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Maura Higgins mistaken for Kardashians star as she shows off bold new look

By in Entertainment News, News

Former Love Island star Maura Higgins turned heads with her striking new look as she posed for snaps in a leather outfit at the weekend’s British Gran Prix in Silverstone

Maura Higgins(Image: Maura Higgins/Instagram)

Maura Higgins has shown off her fantastic new look – but it has got people confusing her with other famous faces. The former Love Island star, 34, took to Instagram to showcase he bold new appearance and was met with an influx of positivity.

She was attending the British Grand Prix at the weekend at Silverstone when she surprised with her dramatic change. She posed trackside at the event as she looked to have revealed she had chopped off her dock locks.

Unveiling her new striking style, Maura sported an edgy short hair cut as she beamed for the snaps. Taking to social media, Maura said she was “back on the grid” as she uploaded images of her in leathers.

In one black-and-white shot, she was looking to towards the track as she fully showed off the new style and gripped to a racing helmet. Another saw her waving a chequered flag while beaming and a third saw her strike a pose with the track in the background.

Maura Higgins
Maura showed off her new look(Image: Instagram)

The I’m A Celebrity alum also shared a video of her from the day. However, it turned out the look was in fact a wig as she joined forces with hair brand TRESemmé. But that didn’t stop her followers commenting with delight on the new look.

Among them was fellow former Islander Faye Winter, who wrote: “Wow my favourite look of ALL TIME”. American reality TV star Colton Underwood also shared his appreciation with three flame emojis.

Kris Jenner
Maura was compared to Kris Jenner(Image: Getty Images)

“I thought it was Kris Jenner at first glance”, wrote another follower. And many seemed to agree as they liked the user’s comment. “Looking really beautiful Maura”, gushed another alongside a number of love heart emojis.

Her new look wasn’t the first time Maura has experimented with wigs. Earlier this year at Coachella the Irish beauty wore a bold dark red fringed wig.

At the same festival she also changed things up with another striking style, too. She changed into a long straight blonde wig as she opted for a western themed look.

Maura at Silverstone
Maura at Silverstone(Image: Instagram)

Since finding fame on Love Island, Maura continued to make a name for herself on television. As well as her appearances on UK television, Maura became the host of Love Island US.

And in her bid to fully break into the United States, Maura has landed a major new show. She is set to take part in the upcoming series of The Traitors USA and will join the likes of Real Housewives Lisa Rinna, Porsha Williams, Dorinda Medley and Candiace Bassett.

Maura will also rub shoulders with Taylor Swift’s boyfriend Travis Kelce’s mum Donna, while Big Brother stars Ian Terry and Tiffany Mitchell will also appear. Survivor’s Rob Cesternino and Yam Yam Arocho have been named to take part alongside The Amazing Race winner Natalie Anderson too.

Others on the list include The Bachelor’s Colton Underwood, Dancing with the Stars pro Mark Ballas, RuPaul’s Drag Race’s Monét X Change, figure skater Johnny Weir and singer Eric Nam.

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Ozzy Osbourne meets his own personal legend as he sends touching message

By in Entertainment News, News

Black Sabbath icon Ozzy Osbourne performed his final show over the weekend as the world’s biggest rock and metal stars got together for the Back to the Beginning super show

Ozzy Osbourne meets ‘legend’ for first time ever as he sends touching message(Image: Instagram)

The Prince of Darkness, Ozzy Osbourne, met Guns N’ Roses icon Axl Rose for the first time during the epic Back to the Beginning super show in Birmingham over the weekend, which saw the world’s biggest rockers and metal stars unite for Ozzy’s final-ever show with Black Sabbath.

During the show, Ozzy, 76, had the opportunity to meet ‘legend’ Axl backstage. He took to his Instagram page to reveal how it went as she shared a snap of them shaking hands. He wrote: “My first time meeting Axl Rose, at my age you don’t get to meet many legends, seriously an utter gentleman.”

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Ozzy Osbourne and Axl Rose
Ozzy and Axl never met before(Image: X)

Ozzy also posed with Axl and Slash for another epic photo, which delighted fans in the comment section.

Axl also took to his social media to share his excitement over the entire event. He wrote: “Wow!! What an EVENT!! Extremely overwhelming!! Really great crowd!! Was very emotional for everyone!! MET OZZY!! (Crazy we’d never met b4!!) He was really great!! Was great to meet Sabbath! !

” Was hard as I imagine for anyone to watch his struggles while at the same time everyone was rooting for him n ‘ massively respecting the challenges he took head on n ‘ HE DID IT!!!! “

Black Sabbath's Ozzy Osbourne
Fans were divided over his frail state on Saturday

The 63-year-old continued:” Was great to meet Ozzy’s family n ‘ see friends n ‘ peeps in all the bands n ‘ the business. A HUGE THANK YOU again to Ozzy, Sharon, Black Sabbath n ‘ all the fans for having us!! “

During their set, Guns N ‘ Roses paid tribute to Black Sabbath by covering a few of their classic before performing their own hit tracks, Welcome to the Jungle and Paradise City.

Ozzy’s fans have declared the show as an end of an era as he performed his final show. His health issues became clear to fans as they helped him get through the set.

It left Rakkan, from Saudi Arabia but travelled from London, saying:” I’m conflicted. He’s obviously enjoying himself but it’s sad to see him in this physical state. It feels like an end of an era. “

Over on Twitter, one fan wrote:” Feel a bit sorry for Ozzy being wheeled out like that. He clearly isn’t fit and well. “” I feel bad for Ozzy. Yeah it’s his last ever live show but it’s kinda gross how a visibly unwell man is being wheeled out like this by Sharon, “another mused.

A third wrote:” Very sad, Ozzy in a goth wheel chair. “However, some loved it.

” As much as I am against this final Ozzy Osbourne/Black Sabbath show, the videos I’ve seen on Twitter and Youtube, Ozzy sounds a lot better than I expected, “one declared online.

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Why was Piastri penalised but Russell wasn’t?

By in News, Sports News
A graphic of, from left to right, Alex Albon, George Russell, Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, Lando Norris, Fernando Alonso and Oliver Bearman. It is on a blue background with 'Fan Q&A' below the drivers

Lando Norris led a McLaren one-two to win his first home race at the British Grand Prix.

His team-mate Oscar Piastri was leading before he was handed a 10-second penalty for driving erratically behind the safety car.

There is now a three-week break before Formula 1 heads to round 13 at the Belgian Grand Prix from 25-27 July.

Why was Oscar Piastri penalised at Silverstone when George Russell wasn’t for his actions behind the safety car in Canada? Is the difference that one was in the wet and therefore visibility limited? – Nick

This is a question Piastri was clearly asking himself after the British Grand Prix, even if he did not say so in quite so many words.

Consistency of stewards ‘ opinions is something teams and drivers are constantly asking for, and on the face of it this does look like a contradiction.

The two incidents were very similar. In Canada, Russell braked and Max Verstappen passed him. At Silverstone, Piastri did the same with the same result.

In Canada, the stewards took no action, and rejected a post-race protest from Red Bull. At Silverstone, Piastri lost the win as a consequence of a 10-second penalty.

There were some differences, however. The brake pressure Piastri applied, while perfectly normal for a braking event behind a safety car, was more than double Russell’s. And the conditions were different – wet rather than dry – with the reduced visibility that came from that.

Verstappen made it clear he did not view the incidents that differently, however.

After Sunday’s race, he was asked if he thought Piastri deserved a penalty.

“The thing is that it happened to me now a few times, this kind of scenario”, Verstappen said. “I just find it strange that suddenly now Oscar is the first one to receive 10 seconds”.

Because there was no difference to what Russell did in Canada?

“Well, to the stewards, yes”, Verstappen replied.

Piastri said he felt he had done everything within the rules, and implied he had been unlucky to be braking at the same time the safety car lights went out to indicate a restart – the time after which drivers are not allowed “erratic braking nor any other manoeuvre which is likely to endanger other drivers”.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said: “I wasn’t surprised to see him get a penalty. That was what you would expect”.

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella said he felt the penalty was “very harsh” and he would discuss it with the stewards.

He said McLaren had made the point during the race it should be looked at afterwards.

Getty Images

If no-one has crashed, or even gone on to wet tyres, then by what definition is the track unsafe? Is F1 a fair-weather sport now? – Martin

The question does not make it clear which particular part of the British Grand Prix it is referring to, but all three times the safety car or virtual safety car was deployed, it was because of a safety-related situation.

The virtual safety car was when Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto crashed and then pulled off the track.

The first full safety car was deployed when conditions were at their absolute worst. No-one had gone off, but the rain was extremely heavy and visibility was almost non-existent.

These days, it is visibility that usually defines whether officials – and drivers – consider conditions too dangerous for racing.

And the second full safety car, which followed very soon after the restart, was because of a crash. Racing Bulls ‘ Isack Hadjar had crashed into the back of Kimi Antonelli’s Mercedes – completely unsighted in the spray – and gone off at Copse.

Charles Leclerc is often called the fastest man in F1 over a single lap, but his race results haven’t generally lived up to that level for some time. Is it just that Ferrari have been unable to give him a car to regularly compete since he has been with the team, or is it time for an uncomfortable conversation about his racecraft? – Tom

When you look through the data on the offset between Leclerc’s conversion rate of poles to wins, almost every time he has failed to do so it has been because of an issue to do with the car or team.

Of course there are a couple of exceptions, where there has been a driver error, but they are a very small minority.

Leclerc is not as rounded a driver as Max Verstappen – few are – but there is no concern about his ability in races.

It’s very clear his exceptional qualifying form is down to his remarkable ability over one lap, and that quite often puts him in grid positions that are impossible to sustain in a race, where the average car performance is harder to disguise.

On Sunday, yes, he made the wrong choice in pitting for slick tyres at the end of the formation lap, but so did three other drivers, including George Russell.

Oscar Piastri ahead of Lando Norris at the British Grand Prix Getty Images

Great to see the re-emergence of McLaren – how on earth did they find the way back to the glory days? An exercise in patience, finance or engineering excellence? – Chris

We have explored this story in depth before, and you can read about it here.

The short version is the revival started with Zak Brown’s appointment in late 2016 as executive director. He was made chief executive officer of McLaren Racing in early 2018.

He started the restructuring of the team, beginning with sorting out its commercial footing.

There was a time when the team was in serious financial plight. Brown has done a remarkable job compiling an impressive range of financial backers. The team has gone through a few phases of technical restructure, and the infrastructure has been built up over a few years, including a new wind tunnel that came on stream last year.

But the key change Brown made was making Andrea Stella team principal at the end of 2022 – a decision he made when he allowed his predecessor Andreas Seidl to go to Sauber/Audi.

Stella – with Brown as sounding board – decided on another restructure, one of the key parts of which was returning Peter Prodromou to his position as technical director responsible for aerodynamics. Prodromou – a former key lieutenant of Adrian Newey – had been sidelined previously.

McLaren started the 2023 season with a car that was the product of the previous leadership and were close to the back.

Within six months, an upgrade had been put on the car that made it Red Bull’s closest rival. It was one of the most remarkable turnarounds ever seen in F1 and, since then, they have gone from strength to strength.

Two more key upgrades followed – in Singapore in 2023 and Miami in 2024 – since when McLaren have been the most consistently fast team.

The recruitment of Rob Marshall – also a former colleague of Newey – from Red Bull for the start of 2024 was another crucial move.

And Stella’s wise, considered, calm, erudite, thoughtful leadership has had a powerful effect on the team in a number of ways, including its inclusive culture.

Now, the technical leadership of Prodromou and his fellow technical directors Mark Preston (performance) and Neil Houldey (engineering), along with Marshall, twinned with the incisive leadership of Brown and Stella – two very different characters, who complement each other extremely well – has them flying.

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Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 1,230

By in News, World News

Here is how things stand on Tuesday, July 8:

Fighting

  • In Kharkiv, at least one person died and 71 others were wounded following a barrage of Russian drones. Local officials said residential buildings, a kindergarten, and the regional enlistment office sustained damage in two waves of attacks.
  • Russia has stepped up its drone campaign across Ukraine, striking two military enlistment centres on Monday in Kharkiv and Zaporizhia, according to Ukraine’s armed forces. Kyiv says the latest attacks aim to disrupt mobilisation efforts.
  • A separate drone strike hit a draft office in Kremenchuk on Sunday, signalling what Ukrainian officials describe as a targeted wave of assaults on recruitment infrastructure.
  • Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said six Shahed drones struck within a 10-minute window, describing the strikes as targeting “residential streets, cars, and people”.
  • Another death was reported in Odesa following a drone attack. Meanwhile, an assault on Zaporizhia on Monday left at least 20 people injured, regional authorities said.

Politics and diplomacy

  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy renewed calls for international assistance, stressing the growing urgency in countering Russia’s aerial offensive.
  • Amid the escalating violence, United States President Donald Trump pledged on Monday to provide Ukraine with additional military aid, focusing on defensive weaponry. His statement came days after the US paused shipments of key arms, drawing sharp warnings from Kyiv.
  • The United Kingdom announced new sanctions targeting Russia’s chemical weapons programme. London imposed asset freezes and travel bans on two senior military figures – Aleksey Viktorovich Rtishchev and Andrei Marchenko – as well as one Russian entity, for their alleged involvement in chemical weapon transfers and use in Ukraine.
  • Former Russian Transport Minister Roman Starovoit was found dead from a gunshot wound in his car outside Moscow just hours after President Vladimir Putin dismissed him. Investigators suspect suicide. His removal has raised speculation of a link to a corruption inquiry over missing border defence funds in the Kursk region.
  • Zelenskyy reportedly told Trump he plans to replace Ukraine’s ambassador to Washington as part of a major cabinet reshuffle expected next week. Ambassador Oksana Markarova has faced criticism from Trump’s allies in Congress, who say she is too aligned with the Democrats.
  • At a White House dinner with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump aired his frustration with Putin, saying: “I’m not happy with President Putin at all”. His administration continues to face pressure over its lack of progress in ending the war.

Emmie Silbery dead: Gogglebox star dies as heartbreaking final six-words revealed

By in Entertainment News, News

A Gogglebox star has died following a heartbreaking battle with dementia. Emily Silbery, known as Emmie, who appeared on the Australian show, died at the age of 96, her granddaughter Isabelle has announced.

Sharing a moving tribute, Isabelle said: “Our Emmie waited for me to come home for one last snuggle. Her last words: ‘ I’m ready to hang up now. ‘” She added: “She was 96, an orphan, a nurse, a wife, a mother, a grandmother, the oldest woman on TV, a great-grandmother, an author and so much more. Thank you for loving her as much as we did and will forever. Have a big rest now – you deserve it. Xxxxx”.

Co-stars have rushed to offer their condolences, with Lee and Keith’s, Lee saying: “Our hearts are so heavy with sadness. Emmie was our adopted grandmother to Keith and I as we lost our grandparents years ago.

” You told us so many stories about your life and now they are memories for us to keep. Rest in peace, sweetheart, you’ll never be far from our hearts. Love ya Emm. “

Angie Kent typed:” Beautiful Emmie. Words can’t describe what you meant to so many of us. Thank you for the countless laughs, tears, goosebumps and memories! Rest now. Your girls are so loved and looked after. “

Meanwhile, Weekend Sunrise star Lisa Wilkinson said:” I’m so sad to hear the news Isabelle. What a beautiful, talented, giving soul she was, and so loved by us all. I hope she knew that. Glad you got that last snuggle. Sending love to you and your wonderful mum. “

Emmie left the show at the start of season 17 after being diagnosed with dementia (TEN)

Make-up artists Kellsie Bain commented:” Sorry to hear. Thinking of you and your mum, especially. It was a pleasure getting to do emmies make up, I’m having a giggle over her taking the hotel biscuits and teabags home. “

Married At First Sight’s Jules Robinson also offered her condolences, saying:” I’m so sorry for your loss. I loved when I met her, she was so fabulous and welcomed This crazy woman all excited to meet her! I LOVED your book together and her stories of growing up.. She will be so missed. What an amazing life. “

Emmie joined the programme in season three, alongside her daughter Kerry and Isabelle, filmed from their home in Melbourne. But Emmie stepped down from the show in 2023 at the start of season 17 after being diagnosed with dementia. She later moved into a care home.

Kerry and her daughter Isabelle were eventually joined by Isabelle’s daughter, Ruby, for their final appearance in 2024 before the family left the show.

Emmie's family kept her iconic chair in shot throughout filming after she left the show
Emmie’s family kept her iconic chair in shot throughout filming after she left the show

During an appearance on The Project, Kerry and Isabelle opened up about Emmie’s diagnosis, with Kerry saying the” hardest part “was informing her mum that she wouldn’t appear on the show anymore.

She said:” She said why not, and we said you’ve got dementia and she said I’m perfectly alright, there’s nothing wrong with me, I’m not ga-ga. “Isabelle added:” This is real life. Emmie is no longer able to do the show, and we wanted to be really transparent about that and not have her disappear off the couch. “

The mother and daughter made the decision to leave the chair Emmie sat on in the shot while they filmed from their home in her honour. Isabelle later became emotional as she recalled the” long goodbye “due to her nan’s dementia battle.

She said:” Sometimes I really wish that she’d just go, because she’s not the same. It’s just really hard. “Dementia is a neurological condition which impacts memory, thinking and behaviour. While there is no cure for the sad condition, there are medical interventions which can help slow down the progression.

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Top Tech: Virgin Media’s free TV giveaway ends soon as 48-hour countdown begins

By in Entertainment News, News

The deal with Virgin Media is supposed to end on Wednesday, but it will be for £250 worth of 4K smart TVs.

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If customers act quickly, Virgin customers will receive this Hisense smart TV for nothing.

Virgin Media is urging customers to act now to avoid missing out on a free TV giveaway. The provider recently relaunched a popular deal offering new customers a free 50” Hisense Ultra HD Smart TV or £200 bill credit when they sign up for select TV and broadband bundles.

However, Virgin has set the countdown to the deal’s conclusion set for 11:59pm on Wednesday, July 9. The most notable difference between the most recent deal and its eligibility across a variety of plans is that, typically, Virgin’s giveaways only work with its most expensive packages, but people with a wide range of budgets can get the most out of the most recent deal.

The most affordable option is the £44.99 Bigger Combo bundle + Movies, which provides access to more than 200 TV channels including Sky Cinema HD, plus 362Mbps fibre broadband. Sports fans may prefer the £65.99 Bigger Combo bundle + Sports as it replaces Sky Cinema with eight dedicated Sky Sports channels.

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There’s also the option for a faster internet connection, with the £78.99 Biggest Combo bundle boosting the broadband to a speedy 516Mbps alongside more than 210 channels, as well as both Sky Sports HD, Sky Cinema HD and Netflix’s Standard with ads plan. Virgin’s all singing, all dancing package is the £84.99 Mega Volt bundle, which boasts more than 230 TV channels including Sky Sports HD, Sky Cinema HD and ads-filled Netflix Standard, plus a mega 1,130Mbps broadband.

Unlimited data, minutes, and texts are also included with an O2 SIM card for members. The free Hisense TV or the £200 that will be deducted from their monthly bills are available to new customers who purchase any of these four packages.

Get a 50-inch Hisense smart TV for nothing.

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£0

Get the deal here.

However, Virgin recently changed their TV and broadband plans, which might turn off British customers who value flexibility. Prior to now, Virgin’s plans lasted for 18 months, but they have since been extended to 24 in order to match rivals’ minimum terms, such as Sky.

While Virgin does not charge a set-up fee with these plans, the same contract length makes the cheaper price point of Sky’s £35 Essential TV and Full Fibre 150 Broadband bundle more appealing. While this plan includes roughly 100 channels less than Virgin and offers slower broadband, it may be a better option for those looking to keep costs down.

It’s also worth noting that, like most providers, Virgin plans to increase its monthly prices every April in an inflation-linked rise. Virgin has already confirmed members on the Bigger Combo bundle + Movies will pay £48.49 per month from April 2026 and £51.99 from April 2027.

Hisense smart TV
Customers of New Virgin Media can receive this 4K Hisense TV for nothing with some packages, including this.

The complete list of available TV and broadband packages can be found here:

Bigger Combo bundle + movies: £44.99 per month

  • average download speed of 362 Mbps
  • 200+ TV channels
  • Sky channels and Sky Cinema HD

Bigger Combo Pack + Sports: £65.99 per month

  • average download speed of 362 Mbps
  • 200+ TV channels
  • Main Event and Formula 1 are among the eight Sky Sports channels.

Biggest Combo Packet: £78.99 per month

  • Average download speed of 516 Mbps
  • 210+ TV channels
  • Sky Sports HD, Sky Cinema HD, and Sky Sports HD are available.
  • ads-filled Netflix Standard

84.99 monthly for the Mega Volt bundle

Continue reading the article.
  • average download speed of 1, 130 Mbps
  • 230+ TV channels
  • Sky Sports HD, Sky Cinema HD, and Sky Sports HD are available.
  • ads-filled Netflix Standard
  • Unlimited calls, texts, and data on an O2 SIM card.
  • Six-month O2 Extras like Disney+ or Amazon Prime