Lions and tigers begin a long-awaited rescue from a notorious Argentine zoo
LUJAN, Argentina (AP) — Thirty lions and tigers from a closed Argentine zoo are starting a new life at wildlife sanctuaries in South Africa and the United States. The animals were rescued from the former Luján Zoo, northwest of Buenos Aires, after years of uncertainty. Four Paws, an international animal-welfare group, is overseeing the transfer, calling it one of the largest relocations of captive big cats. The animals will live in expansive enclosures at the sanctuaries. The journey involves flights through Chile and Johannesburg. Some cats needed sedation for transport on Friday. The zoo was shut down in 2020 over safety and welfare concerns.
High school football player in Arkansas practices with a venomous snake in his helmet
MAUMELLE, Ark. (AP) — A high school football player in Arkansas had every right to be rattled after finding a venomous snake inside his helmet during practice. The Maumelle High student felt unusual movement inside his headgear following warmups last week and brought his helmet to an assistant coach for inspection. A slithering 2-foot cottonmouth was discovered behind some padding. The pit viper was so reluctant to exit the helmet that animal control officers had to submerge the helmet in water and forced the snake out, grabbing it with tongs. Officers identified the snake as a deadly cottonmouth. It was released in a wooded area.
A 3-story Hoosier cabinet in Indiana celebrates an American kitchen icon
NAPPANEE, Ind. (AP) — A giant replica of a kitchen cabinet has been unveiled outdoors in a northern Indiana town. The colossal cabinet measuring 30 feet tall opened to the public last month in Nappanee, Indiana. It was built as part of the 150th anniversary celebration of a company that made Hoosier cabinets more than a century ago. The Hoosier cabinet is a freestanding kitchen workstation and storage area that centralized and sped up food preparation. Hoosier cabinets were popular from the 1890s through the 1930s. Their popularity waned after World War II as built-in, wall-to-wall cabinetry became the norm in new home construction.
Nero’s Bridge emerges from Tiber River as Rome faces water crisis
ROME (AP) — Rome’s ancient Nero’s Bridge has reemerged from the Tiber River as exceptionally low water levels expose parts of the historic structure near St. Peter’s Basilica. Weeks of little to no rain have caused the Tiber’s flow to fall below 80 cubic meters per second, according to Rome’s civil protection service. Archaeologists say the bridge, traditionally associated with Emperor Nero, may actually predate his reign and have been built under his uncle, Emperor Caligula. The discovery comes as Rome faces a water crisis after prolonged dry periods followed relatively abundant winter rainfall.
Mini-Mozart heist blights anniversary tribute as thieves make off with 210 statuettes
SALZBURG, Austria (AP) — More than 200 gold statuettes of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart have disappeared from Salzburg, officials said Wednesday. The Mozarteum Foundation unveiled 320 statuettes on July 15 to honor Mozart's 270th birthday. Designed by German artist Ottmar Hörl, the figures show Mozart with his dog. Within two weeks, over 80 statuettes vanished, and by Wednesday, 210 were missing. Hörl suspects organized theft rather than random acts. The artist intended to sell the statues after the exhibition. The Mozart exhibition, now with fewer statuettes, is scheduled to remain on display until August 30. Hörl has experienced similar thefts before.
Ultrarare Nintendo Mario game cartridges discovered in Wisconsin
A set of unique, extremely rare Super Mario cartridges was found in a gaming store in Waukesha, Wisconsin, and will be auctioned off starting Friday. Jason Ganos with Nintendo Wire said he discovered the products after they had been hidden away in a storage unit for decades, and while he is not sure how much the games are worth, the ultrarare find is truly a life-changing discovery. Ganos stumbled upon the cartridges because of his lifelong passion for collecting video games. For as long as he can remember, Nintendo has been a massive part of his life, Ganos said. He has operated Nintendo Wire, a news service for Nintendo announcements, for over 10 years.
Count Binface, the man in a can with a plan, seeks Parliament seat in Britain's wackiest election
LONDON (AP) — Count Binface, an intergalactic comedic candidate with a garbage can on his head, is at the center of the U.K.'s political universe. Known for running against prime ministers, Binface is facing a special election against Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. The election has been denounced as a farce after Farage resigned from Parliament amid scrutiny of a big financial gift only to announce he would run in the election to fill his seat. Despite a field of 34 candidates, Binface has stolen the show with his humorous platform and hot takes on hand dryers and capping croissant prices. The man under the can is comedian Jon Harvey, who does not break character.
Driver who broke the sound barrier attempts another land speed record in Utah
WENDOVER, Utah (AP) — The first and only person to break the sound barrier in a car has his eye on another speed record. British driver Andy Green set the land speed record for a diesel-powered car 20 years ago at Utah’s famous Bonneville Salt Flats. Green returns to the lunarlike landscape Tuesday to try to beat that 350.092 mph mark, this time with a hydrogen-powered car. The retired Royal Air Force fighter pilot aims to showcase the power of hydrogen as a clean-energy alternative. But hydrogen power is only as clean as its source, and the vast majority is currently produced from fossil fuels.
Plan to limit 'vertical drinking' decried by pub landlords and UK politicians
LONDON (AP) — A proposal by one local government council to limit "vertical drinking" in London has sparked controversy. The council aims to reduce noise and disorder in central London's bustling West End by encouraging more table service in pubs and restaurants. Critics, including Prime Minister Andy Burnham and London Mayor Sadiq Khan, argue that standing with a pint is a cherished part of British culture. Lesley Lewis, a pub owner in Soho, says discouraging this tradition could drive customers away. The council insists the draft policy is about safety and does not aim to bar anyone from standing and drinking. The policy remains open for public comment.
