Yoda is world's ugliest dog

A 14-year-old Chinese Crested and Chihuahua mix, Yoda greets fans following her victory at the 2011 World's Ugliest Dog Contest on June 24, 2011, in California.

PETALUMA, CALIFORNIA // Yoda's short tufts of hair, protruding tongue, and long, seemingly hairless legs were enough to earn it the World's Ugliest Dog title at a Northern California fair.

The 14-year-old Chinese crested and Chihuahua mix won the honour at the annual contest at the Sonoma Marin Fair.

Owner Terry Schumacher of Hanford, California, says the 2lb (900-gram) dog has come a long way since she was found abandoned behind an apartment building. Ms Schumacher says she first thought the pooch was a rat.

Yoda's distinction comes a year after a one-eyed Chihuahua named Princess Abby claimed victory. A pedigree Chinese crested won in 2008 and another Chinese crested and Chihuahua mix was the ugliest in 2007.

Third surgery for famed penguin

WELLINGTON // A young emperor penguin stranded in New Zealand has survived two medical procedures and now has an offer of a lift home. Yet the aquatic bird is not out of danger yet.

The penguin remained on an intravenous drip yesterday and faces another procedure on Monday to remove more sand from its digestive system. If it does pull through, a businessman wants to take it by boat to Antarctica next February. It is the first time an emperor penguin has been spotted in the wild in New Zealand.