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No Writer
May 18
Bodies of missing divers found in Maldives

Five Italians are believed to have died while exploring a cave at a depth of around 50m (160ft) in Vaavu Atoll on Thursday, according to Italy's Foreign Ministry. The Maldives ​government said ​on Monday ‌that ​the bodies of all the scuba ‌divers had now been ⁠located, after one of the missing was found last week. An initial search was suspended after local military diver Mohamed Mahudhee died during a perilous mission to try to reach them, but searches resumed on Monday. The victims from the Italian group have been identified as Monica Montefalcone, an associate professor of ecology at the University of Genoa; her daughter, Giorgia Sommacal; marine biologist Federico Gualtieri; researcher Muriel Oddenino; and diving instructor Gianluca Benedetti, according to the Maldivian government. Mr Benedetti's body was recovered near the mouth of the cave on Thursday. Authorities believe the other four had entered the cave. The cause of the deaths is under investigation. Mr Mahudhee, a member of the Maldivian National Defense Force, died of underwater decompression sickness after being transferred to a hospital in the capital on Saturday. Mr Mahudhee was buried with military honours in a funeral on Saturday night, with the country's President Mohamed Muizzu in attendance. Italy's foreign minister Antonio Tajani said everything possible would be done to bring the victims home and offered his condolences for the death of Mr Mahudhee. Rough weather has impacted rescue efforts throughout the mission. What was the group doing? The Italian tour operator that managed the diving trip denied authorising or knowing about the deep dive that exceeded local limits, its lawyer told Italian daily Corriere della Sera on Saturday. The recreational diving limit in the Maldives is 30m (98ft). Ms Montefalcone and Ms Oddenino were in the Maldives on an official scientific mission to monitor marine environments and study the effects of climate change on tropical biodiversity, the University of Genoa said in a statement on Friday. But the scuba diving activity during which the deadly incident occurred was not part of the planned research and was "undertaken privately", it said. The statement also said the two other victims - student Ms Sommacal and recent graduate Mr Gualtieri - were not part of the scientific mission. This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version. You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow us on WhatsApp and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.

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Gemma Peplow, culture and entertainment reporter
May 18
Shakira acquitted of tax fraud in Spain

The Colombian singer said the decision marked the end of "brutal public targeting" and "sleepless nights" that impacted her and her family. The ruling relates to a dispute over the 2011 tax year, with the Madrid-based court concluding that Spanish tax authorities did not prove the singer was a resident of the country during that time. Spain's treasury has now been ordered to hand back more than 55m euros in wrongly imposed fines, plus interest, according to legal documents. Shakira, whose full name is Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, had always denied any wrongdoing and said her "name and public image" had been used "to send a threatening message" to other taxpayers in the country. "After more than eight years of enduring brutal public targeting, orchestrated campaigns to destroy my reputation, and sleepless nights that ultimately impacted my health and my family's well-being, the National High Court has finally set the record straight," she said in a statement sent to Sky News. "There was never any fraud, and the administration itself could never prove otherwise, simply because it wasn't true. Yet, for nearly a decade, I was treated as guilty." Shakira was previously in a relationship with Spanish footballer Gerard Pique, the father of her two children, and the case hinged on where she was living and how much she earned during certain periods. For a person to be considered a tax resident in Spain, they must spend more than 183 days in the country in any year. Spanish authorities were only able to prove Shakira lived in Spain that year for a total of 163 days, the High Court said. Representatives for the star said she was on a world tour in 2011, performing 120 concerts across 37 countries, and had no home in Spain at the time. Authorities first announced investigations into the star in 2018, accusing her of failing to pay income tax while living in Barcelona during a different period, between 2012 and 2014. In November 2023, Shakira reached a deal with prosecutors to avoid a trial over those charges. Read moreBulgaria beats Israel to win Eurovision song contest - as UK comes lastCasting for new James Bond under way The new ruling can still ‌be appealed before the Supreme Court and does not affect tax years after 2011. Shakira, who rose to global fame after her fifth album, Laundry Service, in 2001, is known for hits including Hips Don't Lie, Whenever, Wherever, Underneath Your Clothes, and Beyonce duet Beautiful Liar. She and her children moved to Miami in 2023 following her split with Pique.

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No Writer
May 18
Burnham’s '55% chance' of losing Makerfield and throwing Labour into chaos

Andy Burnham says Britain needs a "circuit breaker for politics" as he plots his return to Westminster. But with Labour sources putting his chances of success in the Makerfield by-election at less than 50:50, will his plan to stand for PM unravel before it's begun? Sam and Anne unpack the political chaos consuming Labour, including the growing speculation about Sir Keir Starmer's exit timetable, and Wes Streeting reigniting the row over rejoining the EU. Will voters see Burnham as Labour's saviour or a man who pushes the party deeper into crisis? And does the reopening of the Brexit wars play into Reform UK's hands?

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No Writer
May 18
PGA Championship: England's Aaron Rai storms to maiden major with three-shot win over Jon Rahm at Aronimink Golf Club

Rai went into the final round two strokes back and was three behind with 10 holes to play, before a 40-foot eagle at the par-five ninth sparked a scoring burst that pushed him up a congested leaderboard. The world No 44 posted two birdies in a three-hole stretch from the 11th and added back-to-back gains from the 16th, including a sensational 70-foot putt at the par-three 17th, to grab control and a three-shot cushion. PGA Championship: Final round as it happenedFinal PGA Championship leaderboard [external]When are the majors? Key dates in 2026Get Sky Sports or stream golf with no contract A two-putt par at the last closed a final-round 65 and saw him end the week on nine under, with Rai ending a streak of 10 consecutive American winners at the PGA Championship and becoming the first English winner since Jim Barnes in 1919. Jon Rahm finished tied-second with overnight leader Alex Smalley as he chased the third leg of the career Grand Slam, while two-time PGA champion Justin Thomas shared fourth spot alongside Ludvig Aberg and Germany's Matti Schmid. Rory McIlroy's bid for back-to-back major titles ended five strokes back in tied-seventh with Xander Schauffele and Cameron Smith, while Kurt Kitayama jumped inside the top-10 with a round-of-the-day 63 and Scottie Scheffler ended his title defence on two under after a final-round 69. How Rai edged major thriller at Aronimink Some 30 players were within five of the lead heading into the final round, with Rahm making the first move after posting a birdie-birdie start to pull level with Smalley on six under. Rahm lost ground after bogeying the next, where Smalley held a 25-footer to scramble a par and remain ahead, only for a three-shot swing at the sixth seeing Smalley make double-bogey and Schmid to hole from 20 feet and card a third birdie in five holes. Rai - playing two groups behind the leaders - was one back after an opening-hole birdie but found himself two behind after bogeys at the sixth and eighth, before his long-range eagle at the ninth pulled him back tied-second and within one of Schmid. The German started his back nine with a bogey to hand the lead to Rai, who made a close-range birdie at the 11th and got up and down from the greenside bunker to pick up a shot at the drivable par-four 13th. Schmid birdied the same hole to halve Rai's advantage but fell three back when the Wolverhampton golfer took control of the tournament, two-putting from 20 feet to birdie the par-five 16th and holing his longest putt of the week at the next to leave victory all but confirmed. Rai then found the green in regulation at the par-four last and two-putted for a winning par, with his victory marking the first time in the modern era that the opening two men's majors of the year have been won by European players. "It [winning] is very surreal," Rai said. "It has been a bit of a frustrating season so to be stood here is definitely outside of my wildest imagination. I think it is really good consistency over the last few weeks with practice. My body feels great and I have really enjoyed the course this week." Rahm mixed four birdies with two bogey in a final-round 68 to end the week on six under, with Smalley finding an eagle-three at the 16th and cancelling out a bogey at the next with a 20-foot birdie at the last to also share second. Scheffler and McIlroy fall short at Aronimink McIlroy boosted his hopes of a third PGA Championship victory when he followed a 10-footer to save par at the first by birdieing the second, getting him within two, only to close out the rest of his front nine in pars. The world No 2 failed to capitalise on a 379-yard tee shot into the par-five ninth and saw his par streak ended with a bogey at the driveable 13th, where he hit a wayward three-wood into the rough and failed to find the green with his second. McIlroy kept his slim hopes alive by rolling in a 25-foot birdie at the next but was unable to take advantage of the 16th, leaving him level-par for the week on the par-fives, with a tied-seventh finish equalling his best finish at the PGA Championship since his 2014 victory. Scheffler went into the final day five back and outside the top-20 as he chased a fifth major in as many seasons, but the world No 1 - who can complete the career Grand Slam at the US Open next month - struggled on the greens throughout the week. "When I look back on a week like this, I feel I've had a really good year on the greens and to have a disappointing week on the greens at a major is a tough pill to swallow," Scheffler admitted to Sky Sports, having missed six putts from inside five feet during the week. What's next? The PGA Tour heads to Texas for The CJ Cup Byron Nelson at TPC Craig Ranch, where Scheffler returns as defending champion. Early coverage begins on Thursday from 12.45pm on Sky Sports+ and 5pm on Sky Sports Golf. The DP World Tour is in Belgium for the Soudal Open, while the next men's major is the US Open at Shinnecock Hills from June 18-21, with both also live on Sky Sports Golf. Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract.

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No Writer
May 18
Hantavirus ship arrives in Rotterdam for disinfection

The MV Hondius, which was carrying 25 crew members and two medical personnel, had come from the Spanish island of Tenerife, where most of its passengers left the vessel earlier this month. The Dutch-flagged ship had been carrying ‌around 150 passengers and crew from 23 countries when a cluster of the severe respiratory illness was first reported to ​the World Health Organisation (WHO) on 2 May. Three people - a Dutch couple and a German national - have died since the start of the outbreak. Most of those onboard had already come ashore in Tenerife on 10 May, before being repatriated to their respective countries. Quarantine arrangements have been made for the 25 people still on board. As of 15 May, there were 10 WHO-reported cases - eight ​confirmed and two probable - including the three deaths. The WHO recommends monitoring and quarantining ​high-risk contacts for 42 days after exposure. The current outbreak involves the so-called Andes virus, which has been circulating in Argentina and Chile for decades. Samples from the ship show no meaningful variation in the virus, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has said. Yesterday, a group of nine Britons from St Helena and Ascension Island, who may have been exposed to hantavirus but do not have symptoms, arrived in the UK. Read more from Sky News:Parents could face prison for children's crimes under reformsTen dead in Mexico shooting They will complete their self-isolation at Arrowe Park, where the NHS's High Consequence Infectious Diseases network can provide support should they become unwell. Public health officials will inspect the vessel before it is allowed to sail again. The ship is due to set off on an Arctic cruise from Keflavik, Iceland, on 29 May. The ship's owner doesn't foresee any changes to the timetable. The hantavirus outbreak aboard the MV Hondius is the first known case on a cruise ship.

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No Writer
May 15
Harvey Weinstein's rape retrial ends in mistrial after jury fails to reach verdict

A majority-male jury had been weighing whether Weinstein, now 74, raped former aspiring actor Jessica Mann, now aged 40, in 2013 in a New York hotel. But in a note to Judge Curtis Farber, the jury said it could not reach a unanimous decision. Weinstein had pleaded not guilty to the charge of rape in the third degree, and he has denied all allegations of nonconsensual sex. The mistrial comes nearly a year after a different New York jury failed to reach a verdict on a charge tied to Ms Mann's allegations, which she recounted across five days in court. Weinstein's lawyers ​have argued that Ms Mann made up the rape allegation after regretting that her consensual romance with Weinstein failed to advance her film career. While Weinstein remains behind bars, the mistrial leaves the New York rape charge in limbo after three trials. Read more from Sky News:New Ebola outbreak in Congo kills 65CIA chief visits Cuba Judge Farber said outside the presence of the jury that it was clear they were "hopelessly deadlocked" and that there was no reason to keep them any longer. He told lawyers for both sides to return for a hearing in June. It was not immediately clear whether prosecutors would seek ​to try the case for a fourth time. Weinstein appeared expressionless as court officers ushered him out in his wheelchair. In a statement, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said his office would "consider our next steps in consultation with Ms Mann". "Her perseverance and bravery are inspiring to the members of my office, and more importantly, to survivors everywhere," Mr Bragg said. At his ‌first ⁠trial in New York in 2020, Weinstein was convicted of raping Ms Mann and assaulting onetime production assistant Miriam Haley in 2006. But the state's highest court overturned the conviction and Weinstein's 23-year prison sentence after concluding he did not get a fair trial. A Manhattan jury then convicted Weinstein of sexually abusing Ms Haley at a trial in June 2025, but found him ​not guilty of assaulting former ​model Kaja Sokola. The same jury were ⁠deadlocked on the third-degree rape charge relating to Ms Mann, and Justice Curtis Farber declared a mistrial on that count. That paved the way for this year's retrial. Weinstein ​was convicted of rape in California in 2022 and is serving ​a 16-year prison sentence. He is appealing that conviction and sentence. The Miramax studio co-founder will face up to 25 years in prison when he is ​sentenced for abusing Ms Haley.

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No Writer
May 15
Why winning Makerfield by-election may not be so easy for Burnham

The constituency of Makerfield has been a Labour safe seat for generations, but in the May elections, Reform UK won nearly every seat that was up for grabs at the local council. So how much of a gamble is it for Andy Burnham to try to stage a Commons return here? In his favour is his personal popularity in Greater Manchester and the fact he grew up in the area. Against him is the momentum of Reform and the fact that Makerfield hasn't benefitted from some of Burnham's key policies as mayor of the city. To discuss his chances, Niall speaks to Rob Ford, professor of political science at the University of Manchester. Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show - why@sky.uk

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No Writer
May 18
England Rugby: Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Charlie Bracken, Archie McParland called up as George Martin returns in Nations Championship training squad

Bristol centre Van Rensburg will complete his five-year eligibility period on July 8 - notably, four days after England's opening match against South Africa - and is seen as a potentially key midfield option in the run up to the 2027 World Cup. The Pretoria-born centre, who joined London Irish in 2021, will qualify through residency after the RFU successfully lobbied World Rugby to bring his eligibility date forward from November. He had previously made one substitute appearance for South Africa under-20s in 2016. Bracken, son of former England scrum-half Kyran, has also been given his first call-up by Steve Borthwick and will join up with team-mates at the Performance Centre at Pennyhill Park until Wednesday. 'Scope' for Lions to tour France after 2029, says Itoje'Raising our game' - Mitchell ups bar of expectation for flawless Red RosesDownload Sky Sports app for analysis, news and videoNot got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract McParland made his Saints debut as a 17-year-old against London Irish in September 2022. The squad also features an international return for highly-rated lock George Martin, who gets a call-up for the first time since February 2025 having suffered a combination of knee and shoulder injuries that had kept him out of action for 14 months. Winger Noah Caluori, who was previously selected in the squad for last autumn's internationals, has scored tries for fun in all competitions this season for Saracens as well also playing in the Championship under dual registration for Ampthill. Notable absentees from Borthwick's selection include Bath pair Ollie Lawrence and Henry Arundell. The centre and winger have both been omitted on form rather than fitness. Van Rensburg will be eligible after England's opening Nations Championship fixture against his native country in Johannesburg on Saturday July 4 and could make his debut against Fiji at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday July 11. England training squad ahead of Nations Championship Forwards: Jamie Blamire (Leicester Tigers), Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers), Arthur Clark (Gloucester Rugby), Alex Coles (Northampton Saints), Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins), Tom Curry (Sale Sharks), Theo Dan (Saracens), Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins), Ben Earl (Saracens), Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears), Jamie George (Saracens), Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers), Nick Isiekwe (Saracens), Maro Itoje (Saracens), Emmanuel Iyogun (Northampton Saints), George Martin (Leicester Tigers), Beno Obano (Bath Rugby), Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks), Guy Pepper (Bath Rugby), Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints), Vilikesa Sela (Bath Rugby), Kepu Tuipulotu (Bath Rugby). Backs: Seb Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby), Charlie Bracken (Saracens), Noah Caluori (Saracens), Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints), Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs), George Ford (Sale Sharks), Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints), George Furbank (Northampton Saints), Benhard Janse van Rensburg (Bristol Bears), Archie McParland (Northampton Saints), Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints), Cadan Murley (Harlequins), Adam Radwan (Leicester Tigers), Tom Roebuck (Sale Sharks), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Fin Smith (Northampton Saints), Marcus Smith (Harlequins), Ben Spencer (Bath Rugby), Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers), Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers). Rehabilitation: Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks) Not considered for selection: Fin Baxter (Harlequins), Ben Curry (Sale Sharks), Elliot Daly (Saracens), Trevor Davison (Northampton Saints), Greg Fisilau (Exeter Chiefs), Will Muir (Bath Rugby), Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks), Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby). England's Nations Championship fixturesRound One: July 4 - South Africa vs EnglandRound Two : July 11 - Fiji vs EnglandRound Three: July 18 - Argentina vs EnglandRound Four: November 8 - England vs AustraliaRound Five: November 14 - England vs JapanRound Six: November 21 - England vs New Zealand

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