Offbeat
Hooves, hounds, and heroes: Animal soldiers of World War I and II
Amidst the chaos of World War I and II, animals played crucial roles, serving as loyal companions, transporters, messengers, and even soldiers on the front lines. Let's take a look at how these unsung heroes made significant contributions to the war efforts during World War I and II.
Offbeat / You did not know these Bengali adaptations of popular films existed
In a world where Hollywood's gloss and grandeur dominate the silver screen, there lies a cinematic treasure trove in Bangladesh that dances to its own beat. Far from the well-trodden paths of blockbuster narratives, Bangladeshi filmmakers have embraced the art of adaptation with a twist so unique it could only be born in the cultural kaleidoscope of South Asia. From singing superheroes to dancing apes, here's a whimsical journey through the Bangladeshi film industry's most audacious, hilarious, and unapologetically tacky takes on popular pop-culture icons.
The Xiaomi car is real, and BAIC is making it
Xiaomi is making a bold move into the electric vehicle (EV) industry with its Xiaomi SU7 car series. The consumer tech company, diversifying from its traditional product range, has now applied for a sales license in China for this ambitious venture.
Titanic menu sells for £84,000 at UK auction
The menu, for a meal served on April 11, 1912, is decorated with a red White Star Line burgee but the original gilt lettering is no longer visible
Netflix's 'Terminator' anime series coming soon
Netflix has officially confirmed an anime adaptation of the popular sci-fi series 'Terminator'. Announced via a trailer on Netflix's official YouTube channel, the upcoming anime series will be jointly made by Production I.G, Skydance Media, and writer Mattson Tomlin.
Delhi Police uses Mathews’ timed out incident to spread awareness about helmets
The message was posted in reference to the high number of road accidents in Delhi in recent years.
Offbeat / So, a Barbenheimer movie is really happenning
It seems that the cinematic world is poised for an unprecedented mash-up, as details emerge about 'Barbenheimer,' an upcoming B-movie that cheekily capitalises on the dual releases of 'Barbie' and 'Oppenheimer.' Touted with the tongue-in-cheek tagline 'D-Cup, A-Bomb,' the film promises a comedic twist on what happens when a doll scientist has a nuclear chip on her shoulder.
This website tells you if there will be 'oborodh' tomorrow
istomorrowhartal.com, a 2015 website that offers timely information on hartals (strikes) and blockades in Bangladesh, has resurfaced again in 2023 in midst of the ongoing blockades. The service was initially set up during a period of frequent hartals by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and has recently updated its offerings to include information on the latest blockades by the same party.
Starving souls on paradise isle: The plight of St. Martin's stranded dogs
The coral island of St. Martin's is a place that usually evokes images of tranquillity, idyllic beaches, and unparalleled beauty. However, beneath this picturesque façade lies an unsettling reality—a burgeoning dog population that faces extreme cruelty and starvation, especially during the off-season from April to October. As tourism halts, these innocent animals, often fed by tourists during the peak season, are left to fend for themselves, leading to horrifying outcomes.
How SWAT Kats captured the hearts of '90s kids
Two cats: mechanics. Also fighter pilots. A banger of an electric guitar fuelled intro theme. And a guaranteed good time in front of the old TV. In the tapestry of '90s childhood in Bangladesh, woven with the threads of cricket matches, kite flying, and endless monsoon rains, a vivid patch stands out: the excitement of gathering around to watch 'SWAT Kats'.
Proof of 'alien' presented to Mexican Congress
In an unprecedented congressional hearing on Tuesday, Mexican lawmakers examined what was touted as physical evidence supporting the existence of Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP), commonly known as UFOs. The hearing marked Mexico's first official government discussion on the subject, following in the footsteps of recent U.S. hearings.
Cat stuck in taxi's grille travels 500 miles in Wales
A cat was found to have travelled over 500 miles while it was trapped in the grille of a taxi. The cat was discovered by a taxi driver named Tom Hutchins in Tonyrefail, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales.
The latest bizarre TikTok trend is cracking eggs on your child's head
In this week's bizarre trend sweeping across TikTok, parents are cracking eggs on their young children's heads in a viral challenge that has raised some degree of alarm among medical experts and the public. The trend, tagged with #eggprank, has amassed over 670 million views as of last Tuesday.
Traffic police officers in Ahmedabad, India donning 'AC helmets'
Ahmedabad Traffic Police, in an innovative solution to tackle the intensity of the summer, has introduced special 'AC helmets' to officers on duty. A recently viral video in India shows constables wearing these AC helmets while controlling the traffic in the streets of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.
World record as tightrope walkers cross Swedish Arctic valley 600m up
Four German tightrope walkers have set a new world highlining distance record by crossing a 2.1 km-long valley in Swedish lapland on a line suspended at a height of 600 metres.
Man jumps from moving plane at Los Angeles airport
A passenger was taken to the hospital on Friday night after jumping out of a moving plane at Los Angeles International Airport, authorities said.
Duterte threatens to arrest Filipinos who refuse vaccination
The Philippine president has threatened to order the arrest of Filipinos who refuse COVID-19 vaccination and told them to leave the country if they would not cooperate with efforts to end a public health emergency.
Fish once labeled a 'living fossil' surprises scientists again
The coelacanth - a wondrous fish that was thought to have gone extinct along with the dinosaurs 66 million years ago before unexpectedly being found alive and well in 1938 off South Africa's east coast - is offering up even more surprises.
