The Daily: 15 April
Donna Tartt’s The Goldfinch takes Pulitzer Prize for fiction
Donna Tartt has won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction with her third novel, The Goldfinch. Tartt was awarded the prize after beating two other nominees, The Son by Philip Meyer and The Woman Who Lost Her Soul by Bob Shacochis. The Secret History author has said she is “incredibly happy and incredibly honoured”. Columbia University, which awards the prize, said the judges thought Tartt’s novel was “a beautifully written coming-of-age novel… that stimulates the mind and touches the heart. The Goldfinch was named Amazon’s 2013 book of the year, and it is centred on a young orphan coming to terms with the death of his mother, set in modern-day Manhattan. It was reported last month that a TV series or film version of The Goldfinch is in the pipeline by the producers of the Hunger Games.
Southend’s Adventure Island bans topless men
Adventure Island in Southend has banned male visitors from baring their chests while they are at the park. Southend’s theme park has put up signs asking male visitors to not take their tops off, and has stated that those who do will be asked to leave. Adventure Island has said this new rule is to help make the park more family friendly. Marc Miller, managing director, said: “In recent years we’ve seen increasing numbers of lads and men whipping their tops off, eager to make the most of the sun. That’s absolutely fine in the right environment, but we try very hard to be a family-focused business and not everybody is a fan of bare chests”.
Wiggle New Forest cycling event sabotaged
Last week saw New Forest’s mass cycling event sabotaged by angry residents who scattered nails across the road. This has followed complaints about the Wiggle New Forest Sportive events from local residents who claim that they put other road users and animals at risk whilst ruining the area’s tranquillity. Tacks left on the road in Bransgore village left 15 cyclists trying to fix their punctured tyres at the side of the road. Martin Barden from UK Cycling Events, which organises the event, said: “It was surprising and disappointing to see a handful of anti-cycling campaigners trying to disrupt the event”. Other critics of the cycling gathering have been quick to distance themselves from the prank as Ann Sevier, local councillor, said “I would never condone the behaviour of the people who put nails down”. Police are carrying out house-to-house enquiries to identify the saboteurs.
Mongolia’s 13-year-old eagle huntress
Photos have been released of what could be the world’s only girl hunting with a golden eagle. Usually it is only Kazakh boys in western Mongolia who learn how to use the birds to hunt foxes and hares from the age of 13. However, Ashol-Pan, the daughter of a celebrated hunter, may be the country’s only apprentice huntress. Photographer and travel writer, Svidensky, said “To see her with the eagle was amazing. She was a lot more comfortable with it, a lot more powerful with it and a lot more at ease with it”. He also remarked that she was a smiling, sweet and shy girl. Her involvement in a 2,000 year old male activity shows a remarkable move for Mongolia into the 21st century.
Three-year-old banned from having name on Easter egg
Thorntons chocolate shop stopped Rooney Scholes from having his name on an Easter egg, for fear of violating Wayne Rooney’s copyright. The shop compromised by allowing his full name to be iced onto the egg. This was after a family friend attempted to buy the chocolate egg as a present for the three year old. Rooney’s mother, Jo-anne Scholes, from Rochdale said: “It’s just pathetic that they wouldn’t let a child have his name on an Easter egg for fear of upsetting Wayne Rooney. I can’t imagine Wayne Rooney would care less”. Mrs Scholes is an avid Manchester United fan, and named her son in tribute to the club’s striker. She also has two cats called Cantona and Berbatov. Mrs Scholes added that the decision was “madness”. According to UK law, a person’s name cannot be subject to copyright.
Donna Tartt has won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction with her third novel, The Goldfinch. Tartt was awarded the prize after beating two other nominees, The Son by Philip Meyer and The Woman Who Lost Her Soul by Bob Shacochis. The Secret History author has said she is “incredibly happy and incredibly honoured”. Columbia University, which awards the prize, said the judges thought Tartt’s novel was “a beautifully written coming-of-age novel… that stimulates the mind and touches the heart. The Goldfinch was named Amazon’s 2013 book of the year, and it is centred on a young orphan coming to terms with the death of his mother, set in modern-day Manhattan. It was reported last month that a TV series or film version of The Goldfinch is in the pipeline by the producers of the Hunger Games.
Southend’s Adventure Island bans topless men
Adventure Island in Southend has banned male visitors from baring their chests while they are at the park. Southend’s theme park has put up signs asking male visitors to not take their tops off, and has stated that those who do will be asked to leave. Adventure Island has said this new rule is to help make the park more family friendly. Marc Miller, managing director, said: “In recent years we’ve seen increasing numbers of lads and men whipping their tops off, eager to make the most of the sun. That’s absolutely fine in the right environment, but we try very hard to be a family-focused business and not everybody is a fan of bare chests”.
Wiggle New Forest cycling event sabotaged
Last week saw New Forest’s mass cycling event sabotaged by angry residents who scattered nails across the road. This has followed complaints about the Wiggle New Forest Sportive events from local residents who claim that they put other road users and animals at risk whilst ruining the area’s tranquillity. Tacks left on the road in Bransgore village left 15 cyclists trying to fix their punctured tyres at the side of the road. Martin Barden from UK Cycling Events, which organises the event, said: “It was surprising and disappointing to see a handful of anti-cycling campaigners trying to disrupt the event”. Other critics of the cycling gathering have been quick to distance themselves from the prank as Ann Sevier, local councillor, said “I would never condone the behaviour of the people who put nails down”. Police are carrying out house-to-house enquiries to identify the saboteurs.
Mongolia’s 13-year-old eagle huntress
Photos have been released of what could be the world’s only girl hunting with a golden eagle. Usually it is only Kazakh boys in western Mongolia who learn how to use the birds to hunt foxes and hares from the age of 13. However, Ashol-Pan, the daughter of a celebrated hunter, may be the country’s only apprentice huntress. Photographer and travel writer, Svidensky, said “To see her with the eagle was amazing. She was a lot more comfortable with it, a lot more powerful with it and a lot more at ease with it”. He also remarked that she was a smiling, sweet and shy girl. Her involvement in a 2,000 year old male activity shows a remarkable move for Mongolia into the 21st century.
Three-year-old banned from having name on Easter egg
Thorntons chocolate shop stopped Rooney Scholes from having his name on an Easter egg, for fear of violating Wayne Rooney’s copyright. The shop compromised by allowing his full name to be iced onto the egg. This was after a family friend attempted to buy the chocolate egg as a present for the three year old. Rooney’s mother, Jo-anne Scholes, from Rochdale said: “It’s just pathetic that they wouldn’t let a child have his name on an Easter egg for fear of upsetting Wayne Rooney. I can’t imagine Wayne Rooney would care less”. Mrs Scholes is an avid Manchester United fan, and named her son in tribute to the club’s striker. She also has two cats called Cantona and Berbatov. Mrs Scholes added that the decision was “madness”. According to UK law, a person’s name cannot be subject to copyright.