New Zealand woman arrested after 2-year-old girl found alive in suitcase stowed in bus luggage

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — A New Zealand woman faces a child neglect charge after a bus driver found a 2-year-old girl in a suitcase. Authorities say the incident happened Sunday when the driver noticed movement in the luggage compartment during a stop in Kaiwaka, north of Auckland. A detective reports the child was very hot but otherwise unharmed. The girl was taken to a hospital and remained there Sunday night. The woman, whose name has not been released, was charged with ill-treatment or neglect of a child and was due in court Monday.

Who's the top dog? Wave-riding canines compete in the World Dog Surfing Championships

About 15 to 20 canine wave riders are set to vie for top dog in the World Dog Surfing Championships outside San Francisco this weekend. The annual contest draws thousands of spectators to Pacifica State Beach. Participating pooches compete against similarly sized peers for chance to appear in the finals. Additional heats feature multiple dogs surfing tandem on one board and dogs riding tandem with humans. Judges scrutinize how long dogs remain on boards, how long they can hold their balance and whether they perform any tricks like turn around while riding waves. Winners of Saturday's event will receive medals and bragging rights.

Hot dog spill shuts down highway in Pennsylvania commuters' wurst nightmare

SHREWSBURY, Pa. (AP) — A truckload of hot dogs has spilled across a Pennsylvania highway after a crash, clogging the road toward the end of the morning rush hour. The wreck took place on Interstate 83 a few miles north of the Maryland line Friday. It briefly clogged the heavily traveled artery in both directions. Crews were stuck with a job they didn't relish — rolling up the scattered tube steaks for disposal. State police said the tractor trailer had an unspecified mechanical problem that caused it to push into a passenger vehicle. When the truck scraped along a concrete divider, its trailer was ripped open and the contents scattered. For people had injuries that were not considered life-threatening.

Now playing in movie theaters: 73 minutes of cat videos, for a good cause

The best of the internet’s cat videos are coming to the big screen this weekend. Cat Video Fest is a 73-minute, G-rated selection of all things feline, playing in over 500 independent theaters in the U.S. and Canada. A portion of ticket proceeds benefits local cat-focused charities and shelters. Since 2019, it’s raised over $1 million. The videos are curated by Will Braden, creator of Henri, le Chat Noir. Cat Video Fest is now in its eighth year and has expanded globally. The screenings attract a wide variety of all ages audiences.

Two pubs claim to be London's oldest riverside pub. Which one is right?

LONDON (AP) — Two pubs in London's East End are vying for the title of the city's oldest riverside pub. The Mayflower and the Prospect of Whitby both claim this honor. The Mayflower, named after the Pilgrim Fathers' ship, features historical artifacts and a "Descendants Book" for those linked to the Pilgrims. Across the Thames River, the Prospect of Whitby boasts a long pewter bar and a history tied to the infamous "Execution Dock." Despite the rivalry, both pubs embrace their rich histories to attract visitors. The debate over the title remains unresolved due to historical complexities and lack of official certification.

Radioactive wasp nest found at site where US once made nuclear bombs

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Workers at a South Carolina site that once made nuclear bomb parts have found a radioactive wasp nest. Officials say there's no danger to anyone. Employees checking radiation levels at the Savannah River Site near Aiken found the nest on July 3. It was near tanks storing liquid nuclear waste. The nest had radiation levels 10 times above federal limits. Workers sprayed it with insect killer and disposed of it as radioactive waste. No wasps were found. Officials say the nest was likely contaminated from residual radioactivity. Watchdog group Savannah River Site Watch criticized the report for lacking details on the contamination source.

Thousands watch Chincoteague wild ponies complete 100th annual swim in Virginia

CHINCOTEAGUE, Va. (AP) — Thousands gathered in Virginia to watch the Chincoteague wild ponies make their annual swim across the Assateague Channel in the 100th anniversary of the popular tradition. Foal No. 36 was the champion of the short channel swim on Wednesday and crowned “King Neptune.” That is the title given each year to the first to complete the swim, according to the Chincoteague Fire Department. The horses were made famous in the 1947 classic children’s novel “Misty of Chincoteague” by author Marguerite Henry.

Utility workers in Peru unearth pre-Incan tomb with 1,000-year-old remains

LIMA, Peru (AP) — Utility workers in Peru's capital have discovered two pre-Incan tombs while expanding underground gas networks. One tomb was empty, but the other contained remains about 1,000 years old, along with clay and pumpkin shell vessels. Archaeologist José Aliaga says the vessels' design links them to the pre-Incan Chancay culture. Lima, a city with over 400 archaeological sites, often reveals such finds during construction projects. The company responsible for the gas network has made over 2,200 discoveries in two decades.