Are you loving your pet too much?
And other stories from the stranger side of life
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.
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
-
Can AI tools be used to Hollywood's advantage?
Talking Points It makes some aspects of the industry faster and cheaper. It will also put many people in the entertainment world out of work
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US Published
-
'Paraguay has found itself in a key position'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Meet Youngmi Mayer, the renegade comedian whose frank new memoir is a blitzkrieg to the genre
The Week Recommends 'I'm Laughing Because I'm Crying' details a biracial life on the margins, with humor as salving grace
By Scott Hocker, The Week US 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