Rachael O'Connor
Life and Trends Reporter
Rachael O'Connor is a Newsweek Life & Trends reporter based in Leeds, U.K. Her focus is on reporting trends from across the internet and all corners of the world. Rachael joined Newsweek in 2024 from Metro.co.uk and previously worked for The Irish Post. She is a graduate of the University of Galway. Languages: English, Irish. You can get in touch with Rachael by emailing r.oconnor@newsweek.com.
Resident illegally chops tree for better view—officials plan genius revenge
"I wandered over and figured out what they had done and I thought it was bloody hilarious," Thomas Druery told Newsweek.
Woman can't believe her eyes after urgent "come upstairs" text from fiancé
Gandalf the cat "will make herself comfortable on him in wildly inconvenient ways," her owner, Kat Newquist, told Newsweek.
Amazon package delivery backfires with incredible consequence—"thank you"
"It was a rather unfortunate sequence of events," Nick Hardman told Newsweek, until it led to more people learning about his work.
"Stubborn" golden retriever refuses to comply until owner gives a treat
"Molly is very lovable and loyal. However, she may be the most stubborn dog we've ever know," Elinor Parry told Newsweek.
Dog banned from family BBQ looks on with "evidence" still in his mouth
"He'll just hold them in his mouth, sometimes shredding them so I have to pick up all the little bits," Rocco's owner, Jess, said.
Woman sings haunting 'Titanic' theme song, dog joins in for mournful duet
Lauren Paley told Newsweek she and her dog have been approached to go on "America's Got Talent" thanks to their incredible duet.
Internet asks "is this heaven" as woman shares evening walk with 9 cats
One commenter wrote that the scene is "what dreams are made of," with another asking "now how the hell do I get this life?"
Barn cat "promoted" after what woman discovers in bedroom
"She came running downstairs and flew out the door," Claire Pruitt told Newsweek.
Woman finds snake eating animal on her porch, so she leaps into action
Katie Lowdon told Newsweek: "I couldn't let the snake kill Kermit. It just wasn't an option."
American checks into hotel abroad for work, finds "most unhinged" room ever
"I was cracking up because it was so random," Ash, 30, told Newsweek of her hotel room in Oslo, Norway.
Sausage dog stares directly at owner, makes demands while ringing bell
Willow rings the bell "when she wants a treat, wants attention, or wants to go out again right after we come inside," her owner told Newsweek.
"Anxious" dog discovers her love for water, but only on one condition
Senior dog Maddie has a brain stem injury and explores the world in her own way.
Internet can't cope with note previous homeowners left new buyers: "Sorry"
The moving company shared the note along with the words: "Imagine buying this house. And they left notes like this."
Woman takes compensation on overbooked plane, then does "walk of shame"
"You would think I just won a million dollars on a game show," the woman, Frances, said in the viral video.
CCTV captures aftermath of man running over hornets' nest with lawn mower
Kevin Wille told Newsweek: "My fight or flight reaction kicked in, in what turned out to be a pretty hilarious reaction."
Cat walks across wet cement, "the consequences" are hilarious
"The second we saw her waltz into the kitchen flicking her feet, my mum knew exactly what had happened," Moya told Newsweek.
Internet divided as man slams girlfriend's "lazy excuse for a gift"
"When expectations are not met, disappointments often follow," an etiquette expert said.
Random dog approaches woman with one simple request—play
The woman returned home to find a surprise visitor waiting for her.
Parents' monthly tradition with newborn turns out to be "the greatest gift"
Katie told Newsweek: "We are new first-time parents to our sweet boy and have quickly realized how precious this time is."
"Obsessed" Dalmatian demands mom put on favorite TV show for the 17th time
"I think it's brilliant other people can see and enjoy our boy," Lando's owner told Newsweek as her dog's video went viral.
Moment litter of 3-week-old golden retriever pups howl for the first time
The pups' owner, Mae, told Newsweek: "I was so surprised that they started howling because goldens aren't known to be howlers."
Flight grounded as hundreds of hamsters escape in cargo hold "prison break"
"It was immediately clear this plane will not go anywhere," the cargo pilot and poster Robert told Newsweek.
Kitten home alone scared by workmen, so owner quits her job
"She sat there for about 15 minutes with her mouse and it was devastating to watch while I was at work," Lucy told Newsweek.
85-year-old reads note from high school sweetheart she kept all these years
Betty's grandson, Bryan Shutts, told Newsweek: " When I read the note and saw his picture, it brought me a lot of joy for her."
Sick stray cat transformed into fluffy and beloved pet: 'to be loved'
The cat has been named Dumbo, and is living life as an adored pet, his owner calling him her "vampire toothed cutie".
Dog finally brave enough to swim in sea makes owners proud—then terrified
"We thought he was going to swim away," Copper's owners wrote in the video's caption, admitting they "freaked out".
Watch woman's reunion with dog after 2 months of treatment: "Never forget"
Andrea Tamasi told Newsweek, "It was so hard to be away from him, so this reunion was everything and more to me."
Moment woman on girls' trip realizes her boyfriend phoned the restaurant
Abby Hunt told Newsweek she "knew there was something special" between them from their first date.
How woman accidentally tells mom her boyfriend has died: "Panic"
"Tears, panic, pandemonium sets in fast. She's mentally preparing a funeral," Zoey Tout told Newsweek.
Woman sightseeing on vacation gets distracted by kittens "causing chaos"
Milda told Newsweek: "We were meant to be looking at cultural bits and then go to lunch, but I just had to stop and film them."
