Author: SKYNEWS

Killer Mike has been detained by police at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles – just hours after the rapper won three awards.In a video posted on social media, the Atlanta-based rapper is seen being handcuffed and escorted out of the ceremony by police. His sixth studio album, Michael, picked up best rap album – while his track Scientists And Engineers won best rap song and best rap performance.As he received his awards on stage, Mike said: “This is for all the people who think you’re too old to rap… we keep hip hop alive. Never ever stop doing what…

Facebook is 20 years old today.On 4 February 2004 Mark Zuckerberg launched ‘thefacebook.com’ from his Harvard dormitory. Two decades later, many users struggle to remember a time they weren’t scrolling through its news feed – or that of its social media sibling, Instagram.While allowing us to find long-lost friends and family, and supporting small businesses, its 20-year history has been chequered with controversy – from the Cambridge Analytica scandal and allegations of election interference, to lacking protections against harmful content.Here we look back at the last 20 years – and what could be in store for the trillion-dollar tech company.…

Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko has set a new world record for the most time spent in space.The 59-year-old clocked up a cumulative total of more than 878 days and 12 hours outside the Earth’s atmosphere – the equivalent of nearly two-and-a-half years – on Sunday morning. Mr Kononenko celebrated the milestone on board the International Space Station (ISS), which he has travelled to five times since 2008.”I fly into space to do what I love, not to set records. I’ve dreamt of and aspired to become a cosmonaut since I was a child.”That interest – the opportunity to fly into…

The owner of Tangle Teezer, the British hair-styling brand, has enlisted investment bankers to explore options for the company that could include an eventual sale.Sky News has learnt that Mayfair Equity Partners, the private equity backer of companies such as Ovo Energy, has hired Harris Williams to oversee a strategic review. The move comes as Tangle Teezer benefits from an explosion in sales in the US, and comes 17 years after its founder’s pitch for funding was rejected on the television programme Dragons’ Den.People close to the situation said that a number of options were under review, and there was…

British director Matthew Vaughn has dispelled online rumours that Taylor Swift was behind the pseudonym Elly Conway – the author of the novel connected to his new film Argylle.The film sees its protagonist Elly Conway, played by Bryce Dallas Howard, thrown into the world of espionage when she meets real spy Aiden, played by Sam Rockwell, on a train. Argylle also stars Henry Cavill, Dua Lipa, John Cena, Bryan Cranston, Ariana DeBose and Catherine O’Hara.On Friday – the day of Argylle’s release in cinemas – The Telegraph revealed the real writers behind the novel – Terry Hayes and Tammy Cohen.Before…

Political censorship in the West today is “exactly the same” as it was in China under Chairman Mao, exiled artist Ai Weiwei has told Sky News.The 66-year-old dissident told Sky News’ Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips that “society becomes so timid, to really avoid any kind of questioning or argument”. He was responding to a question regarding the cancellation of his exhibition by the Lisson Gallery in London in November following social media posts regarding the Israel-Gaza conflict.”I grew up within this heavy political censorship,” he said, referring to his own family’s exile when he was one year old.”I realise…

An Indian model who faked her own death to raise awareness of cervical cancer has defended her actions, saying the publicity stunt was “necessary”.Poonam Pandey, 32, shot to fame in 2011 when she promised to strip for the Indian cricket team if they won the World Cup. She has since appeared in Bollywood films and reality TV shows. A statement announcing her death was posted on her Instagram page on Friday.Her 1.3 million followers were told: “This morning is a tough one for us. Deeply saddened to inform you that we have lost our beloved Poonam to cervical cancer.”Every living…

Train and rail strikes will impact commuters in February and March, as both ASLEF and RMT union members walk out over pay. The strikes by ASLEF will affect the services of 17 train companies. Fresh industrial action and an overtime ban by drivers is likely to cause widespread disruption in an ongoing dispute over pay, the union said.In some places, there may be no services at all on strike days, and services that are running will start later and finish much earlier than usual – typically running between 7.30am and 6.30pm.Here is a full list of the services affected by…

Badderz UK is an online reality show in which contestants are encouraged to drink, fight and generally behave badly.It’s quickly gone viral, raking up almost 100,000 views in less than a week. It is – as its executive producer Lani Good admits – unashamedly “extreme”. Were it to be on TV, without question she says “it would be watered down”.While UK broadcasters would be criticised for not protecting participants were they to air a similar show on TV, on the internet, the same duty of care rules don’t apply.”I feel like TV needs to take a chill pill, we’re just…

A manufacturer of sports supplements part-owned by JD Sports Fashion is beginning preparations for a £1bn flotation that could help breathe fresh life into London’s moribund market for new share offerings.Sky News has learnt that Applied Nutrition, which is based in Liverpool, has been interviewing investment bankers in recent weeks about a listing that could take place in the autumn. City sources said this weekend that Deutsche Numis was among those in contention for a role on the float, which could rank among the largest in the UK this year.One person close to the situation cautioned that no firm decision…