senior air force leader for a ride in a groundbreaking test flight over California.Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall sat in the cockpit as the experimental F-16 jet, called Vista, flew lightning-fast manoeuvres at more than 550mph over Edwards Air Force Base. It went nearly nose to nose with a second human-piloted F-16 as both raced within 1,000 feet of each other, twisting and looping to try to force their opponent into vulnerable positions. Image: The AI-controlled F-16 (left) duelled with a human-controlled adversary Mr Kendall’s flight was a further statement of confidence in artificial…

Kendrick Lamar and Drake have both released new diss tracks as the feud between them intensifies with brutal verses dragging in their families.Lamar earlier this week replied to two tracks by Drake with Euphoria – where he called the Canadian rapper a “scam artist”. On Friday, Drake responded with Family Matters, hitting back: “Why you never hold your son and tell him say cheese. We could have left the kids out of this don’t blame me.”The lyrics seem to be a reposte to Lamar questioning his abilities as a father on Euphoria.In his latest release, Drake – the world’s most-streamed…

Olly Murs has apologised for cancelling a performance in Glasgow at the last minute.The singer has been supporting Take That on tour, but was forced to cancel his appearance with the band at the OVO Hydro due to transport issues. Murs said he had been at Heathrow from 11am ahead of his performance on Friday night, but the flight was cancelled after “several delays” and an accident with a cabin crew member.”So sorry to everyone at the @takethat show tonight in Glasgow, unfortunately I won’t be there,” the 39-year-old former X-Factor runner-up wrote on X.”Don’t think I’ve ever missed a…

Kevin Spacey has denied new allegations of inappropriate behaviour from men who feature in a Channel 4 documentary released next week.In an interview with journalist Dan Wootton posted on X, the double Oscar winner said he will “no longer be speechless”.Last year, Spacey was found not guilty by a jury of nine sexual offences alleged by four men between 2001 and 2013 after a trial in London.He also won a US civil lawsuit in October 2022, after being accused of an unwanted sexual advance at a party in 1986.The Channel 4 documentary titled Spacey Unmasked is said to feature testimony…

At a time when jukebox musicals dominate London’s West End, some of theatreland’s stars argue the success of original shows is proof “audiences are ready to take a risk”.From Motown to Michael Jackon, Tina Turner to the Jersey Boys, the past two decades have seen an exponential rise in offerings based around songs most of us will already know the words to. Back in 1999, the runaway success of staging Mamma Mia! – based on ABBA’s extensive back catalogue – proved to be a game-changer.It resulted in several investors believing they’d stumbled across a magic formula – the combination of…

Meteors will be streaking across the sky this weekend as Earth passes through the debris of Halley’s Comet.The annual Eta Aquariid meteor shower peaks on Sunday night into Monday morning but should be visible, weather-permitting, all weekend. Where to watch the showYou should see the meteors low in the sky if you look to the east before dawn. They are more easily visible in the southern hemisphere but you can still spot them in the UK.Of course, your stargazing may depend on the weather. This weekend, it is very unsettled. The Met Office says its “computer models are disagreeing” about…