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Iconic Star Wars Costume Fetches Over £100,000 at Auction

Iconic Star Wars Costume Fetches Over £100,000 at Auction

Carrie Fisher’s Legendary Gold Bikini from Return of the Jedi Sells for a Record Price

A remarkable piece of cinematic history, the gold bikini worn by Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia in Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi, has been sold for an astounding £136,129 ($175,000) at Heritage Auctions in Dallas. The costume, complete with hip rings and bracelets, was famously worn during Leia’s capture by Jabba the Hutt, when she was chained to his throne in a dramatic scene.

The outfit, created by Star Wars concept sculptor Richard Miller, drew significant attention at the auction, attracting multiple bids before reaching its final price. The sale is part of a larger collection of Star Wars memorabilia, which included a rare Y-Wing Starfighter model that sold for a jaw-dropping $1.17 million (£1.5 million).

Fisher, who passed away in 2016, openly discussed the iconic bikini in interviews, sharing that while she was proud of her role in the costume, she also struggled with body image issues. In a 2015 interview, she recounted how she had questioned George Lucas about the outfit, expressing concerns about potential wardrobe malfunctions. However, she also spoke fondly of the scene where she used the chain to defeat Jabba, stating, “I really wanted to kill him.”

The sale of the costume not only celebrates Fisher’s contribution to the Star Wars saga but also highlights her legacy as an advocate for mental health, following her personal struggles with addiction and body dysmorphia. Fisher’s honest and humorous portrayal of these issues inspired many, further cementing her status as a beloved figure in popular culture.

England in Control After Day Two at Edgbaston as Smith Falls Just Short of Maiden Test Century

England in Control After Day Two at Edgbaston as Smith Falls Just Short of Maiden Test Century

West Indies trail by 61 runs, with two wickets down after England’s impressive fightback.

Jamie Smith came agonisingly close to his first Test century as England gained a commanding position on day two of the third Test against the West Indies at Edgbaston. Smith, playing only his fourth Test innings, struck a dynamic 95, helping England recover from a challenging 54 for five to reach 376 all out.

Smith’s aggressive strokeplay, including 12 fours and a stunning six that cleared the Eric Hollies Stand, was a highlight of the day. However, with nearly 25,000 fans waiting for his century, Smith was dismissed by Shamar Joseph’s cutter that clipped his off stump. His near miss was a moment of disappointment, but it highlighted his rising potential.

Joe Root played a stabilising role with a composed 87, crossing the 12,000 Test runs milestone along the way, while Ben Stokes added 54 before falling to a pull shot caught at midwicket. Despite England losing quick wickets after their recovery, Smith and Chris Woakes (62) formed a crucial partnership, extending England’s lead to 94 runs.

In reply, the West Indies faced a difficult task, with England’s bowlers, including Woakes and Gus Atkinson, putting the tourists in trouble. West Indies finished the day on 33 for two, still 61 runs behind. England’s pressure continued, with early wickets, including Kraigg Brathwaite’s first-ball duck, making the visitors’ position even more precarious as they head into the third day of the match.

Queen Presents Trophy at Royal Ascot as France Triumphs in King George VI Stakes

Queen Presents Trophy at Royal Ascot as France Triumphs in King George VI Stakes

French victory in the prestigious race marks their first win since 2006.

Queen Presents Trophy at Royal Ascot as France Triumphs in King George VI Stakes
French victory in the prestigious race marks their first win since 2006.
Category: Sports

At Royal Ascot on Saturday, Queen Camilla had the honour of presenting the trophy for the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes, which was won by the French for the first time since 2006. The event took place at the Berkshire racecourse, where Camilla, dressed in a white and blue patterned dress and cream hat, handed over the coveted trophy.

The winner, Goliath, ridden by jockey Christophe Soumillon, secured the victory for France. Goliath had long odds of 25-1, while the race favourite, Auguste Rodin, finished in fifth place. After the race, the Queen was seen conversing with Goliath’s owner, Baron Philip Von Ullmann, who proudly held the golden trophy.

The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes, one of Ascot’s premier events, has been running since 1951. The race covers a distance of a mile and a half, with this year’s victory marking a historic moment for French racing. Camilla also mingled with jockeys and attendees throughout the afternoon, enjoying the lively atmosphere of this prestigious summer event.

Katy Perry Considers Relocating to London with Orlando Bloom

Katy Perry Considers Relocating to London with Orlando Bloom

Singer teases potential move as she celebrates ‘Brat summer’ and praises Charli XCX.

Katy Perry has revealed she is considering splitting her time between London and the United States with her fiancé, British actor Orlando Bloom. During a recent appearance on BBC One’s The One Show, the 39-year-old American singer shared her love for the UK capital and how she and Bloom have been thinking about moving there.

“I love London… beyond Santa Barbara, Orlando and I spend so much time here, and lately we’ve been thinking about maybe splitting our time,” Perry said. She added that the couple enjoys spending time in the city, including a recent visit to Hyde Park and the Princess Diana playground. Perry also reflected on the city’s appeal, joking about the fun activities London offers for children, such as a dinosaur-themed high tea.

In addition to her musings about London, Perry praised British singer Charli XCX, who has been at the centre of the viral “Brat summer” trend. Charli’s album Brat was nominated for the prestigious Mercury Prize, and Perry described the singer as being in “her prime right now” and a “super, mega, big pop star.” Perry also commented on the impact of the “Brat summer” trend, which gained further attention when the Biden-Harris campaign account adopted a similar style to Charli’s album cover.

Perry, who has been busy with her music and family life, recently dropped her album 143, with the number referencing her personal “angel number.” Her previous album, Smile, reached number five in the UK charts in 2020, the same month she gave birth to her daughter, Daisy Dove, with Bloom.

Lewis Hamilton Criticises Max Verstappen Over Radio Outbursts

Lewis Hamilton Criticises Max Verstappen Over Radio Outbursts

Hamilton says Verstappen should ‘act like a world champion’ after expletive-filled exchanges at Hungarian Grand Prix.

Lewis Hamilton has hit out at Max Verstappen, urging the Dutch driver to act more like a world champion after a series of expletive-filled radio exchanges during the Hungarian Grand Prix. Verstappen faced significant criticism after he directed profanity-laden comments towards his race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, and expressed frustration with Red Bull’s strategy, calling it “s***.”

Verstappen, who is set to serve a 10-place grid penalty at the Belgian Grand Prix for exceeding his engine component limit, responded defiantly, saying that critics could “turn the volume down” if they didn’t like his language. However, Hamilton, speaking at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix, disagreed with Verstappen’s conduct.

“As a team leader or a team member, you have to act like a world champion,” Hamilton remarked when asked about his rival’s behaviour. When further pressed, Hamilton added, “Not like it was last weekend.”

Verstappen, meanwhile, stood by his actions, stating he had no intention of changing his approach. “If people don’t like my language, then don’t listen in,” he said. Verstappen justified his radio outbursts, explaining that his frustration was warranted due to a perceived mistake in strategy and his drive for perfection.

Investigation Launched Into Police Ramming of Escaped Cow in Staines-upon-Thames

Investigation Launched Into Police Ramming of Escaped Cow in Staines-upon-Thames

The 10-month-old calf, Beau Lucy, continues to recover after being struck by a patrol car.

The controversial incident involving Surrey Police ramming an escaped cow with a patrol car is now being investigated as a criminal matter. The 10-month-old calf, named Beau Lucy, was struck twice by the vehicle following reports of a loose animal in Staines-upon-Thames on June 15.

The police action faced widespread condemnation after footage of the incident went viral, receiving over 2,000 complaints from the public. In response, Surrey Police launched a comprehensive investigation, which included conducting 290 house-to-house visits, distributing 210 leaflets, contacting 75 witnesses, and gathering more than 250 video clips. The officer involved in the ramming has been removed from frontline duties.

Deputy Chief Constable Nev Kemp addressed the public outcry, explaining the need for a thorough investigation to understand the full scope of the events and to provide clarity on the actions taken. Over 20,000 messages and 2,000 complaints were received on social media, highlighting the intensity of the public reaction.

Beau Lucy’s owners, Rob and Kate, criticized the police’s decision to conduct their own investigation, calling the handling of the situation “cruel and barbaric.” Despite the force’s claim that several methods were used to capture the calf, the decision to use the patrol car was taken after the cow reportedly ran at members of the public and caused damage to a car. After the incident, Beau Lucy was returned to her farm with bruises and has since been recovering.

General Sir Roly Walker Pledges to Enhance Army’s ‘Lethality’ Without Increasing Troop Numbers

General Sir Roly Walker Pledges to Enhance Army’s ‘Lethality’ Without Increasing Troop Numbers

The Army Chief aims to double fighting power within three years and triple it by the end of the decade.

General Sir Roly Walker, the new Chief of the General Staff, has outlined plans to increase the “lethality” of the British Army without the need for additional personnel, in response to an “increasingly aligned axis of upheaval.” In his first public address, he set ambitious goals to double the Army’s fighting power within three years and triple it by the end of the decade, leveraging emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence.

Sir Roly acknowledged the Army’s ongoing struggle to shift from a “big army mindset,” where the belief that raw troop numbers alone determine fighting strength still persists. Instead, he emphasized the Army’s medium size as a driving force for greater integration with joint forces.

Although his vision for the Army’s future is clear, Sir Roly admitted that if a battle were to occur before his planned overhaul is complete, the forces would rely on older military hardware, working within the limitations of their stockpiles and logistic systems. Nevertheless, he sees the hybrid system, blending old and new technologies, as a temporary but effective solution, encouraging resilience and creativity within the troops.

Sir Roly’s background includes significant service with the Irish Guards and SAS, with deployments in Northern Ireland, Iraq, and Afghanistan. He emphasized the urgent need for the Army to modernize quickly, to ensure that Britain’s land forces are ready for future challenges and can play a central role in the nation’s deterrence strategy.

Moises Caicedo Joins Chelsea’s Pre-Season Tour in the USA to Strengthen Maresca’s Squad

Moises Caicedo Joins Chelsea’s Pre-Season Tour in the USA to Strengthen Maresca’s Squad

The midfielder bolsters Chelsea’s options ahead of a busy series of friendly matches

Moises Caicedo has linked up with Chelsea’s squad in the USA, providing a significant boost to Enzo Maresca’s midfield options ahead of the club’s pre-season fixtures. Initially left out of the 28-man squad announced on Monday, Caicedo’s inclusion comes after his summer involvement in Copa America with Ecuador, where he played a key role in all four of his country’s matches before they were eliminated by Argentina.

The Blues, currently in California for their pre-season tour, will face Wrexham on Wednesday night as part of five matches scheduled over the next two weeks. After their match against Wrexham, Maresca’s side will play Celtic, Club America, and Manchester City before wrapping up the tour with a high-profile friendly against Real Madrid in North Carolina.

Other key summer signings, including Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Tosin Adarabioyo, Renato Veiga, and Marc Guiu, have also joined the squad, while injured players like Wesley Fofana and Christopher Nkunku are included as well. Notably, Trevoh Chalobah has been excluded, with Chelsea reportedly intensifying their efforts to find a new club for the defender, despite his contract running until 2028.

Earth Records Hottest Day in History Amidst Ongoing Heatwaves

Earth Records Hottest Day in History Amidst Ongoing Heatwaves

Southern Europe and the US Grapple with Unprecedented Heat as Temperatures Soar

Sunday marked the hottest day ever recorded on Earth, according to data from the European climate tracking agency Copernicus. Preliminary reports show that on July 21, the global daily average temperature reached 17.09°C (63°F), slightly surpassing the previous record of 17.08°C set in July 2023. This marks another unsettling milestone in the ongoing trend of rising temperatures driven by fossil fuel pollution.

Carlo Buontempo, director of Copernicus, warned that this likely will not be the last record-breaking day, as the planet’s climate continues to warm. “We are now in truly uncharted territory,” Buontempo stated, adding that future months and years are bound to see new temperature records.

Southern Europe has been experiencing extreme heatwaves, and around 100 cities in the United States are facing their hottest start to the summer. The record-breaking temperatures come after June marked the 13th consecutive month of record warmth globally, with every 30-day period in over a year being the hottest ever recorded.

Scientists have attributed this ongoing temperature rise to the combination of natural climate patterns like El Niño and the intensifying effects of human-driven pollution, particularly from the burning of fossil fuels. Data from ice cores and coral reefs suggest that, despite fluctuations due to natural factors, the Earth is in the warmest phase it has seen in at least 100,000 years.

Elderly Man Charged with Killing His Wife in South London

Elderly Man Charged with Killing His Wife in South London

Alan Sharp, 80, Arrested on Murder Charge After Death of His Wife Jenny

An elderly man has been charged with the murder of his wife in their south London home in a deeply tragic incident. Alan Sharp, aged 80, was arrested on the spot when emergency services arrived at the couple’s residence on Raeburn Avenue in Surbiton, following reports of his wife, Jenny Sharp, 80, being found unresponsive at around 9:30am on Friday. Despite efforts to save her, she was declared dead shortly after.

A post-mortem examination later confirmed the cause of death as “manual compression of the neck.” Alan Sharp was formally charged with murder on the following day. Detective Chief Inspector Brian Howie, who is leading the investigation, confirmed that no further suspects are being sought.

“This is an incredibly sad case,” DCI Howie said. “The family is receiving support from specialist officers, and we ask that their privacy is respected during this extremely difficult time.”