A 2025 study has found that dogs are more than just companions, showing that ownership can drive personal growth, strengthen social connections, and build emotional resilience. The qualitative research, conducted by the University of Brighton in the United Kingdom and published in Human-Animal Interactions, used thematic analysis to explore the deeper psychological dynamics behind the human–dog bond. Researchers identified specific ways dogs…

The Iran war is showing why the Philippines can’t afford to neglect its farmers
A war thousands of kilometers away is beginning to ripple through something as basic as the Filipino dining table. The conflict involving Iran has pushed oil prices higher, disrupted key shipping routes, and strained global supply chains—especially for fertilizer, a critical input for food production. Farmers are already feeling the pressure. Fertilizer prices have surged by as much as 30% to 40%,…