Endangered whales found entangled in rope off Massachusetts, and 1 is likely to die
The federal government says that two endangered whales have been spotted entangled in fishing gear off Massachusetts and that one is likely to die from its injuries. The whales are North Atlantic right whales. They number less than 400 and face existential threats from entanglement in gear and collisions with ships. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said Tuesday that an aerial survey found the whales swimming about 50 miles southeast of Nantucket on Dec. 9. NOAA said it would work with responders to see whether the whales can be assisted.
Animal welfare group says bacterial infection killed Sonia the elephant in Pakistan
ISLAMABAD (AP) -- A veterinarian with a global animal welfare organization says Pakistani veterinary surgeons found that a bacterial infection killed an elephant at a safari park in the city of Karachi earlier this month. Dr. Amir Khalil with the Vienna-based Four Paws told The Associated Press Wednesday that the infection spread through 19-year-old Sonia's body, from her foot. Four Paws said the autopsy was conducted last week and that Sonia's death was the consequence "of prolonged species-inappropriate living conditions and malnutrition." An African elephant's average lifespan is usually between 60 and 70 years in the wild, according to the World Wildlife Fund.
The last meteor shower of the year peaks a few days before Christmas
The last meteor shower of the year peaks a few days before Christmas. While usually not a bright shower, the Ursids can yield surprises. Most years, this shower produces about 5 to 10 visible meteors per hour under ideal viewing conditions. But outbursts in 1945 and 1986 produced up to 100 meteors per hour. The Ursids come from debris left by the comet 8P/Tuttle. The moon will be 59% full the night of the shower's peak, obscuring some meteors. The Ursids peak on Sunday and viewing lasts until Dec. 26.
Andrew Tate can have over $3 million seized from him in tax dispute, British court says
LONDON (AP) -- A British court says police can seize more than 2.6 million pounds ($3.3 million) in unpaid taxes from influencer Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan. The Devon and Cornwall Police force went to court to claim the money from the Tates and a woman identified only as J. The money is held in seven frozen bank accounts. A lawyer for the force said that the Tates were "serial" tax evaders who failed to pay any tax on 21 million pounds in revenue from their online businesses. Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring ruled Wednesday that financial transactions by the brothers were a "straightforward cheat" of the tax authorities. Andrew Tate, 38, accused the government of "outright theft."
Megan Thee Stallion seeks restraining order, says imprisoned Tory Lanez continues to harass her
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Hip-hop star Megan Thee Stallion has asked a court to issue a restraining order against rapper Tory Lanez. She said in a court filing Tuesday that he is harassing her from prison through surrogates as he serves a 10-year sentence for shooting her in the feet. Her petition says he shows no signs of stopping the harassment he engaged in between the shooting and his imprisonment. The petition in Los Angeles Superior Court asks the judge to prevent Lanez to stop the same online harassment he wrote and encouraged before his conviction. An email seeking comment from Lanez's lawyers was not immediately returned.
These Brazilian caramel-colored stray dogs were long overlooked. Now, they're having a major moment
SAO PAULO (AP) -- For decades, lanky stray dogs have scrounged for food on Brazilian streets, abandoned and overlooked. Today, the brownish short-haired mutts are having a major moment. The 'vira-lata caramelo' is being exalted in memes, videos, petitions, an upcoming Netflix film and Carnival parade, and draft legislation to honor it as Brazilian culture. Their name means caramel trashcan-tipper and caramelos' newfound cachet speaks to the importance of resilience in Brazil, a multi-racial melting pot of 213 million people known for weathering hard knocks with a smile. Fans say the caramelo inverts Brazil's supposed 'mongrel complex,' transforming mixed roots into a source of pride.
NASA's 2 stuck astronauts face more time in space with return delayed until at least late March
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) -- NASA's two stuck astronauts just got their space mission extended again. That means they won't be back until spring, 10 months after rocketing into orbit on Boeing's Starliner capsule. NASA said Tuesday that a fresh crew needs to launch from Florida before Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams can return from the International Space Station. This new crew was supposed to launch in February, but SpaceX needs more time to prepare the brand new capsule for flight. That launch is now scheduled for no earlier than late March.
China's CATL is planning a major expansion of battery swapping for electric vehicles
XIAMEN, China (AP) -- The world's largest maker of batteries for electric vehicles says it will get into battery swapping in China in a big way starting next year. The idea behind battery swapping is to refuel quickly, similar to filling a conventional car with gas. Instead of waiting for the batteries to recharge, one swaps out the old ones with a block of fresh ones at a swap station. China-based CATL announced plans to open 1,000 swap stations in China next year, including Hong Kong and Macao, with a long-term goal of 10,000 stations built with partners. If the company follows through, it could rival Nio, a 10-year-old Chinese electric car brand that has opened more than 2,700 stations and has plans for at least 5,000.