CATS

Amid endless headlines about Israel, Ukraine, Russia and Palestine, Turkish news is being mocked online for leading instead with a story about a muscular cat. The contrast between grim Western war coverage and the lighthearted Turkish item is drawing amusement, with many agreeing the cat story is the better news of the day.

Researchers have identified the genetic mutation behind orange fur in cats, ending a search that began in the 1960s. Unlike other coat colours, the trait traces to a deletion affecting the ARHGAP36 gene on the X chromosome, which is why most orange cats are male. The findings explain the familiar pattern of orange toms and tortoiseshell females, and cat lovers online are sharing the news widely.

The webcomic Crime Cats has published a new strip for day 14 of Mörktober, themed 'frail'. It features a cat dramatically complaining about suffering while ignoring its full food dish, a familiar gag for cat owners. The creator shares the work independently and invites readers to support the comic through Ko-fi.

A lighthearted physics joke is making the rounds: cats, like gases, expand to fill any container they occupy. The quip plays on the classic physics principle that a gas expands to fill the volume of its vessel, applied to cats squeezing into boxes. It is tagged for Caturday, the long-running weekend internet tradition of sharing cat content.

Nogizaka46 fans are discussing a new collaboration tied to the idol group, featuring a lottery to win entry to a special limited live performance. A 'black cat Halloween' themed element is also part of the campaign, giving fans an extra seasonal attraction alongside the chance to attend the exclusive show.

Scientists have identified a new species of feline, the first such discovery in more than a century, according to a report picked up widely in French-language media. The finding is drawing attention among animal lovers and science readers in France, where searches and discussion around kittens and cats are amplifying the story.

An artist has shared a custom foiled drawing of a black cat named Chaos, showing off the shiny metallic finish on a feline portrait. The piece is being shared in art and cat-loving circles, with viewers responding warmly to the cute subject and the decorative foiling technique. It adds to the steady stream of black cat artwork that regularly finds an appreciative audience online.

The upcoming live-action adaptation of Dungeon Crawler Carl is drawing attention after Collider published an exclusive interview in which a star from the project confirmed details about how Princess Donut, the fan-favorite cat, will change from the books for the screen. Fans of the bestselling LitRPG series are discussing how faithfully the show will adapt the beloved characters.

A door knocker shaped as a mother cat with her kitten is drawing attention in the small town of Clun, in Shropshire, England. The brass fittings are being shared widely for their whimsical design, with playful warnings to visitors to knock gently.

Japanese casualwear retailer Shimamura is drawing attention with new Chiikawa items sold through its online store. Recent coverage highlights Christmas-themed products, including socks styled after the anime's cat character and toy cake cans with individually wrapped treats, plus 'magical Chiikawa' ramune drinks, a scepter-shaped item, room socks and desk calendars.

A first teaser for season 7 of Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir has been released, centring on the character Lila. The promo has drawn large engagement from fans of the animated series, who are speculating about Lila's role in the upcoming season and what her storyline means for Ladybug and Cat Noir.

A cat with unusually short legs living in a small fishing town is drawing attention online for stealing items alongside what viewers describe as his gang of cat friends. The footage, shared as approved entertainment content, shows the cat's habitual petty thefts around town, and people are charmed by the animal's mischievous personality.

An artist has shared a whimsical painting of a ginger cat, titled 'Cat in Boat Pose', created entirely with their left hand. They explain they have been gradually training their non-dominant hand to paint as a backup in case their right hand tires. The playful orange cat portrait has drawn warm attention from fellow art and cat lovers, who are praising both the charm of the subject and the skill involved in painting off-hand.

A cat named Wilma is winning attention for her 'version of sunglasses', a charming pet photo shared under the popular Caturday tag. The picture, shot on a Fujifilm camera, shows the cat squinting or shading her eyes in a way that mimics sunglasses, delighting animal lovers and photography enthusiasts swapping cat pictures at the end of the week.

Two research teams have independently identified the genetic basis of orange fur in domestic cats, ending a decades-long puzzle. The mutation affects a gene on the X chromosome. Because females carry two X chromosomes and randomly inactivate one in each cell, female cats carrying the mutation develop mottled calico and tortoiseshell coats, while the vast majority of orange tabby cats are male.

An artist under the name discatte has posted new pixel art depicting cats manning a vintage phone-and-modem setup, captioned "Meowdems are standing by! Call Now!" The piece uses a CGA palette, evoking 1980s DOS-era computing, and was shared in digital preservation circles where retro-computing art regularly draws attention. It is a light creative work rather than a news event.