Hiker's dog lost in a wild New Zealand forest rescued by helicopter after strangers fund search
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — A lost border collie has been rescued alive after her owner fell from a tall waterfall in New Zealand bush. Rescuers airlifted the dog named Molly from a rocky spot near the falls on Tuesday. A helicopter crew rescued the injured hiker a week earlier but had to leave without the dog. Pilot Matt Newton kept searching after he spoke with the owner in hospital. Strangers donated more than 11,000 New Zealand dollars for more flight time and thermal gear. Newton spotted Molly on thermal imaging within an hour of the renewed search. Molly was soon reunited with her owner.
A South African politician goes snorkeling in a giant pothole to highlight city management failures
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — A veteran South African politician is campaigning for mayor of Johannesburg by snorkeling in a giant, water-filled trench. Helen Zille posted video of herself in a wetsuit and snorkel gear, paddling through muddy water in an upscale suburb. Zille says a burst water pipe has sat unfixed for about three years. She says the stunt highlights years of city mismanagement. Johannesburg is known for private wealth but struggles with failing services. Many residents face water and power cuts. They're also dealing with broken pipes and damaged roads. The current mayor of Johannesburg says the hole has now been fixed.
Clowns take to the streets of Bolivia to protest decree that could crush their livelihoods
LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) — Clowns in Bolivia are protesting a new school mandate that cuts off the events where they earn a living. On Monday, dozens of clowns marched to the Education Ministry in La Paz, wearing face paint and their signature red noses. The government decree, published in February, requires 200 lesson days, effectively blocking clown shows during regular school days. Officials say they will consider changes for the 2027 school year. Tailors and photographers joined the protest, with many warning Bolivia’s economic crisis makes lost income even harder.
Chesney the kangaroo scales tall fence and flees petting zoo for three days on the lam
Chesney the kangaroo jumped an eight-foot fence to escape his petting zoo in Wisconsin, spending three days on the lam. The young marsupial was spooked by stray dogs and went on the run last week. Sleepless nights followed for his keeper, Debbie Marland, before Chesney quietly approached a group of searchers Saturday and was back home. Chesney and his kangaroo mate Kenny are among 25 animals — including alpacas, highland cows and a camel — at Sunshine Farm, a petting zoo in Necedah, Wisconsin, that's open in the warmer months. Chesney was tired and hungry but appeared healthy when recaptured. Marland says she'll install a mesh top on his enclosure to prevent more high-jumping hijinks.
Longest line at Philly airport? Cheesesteaks, not security
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Travelers passing through Philadelphia International Airport may have expected long security lines, but the longest line was made of cheesesteaks. The airport set a Guinness World Record with 1,291 sandwiches lined up in the walkway between Terminals B and C to mark National Cheesesteak Day. This record far surpasses the previous benchmark of 500. The sandwiches were pieced together assembly-line style before they were distributed to travelers, airport workers and Transportation Security Administration staff. Guinness adjudicator Michael Empric says all food must be consumed or donated. Organizers say the event celebrated the cheesesteak’s long-standing place in Philadelphia’s culinary identity.
People 'bathe' in nature to get respite from chaotic news cycle
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — It might seem impossible to get away from the constant barrage of news these days. But at an urban North Carolina arboretum, people are “bathing” in nature to wash away the stress. The Sunday morning session at the JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh was led by certified forest therapy guide Shawn Ramsey. Jingling a tiny brass bell, she called her dozen or so charges to gather for meditation, breathing exercises and to commune with nature. Based on the Japanese wellness practice of Shinrin-yoku, Ramsey noted that the activity has been known to reduce stress, improve mood, lower blood pressure and boost the immune system.
A real possum appears among plush toy animals in Australian airport gift shop
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — On shelves crammed with cuddly toy native animals in an Australian airport gift shop, one fluffy possum stood out because its brown eyes were moving. A browsing passenger first spotted an actual living Australian brushtail possum peering out from among the kangaroos on the display shelf at the terminal shop at Hobart Airport in Tasmania state on Wednesday. Airport retail manager Liam Bloomfield said on Thursday how the possum got into the store and how long it spent there are unknown. Airport staff were able to remove the possum from the airport unharmed.
This new bird ER offers hope for injured wildlife
WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Warsaw Zoo has created a new emergency drop-off system that gets injured birds treated fast. When a Warsaw resident brings in a wounded bird and places it in a metal box at the zoo entrance, nearby vets get a signal. Staff rush the bird into the hospital, make a diagnosis and start treatment. The zoo’s bird hospital has operated since 1998 and treats about 9,000 birds a year. The zoo says many injuries come from human-made hazards and climate change.
'This is not a jersey': New Belgium World Cup away shirt pays tribute to surrealist René Magritte
BRUSSELS (AP) — Belgium has unveiled a new men’s away soccer jersey that celebrates René Magritte and the country’s surrealist roots. The Belgian federation has revealed a light blue shirt with pink patterns and black details. It includes soccer-style designs like pitch lines and a ball. The collar carries a Magritte-style twist. It reads, “This is not a jersey.” That nods to his famous painting about images and reality. Belgium often uses tournament kits to highlight national culture. At the 2024 European Championship, the team honored Tintin’s creator, Hergé. Belgium debuts the new shirt on March 28 against the United States in Atlanta.
Ronnie O'Sullivan makes snooker history with a highest-ever break of 153
Snooker great Ronnie O’Sullivan has made the highest-ever break in the professional game. The 50-year-old, seven-time world champion cleared the table for a break of 153 in the first frame of his 5-0 win over Ryan Day at the World Open in China. The previous biggest break in competition was 148. That was made by Jamie Burnett in qualifying for the UK Championship in 2004. The classic “maximum” break in snooker is 147 through 15 reds, 15 blacks and all the colors. But a player can score more if he starts it with a free ball, which is what happened with O'Sullivan. O’Sullivan is widely regarded as the greatest-ever snooker player.
