Why Niger is investigating the $5 million sale of the largest Mars rock found on Earth

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — A 54-pound meteorite from Mars has sold for over $5 million at a New York auction, setting a world record. But officials in Niger, where the meteorite was found, suspect it may have been smuggled out of the West African country. They have launched an investigation into possible "illicit international trafficking." The meteorite was discovered in the Sahara Desert in 2023. Sotheby's auction house claims it followed all international procedures for its sale. Niger's president has since suspended the export of meteorites in an effort to ensure their traceability. But vast desert areas and informal trading networks make that challenging.

3 elves are cycling from the German town of St. Nikolaus to Finland's Santa Claus Village

ST. NIKOLAUS, Germany (AP) — Three postal workers have set off on a nearly 3000-kilometer bicycle journey from St. Nikolaus, Germany, to the small town of Rovaniemi, Finland. The Finnish town is home to Santa Claus Village, a winter-themed amusement park perched on the edge of the Arctic Circle. St. Nikolaus himself, with his long purple cape and a tall golden staff, was on hand Saturday to hand over the letters to the three elves. The town of St. Nikolaus is one of seven places in Germany with a Christmas-themed name, all of which receive letters addressed to Santa Claus or Saint Nick.

$7K worth of Labubu dolls stolen from Los Angeles store, authorities say

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is investigating an incident in which thieves stole about $7,000 worth of Labubu dolls, the agency said. The incident took place early Wednesday morning at a store in a Los Angeles suburb. The suspects used a stolen vehicle in the incident, authorities said. The store said on social media that it was still in shock and asked people to help find the suspects. The store posted surveillance footage that shows a group of people in hoodies and face coverings shuffling through items and taking boxes from the store.

A Florida woman posed as a nurse and treated thousands of unsuspecting patients, officials say

PALM COAST, Fla. (AP) — Authorities say a Florida woman posed as a licensed nurse and provided medical care to thousands of patients. Officials say 29-year-old Autumn Marie Bardisa participated in medical services involving more than 4,400 people from June 2024 until January 2025. The Flagler County Sheriff's Office says she faces multiple charges, including practicing health care without a license. She's being held on a $70,000 bond and is due in court next month. Officials say Bardisa used another health care worker's license number to gain employment at a medical facility. No lawyer who could speak on Bardisa's behalf was listed in local court records.

A fiery meteor that punched through a Georgia home's roof is older than Earth, a scientist says

ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — A scientist says fragments of a meteorite that punched through a Georgia homeowner's roof after blazing across the sky in a fiery streak is older than the Earth itself. University of Georgia geologist Scott Harris said in a press release Friday that he concluded the meteorite fragments are 4.56 billion years old and came from an asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. People in several Southern states reported seeing the mysterious fireball in broad daylight on June 26. Harris says the meteor  was traveling faster than the speed of sound when it approached Earth's surface. The university received 23 grams from a piece the size of cherry tomato that shot like a bullet through a roof outside Atlanta.

Pocket pancakes? Brewers selling ballpark flapjacks after Pat Murphy's viral moment

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers are bringing manager Pat Murphy’s strange eating habits to fans. Murphy went viral in a recent interview for pulling a pancake out of his uniform pocket and taking a bite — sharing the flapjack with the reporter — as he detailed different ways he shoves food into his pockets to snack on in the dugout. The moment has spawned quite the movement in Milwaukee. The ballpark announced Friday that “Murph’s Pocket Pancakes” will be sold at American Family Field during Sunday games for the rest of the season, starting with this weekend’s series against the New York Mets.

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.