HOME AND ABROAD

The Largest Human Flag

Cheers to a new national achievement! The Guinness World Records authorities have officially certified Bangladesh's human flag made up of 27,117 people on December 16 last year as the world's largest human national flag ever. Robi Axiata Ltd in partnership with the Bangladesh Army created the world's largest human national flag using 27,117 people at the National Parade Ground in the capital on Victory Day.

Not a Vote in 41 Centres

We can cry ourselves hoarse about the unfairness of the 10th national election but nothing speaks louder than facts. According to the election commission in at least 41 polling centres of 11 districts not a single vote was cast during the Election Day on January 5. Experts believe that it is a phenomenon that the nation has never before witnessed.

Killing for Ivory

Words are not enough to describe a photograph that depicts the corps of a dead elephant lying on the forest of Naikkhangchhari in Bandarban. Just to get a few inches of ivory, poachers had shot the elephant last week. Locals claim that poaching in the area goes unabated and wild animals are openly traded in the market of the district.

Women with Cocaine Under Wigs Arrested at Madrid Airport

From breast implants to prosthetic rumps, smugglers have devised some innovative ways to try to traffic cocaine to Europe. In one of the latest attempts, authorities said two women hid cocaine under wigs while flying from Brazil to Spain. The two suspects were arrested by authorities at the Madrid–Barajas Airport last week. Officials said the two Portuguese women travelled separately from São Paulo with 1.2 kilograms (about 42 ounces) each stashed under their fake hair.

Beirut Bombing

An al-Qaida linked group has claimed responsibility for a suicide car bombing last week in a Shiite-dominated south Beirut neighborhood. The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant made the claim on Saturday in a statement posted onto a website page used by Sunni militants. At least five people were killed in the Thursday attack. It was the latest in a wave of attacks to hit Lebanon in recent months as Syria's civil war spills into its smaller neighbour.

Police Free Naked Man

Police in Australia have rescued a naked man who got stuck inside a washing machine while playing a game of hide-and-seek. The man reportedly hid inside the top-loading machine so he could surprise his partner. But he became stuck and it took 20 minutes for rescuers to dislodge him using olive oil as a lubricant.

Chinese Police Launch Cinematic Raid

It was like a Hollywood cinema. To fight against drug peddlers the Chinese police was in armed position, deployed helicopters, speedboats and paramilitary police to seize three tons of methamphetamine in a massive raid on a single southern village notorious for illegal drugs production. Security forces surrounded and then entered the village of Boshe, where more than a fifth of the households were suspected to be involved in trafficking of drugs.