Offbeat
Did you know an Indian startup 3D-printed a house in 21 days?
On April 27, 2021, Tvasta, a startup founded by alumni from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, completed the construction of India's first 3D-printed house - in only 21 days. Modules for this 500 sq. ft. house were printed in the startup's facility in Chennai and assembled at the site, as per the company's official website.
Storm in a teacup: US, UK banter over the perfect 'cuppa'
The "special relationship" between Britain and the United States came under pressure this week when a US academic had the cheek to suggest adding salt to tea, sparking a flurry of diplomatic banter
Meet the Xbox Series S Toaster
Microsoft has recently released the Xbox Series S Toaster, a kitchen appliance inspired by the design of the Xbox Series S gaming console. The toaster, currently listed in Walmart for US$39.99, will imprint an Xbox sphere logo on the bread during toasting.
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
Getting married in PPE: Bride tests Covid-19 positive hours before wedding in Indian village
Traditional Indian wedding finery gave way to hazmat suits and masks in a remote north Indian village, after the bride tested positive for the coronavirus just hours before her marriage, a local health official said.
Mysterious monolith in California torn down by Christian group, replaced with a cross
A mysterious metal monolith, which recently emerged on top of a mountain in California near the town of Atascadero, has been torn down by a group of young men claiming to be Christians.
Smooth transition: Japanese mask maker dumps Trump, embraces Biden
For a mask producer in Japan, the transition from US President Donald Trump to Joe Biden has been a smooth one, as it switches production to masks of the Democrat president-elect.
Bolivians decorate skulls to honour the dead
Bolivians have celebrated the Day of Skulls, a colorful tradition rooted in ancient indigenous beliefs that is meant to bring good fortune and protection by honoring the dead.
Doctor duped into buying Aladdin’s lamp’
Two men who allegedly duped a doctor into buying an “Aladdin’s lamp” for $93,000 -- and even conjured up a fake genie -- have been arrested in India, an official said yesterday.
Change Meow: the California neighborhood where dogs and cats are vying for mayor
One Californian neighborhood had had enough of the acrimonious atmosphere among people ahead of the November 3 US elections.
Man's best friend: Genetics study reveals ancient friendship between humans and dogs
Much of the diversity seen in modern dog populations was already present around the time the last Ice Age had ended 11,000 years ago, a global study of ancient DNA revealed Thursday. The paper, published in Science, showed how our canine companions spread across the world with their masters, but also found intriguing periods when our shared history was decoupled.
Fighting cock kills police chief in Philippine raid
A Philippine police officer was killed during a raid on an illegal cockfight after a rooster's blade sliced his femoral artery, an official said Tuesday.
Restaurant reinvents ferris wheel in pandemic
Hit by a plunge in turnover after foreign tourists vanished, Michelin-starred Hungarian restaurant Costes has staged a skyline dining event on the Budapest Eye ferris wheel to generate sales in a coronavirus-proof environment.
Using AI, Canadian city predicts who might become homeless
As makeshift tent cities spring up across Canada to house rough sleepers who fear using shelters due to covid-19, one city is leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to predict which residents risk becoming homeless. Launched in August, the AI system analyzes the personal data of participants to calculate who faces having nowhere to sleep for an extended period, said Matt Ross, an information technology (IT) expert with the city who helped build the program.
