Hundreds show up to judge New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani look-alike contest
NEW YORK (AP) — Hundreds of people showed up near New York City's Washington Square Park to judge a Mayor Zohran Mamdani look-alike contest. Nine contestants sought a $100 cash prize in Sunday's contest sponsored by a social media app, Sonder. Mamdani, a democratic socialist who took office in January, has amassed a large following on social media and young fanbase. The winner was Amadeo Fusca, who wore a jersey for the NBA champion New York Knicks jersey underneath a suit. Other contestants wore suits, dress shoes, rings — and had haircuts and facial hair similar to Mamdani's.
Spinning and dipping, Minnesota fairgoers delight in the classic Tilt-A-Whirl ride as it turns 100
FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. (AP) — With screams and giggles, Minnesota fairgoers are taking delight in the magic of the Tilt-A-Whirl ride as it turns 100 years old. The iconic ride and its brightly colored cars debuted at the Minnesota State Fair in 1926, and it has been bringing joy to fairgoers across the country ever since. It was invented by Herbert Sellner, in Faribault, Minnesota — after he attempted to make a water ride that failed. In Minnesota, many fairgoers say the ride is a family tradition.
No pint-sized matter: Thieves steal $70,000 in Pabst beer from California warehouse
MONTCLAIR, Calif. (AP) — Police in Southern California are investigating the theft of more than 30,000 cans of Pabst beer in two separate heists from the same warehouse on the same day. Police in Montclair put the value of the beer at $70,000 in a news release Friday. Both thefts occurred on Aug. 17. Thieves first made off with $45,000 worth of beer headed to Tucson, Arizona. Montclair police say about an hour later, another $25,000 worth of beer was stolen. Investigators are trying to determine whether the thefts were part of a single operation. In a light-hearted post on Instagram, Pabst Blue Ribbon started a countdown for the return of the beer.
The epic La Tomatina food fight drew foreigners to paint a small Spanish town red
BUÑOL, Spain (AP) — Thousands have descended on a small Spanish town for the annual La Tomatina food fight. They are set to pelt each other with up to 165 tons of overripe tomatoes. The messy melee takes place over an hour in Buñol, where buildings are covered with tarps. Held on the last Wednesday of August, La Tomatina began in 1945 and became an international attraction by the 1980s. More than 20,000 people are expected to join this year, with 40% coming from outside Spain. Non-local attendees pay for tickets, and the first rule is to squash tomatoes before throwing them.
A donkey jumps into a van while on the loose, kicking and biting, injuring 3 people in Germany
BERLIN (AP) — A donkey named Freddy in northern Germany has attacked two motorists by jumping into their van. Police said the incident on Friday happened south of Cuxhaven. Freddy and a horse were running loose at a roundabout in Holssel. The motorists tried to secure the donkey. But Freddy became aggressive. A 33-year-old woman who tried to help was hospitalized while the motorists had minor injuries. The animal's owner eventually intervened to secure Freddy. Police said that the reason for the donkey's aggressive behavior remains unclear.
Harvard agrees to $53 million settlement over body parts stolen and sold by former morgue manager
BOSTON (AP) — Harvard University Medical School has agreed to pay $53 million to settle a class action lawsuit over its former morgue manager’s illegal sale of human remains. The school announced this in a letter, calling Cedric Lodge’s actions a betrayal of their values. Lodge was sentenced to eight years in prison last year for selling body parts. His wife and six others were also sentenced. Harvard says Lodge acted without their knowledge. In addition to the settlement, the school plans to improve its Anatomical Gift Program and establish a scholarship to honor donors.
One Army unit is offering 4 bonus days off to play 'Grand Theft Auto' for soldiers who reenlist
SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — One U.S. Army unit is offering troops a reenlistment bonus of four extra days off timed around the November release of the video game “Grand Theft Auto VI.” Commanders of the 9th Brigade Engineer Battalion at Fort Stewart, Georgia, specifically mention the game in a memo to soldiers explaining the reenlistment perk. A Fort Stewart spokesperson confirmed to The Associated Press on Thursday that the bonus is real. The spokesperson said at least 20 soldiers have accepted it so far. The Nov. 19 release of “Grand Theft Auto VI” is expected to be one of the biggest entertainment events of 2026.
Truckload of squid spills into the street in Rhode Island, creating a smelly mess in the summer heat
A tractor-trailer rollover sent a truckload of squid spilling into a Rhode Island roadway, leaving a stench as they sat in the road for hours in the summer heat. Local authorities have dubbed it the “Squidpocalypse of ’26.” A Narragansett police captain said Wednesday that the incident is being investigated and it's unclear if any citations will be issued. Authorities said that the incident occurred on Sunday and the squid sat in the sun for hours. The trailer fully-loaded with squid overturned on its side while the truck was making a turn and blocked all lanes of one road.
How this Massachusetts sanctuary takes in hundreds of guinea pigs from across the US
SALISBURY, Mass. (AP) — Kimie Smothermon runs the Guinea Pig Sanctuary in Salisbury, Massachusetts, caring for nearly 400 guinea pigs. Each day is a mix of chaos and joy as volunteers tend to the animals. Smothermon's operation is one of the few in the U.S. dedicated to abandoned guinea pigs, offering boarding and rehoming services. The sanctuary started after her grandson, Alex, found comfort in guinea pigs following a traumatic accident. Despite a tragic fire in 2019, Smothermon continues the mission, driven by the need to care for these sensitive animals. She says the work is hard but fulfilling.
A Chinese animated film mocked as ‘terrible’ becomes a box-office hit
A Chinese animation with crude visuals has unexpectedly surged at the box office. "Niu Lai," a film about a calf dreaming of his family, initially earned just about 10,000 yuan, or about $1,480, in its first 10 days after its Aug. 5 release. On Monday, its daily box office soared to 8.2 million yuan, or more than $1.2 million, with nearly 300,000 admissions. The film's rudimentary 3D animation has drawn mocking comments online, with some calling it "unbelievably terrible." Despite criticism, some viewers appreciate its simplicity. The film, made by just two people, has become a viral sensation, attracting young audiences intrigued by its oddity.
