1981

Ghost Maiden's Imperial Appeal (鬼娃娃告御狀), a Taiwanese horror film released on 1 January 1981, is drawing fresh attention from classic horror film fans. Little mainstream information is available about the production, and discussion has focused mainly on its vintage poster art and typography, with film buffs sharing it as an example of early 1980s Taiwanese genre cinema and design.

Antigua and Barbuda is being mentioned in connection with the Commonwealth, but the collected material offers no detail on what specifically happened. The island nation, a Commonwealth member since independence in 1981, is the sole subject of the headline. Without further reporting, the reason for the sudden interest and what people are saying about it cannot be determined.

Robert Wagner is drawing renewed attention following coverage of the final hours of actress Natalie Wood, his wife, who drowned in 1981 off Catalina Island, California. A VICE feature revisits the lingering questions around her death, which remains officially an accident with unclear circumstances. Wagner was the last person known to see her alive and has long faced scrutiny over the case.

Michael Crichton's 1981 directorial effort Looker is being credited with reaching a computer graphics milestone before Disney's Tron, the film usually remembered as the pioneer of CGI in cinema. Looker, starring Albert Finney, featured an early fully computer-generated human figure, a technically daring step at the time. The film flopped and has since faded from mainstream memory, making its place in digital effects history largely overlooked.

Daryl Hall and John Oates' 1981 hit "I Can't Go For That (Extended Mix)" is playing on the Intamixx retro online radio streams, which broadcast 80s and 90s music around the clock. The station flagged the track in its now-playing feed, giving the synth-driven classic another spin for listeners of old-school and retro pop.

Raiders of the Lost Ark, Steven Spielberg's 1981 adventure film often ranked as his best movie, almost starred Tom Selleck instead of Harrison Ford. Selleck was reportedly the original choice for Indiana Jones but lost the role because of his commitment to the television series Magnum, P.I.

McDonald's is reportedly removing the McRib from its menu permanently, according to German press reports. The sandwich, known for its limited-time returns and cult following, has long been a topic of debate among fast-food fans. The news is drawing strong reactions, with customers lamenting the loss of a cult item that has been brought back repeatedly since its 1981 debut.

An original poster for the 1981 Donkey Kong arcade game has sold at auction for $329,400, a record price for such an item. The sale underscores how vintage video game memorabilia has become a serious collector's market, drawing attention from gaming fans and auction watchers alike. Commenters are debating whether the price reflects genuine value or a bubble in retro gaming collectibles.

The 1981 SF anime film 'Adieu Galaxy Express 999: Terminal Andromeda' (Sayonara Galaxy Express 999) has received a 4K remastered edition. Japanese entertainment outlet Fashion Press highlighted the release, focusing on the film's themes of a boy's coming of age and eternal farewell. Fans of the classic Leiji Matsumoto franchise are revisiting the beloved sci-fi sequel.

The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, the UN treaty often called the international bill of rights for women, is marking its 45th anniversary. Adopted in 1979 and in force since 1981, it has been ratified by nearly every UN member state. Legal commentators are reflecting on its achievements and its limits, noting that enforcement remains weak and that several states maintain broad reservations.

The online station 80s Mixed is currently playing 'Never' by the Australian band Moving Pictures, best known for their 1981 hit 'What About Me'. The station shared the track on its stream and invited listeners to tune in on its website. The mention appears to be routine programming rather than a news event.

Melanie Griffith required plastic surgery after being mauled by a lion while filming the 1981 adventure film 'Roar', the movie in which she starred alongside her mother, Tippi Hedren. The production famously used real big cats, leading to numerous injuries among the cast and crew. The story is resurfacing as an example of one of Hollywood's most dangerous film shoots.

A daily film recommendation roundup for April 8 highlights four titles: Red Corner (1997), Doctor Sleep (2019), Halloween II (1981), and Love Affair (2014). The selection spans crime, drama, fantasy, horror, romance, and thriller genres, with data credited to TMDB and framed as an on-this-day style feature for movie watchers.

A new estimate reported by The Wildlife Society puts bat deaths from wind turbines at around 18 million since 1981. Conservationists say the toll raises concerns for bat populations, many species of which reproduce slowly and are already under pressure from disease and habitat loss. The finding is fuelling debate over how to make wind energy safer for wildlife, such as adjusting turbine operation during peak bat activity.

David Michael Crosby of Green Sea, South Carolina, has died at the age of 44, according to an obituary published by the Post and Courier's Myrtle Beach edition. The notice records his life from 1981 to 2026. No further details about his death or surviving family were given in the notice.