‘Dog poo war’ breaks out in Scotland
And other stories from the stranger side of life

“Angry Scots” are engaged in a “playpark poo war”, reported the Daily Record. The “frustrated” Ayrshire residents have been told that dogs cannot be banned from a kids’ swing park they say is “covered in dog muck” and “threatens” their children’s health. The £50,000 park has been the focus of controversy since it was opened in April this year. “If my weans comes back trampling it into the house, that to me is a health and safety issue,” said one angry father.
Why owls can find voles under 50cm of snow
Great grey owls can adjust their flight to remove the acoustic distortions that snow causes and find voles beneath 50cm of snow, a study has found. improbable. “It’s kind of amazing they can do this, locating their prey under a thick layer of snow,” said Christopher Clark, from the University of California, Riverside. “The snow deadens the sound so much, yet they rely on sound absolutely for their hunting.”
Goonies house up for sale
Fans of The Goonies may be cheered to learn that the old Victorian home featured in the film is on sale in Oregon. The even more thrilling news is that potential buyers are considering making it accessible to the public. “We have a few interested parties right now,” the listing agent for the property told AP. “It seems to be everybody’s intention to be able to open up the house a little bit more and have more access.” The 1896 property is listed with an asking price of $1.7m.
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.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Controversial GOP plan to sell millions of federal acres hits major roadblock
IN THE SPOTLIGHT Republican Sen. Mike Lee says he'll revisit legislation to sell millions of acres of federally held land to create 'freedom zones' of single family homes
-
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
-
5 high-concept animated science fiction shows for grown-ups
The Week Recommends How filmmakers are using a different medium to bring visionary science fiction to life
-
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 designation
The Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago
-
Inside the Israel-Turkey geopolitical dance across Syria
THE 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 weapons
The Explainer Half a million people sign petition alleging Serbian police used an illegal 'sound cannon' to disrupt anti-government protests
-
The arrest of the Philippines' former president leaves the country's drug war in disarray
In the Spotlight Rodrigo Duterte was arrested by the ICC earlier this month
-
Ukrainian election: who could replace Zelenskyy?
The Explainer Donald Trump's 'dictator' jibe raises pressure on Ukraine to the polls while the country is under martial law
-
Why Serbian protesters set off smoke bombs in parliament
THE EXPLAINER Ongoing anti-corruption protests erupted into full view this week as Serbian protesters threw the country's legislature into chaos