Rare & Offbeat is a term used to describe things that are unusual, unique, or unconventional. It often refers to experiences, places, activities, or items that are not commonly encountered in everyday life or mainstream culture.
The Bernie Madoff scandal, a cautionary tale of unchecked greed and devastating financial deception, exposed the perils of Ponzi schemes. Madoff's $65 billion fraud wreaked havoc on global finance, revealing regulatory failures and the high cost of deception. His legacy underscores the vital role of transparency, skepticism, and regulatory oversight in safeguarding investors' interests.
The July 2022 full Moon, known as the supermoon, was the largest and brightest of the year, appearing 14% larger and 30% brighter at its perigee. This celestial event holds cultural significance for various traditions, coinciding with Guru Purnima for Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains. Different cultures historically named the July full Moon based on seasonal activities. The supermoon serves as a reminder of the beauty and complexity of the cosmos and its cultural and historical significance.
Dust storms are common in Iraq, but some experts believe they are becoming more frequent due to climate change. The storms are expected to become more frequent due to drought, desertification and declining rainfall. Iraq is classified as one of the world’s five countries most vulnerable to climate change and desertification.
In an era of pandemic paranoia and unusual trends, parents are immortalizing the COVID-19 crisis through their children's names. From Sanitiser to Lockdown and even Corona and COVID, these unique names are a reminder of the challenging times. This tradition of naming after historical events is not new, but it certainly makes for interesting introductions and conversations in the future.
In Baghdad, a rare snowfall captivated residents, transforming the bustling city into a serene, white landscape. This extraordinary event, not witnessed for over a decade, sparked reflections on the city's historical anomalies in climate. As the Iraqi Meteorological Organization forecasted further temperature drops, Baghdad's resilience and unpredictability in nature became evident. Amid the snow's quiet beauty, the city's storied past and uncertain future left a lingering sense of mystery.
Umm Ali, also known as Om Ali, is a traditional Middle Eastern dessert popular in Egypt. This sweet and creamy bread pudding is made with layers of phyllo dough, milk, cream, and nuts, and is often enjoyed at special occasions. Its rich history dates back to the 13th century and includes a story of power struggles and vengeance. Despite its dark origin, Umm Ali has gained international popularity for its delicious and versatile flavors.
The yeti, a legendary ape-like creature, has fascinated believers in Nepal and Tibet for centuries. Amidst lack of concrete evidence, the myth persists, with recent claims by the Indian Army. Despite scientific skepticism, the allure of the yeti endures, blurring myth and reality in the mystique of the Himalayas. The mystery continues.
Scientists at the California Institute of Technology have discovered that fruit flies are attracted to carbon dioxide (CO2), contradicting previous beliefs. Over six years and thousands of experimental tests, they found that active flies sought out CO2, which is associated with food and fermentation, while sluggish or sleepy flies avoided it due to its affiliation with predators.
Facebook has come under fire for a "barbaric use of technology" that allowed the sale of a child bride to be held on its site.
Chandrasekhar became famous for his discoveries about the evolution of the stars. His work was vast, and he began early, developing his theory of stars’ evolution before he had even turned 20. Google is changing its logo globally to a doodle of him and the Chandrasekhar Limit. That refers to his calculation that once a star reaches 1.44 times the size of our own sun, it doesn’t form a white dwarf as expected but collapses, eventually becoming a black hole.
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