Interesting & funny news from around the world, Интересные и забавные новости со всего мира

Bite marks offer clues to escaped capybara's whereabouts

The British zoo where a capybara escaped in March said there have been multiple unconfirmed recent sightings — as well as some tell-tale bite marks.

Winchester's Marwell Zoo, which revealed in March that a capybara named Samba escaped just 24 hours after arriving at the facility, said the last confirmed sighting of the South American rodent was on March 22.

"Since then, we've received many possible sightings, but without photos or video, it has been difficult to confirm whether these reports are Samba or muntjac deer which can look very similar," Will Walker, the zoo's head of animals and plants, said in an update on the search.

Walker said there was a likely sighting on April 23.

"We received new information from a river bailiff who reported seeing an animal feeding on vegetation along the riverbank," Walker said. "Due to the dense foliage, the animal itself was not visible, but the bite marks and the height of the grazed plants were consistent with capybara feeding. The bailiff noted that this was not behavior they had observed from other species they've studied, so we are hopeful this may have been Samba."

The most recent possible sighting was reported along Highbridge Road on Wednesday.

"Our team headed out to the area shortly afterwards, however there was unfortunately no sign of her. A camera trap has now been installed in the area to help monitor any further activity," Walker said.

The zoo is asking local residents to continue keeping watch for Samba and reporting any sightings.

Officials said the area is rife with edible vegetation and potential shelter to allow Samba to thrive on the loose.

Woman caught on CCTV cutting and stealing aloe vera plant leaves from outside Woodlands shop

Woman seen on CCTV allegedly taking aloe vera leaves from outside Woodlands shop

A woman has been caught on CCTV cutting and stealing aloe vera plant leaves from outside a shop in Woodlands.

The incident has left the small business owner upset and frustrated.

Woman allegedly steals aloe vera leaves

On Tuesday (5 May), a netizen shared a clip of the incident on the Instagram page @sgfollowsall.

According to the caption, the act went beyond just a matter of theft.

“Not just stolen… but DESTROYED. Who walks into a small business and butchers our aloe vera plants like this? Caught on CCTV,” the post read.

The angry owner went on to describe the woman as “evil” and urged netizens to make the video go viral.

Arizona man finds Asian water monitor swimming in his pool

An Arizona man out doing yard work was surprised to see the world's second-largest lizard take a dip in his backyard pool.

Eric Johnson said he was working outside his home in Peoria, about 13 miles northwest of Phoenix, when he heard something splash into his pool.

"It almost sounded like a baseball jumping in the pool," Johnson told FOX 10 Phoenix. "I didn't know if it was venomous, if it was going to attack me."

Alex Roszkowski, director of operations at the Phoenix Herpetological Sanctuary, identified the swimmer as an Asian water monitor, the second-largest species of lizard after the komodo dragon.

Asian water monitors, native to south and southeast Asia, typically range from 4 to 6 feet long as adults, but have been known to reach lengths of up to 10.5 feet.

Johnson snapped photos of the visitor as it swam in his pool and climbed out for some sunbathing.

"So it seemed like it was sweet and friendly and it kind of just laid there, but I wasn't trying to go test that theory, you know," Johnson said.

He said the lizard left on its own after about 20 minutes.

"He looked happy swimming in the pool," Johnson said.

Roszkowski said the water monitor was almost certainly an escaped pet.

New York firefighter faces charges for using water cannon to blast cat out of tree (the cat is dead)

Sometimes what seems like a good idea at the time doesn't quite work out the way you pictured it.

For example, when a firefighter in Spencerport, New York, was called in by a frantic owner to rescue a cat from a tree and all the usual methods like ladders drove the cat higher in the tree, he thought, "Wow, that's really high. There's got to be a better way."

So, he got some people to stand under the tree with a blanket, and then cranked up the water cannon on top of the fire truck to spray the feline out.

And it worked, sort of.
On the video, you can see the utter disappointment on the rescuers' faces as the cat goes flying out of the tree — in the wrong direction.

The cat did not survive, and that's why the firefighter now faces charges for torturing and injuring an animal under section 353 of New York State Agriculture and Markets law. It did not die on impact, as you can see from the video.

British sailor takes another shot at Atlantic Ocean tiny boat crossing

A British sailor on Tuesday was preparing to make a second try at crossing the Atlantic Ocean in the tiniest boat ever to do so at only 3 feet, 10 inches.

Andrew Bedwell, 52, of Scarisbrick, England, wrote in his log that he is anxiously awaiting his micro-yacht, Big C Atlantic Challenge, to clear Canadian customs and then be shipped to Argentia, Newfoundland, where he will begin his record-breaking attempt.

When the miniscule aluminum craft does arrive there, perhaps as soon as Friday, he will fly from Britain to Argentia to wrap up final preparations for a second try at breaking the Guinness World Record for the smallest boat to complete a 1,900-mile Atlantic crossing.

Bedwell's first attempt to do so in 2023 came to a premature end when his first Big C boat was accidentally dropped onto concrete and smashed into pieces.

Now, he tells the Guinness World Records, he's redesigned the ship to be sturdier as he seeks to break the current record of a crossing in a 5 foot, 4 inch boat, set by American Hugo Vihlen in 1993.

French police warn drivers to beware of drunken deer

May 13 (UPI) — Police in France are warning drivers to beware of drunk deer and other inebriated wildlife wandering into roadways after eating fermented fruits.

The Saône-et-Loire Gendarmerie posted a video to social media showing a deer frolicking erratically and running in circles after apparently consuming intoxicants.

"Not all road users are sober," the post said.

The Gendarmerie wrote deer and other creatures can become inebriated after eating buds, fermented fruits or decaying plants, leading them to "totally unpredictable behavior."

Drivers were warned to keep a lookout for "sudden crossing, inconsistent trajectory, immobilization on the road [and] disorderly escape."

"If Bambi overindulges on the forest aperitif, it might not be the time to drive like you own the road," the post said.

Giant 73-pound blue catfish landed in Fla. river sets state record

It's no secret giant catfish lurk in the waters of Florida's rivers, but a newly caught specimen revealed on Tuesday is in a class by itself.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission proudly displayed the biggest blue catfish ever captured in the state — a 73.6-pound monster reeled in on the Suwannee River.

New state record! A 73.6-pound blue catfish from the Suwannee River is now the official state record after being certified by FWC biologists.

The new king catfish shattered the old mark of 69.5 pounds set in 2015, the FWC wrote in a post on X.

The catch was reviewed for species, weight and eligibility by agency biologists and subsequently certified as a new state record.

Adult blue catfish have stout bodies with prominently humped backs in front of the dorsal fin and resemble channel catfish by having deeply forked tails, the FWC notes. The back and upper sides are blue to slate gray, and the belly is white.

Known as one of the strongest freshwater fish, they can be caught on bush hooks or trotlines as well as rod and reel and can be found foraging at the water's bottom.

May 14 (UPI) — An Ohio man won a $10,000 lottery prize just under a month after scoring $5,000 from another ticket bought from the same gas station.

The Brunswick player, identified only as Richard, told Ohio Lottery officials he frequently buys scratch-off tickets from the Brunswick Valero on Center Road in Brunswick.

His loyalty to the store paid off on March 28 with a $5,000 win from an Ultimate $5,000,000 scratch-off.

Luck struck a second time on April 24 when he scored a $10,000 prize from a Billion scratch-off.

Richard said the money from his dual wins will go toward replacing his roof.

World's largest soccer ball coming to Boston

The Massachusetts Port Authority announced it will celebrate the FIFA World Cup by constructing the world's largest soccer ball.

Massport said the ball is planned to have a diameter of 45 feet, enough to take the Guinness World Record for the largest soccer ball from Qatar's Doha Bank, which unveiled a ball with a diameter of 39 feet and 11.8 inches in 2013.

The ball will be installed at at Piers Park II in East Boston from June 12-18. A special community day event will be held at the location on June 13.

The record attempt celebrates the World Cup games that will be played at Boston Stadium in Foxborough in June and July.

"We're proud to welcome the world to Boston as Massachusetts prepares to host the FIFA World Cup matches and showcase the unique attractions and welcoming communities that make our state such a special place to visit," Massport CEO Rich Davey said in a news release. "Bringing this iconic display to East Boston gives people the opportunity to come together, enjoy the neighborhood's vibrant waterfront and skyline views, and share in the excitement of the FIFA World Cup."

Ohio police apprehend ball python for 'unwanted slithering'

The Westlake Police Department said on social media that officers "never know what the day will bring," and Monday's call was especially unusual.

Officers responded after "receiving a complaint of unwanted slithering" and found a ball python wandering loose, the post said.

"It was in good health and already has a forever home," police wrote.

Ball pythons, the smallest species of python, are native to Africa and are commonly kept as pets.



May 14 (UPI) — Police in Ohio said a report of "unwanted slithering" in a Westlake neighborhood resulted in the detention of a ball python.

Illinois museum's 'Knight Rider' car gets speeding ticket from NYC

An Illinois museum received a speeding ticket from New York alleging its replica Knight Rider car was caught on a traffic camera — but the car hasn't moved in over a decade.

The Volo Museum revealed on social media that it received notice in the mail that its 1982 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am, a replica of the talking car KITT from 1982-1986 TV series Knight Rider, was caught on camera going 36 mph in a 25 mph zone on Ocean Parkway in New York City.

The car in the traffic camera photo bears a California novelty plate reading "KNIGHT," which matches the plate on the museum's car.

"Their official system ties the novelty plate to Volo Museum and we got a bill for $50," the post said.

Police probing 'BBQ goods' theft find fox with mouth full of hot dogs

May 15 (UPI) — Police in Alberta responded to "a report of a theft involving BBQ goods" and arrived to find a red fox with a mouth full of hot dogs.

The Alberta RCMP said on social media that officers responded to the location in Crowsnest Pass on Monday "in search of a suspect described as having red hair, being short in stature, and wearing a thick coat."

"After a brief investigation, the suspect was located attempting to conceal the evidence nearby," the post said.

The RCMP shared a photo of the thieving fox with its mouth filled with hot dogs.

"The suspect was released without conditions — and a full belly," officials wrote.

Empty Waymo taxis flood into Atlanta neighborhood

Residents of an Atlanta neighborhood said empty, self-driving Waymo cars have been flooding into their cul-de-sacs by the dozens.

Neighbors in the Battleview Drive area said they first started noticing robotaxis circling their dead-end roads a couple of months ago, but in the past two weeks the cars have been arriving in large groups, most frequently in the early morning.

"I think yesterday morning, we had 50 cars that came through between 6 and 7," a resident told WSB-TV.

Residents said they tried using signs to ward the cars away, but it caused them to get stuck trying to turn around.

The neighbors said they are concerned about the safety of their kids and small pets.

"We would like to just see them stay on main traffic roads," one neighbor said. "I don't think there's any reason for them to be on small residential cul-de-sacs if they're not picking up somebody."

Waymo released a statement addressing the issue.

"At Waymo, we are committed to being good neighbors. We take community feedback seriously and have already addressed this routing behavior," the company said. "With over 500,000 weekly trips across the country, our service is proven to significantly reduce traffic injuries and improve road safety. We value our relationship with Atlanta residents and remain focused on providing a seamless, respectful, and safe experience for riders and residents alike."

Waymo cars have caused traffic problems in Atlanta in the past — in April, three Waymo taxis completely blocked an intersection at a blinking red light.

Empty Waymo taxis flood into Atlanta neighborhood

May 15 (UPI) — Residents of an Atlanta neighborhood said empty, self-driving Waymo cars have been flooding into their cul-de-sacs by the dozens.

Neighbors in the Battleview Drive area said they first started noticing robotaxis circling their dead-end roads a couple of months ago, but in the past two weeks the cars have been arriving in large groups, most frequently in the early morning.

"I think yesterday morning, we had 50 cars that came through between 6 and 7," a resident told WSB-TV.

Residents said they tried using signs to ward the cars away, but it caused them to get stuck trying to turn around.

The neighbors said they are concerned about the safety of their kids and small pets.

"We would like to just see them stay on main traffic roads," one neighbor said. "I don't think there's any reason for them to be on small residential cul-de-sacs if they're not picking up somebody."

Waymo released a statement addressing the issue.

"At Waymo, we are committed to being good neighbors. We take community feedback seriously and have already addressed this routing behavior," the company said. "With over 500,000 weekly trips across the country, our service is proven to significantly reduce traffic injuries and improve road safety. We value our relationship with Atlanta residents and remain focused on providing a seamless, respectful, and safe experience for riders and residents alike."

Police probing 'BBQ goods' theft find fox with mouth full of hot dogs

Police in Alberta responded to "a report of a theft involving BBQ goods" and arrived to find a red fox with a mouth full of hot dogs.

The Alberta RCMP said on social media that officers responded to the location in Crowsnest Pass on Monday "in search of a suspect described as having red hair, being short in stature, and wearing a thick coat."

"After a brief investigation, the suspect was located attempting to conceal the evidence nearby," the post said.

The RCMP shared a photo of the thieving fox with its mouth filled with hot dogs.

"The suspect was released without conditions — and a full belly," officials wrote.

Nuclear Scientists Fucking Around In Friend’s Backyard Run Away After Stuffing Fission Bomb Into Coke Can

LOS ALAMOS, NM—Giggling as they made sure the atomic explosive’s tritium-deuterium ignition module had been properly engaged, nuclear scientists employed at Los Alamos National Laboratory were seen sprinting away from ground zero after stuffing a fission bomb into a can of Coca-Cola in a friend’s backyard Friday. “Oh shit, dude, it’s going supercritical—Run! Run!” said fissile materials researcher Mark Chalmers, Ph. D., ducking down behind a picnic table as his fellow pranksters recorded the 17-megaton detonation on their smartphones to upload to YouTube later. “Oh man, this is going to be so fucking sweet. We should put one of the Davy Crocketts in a cantaloupe next; [Department Head Dr.] Kevin [Agajanian]’s parents aren’t coming home until 4:30, so we’ve totally got time.” The researchers were later seen trying to blow away the resulting 12,000-foot tall enormous mushroom cloud after hearing a car pull into the driveway.

Idaho man breaks toothpick-snapping world record on Disney Cruise

Serial record-breaker David Rush passed the time during a Disney Cruise by taking on a Guinness World Record for snapping toothpicks.

Rush, who holds more than 300 Guinness World Records titles, said he and his family took the Disney Cruise as a means of visiting the National Park of American Samoa, the most remote U.S. National Park.

"With 11 days at sea in the South and North Pacific, I decided I needed to break a world record," Rush wrote online.

He decided to take on the record for the most cocktail sticks snapped in one minute.

Rush, who also holds the world record for the most cocktail picks snapped in one minute, lined up 100 diamond-cut toothpicks on a long table aboard the cruise ship and set about snapping.

He managed to break 84 toothpicks in one minute, handily beating the current record of 58, which was set by Indiana man Harrison Niswander in 2020.

Rush said he is still awaiting confirmation from Guinness World Records that he has officially captured the title.

10 wild mustangs on the loose in North Carolina

May 19 (UPI) — Authorities in North Carolina are attempting to wrangle 10 wild mustangs on the loose that have been spotted running on busy roads and highways.

Iredell County Animal Services confirmed the horses have been spotted in various locations around the county since escaping from a local property on May 11, and one was even caught on camera running through the middle of Interstate 10.

Six of the horses were spotted Monday night in a cornfield along Eufala Road, where authorities had spread hay in the hopes of attracting the equines to the area.

A local non-profit assisting with the capture efforts said the wild horses were likely purchased from the Bureau of Land Management in Monroe.

The bureau manages and protects wild horses in 10 western states, and the horses are sometimes sold for $25 each to owners who need to meet certain qualifications to ensure the animals will be cared for humanely.

County officials said the owner of the horses, who has not been identified, will be charged with failing to properly secure the animals and failing to cooperate with capture efforts.

U.N. agency to remove worst-case climate scenario

May 19 (UPI) — Climate scientists have decided to remove their worst-case scenario for how hot the Earth could get if nothing is done to slow global warming.

The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change seems ready to drop its most extreme scenario because global efforts to slow climate change make the worst-case scenario "implausible."

The scenario predicted that if nothing were done to curb greenhouse gases, by the end of the century, global average temperatures could jump by 9 degrees Fahrenheit over preindustrial levels. There were several scenarios developed, and the "RCP 8.5″ scenario was the worst one.

Scientists note that the use of renewable energy and other factors have helped avert the runaway warming that had appeared more likely.
President Donald Trump, however, posted on Truth Social, "GOOD RIDDANCE! After 15 years of Dumocrats promising that 'Climate Change' is going to destroy the Planet, the United Nations TOP Climate Committee just admitted that its own projections (RCP8.5) were WRONG! WRONG! WRONG!"

In a paper published in April, a committee of top climate experts said that the current worst-case scenario would be that the planet could heat up by an average of just over 6 degrees Fahrenheit. It also said the likelier range would be up to 5.4 degrees Fahrenheit if emissions trends continue. The authors said less burning of coal and a flattening of fossil fuel use overall caused them to adjust their estimates.

Ohio family sends Slinky down a record-breaking 53 stairs

An Ohio family broke a Guinness World Record by sending their Slinky down a flight of 53 stairs at a local stadium.

Joe and Christelle Luchsinger visited Otterbein Stadium in Westerville with their 5-year-old son, Axel, to attempt the Guinness World Record for the most stairs descended by a Slinky.

Joe Luchsinger, a fourth-year resident at the Yale School of Medicine, said the record attempt was Axel's idea.

"Our son Axel is at the age where everything needs to be the biggest, fastest, or most extreme version of itself," Luchsinger said in an interview with the Yale School of Medicine.

World's largest bowl of guacamole mixed up in Mexico

The 13th annual Avocado Festival in Tancítaro, Mexico, saw a Guinness World Record broken in the form of a 14,991-pound serving of guacamole.

The record attempt, organized by the Local Plant Health Board of Tancítaro, featured more than 1,000 local growers and residents working together to mix up the massive bowl of guac in just under 2 1/2 hours.

The previous record of 10,961 pounds was set in Peribán, Mexico, in 2022. Tancítaro had held the record prior to 2022.

"This moment belongs to the thousands of Michoacán families whose livelihoods are rooted on avocado farms," Raul E. Martínez Pulido, president of Association of Avocado Exporting Producers and Packers of Mexico, said in a news release.

"This achievement reflects the collective strength of our industry — from the growers to the teams who ensure quality and efficiency across the supply chain," he said. "It represents the unity, discipline and hard work that define how we operate every day, and the dedication we collectively bring to reaching new heights, including reclaiming the new Guinness World Record and a historic season of more than 2.5 billion pounds of Mexican avocados reaching the U.S. market."

'Saccharine' cast related to diet pill horror movie

LOS ANGELES, May 21 (UPI) — Midori Francis, Danielle Macdonald and Madeleine Madden said they related to the theme of their horror movie Saccharine, in theaters Friday. Francis plays Hana, a medical student who ingests human ash to lose weight.

In a recent Zoom interview with UPI, Francis said the metaphor of weight loss obsession turning horrific was easy to imagine. Natalie Erika James wrote and directed the film.

"This subject matter is already a horror movie," Francis said. "Does that make sense? It just did not seem like a big stretch."

Hana analyzes the compound of an expensive diet pill and discovers human ash is the main component. With budgetary constraints, she manufactures her own pills using her school's cadaver.

Hana loses weight dramatically but also sees ghostly visions of the cadaver. James began writing the film in 2019, before Ozempic and other weight loss drugs became so common.
"It's so much drawn from my personal experience of growing up with parents who were really opposites in terms of how they related to their bodies and food and all of the mixed messaging that I grew up with," James said. "In some ways, it's been in the works for decades."

Hana's mother has been pressuring her to eat less prior to the pills. Her father, whom the audience meets later in the film, triggers other familial issues with Hana.

Hana's classmate, Josie (Macdonald), eventually calls out the underlying issue. At Hana's thinnest, Josie tells Hana she won't feel better about herself no matter how much weight she loses.

"Obviously, Josie is pointing out this overarching fact that we all know realistically, but it's not that easy to just come true," Macdonald said. "Getting to say that was great because you kind of know it's true but it doesn't mean that you feel it every day."

At the same time as the pills, Hana signs up for a fitness study with Alanya (Madden). Even Alanya becomes alarmed at how fast Hana loses weight.

While Madden said she does exercise and eats healthy like Alanya, she struggled with seeing herself as the film's fitness guru. Madden credited James and her costars for having sensitive conversations about body image.

Research: 'Favorite,' 'niece' among America's most misspelled words

An analysis of Google search data from the first five months of the year revealed the "most misspelled" words in America include "favorite," "through" and "niece."

Website Unscramblerer.com conducted an analysis of Google search data from Jan. 1 through May 18. The researchers used search data from Google Trends for "How do you spell" and "How to spell" and then used marketing and SEO platform Ahrefs to find the number of searches for each inquiry.

The analysis found the most-searched word was "bougie," followed by "favorite," "through," "business," "tomorrow," "because," "definitely," "beautiful," "niece" and "separate."

The researchers also looked at the most misspelled word for each individual state, and discovered some of the words did not make the overall top 10.

Examples include "school" for Florida, "color" for Colorado, "Chihuahua" for Georgia, "restaurant" for Louisiana, "spaghetti" for North Carolina and Virginia, "ukulele" for Minnesota, "diamond" for Oregon and "recycle" for Texas.

The research was released ahead of the National Spelling Bee, which will be held May 26-28.

"Studies show that reliance on autocorrect and AI deteriorates the authors spelling ability over time," an Unscramblerer.com spokesperson said. "To combat this digital amnesia we encourage everybody to search for the correct spelling of the word when a feeling of doubt arises. This becomes an educational moment. As the saying goes, use it or lose it."

Loose llama wrangled in Texas one day after kangaroo capture

May 22 (UPI) — Authorities in Texas wrangled a llama on the loose just one day after an escaped kangaroo was captured in the same city.

The Elmendorf Police Department said on Facebook that an officer was driving on FM 327 about 2:40 p.m. Tuesday "when he came across a llama in the roadway."
The officer temporarily shut down the road while he and city field staff worked to wrangle the llama.

The llama, named "Captain," was safely reunited with its owner. The road was shut down for about an hour.
The incident occurred just one day after police wrangled an escaped kangaroo in Elmendorf.

"Yes, we know this comes right after yesterday's kangaroo capture. We promise we are not begging for attention — apparently the animals just saw the post and wanted their turn," police wrote.

Man puts on a record-breaking 32 T-shirts in one minute

The Idaho man who holds the most concurrent Guinness World Records titles added another accomplishment to his tally by donning 32 T-shirts in one minute.

David Rush, whose previous T-shirt related records include the most t-shirts put on in 30 seconds and the fastest time to put on 10 T-shirts, tackled the title for the most T-shirts put on in one minute by an individual.

Rush said the record has its own unique challenges.

"The issue is how quickly the mechanics of this break down. Once you get past the tenth shirt you are not just fighting the clock anymore because you are fighting the fabric. Each layer compresses and your arms lose range of motion. You are essentially wrestling a straitjacket," Rush wrote online.

Rush, who had to don 25 T-shirts to break the record, ended up putting on 35 shirts in the allotted time — but three of them were disqualified by Guinness World Records.

He said the disqualifications were "most likely because those specific hems did not fully clear the waistline under the pressure of the massive stack."

Rush's official total was 32, more than enough to take the title.

Alligator snapping turtle found in Massachusetts pond

May 22 (UPI) — Wildlife officials in Massachusetts were called out to an Essex County pond to capture an unusual non-native animal: a nearly 60-pound alligator snapping turtle.

The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife said on social media that local residents contacted freshwater turtle biologist Trina Wantman and said they suspected a new arrival in their pond might be an alligator snapping turtle.

The species is native to warmer waters ranging from Louisiana to southeastern Iowa, and they are not found naturally in Massachusetts.

"This turtle was struggling in our colder climate, and based on her condition, our biologists believe she was likely released after being illegally kept as a pet," the post said.

The female turtle was taken to the New England Wildlife Center where she is being treated for severe pneumonia.

Mystery emu found wandering city streets in Louisiana

Police in Louisiana were called to help round up a mystery emu spotted wandering the city streets.

The Duson Police Department said on social media that officers responded Wednesday to help the Lafayette Animal Shelter & Care Center wrangle a loose emu.

"Different day, different animal in Duson," police wrote.

The Lafayette Animal Shelter & Care Center said Thursday that the emu's owner has not been identified.

"Anyone missing an Emu? ID# 118962 found around the 300 block of B Robin in Duson," the shelter wrote on Facebook. "We don't know the sex. It's not housebroken. Someone please call us 337-291-5644 or come by to reclaim — because our team and the dogs are very confused."

On This Day: Brooklyn Bridge opens to public
On May 24, 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge was opened to the public, linking Brooklyn and Manhattan in New York City.
On this date in history:

In 1844, the first U.S telegraph line was formally opened — between Baltimore and Washington. The first message sent was "What hath God wrought?"
n 1935, the first night game in Major League Baseball was played at Crosley Field in Cincinnati. The Reds beat the Philadelphia Phillies 2-1.

In 1943, Josef Mengele, the so-called "Angel of Death" became the new doctor at the Auschwitz death camp in Poland. He fled Germany at the conclusion of World War II and died in 1979 in Brazil.

In 1958, United Press and the International News Service merger was announced, forming United Press International.

In 1962, Mercury astronaut Scott Carpenter became the second American to orbit Earth, circling it three times. John Glenn was the first, earlier in the year.

Bear wanders onto New Jersey porch, rings doorbell

A New Jersey resident shared footage of a black bear wandering up to a doorbell camera and triggering the bell with its snout.

Naomi Kuren's doorbell camera at her home in Sparta, Sussex County, was recording when a pair of bears visited her property earlier this month.

The footage shows one of the bears walk up onto the porch and trigger the doorbell with its nose.

The two bears eventually wandered off, without the door being answered.

New Jersey Fish and Wildlife said black bear sightings have been reported in all of the state's 21 counties. Residents are urged to prevent encounters with the animals by securing food, trash and any odors that might entice them.

FIFA allows Iran to stay in Mexico for World Cup

May 23 (UPI) — Iran's national soccer team will make its World Cup base in Tijuana, Mexico, instead of Arizona after FIFA approved its request, Iran's football federation said Saturday.

"We will be based in the Tijuana camp, which is near the Pacific ⁠Ocean and on the border between Mexico and the United States," Iran's Football Federation President Mehdi Taj said in a video on Telegram, Al Jazeera reported.

The Iranian squad has been unsure for months about its ability to travel to the United States for games. They are scheduled to play their first two games in Los Angeles, but will be able to fly from Iran directly to Mexico, and from Tijuana to Los Angeles easily, Taj said.

"The ⁠total distance between us and the venue of our games in Los Angeles is 55 minutes by flight," the team president said. He added that staying in Arizona would have been farther away.

aj said the change of base would help avoid visa-related issues due to the U.S.-Israel war in Iran.

Iran is scheduled to play Gambia in a friendly on May 29 before coach Amir Ghalenoei names the final World Cup team by FIFA's June 1 deadline.

In group play, Iran will have two games in Los Angeles and one in Seattle.

Last month FIFA, the official governing body of the World Cup match and international soccer, rejected Iran's request to play its games in Mexico instead of the United States.

FIFA also said it will ban fans from bringing flags and apparel depicting Iran's pre-revolutionary flag to games, the Athletic reported. The older flag has symbols of the previous Shah-led government, while the current flag has Islamic symbols.

The World Cup is from June 11 to July 19.

Equine extraction: Stuck pony rescued from tractor tire

An animal rescuer in England came to the rescue of a pony that somehow ended up completely stuck inside a large tractor tire.

RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Nicola Riley responded to the property in Stoke-on-Trent where the pony was found on its side, trapped inside the tire.

Local residents helped lift the tire while Riley worked to extract the equine.

"It was a very delicate rescue," Riley said in an RSPCA news release. "The poor pony was completely wedged against the tire and understandably very scared and uncomfortable."

"We had to take a staggered approach to free him safely — first easing out his front feet, then carefully working his shoulder free before finally releasing his neck and front end. Thankfully, everyone worked really well together and we managed to get him out without causing any injury," she said.

Riley said she stayed with the pony for about an hour after the rescue to make sure there were no lingering effects from the ordeal.

"He soon returned to grazing and walking around the field again," she said. "But this could have ended very differently, so I'm really grateful to the local residents who stopped to help."

Cheese-rolling legend beaten by German YouTuber
World Record holder Chris Anderson, 38, had come out of retirement after being challenged by YouTuber Tom Kopke.

The Gloucestershire cheese rolling contest's most successful ever competitor has been beaten by a German YouTuber.

World Record holder Chris Anderson, 38, was pipped to the finish line by Tom Kopke, 24, in the death-defying annual race - which sees contestants chase an 8lb double Gloucester cheese down the steep Cooper's Hill in Brockworth.
"This year's cheese will taste the sweetest of all the cheeses I have won," Mr Kopke said after the race.

Recent hot weather had made it firmer and more dangerous for the competitors - with temperatures soaring to past 30C in recent days.
This year's instalment gripped fans after Mr Anderson came out of retirement, following a direct challenge by Mr Kopke.

Mr Anderson, from Brockworth, has won the competition 23 times.

But since his retirement Mr Kopke, from Munich, had taken over the annual race, winning it the last few years.

British man becomes world's oldest wing walker at 98

A 98-year-old British World War II veteran officially became the world's oldest wing walker when he stood atop a flying plane in England.

Harry Heasman spent more than 9 minutes atop the plane at a height of over 1,000 feet on Saturday at Duxford Airfield in Cambridge.

A Guinness World Records adjudicator was on hand to officially certify Heasman as the world's oldest wing walker.

"I have dreamed of doing this since I was a young child and to finally live that dream at 98 years old and to be a Guinness World Records title holder is beyond anything I could have ever imagined," Heasman told Guinness World Records.

The nonagenarian said he spent 11 months working with a physical trainer to get his body and mind ready for the attempt.

His record attempt raised money for the Lennox Children's Cancer Fund and served as a tribute to his wife and son, who both died after battles with cancer.

"Harry is proof that it is never too late to chase a dream. At 98 years old, what he has achieved is nothing short of extraordinary. Over the last few months, I've had the privilege of getting to know him and seeing the determination behind this challenge," said Lindsey Bidwell, a representative from the Lennox Children's Cancer Fund.

"To do this whilst raising money to help children with cancer, makes it even more special. Harry truly is a national treasure, and our team and the families he is raising money for will be forever grateful," she said.

Trio sentenced over 'bear costume' insurance fraud scam in California
Three people have each been sentenced to 180 days in jail after a bizarre scam which saw someone in a costume damage luxury cars.
Three people have been jailed for insurance fraud after claiming their cars were damaged by a bear - only for the assailant to be somebody dressed in a bear costume.

The trio used a bear suit to stage the fake attacks inside a Rolls-Royce and two Mercedes in an effort to get their paws on $141,839 (£111,788) in insurance payouts.
Home surveillance footage submitted to an insurance company shows the so-called bear entering and damaging a 2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost while it was parked near Lake Arrowhead, northeast of Los Angeles, on 28 January 2024.

Investigators later found two additional fraudulent claims submitted to separate insurance companies, involving different vehicles on the same date and in the same location.

Images released by the California Insurance Department (CDI) show minor scratches on the car doors and seats that were intended to pass for claw marks.
Detectives later discovered the bear suit inside one of the suspects' homes. The department had called the investigation "Operation Bear Claw".

Alfiya Zuckerman, 39, Ruben Tamrazian, 26, and Vahe Muradkhanyan, 32, all pleaded no contest to felony insurance fraud, and were on Thursday each sentenced to 180 days in jail, to be served through a weekend programme.

Indian man earns world record for collection of 858 paper cups

An Indian man with a lifelong passion for collecting earned a Guinness World Record for his collection of 858 different paper cups.

Sunil Joseph, 57, told Guinness World Records his collecting habit started with stamps, coins and matchbook stickers when he was a young boy.

"This early curiosity evolved into a lifelong passion, leading me to curate diverse collections ranging from razor blade wrappers and airline boarding passes to coffee mugs and tea bags," he said.

Joseph earned his first Guinness World Record for his collection of 5,986 phone cards in 2014.

"The specific focus on phone cards, which led to my first major milestone, began in 1997. While looking through my brother's wallet — he was working in the Merchant Navy at the time — I discovered a phone card from the UAE. The design and the concept intrigued me so much that I began seeking out cards from every corner of the globe. Over the next 15 years, my collection grew to over 12,000 cards representing 245 different countries," Joseph said.

"Although I had thousands of cards, I submitted 5,986 for the official count to secure the title. While that specific category has since evolved and the record was eventually surpassed, I remain confident in the depth of my archive. However, rather than retaking that title, I have shifted my focus toward new challenges."

His latest challenge earned him the world record for the largest collection of paper cups. He said his 858 cups come from 31 different countries.

"This growth is rarely a solitary effort. My friends and relatives across various countries frequently contribute items they find, helping the collection expand far beyond what I could gather alone," he said.

Joseph said he has already filed an application for his next Guinness World Records title: the largest collection of wedding invitations, which is currently held by Sofia Sakalaki of Greece, who has 600 invitations.

Monkeys eating soil to settle upset stomachs from junk food, says research
Chocolate, crisps and other similar foods have negative digestive effects for the macaques, but the soil can "alleviate" symptoms, researchers said.

Monkeys in Gibraltar have learned to eat soil to settle their stomachs from all the junk food they consume, research suggests.

Scientists believe the dirt helps the monkeys line the gut to stop irritation from foods which are "extremely rich in calories, sugar, salt and dairy".
The soil also provides bacteria and minerals missing from junk food offered or stolen from tourists, such as chocolate bars, crisps and ice cream.

The snacks have negative digestive effects for the macaques and can cause symptoms from nausea to diarrhoea, but the food is "as delicious for them" as it is for humans, according to a Cambridge University study.

Animals in frequent contact with Gibraltar's visitors were observed to eat more dirt, with this behaviour higher during peak holiday season.
The researchers think the behaviour is likely to have been learned socially as different troops of monkeys have preferences for certain types of soil.

Experts said the soil acts as a "barrier" in the digestive tract and limits the absorption of harmful compounds.
Dr Sylvain Lemoine, a biological anthropologist from Cambridge's Department of Archaeology, added: "This could alleviate gastrointestinal symptoms from nausea to diarrhoea.

"Soil may also provide friendly bacteria that helps with the gut microbiome.

"Non-human primates become lactose intolerant after weaning, so dairy is known to cause digestive issues in monkeys, and ice cream is hugely popular with Gibraltar's tourists and consequently its macaques."

Barbie event issues refunds after comparison with infamous Glasgow convention
Barbie Dream Fest in Florida had one attendee claiming they'd been "Wonka'd" – a reference to a disastrous Willy Wonka-themed event in Glasgow.
The organiser of a Barbie event in Florida is issuing refunds after photos from attendees drew mockery on social media – and a very unflattering comparison.

Barbie Dream Fest in Fort Lauderdale promised an interactive dream house, roller-skating party, fashion show, workshops, and more, with tickets ranging from $69 (£52) to $449 (£340).
But it didn't meet expectations for some fans, with the line-up of attractions – providing shots of pink in an otherwise rather dour-looking convention centre – being compared to an infamous Willy Wonka event in Glasgow.

That disastrous dedication to one of literature's most recognisable characters also saw refunds issued. Children were even left in tears, and police were called too.

There was no such intervention at Fort Lauderdale but one Barbie fan said on social media: "We got Wonka'd!"

A spokesperson for Mattel, which owns Barbie, has acknowledged the reaction after some attendees told Sky's US partner network NBC News of their experience.
Not the calibre of Barbie'

Brenna Miller, who paid nearly $500 (£379) for a VIP, three-day "Dream Pass", said the advertised dream house was nothing more than a 10ft tall cardboard cutout.

The roller-skating "rink", she said, was essentially an "animal pen" with sheets that said "roller disco". It only accommodated children, when promotional material had suggested adults could take part, she added.

"This was not the calibre of Barbie at all," she said.
Alexandria Dougan, 33, attended with her sister and niece, who was celebrating her seventh birthday.

Each adult spent $70 (£53) for a day pass and $30 (£23) for her niece, but they all left after about an hour.

Ms Dougan said the "humongous" hall was too big for the number of displays. Her niece was unable to experience the bike course because the only bicycles available were too small. The bigger ones had all broken.

She told NBC: "There should have been some type of overseeing of events or backup plan to make sure it is what you posted on social media, because it was not that."

What have organisers said?

In a statement to NBC News, a spokesperson for Mattel said the event was "created by Mischief Management, which licensed the Barbie brand from Mattel".

"We are working with Mischief Management, who are managing attendee feedback and issuing full refunds to everyone who purchased tickets," they added.

"We want every fan experience to be an excellent one."

Mischief Management confirmed it will be providing full refunds and thanked those who attended.

"Mischief Management is incredibly grateful to everyone who joined Barbie Dream Fest," the statement said.

"Bringing fans together - alongside Barbie role models, designers, partners, and global icons who embody the true spirit of Barbie - was at the heart of this event.

"Barbie Dream Fest was created as an intimate fan convention designed to foster meaningful connection, inspiration, and closer access to Barbie and her world."

World's largest golf ball pyramid constructed on Texas course

A trio of golf fans paid tribute to their game of choice in Texas by assembling the world's largest golf ball pyramid from 19,019 balls.

Michael Furrh, Debbie Reynolds and Terri Janak led a team of volunteers in the golf ball pyramid construction at Benbrook Lake as part of the 2025 Benbrook Heritage Fest in September.

The finished structure was comprised of 19,019 balls, beating the record of 17,575, which was set by Pennsylvania man Zachary Krivda in 2022.

The record-breaking pyramid featured 38 rows of carefully stacked balls, and the team was not allowed to use any adhesive or other product to keep the balls in place. The base of the pyramid was braced by a custom-built wooden stage.

Wandering black bear visits two Massachusetts schools

A young black bear visited two Massachusetts schools as it wandered through Worcester with police in pursuit.

The bruin was spotted climbing over garden walls Thursday on Highland Street, prompting a lockdown at the nearby Doherty Memorial High School.

Students were kept inside until the bear left the area.

The animal was later spotted about two miles away, on the campus of Clark University.

Police said the bear eventually returned to the woods on its own, and environmental police are keeping tabs on it.

Dave Wattles, a black bear biologist with MassWildlife, said the bear appeared to be about a year and a half old, and had likely only recently separated from its mother.

He told WBZ-TV the bear is "essentially a teenager trying to find its own way in the world."

Wattles said bear sightings in the area are likely to increase as the animals enter their mating season.

Jonathan, the giant tortoise, the world's oldest living land animal 'is alive' after getting caught up in alleged crypto scam
Reports of the nearly 200-year-old creature's demise were posted on X by a hoax vet account and Jonathan was later revealed to be alive and well.

A giant Seychelles tortoise, believed to be the world’s oldest living land animal, is alive and well after claims he had died turned out to be part of an alleged crypto scam.

Posts emerged on Wednesday claiming Jonathan, who is thought to be 193 years old according to the official website devoted to him, was dead.
The message read that he was "heartbroken" to announce that the "beloved" creature "has passed away today peacefully".

Describing himself as Jonathan's "vet for many years", he said: "Rest easy, old friend. You'll be missed more than words can say" and later thanked people "for the outpouring of love for Jonathan as we mourn his passing".

But the Friends of the British Overseas Territories, quoting the island's governor, Nigel Phillips, said "the real Joe Hollins does not have an X account, and that Jonathan the tortoise is alive. This account is soliciting crypto donations, has recently changed its username".

Mr Phillips "has confirmed Jonathan Tortoise is alive and well - he has just checked on him", he added.

Mysterious sonic boom rattles South Carolina counties

Experts said a suspected earthquake that rattled portions of South Carolina was actually a sonic boom of unknown origins.

The U.S. Geological Survey confirmed the incident just before 5:30 p.m. Thursday was not an earthquake, but a sonic boom estimated to have originated in the St. Andrews area before traveling across multiple counties, including the Columbia area and the Midlands.

The Geological Survey said its equipment is not calibrated to measure sonic booms, so the event was given a rating of 0.0.

The National Weather Service said staff noted the blast at Columbia Metropolitan Airport.

NASA officials said the boom does not appear to have originated from space.

"We have no eyewitness reports of a fireball and no satellite detections of a meteor over the area at the time," Bill Cooke, lead for NASA's Meteoroid Environments Office, told WLTX-TV.

The American Meteor Society concurred that the origin of the boom was likely terrestrial.

Shaw Air Force Base said Friday morning that there were no activities at the base Thursday that would have caused the boom.

Man balances running chainsaw on his chin for over 4 minutes

An Idaho man broke a potentially deadly Guinness World Record he has pledged to never attempt again: the longest duration balancing a running chainsaw on the chin.

David Rush, who holds the most concurrent Guinness World Records titles, attempted the record at his oldest son's last soccer practice of the season in May 2025, and the record-keeping organization has now confirmed he officially holds the title.

"Some records are simple. Some are hard. Some are flat-out terrifying. Balancing a running chainsaw on my chin falls squarely into the 'terrifying' category, a challenge that took me years to even work up the nerve to attempt," Rush wrote online.

He opted to use an electric chainsaw instead of a gas-powered tool for the attempt, to prevent the jerky and unpredictable motions of a two-stroke engine.

Rush said there were still numerous obstacles involved, including oil dripping from the blade onto his face, necessitating the use of safety goggles.

"I had to keep the center of gravity just above my chin while the blade spun inches from my face. The oil dripped down and my nerves ramped up," Rush said.

He ended up keeping the chainsaw balanced for 4 minutes and 1.44 seconds before letting it fall, enough to take the record.

"I have no desire to ever do this one again, but I'm proud that the record is mine. It was a powerful reminder that while we can push ourselves to extraordinary lengths, we must also respect the lines between determination and sheer recklessness," he said.

'Britain's loneliest sheep', Fiona, gives birth for first time
The ewe became a global celebrity when she was rescued from the foot of a steep coastal cliff in the Scottish Highlands in 2023, after spending years alone.

Fiona won hearts across the globe when she was rescued from the foot of a steep coastal cliff close to the Cromarty Firth in the Scottish Highlands in 2023.
Kayaker Jill Turner first spotted the stranded ewe in 2021 and then raised the alarm when she saw her on her own again two years later - which led to Fiona being dubbed "Britain's loneliest sheep".

Fiona was winched to safety during a daring rescue mission and taken into the care of Dalscone Farm in Dumfries.

The farm said she had now traded her title for "world's best mum" after giving birth to two healthy lambs - a boy and a girl - on Tuesday night. Dalscone Farm manager Ben Best told Sky News a vet was on hand to help Fiona give birth and she has since taken to her new role amazingly well after her nine-hour labour.

He said: "She's doing great. She was a superstar.
Given Fiona's struggle to fully interact with other sheep, it is hoped she will enjoy a close bond with her own little family.

Mr Best said: "The whole reason we put her in lamb is so that she can get that bond with them and she'll have an amazing companionship going forward in her life.

"I think it's really going to make a massive difference to her quality of life as well.

"It's not a decision we took lightly. We had a lot of discussions about whether it was the right thing to do.

"But ultimately, for her as an animal, the best decision was to put her in lamb."

Oklahoma parade features record-breaking 3,596 classic cars

A parade on Route 66 in Oklahoma broke a Guinness World Record by including 3,596 classic cars in the procession.

Tulsa's Route 66 Capital Cruise: Classic Car Centennial Parade, which took place on Saturday, broke the record for the largest parade of classic cars. The parade bested the previous record by 1,105 cars.

The event marked the 100th anniversary of Route 66.

"I am so proud of Tulsa and so thrilled to set a new world record," Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols said in a news release. "Tulsa's Route 66 Capital Cruise was a nearly year-long effort from partners all over Tulsa to remind the world that we are the Capital of Route 66 and that no city does things the way Tulsa does. Now, for the next hundred years, whenever anyone mentions the Centennial of Route 66, they'll remember Tulsa, Oklahoma."

The cars featured drivers from 42 states, as well as Canada and France.

"For years, we have looked to 2026 as a Super Bowl in Oklahoma, and today, Tulsa delivered," Oklahoma Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell said. "Capital Cruise was a massive undertaking, and it paid off in a massive way, nearly doubling the existing world record, proving that Route 66 is not just central to the history of Oklahoma, but the future as well. Congratulations, Tulsa! Here's to the next hundred years of the Mother Road."

Pigeons may be navigating with their liver, study suggests
NEW YORK (AP) — A surprising gut feeling may help pigeons find their way home.

Animals use various techniques to navigate including following the stars and remembering key landmarks. Birds, fish and turtles orient themselves using Earth’s magnetic field as a compass. But it’s not yet clear how exactly they do this.

Pigeons are a well-known group of frequent flyers that can traverse hundreds of miles (hundreds of kilometers) in a single day. For thousands of years, humans have used them to carry news, notes and military messages.

Scientists have long tried to untangle how pigeons travel without getting lost. Some think the birds detect magnetic cues using light-sensitive molecules in their eyes, while others suggest it happens in the beak or inner ear.

“The magnetic sense has been this mystery for almost 100 years,” said Martin Wikelski with the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior in Germany.

New York village to vote for mayor with a blank ballot

A village on New York's Long Island is facing a highly unusual mayoral election after no candidates registered to run for the office.

Bayville Mayor Steve Minicozzi announced in April that he would not be seeking reelection, and Christopher Vivona, the village's deputy clerk-treasurer, confirmed no one else registered to run.

Vivona said June 16 will mark the first time he knows of that the village of approximately 7,000 people will go to the polls to vote for mayor with a blank ballot.

Former Mayor Doug Watson said he understands why it might be hard to attract a candidate, as the position can be time consuming and the only compensation is a yearly stipend of about $5,000.

Officials said the election will be decided by write-in votes. John Taylor, who ran against Minicozzi in 2022, said he would be willing to serve if he gains enough write-in votes.

"[If] some guy comes up there with 50 of his friends, he's your mayor," Watson told NBC New York. "If 100 people get one write in each it's a tie. So it's a strange situation."

Viral 'Donald Trump' buffalo spared from Eid sacrifice in Bangladesh
A home minister ordered the rare albino buffalo be spared after generating significant online interest.
A viral buffalo nicknamed "Donald Trump" for its blond tuft has been spared from Eid al-Adha sacrifice after a last-minute government intervention.

The rare albino, weighing nearly 700kg, had already been sold to a ritual slaughter.
But a Home Ministry official said on Wednesday that authorities had stepped in, citing safety concerns, following a surge of public interest ahead of Thursday's festival.

Home minister Salahuddin Ahmed ordered the buffalo be spared and the buyer refunded.
The animal was then moved to the national zoo in Dhaka.

A ministry official said: "At ⁠the last moment, the ⁠decision was taken to spare the buffalo from sacrifice due to security ‌concerns and the unusual level of public interest."

Videos of the buffalo were widely shared online and crowds began to gather at the farm, with visitors travelling long distances to see its blond fringe and calm demeanour.
Farm owner Ziauddin Mridha said the name came from his younger brother who spotted an apparent resemblance to the US President.

Mr Mridha added that the animal is unusually gentle and needs careful upkeep, including frequent feeding and regular baths.

In Bangladesh, albino buffaloes are rare and most cattle in the country are dark, making this one a standout during the Eid livestock season.

Orphaned long-tailed weasel returned to the wild in California
June 3 (UPI) — The San Diego Humane Society's Project Wildlife program announced an orphaned long-tailed weasel has successfully been rehabilitated and returned to the wild.

Officials said the weasel was found as a newborn in Riverside County on March 20 and was taken to the Humane Society's Bahde Wildlife Center.

The weasel, the youngest ever admitted to the organization's care, was in critical condition and required round-the-clock care.

"That included daily medication for ringworm, which was tricky as the caregivers worked hard to not habituate her to humans. After 10 days of intensive monitoring, she reached a major milestone when her eyes finally opened," the Humane Society said in a news release.

The weasel was transferred to the Ramona Wildlife Center, where she was placed in a habitat to help her develop the required survival skills for her species.

The animal spent about 70 days at the center before being released back into the wild in the Ramona area.

"Caring for a mammal this young and this rare requires precision and expertise," said Alexis Wohl, wildlife veterinary manager at San Diego Humane Society. "Because we so rarely see this species, every milestone — from the first time she successfully ate on her own to opening her eyes — is a major victory for our team and local biodiversity."

World's largest blanket fort constructed in Las Vegas

A blanket fort designed by Nevada high school students officially broke a Guinness World Record when it was confirmed to cover an area of 14,103 square feet.

Clark County announced the fort, designed by students from West Career & Technical Academy, was constructed at the Desert Breeze Community Center with help from local volunteers and sponsors including Las Vegas Grand Prix, Atlas Crane, Foster Kinship and Leverage LV.

"This project was about much more than breaking a world record," Clark County Commissioner Justin Jones said in a news release. "It was about bringing the community together, creating unforgettable memories for foster and kinship families, and raising awareness for the needs of children and caregivers in foster care."

An official Guinness World Records adjudicator was on hand to confirm the structure was large enough to break the record for the largest blanket fort at 14,103 square feet. The previous record, set in South Carolina in 2024, stood at 12,291 square feet.

Guinness World Records rules required there to be no gaps in the fort larger than 1 inch, the sheets all had to touch the ground and the inside had to be spacious enough for a person to comfortably sit.

Police use tarp to catch bear falling from tree in Arizona

An Arizona police department shared video of officers and wildlife officials using a tarp to catch a tranquilized bear as it fell out of a tree.

The Sahuarita Police Department said officers were called to a location in Rancho Sahuarita where a wandering bear had climbed up a tree.

Arizona Game and Fish personnel shot the bear with a tranquilizer.

The video shows officers and wildlife personnel using a tarp to catch the bear as it fell asleep and plunged from the tree.

Police said the bear was relocated.

World's largest game of human foosball played in Ontario

The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. celebrated the upcoming FIFA World Cup by organizing the world's largest game of human foosball.

The May 23 event at Humber Polytechnic Lakeshore Campus West in Etobicoke involved 254 participants holding onto giant horizontal poles and attempting to kick a soccer ball into an oversized goal.

"Soccer is about teamwork, energy and shared experience, and a human foosball Guinness World Records attempt brings those elements to life in a fun and unforgettable way," Neil Lumsden, Ontario's minister of sport, told Guinness World Records.

The record-keeping organization confirmed the event qualified as the world's largest game of human foosball.

Idaho man keeps 5 balloons in the air for over a minute

An Idaho man kept five balloons in the air for over a minute by himself to break a world record he described as more difficult than juggling.

David Rush, who holds the most concurrent Guinness World Records titles, took on the record for the longest duration to keep five balloons in the air after previously setting the team of two version of the record at 16 minutes and 25 seconds.

Rush said he found keeping balloons up to be more complicated than standard juggling.

"Unlike juggling balls, which follow predictable trajectories, balloons are chaotic. They drift, they collide, and they move behind you in ways that make tracking all five at once nearly impossible," he wrote online.

Rush said it took him 17 attempts at the West Boise YMCA to reach Guinness World Records' goal of 1 minute. He ended up taking the record with a time of 1 minute and 14.89 seconds.

"It was a relief to finally secure the title, but this experience served as a great reminder: sometimes the simplest-looking tasks are the ones that push you the furthest. Whether it's balancing chainsaws or keeping party balloons off the ground, the goal is always to find the rhythm in the chaos," he said.

Teen assembles Mr. Potato Head in record-breaking 4.63 seconds

A Singapore teenager parlayed his speedy Rubik's cube solving skills into breaking the Guinness World Record for the fastest time to assemble Mr. Potato Head.

Speedcuber Calen Seah said he spent about a year practicing with the toy before taking on the record in January and successfully beating it with a time of 4.63 seconds.

"I used to watch Guinness World Records videos as a child, even before I began speedcubing on YouTube and I always imagined what it would be like to actually be able to get a world record for myself," Seah told Guinness World Records.

Seah, now 16, was only 15 at the time of his attempt.

"My practice was pretty on and off and there was actually a long period of time where I simply did not practice," he said. "I returned to it in the middle of 2025 and got the record at home a few times before I decided to really attempt the world record. Although my first try was disqualified, I tried again in early 2026 and finally managed to successfully break the world record in an official setting."

The previous record, 4.75 seconds, was set by Malaysian Lim Kai Yi in July 2024.

Stray cat adopts baby bunny on Oklahoma family's porch

A pregnant cat who showed up on an Oklahoma family's porch had one more surprise in store when she gave birth to five kittens — and adopted a baby bunny.

Kathy Price said the pregnant cat showed up on her porch in Vian about two months ago.

"I opened the door to bring her some cat food, and she ran into the house," Price told KFSM-TV.

The family, who have a long history of taking in stray cats, found the new arrival to be a friendly and welcome addition.

"She was incredibly tame and had been someone's house cat, and we were concerned about her because she lost her family, they lost her, and she needed somebody to take care of her," Price said.

The cat gave birth to five kittens on Memorial Day, and a few days later Price and her husband noticed something unusual about the family.

"We were checking on the kittens, and my husband said, 'How many kittens did she have?' and I said, 'Five.' He said, 'There's six in here,' and I looked and said, 'That's a bunny,'" Price said.

The mother cat appeared to have accepted the baby rabbit as one of her kittens. Price did some research online and discovered that mother cats have been known to adopt and nurse orphaned kittens, puppies and even rats.

"I said, 'Thank god it wasn't a rat,'" Price said.

Price's daughter, Christy Moreno, joked her mother is living "her best Disney princess life."

Price said she is hoping to find a new forever home for the unconventional family. She said she has become attached to the animals, but is concerned about the safety of young kittens so close to a busy highway.

Half-red, half-yellow chimera apple draws crowds at New Zealand store

Curious visitors are flocking to a New Zealand produce store to catch a glimpse of a rare chimera apple that is half red and half yellow.

The apple, with colors split almost perfectly down the middle, was found in a mid-May delivery of Red Braeburn apples at the Sunshine Corner Market in the Christchurch suburb of Mairehau.

Chimera apples, believed to occur in less than one in a million fruits, result from a genetic mutation that causes the apple to form from cells from two different genetic backgrounds.

The store's owner, Heather, said the apple has become something of a local celebrity.

"People have gone home, told their other half, and they haven't believed them, so they've come back with them," she told the New Zealand Herald. "Lots of people are really excited and have taken photos of it — it's just captured people's imagination."

Heather said the bi-colored apple is the first of its kind that she's ever seen.

"We've been in the game a long time, never seen one like it," she said.

New Zealand tourist attraction closed due to unsanctioned poop

A popular tourist attraction in a New Zealand town has been temporarily closed by officials after multiple incidents involving human feces.

The Masterton District Council said on social media that the Fernery, a building that houses more than 60 varieties of fern at Queen Elizabeth Park in Masterton, had to be closed for cleaning Wednesday due to the presence of poop.

"We've had several incidents recently of people defecating in the Fernery. This is a public health hazard and our teams are in the process of cleaning it up, aiming to have it reopened tomorrow (Thursday)," the post said.

"This behavior is entirely unacceptable. There are several bathrooms within easy walking distance of the Fernery," officials wrote.

A council spokesperson said defecating in a public place is criminalized under the Summary Offenses Act 1981. They said police will be contacted if the issue recurs again.

"This kind of behavior is completely unacceptable — and disrespectful to other park users. It is thankfully rare. There are excellent public toilets literally two minutes from the Fernery in Queen Elizabeth Park, and regularly-praised toilets a few minutes away in the [Central Business District]," the spokesperson told 1News.

The Fernery was built in 1924 by the Masterton Beautifying Society.

Marilyn Monroe impersonators break world record in California

A California city celebrated Marilyn Monroe's 100th birthday by gathering 1,037 people dressed as the Hollywood star to break a Guinness World Record.

The Monroe impersonators donned the star's iconic dress from the 1955 film The Seven Year Itch in Downtown Palm Springs on May 30 to break the record for the largest gathering of people dressed as Marilyn Monroe.

The previous record of 254 Marilyns was set by the Marilyn Jetty Swim Team in Australia in 2020.

The Mayilyn 100 event served as a fundraiser for Palm Springs Pride and helped to keep the city's Pride Festival free for all attendees.

"Residents and visitors shared in an unforgettable, historic day for Palm Springs," Ron deHarte, president of Palm Springs Pride, told Guinness World Records. "Marilyn Monroe was far more than Hollywood glamour; she was a courageous ally who stood for authenticity and marginalized communities when it mattered most."

Idaho man juggles flaming torches for over 6 minutes

The Idaho man who holds the most concurrent Guinness World Records titles put his focus to the test by juggling three flaming torches for 6 minutes and 25.49 seconds.

David Rush, who holds multiple records in juggling categories, attempted the Guinness World Record for the longest duration juggling three flaming torches at the end of his son's soccer practice at Hobble Creek Park in Boise.

Rush ended up taking the title with a time of 6 minutes and 25.49 seconds, besting the previous record of 5 minutes and 2.31 seconds.

However, Guinness World Records took so long to review Rush's May 12, 2025, attempt that his record has already been beaten by Ohio man Arnav Rathi, who juggled his torches for 7 minutes and 20.77 seconds.

"I guess I'll have to take it back soon," Rush wrote online.

Goat jumps onto roof of SUV, escapes sheriff's deputies in Ohio

Sheriff's deputies in Ohio were called to a residence to round up a herd of eight loose goats — but one of the animals jumped onto the roof of an SUV and subsequently escaped.

The Butler County Sheriff's Office said in a Facebook post that deputies were called to a home on Oxford Middletown Road where seven adult goats and one juvenile goat were found trespassing in the back yard.

"The homeowners confirmed the goats did not belong there, and deputies contacted the rightful owners," the post said. "Despite extensive negotiations involving snacks and coaxing, the goats were reluctant to leave their newly claimed residence."

The deputies were eventually able to round up seven of the goats and return them home.

"However, one particularly stubborn suspect escaped custody, jumped off the roof of an SUV and fled into a nearby wooded area," the sheriff's office said.

The white male goat with brown markings on the right side of his face was described as "short, extremely stubborn and highly mischievous."

Anyone who spots the fugitive goat is being asked to contact the sheriff's office.

"He is not considered dangerous, but he may be armed with an attitude," officials wrote.

Three warthog piglets born at zoo in Spain

A zoo in Valencia, Spain, announced the recent births of three warthog piglets that can now be seen by the public in the facility's Savannah habitat.

BIOPARC Valencia said the male piglets spent their first few days of life in the zoo's indoor area with their mother and the animal technical team, and they are now spending time in the outdoor exhibit with the rest of their family group.

The family also includes the piglets' parents and their previous offspring, two 1-year-old females.

"Warthog piglets are born with very little hair and require additional attention to ensure their wellbeing," the zoo said in a news release. "For this reason, they return to the indoor shelter around midday. As their development is progressing very positively, it is expected that they will soon spend the entire day in the outdoor habitat, which has been specifically designed to encourage their natural behaviors and support their healthy growth."

World's largest soccer ball on display in Massachusetts

The Massachusetts Port Authority officially broke a Guinness World Record by creating a soccer ball measuring 47.9 feet in diameter.

The soccer ball, installed in Piers Park II in East Boston, was approved by Guinness World Records and officially took the title of the world's largest soccer ball from a 39.98-foot ball created in Qatar in 2013.

The ball, created by Britten, Inc. and Creative Inflatables in Ohio, celebrates the FIFA World Cup games that will be played at Boston Stadium in Foxborough in June and July.

The massive soccer ball will be on display to the public until June 18. Massport officials said the materials used to create the ball will be recycled.

German man assembles world's largest Lego sausage

A German man assembled 65,000 Lego bricks into the shape of a bratwurst and bun to break the Guinness World Record for the largest Lego brick sausage.

Tommy Schmidt, 45, said the idea for the unusual project came from sausage producer Die Thüringer.

"I have always enjoyed taking on unusual challenges. When the meat and sausage producer Die Thüringer from my region approached me with the idea of building something out of LEGO, we started developing the concept together. It quickly became clear to us that it had to be something big," he told the record-keeping organization.

He said the record attempt paid tribute to his home region.

"In my home region of Thuringia in Germany, the bratwurst is a local specialty that has since become known around the world. Together with the meat and sausage producer Die Thüringer we wanted to create a tribute to the famous bratwurst and to our region," Schmidt said.

Boston bars say Scottish soccer fans are drinking them dry

Scottish soccer fans are being credited with a boom in Boston beer sales that caused some bars in the city to run dry.

Sam Adams' Boston Taproom said the influx of Scottish fans in town to attend FIFA World Cup games caused it to sell four times as much Samuel Adams Boston Lager from Thursday to Sunday as the bar normally would on a four-day weekend.

The tap room ended up running out of Boston Lager, leading the company to schedule an emergency delivery on Saturday morning.

Noelle Somers, chief operating officer at Hennessy's Bar in downtown Boston, said the facility sold out of beer on Sunday.

"We've been here for over 30 years, and we've never seen anything like it," Somers told The Boston Globe. "We tripled St. Patrick's Day."

World's largest and smallest penny farthings unveiled in London

An Australian man teamed up with cyclists in Britain to break the Guinness World Records for the largest and smallest penny farthings.

Dan Bolwell brought his creations to the June 13 City of London Nocturne cycling event, where Neil Laughton, head of the Penny Farthing Club, took the 9-foot, 3-inch bicycle — dubbed "Big Bertha" — for a 330-foot ride.

Laughton, who had to wear stilts just to reach the pedals, successfully completed the ride, making him the new co-holder of the title for the world's largest rideable penny farthing along with Bolwell.

Bolwell earned his second Guinness World Record for the day when Woodward siblings Flo, 7, and Finn, 6, each took a ride on a penny farthing measuring just 2 feet tall. The tiny bike, dubbed "Little Bee," earned the record for the world's smallest rideable penny farthing.

Beavers solve flooding problem at London Underground station

A London Underground station once plagued by constant flooding is now staying dry thanks to some recent arrivals in the neighborhood: beavers.

The Greenford subway station and surrounding streets in the Ealing borough of London used to experience regular flooding during rainstorms, to the point where officials had considered creating an artificial reservoir to alleviate the situation.

Those plans were canceled when local conservationists suggested they inside reintroduce beavers, which went extinct in Britain about 400 years ago due to over-hunting.

The Ealing Beaver Project moved a family of five wild beavers into the 24-acre area known as Paradise Fields in 2023. The animals have since transformed the area into a natural wetland, and the Greenfield station ceased flooding as a result.

"Everything downstream is much more protected from flooding than it was before, all because they want to hold that water back so that they have enough water to swim in and feel safe," Şeniz Mustafa of the Ealing Beaver Project told CBC News.

Aussie town crier's 122.4-decibel yell earns Guinness World Record

An Australian town crier's powerful voice earned him a Guinness World Record when he let out a yell measured at 122.4 decibels.

Joseph McGrail-Bateup, aka Lord Joseph, the official town crier for Canberra and Queanbeyan, told Guinness World Records his pipes have not always been so potent.

"When I was a kid I didn't really have a loud voice, I was very shy, withholding all that stuff until I left school and I joined the theater. It was very clear then that I needed to pipe up, make myself loud," he said. "So, I trained in the theater where you didn't use microphones or anything like that and I got loud and as the years went by, louder."

McGrail-Bateup was appointed town crier in 2017, and started participating in Ancient and Honorable Guild of Australian Town Criers competitions in 2022.

"In the first year I managed to take some places in the event, but in 2024 I took first place away for the loudest cry at 98 dB," he said.

McGrail-Bateup broke the Guinness World Record for the loudest shout by an individual (male) with a reading of 122.4 decibels in May.

"At the beginning of this year I was wondering what I could do that was a little bit different, so not being unfamiliar with Guinness World Records — I am also a former holder for archery — I looked up shouting and here I am, six months later with the record," he said.

"My daughter and I worked together to find the best word to hit the decibels. The previous word was 'quiet' but that wasn't quite loud enough and we ended up settling for the word 'now.'"

Driver Is Stunned As 12 'Scared' Puppies Appear On The Road Ahead

The other day, a Tulsa, Oklahoma, resident was driving down the road when they suddenly spotted some dogs running down the street. The driver couldn’t believe their eyes as more and more scared pups seemed to appear out of nowhere.

They realized that there were not 10, not 11, but 12 dogs on the loose and in danger of getting run over. The person who discovered the terrified babies called Puppy Haven Rescue for help.
“They were … terrified of cars,” Breanne Luiskutty, president of Puppy Haven Rescue, told The Dodo.

Luiskutty noticed that every single one of the dogs was male. That, combined with the sheer number of dogs abandoned together, began to raise some red flags for her.

“Because these are small-breed dogs with poodle mixed in, they are likely from a breeder,” Luiskutty said.
Unfortunately, Puppy Haven Rescue sees animals abandoned by backyard breeders all the time. Once the dogs no longer serve a purpose for the breeders, they’re discarded.

The dogs were all dirty, hungry and disoriented. Puppy Haven Rescue took in 10 of the 12 abandoned pups and distributed them to foster homes.

“The dogs were very scared the first night they went home,” Luiskutty said.

Skateboarder crosses the United States coast-to-coast in 39 days

A skateboarder traveled from California to Florida in just 39 days in an attempt to break his own Guinness World Record.

Chad Caruso made the journey of more than 3,000 miles from Venice Beach, Calif., to Jacksonville, Fla., between May 1 and June 8, averaging 72 miles a day.

Caruso, who chronicled his journey on YouTube, previously skated from Venice Beach to Virginia Beach, Va., in 57 days, 6 hours and 56 minutes in 2023. That trip earned him the Guinness World Records title for the fastest crossing of America on a skateboard.

He said his latest trip was about both breaking his own record and celebrating 10 years of sobriety.

"Skateboarding was the thing that kept me out of trouble. I did it my whole life. I was obsessed with it. Got injured and I ended up quitting," Caruso told Action News Jax. "Brought it back and everything turned out better."

Seattle breaks Guinness World Record with dim sum party

A Seattle neighborhood broke a Guinness World Record by gathering 830 people to eat dim sum together.

The Chinatown International District's summer kickoff block party on Thursday hosted the Guinness World Records attempt for the largest dim sum dinner.

The previous record was set by 764 people at an event hosted by radio station WSFM in Sydney, Australia, in 2019.

Organizers of the Seattle attempt said an estimated 900 people sat down to eat dim sum, but only 830 qualified for the record because some got out of their seats before the official headcount.

Dropped sunglasses lead to man getting trapped in campground toilet

Authorities in California said an attempt to retrieve a pair of dropped sunglasses from a campground toilet led to a man having to be rescued from the sewage tank.

The Fresno County Sheriff's Office said deputies responded Saturday alongside Cal Fire personnel when a man was reported to be trapped in the holding tank of a toilet vault at Camp Edison in Shaver Lake.

"This is a facility with no plumbing, so it essentially operates like a porta potty," the sheriff's office said on social media.

The rescuers learned the man had attempted to reach into the toilet to retrieve a pair of dropped sunglasses and ended up falling in.

"After spending close to 15 minutes in the tank, deputies and firefighters were able to pull the man out to safety. Due to his exposure to urine, fecal matter and chemicals, he was put through a decontamination process," the post said.

Parakeet named Spoodles named world's oldest at 32

A South Carolina family's pet parakeet, Spoodles, was officially named the oldest in the world at the age of 32 years and 86 days old.

Guinness World Records confirmed Charleston resident Amanda Beth's bird is the oldest living parakeet.

"I always joke that he keeps not dying, so I keep feeding him," Beth said.

Beth said Spoodles was 3 years old when her mother gifted him to her in 1997.

She said the parakeet isn't as talkative as he used to be, but still greets each morning with a "pretty bird."

Domino's manager dubbed 'World's Fastest Pizza Maker'

The manager of a Domino's pizzeria in Virginia earned the title of the "World's Fastest Pizza Maker" when he assembled three large pies in 31.22 seconds.

Manassas resident Richard Delcid claimed the top spot at the Domino's World Fastest Pizza Making Competition in Las Vegas, earning $5,000 in prize money, a trophy and a championship belt.

The finalists at the May 13 competition were required to make three large pizzas: one pepperoni, one mushroom and one cheese. Delcid's pizzas passed an inspection examining how well he hand-stretched the dough, spread the sauce and distributed the toppings, earning him the title with a time of 31.22 seconds.

Lemur escapes Netherlands zoo, crosses several roads

A red ruffed lemur escaped from an Amsterdam zoo and crossed several roads and tram tracks before take shelter in a tree.

The lemur escaped Friday afternoon from the Artis Zoo and was spotted about an hour and a half later in a tree along a road a few blocks away.

Officials said the lemur would have had to cross several streets, including one with tram tracks. The animal was reportedly almost struck by a taxi.

"That must have been incredibly stressful," zoo official Maartje de Vries told Het Parool.

The lemur was on a branch about 20 feet over the ground. Officials made the decision to dart the animal with a tranquilizer before attempting to bring it down.

Colorado man opens truck door, finds bear in the passenger seat

A home security camera in Colorado captured the moment a man opened the door of his pickup truck and came face to face with a bear in the passenger seat.

Justin Pickar's Nest camera at his Steamboat Springs home captured video of Andy Kerrigan's bear encounter in front of the house.

The video shows Kerrigan open the passenger door of his truck, revealing a bear inside the vehicle.

Kerrigan, who said the bear apparently climbed in through an open window, ran around to the front of the truck, but the bear did not exit through the open door, instead choosing to continue rooting around inside in an apparent search for food.

The man ended up retrieving a wooden plank and using it to intimidate the bear into vacating the vehicle.