Rare footage shows sucker fish as they whale-surf in the ocean's wildest joyride
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Scientists have captured rare footage of remoras, also known as sucker fish, hitching rides on humpback whales off the coast of Australia. The footage shows these fish peeling away just before the whale breaches, then returning to the same spots with precision. Remoras use an adhesive plate on their heads to cling to whales, feeding on dead skin and sea lice. Marine scientist Olaf Meynecke recorded the footage using suction-cup cameras on the whales. The remoras seem to know when to let go, he says. While the fish are harmless, the footage suggests whales might find them annoying.
Wrong-way rover: Dog is rescued from a busy Boston tunnel during rush hour
BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts state police came to the rescue when a dog wandered into a tunnel in Boston and narrowly escaped being hit by traffic. Surveillance video from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation shows the black and white pup heading toward oncoming vehicles in the Ted Williams Tunnel on Thursday morning. With cars and trucks whizzing by, it moves from the middle of the lane to a side wall. A later video shows six state police vehicles parked in a staggered formation and a trooper beckoning to the pup, which runs away from the officer but then hops into the backseat of a cruiser.
All roads in ancient Rome stretched far longer than previously known, study shows
WASHINGTON (AP) — As the saying went, all roads once led to Rome — and scientists now say those roads stretched 50% longer than previously known. A new study combines information from historical records, ancient journals, locations of milestones and other archival data with newly available satellite imagery to map all known roads in the ancient Roman Empire. Researchers say these feats of Roman engineering still shape the geography and economy of the Mediterranean region and beyond. The new dataset and digital map are available online for scholars, history teachers and people with an interest in ancient Roman history. Results were published Thursday in Scientific Data.
Colombian artists transform Pablo Escobar's hippos and excesses into art
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Colombian photographer Édgar Jiménez is showcasing his portrait of two hippos brought to Colombia by Pablo Escobar in the 1980s. Jiménez, who was Escobar’s personal photographer, recalls taking the picture without protection, unaware of the danger. The hippo population has since grown to over 160 and is now considered an invasive species in Colombia. Jiménez’s work is part of a Bogotá exhibition featuring 20 artists critiquing Escobar’s legacy. The exhibit includes paintings, graffiti and even mushrooms grown in hippo dung, highlighting the paradoxes of the late kingpin's influence.
Former jail building draws couples for Halloween weddings in Ohio
DELAWARE, Ohio (AP) — Nine couples got married on Halloween inside a former county jail in central Ohio that was decorated for the holiday. The Delaware County Historical Society has opened the former jail and sheriff's residence to people getting hitched on Friday. Court employees wore costumes and decorated the space with pumpkins and a spider web. Couples were provided with a way to take mugshot-style photos. They capped the number of weddings at 10 but only nine showed up. There’s no word on whether the tenth bride or groom got spooked.
Birders going ‘cuckoo’ after unexpected sighting in New York City area
A bird sighting on New York's Long Island has avian enthusiasts flocking to the region in the hopes of spotting a feathered friend who has never been seen before in the state. The common cuckoo is typically found from Europe to Japan, with the majority of the population wintering in Africa. But one was recently spotted in Riverhead on the north shore of Long Island. Once the bird was confirmed as a common cuckoo, birders quickly shared the news in their online communities. The bird has since been spotted more than 200 times. It’s not clear how or why the bird ended up there.
A solid gold toilet is up for auction with a $10 million starting price
LONDON (AP) — Sotheby’s has announced it will auction a solid gold toilet, a sculpture by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan called “America.” The auction is set for Nov. 18 in New York. The starting price will be based on the value of the gold's weight, currently about $10 million. Cattelan, known for provocative art, created “America” as a satire on excessive wealth. The piece gained fame after a similar version was stolen from England’s Blenheim Palace in 2019. The toilet will be on display at Sotheby’s New York headquarters from Nov. 8, but visitors won’t be able to use it.
The long and unexpected afterlife of the Timothée Chalamet look-alike contest
NEW YORK (AP) — In the year since the viral Timothée Chalamet look-alike contest, a group of contestants have found opportunity and community. Winner Miles Mitchell attended the Golden Globes and appeared on “The Drew Barrymore Show.” Mitchell and Zander Dueve have modeled for a hair care company. A photo book, “Call Me Timothée," features polaroids of the lookalikes from the Washington Square Park contest. Dubbed the “Brothers Chalamet," the group has become a sort of support network as members pursue comedy and acting. Their shared experiences have turned a park gathering into friendships and unexpected career boosts.
Vermont town draws 'Beetlejuice' fans to iconic horror movie site
EAST CORINTH, Vt. (AP) — A tiny town in Vermont has attracted “Beetlejuice” fans eager to visit the film’s iconic locations for nearly 40 years. East Corinth, with its population of 1,500, has become a hot spot for spooky-themed road trips. The original “Beetlejuice,” released in 1988, was set in a fictional Connecticut town but filmed in East Corinth. Director Tim Burton chose the town for its unique charm. Resident Sarah Polli recalls the excitement and surprise when the film came out. Burton returned to film the sequel, drawing even more tourists. Fans from around the world visit, and a walking tour highlights the movie’s filming locations.
Years after Argentina shut a notorious zoo, the stranded animals are finally being rescued
LUJAN, Argentina (AP) — Lions, tigers and bears that managed to survive in substandard conditions at a now-shuttered zoo on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, Argentina, paced weakly in their claustrophobic cages on Thursday, waiting their turn to receive urgent veterinary care for the first time in years. The 62 big cats and two brown bears were being evaluated and treated before their eventual transfer to animal sanctuaries around the world. Argentine authorities in 2020 shut down the Lujan Zoo — famous for letting visitors handle and pose for pictures with tigers and lions — over mounting safety concerns. After striking an agreement with Argentina’s government, Four Paws took over responsibility for the surviving wild animals in Lujan last month.
