Lloyd Webber hated Cats film so much he bought a dog
And other stories from the stranger side of life

Andrew Lloyd Webber has said he disliked the 2019 film adaptation of his musical Cats so much he bought a dog. Speaking to Variety magazine, Lloyd Webber described the film as “off-the-scale all wrong” and said it left him so “emotionally damaged” he bought a dog in order to recover. “So the one good thing to come out of it is my little Havanese puppy,” he added.
Turkish man has world’s biggest nose
A man in Turkey has the world’s longest nose, Guinness World Records has confirmed. The huge hooter of Mehmet Ozyurek, 71, comes in at an impressive 3.5 inches (8.8cm). However, the longest recorded nose in history belonged to Thomas Wedders. The 18th-century Yorkshireman’s sensational snout measured a formidable 7.5 inches (19cm).
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Halloween font makes inadvertent rude message
An ill-judged font has transformed the message on a Halloween product into something more racy than intended. An image of the product shared on Reddit, shows a cut-out of a black cat with twine around its neck, with the message “trick or treat” printed on the bottom half. However, the letters in “trick” have merged - making it look as if it reads “f**k or treat”.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
5 dramatically dysfunctional cartoons about the government shutdown
Cartoons Artists take on life without government, foam finger pointing, and more
-
October 4 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Saturday's political cartoons include the Einstein files, defunding the police, and an odd tribute to Jane Goodall
-
Mustardy beans and hazelnuts recipe
The Week Recommends Nod to French classic offers zingy, fresh taste
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of Taiwan
In the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdown
IN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American cities
Under the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
Delhi's dogs earn Supreme Court reprieve
IN THE SPOTLIGHT After an outcry from the public and animal rights activists, India's Supreme Court walks back a controversial plan to round the city's stray dog population into shelters
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctions
The Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?
today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
-
Why Russia removed the Taliban's terrorist designation
The Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago