Bugs are popular pets in nature-loving Japan, buzzing with lessons about ecology and species

TOKYO (AP) — The pet of choice in Japan, as much as cuddly kitties and playful puppies, is the humble bug. The bug has been a key part of Japanese culture from the Heian era classic “The Tale of Genji” to popular modern-day manga and animation like “Mushishi,” featuring insect-like supernatural creatures. Japanese people appreciate the glitter of fireflies let loose in the garden or the gentle chirping of crickets kept in a little cage. The bug as companion is an essential part of what’s observed, enjoyed and cared for in everyday life, reflecting a deeply rooted celebration of humankind's oneness with nature.

A speeding motorist driving at 199 mph on Germany's Autobahn is fined more than $1,000

BERLIN (AP) — German police say a motorist has been clocked driving at more than 199 mph on the Autobahn west of Berlin. He was traveling at more than 124 mph above the speed limit. The speedster wasn’t identified publicly. He was caught while racing along the A2 highway near Burg on July 28. The Magdeburg police office says he was handed a fine of 900 euros, stripped of two points from his driver’s license and banned from driving for three months. The section of the Autobahn where the record-breaking driver was caught has a limit of 74 mph.

Czech zoo welcomes 4 rare Barbary lion cubs whose population is extinct in the wild

DVUR KRALOVE, Czech Republic (AP) — Four Barbary lion cubs have been born in a Czech zoo. The birth marks a significant boost for the rare species, which is extinct in the wild. The three females and one male were seen playing at Dvůr Králové Safari Park on Wednesday. Soon, the cubs will be sent to other zoos as part of an international program to ensure their survival. Deputy Director Jaroslav Hyjánek says that while reintroducing the Barbary lion into its natural habitat is considered, it remains a distant goal. The Barbary lion once roamed northern Africa but was wiped out due to human activities.

A bird dropped a fish on power lines and sparked a brush fire in Canada, firefighters say

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Firefighters say a brush fire in the Canadian province of British Columbia was caused when a bird dropped a fish on power lines. Ashcroft Fire Rescue say in social media post that the fire happened on Aug. 1 about six kilometers (four miles)  south of the town, sharing photos that include a charred fish on the blackened ground. The post says investigators found the fish that “had been dropped by a local osprey onto hydro lines,” with the resulting embers starting the fire on dry grass below.

Seattle NHL team's mascot has a close encounter with a brown bear during video shoot in Alaska

SEATTLE (AP) — A Seattle Kraken ice hockey player and the team's mascot had a close call with a brown bear during a video shoot in Alaska. The run-in happened during a flyfishing outing in late June near Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park, nearly 300 miles southwest of Anchorage. Video shows the bear charging toward the mascot named Buoy and player John Hayden. But the bear turns away before making contact. The NHL team said there was no intent to involve the bear in filming, but it later posted footage of the encounter on social media. Brown bears commonly feast on salmon in the river.

An Australian artist is painting huge murals on silos in the US Midwest

MINOT, N.D. (AP) — A huge grain elevator and silo in North Dakota are the site of a massive mural by an Australian artist. Guido van Helten has been working on the project in Minot for over a year, and when it's finished, it will be visible across town. He has painted similar murals in the U.S. Midwest as well as in other countries around the world. The artist says that when he creates murals on large, old structures, “it becomes part of the landscape.” The mural will cost about $350,000 and will be covered through donations.

Denmark zoo asks people to donate their small pets as food for captive predators

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — A zoo in Denmark is asking for people to donate small pets as food for its predators. The Aalborg Zoo says it is trying to mimic the natural food chain of the animals housed there and offers assurances the pets will be “gently euthanized” by trained staff. The zoo in northern Denmark explained in a Facebook post that “if you have a healthy animal that needs to be given away for various reasons, feel free to donate it to us.” The zoo points to guinea pigs, rabbits and chickens as possible donations. The online call for pet donations is accompanied by a picture of a wildcat baring its teeth.

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.