Page 75 - Human Interest

Belgian pigeon flies high in record 1.25 million euros auction

A star racing pigeon named Armando has fetched a record 1.25 million euros in an online auction, Belgian media has reported. The prized bird -- Belgian's best long-distance racer of all time according to those in the know -- was snapped up by a Chinese buyer for a princely sum that caused a flutter of excitement among fanciers. Armando had been expected to break the previous record of 376,000 euros ($425,000) paid for a pigeon called Nadine -- but not by such a wide margin. "Earlier this week it became clear that Armando would be the most expensive pigeon ever sold in an online auction," specialist website Pigeon Paradise wrote. "However, no one expected that the magical cap of a million euros would be pulverised," it added. The final amount was 1,252,000 euros. Pigeon Paradise did not say who had bought the pigeon, but according to the Belgian news agency Belga it was a Chinese buyer who will no doubt use his new acquisition to breed other champions. Armando was just one of more than

Chinese man arrested for flying drone over Victoria Memorial

A Chinese national was arrested on Sunday for allegedly flying a drone over the iconic Victoria Memorial here, police said. Li Zhiwei, 34, was apprehended by CISF personnel after they spotted the drone over the memorial's dome, a senior officer of Kolkata Police said. "The Chinese man arrived in the city from Malaysia on Friday. He has been arrested and we are trying to ascertain his true intention of flying the drone," he told PTI. "We have the Eastern Command's headquarters and the Fort William only a few metres from the Victoria Memorial. And, one needs special permission to fly drones in this sensitive area. He had no such permission," the officer added. Li has been sent to police custody till March 25.

Karnataka CM condoles Manohar Parrikar's death

Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Sunday condoled the death of his Goan counterpart, Manohar Parrikar, who passed away in Panaji following over a year-long battle with pancreatic cancer.

National mourning declared for Parrikar

The Centre has announced national mourning on Monday following the death of Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and declared that the national flag will fly half mast across the country.

Mamata condoles Parrikar's death

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condoled the death of her Goa counterpart Manohar Parrikar who passed away at his private residence.

Govt announces national mourning on Monday as Goa CM dies

The government announced national mourning on Monday as Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar died this evening, officials said. A Home Ministry spokesperson said the national flag will fly at half-mast in the national capital, the union territories and the state capitals. A meeting of the Union Cabinet will be held on Monday at 10 am. State funeral will be accorded to Parrikar. The Goa chief minister died at his private residence in Panaji. He was 63.

Justin Bieber, Hailey spotted having a 'showdown'

Star couple Justin Bieber and Hailey Baldwin looked tense as they appeared to argue in a park amid reports that their marriage is on the rocks.

Kruger flaunts abs 4 months after delivering child

Actress Diane Kruger has showcased her abs, four months after giving birth to a child.

Infant dies in house fire in J&K's Baramulla

An 11-month-old baby died after his home caught fire in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said on Sunday. The house belonging to Maqbool Ahmad in Uri caught fire due to unknown reasons, a police spokesperson said. Umeed Ahmad, son of the house owner, died in the incident, he added. The cause of the blaze is being ascertained, he said further.

Scions of princely states likely to join Odisha poll fray

The coming simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly elections in Odisha are likely to witness scions of erstwhile princely states join the poll fray as in the past. At least 14 of them had jumped into the electoral battle in 2014 and several family members of the erstwhile royal families are already lobbying for party tickets this time, sources in political parties said. The state has 21 Lok Sabha seats and the assembly 147 seats and elections to them are slated to be held in four phases in April. The present Lok Sabha has at least three descendants of erstwhile princely states of Odisha, while at least five of them are members of the outgoing state assembly. All the three royal family members in Lok Sabha from the state belong to the ruling BJD. While Kalikesh Narayan Singhdeo represents Bolangir parliamentary constituency and Arka Keshari Deo is the Lok Sabha member from Kalahandi. Kandhamal Lok Sabha seat is represented by Pratyusha Rajeswari Singh, who became MP after ...

Steve Smith arrives in India for IPL 2019

A day after meeting the Australian team in Dubai, Steve Smith arrived in India for the 12th edition of Indian Premier League (IPL) on Sunday.Rajasthan Royals took Twitter to post a video featuring Smith saying, "Great to be back here in Jaipur with the royals family and I cannot wait for this year's edition of the IPL to start."The right-handed batsman, who has previously played for teams like Royal Challengers Bangalore, Kochi Tuskers, Pune Warriors and Rising Pune Supergiant, joined Rajasthan Royals back in 2018.The 29-year-old is currently serving a 12-month ban along with teammate David Warner following the 2018 ball tampering case, which will end on March 28.Rajasthan Royals is going to don a pink coloured jersey in this year's IPL, which is set to commence on March 23.

Emirati star bowler Saleh Al Marri wants to win gold for 'Abu Khalid' and UAE

Emirati bowling star Saleh Al Marri wants to make a big impact at the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019 in honour of "Abu Khalid".The 25-year-old is eager to win yet another medal to add to his growing collection of personal achievements and to pay tribute to Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE's Armed Forces."I listened carefully to His Highness' speech at the Opening Ceremony of the World Games Abu Dhabi and I want to make him proud of me," Saleh said."I will challenge everyone at the World Games. I have so much energy to perform and achieve a gold medal. I'm so happy and excited to be bowling at Special Olympics in Abu Dhabi. I want all the countries worldwide to know about the UAE and about Saleh Al Marri," he added.As one of the most famous and most decorated athletes representing the UAE at Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019, Saleh has played a key role in helping to raise awareness of the World

Fame can be anxiety inducing: Emilia Clarke

Emilia Clarke says she values the love she receives from her audience but at the same time finds fame "anxiety" inducing. The "Game of Thrones" star says she is "guarded'' about her anonymity, reported Contactmusic. "I do get recognised more now. Sometimes you walk down the street and someone is like, 'Wah.' I do feel very guarded about my anonymity. You know, I like going to the butcher's and having a chat and it being a normal thing. ''I like human interaction. I value it, I appreciate it. It's what makes me feel happy. So when that is taken away with someone looking at you in a different guise, it can be incredibly difficult. It can be anxiety inducing," Clarke told The Sun. The 32-year-old actor said she never Googles herself as she believes it can harm her ''mental health''. "I never read anything about the show. Absolutely nothing. I don't find it helpful for my mental health," she added.

Dog that completed Iditarod sled race dies of pneumonia

Iditarod race officials say a dog on a racer's team has died of pneumonia, and the crew has been withdrawn from the event. In a statement, the Iditarod organization announced that Oshi, a 5-year-old female on the race team of Richie Beattie died Saturday evening at an animal hospital in Anchorage from aspiration pneumonia. Beattie and his team finished the race on Thursday. The organization says that while carrying out post-race checkups, Iditarod Trail Committee veterinarians examining Oshi noticed signs of pneumonia. The dog was transported by emergency charter flight to Anchorage on Friday. The dog died the next day. The Idiatord says a necropsy will be conducted by a board-certified veterinary pathologist to determine the official cause of death. The 2019 race came during a bruising two-year stretch for the Iditarod that included a dog doping scandal and the loss of national sponsors amid protests by animal rights activists. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is the ...

Cole Sprouse loves spending time with Lili Reinhart

"Riverdale" star Cole Sprouse says he loves spending "quality time" with his actress-girlfriend Lili Reinhart.

Hyderabad resident injured in NZ shooting is dead, says Owaisi

One of the Hyderabad residents injured in the New Zealand mosque attack has died, according to AIMIM president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi. "It is with a heavy heart that I have to inform that Farhaj Ahsan, one of the two Hyderabadi #ChristChurch victims has passed away. Hes left behind his parents, spouse & children I request everyone to pray for Farhaj & his family, as they deal with this great difficulty," the All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) party leader tweeted Saturday night. Farhaj Ahsan, a software engineer, has been working in New Zealand for the past seven years. He is married and has two children. Ahmed Iqbal Jahangir, another Hyderabad resident, who was shot at in the same incident is recovering in hospital in New Zealand, his brother Khursheed Jahangir said. "I thank the government for helping me get a visa to New Zealand. I am leaving today to see my brother. He is out of danger and recovering," Khursheed said. Iqbal Jahangir was .

Time for son to take over Chhindwara: Kamal Nath

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath on Saturday said he wanted to hand over the responsibility of Chhindwara, which he has been serving for decades, to his son Nakul Nath.

Kerala PG student killed in New Zealand firing

Ancy Ali, a 25-year-old Keralite female student, was among the 49 people killed in the horrific terror attack on two mosques in Christchurch on Friday, the Kerala Police said.

Odisha BJP president's nephew joins Biju Janata Dal

In a major embarrassment for BJP Odisha unit president Basant Panda, his nephew Harischandra Panda Saturday joined the ruling Biju Janata Dal here in the presence of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. Harischandra said he joined BJD after being inspired by the developmental works done by BJD government headed by Patnaik. The chief minister said "Harischandras inclusion in the BJD will strengthen the party." Harischandra accused his uncle Basant Panda of working for BJP and not for the state's development. "My uncle also maintains an autocratic attitude," he said. The BJP state president denied his nephew's allegation and said that he (Harischandra) is a grown up person and he has the right to take his own decision. "Above all Harischandra is not my son. Even my son is free to take his own decision," Panda said. A week back former former Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Hemanada Biswal's daughter Sunita Biswal had joined the BJD. Polling for the 21 Lok Sabha seats and

When 'Mother of Trees' blessed the President

The strict protocol of Rashtrapati Bhavan could not curb the motherly instincts of 106-year-old Saalumarada Thimmakka, who was awarded Padma Shri for planting thousands of trees in Karnataka, as she touched the forehead of President Ram Nath Kovind to bless him. Thimmakka, who has earned the sobriquet of 'Vriksha Mathe (mother of trees)' for planting 8,000 trees including over 400 banyan trees, was honoured along with other personalities at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Saturday. In a ceremony marked by strict protocols, Thimmakka, dressed in a light green sari, with a smiling face and 'tripundra' on her forehead, approached the dias to receive the award from President Ram Nath Kovind. As the president, 33 years younger to Thimmakka, asked her to face the camera, the centenarian touched his forehead to bless him. Her innocuous move brought a smile on the faces of the President, Prime Minister and all the guests who burst into a rapturous applause for her. Thimmakka's story is of grit and ...