World's oldest known tortoise still very much alive despite rumor to the contrary
LONDON (AP) — Reports of the death of Jonathan, the world’s oldest living land animal, have been greatly exaggerated. Jonathan, a 193-year-old Seychelles giant tortoise, is still alive on the island of St. Helena. News of his alleged passing spread rapidly on social media on April Fools' Day. An account, falsely claiming to be by a veterinarian, announced the tortoise's death and gathered nearly 2 million views. The real veterinarian later clarified it was a hoax aimed at soliciting crypto donations. Jonathan is listed by Guinness World Records as the oldest living land animal.
Danish warship sunk by Nelson's British fleet discovered after 225 years
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Marine archaeologists have found the wreck of a Danish warship that sank in the 1801 Battle of Copenhagen. Denmark’s Viking Ship Museum has said divers are racing to excavate it before construction starts nearby. The wreck of the Danish flagship Dannebroge lies 15 meters down in thick sediment with near zero visibility. The ship took heavy fire from British Adm. Horatio Nelson’s fleet and later exploded. Divers have recovered cannons and personal items like uniforms, shoes and bottles. They also found part of a sailor’s jaw. Researchers hope the wreck will reveal what sailors endured.
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.
Saharan dust storm turns Greek sky red as winds and flooding leave 1 person dead
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — A late winter rainstorm that lashed southern Greece over the last 24 hours turned the sky a surreal red, felled trees and resulted in the death of one man. Greek media reported Thursday the 55-year-old victim became trapped under a car as he was swept by surging waters in the town of Nea Makri, some 25 kilometers (16 miles) northeast of the Greek capital Athens. A Fire Department official said fire engines responded to some 500 calls for help including rescuing dozens of people trapped by floodwaters. There were apocalyptic scenes over Crete where the storm that lashed the island with gale-force winds combined with a Saharan dust storm.
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.
