Author: SKYNEWS

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…

Sylvester Stallone has paid tribute to his Rocky co-star, Carl Weathers, saying he is “torn up” following news of the star’s death aged 76.Stallone credited the former American footballer, famous for playing Apollo Creed in the first four Rocky movies, as being an “integral part” of his success, telling his 16.8 million Instagram followers “we lost a legend”. Image: Weathers pictured last year. Pic: AP In a statement, Weathers’ family said he died “peacefully in his sleep” on Thursday.Speaking in a video post on Instagram, Stallone said it was “an incredibly sad day for me”, describing himself as “torn up”.He…

Ivy Farm, on the outskirts of Oxford, is not a farm as you know it.There is grass but it’s artificial, there are pigs and sheep but they are upholstered foot-stools with sewn-on faces. There are offices and labs where meat is grown. This could be the future of farming.That future could be about to take a small step closer, as the prestigious Piccadilly grocer Fortnum & Mason tests the meat in its famous scotch egg.But the immaculate afternoon tea service will have to wait. As we step back to the lab, and even before that, to the abattoir. Because, whether…

The FTSE 100 drinks giant Diageo has kicked off the search for a new chairman as it grapples with a sharp slowdown in sales in key growth markets.Sky News has learnt that Diageo, one of the world’s biggest alcoholic beverage companies, is working with Russell Reynolds Associates, the search firm, to identify a successor to Javier Ferran. Mr Ferran, who also chairs British Airways’ parent company, International Consolidated Airlines Group, has chaired the Guinness-to-Johnnie Walker maker since 2017.His tenure was renewed last year for a further three-year term which expires in October 2025, although a source close to the process…

An arm of the giant Indian conglomerate Tata is in the frame to take over the running of Britain’s Faster Payments Service – even as one of its sister companies prepares to lay off thousands of Welsh-based steelworkers.Sky News has learnt that Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is a leading contender to become the administrator of a key piece of the UK’s economic infrastructure, which is responsible for processing more than 90% of salaries, over 70% of household bills and almost all state benefit payments. The procurement process, which has taken place amid rapid developments in global payments technology, is shrouded…

Former Post Office boss Paula Vennells will give evidence to the next phase of the inquiry into the Horizon IT scandal.She served as chief executive from 2012 to 2019, and has faced questions about why hundreds of subpostmasters were wrongly convicted of fraud and false accounting under her watch. Scrutiny grew after she was depicted in the ITV drama Mr Bates Vs The Post Office – and she gave back her CBE after the programme sparked public anger. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:36 ‘How do you feel about ruining people’s lives?’ When she returned…

TV presenter Jonnie Irwin has died aged 50, his family has said.Irwin, who presented Channel 4’s A Place In The Sun and the BBC’s Escape To The Country, was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2020. In a statement, his family said: “It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of Jonnie’s passing.”A truly remarkable soul, he fought bravely against cancer with unwavering strength and courage.”Jonnie touched the lives of so many with his kindness, warmth, and infectious spirit. “At this time, we kindly ask for the privacy of Jonnie’s family as they navigate through this profound loss. Their…