In today's news roundup, Japan's Hayabusa2 space probe returns asteroid samples to Earth, China's Chang'e-5 moon mission is on its way back with lunar samples, and a series of metal monoliths have appeared and disappeared around the world.
Among the more unusual news stories recently…the father of Japan's Princess Mako approves her wedding, but problems remain, South Korea passes a "BTS Law" just in time, and US President-elect Biden breaks his foot while playing with his dog.
Kaavan the elephant has been described as "the world's loneliest elephant". After spending years alone in a zoo in Pakistan, on Tuesday, Kaavan arrived in Cambodia, where he will have plenty of elephants for company.
A research lab called DeepMind has created an artificial intelligence program which has largely solved a complicated puzzle that has challenged scientists for 50 years. The success could lead to huge advances in health care.
Under Brazil's president, Jair Bolsonaro, more of the country's Amazon rainforest has been lost in the last year than in any of the last 12 years. The loss carries serious climate effects for the rest of the world.
On Saturday, Vanderbilt University senior Sarah Fuller made history by becoming the first female to play in a Power 5 college football game. The special event was celebrated widely - even by supporters of the opposing team.
Iran's top nuclear scientist has been shot and killed. Israel is believed to be behind the attack. The killing has quickly raised tensions, just as US President-elect Joe Biden was working to lower them.
In today's news roundup, police in India fight off farmers protesting over new laws, people around the world mourn soccer great Diego Maradona, and two valuable historic notebooks that belonged to Charles Darwin may have been stolen.
Among the more unusual news stories recently…protesting lawmakers throw pig guts in Taiwan's parliament, an elephant is pulled out of a well with a crane in India, and a New Zealand city is forced to replace exploding parking sensors.
A strange metal column has been found in the middle of the desert in Utah. The column was spotted by state workers who were tracking sheep. So far, there's no explanation for how the column got there.
A group of second-year college students have discovered hidden writing on a page from a book from the 1500s. The students found the hidden writing using a special camera system they built.