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San Diego Zoo may see return of the beloved giant pandas

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:32:31 GMT

SAN DIEGO — Chinese President Xi Jinping hinted at a possible return of pandas to the San Diego Zoo and others across country during a visit to California for the Asia-Pacific Economic Corporation conference.Xi signaled that the pandas could be loaned back as a gesture that China is ready to continue cooperation with the U.S. on panda conservation.The news had San Diego visitors buzzing with excitement on Thursday.“They are really cute, and my mom wants to hug one I think,” said Rhett Branan, visiting from North Carolina. He added that he hopes to one day to see one in real life. San Diego Zoo welcomes baby De Brazza’s Monkey, a first in 26 years When asked by FOX 5 if he ever had, Branan laughed, saying “Yes...In Minecraft."The bears have long been the symbol of the U.S.-China friendship since Beijing gifted a pair of pandas to the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington in 1972, ahead of the normalization of bilateral relations. The pandas at the Washington, D.C. zoo were sent ba...

Biden signs temporary spending bill averting government shutdown, pushing budget fight into new year

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:32:31 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — President Joe Biden on Thursday signed a temporary spending bill a day before a potential government shutdown, pushing a fight with congressional Republicans over the federal budget into the new year, as wartime aid for Ukraine and Israel remains stalled.The measure passed the House and Senate by wide bipartisan margins this week, ensuring the government remains open until after the holiday season, and potentially giving lawmakers more time to sort out their considerable differences over government spending levels for the current fiscal year. Biden signed the bill in San Francisco, where he is hosting the summit of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation economies. News of the signing came late at night. The president signed the bill at the Legion of Honor Museum, where he held a dinner for APEC members.The spending package keeps government funding at current levels for roughly two more months while a long-term package is negotiated. It splits the deadlines for passin...

Biden seizes a chance to refocus on Asia as wars rage in Europe and the Mideast

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:32:31 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Sometimes it can be easy to forget that President Joe Biden’s original foreign policy priority was reasserting American influence in Asia. After all, that was before Russian tanks tried to blitz Ukraine, and before Israel and Hamas descended into a fresh round of bloody fighting. With each new crisis, it appeared that Asia was slipping further down the presidential to-do list. But this week was a rare opportunity for Biden to demonstrate otherwise. While playing host for an annual summit of Asian leaders in San Francisco, he could finally refocus on the continent that he views as key to the future. “The United States remains vital to the future of the region, and the region is more vital than ever to the United States of America,” he told a gathering of business executives during one of the summit’s many receptions. “That’s been my administration’s outlook from day one.”Turning that vision into a reality has never been more challeng...

Beautiful sunny weekend ahead followed by a Wet Monday; season's coldest air yet arrives on Thanksgiving Day

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:32:31 GMT

Friday Starts Cloudy But Then Clears UpSome cold frontal overnight showers may linger into the opening few hours of Friday.  But clearing follows Friday and a beautiful sun-filled weekend is on the way but with cooler temps.Precipitation OutlookA storm system that is to sweep ashore in California late Friday is to jump the Rockies and reorganize east of the Rockies in Colorado Sunday then make its move toward the Midwest early next week. Its precipitation—a chilly rain—is due to reach Chicago Monday night and persist into Tuesday when it's possible the system's strong backside northerly winds may import enough cool air for the rain to mix with some snowflakes—especially north and west of the city—before ending.THE REAL CHILL THEN BEGINS TO TAKE HOLD the remainder of Thanksgiving week—but also for the weekend that follows and well into the following week. Daytime average temps will fall below normal Tuesday and continue below through the following weekend and into next week.The colde...

No qualified majority reached by member states to renew or reject the approval of glyphosate

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:32:31 GMT

On 16 November, member states did not reach the required qualified majority to renew or reject the approval of glyphosate during a vote at the Appeal Committee. This follows a previous vote at the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed (SCOPAFF) on 13 October, in which member states also did not reach the required majority to renew or reject the proposal.In line with EU legislation and in the absence of the required majority in either direction, the Commission is now obliged to adopt a decision before 15 December 2023 when the current approval period expires.  The Commission, based on comprehensive safety assessments carried out by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), together with EU member states, will now proceed with the renewal of the approval of glyphosate for a period of 10 years, subject to certain new conditions and restrictions. These restrictions include a prohibition of pre-harvest use as a desiccant and the ne...

Daly City man pleads no contest to cop assault charge

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:32:31 GMT

DALY CITY — A 28-year-old Daly City man is facing a nine-year prison sentence following felony convictions for assaulting a police officer with a gun and driving under the influence, prosecutors said.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Man arrested on suspicion of threatening to kill San Mateo Medical Center security guard Crime and Public Safety | ‘You have to turn yourself in’: San Carlos beheading defendant’s mother gives emotional testimony while son skips out on trial Crime and Public Safety | Peninsula beheading defendant stalemates cross examination by going nonresponsive Crime and Public Safety | Teenager stabbed during fight in Moss Beach Crime and Public Safety | San Mateo man arrested in connection with hit-and-run that injured pedestrian, killed dog On Wednesday, Rafael Jesus Candray Jr. pleaded no contest to the assault charge and received a sentence of six years, acc...

Who are these guys? Sharks enjoy rare offensive outburst, with unlikely sources chipping in

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:32:31 GMT

SAN JOSE – The San Jose Sharks released a season’s worth of offensive frustration in a span of about 23 minutes.Leading by a goal after one period, the Sharks on Thursday scored three times in the first 3:25 of the second and cruised to a 5-1 win over the St. Louis Blues, snapping a three-game losing streak and improving to 3-6-1 on home ice this season.Sharks goalie Kaapo Kahkonen made 11 saves in the first period and finished with 45 for the game as he earned his first victory this year.Kahkonen’s bid for his first shutout since Nov. 29 of last season ended when Blues winger Pavel Buchnevich redirected a Justin Faulk shot into the net with 6:05 left in regulation time.Mike Hoffman scored twice and six other players had two points each as the Sharks scored the most goals they’ve had in a game since April 1 when they beat the Arizona Coyotes 7-2 at Mullett Arena in Tempe.It was a particularly strong night for the Sharks’ line of Ryan Carpenter, Givani Smith, and Luke Kunin, who comb...

Thunder send short-handed Warriors to fifth straight loss

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:32:31 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Isaiah Joe was 7 for 7 from 3-point range and scored a season-high 23 points, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 24 points and seven assists and the Oklahoma City Thunder sent the Golden State Warriors to their fifth straight loss with a 128-109 victory on Thursday night.Josh Giddey added 19 points and rookie Chet Holmgren had 13 points and 10 rebounds in his fourth double-double to help propel Oklahoma City to its fifth win in six games. Haney-Prograis: First SF title fight in years expected to sell out Chase Center The Thunder had won just one of their past 11 contests against the Warriors dating back to 2020-21. But Oklahoma City was firmly in control against a short-handed Golden State squad that grew more thin as the night went on.Warriors guard Stephen Curry (right knee soreness) and forward Draymond Green ( five-game suspension ) were unavailable, and guard Gary Payton II exited with a sprained left ankle in the second quarter. X-rays on Payton's ank...

Manhole cover on Las Vegas Grand Prix course halts first practice of the weekend

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:32:31 GMT

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The first Formula One practice of the Las Vegas Grand Prix was halted less than 21 minutes into Thursday night’s session after Carlos Sainz Jr. ran over a manhole cover on track. “We are currently looking at an issue with a drain cover,” F1’s governing body said as it called all the cars off the track. “We’re not going to resume as it’s going to take time to understand the issue and take any necessary actions to remedy.”The FIA later said Sainz hit the concrete frame around a manhole cover and the governing body must now inspect every manhole cover on the course. “We will be discussing with the local circuit engineering team about the length of time it will take to resolve and will update with any resultant changes to the schedule,” the FIA said. There is a second practice schedule for midnight. Sainz appeared to run over the manhole cover just nine minutes into the practice on the street course that stretches down the famed Strip. It c...

Idaho State wins 85-51 against Northwest (WA)

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:32:31 GMT

POCATELLO, Idaho (AP) — Miguel Tomley scored 18 points as Idaho State beat Northwest (WA) 85-51 on Thursday.Tomley was 6 of 10 shooting (5 for 8 from 3-point range) for the Bengals (2-2). Isaiah Griffin scored 14 points and added nine rebounds. Kiree Huie finished 6 of 13 from the floor to finish with 13 points, while adding 12 rebounds.The Eagles were led by Milton Burnett, who posted 12 points. Luke Howard added 11 points for Northwest (WA). Manuel Zapater also had 10 points and six rebounds.___The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.Source