The Know Daily - Thursday 1 February 2024

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Some good news from down under: a critically endangered, “truffle-loving” marsupial called a woylie is making a comeback in Western Australia, thanks to a wildlife recovery programme. 34 woylies were found in a forest south-east of Perth last year, up from just two in 2019.

🦴 XL bully ban

From today, it is a criminal offence to own an XL bully dog in England and Wales without an exemption certificate. 

How does the ban work?
Owners had until midday yesterday to register their XL bully on the Index of Exempted Dogs, under legislation announced last year after a “sharp increase” in dog attacks, said The Guardian.

Owners of unregistered dogs now face a “criminal record and an unlimited fine” and the dog could be seized, said the government. Registered dogs must be muzzled and kept on a lead in public, and breeding or selling them is illegal.

How many have been registered?
More than 30,000 XL bullies have been registered - but the true number in the UK is thought to be “much higher”, said the BBC.

So is a ban really practical?
It depends on who you ask. The RSPCA has warned that thousands of owners are set to breach the new laws, with a spokesperson telling the BBC they would rather see a “targeting of individual dogs and owners” than a breed-specific ban. 

Concerns have also been raised that the police may be unable to deal with the sheer number of seized dogs, reported The Guardian - but a spokesperson for the force said they were “working actively” to increase the amount of kennel space available.

What next?
The police have urged the public to report any XL bully owners who are not complying with the new rules, so that officers can assess the animals. 

Restrictions come into force in Scotland from 23 February, when XL bullies must be muzzled and on a lead in public from that date. From 31 July, it will be an offence to own one without an exemption certificate.

🎓 Avatar academics 

Loughborough has become the first university in Europe to beam in lifelike avatars of lecturers using holographic technology.

Go on…
The university - based in Leicestershire, England - said its trial of the AI-assisted technology would “enhance the educational experience of its students”. According to a report in The Guardian, it already has plans to beam in scientists from MIT - based all the way in Massachusetts, US - to teach fashion students how to create immersive shows.

How does it work? 
Individuals can beam in from anywhere in the world “using their smartphones”, explained The Hustle, “appearing life-sized and in real time inside a hologram box in a classroom”. 

And the tech has “long been used for entertainment purposes”, noted Mashable, bringing stars such as Amy Winehouse and Whitney Houston back to the stage. 

What are the benefits?
Loughborough said the hologram technology - sold by LA-based company Proto - would help the university reduce its environmental impact by cutting down on the need to fly in guest speakers.

It also appears to be giving students an extra incentive to make it to their 9am lectures. According to one professor, students “absolutely love” the tech, which is “a lot more engaging and real” than Zoom calls. It is expected to be officially added to the university’s curriculum in 2025.

🎀 “No reason to feel sad”: During a SAG-AFTRA discussion with her co-stars, Margot Robbie broke her silence on being “snubbed” for best actress for Barbie at the upcoming Oscars. 

🗣️ Social media hearing: Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg apologised to the families of people harmed by social media at a Senate hearing yesterday.

📮 Post Office scandal latest: Alan Bates, the former sub-postmaster who led the campaign for justice, has said that he will reject an offer of compensation made by the government on Wednesday, describing it as “offensive”.

📊 Troubling trends: Gen Z boys and men (aged 16 to 29) are more likely than baby boomers to believe that feminism has done more harm than good, according to a new poll.

☀️ Whatever the weather: Royal Mail has released a new series of stamps to mark the 170th anniversary of the Met Office and celebrate the science behind the weather forecast - check them out here.

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Trivia answer: B) New data shows England has a total of 390,000 km of hedges, meaning they could stretch around Earth almost 10 times. Can you guess which parts of the country boast the most (and least) hedgerows?

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