A study of 4200 films released in 1994–2023 found that films written but not directed by a woman had a return on investment (ROI) higher by 25% than that of male-only films. Films written and directed by women had a similar ROI but had half the budget of male-only films.

Phrase of the Day: FORTY-PARSON POWER (coined by Lord Byron) - powerful loquacity.

A European Commission report has estimated that introducing a single standard plug-and-socket type across Europe would take more than 75 years, generate 700,000 tons of electrical waste, and cost 100 billion Euro.

The Hungarian word for ‘a minute’ is ‘perc’ (pronounced ‘perts’). It is an imitation of the sound of the ticking clock.

Phrase of the day: HOZZY NOZZY - (Rutland slang) not quite drunk.

Brain scans of dogs have shown that they enjoy receiving praise as much as they enjoy receiving sausages.

In January 2007, a woman was refused entry to the UK because immigration officials claimed it was ‘not credible’ that someone wanted to spend a week in Gateshead.

In 2015, a flight from Sydney to Kuala Lumpur had to be diverted after the 2,186 sheep on board farted so much that the plane’s smoke sensors went off.

A group of feral cats is called a destruction.

Word of the day: SMULTRONSTÄLLE (Swedish) - a hidden spot that you escape to for relaxation or alone time such as a café or secluded park. Literally 'place of wild strawberries'.

The Ayam Cemani chicken is black all over; even its internal organs and bones are black.

In the 1990s, Lancashire police had a dedicated programme to deal with Acid House parties. It was called Operation Alkaline.