Self-service pet vending machines spark outrage in China

Photos and videos of unmanned vending machines selling live animals like cats, small dogs and rodents installed in various Chinese cities are going viral and sparking outrage among the general public.

A viral video showed cats sleeping in small compartments barely large enough for them to turn around in, with only a transparent door to distract them from their claustrophobic cages. The vending machine was reportedly advertised as the first in China to sell live pets, but several netizens pointed out that they had seen similar displays in various other Chinese cities.

Woman creates the world’s widest wig

A Nigerian wigmaker added a second Guinness World Record to her resume when she stitched a hairpiece that measures almost 12 feet wide.

Helen Williams previously earned the Guinness World Record for the longest handmade wig at 1,152 feet and 5 inches. Williams spent one month creating her latest masterpiece from more than 800 bundles of hair, and ended up with a wig 11 feet, 11 inches wide — 1 inch wider than a Mini Cooper is long.

“As a professional wigmaker, I look forward to breaking many more records in the wig category. I enjoy taking on difficult tasks, it makes me a better person and I learn new things,” Williams said.

Meet the world’s youngest drone videographer

An Indiana girl’s drone footage earned her the 2023 Best New Drone Pilot Award at the AZDroneFest International Film Festival, and Guinness World Record named her the world’s youngest drone videographer (female) at the age of 8 years and 258 days.

Louisa Royer, a third-grader, brought her drone along on trips to Europe, Japan, Australia and South Korea and her teacher encouraged her to submit her footage to film festivals.

“I asked for a drone as a gift because I love science, and it seemed like a fun way to explore the world from a different viewpoint,” Royer said. “Understanding how to safely fly the drone in different countries and locations was tough,” she said. “You have to be very aware of your surroundings to avoid airports and obstacles like power lines or trees.”

A chocolate-loving bear

A video recorded in the Canyon Crest Drive area in Monrovia shows a bear entering the home through a window and exiting with only one stolen item: a package of Oreos dangling from its mouth.

Neighbour Vina Khoury said the same sweet-toothed bear, now known to residents as Oreo, previously visited her garage to steal chocolate cake from her refrigerator.

“I feel like I can’t leave a window open even with a screen because he took the screen out, so that’s a little alarming for me,” Khoury said.

Published in Dawn, Young World, June 15th, 2024