Three men were injured after trying to subdue a man armed with a knife during afternoon prayers at a Montreal-area mosque Friday afternoon.
World's most expensive feather sells at New Zealand auction
A feather from a long-extinct New Zealand bird has set a record after selling for $46,521 NZD (about US$28,400), the auction house handling the sale has said.
The huia was last officially spotted in the early 20th century and its feathers have previously sold for up to $8,400 NZD (about US$5,100), according to Webb's Auction House.
The huia bird feather, which was expected to sell for up to $3,000 NZD (US$1,830), smashed the estimate on Monday to become the world's most expensive feather ever sold, Webb's Auction House said.
"This rare huia feather is a beautiful example of Aotearoa's natural history and reminds us of the fragility of our ecosystem," Leah Morris, head of decorative arts at the Auckland-based auction house, said in a statement.
'Lethal popularity'
A member of the wattle-bird family, the huia was prized by many people - ultimately proving fatal for the species.
For Maori, the bird's feathers were a mark of high status and the distinctive, white-tipped plumage were used for ceremonial headdresses. Only those of chiefly rank were permitted to wear huia feathers in their hair or whole skins in their ears, according to the Museum of New Zealand.
The feathers were often traded for other valuable goods or given as gifts to demonstrate friendship and respect, the auction house said.
European New Zealanders also came to see the huia as a symbol of prestige. They used the animal's feathers for fashion accessories and stuffed huia were mounted as decoration in wealthy homes, according to the museum.
The museum explains that Maori and European hunters killed the bird in "great numbers" during the 19th century, selling the skin to collectors and fashion merchants.
The huia's "lethal popularity" reportedly grew even more when the Duke and Duchess of York were photographed wearing feathers in their hats during a trip to New Zealand in 1901.
"People kind of had a frenzy and decided that everyone wanted a huia feather," said Morris of the event.
Attempts made by scientists in the early 1900s to conserve the remaining huia failed. A government plan to ship the birds to offshore islands resulted in those who collected the birds to sell them as dead specimens, according to the museum, adding It was more "profitable" than keeping them alive.
The auction house said that all prospective buyers were required to provide a permit from New Zealand's Ministry for Culture and Heritage in advance of Monday's sale.
As an object of national importance, the feather could only be purchased by registered collectors and cannot leave the country without permission from the ministry.
The sale follows that of a Victorian pair of taxi-dermied huia which sold for $457,704 (about US$280,000) at a U.K. auction last year, according to the auction house.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
‘Ticking time bomb’: Those who raised suspicions about Trump suspect question if enough was done
The more Chelsea Walsh talked to the eccentric fellow American who seemed to pop up in every square and cobblestone street of Ukraine's capital, the more she got creeped out.
Andre De Grasse soaking in the moment, enjoying reception after Olympic gold in Paris
Andre De Grasse, fresh off of winning Olympic gold in the 4x100-metre rally in Paris 2024, has been in Toronto for the latest few weeks as part of the Toronto International Film Festival.
Kamala Harris accepts CNN debate invitation for Oct. 23, challenging Trump to another showdown
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris on Saturday accepted an invitation from CNN to debate former U.S. president Donald Trump on Oct. 23.
Ariana Grande, Billie Eillish and Chappell Roan among stars set for 'SNL' Season 50
'Saturday Night Live' will have a slew of famous faces to help kick off its historic 50th season when the show returns later this month.
Kids are inhaling 'Galaxy Gas' to get high. Here’s what parents should know
For some young people, a popular method for getting a quick high is by misusing laughing gas — and lately, that’s in the form of nitrous oxide from products sold by the company Galaxy Gas.
Myths busted and lessons learned: John Vennavally-Rao on his surgery to reverse his ostomy
Twenty-seven year Â鶹ӰÊÓ reporter and anchor John Vennavally-Rao shares his story of what it was like to have an ostomy bag as part of his health-care battle. 'I’m grateful for what it did to extend my life,' he writes in a personal column for CTVNews.ca.
The London Police Service (LPS) is currently investigating a suspicious death in the east end.
Housing support for adult children with severe autism is 'absolutely absurd,' say parents
Looking after an adult with severe autism can be a full-time job. Ask any parent who has a child severely affected by autism spectrum disorder – it’s a job that can get more difficult as the child becomes an adult.
Local Spotlight
Cole Haas is more than just an avid fan of the F.W. Johnson Wildcats football team. He's a fixture on the sidelines, a source of encouragement, and a beloved member of the team.
Getting a photograph of a rainbow? Common. Getting a photo of a lightning strike? Rare. Getting a photo of both at the same time? Extremely rare, but it happened to a Manitoba photographer this week.
An anonymous business owner paid off the mortgage for a New Brunswick not-for-profit.
They say a dog is a man’s best friend. In the case of Darren Cropper, from Bonfield, Ont., his three-year-old Siberian husky and golden retriever mix named Bear literally saved his life.
A growing group of brides and wedding photographers from across the province say they have been taken for tens of thousands of dollars by a Barrie, Ont. wedding photographer.
Paleontologists from the Royal B.C. Museum have uncovered "a trove of extraordinary fossils" high in the mountains of northern B.C., the museum announced Thursday.
The search for a missing ancient 28-year-old chocolate donkey ended with a tragic discovery Wednesday.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police is celebrating an important milestone in the organization's history: 50 years since the first women joined the force.
It's been a whirlwind of joyful events for a northern Ontario couple who just welcomed a baby into their family and won the $70 million Lotto Max jackpot last month.