Page 24 - Human Interest
After mega-divorce, MacKenzie Bezos joins billionaire philanthropist club
MacKenzie Bezos, soon-to-be ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has promised to donate half her fortune to charity, joining the ranks of the world's ultra-wealthy philanthropists, the Giving Pledge has announced. The charitable organisation, founded in 2010 by Warren Buffett and Bill Gates, listed MacKenzie Bezos, an American, among 19 new signatories of the pledge from China, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates and Britain. She instantly became one of the world's wealthiest individuals in April, gaining a net worth estimated at USD36 billion after finalising the terms of her divorce with Jeff Bezos, the world's richest man. "In addition to whatever assets life has nurtured in me, I have a disproportionate amount of money to share," MacKenzie Bezos said in a letter announcing that she was joining the pledge on Tuesday. "My approach to philanthropy will continue to be thoughtful. It will take time and effort and care. But I won't wait. And I will keep at it until the safe is ...
Karnataka cop turns 'lathi' into flute to play folk songs
A head constable in Karnataka's Hubli rural police station turned his fibre-made lathi (cane) into a flute to play folk songs as a hobby.
Former Belgian king undergoes paternity test
The former King Albert II of the Belgians submitted to a DNA test on Tuesday in order avoid daily fines of 5,000 euros (USD 5,600), his lawyers said. The test is a major moment in the long battle between Albert II and sculptor Delphine Boel, who launched proceedings before a top Brussels court in 2013 to have Albert's paternity recognised. "After having taken note of the judgment (on daily fines) handed down on May 16 by the Brussels Court of Appeal... HM King Albert decided to submit to the expertise ordered by the Court of Appeal," his lawyers said in a statement. The former sovereign carried out the test on Tuesday morning, one of them told AFP. Boel, born in 1968, claims she is the child of a long affair between her mother, Sibylle de Selys Longchamps and the then crown prince Albert, married since 1959 to Paola Ruffo di Calabria. The 81-year-old former monarch, who reigned from 1993 until 2013, has always refused to acknowledge that he could be her father. Last October, the ...
MacKenzie Bezos pledges half her fortune to charity
MacKenzie Bezos, soon-to-be ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, will donate half her fortune to charity, joining the ranks of the world's ultra-wealthy philanthropists, the Giving Pledge announced Tuesday. The charitable organization, founded in 2010 by Warren Buffett and Bill Gates, listed Bezos among 19 new signatories from China, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates and Britain as well as the United States. Bezos in April instantly became one of the world's wealthiest individuals, gaining a net worth estimated at USD 36 billion after finalizing the terms of her divorce with Jeff Bezos, the world's richest man. "In addition to whatever assets life has nurtured in me, I have a disproportionate amount of money to share," MacKenzie Bezos said in a letter announcing that she was joining the pledge. "My approach to philanthropy will continue to be thoughtful. It will take time and effort and care. But I won't wait. And I will keep at it until the safe is empty." As part of the ...
Mimi, Nusrat trolled for clicking pictures at the Parliament
Filmstar-turned-politicians Mimi Chakraborty and Nusrat Jahan have created a buzz on social media after they posted their pictures in front of Parliament, with netizens trolling them, even as a section of them also came out in support of the two newly elected TMC MPs. In the pictures, Mimi and Nusrat, who have won by huge margins from Jadavpur and Basirhat Lok Sabha seats respectively in West Bengal, were seen holding up their identity cards in front of the Parliament building. "1st day #LokSabha #MemberOfParliament. Wish me luck and keep supporting," Mimi captioned a photograph of hers. Nusrat also posted a picture of hers in front of the Parliament, and wrote "A new beginning..!! I thank Mamata Banerjee and people of my #Basirhat constituency to have belief in me." The act of the two first-time MPs did not seem to go down well with a section of netizens, as a number of messages trolling the two actors appeared on social media. Mimi, however, seemed to be unperturbed by .
I feel blindsided, embarrassed, violated: Iggy Azalea on naked pictures' leak
After Iggy Azalea's naked pictures were leaked on social media, the rapper has finally released a statement clarifying that the pictures were from a photo shoot for a magazine."A lot of high profile women have shot covers for GQ with a strategically placed hand etc covering their breasts etc I always felt they were very beautiful covers, so I jumped at the opportunity," E! News quoted the statement."Today Im a ball of negative emotions. I feel blindsided, embarrassed, violated, angry, sad and a million other things," Azalea said following the leak of her topless pictures."I hadn't seen other women's covers leak so I felt comfortable (on a closed set) to model for such a reputable magazine knowing only the images with my hands covering would be considered for print," she added.Explaining that she was sure such pictures weren't for potential release, she said, "I never consented to taking topless pictures for potential release, period. It was my understanding BEFORE shooting, GQ do not .
Bengaluru DCP Annamalai quits, may join politics
Bengaluru South Division Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) K. Annamalai resigned from his job, here on Tuesday.
Mamata Banerjee to attend Modi's swearing-in ceremony
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Tuesday said she will attend the swearing-in ceremony of Narendra Modi as prime minister on May 30. Banerjee told reporters at the state secretariat that the invitation for the ceremony arrived on Tuesday and she will be attending it as "constitutional courtesy". "I have spoken to a couple of other chief ministers and decided to attend it," she said. "There are certain ceremonial programmes under the Constitution. We try to attend such programmes when get invitation for swearing-in programmes of the president and the prime minister," Banerjee added.
Woman awaits burial 2 weeks after death amid row
A controversy over maintenance of the cemetery near here has led to the delay in the funeral of a 75-year-old woman who died of old age complications on May 14.
Karnataka IPS officer resigns as Bengaluru DCP
Karnataka Indian Police Service (IPS) officer K. Annamalai resigned from the high-profile job as Bengaluru South Division Deputy Commissioner of Police on Tuesday.
All-white panda caught on camera in Chinese nature reserve
A rare all-white giant panda has been photographed for what a Chinese nature reserve says is the first time. Wolong National Nature Reserve released a photo showing the panda as it crossed through a verdant forest in southwestern China. The panda lacks the usual black fur on its limbs and ears and around its eyes. The reserve, citing experts, said the albino panda is about 1 to 2 years old. It was caught by a camera that was triggered by the panda's movement as it passed by in early April.
Ex-BJP MP Hariom Rathore's mortal remains consigned to flames
The mortal remains of former BJP MP Hariom Singh Rathore were consigned to flames in Rajasthan's Rajsamand district on Tuesday. Rathore died after a prolonged illness at a hospital in Udaipur on Monday. He was 61. The funeral was conducted at his ancestral village of Kelwa in the district. His son lit the funeral pyre. Former chief minister Vasundhara Raje, Leader of Opposition Gulab Chand Kataria, newly-elected MP from Rajsamand Diya Kumari and other leaders of the party paid tributes to Rathore, BJP's Rajsamand district president Virendra Singh said. Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and other leaders also condoled the death of Rathore, who was MP from Rajsamand from 2014-19.
When cops pick up the trail of 'terrorist' in Palghar!
Reports of a "terrorist" roaming free in Palghar district neighbouring Mumbai kept the police on tenterhooks for hours on Monday before the tension finally eased when they found out the true identity of the man. The entire episode has now become the talk of the town with people discussing the incident in a lighter vein, as the "terrorist" turned out to be a member of the crew shooting for a film in the area. On Monday afternoon, police control room received a call about a "terrorist" roaming in a car near Vasai, a police official said Tuesday. The caller described the suspicious-looking man as the one having a huge beard and carrying a pouch for bullets, he said. After receiving the call, various police stations in the area were alerted. Police also checked CCTV footages to trace the man, who was spotted with his car near Sun City area in Manickpur and was taken into custody. During questionning, it was revealed that the man is a member of the crew shooting for a film ...
UP: 10 people die after consuming spurious liqour
Months after Saharanpur and Kushinagar hooch tragedy, at ten least people, including four members of the same family, died after consuming spurious liquor in Ramnagar area of Barabanki district here on Tuesday.Taking cognizance of the matter, Uttar Pradesh Excise Minister Jai Pratap Singh suspended one district administration official, 5 police personnel and 3 head constable with immediate effect.Assistant District Magistrate Sandeep Gupta told ANI, "As per the information received, the people were given spurious liquor and some of them lost their sight right after they consumed it. Many are admitted to the hospital."The matter came to limelight after Lekhpal Sadar Badel, a bureaucrat at the village level, claimed that he got information that eight people have died in Ramnagar earlier on Monday after consuming illicit liquor.Badel said, "I have got information that eight people have died in Ramnagar. Today, 3 people were admitted at the hospital out of which one person has passed ...
Trump visits US, Japanese troops aboard ships
President Donald Trump is giving Memorial Day remarks to more than 800 members of the US military aboard the USS Wasp stationed in Japan. Trump called them the "daring and mighty warriors in the Pacific" Ocean. He says the US-Japan alliance has never been stronger. Trump says the United States endures because of brave men and women who are willing to sacrifice to defend the nation. First lady Melania Trump introduced the president and the U.S. forces shouted "U.S.A. U.S.A." A fighter plane, illuminated with red, white and blue lights, was parked nearby. Just before landing aboard the ship, he flew Marine One to a Japanese destroyer to meet with Japanese forces. President Donald Trump had an American-style greeting for Japanese forces when he saw them aboard their warship near Tokyo. Trump told them "Happy Memorial Day!" a message that seemed more fitting for Americans back home who were honoring those killed while defending the United States. Aboard the Japanese J.S. Kaga destroyer, .
Trump bids Japanese emperor farewell, tours US navy base
President Donald Trump bid farewell Tuesday to Japan's Emperor Naruhito and flew to a US naval base to wrap up a symbolism-laden state visit reaffirming Washington's clout in Asia in the face of rising Chinese power. Trump, accompanied by his wife Melania, became the first world leader to meet with newly enthroned Naruhito and Empress Masako on Monday -- an honour that Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said underlined the two countries' deep economic and strategic ties. There has been little substance in the visit, which started Saturday and included an Abe-Trump golf game, as well as the presentation by Trump of a huge trophy at a sumo tournament. Tricky negotiations over Washington's insistence that Japan open markets to more US products or face steep auto tariffs have been all but set aside until after elections here in July. But more than anything, Trump's presence in Japan and his hosts' energetic efforts to please him were meant to signal that, at a time of ever greater Chinese
Melania Trump turns heads in $3,500 jumpsuit on Japan state visit
United States First Lady Melania Trump turned heads as she stepped out wearing a gorgeous sapphire jumpsuit by Loro Piana, costing USD 3,450, during her tour of a museum here on Sunday.The 49-year-old, who is known for her love of stilettos, made a swap and paired her silk jumpsuit with walkable flats instead of high heels, according to Footwear News.The jumpsuit featured white piping at the cuffs and on the lapels. She completed the look with loose hair and a chunky belt around her waist.Trump, who is currently on a state visit to Japan, was visiting the Mori Building Digital Art Museum in the presence of her Japanese counterpart Akie Abe, while her husband President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe enjoyed a round of golf.Meanwhile, Abe wore a short-sleeved navy dress with a chartreuse print and bow detailing on the midriff. She paired her dress with white block-heeled pumps to round out her look.The group of four came together later in the day to watch a sumo ...
Melania Trump gifts fountain pen to Empress Masako
United States First Lady Melania Trump on Monday gifted Empress Masako of Japan a White House desk set and a fountain pen made from a red oak tree that stands within the premises of Harvard University.The gift was notable as the newly-crowned Empress had graduated in economics from Belmont High School at Harvard earlier this month, CBS Boston reported.In return, the Empress presented the First Lady with an ornamental Japanese box with a traditional Japanese design.It is a long-standing custom of the Imperial Palace of Japan, where the Emperor and Empress are expected to exchange signed and framed photographs with their guests who are on a state visit.Keeping with it, Emperor Naruhito presented President Donald Trump with a traditional Japanese pottery and porcelain bowl. Trump also gifted the Emperor with an American-made viola in a custom case, handmade from Charleston in West Virginia, and a photo of American composer Aaron Copland.After a formal meeting with handshakes and ...
Spanish ex-monarch Juan Carlos I retires from public life
Spain's former monarch, Juan Carlos I, says he wants to completely retire from public life on June 2, five years after abdicating the throne. The king emeritus said in a letter published Monday on the Spanish royals' website and addressed to his son, King Felipe VI, that "I think the moment has arrived to turn a page over in my life and complete my retirement from public life." Juan Carlos added that he began thinking about fully retiring when he turned 80 last year and was honoured in the Spanish parliament. That event coincided with the anniversary of the country's 1978 constitution, which marked Spain's transition from dictatorship to democratic rule. Despite health problems, Juan Carlos had maintained a busy public agenda since stepping down.
Microsoft builds AI for text-to-speech
Microsoft has built a new artificial intelligence (AI) system that is capable of doing text-to-speech in an 'almost' unsupervised environment.Using text-to-speech and automatic speech recognition (ASR), the AI system trained using only 200 speech and text data to generate realistic speech for about 20 minutes of audio transcriptions, the research paper explained.The method achieved 99.84 per cent in terms of world level intelligible rate, paving way for more accessible text-to-speech recognition systems.
