WEIRD STUFF

Hairless bulldog crowned World's Ugliest Dog

A two-year-old hairless bulldog named Petunia has been crowned the World's Ugliest Dog.

The dog, from California, won the titular contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Santa Rosa, California, on August 8.

The pooch, rescued by owner Shannon Nyman in California, took home the title at the nearly 50-year-old competition held at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Santa Rosa on August 8.

Nyman was handed a US$5,000 (approximately J$796,550) prize.

The contest, famous for celebrating canines with unusual appearances - from missing teeth and eyes to crooked limbs and dangling tongues - aims to raise awareness about rescue animals and challenge perceptions of what makes a dog lovable.

Petunia was rescued by Nyman, and the pooch received medical treatment before finding out what it means to be loved.

A spokesperson for the Sonoma Marin Fairgrounds Event Centre is quoted by Newsweek as saying: "For nearly 50 years, the World's Ugliest Dog Contest has been a testament that the pedigree does not define the pet.

"This world-renowned event celebrates the imperfections that make all dogs special and unique."

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'Nothing beats a Jet2 holiday'

A British holidaymaker has gone the extra mile to show his love for his favourite airline - by tattooing its slogan on his arm.

Craig Hicks, an ambulance controller from Telford, West Midlands, spent PS300 (approximately J$64,764) to have "Nothing beats a Jet2 holiday" and the company's logo etched into his aviation-themed sleeve, which already features a Concorde and a jet engine.

"I just thought it's quite topical at the moment, why not? It's so popular right now," Hicks told The Mirror, referencing the airline's viral advertising campaign that has exploded on social media.

Hicks, who is flying with Jet2 to Tenerife in December, says he plans to proudly flash his new ink on board in the hopes of snagging a free flight. "All my friends keep saying I could get a free holiday out of this. A freebie would be nice!" he laughed.

The airline has used Jess Glynne's 2015 hit Hold My Hand as its anthem for nearly a decade - a tune Hicks says he adores. "I love Jess Glynne, I love that song, and I love Jet2. They're my favourite British airline. I'm definitely a big fan of everything aviation."

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British museum opens do-do exhibition

Visitors to Leeds can now immerse themselves in the weird and wonderful world of poo - literally.

The Thackray Museum of Medicine has launched POO!, a hands-on exhibition dedicated entirely to faeces, open until January 4, 2026.

The quirky display allows guests to explore excrement through "smell, touch and discovery," while learning why poo smells, why it's brown, and what it reveals about our health.

Highlights include a 12th-century medieval poo, a glittering "poo sphere" featuring animal droppings encased in crystal, and even a proctogram chair demonstrating issues linked to bowel movements.

Curator Jack Gann said the idea stemmed from curious questions asked by local primary school children, such as why farts are colourless and how constipation happens.

"We wanted to create something that speaks to children on their level - funny, surprising and bursting with real science," Gann explained. "If it's about poo, we've probably got the answer!"