Rabbits with 'horns' in Colorado are being called 'Frankenstein bunnies.' Here's why
DENVER (AP) -- Some cottontail rabbits in Fort Collins, Colorado, have been drawing attention because they have wart-like growths on their faces that look like horns. The rabbits are infected with the relatively common Shope papillomavirus. The virus likely inspired the centuries-old jackalope myth. It also helped scientists learn about the connection between viruses and cancer, such as the human papillomavirus that causes cervical cancer. Experts say the virus cannot spread to other species. The growths don't harm rabbits unless they grow on their eyes or mouths and interfere with eating. Rabbits' immune systems are able to fight the virus. And once they do, the growths will disappear.
This prehistoric whale had razor teeth, bulging eyes and a face only evolution could love
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.
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."
Australian lawyer apologizes for AI-generated errors in murder case
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) -- A senior lawyer in Australia has apologized to a judge for using AI-generated fake quotes and non-existent case judgments in a murder case. The blunder occurred in the Supreme Court of Victoria state and involved defense lawyer Rishi Nathwani. On Wednesday, Nathwani took full responsibility for the errors, according to court documents seen by The Associated Press on Friday. The blunder delayed the verdict by 24 hours. The judge ruled on Thursday that the defendant, a minor, was not guilty due to mental impairment. The fake submissions included fabricated quotes and case citations. The judge emphasized the importance of verifying AI-generated content. Similar incidents have occurred in the United States, highlighting ongoing challenges with AI in legal systems.
Milkshakes, malts, concretes, frappes and more: A (delicious) guide to frozen drinks
It's summer, the time for cold, creamy, brain-freezing frozen drinks. Frozen drinks look different depending on where you are. The most iconic is the milkshake. It's typically a smooth blend of ice cream and milk, sometimes with other flavorings or fruit thrown in. Malts are essentially milkshakes plus a scoop of malted milk powder. That gives the drink a nostalgic, toasted, almost nutty flavor. Or consider the frappe. In Massachusetts, it's what most of us would call a milkshake. And it's pronounced "frap." But there's another kind of frappe popularized by chains like Starbucks. Think icy, blended lattes, often topped with whipped cream. And those are pronounced "frap-pays."
A driver faces up to $110,000 in fines for speeding on a Swiss street. But he can afford it
GENEVA (AP) -- A wealthy driver caught for going way too fast on a Swiss city street is facing a fine of more than $110,000. That's because the speedster is one of Switzerland's wealthiest people. The Vaud canton issues fines based on income, fortune or family financial situation. Newspaper "24 Heures" first reported the case and said the man, who was unidentified, was a French citizen living in Switzerland with a fortune in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
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.
From court to pin: How a Little Leaguer's bat flip became baseball memorabilia
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- A 12-year-old from Haddonfield, New Jersey, has turned a controversial bat flip into a piece of baseball memorabilia. Last month, Marco Rocco was ejected and faced suspension for flipping his bat after a home run in a sectional tournament. His father took Little League to court and won a restraining order, allowing Marco to play in the state tournament. Now, the bat-flip moment is commemorated as a pin for the Little League World Series. The pin, not for sale, is released by the Rocco family and friends, including former major leaguers Jeff and Todd Frazier. Only 75 pins were made.
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.