Ned is a perfectly nice snail, but a rare shell means a doomed love life
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — If you have trouble finding dates, spare a thought for Ned, a perfectly nice snail with dire romantic prospects. Only 1 in 40,000 common garden snails have shells that coil to the left like Ned’s, instead of the right. Their shells have to match to mate, which means Ned faces a life of celibacy unless another left-coiled snail is found. A New Zealand woman discovered Ned in her garden in August and began a campaign to find a match, but hasn't found one so far. New Zealand’s strict biosecurity controls rule out long-distance love, though a successful campaign for a British lefty snail a few years ago gives hope for Ned's quest.
'Legend dairy' man carries ice cream and dry ice up Colorado peak as treat for other hikers
DENVER (AP) — Hikers who climbed one of Colorado's tallest mountains got more than a sweeping view at the top. A man in an ice cream costume was handing out frozen treats. No one seemed to know the man who carried the ice cream sandwiches and bars and dry ice up Huron Peak over the Labor Day weekend. But word of him spread quickly to hikers still making their way up the more than 14,000-foot peak. Photos on social media show hikers with broad smiles posing with the man, who was sitting in a camping chair and wearing sunglasses with a fake mustache. Some called him a hero. One called him “legend dairy.”
Welcome to wplace: A chaotic, collaborative digital canvas where users 'paint the world'
NEW YORK (AP) — A new online platform called wplace invites users to “paint the world” on a massive digital canvas. This ever-evolving map allows people to create art using a limited number of pixels over time. Many team up to produce larger and more elaborate images. Users have painted tributes to pop culture and symbols of local identity, as well messages of protest and global conflicts. Experts say this reflects an ongoing desire for collaboration and expression in digital spaces. However wplace also faces challenges with content moderation. Some have raised concerns about hate speech, as well as frustrations about others “griefing” their artwork.
Devotees say Bolivia's lightning-struck 'miracle tree' conjures luck
LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) — A pine tree in Bolivia's capital, La Paz, has become a symbol of hope and devotion after being struck by lightning 10 years ago. Known as the “miracle tree,” it draws pilgrims from across the country to the city's largest cemetery. People bring offerings like coins, flowers, and sweets, hoping the tree will grant their wishes. Some devotees have discovered the tree through social media, while others have long believed in its powers. A study suggests lightning can benefit trees, but local shamans have long seen such events as divine. The tree's allure continues to captivate visitors.
The perfect property listing in England for a buyer with a bunker mentality
LONDON (AP) — A Cold War-era bunker in western England is going up for auction later this month. Built to withstand a nuclear blast, it's one of about 1,500 shelters constructed for the Royal Observer Corps to monitor nuclear attacks. Most of these bunkers now sit empty, occasionally coming up for resale since being decommissioned in the 1990s. Last year, a similar bunker sold for $64,000 in northern England. The bunker, located in the village of Hallen, is described as a unique investment opportunity. It features a single room with basic amenities and is being sold separately from the larger property.
A Nigerian group attempts a 431-hour reading marathon to set a Guinness World Record
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — In Lagos, Nigeria, three men and two women have been reading aloud for over 431 hours to set a Guinness World Record. They're part of a campaign to promote literacy in Africa’s most populous country. The group read 79 books by Nigerian authors, taking turns to keep the marathon going. The current record is held by a group from the Dominican Republic, who read for 365 hours in 2011. The Guinness World Record is yet to confirm the new record. The event, organized by the nonprofit Naija ReadFest, aims to celebrate Nigerian literature, highlight local authors and the need for inclusive education.
Thousands of redheads celebrate their strands at a festival in the Netherlands
TILBURG, Netherlands (AP) — Thousands of redheads from all over the world are gathering in the southern Dutch city of Tilburg for a once-a-year festival to celebrate their flaming locks. The 2025 edition of the Redhead Days festival this weekend includes music, food trucks and workshops tailored to particular needs of redheads, including makeup explainers and skin cancer prevention. The festival continues a two-decade tradition of bringing redheads together to celebrate their unique and vibrant manes.
Tons of overripe tomatoes become projectiles in Spain's ‘Tomatina’ food fight
BUÑOL, Spain (AP) — Thousands of people from around the world seeking a uniquely messy thrill have spent a wild hour flinging bushels of overripe tomatoes at each other. Spain’s “Tomatina” is the mother of all food fights. The celebration Wednesday painted a packed central street bright red in the eastern town of Buñol as revelers hurled 120 tons of the overripe fruit. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the eye-catching event that party lore says began when local children tossed tomatoes in 1945. Since then it has grown from a yearly tradition to an event that draws a significant international crowd.
Little legs, big dreams: More than 100 teams compete in Lithuania's international Corgi race
VILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) — Thousands of people gathered over the weekend in Lithuania's capital Vilnius to watch teams of corgis compete in an international race. Some 120 teams of adorable Welsh corgis, widely known for their association with the British royal family, took part from countries including Poland, Latvia, Germany, Austria and Italy. The events included a solo sprint, a contest for the “mightiest voice,” costume challenges and a group race. A corgi named Amigo, wearing a factory-themed costume complete with two tiny chimneys and “Fur Factory” lettering, was named the proud winner of that contest.
From empty party to an all-night stadium bash, a Mexican teen’s 15th birthday goes viral
AXTLA DE TERRAZAS, Mexico (AP) — Fifteen-year-old Isela Anahí Santiago Morales' coming-of-age party has become a sensation. Initially, her family's modest party in Axtla de Terrazas, Mexico, saw few attendees, but when her father posted on Facebook about leftover food, it sparked unexpected support and transformed her life. A local photographer and DJ offered services, and donations poured in. Two thousand people attended the event, held at the town's stadium. More than a dozen local music groups performed free of charge on two stages. Isela asked for toy donations for vulnerable children instead of gifts, but still received a plot of land and a scholarship.
