New Zealand to tax cows’ farts
And other stories from the stranger side of life
New Zealand wants to tax farmers for their cows’ burps and farts, reported CNN. Prime Minister Jacinda Arden has announced plans to make farmers pay for their livestock’s emissions, due to the huge contribution they make to climate change. “This is an important step forward in New Zealand’s transition to a low emissions future and delivers on our promise to price agriculture emissions from 2025,” Ardern said.
Men allergic to own orgasm
Men can develop an allergy to their own orgasms, experts have found. Scientists said that men can suffer from fever, a cough, sneezing and muscle weakness, or even issues with their speech, concentration and memory. The symptoms “can last a few days or as long as a week”, said The Times. It is believed that post-orgasmic illness syndrome could be caused by an allergic or autoimmune response to the sufferer’s own sperm.
Shoppers buying more wonky vegetables
Shoppers are turning to “wonky” vegetables in a bid to keep costs down as grocery prices soared by a record 13.9% last month. As inflation in supermarkets reaches the highest level since at least 2008 when the market research group Kantar began collecting data, “sales of cheaper imperfect vegetables – known by some outlets as wonky veg – were up by 38% in September”, said The Guardian.
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.
For more odd news stories, sign up to the weekly Tall Tales newsletter.
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
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
'Making a police state out of the liberal university'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
8 looming climate tipping points that imperil our planet
The Explainer New reports detail the thresholds we may be close to crossing
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Try 6 free issues of The Week Junior
Spark your child's curiosity with The Week Junior - the award-winning current affairs magazine for 8-14s.
By The Week Published
-
What climate change means for investing
feature If you're currently invested in coal, you might want to reconsider
By Becca Stanek Published
-
Lebanon’s bank heists crisis
feature Desperate customers are staging hold-ups after being denied access to their savings
By Fred Kelly Published
-
‘Colonial relic’: why eight African countries have severed currency ties with France
Speed Read Former French colonies to replace the CFA franc with the eco
By The Week Staff Published
-
One third of UK billionaires have moved to tax havens
Speed Read Super-rich continue to fund political parties despite law banning the practice
By The Week Staff Published
-
What could a wealth tax on world’s richest 1% buy?
Speed Read Oxfam report finds world’s wealthiest 26 people own as much as poorest 50%
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
West African ‘single currency’ nears launch
Speed Read The 15-nation Economic Community of West African States has been planning a single currency since 2000
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
China rules out currency devaluation to boost global trade
Speed Read Chinese premier says Beijing will not actively weaken the yuan to encourage exports despite looming trade-war
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Fire Movement: how to retire in your 30s
Speed Read Fed-up professionals are saving up to quit work as ‘Financial Independence, Retire Early’ trend spreads
By The Week Staff Last updated