Dogs can recognise around 89 words and phrases
And other stories from the stranger side of life
A new study has found that dogs can recognise on average 89 words or phrases. The project involved asking 165 owners to choose from a list of words, identifying those that their dog consistently understood. The worst performing knew 15, while the best could distinguish 215. Researchers found that among the terms often understood were “treat”, “breakfast”, “dinner”, “garbage”, “poo” and things to chase, such as a “ball” or “squirrel”.
Fish blow raspberries when they’re happy
Happy fish sound as if they are blowing raspberries, a study has found. Scientists found that whoops, croaks, growls, raspberries and foghorn-like noises from fish can help to demonstrate that efforts to restore a reef are going well, said The Times. Professor Steve Simpson, from the University of Bristol, said: “Some of the sounds we recorded are bizarre.”
Subscribe to 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.
Pilot ‘spots UFOs above Pacific Ocean’
A pilot claimed that he saw a fleet of UFOs over the Pacific Ocean and that the suspected alien aircraft took the form of “weird” rotating lights moving across the sky. In a video, shot at 39,000 feet, the pilot can be heard saying: “I do not know what that is. That is some weird s**t. That is something flying.”
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Kate Summerscale's 6 favorite true crime books about real murder cases
Feature The best-selling author recommends works by Helen Garner, Gwen Adshead, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Team of bitter rivals
Opinion Will internal tensions tear apart Trump's unlikely alliance?
By Theunis Bates Published
-
6 elegant homes in the Mediterranean style
Feature Featuring an award-winning mansion in Colorado and an Alhambra palace-inspired home in Washington
By The Week Staff Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published