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What DC’s giant pandas taught the world about conservation during their time at the National Zoo

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 07:01:23 GMT

As the Smithsonian National Zoo’s giant pandas prepare to depart later this month, Zoo staff are speaking on the conservation successes they have produced with pandas Tian Tian and Mei Xiang over the past two decades.Pandas producing offspring can sometimes feel like an impossible mission for zoo officials. That’s because they have an unbelievably short breeding season.“The female can conceive between 12 and 18 hours only,” said Pierre Comizolli, a reproductive physiologist at the National Zoo. “That window of time really got more and more precise and specific over time because we added more data to observation.”And that is for the entire year. The breeding season is usually sometime between March and May, but Comizolli told WTOP that they have observed it as early as January, always keeping staff on their toes in terms of when they can attempt to produce another cub.Back in 2004, veterinarians started trying to breed Mei Xiang and Tian Tian naturally, but “there were some kin...

Mvogo makes 7 saves as Lens is held to a 0-0 draw at Lorient in French league

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 07:01:23 GMT

PARIS (AP) — Lens was held to a 0-0 draw at Lorient in the French league on Saturday after goalkeeper Yvon Mvogo delivered a man-of-the-match performance to keep the hosts afloat.In windy and rainy conditions, the Swiss international made seven saves. He denied a couple of excellent chances from Angelo Fulgini and Elye Wahi and was rescued by his crossbar when Florian Sotoca unleashed a 35-meter effort just after halftime. Lens was runner-up behind Paris Saint-Germain last season but endured a poor start this term. The team has improved in recent weeks and is now unbeaten in six matches. It moved to eighth place in the standings, two points more than Lorient. The hosts thought they had taken the lead when Eli Junior Kroupi beat Lens goalkeeper Brice Samba with a lobbed header but the goal was ruled out for an offside position confirmed after a VAR check. Kroupi had another good chance with nine minutes left but lost his duel with Samba.Marseille hosts Lille later Saturday.PSG moved ...

DC man arrested after carjacking teen driver and crashing into Fairfax Co. gas pump

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 07:01:23 GMT

A D.C. man was arrested Monday after he stole thousands of dollars’ worth of merchandise from a local mall, carjacked a teenager and drove into a gas pump, according to Fairfax County, Virginia, police.Mecca Lee-Bey, 20, has been charged with carjacking and grand larceny.Police were called shortly after 4:30 p.m. for reports of a suspect stealing more than $2,500 worth of merchandise from a store in the Tysons Corner Center mall. Lee-Bey fled when officers approached him, according to police, and went into a nearby parking lot.Lee-Bey tried to open the door of a 2013 Kia Optima that was entering the garage, police said. The teenage Kia driver drove away with Lee-Bey still clinging to the door. He was dragged for a short distance before the teen driver pulled over and got out of the car. That’s when authorities said Lee-Bey took control of the car and drove off, heading westbound on Leesburg Pike.Lee-Bey attempted a U-turn, police said, but lost control of the Kia and cra...

The Trump-DeSantis rivalry grows intense, personal and crude as GOP candidates gather in Florida

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 07:01:23 GMT

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) — Donald Trump is trying to bury the Oval Office ambitions of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, expanding his 2024 campaign support in their shared home state as the former president and his 2024 rival make appeals Saturday to Republican leaders and activists.DeSantis’s challenge and Trump’s popularity were apparent at the state party’s Freedom Summit. Attendees roared when Florida Sen. Rick Scott, a Trump ally, reaffirmed his recent endorsement of the GOP front-runner and they booed when lagging candidate Chris Christie, a former New Jersey governor, said Trump was wrong for the party and the country.“You might have seen that I endorsed President Trump,” Scott said with a smile, pausing for the sustained ovation. “I don’t think there’s any question in my mind. He is the one person running that can really bring strength back to our country.” Scott never mentioned DeSantis, who succeeded Scott as governor.Trump’s campaign announced endorsements f...

Jeremy Doku scores one goal and has four assists as Manchester City routs Bournemouth 6-1

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 07:01:23 GMT

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — It looks like Pep Guardiola has unearthed another gem in winger Jeremy Doku. The Belgium winger inspired Manchester City to a 6-1 rout of Bournemouth on Saturday as the defending champions moved to the top of the Premier League. “Jeremy was fantastic. Sometimes you need individual quality to open up the game,” City defender Nathan Ake said. “He’s not shy to show his abilities, he wants to take everyone on even in training. He’s so difficult to mark and he’s going to be important this season.”Signed from Rennes for around $70 million in the off-season, Doku has had to be patient at times in a City team studded with stars, but has usually delivered when given a chance. He showcased his quality against Bournemouth at Etihad Stadium by scoring one goal and creating another four as City extended its 100% record at home this season. “He creates something for our crowd,” City manager Pep Guardiola said. “When he takes the ball and goes, everybody is excited and m...

US and Arab partners disagree on the need for a cease-fire as Israeli airstrikes kill more civilians

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 07:01:23 GMT

RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — The United States and Arab partners disagreed Saturday on the need for an immediate cease-fire in the Gaza Strip as Israeli military strikes killed multiple civilians at a U.N. shelter and a hospital in a growing assault on the besieged enclave’s Hamas rulers.Large columns of smoke rose as Israel’s military said it had encircled Gaza City, the target of its offensive to crush Hamas. The Gaza Health Ministry has said more than 9,400 Palestinians have been killed in the territory, and that number is likely to rise as the assault continues.“Anyone in Gaza City is risking their life,” Israel’s Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant said, adding that Hamas fighters were “encountering the full force” of Israeli troops.U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Arab foreign ministers in Jordan a day after talks in Israel with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who insisted there could be no temporary cease-fire until all hostages held by Hamas are released.Jor...

Erling Haaland taken off at halftime after twisting his ankle in Man City’s 6-1 rout of Bournemouth

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 07:01:23 GMT

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Erling Haaland was substituted at halftime in Manchester City’s 6-1 win against Bournemouth on Saturday after twisting an ankle.City manager Pep Guardiola said he withdrew the striker as a precaution, but it was too soon to tell if Haaland would be available for Tuesday’s Champions League game against Young Boys. “Twist in the ankle. We didn’t want to take risks with him. He didn’t feel comfortable,” Guardiola said. “He’ll be back maybe Tuesday, but maybe next Sunday.”Haaland pulled up in discomfort when making a run in the box in the first half. City did not confirm which ankle the Norway striker hurt. Haaland has scored 13 goals in all competitions this season, including two in last week’s 3-0 win against Manchester United. He hit the post with a header before being substituted against Bournemouth. Jeremy Doku inspired City to a win, scoring one and creating four more as the defending Premier League champions moved to the top of t...

Zaman ton leads Pakistan home at Cricket World Cup. Australia win confirms England exit

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 07:01:23 GMT

BENGALURU, India (AP) — Australia and Pakistan claimed wins in the Cricket World Cup on Saturday to set up a thrilling finale to the group stage as England’s abject title defense finally came to an end.Adam Zampa took 3-21 in 10 overs as Australia knocked out England with a 33-run win in Ahmedabad.In Bengaluru, Fakhar Zaman bludgeoned a 63-ball century as Pakistan handed New Zealand its fourth successive loss — despite the Black Caps topping 400 runs — in a rain-hit game which Pakistan won by 21 runs under the DLS method. Australia’s frontline pace attack shared six wickets to rout England for 253 runs in 48.1 overs, despite Ben Stokes scoring 64 off 90 balls.Put into bat, Australia reached 286 all out with three balls left. Marnus Labuschagne scored 71 off 83 while Cameron Green (47), Steve Smith (44) and Marcus Stoinis (35) made useful contributions.The five-time champions moved to third in the points’ table with 10 points from five successive wins. Australia needs one win from th...

World Wide Technology Championship Scores

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 07:01:23 GMT

FridayAt El Cardonal Golf CourseCabo San Lucas, MexicoPurse: $8.2 millionYardage: 7,452; Par: 72Second RoundCamilo Villegas64-64—128Matt Kuchar65-65—130Stephan Jaeger66-65—131Justin Suh66-65—131Will Gordon69-63—132Chesson Hadley66-66—132Kramer Hickok65-67—132Erik Van Rooyen68-64—132Ludvig Aberg68-65—133Doug Ghim68-65—133Jeffrey Kang65-68—133Justin Lower65-68—133Michael Kim64-69—133Matti Schmid65-68—133Carson Young69-64—133Nate Lashley64-70—134Davis Thompson66-68—134Scott Piercy66-68—134Cameron Percy62-72—134Brent Grant68-67—135Adam Long69-66—135Akshay Bhatia69-66—135Cameron Champ68-67—135Lanto Griffin69-66—135Taylor Montgomery69-66—135Brandon Wu69-66—135James Hahn69-67—136Mackenzie Hughes71-65—136Lucas Herbert69-67—136Chase Johnson67-69—136Robby Shelton70-66—136Austin Smotherman69-67—136Hayden Buckley71-65—136Max McGreevy68-68—136Kevin Tway67-69—136Richy Werenski70-66—136Ryan Armour69-67—136Lucas Glover69-67—136Brandt Snedeker66-70—136Chez Reavie67-70—137Ryan Palmer71-66—137Andrew P...

World Wide Technology Championship Par Scores

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 07:01:23 GMT

FridayAt El Cardonal Golf CourseCabo San Lucas, MexicoPurse: $8.2 millionYardage: 7,452; Par: 72Second RoundCamilo Villegas64-64—128-16Matt Kuchar65-65—130-14Stephan Jaeger66-65—131-13Justin Suh66-65—131-13Will Gordon69-63—132-12Chesson Hadley66-66—132-12Kramer Hickok65-67—132-12Erik Van Rooyen68-64—132-12Ludvig Aberg68-65—133-11Doug Ghim68-65—133-11Jeffrey Kang65-68—133-11Justin Lower65-68—133-11Michael Kim64-69—133-11Matti Schmid65-68—133-11Carson Young69-64—133-11Nate Lashley64-70—134-10Davis Thompson66-68—134-10Scott Piercy66-68—134-10Cameron Percy62-72—134-10Brent Grant68-67—135-9Adam Long69-66—135-9Akshay Bhatia69-66—135-9Cameron Champ68-67—135-9Lanto Griffin69-66—135-9Taylor Montgomery69-66—135-9Brandon Wu69-66—135-9James Hahn69-67—136-8Mackenzie Hughes71-65—136-8Lucas Herbert69-67—136-8Chase Johnson67-69—136-8Robby Shelton70-66—136-8Austin Smotherman69-67—136-8Hayden Buckley71-65—136-8Max McGreevy68-68—136-8Kevin Tway67-69—136-8Richy Werenski70-66—136-8Ryan Armour69-67—136-8...