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Anyone can easily own a Basquiat painting, a pair of Yeezy sneakers or even a&nbsp;Ferrari, at least, that's the promise of a growing number of fractional ownership platforms that sell shares of these rare items, starting at just a few dollars.

One platform, Masterworks, in spring 2020 turned the $6 million painting "The Mosque" by Jean-Michel Basquiat into 284,420 shares at $20 each.

With fractional ownership, there's no chance of hanging the painting in a buyer's home, parking a Lamborghini in their garage or storing six bottles of Romanee-Conti wine in their cellar.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/second-copy-but-more-expensive-china-gears-up-to-launch-huge-titanic-replica-385103">Second copy, but more expensive: China gears up to launch huge Titanic replica</a>

But by owning at least a piece of the property, at least on paper, like the shares of a publicly listed company, anyone can now directly benefit from an increase in the item's value, just like a wealthy collector.

Whether it's paintings or baseball cards, "it's not a new industry," says Ezra Levine, the CEO of Collectable, a platform that specializes in sports paraphernalia.

"It's not like cryptocurrencies where it was literally invented five or 10 years ago," he said. "It's just that the ways that people can participate in (the market) and experience it, enjoy it, have just dramatically changed in the last six months."

Slugger, the username of a collector who preferred to stay anonymous, made a 500 per cent profit on a few shares of a box of Pokemon cards, initially priced at $125,000.

The platform Rally had offered the box via an IPO, similar to the listing of a company on the stock market and also subject to controls by the US market regulator, the SEC.

"These fractional platforms just open up the class to people who can't afford to buy a full (Michael) Jordan (trading) card," said John Schuck, 43, whose holdings amount to about $20,000 in cars, paintings or sports memorabilia.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/israels-gaza-offensive-how-160-jets-pounded-150-targets-in-40-minutes-with-450-missiles-385086">Israel's Gaza offensive: How 160 jets pounded 150 targets in 40 minutes with 450 missiles</a>

The concept of shared ownership of physical assets started with real estate. Over the past 20 years, it has expanded to include private jets and yachts, but entry prices have remained high and largely inaccessible to the general public.

The new fractional platforms have drastically lowered prices, sometimes to less than $10 a share.

Such entry prices allow sneaker enthusiasts, for instance, who initially built the "sneakerhead" culture but were priced out, to own at least a part of cult pieces, explains Gerome Sapp.

His platform, Rares, will in June list a pair of the Nike Air Yeezy 1 inspired by musician Kanye West, which it acquired for a record-breaking $1.8 million in late April.

'Purely an investment'

But the emotional aspect of buying is not quite the same, as most shareholders will never actually see the object in person, unlike old-school collectors. Rally opened a museum in New York that displays some of the pieces listed online, and Masterworks has a gallery, but few people plan on visiting.

"The fact that I can't touch it kind of takes away the emotion of it," said Gregg Love, who belongs to this new generation of collectors.

"I don't feel a connection at all to any of these assets," said Slugger. "This is purely an investment and entertainment for me."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/alien-isotope-found-in-earths-crust-385065">'Alien' isotope found in Earth's crust</a>

Considered a pioneer of this new fractional ownership trend, Rally has seen a major surge in interest during the coronavirus pandemic, surpassing 200,000 users, with about $25 million in assets listed on the platform.

Behind Rally, three competing platforms;&nbsp;Otis, Collectable and the more art-focused Masterworks,&nbsp;have more than 200,000 users combined. Many of those users, however, are active on several platforms at the same time.

During the pandemic, remote work, lockdowns and reduced leisure activities provided time and savings to many Americans, especially young professionals, who turned to the stock market or new investments.

"Many people had a lot of money in their account and were looking for a place to put it.&nbsp;We have been spoiled this past year with some of the returns we have seen," said Schuck.

But as wealthy countries slowly emerge from the pandemic, Schuck says he has started to notice a "slow-down" in the fractional ownership market.

Others also point to the effect of a potentially too-rapid increase in supply.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/astronomer-makes-navigation-system-for-interstellar-space-travel-372313">Astronomer makes navigation system for interstellar space travel</a>

Even though many assets are still priced, sometimes significantly, above their listing value, there is some concern about sharp price swings, which are much more pronounced than in the stock market.

Fractional ownership is still an experimental market, where price risks are very real. Slugger cites "panic selling" by recent investors, even though "nothing has fundamentally changed for the majority of these assets."

For Collectable chief Levine, in the long term, these platforms still offer "a much more efficient way of pricing things" than before.

The platforms increase transparency and democratize access, so that "a lot of people can impact prices, not just... a very select few," he said.

Anyone can easily own a Basquiat painting, a pair of Yeezy sneakers or even a Ferrari, at least, that's the promise of a growing number of fractional ownership platforms that sell shares of these rare items, starting at just a few dollars.

Anyone can easily own a Basquiat painting, a pair of Yeezy sneakers or even a Ferrari, at least, that's the promise of a growing number of fractional ownership platforms that sell shares of these rare items, starting at just a few dollars. One platform, Masterworks, in spring 2020 turned the $6 million painting "The Mosque" by Jean-Michel Basquiat into 284,420 shares at $20 each. With fractional ownership, there's no chance of hanging the painting in a buyer's home, parking a Lamborghini in their garage or storing six bottles of Romanee-Conti wine in their cellar. Also read | Second copy, but more expensive: China gears up to launch huge Titanic replica But by owning at least a piece of the property, at least on paper, like the shares of a publicly listed company, anyone can now directly benefit from an increase in the item's value, just like a wealthy collector. Whether it's paintings or baseball cards, "it's not a new industry," says Ezra Levine, the CEO of Collectable, a platform that specializes in sports paraphernalia. "It's not like cryptocurrencies where it was literally invented five or 10 years ago," he said. "It's just that the ways that people can participate in (the market) and experience it, enjoy it, have just dramatically changed in the last six months." Slugger, the username of a collector who preferred to stay anonymous, made a 500 per cent profit on a few shares of a box of Pokemon cards, initially priced at $125,000. The platform Rally had offered the box via an IPO, similar to the listing of a company on the stock market and also subject to controls by the US market regulator, the SEC. "These fractional platforms just open up the class to people who can't afford to buy a full (Michael) Jordan (trading) card," said John Schuck, 43, whose holdings amount to about $20,000 in cars, paintings or sports memorabilia. Also read | Israel's Gaza offensive: How 160 jets pounded 150 targets in 40 minutes with 450 missiles The concept of shared ownership of physical assets started with real estate. Over the past 20 years, it has expanded to include private jets and yachts, but entry prices have remained high and largely inaccessible to the general public. The new fractional platforms have drastically lowered prices, sometimes to less than $10 a share. Such entry prices allow sneaker enthusiasts, for instance, who initially built the "sneakerhead" culture but were priced out, to own at least a part of cult pieces, explains Gerome Sapp. His platform, Rares, will in June list a pair of the Nike Air Yeezy 1 inspired by musician Kanye West, which it acquired for a record-breaking $1.8 million in late April. 'Purely an investment' But the emotional aspect of buying is not quite the same, as most shareholders will never actually see the object in person, unlike old-school collectors. Rally opened a museum in New York that displays some of the pieces listed online, and Masterworks has a gallery, but few people plan on visiting. "The fact that I can't touch it kind of takes away the emotion of it," said Gregg Love, who belongs to this new generation of collectors. "I don't feel a connection at all to any of these assets," said Slugger. "This is purely an investment and entertainment for me." Also read | 'Alien' isotope found in Earth's crust Considered a pioneer of this new fractional ownership trend, Rally has seen a major surge in interest during the coronavirus pandemic, surpassing 200,000 users, with about $25 million in assets listed on the platform. Behind Rally, three competing platforms; Otis, Collectable and the more art-focused Masterworks, have more than 200,000 users combined. Many of those users, however, are active on several platforms at the same time. During the pandemic, remote work, lockdowns and reduced leisure activities provided time and savings to many Americans, especially young professionals, who turned to the stock market or new investments. "Many people had a lot of money in their account and were looking for a place to put it. We have been spoiled this past year with some of the returns we have seen," said Schuck. But as wealthy countries slowly emerge from the pandemic, Schuck says he has started to notice a "slow-down" in the fractional ownership market. Others also point to the effect of a potentially too-rapid increase in supply. Also read | Astronomer makes navigation system for interstellar space travel Even though many assets are still priced, sometimes significantly, above their listing value, there is some concern about sharp price swings, which are much more pronounced than in the stock market. Fractional ownership is still an experimental market, where price risks are very real. Slugger cites "panic selling" by recent investors, even though "nothing has fundamentally changed for the majority of these assets." For Collectable chief Levine, in the long term, these platforms still offer "a much more efficient way of pricing things" than before. The platforms increase transparency and democratize access, so that "a lot of people can impact prices, not just... a very select few," he said.

Ferraris for the people: Luxury goods now sold in fractions

Common viral infection influenza's cases reported to the World Health Organization have dropped to minuscule levels after the deadly COVID-19 began its global spread.

The precautionary public health measures taken by governments around the world are helping in stopping the spread of this viral infection.

Influenza viruses are transmitted in much the same way as Coronavirus, but they are less effective at jumping from host to host.

The decrease in flu numbers was both swift and universal.

According to Scientific American magazine, the US saw about 600 deaths from influenza during the 2020-2021 flu season. In comparison, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated there were roughly 22,000 deaths in the prior season and 34,000 two seasons ago.

Meanwhile, The overall global Covid-19 caseload has topped 149.1 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 3.14 million, according to Johns Hopkins University.

In its latest update on Thursday morning, the University's Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed that the current global caseload and death toll stood at 149,197,932 and 3,146,284, respectively.

The US continues to be the worst-hit country with the world's highest number of cases and deaths at 32,229,327 and 574,326, respectively, according to the CSSE.

In terms of infections, India follows in second place with 17,997,267 cases.

(With inputs from agencies)

Common viral infection influenza's cases reported to the World Health Organization have dropped to minuscule levels after the deadly COVID-19 began its global spread.

Common viral infection influenza's cases reported to the World Health Organization have dropped to minuscule levels after the deadly COVID-19 began its global spread. The precautionary public health measures taken by governments around the world are helping in stopping the spread of this viral infection. Influenza viruses are transmitted in much the same way as Coronavirus, but they are less effective at jumping from host to host. The decrease in flu numbers was both swift and universal. According to Scientific American magazine, the US saw about 600 deaths from influenza during the 2020-2021 flu season. In comparison, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated there were roughly 22,000 deaths in the prior season and 34,000 two seasons ago. Meanwhile, The overall global Covid-19 caseload has topped 149.1 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 3.14 million, according to Johns Hopkins University. In its latest update on Thursday morning, the University's Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed that the current global caseload and death toll stood at 149,197,932 and 3,146,284, respectively. The US continues to be the worst-hit country with the world's highest number of cases and deaths at 32,229,327 and 574,326, respectively, according to the CSSE. In terms of infections, India follows in second place with 17,997,267 cases. (With inputs from agencies)

Influenza has virtually disappeared worldwide during the Covid pandemic

Juan Joya Borja, a Spanish comedian whose meme brought laughter across the globe, passed away on Wednesday.&nbsp;

The 65-year-old Borja, better known as El Risitas, meaning Giggles, was widely popular on the internet as the "Spanish laughing guy".&nbsp;

A television appearance of Borja went viral in 2014 in which his laughing face is being used in several posts to give a context to it.&nbsp;

A local media reported that the comedian died on Wednesday in a hospital.&nbsp;

He was hospitalised last year and in March, Borja thanked fans for a fundraising campaign that allowed him to buy an electric mobility scooter after his one leg was amputated, BBC reported.&nbsp;

In his viral clip, which was uploaded on YouTube in 2007, the comedian was interviewed in which he was asked about his experience as a kitchen helper.&nbsp;

Borja told in the video how he once put 20 paella dishes in the sea to clean them at night only to find in the morning that all but one swept away.&nbsp;

The incident caused huge laughter from Borja and the host and the former's face became the face of several memes years later.

 
&nbsp;

Juan Joya Borja, a Spanish comedian whose meme brought laughter across the globe, passed away on Wednesday. The 65-year-old Borja, better known as El Risitas, meaning Giggles, was widely popular on the internet as the "Spanish laughing guy".

Juan Joya Borja, a Spanish comedian whose meme brought laughter across the globe, passed away on Wednesday. The 65-year-old Borja, better known as El Risitas, meaning Giggles, was widely popular on the internet as the "Spanish laughing guy". A television appearance of Borja went viral in 2014 in which his laughing face is being used in several posts to give a context to it. A local media reported that the comedian died on Wednesday in a hospital. He was hospitalised last year and in March, Borja thanked fans for a fundraising campaign that allowed him to buy an electric mobility scooter after his one leg was amputated, BBC reported. In his viral clip, which was uploaded on YouTube in 2007, the comedian was interviewed in which he was asked about his experience as a kitchen helper. Borja told in the video how he once put 20 paella dishes in the sea to clean them at night only to find in the morning that all but one swept away. The incident caused huge laughter from Borja and the host and the former's face became the face of several memes years later.

Spanish comedian, who was behind 'Spanish laughing guy' passes away

We have heard stories of couples marrying, divorcing and reuniting.

But, in a peculiar incident, a man in Taiwan has married the same spouse four times and divorced three times.

All this has also happened in 37 days, according to local media reports.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/marriage-stability-highest-among-indian-americans-in-us-new-report-reveals-372260">Marriage stability highest among Indian Americans in US, new report reveals</a>

And the reason behind this bizarre act is also something never heard of.&nbsp;

A bank clerk registered for a marriage on April 6 for which he took eight days leave from April 7 to 16, according to a Facebook post shared by a lawyer Lin.&nbsp;

The post further said that immediately the man divorced his wife and registered for a new marriage to the same woman on April 17.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="http://wionews.com/india-news/host-surprises-virtual-guests-attending-marriage-by-home-delivering-wedding-feast-349771">Host surprises virtual guests attending marriage by home-delivering wedding feast</a>

After taking another eight days of marriage leave, the clerk again divorced on April 28 and married yet again on April 29.&nbsp;

It followed the third divorce on May 11 and a fourth marriage to the same woman on May 12.&nbsp;

The bank suspected abuse of marriage leaves and only paid for leaves for the clerk's first marriage.&nbsp;

A complaint was filed by the man at the Taipei City Labor Bureau, which fined the bank NT$20,000 (over USD 700) for not paying for the leaves of all four marriages.&nbsp;

The bank then filed an appeal to the verdict saying that leave was not in compliance with the Labor Standard Act.&nbsp;

The Commissioner of the Labor Standards Section of the Labor Bureau Huang Jingang though agreed that the man's practice was unreasonable, but said there is no such provision in the Labor Standard Act that a person cannot marry the same person to get leaves.&nbsp;

We have heard stories of couples marrying, divorcing and reuniting. But, in a peculiar incident, a man in Taiwan has married the same spouse four times and divorced three times.

We have heard stories of couples marrying, divorcing and reuniting. But, in a peculiar incident, a man in Taiwan has married the same spouse four times and divorced three times. All this has also happened in 37 days, according to local media reports. Also read | Marriage stability highest among Indian Americans in US, new report reveals And the reason behind this bizarre act is also something never heard of. A bank clerk registered for a marriage on April 6 for which he took eight days leave from April 7 to 16, according to a Facebook post shared by a lawyer Lin. The post further said that immediately the man divorced his wife and registered for a new marriage to the same woman on April 17. Also read | Host surprises virtual guests attending marriage by home-delivering wedding feast After taking another eight days of marriage leave, the clerk again divorced on April 28 and married yet again on April 29. It followed the third divorce on May 11 and a fourth marriage to the same woman on May 12. The bank suspected abuse of marriage leaves and only paid for leaves for the clerk's first marriage. A complaint was filed by the man at the Taipei City Labor Bureau, which fined the bank NT$20,000 (over USD 700) for not paying for the leaves of all four marriages. The bank then filed an appeal to the verdict saying that leave was not in compliance with the Labor Standard Act. The Commissioner of the Labor Standards Section of the Labor Bureau Huang Jingang though agreed that the man's practice was unreasonable, but said there is no such provision in the Labor Standard Act that a person cannot marry the same person to get leaves.

Taiwan man marries four times, divorces three times to get extra paid leaves

The UK is conducting a study to investigate the immune response on volunteers if they are inoculated with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/uk-adds-covid-19-vaccines-from-two-more-companies-to-its-mix-and-match-trial-377537">two different coronavirus vaccines.</a>

However, what has caught the attention of people is not the concept of 'mix and match' but the main man behind the study —&nbsp;Professor Matthew Snape. Now, that's the name of a wizard from Harry Potter books (and movies), you reckon?

People on Twitter have not missed the coincidence of the name and Harry Potter fans have assembled to scoop out jokes out of this name-play.

Professor Snape is one of the main characters of the Harry Potter series by JK Rowling. He&nbsp;is a so-called 'half-blood' wizard and was the Potions Master.&nbsp;

The real-world Snape might not be a Potions Master, though. He is an Associate Professor in General Paediatrics and Vaccinology at the Oxford Vaccine Group.

As Professor Snape started trending on Twitter, the&nbsp;University of Oxford also got into action

It tweeted a clarification. "It seems that our Professor Snape is trending," it wrote.

"We'd like to confirm our Snape is NOT a 'Dark Arts' professor. He mostly works in paediatrics and vaccinology, and on the #OxfordVaccine. He's also a lot friendlier."

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
It seems that our Professor Snape is trending... 
 
We'd like to confirm our Snape is NOT a 'Dark Arts' professor. He mostly works in paediatrics and vaccinology, and on the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OxfordVaccine?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OxfordVaccine</a>. 
 
He's also a lot friendlier 😅. <a href="https://t.co/5uAOMJa4uN">pic.twitter.com/5uAOMJa4uN</a>
— University of Oxford (@UniofOxford) <a href="https://twitter.com/UniofOxford/status/1382325836154613761?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 14, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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However, Twitter still wants to have its share of fun.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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Chief Investigator of the Oxford Vaccine Group is a Professor Snape. Taking time out from his potions class at Hogwarts. <a href="https://t.co/6hkecRah0w">pic.twitter.com/6hkecRah0w</a>
— Rob Anderson in HSR (@robainhsr) <a href="https://twitter.com/robainhsr/status/1382276277453922308?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 14, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Of course the guy running the UK vaccine programme is called Professor Snape… <a href="https://t.co/6L1jPc7Bru">pic.twitter.com/6L1jPc7Bru</a>
— Ryan (@rynltylr) <a href="https://twitter.com/rynltylr/status/1382238723467792386?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 14, 2021</a></blockquote>
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I know I'm late to this party, and I feel sorry for the guy but... 
 
Knowing Associate Professor Snape is in charge of the "mix and match" vaccine trial made me smile <a href="https://t.co/Wrogk8jPMz">pic.twitter.com/Wrogk8jPMz</a>
— Pharma Darren (He/Him) (@Pharmacistdaz) <a href="https://twitter.com/Pharmacistdaz/status/1382296183444541440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 14, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The chief investigator in the Oxford Vaccine Group is called Professor Snape. I felt this was important information everyone needs to know.
— Jasmine Sahu 💙 (@lanajaz) <a href="https://twitter.com/lanajaz/status/1382248968445435904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 14, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Professor Mattew Snape waking up and checking Twitter today <a href="https://t.co/5SzpXF4KBH">pic.twitter.com/5SzpXF4KBH</a>
— Halfbaked8 (@halfbakedhex8) <a href="https://twitter.com/halfbakedhex8/status/1382261998474366977?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 14, 2021</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

The UK is conducting a study to investigate the immune response on volunteers if they are inoculated with two different coronavirus vaccines. However, what has caught the attention of people is not the concept of 'mix and match' but the main man behind the study — Professor Matthew Snape.

The UK is conducting a study to investigate the immune response on volunteers if they are inoculated with two different coronavirus vaccines. However, what has caught the attention of people is not the concept of 'mix and match' but the main man behind the study — Professor Matthew Snape. Now, that's the name of a wizard from Harry Potter books (and movies), you reckon? People on Twitter have not missed the coincidence of the name and Harry Potter fans have assembled to scoop out jokes out of this name-play. Professor Snape is one of the main characters of the Harry Potter series by JK Rowling. He is a so-called 'half-blood' wizard and was the Potions Master. The real-world Snape might not be a Potions Master, though. He is an Associate Professor in General Paediatrics and Vaccinology at the Oxford Vaccine Group. As Professor Snape started trending on Twitter, the University of Oxford also got into action It tweeted a clarification. "It seems that our Professor Snape is trending," it wrote. "We'd like to confirm our Snape is NOT a 'Dark Arts' professor. He mostly works in paediatrics and vaccinology, and on the #OxfordVaccine. He's also a lot friendlier." It seems that our Professor Snape is trending... We'd like to confirm our Snape is NOT a 'Dark Arts' professor. He mostly works in paediatrics and vaccinology, and on the #OxfordVaccine. He's also a lot friendlier 😅. pic.twitter.com/5uAOMJa4uN — University of Oxford (@UniofOxford) April 14, 2021 × However, Twitter still wants to have its share of fun. Chief Investigator of the Oxford Vaccine Group is a Professor Snape. Taking time out from his potions class at Hogwarts. pic.twitter.com/6hkecRah0w — Rob Anderson in HSR (@robainhsr) April 14, 2021 × Of course the guy running the UK vaccine programme is called Professor Snape… pic.twitter.com/6L1jPc7Bru — Ryan (@rynltylr) April 14, 2021 × I know I'm late to this party, and I feel sorry for the guy but... Knowing Associate Professor Snape is in charge of the "mix and match" vaccine trial made me smile pic.twitter.com/Wrogk8jPMz — Pharma Darren (He/Him) (@Pharmacistdaz) April 14, 2021 × The chief investigator in the Oxford Vaccine Group is called Professor Snape. I felt this was important information everyone needs to know. — Jasmine Sahu 💙 (@lanajaz) April 14, 2021 × Professor Mattew Snape waking up and checking Twitter today pic.twitter.com/5SzpXF4KBH — Halfbaked8 (@halfbakedhex8) April 14, 2021 ×

Prof Snape, wizard of potions: Covid vaccine study is headed by Harry Potter character namesake

New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern felt "very honoured" after she realised that a large insect has been named after her. &nbsp;

Hemiandrus jacinda is the name given to a new species of wētā, a giant flightless cricket, reports The Guardian.&nbsp;

The cricket is red in colour and "long-limbed," something which is similar to Ardern's Labour party colour and symbol.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-zealands-jacinda-ardern-lashes-out-at-greta-thunberg-349783">New Zealand's Jacinda Ardern lashes out at Greta Thunberg</a>

New Zealand's prime minister was "aware of this and very honoured," her spokesperson said.&nbsp;

"A beetle and a lichen, along with an ant in Saudi Arabia, have also been named after her."

Steven Trewick, the scientist who named and formally described the insect, said the name had struck him for "reflecting traits of the prime minister".

Trewick, a professor in evolutionary ecology at Massey University in New Zealand, said it was a "striking" and beautiful species.

The latest-discovered species is bigger and more brightly coloured than the 17 ground wētā that already exist, and found in native forests in Northland, Bay of Plenty, Waikato and Coromandel in the upper North Island.&nbsp;

Zootaxa journal described it for the first time on Friday as "comparatively large, long-limbed, glossy and predominantly orange-red".

Trewick said it was remarkable that jacinda was not found until now given that it had been discovered near densely populated regions and that it was "not a small, cryptic beast but a hefty insect with flamboyant colouring",

New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern felt "very honoured" after she realised that a large insect has been named after her. Hemiandrus jacinda is the name given to a new species of wētā, a giant flightless cricket, reports The Guardian.

New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern felt "very honoured" after she realised that a large insect has been named after her. Hemiandrus jacinda is the name given to a new species of wētā, a giant flightless cricket, reports The Guardian. The cricket is red in colour and "long-limbed," something which is similar to Ardern's Labour party colour and symbol. Also read | New Zealand's Jacinda Ardern lashes out at Greta Thunberg New Zealand's prime minister was "aware of this and very honoured," her spokesperson said. "A beetle and a lichen, along with an ant in Saudi Arabia, have also been named after her." Steven Trewick, the scientist who named and formally described the insect, said the name had struck him for "reflecting traits of the prime minister". Trewick, a professor in evolutionary ecology at Massey University in New Zealand, said it was a "striking" and beautiful species. The latest-discovered species is bigger and more brightly coloured than the 17 ground wētā that already exist, and found in native forests in Northland, Bay of Plenty, Waikato and Coromandel in the upper North Island. Zootaxa journal described it for the first time on Friday as "comparatively large, long-limbed, glossy and predominantly orange-red". Trewick said it was remarkable that jacinda was not found until now given that it had been discovered near densely populated regions and that it was "not a small, cryptic beast but a hefty insect with flamboyant colouring",

Jacinda Ardern 'very honoured' after large insect species gets her name

Only a few people are able to take forward passion and continue all their lifetime, but a Russian granny is still doing that.&nbsp;

Lyubov Morekhodovatakes, 79, who lives alone on the banks of famous Baikal lake in Russia, still is skating every day on skates that are about as old as the woman is, reports news agency Reuters.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/meet-russias-79-years-old-skating-granny-363538/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Her father, Nikolai Morekhodov, made the skates for her from wood when she was a child.&nbsp;

She said that her family lived beside the lake and skating to go to school was natural as compared to walking in thick snow.&nbsp;

Morekhodovatakes worked on a heavy machinery plant to earn a living all her life but now leads a simple life with many cows.&nbsp;

Her cows give Morekhodovatakes another reason to stake as she practices it to track down her cattle.&nbsp;

In Russian, Lyubov means 'love', and the granny says love is one of the important things in her life.

"I love life, nature, and everything. I love people, in the first place," Morekhodovasays said before she set off for another ride with her skates.&nbsp;

Only a few people are able to take forward passion and continue all their lifetime, but a Russian granny is still doing that. Lyubov Morekhodovatakes, 79, who lives alone on the banks of famous Baikal lake in Russia, still is skating every day on skates that are about as old as the woman is, reports news agency Reuters.

Only a few people are able to take forward passion and continue all their lifetime, but a Russian granny is still doing that. Lyubov Morekhodovatakes, 79, who lives alone on the banks of famous Baikal lake in Russia, still is skating every day on skates that are about as old as the woman is, reports news agency Reuters. Watch | Her father, Nikolai Morekhodov, made the skates for her from wood when she was a child. She said that her family lived beside the lake and skating to go to school was natural as compared to walking in thick snow. Morekhodovatakes worked on a heavy machinery plant to earn a living all her life but now leads a simple life with many cows. Her cows give Morekhodovatakes another reason to stake as she practices it to track down her cattle. In Russian, Lyubov means 'love', and the granny says love is one of the important things in her life. "I love life, nature, and everything. I love people, in the first place," Morekhodovasays said before she set off for another ride with her skates.

Watch | Meet 79-year-old Russian granny who still loves to skate

The internet seems to be divided at the moment over Ali Xeeshan, a Pakistani fashion designer’s recent collaboration with the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women Pakistan.

The internet seems to be divided at the moment over Ali Xeeshan, a Pakistani fashion designer’s recent collaboration with the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women Pakistan. Ali recently took the internet by a storm for portraying ills of dowry via his latest fashion campaign. The Pakistani fashion designer’s campaign against dowry shows the "epochal and alarming issue of families fretting over saving money for their daughters’ dowry (Jahez) instead of their education that is far more important." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ali Xeeshan (@alixeeshantheaterstudio) × View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ali Xeeshan (@alixeeshantheaterstudio) × The campaign marks Mr Xeeshan's latest collection 'Numaish', which was launched at the 'Pantene HUM Bridal Couture Week 2021' in collaboration with UN Women Pakistan. The collaboration is part of UN Women's 'Jahez Khori Band Karo' campaign, which calls on people to stop asking for and giving dowry. It is usually termed as Jahez in South Asian weddings and is quite a well known practice. Sharing the video Ali Xeeshan wrote: “Put a stop to this overburdening tradition!" The statement was tweeted out by the official Instagram handle of UN Women Pakistan, which urged people to pledge against the practise of dowry. UN Women Pakistan supports NUMAISH - a pledge against dowry by @ALIXEESHAN. Share this powerful message and join us to #StopDowryMongering #NumaishNaLagao #JahezkhoriBandKaro@UN_Women @unwomenasia pic.twitter.com/4RCXWpkB9f — UN Women Pakistan (@unwomen_pak) February 7, 2021 × The video features a red lehenga-clad young woman, struggling to pull a cart weighed down by a pile of things, being stacked by the bride's tired parents. The camera zooms in to show tears rolling down her cheeks, while the husband walks in and sits on top of the piled up stack. While many lauded the effort, others called it an act of 'hypocrisy'. Many said that the fashion campaign was basically a gimmick of selling expensive clothes. They pointed out that Ali Xeeshan’s couture also forms a part of that dowry and burdens the bride's parents to a large extent. Check out some reactions here: Strong message Well done 👍🏻 — Dua~Bhutto (@DuaBhuttoPTI) February 7, 2021 × But what to say to the designer who initiated this campaign & sold bridal dresses starting from LACS... An innocent question — Adnan Hameed (@adnan6673) February 10, 2021 × It is good to UN focused on dowry system, absolute this is very bad for all parents who spent their life for saving of dowry. But other side not having any sense that what their wish take burden on weak shouldera of girl's parents. It must be eradicate this nostril in society. — Engr: Arif Haider Bukhari 🍂 (@AffayEngr) February 9, 2021 × And the expensive dress cost 10 to 12 lackh also not acceptable — Adiba Khan (@kadiba60) February 8, 2021 × Very good initiative. This dowry culture has made the life of women hell in Pakistan. — Lucky Punjabi (@JuttZaadi_5Aabi) February 8, 2021 ×

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