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Longer droughts in Zimbabwe take a toll on wildlife and cause more frequent clashes with people

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:02:52 GMT

GONAREZHOU NATIONAL PARK, Zimbabwe (AP) — In a remote southeastern corner of Zimbabwe, people watched from cars or towers in an annual wildlife census, peering through binoculars at animals coming to drink at waterholes and jotting down notes, often by torchlight.Around 140 volunteers slept in shifts through the 24-hour exercise, which is a valuable indicator of the status of the southern African nation’s wildlife resources during a worrying regional drought.Before dawn, an elephant guided a calf to a stream. Lions roared in the distance. Noisy baboons stopped to drink. To everyone’s relief, the rains had come and the grasslands were looking green again in Gonarezhou National Park, whose name means “place of elephants.”But keen eyes can pick out signs of trouble. The split and shattered trunks of the massive baobab trees and the damage to the umbrella-like acacia trees, the savanna’s shade providers, are evidence of desperate elephants searching for food and ...

Decision on the future of wild horses in a North Dakota national park expected next year

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:02:52 GMT

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — About 200 wild horses roam free in a western North Dakota national park, but that number could shrink as the National Park Service is expected to decide next year whether it will eliminate that population.Advocates fear a predetermined outcome that will remove the beloved animals from Theodore Roosevelt National Park. An extended public comment period ends Friday on the recent environmental assessment of the park’s three proposals: reduce the horse population quickly, reduce it gradually or take no immediate action.The horses have some powerful allies — including North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and U.S. Sen. John Hoeven — while advocates are pulling out all the stops to see that the animals stay. Park officials say they want to hear from the public.The horses are popular with park visitors, who often see and photograph them along the park’s scenic road and hiking trails through the rugged Badlands.Evaluating whether the horses belong in the park has “been a...

Balloons, bands, celebrities and Santa: Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade kicks off

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:02:52 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Beloved characters like Snoopy and SpongeBob SquarePants will take to the skies above New York City Thursday while bands march along the streets below as the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade ushers in the holiday season.The parade starts on Manhattan’s upper west side and makes its way alongside Central Park in front of big crowds and a national television audience before ending up in front of Macy’s flagship store on 34th Street.Among the big names performing is Cher, who just released her first Christmas album. The Oscar-, Emmy- and Grammy Award-winner has a prime spot — performing just before the arrival of Santa Claus, which marks the end of the parade.Other celebrities and musical groups taking part include Jon Batiste, Bell Biv DeVoe, Brandy, Jessie James Decker, Pentatonix and Miss America 2023 Grace Stanke. The parade also includes performances from the casts of some Broadway shows.New balloons debuting this year include Leo the lizard, a cha...

To save the climate, the oil and gas sector must slash planet-warming operations, report says

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:02:52 GMT

The oil and gas sector, one of the major emitters of planet-warming gases, will need a rapid and substantial overhaul for the world to avoid even worse extreme weather events fueled by human-caused climate change, a report Thursday said.The current investment of $800 billion a year in the oil and gas sector will need to be cut in half and greenhouse emissions, which result from the burning of fossil fuels like oil, will need to fall by 60% to give the world a fighting chance to meet its climate goals, the International Energy Agency said. Greenhouse gases go up into the atmosphere and heat the planet, leading to several impacts, including extreme weather events. The IEA’s report comes just ahead of the United Nations climate conference, or COP28, which begins next week. Oil and gas companies, as well as other people and organizations connected to fossil fuels, often attend the meeting, drawing criticism from environmentalists and climate experts. But others say the sector need...

Seasonable Thanksgiving Day Followed By String of 30s; Weekend Snow Potential

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:02:52 GMT

Chilly pattern follows a seasonable Thanksgiving Day Predicted high temperatures—How far from normal?Not a huge storm, but a period of snow is likely beginning in Sunday’s predawn hours, before tapering off Sunday afternoon. There could be enough snow to cover the ground, especially on the normally colder outdoor surfaces.   Tracking the timing of the late weekend snowA chilly weather pattern locks in this weekend and continues much of next week—but a switch back to the mild pattern that has dominated much of the Fall is predicted to return in the opening days of December. 6-10 DAY TEMPERATURE OUTLOOK—Tuesday, November 28 thru Saturday, December 2 8-14 DAY OUTLOOK—Thursday November 30th through Wednesday December 6 

Greasy goals, more Cale Makar magic leads Avalanche past Canucks

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:02:52 GMT

The Colorado Avalanche will play a lot of aesthetically pleasing hockey over the course of the 2023-24 season, but they’re also going to need to win some greasy ones.What transpired Wednesday night was far from a Monet or a Rembrandt, despite two teams loaded with star power near the top of the Western Conference standings. The Vancouver Canucks had the better of the scoring chances in the first 40 minutes, but the Avs prevailed 5-2 because of three blue-collar goals and one moment of magic from the best defenseman in the NHL.Riley Tufte scored his first goal in an Avalanche uniform from a spot where a lot of Colorado goals have come from of late — with his back to the Vancouver goalie at the edge of the crease. Miles Wood shot the puck off Tufte just 84 seconds into the third period to put Colorado ahead 3-2.Cale Makar gave the home team some breathing room when he took the puck off J.T. Miller and scored on a breakaway. It was Makar’s fifth goal of the season. It...

Felony hit-and-run suspect arrested in Woodland Hills; 1 victim hospitalized

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:02:52 GMT

A felony hit-and-run suspect who led police on a brief pursuit have been arrested after hitting one person and crashing into several other vehicles in Woodland Hills Wednesday night, authorities confirmed to KTLA.  L.A. police said the suspect struck a pedestrian at Topanga Canyon and Victory Boulevard and sped off at approximately 6:01 p.m., prompting officers to pursue the vehicle. Less than a half mile away, at around 6:02 p.m., the suspects crashed their vehicle into two other cars at Owensmouth Avenue and Victory Boulevard.  Video of the scene posted to the Citizen app showed the wreckage. Police were forced to redirect traffic in the busy retail shopping area. Three cars showed heavy damage in the intersection. It is unclear which vehicle the felony hit-and-run, pursuit suspect was driving. L.A. police on the scene of a hit-and-run and a pursuit that ended in a crash in Woodland Hills on Nov. 22, 2023. (Citizen)L.A. police on the scene of a hit-and-run and a pursuit that ended...

5 arrested after violent store robbery in San Bernardino County

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:02:52 GMT

Five people were arrested after a violent robbery at a Ross Dress for Less store in San Bernardino County.The suspects were only identified as two juveniles and three adults, according to the Chino Police Department. On Nov. 11, officers responded to an attempted robbery at a Ross Dress for Less located on the 4000 block of Grand Avenue.Store employees told police the suspects entered the store and began stealing merchandise off the racks. When the thieves were confronted by workers, one of the suspects punched an employee in the face multiple times, police said.The suspects then fled the store in a getaway car before officers could arrive.Five people were arrested after a violent robbery at a Ross Dress for Less store in Chino on Nov. 11, 2023. (Chino Police Department)Ross Dress for Less retail store in Chino, California. (Google Earth) SoCal woman found with thousands of dollars worth of stolen luxury handbags Gang unit officers began investigating and were able to lo...

Warriors bench fuels comeback that falls short in loss to Phoenix Suns

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:02:52 GMT

PHOENIX — Referee Scott Foster ejected Chris Paul with just 23 seconds remaining in the first half, capping off a second quarter collapse that led to the Warriors’ 123-115 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night. The Warriors fall to 7-9.Leading up to Paul’s ejection, the Warriors turned the ball over six times and the Suns capitalized to take a 16-point halftime lead. The bench unit led by a mix of Dario Saric, Cory Joseph, Brandin Podziemski, Trayce Jackson-Davis, Moses Moody, Gui Santos and Jonathan Kuminga chipped away at a Suns 23-point lead, eventually cutting the deficit to three points in the last minute of the game.Podziemski finished a team-high plus-20 with 10 points, three steals and four rebounds.Related ArticlesGolden State Warriors | Scott Foster ejects Warriors’ Chris Paul in return to Phoenix Golden State Warriors | Warriors notebook: Draymond Green sighting in Phoenix; a secret practice in San Francisco Go...

Amazon driver was not kidnapped, San Ramon police say

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:02:52 GMT

(KRON) -- New details have come out of the investigation into the Amazon delivery driver who was allegedly kidnapped in San Ramon on Saturday. The San Ramon Police Department said in a statement on Wednesday that its investigation revealed the Amazon driver was not kidnapped. Police said the two suspects from Saturday's incident approached the driver to commit a fake jewelry scam. SFO in ‘close contact’ with federal authorities following explosion at US-Canada border "After further investigation, it appears the suspects approached the victim to commit a fake jewelry scam," SRPD said in a statement.  "Based on a language barrier, the victim believed something more nefarious was going on, so he went to the banks to withdraw money.  There were no apparent threats or weapons were seen/used during the encounter."As of Wednesday night, no other details were released by SRPD. The investigation remains ongoing.The incident began when the Amazon truck and the suspect vehicle collided near ...