Offbeat

Offbeat

Offbeat / This banana could sell for over $1 million

At the international arthouse Sotheby’s, Maurizio Cattelan’s famous artwork 'Comedian' is about to hit the auction block for an estimated price between $1 million to $1.5 million. But... why?

5m ago

ChatGPT helps 89-year-old Japanese app developer learn programming

89-year-old Japanese Tomoji Suzuki took up coding in his retirement, developing apps specifically for the elderly Japanese population. As per a recent interview with AFP, he has credited ChatGPT as a "great teacher" and "programming mentor" in his coding journey.

10m ago

Offbeat / Biden hiring a 'meme manager'; will pay up to $85,000

The role, which offers a salary of up to $85,000, involves collaborating with podcasters, digital-media companies, and popular social-media meme pages, reports Business Insider. Successful candidates will need to relocate to Wilmington, Delaware, where the campaign is based

11m ago

4 Tejgaon College friends reunite 32 years later via Facebook

The last time they all spent quality time together was at a friend's wedding in 1991

11m ago

KFC launches perfume Eau De BBQ

Finger sniffin’ good?

11m ago

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.

1y ago

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

1y ago

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.

1y ago

How two friends used ChatGPT to launch an AI startup worth $150,000

In just four days, using only ChatGPT and a modest US$185 (about BDT 20k) investment, Sal Aiello and Monica Powers transformed a side hustle into a highly profitable AI startup. Fast forward to last month, the duo successfully sold their venture for a whopping $150,000 (about BDT 16 million).

1y ago

Prada to design spacesuits for Artemis III lunar mission

Prada, the famous Italian luxury fashion house, has partnered with Axiom Space, a Texas-based private space company, to craft advanced spacesuits for NASA's upcoming Artemis mission. The collaboration aims to provide cutting-edge gear for astronauts on lunar expeditions.

1y ago

Facebook goes political; wants Pakistan's Imran Khan released

In an unexpected and unprecedented move, the official Facebook page posted a status urging for the release of Imran Khan, the current opposition leader of Pakistan, who has been recently incarcerated. The message, which simply read "Release Imran Khan", was swiftly removed from the platform, but not before it went viral, sparking discussions and speculations.

1y ago

UN, Red Cross want bans, curbs on killer robots

The United Nations and the Red Cross this week issued a joint call for urgent new international rules to protect humanity from the potential "terrible consequences" of autonomous weapons

1y ago

Remembering the first generation of 'memes'

Before the age of TikTok dances and Twitter threads, memes were a nascent form of digital folklore. The term "meme" was coined by British evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins in his 1976 book, "The Selfish Gene". He used it to describe an idea, behaviour, or style that spreads within a culture. Little did he know, his term would become the moniker for one of the internet's most beloved phenomena.

1y ago

A new destination for Bangladeshi travellers in Sikkim: The Taj Guras Kutir Resort & Spa

Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) has announced the opening of the Taj Guras Kutir Resort & Spa in Gangtok, Sikkim. Located just a short flight away from Bangladesh, this resort emerges as a luxurious option for Bangladeshi travellers, who have increasingly been captivated by Sikkim's allure. Set amidst the alpine landscape, the resort offers panoramic views of the majestic Kanchenjunga.

1y ago

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. 

1y ago

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'.

1y ago

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.

1y ago

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.

1y ago