Like the chocolate bar that bears its name, the Milky Way galaxy is lighter than it might first appear.

Scientists have discovered that the real Milky Way, the galaxy containing the sun and its family of planets, is lighter than was previously thought. In fact, it has about half the mass of one of its closest neighbours, the Andromeda galaxy, 2.5 million light years away.

Scientists believe Andromeda’s extra weight must be in the form of dark matter, an invisible substance thought to bind galaxies together with its gravity.

The findings, from a team led by Dr Jorge Penarrubia at the University of Edinburgh, appear in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.

Burglar is wrestled to the ground

A former WWE champion chased two burglary suspects he saw leaving his home in Phoenix, US, and subdued one until police arrived.

Bryan Danielson, who was known as Daniel Bryan during his wrestling career, and his wife, Brianna, were approaching their home in their car when they saw a door to the house start to open.

Danielson and Cesar Sosa, 22, got into a struggle, but the former wrestler subdued him until officers arrived. The second suspect got away.

NY dressing up has ‘gone too far’

Children’s favourite Cookie Monster may soon need a licence after New York mayor Bill de Blasio said he believes people wearing character costumes in Times Square should be licensed and regulated.

Dozens dressed as TV and film characters such as Elmo, Cookie Monster and Batman stand near 42nd Street and pose for photos with tourists in exchange for money.

Mr De Blasio said the practice had “gone too far” after a man dressed as Spider Man was arrested for allegedly punching a police officer who told him to stop harassing tourists.

Pet turtle shot dead after argument

A Connecticut man shot dead his girlfriend’s pet turtle, officials have said.

Sgt Louis Diamanti, an animal control officer in Stonington, said a 31-year-old man used a BB gun to shoot the turtle.

Police had responded after a neighbour reported an argument between the man and the woman who lives in the house. They discovered the dead turtle outside the house.

Police said the man did not explain why he shot the pet. He will appear in court on a charge of cruelty to animals.

Rats infest the Louvre

Rats are on the rampage in the elegant garden of the Louvre Museum in Paris.

The hot weather has brought out many picnicking visitors to the garden, whose rubbish is a feast for the rats.

Jean-Claude Ndz-ana Ekani, a museum employee who works with technicians from a de-ratting company, said the vermin have also been helped by animal-lovers who “give water to the rats”.