Scientists discover an ancient whale with a Pokémon face and a predator bite

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Paleontologists have identified a new whale species from a 25-million-year-old fossil found on an Australian beach. Named Janjucetus dullardi, this creature had bulging eyes and fiendish teeth. It was an early ancestor of the baleen whale but only measured 3 meters (10 feet) in length. The fossil was discovered in 2019 on Jan Juc Beach in Victoria state. This species is only the fourth identified from the mammalodontids group, early whales from the Oligocene Epoch. Amateur fossil hunter Ross Dullard, who found the partial skull, says he will celebrate with a whale-themed party, marking the end of a six-year obsession.

Ethiopian fossil Lucy leaves for her first exhibition in Europe

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) — The human ancestor fossil known as Lucy has left Ethiopia for display in a European museum. Lucy’s skeleton, which is 40% complete, left Ethiopia on Thursday and will be displayed at the Czech National Museum in Prague for approximately two months. It is only the second time her remains have left Ethiopia since they were discovered in 1974. Some archaeologists have raised concerns about the safety of her bones during transportation, but experts say they have been carefully packed.  Lucy was a member of Australopithecus afarensis, an early human species that lived in Africa between about 4 million and 3 million years ago.

Melania Trump demands Hunter Biden retract 'extremely salacious' Epstein comments

WASHINGTON (AP) — First lady Melania Trump is demanding that Hunter Biden retract comments linking her to sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. She threatens to sue if he does not. Biden made the comments in an interview this month, claiming Epstein introduced Melania to Donald Trump. Melania Trump's lawyer, Alejandro Brito, calls the statements false and defamatory. Brito says the comments have been widely shared on social media, causing harm to the first lady's reputation. Biden attributed the claim to author Michael Wolff, whom Trump has criticized. The Trumps have long said they were introduced by a modeling agent in 1998.

Nike co-founder Phil Knight and wife pledge record $2B to Oregon cancer center, university says

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — An Oregon university says Nike co-founder Phil Knight and his wife Penny Knight have pledged a record $2 billion to its cancer center. Oregon Health & Science University described the donation Thursday as the “largest single donation ever made to a U.S. university, college or academic health center.” It surpasses the $1.8 billion given by Michael Bloomberg to Johns Hopkins in 2018, described by that university at the time as the largest single donation to a U.S. university. Universities across the country are struggling with moves from President Donald Trump’s administration to cancel or freeze research grants at universities.

A Michigan autoworker's wallet is found under a hood in Minnesota — 151,000 miles later

PETERSBURG, Mich. (AP) — A retired Michigan autoworker got a Facebook message this summer from a stranger: Did you lose your wallet? That message resolved a mystery that had lasted more than 10 years. Minnesota mechanic Chad Volk found Richard Guilford's wallet under the hood of a Ford Edge, tucked under the air filter box. It had fallen out of his shirt pocket in 2014 when he was working at a Ford factory in suburban Detroit. The wallet still had $15, Guilford's driver's license and gift cards. Volk mailed it to him. Guilford said this “restores your faith in humanity.”

Beijing's first World Humanoid Robot Games open with hip-hop and martial arts

Humanoid robots have showcased their talents at the opening ceremony of the first World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing. The event began on Thursday evening. It features robots dancing, performing martial arts and playing musical instruments. The competition starts on Friday with more than 500 robots from 16 countries including the U.S., Germany, and Japan. They will compete in sports like soccer, running and boxing. The games highlight China's efforts to develop humanoid robots powered by aritificial intelligence. The event runs for three days and concludes on Sunday. Tickets range from 180 to 580 yuan or $25 to $80.

Drinkmate recalls over 100,000 carbonation bottles due to explosion risk

NEW YORK (AP) — More than 100,000 Drinkmate-branded carbonation bottles are being recalled across the U.S. and Canada because they can explode during use. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the recall covers certain “Drinkmate 1L Carbonation Bottles” sold individually or as part of the sparkling water maker’s “OmniFizz” starter kits. In the U.S., Drinkmate has received eight reports of these now-recalled bottles exploding during use — four of which resulted in lacerations, impact injuries and hearing damage. And per Health Canada, one additional case of a bottle shattering during use and causing some bruises has been reported in Canada. Consumers in possession of the bottles urged to stop using them immediately — and contact Drinkmate for a free replacement.

Browns rookie QB Shedeur Sanders sidelined with oblique injury, unlikely to play against Eagles

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Cleveland rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders remains sidelined from practice with an oblique injury. Sanders sustained the injury during drills ahead of practice on Wednesday. The Browns were in Philadelphia for joint practices before Saturday’s preseason game against the Eagles. Browns coach Kevin Stefanski says Sanders is day to day and will be out “for a little bit.” Backup Joe Flacco won't play against the Eagles, and Tyler "Snoop" Huntley and Dillon Gabriel could get the bulk of playing time. Sanders completed 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards in his NFL preseason debut against Carolina.

South Korean Supreme Court dismisses US composer's 'Baby Shark' copyright claim

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s Supreme Court has rejected a 30 million won damage claim by an American composer who accused a South Korean kids content company of plagiarizing his version of “Baby Shark.” The ruling Thursday ends a six-year legal battle over the globally popular tune known for its catchy “doo doo doo doo doo doo” hook. The top court upheld lower court rulings dating back to 2021 and 2023 that found no sufficient grounds to conclude Pinkfong infringed on Jonathan Wright’s copyright. Wright recorded his version in 2011, four years before Pinkfong’s. But both were based on a traditional melody popular for years at children’s summer camps in the U.S.

Billy Joel closing beloved New York motorcycle shop after brain disorder diagnosis

Billy Joel’s beloved motorcycle shop on Long Island, New York, is closing down after nearly 15 years of offering fans a free peek at his personal collection of dozens of bikes. A spokesperson for the music icon says he is shuttering 20th Century Cycles in Oyster Bay in late September and auctioning off his collection later this year because of a brain disorder he was diagnosed with. Joel announced in May that he has Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus, a fluid buildup in the brain that can affect thinking and movement.