17-YEAR-OLD FLIES SOLO AROUND WORLD.  Mack Rutherford, a 17-year-old Belgian-British dual national, becomes the youngest person to fly solo around the world in a small aircraft.  He landed in Bulgaria, where he started his around the world flight. Rutherford says he hopes his achievement will inspire young people to pursue their dreams.

WASHINGTON STATE AIMS TO NIX GAS-POWERED VEHICLES.  Washington state plans to follow California in prohibiting the sale of gas-powered vehicles by 2035.  California, largest auto market in the U.S., plans to phase out sale of gas cars over the next 13 years. 

AMBASSADOR FOR THE ARCTIC PLANNED.   Triggered by increased Russian military activity in the region, the U.S. plans to name an Ambassador for the Arctic. The Ambassador-at-Large will be put in place to advance U.S. policy in the northern polar region. 

U.N. CEMETERY IN SOUTH KOREA.  The Busan, South Korea veterans cemetery remains the only U.N. cemetery in the world.  Established in 1955 after the South Korean government offered the land for the U.N.'s permanent use to honor troops and medical personnel sent from 22 countries under the U.N. flag during the Korean War.  More than 2,300 people from 11 nations are interred there. 

SMUGGLER PUTS REPTILES IN PANTS.  Prosecutors in California say Jose Manuel Perez, 30, smuggled more than 1,700 wild animals, including 60 reptiles, worth $739,000 into the U.S.  Officials found reptiles hidden in his clothing in small bags.  When he was caught crossing into the U.S., federal agents said he had about 60 reptiles on him, including some in his pants.

INACCURATE WEATHER FORECASTS LEAD TO FIRING TWO.  The head and deputy head of Hungary’s National Meteorological Service were fired following an inaccurate rain forecast.  The forecast prompted postponement of a fireworks display set for St. Stephen’s Day, the country’s most important national holiday.

TWIN GIANT PANDAS BORN.  Twin giant pandas --- a male and a female --- are born at a breeding center in southwestern China.  The cubs are the second pair of twins born to their mother.

DROUGHT SENDS DANUBE RIVER TO LOW LEVEL.  Europe's worst drought in years has pushed the Danube River to one of its lowest levels in almost a century, exposing the hulks of dozens of explosives-laden German warships sunk during World War II near Serbia's river port town of Prahovo.