Painting breaks sale record at $300mn
London: A painting of two Tahitian girls by French artist Gauguin has been sold for $300 million, making it the most expensive work of art ever sold.
“Nafea Faa Ipoipo”, or “When Will You Marry?” was painted in 1892 and had been owned by a Swiss collector, BBC reported Saturday.
Unconfirmed reports suggest it was sold to a museum in Qatar.
However, Qatar has not yet confirmed the purchase.
The small oil-rich state paid the previous highest price for a painting, a work by Paul Cezanne which sold for $259 millon.
Before its sale, the Gaugin artwork had been owned by Rudolf Staechelin, a collector from Switzerland’s third most populous city, Basel. (IANS)
Case dismissed against ‘Spider-Man’ in Times Square scuffle
New York: Charges against a costumed Spider-Man accused of slugging a police officer in Times Square have been dismissed after prosecutors decided not to pursue them.
The Daily News reports the Manhattan district attorney’s office consented today to dismiss Junior Bishop’s case for lack of a speedy trial. Prosecutors didn’t say why they were doing so. Bishop was arrested in July on assault and other charges. Police said he punched an officer in the face after being told to stop hassling tourists to give him more money than they offered for photos with him. Bishop denied demanding more money. He said Times Square’s costumed characters, ticket agents and others who interact with passers-by “make it what it is.”
His arrest came as reports of misbehaving costumed characters were prompting calls for regulation. In August police distributed fliers to tourists saying tipping was not required when taking photos with the Elmos, Mickey Mouses, SpongeBobs and Statues of Liberty that flock to the area. Many of the people who dress to make ends meet said tipping plummeted.
A Batman and a Spider-Man were arrested in September for getting into a fistfight with another man who began heckling the characters. (AP)
Queen Elizabeth II marks 63 years on British throne
London: Queen Elizabeth II today celebrated 63 years on the British throne as she neared the record set by Queen Victoria for the longest-reigning monarch. She was to mark the occasion privately at her estate in Sandringham, southeast England, where she spends her annual winter break.
There will be a 41-gun salute by the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery in London’s Green Park, and a 62-gun salute by the Honourable Artillery Company at the Tower of London. Elizabeth became queen aged 25 when her father, King George VI — subject of Oscar-winning film
“The King’s Speech” — died from a coronary thrombosis on February 6, 1952. The 88-year-old monarch, who will break her great-great-grandmother Victoria’s record on September 9 this year, was on a tour in Kenya at the time of her father’s death. Victoria reigned for 23,226 days, 16 hours and 23 minutes, taking into account the exact timings of her accession and death.
Before she breaks the record, the queen will welcome the Mexican president for a state visit, and herself make a three-day state visit to Germany.
She is also anticipating the arrival of grandson Prince William’s second child in April. (AFP)
Chinese man invents ‘green firecracker’ to fight smog
Beijing: Chinese revellers may have the hard choice of deciding between protecting the environment or protecting tradition as they prepare fireworks displays for the upcoming Spring Festival, which falls Feb 19 this year. But a man from central China’s Henan Province has devised a non-polluting firecracker that could allow them to do both.
Wang Xinming, an oil company employee, created the firecracker to help people protect the environment and enjoy the festive atmosphere at the same time.
“My invention is not powered by explosives or electricity,” Xinhua news agency quoted 29-year-old Wang as saying
Approved for patent in July, the firecracker uses a closed cavity which can be injected with air. Users then just need to press a button and the closed cavity will immediately open a small hole, through which compressed air will discharge and produce an explosive sound.
It is more beautiful than normal firecrackers. If customers need, the firecracker can emit water mist and even fragrance, Wang said.
Chinese people traditionally light firecrackers and fireworks during the Spring Festival or Chinese Lunar New Year, based on the superstition that the noise will fend off evil spirits and bad luck.
However, this tradition has been blamed for dust, sulphur dioxide and lingering smog in recent years. “My firecracker is safe and environmentally friendly,” Wang said. Although the invention has not been mass produced, Wang sees great potential in the market. It is mainly produced from plastic. With the manufacturing cost reaching about 150 yuan per unit (about $25), the selling price may be higher. But it can be reused, Wang said. (IANS)