From bearing the burdens of the Roman Empire to enabling trade over long distances, the humble donkey has been surprisingly influential.

MAASLAND, Netherlands (AP) — Bales of hay lie burning along Dutch highways. Supermarket shelves stand empty because distribution centers are blocked by farmers. Then, at dusk, a police officer pulls his pistol and shoots at a tractor.

Extreme drought and bark beetles now threaten California's Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, home to Methuselah, a 4,853-year-old bristlecone pine.

Dutch company Lightyear has announced that this fall it will start making the world's first production car fitted with solar panels.