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.
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 police officers had to pour water into it to force the snake out and into a bag. Animal services technicians arrived a few minutes later and took it to a wooded area far from the school.
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.
Why celebrities from Zendaya to Kylie Jenner are wearing Fecal Matter
Zendaya, Kylie Jenner and Demi Moore have all walked the red carpet in Fecal Matter. That's the English translation of Matières Fécales, the fashion brand that has had a pivotal year. Their avant-garde designs and theatrical runway shows have made them the talk of the fashion world with a dark and edgy take on ball gowns. Take Zendaya's angelic look at the New York premiere of “The Odyssey” or model Gabbriette Bechtel's wedding dress. The design duo Steven Raj Bhaskaran and Hannah Rose Dalton are set to unveil their latest collection at Paris Fashion Week in September.
Rubber ducks by the thousands splash into Chicago River for annual Special Olympics fundraiser
CHICAGO (AP) — A deluge of 90,000 rubber ducks poured out of a truck and into the Chicago River. They they bobbed along a stretch of the skyscraper-lined river in the annual Chicago Ducky Derby that raises thousands of dollars for charity. The truck dumped the ducks Thursday from one side of a half-raised bridge. After forming a yellow pool in the river, the ducks floated for around 15 minutes before a winner and runner-up were plucked from the water. The annual event, a fundraiser for Special Olympics Illinois, draws thousands of participants. The winning duck was picked by Becky Cavanagh, the Ducky Derby ambassador and a 13-year Special Olympics athlete.
Wildfire near Athens leaves rescuers scrambling to reunite hundreds of animals
MEGARA, Greece (AP) — A wildfire that swept across mountains and coastal areas west of Athens has left hundreds of animals displaced. Volunteers rescued more than 280 pets and wildlife during days of extreme heat and shifting winds. Animal welfare advocates say increasingly severe wildfires across Europe are exposing a lack of resources to protect animals. One organization is calling for a dedicated European Union rescue service and measures such as “fire refuges.” Rescuers in Greece are now working with authorities to reunite animals with owners and arrange temporary shelter.
Capybaras keep their chill while crashing Brazilian legislature
CUIABA, Brazil (AP) — Capybaras have been making surprise visits to a Brazilian state legislature. These chill rodents strolled into the legislative building in Cuiaba, Mato Grosso, last week, catching lawmakers off guard. The building is next to a park filled with wildlife. Staffer Nayara Bueno filmed the capybaras on July 30 and tried to guide them back to the park. Bueno said they show up often, so people have gotten used to them. Capybaras are popular online for their calm demeanor and social nature. Their visit caused no damage to the legislature.
