Latest news with #Britannica
Pink Villa
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Who is Anthony Edwards' family? Meet the people who raised and inspired the Timberwolves star
Anthony Edwards's impressive career in the NBA is only part of his story. Behind the slam dunks and explosive playoff performances is a 23-year-old who has experienced profound loss, unwavering sibling support, and a deep sense of responsibility to those who raised him. Born in Atlanta and drafted No. 1 overall in 2020, Edwards credits his journey not just to talent, but to the family ties that shaped him—and to the grief that drives him. Where Edwards' story really began Edwards was born to Chrisha Yvette Edwards and an absentee father on August 5, 2001, per Britannica. His childhood mostly revolved around two women: his mother and maternal grandmother, Shirley Edwards. They were his loudest cheerleaders and his daily foundation. But in 2015, both women passed away from cancer within eight months of each other—an event that changed everything for 14-year-old Anthony. He described the impact to ESPN: 'There are only two people who are going to get my all, but that's over with.' From then on, he played for their memory. As per The Basketball Network, Edwards wears No. 5 to honor the days they passed, a tribute visible every time he steps on the court. Siblings who became parents With them no more, Edwards's older siblings—Antoine, Antoinette, and Bubba—took over as guardians. Antoine and Antoinette raised him through his high school years, keeping his life grounded. As per The Athletic, Anthony has said his sister 'kept everything together,' calling her the 'staple' of the family. Bubba, an aspiring rapper known as 'bdifferent,' inspired Anthony to pick up a basketball. 'If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be up here,' Anthony told the publication. Their relationship remains strong. Bubba has even performed during Timberwolves games, with Anthony backing his music career publicly. Anthony Edwards: Father of three Off the court, Anthony is a father of three confirmed children with three women, including his daughter Aislynn, born in March 2024 with longtime girlfriend Shannon Jackson. The birth, documented on Netflix's Starting 5, showed a new side of the rising star. While Edwards was not sure about fatherhood as a whole after the child's birth, at the time he stated 'As of right now, it's just the best feeling…in the world for sure. That's my little girl,' he said. 'I've got to pick her up and hold her and talk to her.'
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Miami Herald
Rare majestic predator appears at butterfly viewing area in Thailand park. See it
From March to May, tourists from around the world flock to Thailand's largest national park to catch a glimpse of hundreds of species of butterfly. The park has become a destination for casual tourists and wildlife enthusiasts alike, but on June 25, it wasn't butterflies that shocked visitors. Around 5 p.m., images of a rare predator were taken from the 11.1-mile water checkpoint in the park, a place commonly called the butterfly viewing spot, according to a Facebook post from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation. A black panther made an unexpected appearance at the site, officials said, appearing not only during the day, but in a typically busy spot. Images were taken of the animal peeking through the forest foliage, then walking out onto a road and away from the viewer, according to the post. Officials did not share how long the panther was in the area, or whether the images were taken by a park ranger or visitor. Black panther sightings are becoming more common in the park, including panthers seen with cubs, according to previous reports, a testament to conservation efforts by wildlife officials, they said. Black panthers are not a separate species, but rather a name given to melanistic leopards, found in Africa and Asia, and melanistic jaguars, found in South America, according to Britannica. Leopards, the ones found in Thailand, are listed as a vulnerable species, meaning their numbers are dwindling but they are not yet endangered, according to the International Union on Conservation of Nature Red List. Black panthers can range in size from 110 to 200 pounds, according to Britannica, and can have visible spots like their lighter relatives when viewed in sunlight. While the elusive cats have become habituated to humans in Kaeng Krachan National Park, visitors are encouraged to keep a safe distance from black panthers, avoid making loud noises and never feeding the animals, officials said in the post. Kaeng Krachan National Park is in central Thailand, on the northern end of the Thai peninsula. It is about a 115-mile drive southwest from Bangkok. Chat GPT, an AI chatbot, was used to translate the Facebook post from the Thailand Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation.
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- General
- Miami Herald
Ruins of ancient Roman camp seemed typical — then a very rare artifact emerged
Digging into the chalky orange-brown soil of western Germany, archaeologists exposed the ruins of an ancient Roman military camp. Their finds were plentiful but typical — until they uncovered a very rare item. A team of archaeologists started excavating a massive plot of land in Haltern am See ahead of the construction of a community and senior citizens' center, the Westphalia-Lippe Regional Association said in a June 24 news release. Because the site sat near a known ancient Roman military camp, the team expected to find at least something. The work area spanned about one and a half football fields, but almost every square yard showed traces of ancient Roman activity, the excavation director Martha Zur-Schaepers said in the release. Archaeologists found storage trenches, part of a defensive wall, sections of a key road, the outlines of soldiers' homes and numerous pits, officials said. They also uncovered military-related items, like the shoe nails of soldiers' boots, and everyday items, such as pottery, cooking utensils and coins. But one artifact stood out to archaeologists: a broken pot. A photo shows the ancient brownish-black pot, which looks relatively mundane to the untrained eye. Archaeologists recognized it as something unique and identified it as part of a Terra Rubra pot. The pot belongs to a pottery style known as Belgic Ware, Bettina Tremmel, the department's Roman expert, said in the release. Belgic Ware, also referred to as Gallo-Belgic Ware, was made during the Roman era in northern Gaul. The region of Gaul included modern-day France and parts of Belgium, Germany and Italy, according to Britannica. The bowl fragment found in Haltern am See is a very rare type of Belgic Ware, Tremmel said. Excavations at the site in Haltern am See are ongoing and expected to end in August, officials said. Archaeologists plan to continue analyzing their finds to learn more about life at the ancient Roman camp. Haltern am See is a town in western Germany, a roughly 320-mile drive west of Berlin and near the border with the Netherlands. Google Translate was used to translate the news release from the Westphalia-Lippe Regional Association (LWL).
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Inside the world's most expensive billion‑dollar weddings from Jeff Bezos to Anant Ambani
Weddings are a symbol of love and unity, but for the ultra-rich, they transform into grand spectacles of unmatched luxury, prestige, and mind-boggling expense. From royal unions watched by billions around the world to private, invitation-only celebrations featuring million-dollar gowns and performances by global superstars, these lavish affairs push the boundaries of extravagance. Whether hosted in palaces, castles, or 27-story mansions, these weddings spare no detail from diamond-studded invitations to billion-dollar price tags. According to Britannica reports, explore some of the most lavish weddings of the 21st century, prepare to be amazed by the sheer scale, celebrity lineups, and fairytale settings that make these events not just personal milestones, but historic and cultural moments in their own right. 10 Most luxurious weddings in the world Lauren Sánchez and Jeff Bezos (2025) Location: Venice, Italy Estimated cost: $10 million The highly anticipated wedding of journalist Lauren Sánchez and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is set to take place in Venice in late June 2025. With an estimated 200 guests expected, the event promises luxury and exclusivity. However, the lead-up to the celebration hasn't been without controversy—Venetian locals have voiced concerns through protests, claiming that the city's transformation into a lavish wedding destination has made it increasingly unaffordable and inaccessible for residents. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Manchas, rugas e pele opaca? Uma aplicação disso à noite está virando febre. A arte do herbalismo Undo Said Gutseriev and Khadija Uzhakhova (2016) Source: Pinterest Location: Safisa Banqueting Hall, Moscow Estimated cost: $1 billion At only 20, Khadija Uzhakhova wed Russian oil tycoon Mikhail Gutseriev's son, Said Gutseriev, in what is reportedly the most-costly wedding of our time. The bride walked in a 28-pound Elie Saab crystal and custom-beaded gown, which made it hard for her to walk on her own. The Moscow site was turned into a floral fantasy, and flowers blanketed every surface of the walls and ceilings. Guests were driven to and from the venue in a posse of luxury cars, and the entertainment roster looked like a Grammy lineup: Jennifer Lopez, Sting, and Enrique Iglesias sang, with fees said to be over a million dollars per show. The nine-tiered towering cake was the last word in a wedding characterized by unthinkable extravagance. Radhika Merchant and Anant Ambani (2024) Location: Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai Estimated cost: $600 million - $1 billion Radhika Merchant and Anant Ambani, son of Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani, were India's response to monarch-level extravagance. Extending over several months and with multiple celebrity-studded events, this wedding was as much about cultural observance as it was a display. The invitees included the likes of Kim Kardashian, Nick Jonas, Priyanka Chopra, and even British ex-PM Tony Blair. More than 60 flower animal sculptures were made using over one million flowers. Global concerts at every event were created through performances by international musicians like Rihanna, Katy Perry, Andrea Bocelli, and Justin Bieber. Princess Diana and Prince Charles (1981) Source: Vogue Location: St. Paul's Cathedral, London Estimated cost: $48 million (equivalent to about $166 million today) Nicknamed "The Wedding of the Century," the wedding of Lady Diana Spencer and Prince Charles was a fairy tale observed by the world. Diana's dress, created by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, contained 10,000 pearls and a 25-foot train. Pre-wedding festivities involved a gala at Buckingham Palace and a huge fireworks display. The real wedding reception was quite small with only 120 guests but every aspect of the lavishness was apparent, from serving 27 cakes to global audiences. Isha Ambani and Anand Piramal (2018) Source: Vogue Location: Antilia, Mumbai Estimated cost: $100 million Isha Ambani, daughter of Mukesh Ambani, celebrated her wedding with Anand Piramal in a multi-day spectacle that began with an engagement at Lake Como, Italy. John Legend performed at the lakeside event, while Beyoncé headlined a private concert at the Udaipur City Palace. The wedding ceremony was held at the Ambanis' skyscraper Mumbai home, Antilia, which was covered in flowers enough to blanket its 27 stories. The invitations were flower boxes filled with sacred mantras. As a charitable offering, food was served to 5,000 residents for four days. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry (2018) Source: BBC Location: Windsor Castle, England Estimated cost: $45 million American actress Meghan Markle's wedding to Prince Harry bridged Hollywood and British royalty. Seen by almost 2 billion viewers worldwide, the ceremony included a minimalist Givenchy wedding dress priced at $265,000 and renditions of orchestras, gospel choirs, and Elton John. Almost $40 million was used to secure the couple and guests, which reflects the high-stakes part of royal rituals in today's modern world. Vanisha Mittal and Amit Bhatia (2004) Source: Forbes Location: Paris, France Estimated cost: $60 million Lakshmi Mittal's daughter, Vanisha Mittal, hosted her wedding to Amit Bhatia in a seven-day Parisian dream. The ceremony took place over famous sites such as the Palace of Versailles and Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte. Guests traveled first class and were accommodated in five-star hotels. Invitations arrived in silver packages, and entertainment comprised Kylie Minogue and Eiffel Tower firework displays. The wine alone cost a whopping $1.5 million. Kate Middleton and Prince William (2011) Location: Westminster Abbey, London Estimated cost: $33 million As Prince William wed Kate Middleton, the world marveled. Her Alexander McQueen wedding gown included lace embroidery and a 9-foot train. Westminster Abbey was adorned with eight indoor trees and thousands of flowers at a cost of almost $800,000. Following the official ceremony, a royal luncheon was hosted by Queen Elizabeth, with an evening reception courtesy of Prince Charles. The chocolate biscuit groom's cake was a sentimental personal flourish. Angelababy and Huang Xiaoming (2015) Source: SCMP Location: Shanghai Exhibition Center Estimated cost: $31 million The wedding of Chinese actress Angelababy and actor Huang Xiaoming was live-streamed and contained a Dior dress made up of lace roses and layers of tulle. Only their 10-foot wedding cake and 2,000 guest list were rivaled by the high-tech show, complete with a holographic castle. The pair also gave their guests high-end electronics as presents. Although they split in 2022, their wedding is still a pop-culture standard for wedding excess in Asia. Petra Ecclestone and James Stunt Source: SCMP Location: Castello Odescalchi, Bracciano, Italy Cost: $19 million Petra Ecclestone, daughter of Formula One mogul Bernie Ecclestone, married businessman James Stunt in a lavish three-day celebration at the 15th-century Castello Odescalchi, overlooking Italy's Lake Bracciano. Petra wore a Vera Wang gown valued at over $125,000. After the ceremony, Andrea Bocelli performed for the newlyweds, followed by a champagne reception. The extravagant event featured fireworks and musical performances by the Black Eyed Peas and Eric Clapton. The couple later divorced in 2017.
Pink Villa
3 days ago
- Sport
- Pink Villa
All about Prince of Kolkata Sourav Ganguly's career in cricket, marriage and alleged affair
Sourav Ganguly's rise is the stuff of legend. Born on July 8, 1972, in Kolkata, he developed from a provincial left-handed batsman into one of India's fiercest captains. Under his leadership, India won a Test series overseas for the first time and has nurtured several future greats as well. Off the field, he built a life with classical dancer and educator Dona Ganguly and raised daughter Sana. Today, as he eyes coaching over politics, his story is set to hit the big screen. Early life and cricketing breakthrough According to Britannica, Ganguly originally debuted in first-class cricket for Bengal in 1989-90, contributing to the Ranji Trophy triumph. His entry into the sport was encouraged by Snehasish Ganguly, who was a left-handed batsman at the time. Sourav Ganguly reportedly began batting left-handed because he had to use his brother's equipment. He earned his Test call-up in 1996 at Lord's, scoring a neat 131 on debut alongside Rahul Dravid's 95. Promoted to open in ODIs in 1997, he created a deadly partnership with Sachin Tendulkar. His swashbuckling 124 off 138 balls in the 1998 Independence Cup final against Pakistan powered India to what was then the highest successful run chase in ODI history: 315 in 48 overs. The match helped redefine what was considered an 'impossible target' in that era. Ganguly's captaincy and impact today In the wake of match-fixing scandals, Ganguly succeeded Sachin Tendulkar as captain. He guided India to the 2002 Champions Trophy and the NatWest final victory at Lord's. As reported by the publication, he backed some of the big names of today, including Zaheer Khan, Yuvraj Singh, and Mohammad Kaif. Under his stewardship, India won 11 Tests abroad, clinched its first series in Pakistan in 2004, and reached the 2003 World Cup final. His tenure as captain ended with 21 total Test wins in 49 matches. His many achievements have led Ganguly to be dubbed as 'Dada,' 'Maharaja,' and 'Prince of Kolkata.' Who is Sourav Ganguly's wife? Outside cricket, Ganguly's anchor has been Odissi dancer Dona Ganguly. Born on August 22, 1977, in Kolkata, Dona trained under Amala Shankar and Kelucharan Mohapatra. As detailed by Financial Express, she later earned a PhD in International Relations and headed dance departments at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. Sourav and Dona's romance was not without trials, as the couple faced a Romeo-and-Juliet-esque feud between their families. However, unlike the Shakespearean epic, the cricketer-dancer duo successfully eloped in February 1997. They were later blessed with their daughter, Sana, in 2001. Reportedly, Sourav was seeing actor Nagma in the early 2000s, and they are said to have parted ways after a few years. Their relationship was never made official, though Ganguly's alleged extramarital affair was the talk of the town at the time. The supposed relationship was often blamed for his bad performance on the field. Ganguly's life after retirement and future plans After retiring in 2008, Ganguly turned commentator, led the Cricket Association of Bengal and served as BCCI president in 2019. He also served as Team Director at Delhi Capitals from 2018-19, and then again from 2022-24. In a recent June 2025 podcast with Press Trust of India, he ruled out politics, clearly stating: 'I am not interested.' Instead, he reportedly expressed openness to coaching Team India. Upcoming biopic and Rajkummar Rao's role Fans can soon see Ganguly's journey dramatized on the silver screen, as National Award-winning actor Rajkummar Rao has officially signed on to play him. In an interview with NDTV news, Rao stated: 'I am nervous… It's a huge responsibility, but it's going to be a lot of fun.' He also noted that he was honing a Bengali accent with help from his wife, Patralekhaa. Directed by Vikramaditya Motwane and produced by Luv Films, the film's shooting begins in January 2026. The release has been slated for December that year, sure to bring Dada's story to life.
