Happy as a pig in mud
Scientists at Bristol Robotics Laboratory are carrying out pioneering work to shed light on the feelings of pigs.
The team are exploring the use of facial recognition technology to assess the emotional state of animals at Scotland’s Rural College Pig Research Centre.
The power of man’s best friend
Research published by Mayo Clinic has found keeping a pet is associated with better cardiovascular health, especially if that animal is a dog.
‘In general, people who owned any pet were more likely to report more physical activity, better diet and blood sugar at ideal level,’ said researcher Andrea Maugeri. ‘The greatest benefits from having a pet were for those who owned a dog, independent of their age, sex and education level.’
On this day...
On 27 August, 1886, English classical composer and violist, Rebecca Clarke was born. She studied at the Royal Academy of Music and Royal College of Music in London, later becoming one of the first female professional orchestral players.
Dorset to stage protest walk against oil drilling
Environmental activists will walk from Shaftesbury to Studland in late September to oppose fracking and oil drilling on the county's coastline.
http://www.facebook.com/events/494829981352934/
Green-energy record for Scotland
The world’s most powerful floating tidal turbine will bring green energy to Scotland after the Scottish government granted a local engineering company £3.4 million to fund construction. The 236-ft-long device, which will be situated at the European Marine Energy Centre in Orkney, will be able to generate more than 2MW.
And finally...
A Yorkshire fish & chips shop that has proved particularly popular with Chinese tourists —in July alone, it attracted more than 1,000 each week — is taking the plunge and opening a branch in Chengdu, China.
Do you own Britain’s naughtiest dog?
In celebration of loveable canine scamps, we've launched a competition to find Britain's naughtiest dog. If your dog fits the
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How to make a gloomy city garden into a haven of colour and natureTiffany Daneff discovers how to transform a typically dark London back garden into a light-filled green haven that is always in use. Photographs by Clive Nichols.
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The world's hairiest animal, Saturday Night Fever and winning the lottery twice: Country Life Quiz of the Day 21 February 2025Have a stab at our Quiz of the Day. Good luck!
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The brilliant tractor tribute to the NHS from a group of Warwickshire farmersPeople around Britain have been paying tribute to the efforts of our NHS workers at the time of the coronavirus pandemic — but few have been as creative and clever as this one.
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London's iconic red bus at risk and 6,000 year old chewing gum gives clues into our DNA historyCuts to industry subsidies and an increase in fares has left bus use at its lowest point ever, while DNA extracted from ancient 'chewing gum' allows scientists to decipher the genetic code of a Stone Age woman.
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90-million-year-old 'swimming dinosaur' skeleton found by dogs out walking in Somerset, and the nonchalant moths who don't bother fleeing enemiesA superbly intact dinosaur skeleton — described as being 'museum quality' — has been discovered on a beach in Somerset.
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Battle to ban 4x4s from the idyllic Lake District spot bequeathed by Beatrix Potter, eagle fights octopus and the 'snail's pace' climate talksThis morning we look at Little Langdale's fight for peace, reflect on the climate change talks in Madrid and discover the soundtrack for Brexit.
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Country Life Today: How Greta Thunberg shifted the dial on climate change — and the backlash shows just how muchThis morning we ponder whether Greta Thunberg is the Joan of Arc for the environmental movement, look at a key election — one from 19 years ago — and ponder the marvel of 'dad tidying'.
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Country Life Today: Great news for those who love our great country pubs — the years of decline are overThere is a great sign of health in the pub industry, we look back at Edward VIII's abdication message and fret about Greenland's melting ice.
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Country Life Today: Spain accused of being 'a deplorable choice' for UN climate conferenceA no-holds-barred assault on the Spanish fishing industry, Banksy raising awareness of the homeless and the woes of the Christmas jumper are in today's news round-up.
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Country Life Today: 'This is perhaps the ultimate wake-up call from the uncontrolled experiment humanity is unleashing on the world’s oceans'In today's round up, we examine why oxygen loss is putting oceans at risk, discover that action to cut air pollution brings almost immediate benefits to human health and find out which bird's arrival marks the start of winter in Gloucestershire.
