Latest news with #Legendof
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Caitlin Clark sets record for any SLAM magazine cover at nearly $5k
The Caitlin Clark cover is one of just a few to be graded CGC 9.9. (Credit: Goldin Auctions) When Caitlin Clark first graced the cover of SLAM in her Iowa Hawkeyes jersey in April 2024, the headline read, 'The Legend of Caitlin Clark Is Just Beginning.' More than a year later, that proclamation could not be more true, both on the hardwood and in the collectible world. Advertisement The single-highest graded copy of that magazine (CGC 9.9) sold Saturday at Goldin Auctions for a record $4,819, the most ever paid for a copy of SLAM. It's one of around 10 SLAM magazines ever given a CGC 9.9. CGC has graded more than 250 copies of the Clark debut magazine total, including more than 150 at CGC 9.8. Debut magazines are highly coveted among collectors, with athletes' first Sports Illustrated covers often acting as an approximate for a sort of magazine rookie card. Michael Jordan's first Sports Illustrated sold for a record $126,000. SLAM is generally far less valuable, though as the brand has sought to become more collectible in recent years, even issuing numbered variants for some releases, prices on the secondary market have been rising. Advertisement Last month, Clark was once again placed on the cover of SLAM for the magazine's WNBA season preview, selling out of the 'gold metal' variant (numbered to 94 copies and priced at $94) nearly instantly. Clark was also recently featured on the June cover of Sports Illustrated along with Indiana Fever teammates Kelsey Mitchell, Aliyah Boston and DeWanna Bonner. Will Stern is a reporter and editor for cllct, the premier company for collectible culture.
Shafaq News
4 days ago
- General
- Shafaq News
World heritage dries up: The silent exodus of Iraq's Maxwell otter
Shafaq News/ Iraq's iconic southern marshes are drying up at an alarming rate, placing enormous strain on wildlife and forcing rare species like the smooth-coated otter—known locally as 'Maxwell'—to abandon their native habitat in search of survival. Among the worst-affected areas is Maysan province, where environmental degradation has reached critical levels due to persistent drought and severe water shortages. This sharp ecological decline marks a tragic reversal from the optimism of 2016, when UNESCO recognized the marshes as a World Heritage Site. The designation celebrated the wetlands' remarkable biodiversity, symbolizing Iraq's pledge to preserve and restore one of the world's most unique ecosystems. The Legend of Maxwell Iraq is home to two otter species, one of which is the rare smooth-coated otter, now facing increasing peril. The Green Climate Organization has raised concerns over the dual threats of drought and illegal hunting, which are accelerating the species' disappearance from the Hawizeh Marsh. 'The first is the common otter (Lutra lutra), found along the Tigris and Euphrates rivers,' explained Mokhtar Khamees, executive director of the organization, in remarks to Shafaq News. 'The second is the smooth-coated otter, which is rarer, more valuable due to its distinctive fur, and found exclusively in the Hawizeh Marsh of Maysan.' Khamees underscored that the presence of this otter played a major role in UNESCO's decision to designate the marshes as a heritage site. Yet despite its ecological and cultural significance, no official steps have been taken to safeguard the species or its habitat. Environmental activist Mahdi al-Saadi noted that Iraqis refer to the smooth-coated otter as 'Maxwell,' a tribute to Scottish naturalist Gavin Maxwell, who encountered the species during a visit to the Hawizeh Marsh in the 1950s. During his expedition, Maxwell captured a male and a female otter and brought them to Scotland, naming them 'Mijbil' after a local meshhouf (canoe) operator, and 'Kahlaa,' after the Kahlaa subdistrict in Maysan where they were found. Today, a monument in Scotland commemorates the Iraqi origin of these animals, reinforcing their symbolic link to Iraq's southern wetlands. Al-Saadi highlighted recent sightings of the Maxwell otter in central and northern parts of the country—an indication that the species is fleeing its traditional habitat. 'It has started to leave the Hawizeh Marsh in search of safer environments and more abundant food,' he observed in comments to Shafaq News, calling it a troubling sign of escalating ecological distress. Dwindling & Trafficked The deterioration of the marshes began in the 1990s with large-scale drainage operations. Once hailed as one of the most diverse wetland systems in the Middle East, the marshes have since been devastated by upstream dam construction in Turkiye and Iran, outdated irrigation infrastructure, and increasingly severe droughts linked to climate change. Water levels in some areas have plummeted by as much as 90%, while salinity levels have risen above 6,000 parts per million, making the water uninhabitable for most aquatic life. According to Nature Iraq, a leading environmental NGO, fish populations have declined by 95%, and nearly 30% of water buffaloes have perished. The resulting economic losses to marshland communities have surpassed 17 billion Iraqi dinars, or roughly $11.3 million. The human toll has been equally stark. Around 80% of the local population has been forced to relocate, severing ancestral ties to fishing, reed harvesting, and agriculture that have sustained generations. Adding to the crisis is the threat of poaching. Al-Saadi identified illegal hunting as a major driver of the otter's decline. 'Their pelts are highly sought after and smuggled to Turkiye and Italy, where they are used in making high-end garments and leather bags.' Despite the existence of legal protections for endangered species, enforcement remains weak, allowing cross-border trafficking to flourish. Plea for Lifeline Environmental campaigner Ahmed Saleh Naama emphasized the need to properly distinguish the smooth-coated otter from similar-looking species. 'It is neither a beaver nor a river otter,' he clarified to Shafaq News. 'It is a unique ecological treasure that must be protected.' Officially classified as Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli, the Maxwell otter is one of Iraq's rarest mammals, with fewer than 200 individuals believed to remain in the wild. Naama warned that without immediate action, Iraq is on track to lose the species altogether. He and other activists have consistently urged the government to establish a dedicated reserve for the smooth-coated otter and to restore sustainable water flows to the Maysan marshes. Once sprawling across approximately 20,000 square kilometers, Iraq's southern wetlands are now reduced to fragmented and degraded patches. This collapse threatens more than just the otter—it endangers over 80 species of birds, fish, and mammals, and disrupts the lives of nearly 40,000 indigenous Marsh Arabs who depend on the ecosystem for their livelihoods. Environmental experts are calling for an immediate nationwide rescue initiative to revive the marshes, ensure stable water flows from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, and create protected zones for endangered species. They stress that preserving the Maxwell otter is not only a matter of saving a rare animal but also a symbol of protecting Iraq's natural and cultural heritage. 'Maxwell,' an expert argues, 'is more than an endangered animal. It is a living emblem of Iraq's ecological identity and a reminder of what is at stake if this unique wetland is allowed to vanish.'
India.com
27-05-2025
- India.com
The Hidden Folklore Behind Bengaluru City's Iconic Landmarks
As India's Silicon Valley capital and the hub of Karnataka Bengaluru stands as a historic city filled with cultural heritage alongside mythological tales. Bengaluru excels in presenting itself as a modern city with technological progress and urban excitement but the monumental sites of the city hold sacred myths and ancestral tales. Several generations of storytelling about the city have led to amplifying the structures of its signature historical sites and ancient landmarks. This essay reveals the mysterious old traditions that surround the famous landmarks throughout Bengaluru. 1. Bangalore Fort: The Legend of Kempe Gowda Bengaluru emerged as a city through the visionary plan of Kempe Gowda who received authority from the Vijayanagara Empire before he established the city in 1537. Local people believe that Kempe Gowda dreamt about a hare chasing down a hunting dog before constructing his fort in this location. After understanding the dream vision as a symbol of good fortune he selected this location to establish his fort since he believed it would become a power center for prosperity. Bengaluru started its evolution into a major urban area after Kempe Gowda formally established the city during 1537. The remnants of the Bangalore Fort still stand today, whispering tales of valor and ambition. 2. Lalbagh Botanical Garden: A Gift from Hyder Ali The founder of Mysore under the 18th century Hyder Ali established the beloved green space of Bengaluru known as Lalbagh. History claims Hyder Ali believed Lalbagh delivered both visual loveliness and strength to the population by creating this garden when the nation suffered warfare. According to local knowledge he established a Persian-Afghan paradise by planting exceptional trees and flowers in the garden he built. Tipu Sultan added more exotic plants to the garden which his father had originally planted. People in the area believe the garden design sought to duplicate the famed Babylonian gardens thus becoming an interactive monument of royal ambitions. 3. Ulsoor Lake: The Curse of Kempe Gowda II Local people consider Ulsoor Lake a historical man-made lake which holds an enchanting tale about its origins. According to tradition Kempe Gowda II built the lake after he became the grandson of the original city founder to support the increasing population of the area. When completion work on the lake finished, a sage laid a curse that prophesied the water would never empty from the lake yet peace would never find those who misused the waters. For multiple centuries the lake has managed to stay at full capacity while droughts occurred while simultaneously facing water conflicts and pollution worsening which demonstrates the truth in the curse. 4. Nandi Hills: The Abode of Lord Shiva Spiritual importance surrounds Nandi Hills because this hill exists approximately 60 kilometers east of Bengaluru. Territorial history shows that sage Ramakrishna once made his home upon these mountains which are dedicated to Lord Shiva. Locals believe Nandi the bull mount of Shiva meditated on this site and thus gave birth to the name of this hill. The peaceful atmosphere of Nandi Hills draws spiritual and contemplative visitors according to local tales. People currently make pilgrimage to Shiva temples alongside Nandi shrines atop these hills in order to collect blessings through connections with past rituals. 5. Cubbon Park: The Whispering Trees Cubbon Park continues to promote rumors about supernatural occurrences that surround its area. Regional inhabitants assert that particular trees in the park produce faint voice-like sounds during windy evenings which they believe to be the protective spirits of the area. People believe that Cubbon Park contains supernatural phenomena because it was constructed at the same time as the British colonial rule and numerous fatalities occurred among workers during construction. Even though there is no proof for these reports they add to Cubbon Park's aura of mystery and visitor attraction. 6. ISKCON Temple: The Miraculous Foundation Stone ISKCON Temple in Bengaluru stands out as one of the largest and spiritual sites within the city. However, few know the story behind its foundation stone. According to folklore the temple construction started with many unexplained issues involving repeated delays that caused equipment failures. The priest advised conducting a religious ritual so the deity in charge of the land could be pacified. When the religious event concluded everything functioned without interruptions which allowed construction of the temple to finish without additional events. The temple exists as a spiritual and peaceful center because faithful people believe divine help protected its construction. 7. Vidhana Soudha: The Architect's Dream The architectural wonder of Vidhana Soudha uniting Dravidian and Indo-Saracenic and modern design elements serves as the legislative building of Karnataka. The construction of this site took place during mid-twentieth century while being accompanied by multiple interesting stories. A widespread story depicts B.R. Manickam the main designer who received divinely guided instructions from Goddess Saraswati about the building layout in his dream. The visionary appearance led him to include detailed decorative elements with meanings dedicated to knowledge as well as wisdom and administration. The heritage of Karnataka shines through Vidhana Soudha which currently represents both tradition and modernization of the state. Conclusion The landmark sites throughout Bengaluru harbor not just architectural designs but also function as locations where history and cultural expressions and legendary stories reside. Multiple sites throughout Bengaluru contain everlasting stories about dreams and struggles that recognize both miracles and curses responsible for forming the city's enduring identity throughout the last several centuries. Through Kempe Gowda's pioneering work and mysterious tales about Cubbon Park these stories reveal the strong bond between inhabitants and their surroundings. The evolution of Bengaluru into a global metropolis can be preserved through sharing its tales which guarantees the city's spirit stays alive while undergoing rapid development. Make the effort to listen to the historical tales of these landmarks during your next visit because they could capture your complete attention.
Western Telegraph
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Western Telegraph
Interactive game book based on Pembrokeshire pirate
The Legend of Black Bart's Gold, by Oliver McNeil, is based on the premise that there is pirate treasure hidden in Pembrokeshire. Mr McNeil is known for his internationally best-selling Storymaster's Tales series and immersive performances at Carew Castle, Picton, and his parlour theatre at the Mariners Inn in Nolton Haven. He has used his knowledge of local history to create this new book. The book is inspired by the life of Bartholomew Roberts, Pembrokeshire's infamous pirate, better known as Black Bart. The book puts readers in the role of Bart's grandchild on a quest to uncover lost treasure. Set in 1775, players travel through familiar landscapes like Tenby, St Davids, historic castles, and a pirate ship docked in Milford Haven. Mr McNeil said: "This is such a fantastical and magical part of Wales. "I really wanted readers to be able to explore the same places they're reading about. "It's been such fun using the county I love so much as the backdrop." The book is available now from The Tenby Bookshop, Oriel Parc in St Davids, Amazon, or the Storymasters Tales website. Mr McNeil will be hosting a special Pirate Day in Nolton Haven on June 1, from 1pm to 7pm, bringing the story to life with live-action fun, sea-swept storytelling, and a taste of the game in the real world.
