Birdwatchers are perceived to be the most boring people, according to a new study called Boring People: Stereotype Characteristics, Interpersonal Attributions, and Social Reactions. Researchers found that the most tedious professions were accountancy, data analysis and insurance, while the most boring hobbies included going to church, watching TV and “animal observation”. The least boring professions “were acting, science, journalism and, by logical extension, science journalism”, noted The Times.
Turin Shroud is ‘tablecloth from Burton upon Trent’
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Suits deemed ‘non-essential’
The suit has been deemed non-essential by the Office for National Statistics. The Daily Telegraph said that increased home working and the relaxing of office dress codes mean suits have been removed from the “basket” of typical goods used to calculate the Consumer Prices Index. Last year, Marks & Spencer announced it would halve the number of outlets that sold suits, as in-store sales of formalwear had fallen by 72%, added the paper.
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Film reviews: ‘Send Help’ and ‘Private Life’Feature An office doormat is stranded alone with her awful boss and a frazzled therapist turns amateur murder investigator
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Movies to watch in Februarythe week recommends Time travelers, multiverse hoppers and an Iraqi parable highlight this month’s offerings during the depths of winter
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ICE’s facial scanning is the tip of the surveillance icebergIN THE SPOTLIGHT Federal troops are increasingly turning to high-tech tracking tools that push the boundaries of personal privacy
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Israel retrieves final hostage’s body from GazaSpeed Read The 24-year-old police officer was killed during the initial Hamas attack
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China’s Xi targets top general in growing purgeSpeed Read Zhang Youxia is being investigated over ‘grave violations’ of the law
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Panama and Canada are negotiating over a crucial copper mineIn the Spotlight Panama is set to make a final decision on the mine this summer
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Why Greenland’s natural resources are nearly impossible to mineThe Explainer The country’s natural landscape makes the task extremely difficult
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Iran cuts internet as protests escalateSpeed Reada Government buildings across the country have been set on fire
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US nabs ‘shadow’ tanker claimed by RussiaSpeed Read The ship was one of two vessels seized by the US military
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How Bulgaria’s government fell amid mass protestsThe Explainer The country’s prime minister resigned as part of the fallout
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Femicide: Italy’s newest crimeThe Explainer Landmark law to criminalise murder of a woman as an ‘act of hatred’ or ‘subjugation’ but critics say Italy is still deeply patriarchal
