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.
Archaeologists unveil skeletal remains believed to be ritual offering in Peru
LIMA, Peru (AP) — Archaeologists in Peru have unveiled skeletal remains near Huaca Pucllana, an ancient pyramid in Lima. They believe the remains are of a man sacrificed in a ritual linked to a ceremonial pool. Gladys Paz, who led the excavation, says the bones will help researchers understand the rituals of the Lima culture. The body was found inside a canal, positioned with the skull facing the pyramid and the Pacific Ocean. The Lima culture thrived between the first and seventh centuries, long before the Inca Empire. Huaca Pucllana was a key ceremonial center and is now a tourist site.
Corgis run, bark and sniff their way to glory at a growing international race
VILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) — It’s not all about short-legged speed when 150 corgis gather for an international race celebrating the little dogs. There’s a costume parade, the “smartest nose,” and — of course — the loudest bark. The fifth Corgi Race Vilnius drew dogs and their owners to the Lithuanian capital’s Vingis park on Saturday for what organizers said was the biggest edition yet. There were competitors from Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Estonia, Germany, Ukraine, the Czech Republic, the United States and Britain — the country most closely associated with the breed, famously a favorite of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
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.
