Giant panda gives birth to squirming, squealing twins at South Korean theme park

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 06:03:12 GMT

Giant panda gives birth to squirming, squealing twins at South Korean theme park SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A giant panda delivered healthy twin girls at a South Korean theme park. Ai Bao gave birth to her cubs last Friday at the Everland theme park near Seoul, the park’s operator said Tuesday. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! It released video of the birth and the mother caring for her newborns, as well as veterinarians examining the tiny cubs. They are the first panda twins born in South Korea, Samsung C&T Resort Group said. Both Ai Bao and her newborns are in good health, the resort group said in the statement.Decades of conservation efforts in the wild and study in captivity saved the panda species native to China from extinction, increasing its population from fewer than 1,000 at one time to more than 1,800 in the wild and captivity. The life expectancy of a giant panda in the wild is about 15 years, but in captivity they have lived to be as old as 38. Cats overwhelm homeowner in Johnstown This...

Colorado man held in hourslong Las Vegas standoff faces kidnapping, fugitive charges

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 06:03:12 GMT

Colorado man held in hourslong Las Vegas standoff faces kidnapping, fugitive charges LAS VEGAS — A Colorado man jailed on kidnapping and other charges after a Las Vegas Strip standoff where furniture was thrown from a 21st-floor window at Caesars Palace also faces a felony charge as a fugitive from another state, records showed Wednesday.Matthew John Ermond Mannix, 35, of Golden, was arrested after he was accused of taking a woman hostage for more than five hours Tuesday and claiming that he had a gun, according to his police arrest report.“The male made threats to arriving security (that) ‘if they enter the room he will shoot someone,’” police said, and “advised arriving police officers and security, ‘if you don’t leave it will end badly.’”Through the door, the woman also told police the man had a knife, the report said.Police said a knife was found, but did not report finding a gun, and said Mannix identified the woman as his girlfriend. He is scheduled for an initial court appearance Wednesday on felony charges including coercion with the threat of force, d...

Live Updates | Zelenskyy hails ‘steps forward’ at NATO summit to help fight against Russian forces

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 06:03:12 GMT

Live Updates | Zelenskyy hails ‘steps forward’ at NATO summit to help fight against Russian forces VILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) — Follow along for updates on the summit of the NATO military alliance in Lithuania’s capital:What to know: — Ukraine wins G7 security pledges but its NATO membership remains elusive— Turkey won’t ratify Sweden’s NATO membership before October, Erdogan says— Biden and Zelenskyy praise each other despite divisions over Ukraine war— Greece and Turkey pledge to ‘reset’ ties and bypass longstanding disputes— NATO’s Article 5 stands in way of Ukraine joining alliance while at war— NATO summit in brief: Mixed news for Ukraine and a response to Russia—Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has hailed “small steps forward” at the NATO summit in Lithuania that are moving his country closer to victory against Russian forces.As the two-day summit ended Wednesday, the Ukrainian leader emphasized the importance of receiving an array of weaponry — much of it Western-suppl...

Ukraine wins G7 security pledges but NATO membership remains elusive

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 06:03:12 GMT

Ukraine wins G7 security pledges but NATO membership remains elusive By CHRIS MEGERIAN, LORNE COOK and SEUNG MIN KIM (Associated Press)VILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed fresh pledges of weapons and ammunition to fight Russia’s invasion along with longer-term security commitments from the West on Wednesday even as he expressed disappointment over the lack of a clear path for his country to join NATO as the alliance wrapped up its annual summit.“The Ukrainian delegation is bringing home a significant security victory for the Ukraine, for our country, for our people, for our children,” he said while flanked by U.S. President Joe Biden and other leaders from the Group of Seven most powerful democratic nations.A joint declaration issued by the G7 lays the groundwork for each nation to negotiate agreements to help Ukraine bolster its military over the long term. Zelenskyy described the initiative as a bridge toward eventual NATO membership and a deterrent against Russia.“We will not wav...

4 arrested in separate sexual assaults in San Fernando Valley

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 06:03:12 GMT

4 arrested in separate sexual assaults in San Fernando Valley The Los Angeles Police Department on Wednesday announced the arrests of four men in separate sexual assaults in the San Fernando Valley and are seeking additional victims.The incidents occurred between June 28 and July 7, according to the LAPD.One of the suspects, 43-year-old Edgar Munoz, previously worked as an English teacher at Polytechnic High School in Sun Valley and other schools.Los Angeles Police announced several arrests related to sexual assaults in the San Fernando Valley. July 12, 2023. (KTLA)He was arrested on suspicion of having an inappropriate relationship with a minor in Chatsworth dating back to 2019, according to LAPD.Cedric Tinsley, 25, was arrested after allegedly breaking into a home and sexually assaulting a victim before taking off in the victim's car. He is being held without bail, police said. Two of the suspects had already been identified:Mario Orozco, 31, is accused of breaking into several homes and sexually assaulting victims in the Reseda area. He is ...

Arizona man targeted by J6 conspiracies sues Fox for defamation

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 06:03:12 GMT

Arizona man targeted by J6 conspiracies sues Fox for defamation By Oliver Darcy | CNNRay Epps, the Arizona man that conspiracy theorists falsely claim led an FBI plot to orchestrate the January 6 insurrection, filed a lawsuit on Wednesday against Fox News, accusing the right-wing channel and former host Tucker Carlson of defamation.“In the aftermath of the events of January 6th, Fox News searched for a scapegoat to blame other than Donald Trump or the Republican Party,” the lawsuit said. “Eventually, they turned on one of their own.”Spokespeople for Fox News did not immediately return a request for comment. Neither did Carlson.The lawsuit from Epps comes after his lawyer demanded a retraction in March over the “fanciful notion” Carlson advanced on his show.In the aftermath of the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol, conspiracy theorists baselessly suggested that the assault was a so-called “false flag” operation staged by the federal government to make supporters of then-President Donald Trump look bad.As part of that conspiracy theory, so...

Biden tells NATO ‘we will not waver’ on Ukraine support

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 06:03:12 GMT

Biden tells NATO ‘we will not waver’ on Ukraine support By Chris Megerian, Lorne Cook and Sewung Min Kim | Associated PressVILNIUS, Lithuania — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed fresh pledges of weapons and ammunition to fight Russia’s invasion along with longer-term security commitments from the West on Wednesday even as he expressed disappointment over the lack of a clear path for his country to join NATO as the alliance wrapped up its annual summit.“The Ukrainian delegation is bringing home a significant security victory for the Ukraine, for our country, for our people, for our children,” he said while flanked by U.S. President Joe Biden and other leaders from the Group of Seven most powerful democratic nations.A joint declaration issued by the G7 lays the groundwork for each nation to negotiate agreements to help Ukraine bolster its military over the long term. Zelenskyy described the initiative as a bridge toward eventual NATO membership and a deterrent against Russia.“We will not waver,”...

Single family residence sells for $4.7 million in Los Gatos

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 06:03:12 GMT

Single family residence sells for $4.7 million in Los Gatos 15850 West Road – Google Street ViewA spacious house located in the 15800 block of West Road in Los Gatos has new owners. The 4,426-square-foot property, built in 2009, was sold on June 16, 2023, for $4,650,000, or $1,051 per square foot. This two-story home offers a roomy layout with five bedrooms and four baths. Inside, there is a fireplace. The property is equipped with a heating system. Additionally, the home provides a one-car garage. Situated on a spacious 0.7-acre lot, the property offers ample outdoor space along with the added bonus of a pool.These nearby houses have also recently changed hands:A 3,340-square-foot home on the 15900 block of Ravine Road in Los Gatos sold in December 2022, for $3,000,000, a price per square foot of $898. The home has 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.On Montalvo Oaks Circle, Los Gatos, in November 2022, a 3,025-square-foot home was sold for $3,598,000, a price per square foot of $1,189. The home has 4 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms.In September 2022, a 3,...

San Jose’s biggest-ever Dine Downtown event offers deals at 47 restaurants, coffeehouses and more

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 06:03:12 GMT

San Jose’s biggest-ever Dine Downtown event offers deals at 47 restaurants, coffeehouses and more The San Jose Downtown Association’s biggest-ever Dine Downtown promotion starts Thursday.For 11 days, through Sunday, July 23, a record number of restaurants, coffeehouses, lounges and bakeries — 47 at last count — will offer specials that range from fixed-price meals and chef specials to food-and-wine pairings and savings on casual bites.“Foodies making their way to San Jose for Dine Downtown will choose some extraordinary dishes,” SJDA chief executive Alex Stettinski said in announcing the organization’s annual promotion. “New and regular customers will find a robust restaurant scene overall, which now includes a Michelin-rated restaurant.”One downtown mainstay — Mezcal — has been a part of all 15 years of Dine Downtown. Other longtime participants include Loft Bar and Bistro, Farmers Union and Nomikai Social Food + Eatery, which have participated 10 or more years. At nine years are Habana Cuba and Scott’s Seafood.Several downtown newcomers, in busine...

Sunnyvale: Man accused of trying to extort money for dog’s return

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 06:03:12 GMT

Sunnyvale: Man accused of trying to extort money for dog’s return A man was arrested for allegedly trying to extort money from a family in Sunnyvale to return their lost dog, the city’s Department of Public Safety said Wednesday.Norm was reunited with his family after he got lost, was found and held for ransom in Sunnyvale, Calif., on July 10, 2023. (Sunnyvale DPS via Bay City News) The suspect was arrested after investigators were notified Monday evening that a family was contacted by someone who said he had their dog, Norm, who had run off.The man demanded money from the family “or else they would never see their dog again,” the Department of Public Safety said on social media.Public safety officers helped the family to set up a meeting, then waited in unmarked patrol cars for the man to arrive with the dog. He was taken into custody, and Norm was reunited with the family at their home.The suspect was booked into Santa Clara County Jail on suspicion of offenses including extortion and grand theft.The department on social m...