Hogwarts school of matchsticks and wizardry

Fan builds Potter replica

A Potter work ... matchstick creation

 

 

A MADCAP model maker has worked his magic on a giant version of Harry Potter’s Hogwarts - made from 602,000 matchsticks. 

 

Creator Pat Acton painstakingly pieced together the school of Witchcraft and Wizardry using more than 24 gallons of glue. 

His replica has every single bridge, window and tower seen in the Hollywood blockbuster series, which starred Daniel Radcliffe as the boy wizard. 

Painstaking ...Pat spends hours creating works

 

It even includes the Great Hall, the Great Tower and Fortified Cathedral as seen on screen. 

The masterpiece now sits pride of place in his home museum alongside other giant matchstick models - including battleship USS Iowa, Capitol Hill and New York’s Freedom Tower. 

War strike ... USS Iowa

 

Proud dad-of-three Pat - who worked from photos to build his own mini Hogwarts - said: “I have always loved architecture ever since I was in elementary school. 

“People react very differently to each model - some they are drawn to immediately, others they ignore. 

Museum ... Capitol Hill is among works on display at his house

 

“They are all a labour of love, taking years to plan and build.”

Man with half a face is thankful for condition ... as it stops him starving

'Belssed' ... Ganesh believes God has made him deformed for a reason

A HOMELESS man thanks his shocking facial condition for being able to eat every day.

Ganesh Bhagat Chaurasia, 65, from Haridwar, northern India, suffers from a rare facial deformity that makes it difficult for him to work. 

Even worse, his family disowned him - cutting him out of his land inheritance 50 years ago.
But refusing to look on the bad side, Ganesh now thanks his disability for keeping him alive as sympathetic people often offer him money, shelter and food because of his condition. 

Tumour ... Ganesh suffers from a rare growth that has swamped his face

He said: “People are very kind and generous in India. I never ask for money but people voluntarily offer me things. This is the only way I survive now.” 

Ganesh was born with just a small lump on his face but as time passed it grew to an enormous size, covering his eyes and leaving him unable to work. 

He said: “My parents tried to get me some treatment; they spent thousands of rupees seeing doctors. In the end a Mumbai doctor did offer to operate on me but he said there was only a ten per cent chance of survival. It was just too risky, so they decided against it. 

“My parents always worried about my chances of getting married. And they died too young to help me make that happen. In the end I had nothing to offer a bride so I decided it was best not to marry.” 

Generosity ... Ganesh must survive on handouts from strangers

Ganesh was the son of an affluent farmer and was set to inherit 30 acres of profitable agricultural land in Champaran, Bihar, northern India, when his father died. 

But his uncle, along with some local officials, managed to claim ownership of the land and house, leaving then teenage Ganesh with nothing. 

He explained: “I tried to fight him in the courts but in the end I lost because I just didn’t know the right people. Let’s say my uncle was very well connected and in the end officials even used my facial condition as an excuse to stop me entering offices.” 

Ganesh managed to work as a mechanic for many years but in the end his facial condition left him unable to see clearly. 

Disinherited ... Ganesh was due to farm land that belonged to his father but his uncle now owns the plot

“My village folk hated being anywhere near me,” he said. “I know people don't like looking at me but I am not a bad person. I am a happy man, I make the most of what I have and I am the way I am. 

“I have a good head on me, I know many trades and I could’ve been a success, but I have faced problems getting on in life because of my appearance.” 

Ganesh now moves around small towns, sleeping in temples and eating where he can.
People give him around 200 rupees a day (£2.50), which he said is enough to survive on. 

“I wasn't comfortable taking money from people at first but then I thought that maybe God has made me this way and this is what’s meant to be for me,” he added. 

Bachelor ... Ganesh realises that his tragic condition means he will never marry

Ganesh is now a content man. He refuses to dwell on the negatives and believes he lives a good life compared to some. 

He said: “I am God’s creation. I am not bitter about my appearance. Some people call me a reincarnation of Ganesh, the Hindu God, while others see me as the devil. But I don’t want any pity. This is my life and I live it the best I can.” 

Dr Vivek Kumar, a plastic and cosmetic surgeon and consultant, at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, in New Delhi, said Ganesh suffers from neurofibromatosis, meaning a large tumour has grown on his face.
He added: “This appears to potentially be a very treatable condition. But it would not be simple, and would require a specialist team of surgeons.” 

But Ganesh doesn't want to see any surgeon, he said the time has passed for operating tables, and will now continue to live as he always has done.

Big-Neym player is in no rush

STAYING PUT ... Neymar earns enough cash to keep him in Brazil

NEYMAR, the man tipped as the next Lionel Messi, will be the centre of attention at Wembley tomorrow.

The Brazilian is set to carry his nation’s hopes on home soil at next year’s World Cup — and Europe’s biggest clubs are queuing up to sign him. 

But Chelsea, Barcelona and Real Madrid will have to wait — as the 20-year-old star is in no rush to quit Santos, where he already earns a stonking £11MILLION a year. 

A Brazil insider said: “Everyone knows that Neymar will stay in Brazil until the World Cup — but also that in 2014 he will probably leave for Barcelona or Madrid.” 

Santos pay 15 per cent of Neymar’s estimated monthly wage of £950,000. The other 85 per cent is paid by 12 high-profile sponsors. 

But the club have more than doubled their revenue by keeping hold of him. They ended 2011 with a £60.1m turnover, the fourth highest in Brazil. 

Neymar is used to bumper salaries — at the age of 16 he was pocketing £10,000 a month at Santos, more than 40 times the minimum monthly wage in Brazil. 

But his father, Neymar Snr, kept his son’s feet on the ground — only allowing the striker to splash out if he had played well!

Glitter critters

Shine on you crazy exoskeleton ... golden jewel beetle

THESE crazy creatures are not afraid to show their colours in stunning pictures shot in their natural habitats.

This gleaming golden bug just loves making an exhibition of itself.
Scratching about in Costa Rica, the jewel beetle shines with these other kaleidoscopic critters from around the world. 

Their names — hawk-headed parrot, blue poison dart frog, cuckoo wasp, lantern bug and Tiger’s treefrog — are equally colourful. 

Hawk-head . . parrot in Amazon

Buzzing ... Italian cuckoo wasp

Light work ... lantern bug in Malaysia

Hop star ... blue poison dart frog

Tigerish ... Colombian treefrog

Kelibat Rozaimi, Irfan menjadi tumpuan

IRFAN (tengah) dan Rozaimi (empat dari kiri) menjadi perhatian pegawai pencari bakat kelab Brisbane Roar.

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GOLD COAST, Australia - Aksi menentang Brisbane Roar hari ini bakal menjadi medan terbaik buat kapten Harimau Muda, Irfan Fazail dan Rozaiman Abdul Rahman untuk membuktikan keupayaan masing- masing.

Ini kerana Irfan dan Rozaimi yang meledak 10 gol pada kempen kelayakan Piala AFC Bawah 22 Tahun (B-22) sebelum ini dikatakan mendapat perhatian pegawai pencari bakat kelab terbabit, Brad Maloney.
Perlawanan menentang Brisbane Roar merupakan aksi terakhir Harimau Muda pada siri Jelajah Australia yang bermula penghujung Januari lalu.

Bekas penyerang import Sabah, Scott Ollerenshaw yang mengaturkan jelajah tersebut adalah antara individu yang bertanggungjawab mengenal pasti bakat kedua-dua pemain muda itu sebelum menjemput Malo- ney menyaksikan persembahan mereka dengan lebih dekat pada aksi menentang juara Liga Australia (Liga A), Brisbane Roar hari ini.

"Saya telah dibawa oleh Ollerenshaw yang telah mengaturkan perlawanan persahabatan Harimau Muda di Australia dan sudah tentu saya mahu mencari bakat-bakat baharu, dan beliau telah memberikan cadangan untuk menilai prestasi dua pemain terbabit.

"Sejujurnya saya sangat kagum dengan persembahan pemain-pemain Harimau Muda khususnya dari segi teknik, kepantasan, skil serta persefahaman, selain memiliki barisan jurulatih yang sangat profesional biarpun usia mereka masih muda," kata Maloney ketika menyaksikan sesi latihan Harimau Muda di Kompleks Sukan Carrara di sini semalam.

"Irfan dan Rozaimi ternyata menarik perhatian saya. Mereka memiliki teknik yang bagus, pantas dan sangat cepat menyesuaikan diri dengan corak permainan. 

"Saya fikir, gaya permainan mereka cukup matang. Mereka juga dilihat mampu menyerlah jika diberikan lebih banyak pendedahan.

"Kini, saya semakin teruja untuk menyaksikan persembahan mereka pada aksi esok (hari ini)," jelasnya.
Pada masa yang sama, beliau turut menyifatkan peluang kedua-dua pemain itu nampak cerah untuk beraksi dalam Liga A.

"Saya ingin menasihati Irfan dan Rozaimi agar bermain seperti biasa dan buat seperti apa yang mereka lakukan pada sesi latihan."

Rangka tulang disahkan milik Raja England

GAMBAR menunjukkan lubang kubur yang mengandungi rangka tulang Raja Richard III di Leicester.

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LEICESTER - Identiti satu rangka tulang yang ditemui di dalam tanah di sebuah tempat meletak kereta di sini telah disahkan para saintis sebagai Raja Richard III yang pernah memerintah England.

Para penyelidik dari Universiti Leicester mendapati keputusan ujian asid deoksiribonukleik (DNA) pada rangka tulang berusia 500 tahun itu sepadan dengan seorang keturunan adik perempuan raja tersebut.

Ujian DNA yang dibuat itu melibatkan seorang pembuat perabot yang dilahirkan di Kanada, Michael Ibsen.

Ibsen merupakan keturunan adik raja itu, Anne of York.

Kesan kecederaan yang didapati pada rangka tulang itu adalah akibat satu pertempuran.
Pengumuman itu dibuat oleh seorang pakar arkeologi, Richard Buckley pada satu sidang akhbar di universiti tersebut semalam.

Rangka tulang itu ditemui pada September 2012. 

Raja itu meninggal dunia dalam pertempuran Bosworth yang berlaku pada tahun 1485.
Mayat baginda kemudian diarak dalam keadaan bogel dan berlumuran darah dari medan pertempuran ke Leicester, tengah England sebelum dikebumikan di sebuah kubur tanpa batu nisan di Greyfriars di sini.

Menurut Buckley, rangka tulang tersebut akan dikebumikan di Gereja Leicester di sini. - Agensi

Kereta sport Arab pertama dipamer di Doha

KERETA Bugatti Veyron turut dipamerkan pada Pertunjukan Kereta Antarabangsa Qatar di Doha.

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DOHA, Qatar - Sebuah kereta buatan firma Lebanon, W Motors yang bernilai £2.2 juta (RM10.65 juta) dipamerkan pada Pertunjukan Kereta Antarabangsa Qatar di sini kelmarin.

Menurut akhbar dalam talian MailOnline semalam, kereta sport LykanHypersport itu lebih mahal berbanding Bugatti Veyron yang berharga £1.5 juta (RM7.26 juta).

Ia merupakan kereta sport pertama buatan negara Arab.

Bagaimanapun, LykanHypersport masih belum dapat menandingi kelajuan Bugatti Veyron.
Kereta sport LykanHypersport mencatatkan kelajuan 0 hingga 100 kilometer sejam (km/j) dalam tempoh 2.8 saat.

Kelajuan maksimum kereta itu ialah 395 km/j.

Kereta sport Bugatti Veyron pula mencatatkan kelajuan 0 hingga 100 km/j dalam tempoh 2.5 saat.
Kelajuan maksimum kereta itu ialah 431.072 km/j.

Kereta sport LykanHypersport itu dihasilkan dengan kerjasama firma Magna Steyr Italia, RUF Automobile, Studiotorino, Viotti, dan ID4MOTIO.

Hanya tujuh buah kereta itu yang akan dikeluarkan dalam tahun ini. - Agensi

Race to buy rare Ferrari ends with sale for a massive £5.2m

Sold ... rare Ferrari went for a massive £5.2million

A RARE 1958 Ferrari has become one of the world's most expensive supercars after it sold at auction for a whopping £5.2million.

The midnight-blue convertible 250 GT LWB California Spider model - one of only 50 ever made - was the subject of a bidding war which saw it soar past its £4.2m estimate. 

It was sold by auctioneers Gooding and Company at the meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona, after passing through the hands of just three owners in the past four decades. 

It was lovingly restored in 2012, going on to scoop a Platinum trophy and a set of almost perfect scores when it was shown off at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and the American Ferrari Club Meet. 

Fully restored ... Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider

 

The model, certified as genuine by the Ferrari Classiche Department, features rare covered headlights, and an interior decorated with tan leather. 

David Gooding, president and founder of Gooding & Company said: “We always look forward to January because Scottsdale automotive auction week is a dynamic and significant marketplace for our business as well as the collector car industry as a whole." 

The auction also saw a cream 1957 Maserati 150 GT Spider prototype go up for sale, eventually being snapped up for just under £2m 

In June last year, a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO made for race driver Stirling Moss was sold to US car collector Craig McCaw for a reported £22m. 

If true, that would make it the most expensive Ferrari ever sold.

Sekarang, siapa rugi?

Jika sebelum ini kelibatnya tidak dipandang sebelah mata tetapi kini ramai yang mencemburui­nya.
Pada 2011, Tottenham dan Wigan bersiap sedia dengan kemungkinan mendapatkan pemain te­ngah Celta Vigo yang dipang­gil Michu (gambar), boleh didapati secara percuma. Kedua-dua kelab itu bagaimanapun enggan mengambil tindakan susulan.

Tahun lalu, mereka juga berdepan situasi yang sama. Pemain Sepanyol itu yang ketika itu beraksi di Rayo Vallecano, menamatkan La Liga musim lalu sebagai pemain tengah dengan jaringan terbanyak dan mempunyai klausa pelepasan hanya £2.2 juta )(rm10.6 juta) di dalam kontrak.

Sekali lagi, kedua-dua kelab itu memandang sepi pemuda itu, membolehkan Swansea City tampil tanpa saingan untuk mendapat­kan pemain berusia 26 tahun itu.

Michu

Semuanya menjadi sejarah dan ramai mula me­nyedari tanggapan pengurus Swansea, Michael Laudrup yang menyifatkan Michu pembelian berbaloi musim ini.

Dia adalah penjaring ketiga terbanyak dalam Liga Perdana Inggeris sepanjang musim ini, membawa Swans ke final Piala FA dan kini dinilaikan berharga £30 juta (RM144 juta) oleh kelabnya.

Pengurus Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson bukan satu-satunya pe­ngurus Liga Perdana Inggeris yang mempersoalkan bagaimana seorang pemain yang sebagus itu boleh terlepas begitu saja.

“Hanya £2 juta (RM9.6 juta) dan saya tidak pernah mendengar mengenainya,” keluh Ferguson sebelum Krismas.” Saya perlu berbincang dengan pasukan pencari bakat.”

Penyerang legenda Ireland Utara, Gerry Armstrong, yang kini pengulas bersama perlawanan La Liga, mungkin boleh dimaafkan kerana kini berkata ”Saya sudah katakan.”

Beliau memberi amaran kepada kelab Liga Perdana Inggeris mengenai Michu tiga tahun lalu sewaktu dia bermain dengan Celta Vigo di divisyen dua Sepanyol.

“Saya menyaksikannya beberapa kali dan anda boleh melihat dia memang berbakat,” kata bekas penyerang Real Mallorca dan Tottenham itu.

“Dia adalah pemain hebat dengan teknik yang hebat, melakukan larian pada masa yang tepat ke petak penalti dan menjaringkan gol.

“Saya ada memberitahu Tottenham mengenainya dan sedar Wigan turut mahu mendapatkannya tetapi mereka turut memburu pemain lain dan tidak mengambil langkah selanjutnya.”

Michu boleh didapati menerusi perpindahan secara percuma pada akhir musim 2010-11, kerana kontraknya dengan Celta berakhir. Rayo Vallecano, sebuah kelab di luar Madrid, yang baru-baru ini dinaikkan ke La Liga, mendapatkannya dan membayarnya £6,000 (RM28,976) seminggu, menurut Armstrong.

Pada musim pertama­nya di liga perdana Sepanyol, Michu menunjukkan kehebatannya. Dia menjaringkan 15 gol, menjadikannya penjaring tengah terbanyak di La Liga, mengatasi Andres Iniesta dan Mesut Ozil, serta membantu Rayo kekal di La Liga.

Anda mungkin menjang­kakan jumlah jaringan itu mampu menarik kelab besar Eropah terutamanya apabila Michu mempunyai klausa pelepasan £2.2 juta dalam kontraknya.

Begitupun, Felipe Minambres, pengarah bola sepak Rayo, berkata: “Banyak pasukan bertanyakan kami mengenai Michu tetapi yang benar-benar serius membuat tawaran adalah Swansea.”

Justeru mengapa kelab lain tidak cuba mendapatkan pemain itu?

“Saya rasa mereka tidak melihatnya dengan teliti, biarpun mungkin mereka akan melihatnya dengan lebih teliti sekarang,” kata Armstrong.

“Mereka mungkin terfikir bahawa corak permainan di Sepanyol dan England jauh berbeza tetapi saya yakin Michu boleh menyesuaikan diri, dia mempunyai tubuh yang besar, berketinggian 1.84m dengan teknik yang hebat dan mampu menjaringkan gol.

“Dia juga bekerja keras dan mempunyai etika kerja yang bagus.”

Jumbo fit for a prince: The £240million private jet

• Billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal al-Saud ordered the customised Airbus A380 three years ago
• He already owns a customised 747, an Airbus 231 and a luxury yacht featured in a James Bond film
• Jet will boast luxury suites as well as a prayer room with electronic mats which automatically turn towards mecca 

When you have £16billion in the bank, a Cessna is simply not an option.

Instead, Prince Alwaleed bin Talal al-Saud is about to take delivery of an Airbus A380, the world’s biggest private jet. 

The same model is used by Singapore Airlines and Emirates and can fly 800 passengers 8,000 miles before refuelling. But the Saudi prince doesn’t need 800 seats, so he will have them removed to make room for an opulent, marble-finished Turkish bath and a parking space for his Rolls-Royce.

Flying palace: An artist's impression of what the £300million customised Superjumbo will look like and a few of the luxuries on board

The plane will even boast a dedicated prayer area, in which computer-generated mats move to point towards Mecca.

The Western-educated prince, 57, is known as the Warren Buffett of the Middle East because of his reputation as a shrewd investor. He also owns 7 per cent of Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation.

The new airliner joins Prince Alwaleed’s stable of private jets, including a modified Boeing 747 and an Airbus 321. He is also the proud owner of a 280ft superyacht, 5KR, formerly owned by Donald Trump, which featured in the Bond film, Never Say Never Again.

Business class: The plane's boardroom features a table which functions as a giant touchscreen and (right) a white spiral staircase winds around the lift which travels three floors and also drops onto the tarmac to act as the prince's private entrance

The new jet, which has already been labelled the Flying Palace, will boast:

• A dazzling main spiral staircase as well as a lift which will travel the plane's three floors and lower onto the tarmac to act as the Prince's private entrance
• A Concert Hall featuring a grand piano, accoustic panelling and seating for an audience of ten. Big name entertainers are expected to perform.
• A Hamam steam room lined with marble only two millimetres thick to keep the weight down as well as a sensory area for treatments
• A magnificent Wellbeing room for guests featuring a giant screen on the floor allowing them to see what they are flying over
• A full size boardroom featuring a large perspex table which doubles as a huge touchscreen
• A total of five luxury suites as well as a prayer room with electronic mats which automatically turn to face mecca  
• Ample parking space for a Rolls Royce   

 

Night flight: The opulent jet will boast no fewer than four luxury suites as well as a prayer room with electronic mats that automatically turn to face mecca while (right) the stunning Wellbeing room for guests will feature a giant screen on the floor allowing them to see what they are flying over

Giant of the skies: The Airbus A380 is the world's largest airliner and has been designed to carry over 600 passengers. The basic cost is £135 million but Prince Alwaleed's plane is expected to top £300million 

Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal is the region's wealthiest man

Airbus will deliver the extravagant toy to the prince in the New Year, a spokesman confirmed.
The prince is the first person to buy one of the luxury jumbos, estimated to have cost £240million. 


The spokesman said: ‘This is the most up-to-date model you can get and the largest civil aircraft ever. It’s huge – half again as big as a 747.’ 


The Airbus will be delivered to the prince ‘green’ – a basic shell ready to be furnished to the client’s desires. 

Design Q, the company working on the interior, says the A380 is ‘not only the most luxurious aircraft in existence, but also reflects the cultural values and status of its owner’. 

The plane boasts the equivalent of three tennis courts’ worth of floor space, while the lowest cargo deck also has ample parking room. 

A grand white spiral staircase will greet guests in the entrance hall. 


On arrival a lift drops to the runway and a red carpet unfurls, with downlights to ‘give the impression of turning up at the Oscars’, according to Design Q.

The belly of the A380 has been turned into a relaxation zone, including a Turkish bath lined with marble only 2mm thick to keep the weight down.

Next door is a wellbeing room, with the floor and walls turned into a giant screen showing the ground below. 

Guests can stand on a ‘magic carpet’ and watch the journey, a scented breeze blowing into the room.

There are also about 20 ‘sleepers’ – the equivalent of First Class seats – a boardroom and a concert hall.

As the largest stakeholder in News Corp outside the Murdoch Family, Prince Alalweed was interviewed on the deck of his yacht in Cannes by the BBC following the phone tapping scandal.

Looking relaxed in a pair of shorts and sunglasses he famously declared that News Corp's then chief executive Rebekah Brooks 'has to go', which many believe effectively ended Brooks's career at the company.

A spokesman for Design Q, the Worcestershire-based company who will be carrying out the customisation of the plane, told the Independent the plane would be 'not only the most luxurious aircraft in existence, but also reflects the cultural values and status of its owner.'