Why cats prefer people who hate them

A study has found that cats prefer people who hate them because the reluctance to stroke and fuss them gives the cat the control and independence it needs. Cat lovers who have lived with them for several years are more likely to restrain the animal and touch areas they don’t like, found the animal behaviour scientists at Nottingham Trent University and the University of Nottingham. Cats, unlike dogs, can be “prickly characters that often seem aloof, distant and sometimes even downright rude”, said The Telegraph.

Putin appears in New York playground

A bright red sculpture of Vladimir Putin has appeared in a playground in New York City’s Central Park. The object was erected there by French artist James Colomina and depicts the Russian president sitting atop a miniature war tank, CNN reported. “This sculpture aims at denouncing the absurdity of war and at highlighting children’s courage when faced with violent, catastrophic situations triggered by others,” Colomina wrote on Instagram.

Second World War bomb found in Italian river

A Second World War bomb has been discovered in Italy’s river Po. Military experts defused and carried out a controlled explosion of the 450kg (1,000-pound) bomb, which was discovered near the northern village of Borgo Virgilio, close to the city of Mantua in the country’s north, The Guardian reported. “The bomb was found by fishermen on the bank of the river Po due to a decrease in water levels caused by drought,” said Colonel Marco Nasi. About 3,000 people living nearby were and area’s airspace was shut down.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

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.

Sign up

For more odd news stories, sign up to the weekly Tall Tales newsletter