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No Writer
May 22
Ebola outbreak 'spreading rapidly' - as vaccine from UK scientists 'months away'

There are at least 750 suspected Ebola cases in the DRC, along with 177 suspected deaths, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said. He said 72 cases and seven deaths have been confirmed, but the number of suspected cases and deaths was much higher. "These numbers are changing as surveillance efforts and laboratory testing is improving, but violence and insecurity are impeding the response," Mr Ghebreyesus said. Mr Ghebreyesus said the outbreak in the DRC was "spreading rapidly" and now poses a "very high" risk at the national level. The UN health agency was revising its assessment of the risk within the country from high to "very high", he said. The risk remains high for regional spread and low at global levels, he added. Additional WHO personnel have been deployed to Ituri, the epicentre of the outbreak, he added. In neighbouring Uganda, two cases and one death have been confirmed. University of Oxford scientists working on vaccine It comes as scientists from the University of Oxford are working to develop a new vaccine which could be used to combat the outbreak. Professor Teresa Lambe OBE, the head of vaccine immunology at the Oxford Vaccine Group and Pandemic Sciences Institute, said: "My hope is that this outbreak can be brought under control quickly and that vaccines are ultimately not needed. "Nevertheless, our team and partners will continue working to ensure that potential vaccine options are available if they are needed." The WHO said the vaccine could be available for use in clinical trials in two to three months, the BBC reported. Treatment centre set alight Mr Ghebreyesus's comments about "violence and insecurity" come after a treatment centre was set alight by an angry crowd. Clashes broke out in the town of Rwampara, in Ituri, on Thursday after the family of an Ebola victim disputed the disease had killed him and demanded his body be handed over to them. Witnesses told the Reuters news agency that protesters gathered outside the hospital and set fire to tents run by a medical charity, prompting police to fire warning shots and tear ‌gas. Bodies of Ebola victims are highly infectious after death, and unsafe burials are a leading cause of transmission. Read more from Sky News:Andrew investigated over potential sex crimesTravel disruption expected as bank holiday getaway begins On Thursday, a case was confirmed in the DRC, hundreds of miles from the epicentre, in a rebel-held area of the country, signalling a further spread of the disease. The Bundibugyo strain responsible for the outbreak has no approved vaccine or treatment, and the WHO has declared a public health emergency of international concern. On Thursday, Britain said it was allocating up to £20⁠m to the response, through support for frontline health workers, improved infection control and disease surveillance. The US has so far committed £17.1m ($23m) and said it would help open up to 50 clinics in DRC and Uganda.

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No Writer
May 22
TV presenter Judith Chalmers, who hosted Wish You Were Here, has died

Chalmers, who was 90, died on Thursday evening. Her family said she had become seriously ill in recent weeks. In a statement to Sky News, they said she died peacefully at home, surrounded by her family, after living with Alzheimer's in her final years. Chalmers' family said: "After living an extraordinary life that involved over 60 years in broadcasting and countless adventures all over the globe, Judy sadly passed away last night, surrounded by the family she loved so much after suffering with Alzheimer's for some years. "We will miss her greatly but she leaves behind a giant suitcase of the happiest of memories." Fans paid tribute on social media, with one calling her "a national treasure". Chalmers, who was born in Gatley, Cheshire, started working for the BBC when she was just 13. In the 1960s, she presented two BBC radio programmes, Family Favourites and Woman's Hour. She also presented the BBC's Come Dancing from 1961 to 1965. In 1974, Chalmers started presenting ITV's travel programme Wish You Were Here...? - a gig she kept until 2003. In the 1980s, she was a regular host of the Miss World contest on ITV, as well as the BBC's Children's Television Club which later became Blue Peter. In 1994, she was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her services to broadcasting. Read more from Sky News:Why could we have a record-breaking heatwave?Burnham backs Mahmood's tough immigration stance In 2008, her son, Mark Durden-Smith, hosted a new version of the show, called Wish You Were Here...? Now & Then, which saw locations from the show's original series revisited to see how they had changed. She leaves behind her husband, former sports commentator Neil Durden-Smith, their two children, and six grandchildren.

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No Writer
May 22
'Unduly lenient' sentence for boys who 'raped for social media content' under urgent review

Former Home Office minister Jess Phillips also condemned the "unduly lenient" sentence, saying it sends a "bad message". Southampton Crown Court heard two girls were raped in two separate incidents in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, with the first attack taking place on 26 November 2024 and the second on 17 January 2025. The three teenagers, two aged 15 and one aged 14, were given youth rehabilitation orders (YRO) and the two older boys were also made subject to intensive supervision and surveillance (ISS). Ms Phillips, who served as minister for safeguarding and violence against women and girls until earlier this month, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "It seems unduly lenient to me and has wider public interest beyond just the case itself in the message that it sends. "For those young women going through a rape trial like this will not have been a simple thing to do, it will have been many, many months, if not years, to achieve any sort of justice and I am afraid to say it sends a bad message." Ms Phillips added: "These young people it seems were essentially raping for content in order to put it on social media and share it to their friends gloating about raping these poor young women." A government spokesperson said the attorney general's office had received "multiple" requests for the sentences to be reviewed under the Unduly Lenient Scheme. They said: "We share the public's shock at the details of this horrific case, and our thoughts are with the young victims during this distressing time. "The law officers are urgently reviewing the case with the utmost care and attention." Hampshire's Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones has vowed to support the families of the victims if they wish to appeal the "leniency" of the sentences. She said: "Their sentences reflect a clear focus on rehabilitation rather than criminalisation. They are far too lenient. "As they stand, they offer little comfort to their victims as they try to rebuild their lives after such harrowing experiences." At the sentencing on Thursday, Judge Nicholas Rowland told the trio: "I have to remember that you are not small adults. I have to think how likely you are to do serious things again and I need to make sure you do not do serious things again in the future." Explaining his sentence, the judge added: "I should avoid criminalising these children unnecessarily and understand the effects of their behaviour and support their reintegration into society." He added that "peer pressure played a large part in what went on". Read more from Sky News:Three dead in two-vehicle crashIan Watkins murder trial collapses The judge praised the "bravery" of the two victims for giving evidence to the trial and for providing impact statements on how the offences had affected them. Jodie Mittel KC, prosecuting, told the trial that the girl in the November incident, who was 15 at the time, had visited the first defendant after meeting him on Snapchat. The prosecutor said that after performing sex acts on the boy, who was then 14, she became "scared and anxious" when the second defendant and the pair raped her while the incident was filmed. Ms Mittel said that afterwards videos of the incident had been sent around and other people made jokes about her, and she received messages calling her a "slag". The complainant in the January incident, who was 14 at the time, was raped in a field near to Fordingbridge recreation ground while the incident was also filmed.

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No Writer
May 22
England World Cup squad announcement: Ruthless Thomas Tuchel leaves big names out of 26-man squad

"I love the tough decisions," Tuchel said on the squad being announced, and he has been true to his word. Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Harry Maguire are the eye-catching names to have missed out on selection after Tuchel confirmed his 26-man squad for this summer's tournament in North America. Tuchel personally called around 50 players opn Thursday and Friday to inform them that they had/had not made his World Cup 26-man squad. World Cup 2026 fixture schedule and UK kick-off timesEngland's fixtures and routes to 2026 World Cup finalWorld Cup kits revealed!England's World Cup squad in full... Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), James Trafford (Man City). Defenders: Reece James (Chelsea), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), John Stones (Man City), Marc Guehi (Man City), Dan Burn (Newcastle), Nico O'Reilly (Man City), Djed Spence (Tottenham), Tino Livramento (Newcastle). Midfielders: Declan Rice (Arsenal), Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Kobbie Mainoo (Man Utd), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal). Forwards: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Ivan Toney (Al-Ahli), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle), Noni Madueke (Arsenal). 'Most shocking squad since 1998' Sky Sports News' Kaveh Solhekol has described the squad as "probably the most shocking since 1998" and it is England's World Cup absentees, plus the leaks on the eve of Friday's announcement that have provided the biggest talking points. Furious Maguire posted on social media he was "shocked and gutted" to miss out on a squad Tuchel told players about on Thursday, with the steady stream of information allowing onlookers to piece together the personnel in advance. Foden and Palmer were the biggest names to miss after below-par club seasons with Manchester City and Chelsea respectively, plus a huge amount of competition in that area of the field. Real Madrid right-back Alexander-Arnold is another bold omission, albeit a more predictable one having not won a cap since last summer. On the absence of Palmer, Foden, Maguire and Alexander-Arnold, Tuchel said: "Difficult phone calls. I respect all of them. As players, personalities. All of them have been in camp, have been excellent. "To reduce it was difficult, sometimes painfully difficult. Even in the phone calls I felt the emotion. I called all the players who were in camp with us at least one time. A lot of them deserved to be with us. "In the end we went back to the evidence we had - in September, October, November, the leadership group and the team had very few changes in November... that felt we had a bit of fresh air, younger players who played with excitement, it was a good mix of young and old and brought the best out of the players. We want to recreate that spirit - that's why we rely heavily on the group that was with us in those three camps. "For some it was a positional thing and not bring[ing] five No 10s and making them play out of position." In-form Nottingham Forest forward Morgan Gibbs-White, Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, Newcastle defender Lewis Hall, Man Utd's Luke Shaw and West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen are other notable absentees as Tuchel made an eye-catching first tournament selection. Toney earns shock recall The surprise name included is Ivan Toney, who has played just seven minutes of international football since Euro 2024. The former Brentford striker told Sky Sports in February that he still harboured hopes of being included in the World Cup squad and his 32 goals in 32 Saudi Pro League games for Al-Ahli this season have seen him earn a shock recall. He will provide the back up for captain Harry Kane alongside Ollie Watkins, who has also been recalled to the squad after scoring 10 goals for Aston Villa since being left out of March's internationals. Newcastle defender Tino Livramento has been selected despite missing the past month with a thigh issue, while similarly versatile Spurs full-back Djed Spence has been included despite breaking his jaw on Tuesday. Other notable inclusions include Man Utd midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, Arsenal duo Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke, Bayer Leverkusen defender Jarell Quansah, and the experienced duo of John Stones and Jordan Henderson. Bournemouth's Alex Scott will join up with England out in Miami, even though he has not been included in Tuchel's initial squad. It's understood Tuchel wanted to boost his playing options with the Arsenal contingent of players due to join up late with the rest of the squad because of the Champions League final. England will be without Rice, Saka, Madueke and Eze for their first pre-tournament friendly against New Zealand. England kick-off Group L against Croatia in Dallas on Wednesday June 17, before playing Ghana on Tuesday June 23 and Panama on Saturday June 27. On daring to dream about England's World Cup chances, Tuchel said: "I can dream. But very quickly you go back and chop it up into steps you can influence. "In March last year we said to the players 'let's try to win it'. I strongly believe if the energy and the commitment is right, this is really a brotherhood, the fans will notice and see. "Let's play with hunger, with excitement. The goal is clear. But the focus will now be on the 10 days of camp... otherwise it's a lot to digest." 'Tuchel has kept to his word with big decisions' Analysis from Sky Sports News' Rob Dorsett: England's leakiest World Cup squad announcement ever. The news started breaking about 6pm last night when we heard from Maguire, who wasn't included. Then we got the news that Toney was in from out of nowhere. They are two of the big headlines, with the omissions of Palmer, Foden and Alexander-Arnold being the other big stories. England leaving out those high-profile names will send shock waves around world football. We've known for a long time that Tuchel has a problem at No 10. He's got an embarrassment of riches at No 10. He said all along he wouldn't be able to take all of them. He would take the tough decisions and leave big names at home if they weren't performing well or didn't fit into his plans. He's kept to his word on that in leaving Foden and Palmer out and Morgan Gibbs-White, who we need to mention. But is Gibbs-White ever going to get on the pitch? When it came to Palmer and Foden, I expected maybe one of them would make it and not both, because Tuchel has talked about his extensive No 10 options for a long time. He has a wealth of talent in that position. We knew Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers were going to go, but how many more No 10s did he need and how many could he fit in? The No 10 debate will go on and on. There is no doubt Tuchel has some really interesting questions to answer. It's been the most bizarre England squad announcement I've known in four tournaments. Tuchel has certainly put his stamp on things and he doesn't mind making the big decisions and leaving the big names out. 'Only Tuchel would have picked this squad' Sky Sports' News Kaveh Solhekol at Wembley: "I think it's very shocking, very surprising. "I think only Tuchel would've picked this England squad. "I think he's left out some of the most talented English players. "This is probably the most shocking England squad since 1998, when Glenn Hoddle left out Paul Gascoigne." Your views: Mixed reaction to Tuchel's squad... CallumH16: We have been used to squads being selected on the basis of form under Southgate, which is why I think this squad selection comes as such a shock. It's horrific from Tuchel! There are many players that haven't played enough minutes this season: Stones, James, Henderson, Livramento. Tom: We have had years of moaning about England managers being too cautious picking the obvious players. It's a breath of fresh air to have a manager going against the grain. Shows leadership and confidence. Mcgly 93: For years England fans used to go mad at managers for taking players all because of their name. There's an argument here that the gaffer has gone against that so fair play. We will see what happens however if it goes pear-shaped then its P45, do not pass go and do not collect 200... Joe: What an embarrassing day for English football! And I was there for the 98 squad announcement! AdamTilley: Has Tuchel been watching the Premier League this season?? Big Dan: Weakest England squad I've ever seen heading into a tournament! That defence is horrible to look at. Morgan Gibbs-White had to be included. Putting the Arsenal front three in is ridiculous, he's done that based on winning the league as all three have been poor. Gary McKnight: The first ever England manager (especially in my lifetime anyway) to not pick players on reputation. Tuchel hasn't caved in to outside pressure and I respect that. I trust that man! James: Everyone please calm down. We aren't used to a serial winner as manager. The vast majority of players left out of the squad are out of form. Morgan Gibbs-white and Lewis Hall are unlucky but the player ahead of them are also quality. What's next for England? England will depart for the United States on Monday, June 1, 16 days prior to their opening group encounter against Croatia (Wednesday, June 17). They will be based in Swope Soccer Village in Kansas City, Missouri during the tournament. England have World Cup warm-up matches with New Zealand on June 6 (9pm UK time) and Costa Rica on June 10 (9pm UK time) before their tournament opener against Croatia. England's World Cup Group L games England vs Croatia - June 17, Dallas, 9pm (UK time)England vs Ghana - June 23, Boston, 9pm (UK time)Panama vs England - June 27, New York-New Jersey, 10pm (UK time)World Cup key datesGroup stage: June 11-27Round of 32: June 28 to July 3Round of 16: July 4-7Quarter-finals: July 9-11Semi-finals: July 14-15Third-place play-off ('Bronze final'): July 18Final: July 19

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Deborah Haynes, security and defence editor
May 22
Red Arrows to fly with just seven aircraft for most displays because engines are so old

The world-famous aerobatic team will perform with a full "Diamond Nine" on special occasions such as to mark the King's birthday and as part of an international flypast in the US on 4 July to commemorate the 250th anniversary of Independence Day. However, only seven jets will dazzle the crowds with their aerial stunts during the first display of the season this weekend in Crete and for much of the rest of the summer. The engine that powers the ageing Red Arrows Hawk T1 jet is no longer in production. It means the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team need to rotate the use of their remaining engines, which can be swapped in and out of aircraft in the same way as engines are moved in and out of Formula 1 cars. The reduced formation will continue to be the norm until the Ministry of Defence buys a replacement Red Arrows fleet. But this decision has been impacted by a delay in the release of a major plan for new investment in the army, navy and air force. The defence investment plan should have been published last autumn. It's still under wraps. An aerospace company that had been vying for the Red Arrows contract even went into administration during the wait. The incumbent Hawk aircraft are finally due to be retired in 2030. The previous Conservative government had extended their out of service date in 2021. The older the airframe and engine, the more time is required for maintenance and safety checks to ensure it remains airworthy. Read more from Sky News:British troops train for war in the London UndergroundMountbatten-Windsor investigated over potential sex crimes A spokesperson for the Royal Air Force said: "The Red Arrows will fly in a nine aircraft formation for HM The King's Birthday Flypast and the 4th of July 250 Commemorations in the USA this year. "For other displays, they will operate with a seven aircraft, continuing to deliver high‑quality engaging displays at air shows and events across the UK, mainland Europe and further afield. "This will support the sustainable management of the Hawk T1 fleet and prepare the team for a transition to a future aircraft type." A decision was taken by air chiefs earlier in the year to reduce the Red Arrows team to seven aircraft from nine to ease the pressure on the engines. It is not the first time the squadron has flown with a shrunken formation. In 2022, the Red Arrows again operated with just seven aircraft following claims of a "toxic culture" that ultimately resulted in two pilots being sacked. Sky News published a documentary in December 2024 that featured interviews with three women and one man, all former members of the squadron, who said they experienced sexual harassment, sleaze and bullying in a scandal that triggered an RAF inquiry.

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No Writer
May 22
'Like a dead person': Donald Trump reacts to the Late Show with Stephen Colbert's final episode

The show aired for a final time on Thursday night after CBS pulled the plug on it last summer. The cancellation came as Paramount Global, at the time the owner of CBS, sought approval by the Trump administration for its $8bn merger with Skydance. Mr Trump, who Colbert often criticised, said on his Truth Social platform: "Colbert is finally finished at CBS. "Amazing that he lasted so long! No talent, no ratings, no life. "He was like a dead person. You could take any person off of the street and they would be better than this total jerk. "Thank goodness he's finally gone!" It's not the first time Mr Trump has taken issue with the host of a talk show, with the president calling for Jimmy Kimmel to be sacked after he made a joke about the first lady. The last episode of Colbert's 11-season show saw him being joined by Paul McCartney and other celebrities, including Bryan Cranston, Paul Rudd and Tim Meadows. "If you're just tuning into the Late Show, you've missed a lot," Colbert said, as he told the audience it was the show's last broadcast at the Ed Sullivan theatre in New York. To boos from the audience, he replied saying: "No, no, we were lucky enough to be here for the last 11 years... you can't take this for granted." Colbert highlighted the "joy" he and his team felt at creating more than 1,800 episodes of The Late Show. "The energy that you've given us, we sincerely need that to have done the best possible show we could have for you for the last 11 years," Colbert said. "You've given it to us. We've given it all right back to you." Colbert pretended that Pope Leo XIV, the first US-born pope, was his final guest, but the pontiff refused to come out of his dressing room because he hadn't been supplied the correct kind of snacks, especially hot dogs. Read more from Sky News:Skin cancer cases at record high in UKWhy are there calls for quartz worktop ban? McCartney then offered himself as a replacement, striding across the stage as the audience screamed. "I think you'd be a perfect last guest," Colbert said. McCartney said he happened to be in the area, doing errands. Later, Colbert joined Elvis Costello, former bandleader Jon Batiste and current bandleader Louis Cato for a relaxed performance of Costello's Jump Up. They all joined the house band and McCartney for the final song of the night, a performance of Hello, Goodbye. Colbert announced in March that he would be co-writing an upcoming Lord of the Rings film titled Shadow of the Past once his talk show ended.

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Paul Kelso, business and economics correspondent
May 21
Back to the future as Rachel Reeves fires up summer spending reminiscent of Rishi Sunak's COVID scheme

Like Rishi Sunak's state-funded discounts deployed in the first summer of the COVID pandemic, these measures are aimed squarely at families thinking twice about going out, and a hospitality industry desperate to receive them. This time, the reluctance is caused by a cost-of-living squeeze rather than a deadly virus, but the principle is the same. Use a little taxpayer money to ease the financial burden and perhaps lubricate local economies while you are at it. The Chancellor denies it is a gimmick at a hugely fraught political moment for her and Sir Keir Starmer, telling Sky News she supported the prime minister continuing in office, but appeared to stop short of giving unequivocal backing to him. She also insisted she will deliver the next Budget and reeled off the recent positive economic data - rising GDP, falling inflation - to support her case, a message that will not have been missed by Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting. Febrile politics aside, her desire to help families is doubtless sincerely meant, but GBSS, as no one will be calling it, comes with a hefty price tag - around £700m once you add in the easing of tariffs on more than 100 food imports. The branding for the scheme, channelling a 1950's seaside aesthetic, proudly proclaims it as "funded by the UK government", but the total bill to taxpayers does not stop there. Read more on Sky News:Supermarkets 'encouraged to cap prices'Tax-free mileage boost - Money latest Wrap in a £600m freeze to fuel duty and a holiday for road taxes on HGVs, £500m in long-awaited support for the chemicals and ceramics sectors - both industries long hobbled by facing the highest energy costs in Europe - and the total commitment runs to £1.6bn over six years. The Treasury says this will require no new borrowing. Instead, it will be covered by closing a tax loophole allowing UK-based multinationals to write off corporation tax on losses made overseas, a move that squarely targets the oil and gas industry. Add this new tax-raising measure to the spending package and this was a "happy meal" fiscal event - a cheerful, cheap-ish moment of Treasury largesse before the realities of the Iran war energy shock bite in the autumn.

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No Writer
May 22
Oleksandr Usyk weighs in at career-heaviest for Rico Verheoeven fight in Egypt

The unbeaten Ukrainian weighed in at 233.3 lbs but will still step into the ring considerably lighter than his opponent, who came in at 258.7 lbs at the weigh‑in. Speaking after an intense stare-down, Usyk said: "Listen, he's a dangerous guy, he's undisputed. I'm not relaxed, he's a fighter. My concentration is 100 per cent." 'A whole different approach' - Can Verhoeven surprise Usyk?Could Dubois win a third Usyk fight?Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW Verhoeven added: "The main emotion is finally we are here. It's been so long, six months of crazy hard work. We are writing history again here at the pyramids." Usyk weighed 227 lbs for his last fight against Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium last July, and 226 lbs for his rematch against Tyson Fury in December 2024. Usyk holds the WBC, WBA and IBF belts, but Verhoeven will only claim the WBC title with the unlikeliest of victories on Saturday, with the other sanctioning bodies set to declare their titles vacant should Usyk lose. A defeat for the champion would rank among the biggest upsets in boxing history, with many considering the fight a total mismatch. Verhoeven, 37, has had only one professional boxing bout, and that was 12 years ago before he embarked on an 11‑year unbeaten run in kickboxing. Usyk, an Olympic champion, is undefeated in 24 fights as a cruiserweight and heavyweight. Unbeaten Richard Torrez Jr, at 229.5 lbs, weighed almost 11 pounds lighter than Frank Sanchez, who hit 240.4 lbs, ahead of their IBF final eliminator to become mandatory challenger to Usyk. England's Jack Catterall registered 146.8 lbs, narrowly above Shakhram Giyasov at 145.7 lbs, before their clash for the vacant WBA Regular welterweight title and a shot at Super champion Rolly Romero. "We're locked in for the fight… I won't be denied tomorrow," Catterall said. England's Hamzah Sheeraz scaled 167.9 lbs, giving him a one‑pound edge over unbeaten German Alem Begic ahead of their WBO super-middleweight title fight. "I'm ready to go… hopefully become the new champion of the world," Sheeraz said.

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