Experts have warned that loving your dog too much “could be bad for its health”, said The Telegraph. EthicsFirst, a group of campaigning vets and academics, said that dog jumpers, excessive medical treatment and hugging dogs can cause problems including anxiety, overheating, obesity, malnutrition and joint pain in the animal. Their study found that the “Disneyfication” of pets has led animal lovers to harm cats and dogs by treating them as “small humans”.
Women challenging ‘white van man’ stereotype
The ‘white van man’ label has been challenged by a new study that revealed that 43% of van drivers are female. In a further blow to the stereotype, the study found that 51% of women drivers read a broadsheet over a tabloid, and more than a quarter were vegetarian, vegan or pescatarian. The Mercedes-Benz Vans researchers questioned 500 drivers, according to The Times.
Brazilian beats eyeball-popping record
A man in Brazil has set the world record title for the farthest eyeball pop (male). The extraordinary eyeballs of Tio Chico popped out to a protrusion of 18.2 mm (0.71 in) beyond his sockets. He said he discovered his talent at the age of nine while making silly faces in front of the mirror. “My skill is definitely a gift. It came from my father, my mother and the creator, too,” he told Guinness World Records.
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.
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American citiesUnder the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
Delhi's dogs earn Supreme Court reprieveIN 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 sanctionsThe 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 designationThe Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago
-
Inside the Israel-Turkey geopolitical dance across SyriaTHE EXPLAINER As Syria struggles in the wake of the Assad regime's collapse, its neighbors are carefully coordinating to avoid potential military confrontations
-
'Like a sound from hell': Serbia and sonic weaponsThe Explainer Half a million people sign petition alleging Serbian police used an illegal 'sound cannon' to disrupt anti-government protests
