Category: News

With a score of 20-1-1, out of which 11 wins came via KO/TKO, Magomed Ankalaev has been making waves in the fighting realm. He dominated Johnny Walker, Aleksandar Rakic, and many others with ease. Well, he is on an impressive 11-fight win streak. But the light heavyweight contender’s story began with a heartbreak. Ankalaev was only 15 years old when he was forced to take up the responsibility of his entire family. 

But what exactly happened that brought about such a major change in the Russian’s life? Well, he lost his father, and the void sucked away his freedom and carefree attitude. Let’s get to know a bit more about Ankalaev’s family and how his father’s passing affected him. 

Magomed Ankalaev’s parents and family

The #1 light heavyweight contender is one of the fighters who have kept their family details a secret from the public eye. However, Ankalaev revealed a massively heartbreaking detail during the countdown episode for UFC 313. He said, “I was in the ninth or tenth grade and I lost my father. That was the most difficult age for me, when you really need a father’s support. Since the man is the eldest in the family, it turned out that I was the man. And I had to work much harder for my family, to support them.”

Being the oldest son in the family, Ankalaev had to shoulder quite a bit of responsibilities. He was just 15 when his family went through the heartbreak. But being a Dagestani pushed him towards martial arts. Talking to the UFC, the Russian pointed out that every Dagestani was involved in martial arts in one way or the other. That’s why he claimed that he was just another average Dagestani guy. 

But it was around 2011-2012 that he started practicing the art of self defense. Well, Ankalaev’s early life still remains a massive mystery. But do you know how he began his journey in the world of martial arts? Let’s find out!

More about Magomed Ankalaev’s early life

Ankalaev was born in Teletl’, in the Shamilsky District in Russia, on 2nd June 1992. The light heavyweight contender actually has lineage linking him to the Avars. Nevertheless, he began his training in Greco-Roman wrestling when he was just one year into his college. Well, our #1 light heavyweight contender is indeed a graduate from Dagestan State University. But soon, Ankalaev traveled to the lands of Sambo and received the title of Master of Sports in the martial art form. 

During a conversation with BOX TV, the Russian fighter said, “I started training in childhood, like most of my friends, I was involved in freestyle wrestling for a long time. After finishing school, I entered the DGPU in Makhachkala and began to practice Greco-Roman wrestling. I also competed in combat sambo – successfully and won the title of Master of Sports of Russia. Thanks to all the accumulated experience, I have already begun to practice MMA closely.”

Now, Ankalaev is set to cement his legacy with a shot at the light heavyweight championship title. Defeating Alex Pereira at UFC 313 would indeed make him the first light heavyweight to defeat the Brazilian champion. But we would have to wait for Saturday to find out how the fight between the strongest LHWs proceeds. 

Do you think Ankalaev can defeat the man with the hands of stone at UFC 313? Let us know what you think of the Russian’s early life in the comments down below. 

New Delhi:

A toddler, who was kidnapped by her own non-custodial mother in 1999, has been found alive in Mexico, authorities said. Andrea Michelle Reyes, now 27, was allegedly kidnapped by her mother, Rosa Tenorio, from her home in New Haven, Connecticut. Ms Reyes was 23 months old at the time.

Now, 25 years later, authorities, after DNA testing, confirmed Ms Reyes was alive. The girl’s identity was confirmed after “Rapid Relationship Testing” was conducted using her father’s DNA, forensic genealogy company Othram said.

While Ms Reyes’ family always believed she was in Mexico, they could never find her. This is despite her father repeatedly travelling to the country looking for her.

Ms Tenorio, the mother, took Ms Reyes to Puebla, a city southeast of Mexico City, but they were never located, officials reported.

A felony warrant for custodial interference was issued for Ms Tenorio, Othram said in a release.

Multiple age progression photographs of Ms Reyes were released by the authorities. Another criminal warrant was issued in 2009, according to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System.

The New Haven Police Department also claimed that an FBI probe was abandoned until it was re-examined in 2023.

When a woman claiming to be Ms Reyes got in touch with the man she thought was her father, detective Kealyn Nivakoff located her in Puebla.

The comparison verified “that the woman who reached out is, in fact, the nearly two-year-old girl kidnapped in October of 1999,” Othram reported.

While Ms Reyes continues to reside in Mexico, her mother’s arrest warrant is still pending in the US. It is not known whether she reunited with her father.

This was the seventh instance in Connecticut where authorities have identified a person using advanced DNA testing.

PARENTS and carers are being asked to have their children vaccinated against the human papillomavirus (HPV), which can lead to some types of cancer.

Nationally, school children are offered the vaccine aged 12/13 (Year 8), but current vaccine uptake among school pupils across the country still remains well below pre-pandemic levels according to NHS figures.

Without the vaccine, people have a 70 per cent chance of being infected with the virus which can result in genital warts and other cancers of the genital areas and anus, and some mouth, throat, head and neck cancers.

The HPV vaccine has been offered to all girls in school year 8 since September 2008 and to boys in the same year group since September 2019.

There is clear evidence that the HPV vaccine helps protect both boys and girls from HPV-related cancers.

Dr Anant Sachdev, a GP and the Thames Valley Cancer Alliance Early Diagnosis Clinical Lead, said: “Our advice is for young people to take up this potentially life-saving vaccine when offered as there is a risk of catching the virus because it is so common. The vaccine reduces your chances of getting HPV, a common virus that’s spread through skin contact – usually when having sex. Most types of HPV are harmless, but some types are linked to an increased risk of certain types of cancer in later age such as cervical, mouth, anal, penile, vulval, vaginal cancers and genital warts.”

Dr Sachdev added: “Parents or carers should look out for the invitation from school and if their child missed their HPV vaccine, speak with their school nurse, school vaccination team or GP surgery about how to get the vaccine – they remain eligible to receive the NHS vaccine until their 25th birthday.”

Details on how to book and contact details can be found at the Berkshire SAIS website

Meghan Knox was boarding a service at Paisley Gilmour Street station earlier this week when the doors suddenly closed, crushing the pram holding her son Jack.

A Paisley mother has spoken of her horror after her one-year-old son’s pram got trapped by the closing doors of a train.

Meghan Knox was boarding a train at Paisley Gilmour Street station earlier this week when the doors suddenly closed – crushing the pram holding her son Jack.

The distraught mother watched in horror as the pram was buckling under the weight of the doors; the force was so strong it bent the metal bar of the buggy.

Explaining the situation could have caused a serious injury, Meghan told the Paisley Daily Express: “I don’t know why but just before we boarded the train I tucked Jack’s hands in under his blanket. If I hadn’t, he would have no hand now or a severely damaged or broken one.

“It has damaged the metal bar on the pram. If that was his hand it would be a very different story. My son is thankfully okay but the whole thing was so traumatising, it was really, really bad.”

Meghan was embarking on a journey she has taken dozens of times before when the incident occurred. The 26-year-old goes twice a week to visit her mum in Greenock, Inverclyde, and was getting the 9.15am train to Gourock.

She said: “The doors opened and a passenger got off the train. I went forward and as the pram was halfway on to the train the doors shut. I couldn’t believe it; they didn’t bounce back open as you would expect.

“I take the train all the time so I know to get on quickly but there was no chance of getting on before those doors shut. The guy behind me tried to help me…I was looking around for help but there was no staff there.”

She added: “This is a major safety issue. The train was one minute late and I don’t know if the driver was in a hurry, I don’t know if he couldn’t see us, if he thought everyone was on the train. What I do know is this shouldn’t have happened.”

Meghan has since reported her concerns to ScotRail, stating there was no one onboard the train or on the platform to speak to.

A spokesperson for the rail operator said it has sought more information from Meghan and is reviewing CCTV to ascertain what has happened.

Phil Campbell, ScotRail customer operations director, said: “We were concerned to learn of this incident and would encourage Ms Knox to get in contact with our customer relations team to allow us to fully investigate what happened.”

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A father-of-three forced to withdraw his eight-year-old son from private school due to Labour’s introduction of VAT on fees will be mounting a protest outside the High Court next month.

Matt Harris, 46, says his son Tiger ‘is being forced to leave the many friendships he has built over the years at his school, his place of familiarity and his routine through no fault of his own.’

The Independent Schools Council (ISC) is leading a High Court challenge against the Government’s policy of applying VAT to independent school fees, arguing that it infringes on human rights and negatively impacts families, with a hearing expected in April.

Mr Harris, a solicitor’s casework officer from Sidmouth, Devon, say he and his wife Nat have already made all the savings they can, having put Tiger’s elder sisters, Isabella, 18 and 14-year-old Milly through independent schools.

‘There’s nothing left to cut – I drive a 25-year-old Volvo estate and we don’t take long foreign holidays or anything,’ he told MailOnline.

‘I want people to understand that this isn’t all about people with millions sending their children to Eton and Harrow, it’s ordinary people who have made this choice and decided to save on other things which people take for granted.

‘Milly is just coming up to GCSE year and is at an all-girls school with a bursary, so we can’t pull her out of school now, but sadly, Tiger’s fees, which are currently £13,000 plus VAT, will prove to be too much on our income.’

Former Foreign Office official Mr Harris says he and his Thai-born wife Nat now face a dilemma when he leaves St John’s International School, Sidmouth – either to home-school Tiger, or possibly move abroad.

‘My son was an August baby and the school suggested keeping him back a year, which you can do in the private sector, but not in a state school. So if he went into a state school now, he’d be expected to jump from year 4 to year 6, and we don’t think that’s fair on him.’

Mr Harris said he’s convinced that the ISC will win their case, but the government will appeal the decision all the way to the Supreme Court and Strasbourg.

‘I strongly believe the government will lose this, as it is a breach of the children’s human rights.

‘I think Keir Starmer knows this but it will be seen by his followers as having immediately fulfilled an election pledge.

‘The Department for Education should learn from the private sector where teachers are in it to teach and not just for the pension.

‘There are so many ways the private sector can support the state by taking in SEND children ‘at cost’, for example, and children from really disadvantaged backgrounds to turn their prospects around.’

He pointed out that parents of independent school pupils are ‘paying three times’ for their children’s education.

‘We pay our income tax, which includes a provision for education, even though we’re not using it ,then we pay for school fees, and now we’re being asked to pay VAT on top of that and it’s just not fair.’

He says he will be outside the High Court during the three days while the case is expected to run and has set up a Gofundme page to help with expenses for him and others to travel to London and mount the protest with a nominal £10k target.

Mr Harris added: ‘We’re not expecting to hit the £10k but want to fund banners and help pay for transport and lodgings for anyone who can come along and support us. I expect it’s going to be a long road.’

Last month, a study found that state schools across 27 councils in England are already oversubscribed in some year groups – with Years 7 and 8 having the lowest spare capacity.

The data prompted concern that state schools will be unable to cope with an expected increase in demand following Labour’s tax raid.

Schools in local authority areas including Bristol, Hull, Coventry, Rutland and South Gloucestershire are said to have no spare spaces in certain age groups.

Some 87 areas said they had a least one year group with under 100 spare places across the entire council, according to the figures published by The Times.

It comes after the long-standing VAT exemption for private schools came to end at the start of this year, which saw many increase their costs by 20 per cent.

An estimated 37,000 fewer pupils will attend private school because of the changes, according to the Government – most of whom will likely go into the state sector.

While there are nationally 578,000 spare places in primary schools and 465,000 in secondary schools, some councils have no spare spaces in some year groups.

“Sometimes I do think about [her daughter] during the event but it’s very important to stay focused and sometimes I don’t even talk with her so that I don’t get emotionally weak. It’s tough being so but if you want to become a world champion and to prove yourself, you need to do [it].”

Koneru Humpy has proven herself, multiple times over, knows exactly what toll it takes… and yet she keeps pushing herself more. The reigning World Champion in women’s rapid chess, Humpy won her second title in December 2024, five years after her first. That World title, in 2019, had been won just two years after the birth of her daughter, Ahana. But for Humpy — who was the then youngest ever woman to become Grandmaster, at the age of 15 — pushing herself to the limits is just a way of life.

Balancing a remarkably successful playing career (bettered only by Viswanathan Anand in Indian chess — and if you believe classical is the highest form of the sport — D Gukesh) and motherhood, without either becoming the defining feature of her personality is just part of that.

“I think girls are fighters,” Humpy tells ESPN. “Women especially are very good at multitasking,” something she doesn’t believe is a man’s forte.

She says it with a laugh, but there’s an essential truth to the sweeping statement – in most cases, the responsibility and mental labour of childrearing falls to the mother and to do that while working professional takes some multitasking. To do it while becoming a two-time world champion? Well, it takes oodles of fighting spirit.

For instance, her Worlds triumph in New York. “When I went for the tournament, my ambition was to be in the top three,” she says. “When I lost the first game I was upset, but there was no time to even think about that before the next match. I didn’t sleep properly. But I was very much determined to do well… I just wanted to play my best, give the toughest fight I could. I think that attitude had helped me win it.”

After finishing runner-up in the women’s division at the 2024 Candidates, this was a win that validated her decision to keep fighting. “The whole year I’ve been suffering a lot in the tournaments,” she says. “There are times even when I thought maybe it’s not working out, maybe I should quit from the profession. This win has motivated me again…” and it’s reminded her of the “joy in the sport.”

37-year-old Humpy’s been at it for three decades now, and she’s still seeing off fresh challenges every day. More than just regular sporting and societal standards, her own changing physiology, emotional turmoil, and an intrinsic, powerful sense of ‘mom guilt’.

She shares a story about how she missed her daughter’s birthday due to a cancelled flight post-tournament, and she has not been completely forgiven for that. “I only reached at midnight, so she still remembers that I wasn’t there… now I always make sure that I stay at home during her birthday.”

For Humpy, these are challenges to be taken in stride. She’s been brought up in a way that made her capable of handling whatever in thrown her way. “My parents used to say that these things [like menstruating] shouldn’t bother you at all like, it’s not a weakness. If you start thinking like those five days [of periods] are difficult, then you’ll have that inner feeling. But if you take that as any other normal day, even though you might be having some irregularities, you won’t feel that stress and you’ll be strong enough to face it.”

“So those things never bothered me actually as a child. I got my first periods when I was playing my international tournament and my mother was not with me, but before going to the event itself she taught me how to wear the sanitary pad. I was hardly 10 years old then and I was traveling with my father, but it didn’t scare me. I was, probably, mentally prepared for that thanks to their upbringing.”

In that lies a secret: family support. “I believe like family support is really important for women, without that it’s impossible to achieve. I keep telling my husband, if I had to leave our daughter to a nanny then I wouldn’t have continued my career. You feel comfortable and confident when your child is with the grandparents.”

She continues to train with her father, who “practices like a professional, even while I take days off” and continues to up the intensity of that training.

“When you are 30s you lose your sharpness basically,” she says. “As a teenager you would react to certain positions very sharply, very tactically. But after [your] 30s you have a laziness to calculate accurately. So, I think that’s where sometimes even I fail at certain points. Probably that is the area which needs to be worked very carefully.”

And it’s not technical training. “Of course, physically also you need to stay fit, you shouldn’t neglect your health. And that’s most important because being a woman you will be having certain health issues after childbirth. You will be going through some things, but you also need to prioritize health.”

One of India’s sporting greats, Humpy has no plans of stopping anytime soon. And in her story, lies the importance of that almost invisible tightrope all great sportswomen have to walk. Imagine, for instance, wondering who’s taking care of Viswanathan Anand’s child when he’s competing abroad at a tournament? Or him being questioned about it. It’s the little things like that which truly shine a light on how a sportswoman’s achievement comes after climbing a higher, if intangible peak.

On International Women’s Day 2025, a reminder to celebrate this barrier crossing along with the achievement itself. And a reminder to celebrate the extraordinary champion-ness of Koneru Humpy.

by Santosh Raut,Solukhumbu, Mar. 8:To ensure uninterrupted education, the ward office of Solududhkunda Municipality-2 in Solukhumbu district has conducted regular health check-ups for nearly 450 students across all community schools in the ward, leaving parents delighted.

With medical examinations addressing health issues and dental problems faced by students, parents have expressed their happiness as children can now continue their studies without interruptions.

 “Earlier, when we had to take our children to the hospital for treatment, they would miss school. This programme has made things much easier,” said Chhiring Sherpa, a parent from Junbesi Secondary School.

A team of healthcare professionals has been visiting schools every two months to conduct general health check-ups, while dental examinations are carried out every four months, according to Iwad Thitey Sherpa, Ward Chairperson of Solududhkunda Municipality-2.

Ward Chairperson Sherpa emphasised that ensuring good health among students is crucial for better learning outcomes, which is why this initiative was introduced. He stated that health and education are being prioritised as fundamental needs of the people. “With this programme, not only will students’ health improve, but it will also contribute to their continued learning,” he added.

Govinda Bahadur Basnet, the headmaster of Himalayan Sherpa Buddhist Basic School, mentioned that the programme had been a great help to both students and parents. “When children fall ill, they have to skip school to visit the hospital, which affects their studies. This initiative has been very beneficial,” he said.

The programme includes free health and dental check-ups, along with medication distribution. The ward claims this to be the first initiative in Nepal where students of community schools receive regular free medical and dental examinations in schools.

How did you feel after reading this news?

Machine Gun Kelly is experiencing dueling emotions.

As he eagerly awaits the birth of his baby with ex Megan Fox, the “Lonely Road” singer shared a heartbreaking tribute to his close friend Luke “The Dingo” Trembath, who recently passed away at age 39.

“I’ve lost a lot of friends, but I’ve never lost a brother,” MGK wrote in a post on Instagram March 7. “We’ll never get another Dingo on this planet. A true rockstar without ever needing to make a song, the most loyal, loud, charismatic, funny, and annoying human I’ve ever had the honor of knowing.”

Amid his grief, the rocker (real name Colson Baker) reflected on his impending arrival and shared how he envisioned the late pro snowboarder, whose death was confirmed Feb. 28, still being part of the baby prep.

“I feel like your [sic] up there with my new child, dressed up in a hilarious costume making them laugh, getting ready to send them down,” he continued. “I couldn’t ask for a more bittersweet birth blessing.”

LEHI, Utah — RootsTech, the world’s largest genealogy event hosted by FamilySearch, is happening this weekend in Salt Lake City, putting a spotlight on family history and stories of discovery.

One Lehi woman spent years searching for answers and made an interesting discovery.

For decades, Kerri Robbins wanted to find the missing piece to her family puzzle.

“Since I was 14, 16, I’ve wondered, ‘Who’s my dad? Who’s my dad?’” she said. “I wanted to find out who my dad was.”

Robbins’ mom had had her when she was 18, and when she asked about her dad, her mom said she couldn’t remember the name.

Years later, Robbins began trying various DNA tests, believing several different men could be the one. But she didn’t receive the results she hoped for.

“I was really disappointed,” she said.

Finally, Ancestry matched her to her dad.

“Such a weight was lifted from my shoulder, and just to have that peace and that knowledge and to be able to have more family,” she said.

Unfortunately, her biological father had passed away in 2002, but she has been able to see his life through photographs and even connect with new aunts and cousins she had never known.

“The more the better,” she said.

Robbins’ new-found family has been by her side, especially through her battle with radon-induced lung cancer.

“The prayer and support of so many friends I know is why I’m still here now,” she said.

Robbins is now an advocate for radon awareness, encouraging others to get their homes tested.

“If I can prevent anybody else from having the same thing happen to them, that makes what I’m going through all worth it,” she said.

Robbins is grateful she discovered these new familial connections and is confident that one day she’ll get to finally meet her dad.

“I don’t know him now, but I will at some time,” she said.

RootsTech continues through Sat. March 8. You can register to attend the conference at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City or attend online for free.

A mother has been left “gutted” after a Make-A-Wish trip to Disneyland Paris for her terminally ill daughter Daisy, five, was cancelled due to disruption to Eurostar services following the discovery of an unexploded bomb.

Toni Mannion, 38, said she had been “looking forward to making some special memories”, but was unable to take alternative transport to France with her daughter who has complex needs.

The World War Two explosive, found near Gare du Nord station in Paris, was defused on Friday afternoon – with commuters being told to expect normal services on Saturday.

Eurostar’s chief safety and stations officer Simon Lejeune said he was “incredibly sorry” for the travel disruption.

Five-year-old Daisy has a rare metabolic disorder called Nonketotic hyperglycinemia (NKH). She uses a wheelchair, is non-verbal and has severe epilepsy.

Ms Mannion travelled from Birmingham to London on Thursday with Daisy, her one-year-old daughter Lara, her mother and a friend.

“We’ve been planning this for such a long time. Make-A-Wish charity paid for everything from start to finish.

“We were really looking forward to making some special memories with the girls. I know Make-A-Wish will look to reorganise. But it’s still a bit gutting really.

“I cried, we all cried. We’ve been really looking forward to it. Her [Daisy’s] life is limited, we just never know how long we’ve got left with her.

“We wanted to make some really nice memories.”

Many Britons found themselves stuck on the other side of the Channel on Friday, with no easy way of making it back to UK.

But some, like Vicky and her mother Jo, decided to “make the most of it” and spend a few more days in Paris.

“We were starting to get a bit worried about being able to get home eventually,” said Vicky.

Vicky and her mother were only planning on staying one night, but have since decided to book a train back on Sunday.

“We’re going to make the most of it. We just walked up to the Eiffel tower and are going to have a walk around the city, take our time and enjoy Paris,” she said.

Many travellers complained about being unable to get on to the Eurostar app, including Bob and Mavis from Nottingham who had been hoping to travel to Paris from London St Pancras International on Friday.

“It’s taken us hours to get through on the Eurostar app, because it keeps crashing”, said Mavis.

The couple, who had finally managed to book a train to get them into Paris on Saturday, said they were having to spend money for a hotel in London overnight.