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The National Zoo’s panda program is ending after more than 50 years as China looks elsewhere

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:39:00 GMT

(CNN) – The three giant pandas tumble around in their enclosure at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, DC, munching on bamboo shoots and leaves, climbing branches and generally looking adorable.For the steady stream of visitors, it’s their last chance to see Tian Tian, Mei Xiang and their youngest cub, Xiao Qi Ji, before the black-and-white bears head back to China on Wednesday.Their departure marks the end of more than 50 years of Chinese pandas being housed at the zoo, which was the first US zoo to showcase the bears as part of what’s been called “panda diplomacy.”Zoo staff call it a “hiatus” in their five-decade wildly popular panda program; Chinese officials have yet to say whether it will continue.And with relations between the two superpowers in a constant state of flux, these national treasures may be finding themselves part of the extension of the diplomatic chaos that has taken over the relationship between the two countr...

J.C. Jackson won’t travel with Patriots to Germany due to ‘reliability’ questions

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:39:00 GMT

The Patriots will be shorthanded at cornerback when they take on the Colts in Frankfurt, Germany on Sunday.Cornerback J.C. Jackson won’t travel with the team to Germany, NFL Media reported first Wednesday morning.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Patriots comfortable keeping Mike Onwenu in new role moving forward New England Patriots | Patriots expect offensive line coach out ‘a little while’ with health issue New England Patriots | OBF: Only a changed Bill Belichick can hang onto his job New England Patriots | Where does Patriots’ Tyquan Thornton go from here after Week 9 benching? New England Patriots | Patriots coach trying to change the ‘narrative’ on apparent cornerback benchings “With questions about his reliability, the decision was made to have him stay home, get through the bye and return in a better place,” NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported Wednesd...

Patriots comfortable keeping Mike Onwenu in new role moving forward

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:39:00 GMT

FOXBORO — The Patriots officially have a new right tackle.Head coach Bill Belichick said Wednesday morning that the Patriots are comfortable with starting Mike Onwenu at right tackle moving forward. Onwenu has been playing the role since Week 7, but Belichick wouldn’t confirm at the time that he would be sticking at the position.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | J.C. Jackson won’t travel with Patriots to Germany due to ‘reliability’ questions New England Patriots | Patriots expect offensive line coach out ‘a little while’ with health issue New England Patriots | OBF: Only a changed Bill Belichick can hang onto his job New England Patriots | Where does Patriots’ Tyquan Thornton go from here after Week 9 benching? New England Patriots | Patriots coach trying to change the ‘narrative’ on apparent cornerback benchings Onwenu moving to right tackle has allo...

Why did Chicago White Sox decline Tim Anderson’s 2024 club option — and what’s next for the team at shortstop?

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:39:00 GMT

Chicago White Sox general manager Chris Getz had to have a difficult conversation with shortstop Tim Anderson.“What Tim Anderson meant for the organization, there is not enough time to go through the impact he’s made on the organization, the city, his teammates, the game,” Getz said during Tuesday’s MLB general managers meetings at a resort in Paradise Valley, Ariz.“A guy that was drafted, went through the system and performed at the major-league level. So a decision like that needs to be as thorough as it possibly can. There was a lot of factors involved.”The Sox declined the two-time All-Star’s $14 million club option for the 2024 season on Saturday. He receives a $1 million buyout.Getz discussed the decision with reporters Tuesday.“He’s my son’s favorite player as well so not only is TA disappointed in me but so is my son,” Getz said. “With the direction we’re going, and unfortunately a decision on a TA...

Patriots expect offensive line coach out ‘a little while’ with health issue

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:39:00 GMT

FOXBORO — It sounds like the Patriots will be going to Germany this week without offensive line coach Adrian Klemm.Patriots head coach Bill Belichick confirmed Wednesday that Klemm, who wasn’t available to the media in Tuesday’s assistant coach video conference call session, will be out “a little while” with a health issue. Klemm, a Patriots 2000 NFL Draft pick, was hired this offseason from the University of Oregon.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | J.C. Jackson won’t travel with Patriots to Germany due to ‘reliability’ questions New England Patriots | Patriots comfortable keeping Mike Onwenu in new role moving forward New England Patriots | OBF: Only a changed Bill Belichick can hang onto his job New England Patriots | Where does Patriots’ Tyquan Thornton go from here after Week 9 benching? New England Patriots | Patriots coach trying to change the ‘...

Man wanted in sexual assault of woman at TTC subway station

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:39:00 GMT

A man is wanted by Toronto police following the alleged sexual assault of a woman inside an elevator at a TTC subway station.Authorities responded to a sexual assault that occurred at Sherbourne Subway Station in Toronto’s St. James Town neighbourhood just before 10 p.m. on November 2.It’s alleged that a woman exited a TTC subway train at Sherbourne Station and a man followed her into an elevator, where he sexually assaulted the victim. Related: Man, woman arrested after 14-year-old girl forcibly confined, sexually assaulted in Toronto’s east end Police said the man then fled the station.The male suspect is described as five-foot-seven with a medium build, 40 to 50 years old, with short black hair and a moustache. He was last seen wearing all dark clothing and a camouflage shirt.An image of the suspect has been released.

Minnesota town is believed to be the first to elect a Somali American as mayor

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:39:00 GMT

ST. LOUIS PARK, Minn. (AP) — A suburban Minneapolis town became what is believed to be the first in the U.S. to elect a Somali American mayor when 27-year-old Nadia Mohamed was chosen to lead St. Louis Park, Minnesota.“This is a milestone. This is not the destination,” Mohamed told supporters after the results came in Tuesday. “As mayor, I want to ensure people see themselves reflected in our policies.”Mohamed won handily over retired banker Dale A. Anderson, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported. She had served on the City Council since she was elected at age 23 in 2019.Deqa Dhalac of South Portland, Maine, was the first Somali American to serve as mayor of an American city, but she was selected by that city’s six-member council in 2021, not elected by the voters.Mohamed campaigned in support of investing in community policing and programs to make homeownership more affordable. Mayor Jake Spano did not seek re-election, and he endorsed Mohamed.Mohamed spoke Tuesday night about her ...

Winnipeg woman sues Tim Hortons alleging cream in tea led to hospitalization

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:39:00 GMT

WINNIPEG — A Winnipeg woman is suing Tim Hortons alleging a staff mistake that added cream instead of almond milk to her tea led to a severe allergic reaction and stopped her heart for several minutes. The lawsuit for Gabrielle Lien Ho, 25, was filed last week against the popular coffee and food chain, along with Restaurant Brands International, which is the company that owns Tim Hortons, and the operator of the franchised Winnipeg location that Ho visited.The statement of claim alleges the defendants failed to properly train employees on how to handle drink requests that require modifications or substitutions. The document also alleges Tim Hortons failed to advise Ho of the risks of ordering through the app and staff at the location failed to properly check the order.It says Ho’s injuries were the result of cream being added to her tea instead of almond milk.None of the claims have been proven in court and none of the companies have filed statements of defence.An email from T...

Tickets to 2024 NHL All-Star Fan Fair in Toronto on sale

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:39:00 GMT

The best players in the NHL will take over Toronto when the 2024 NHL All-Star Game is played in Toronto next February. On Tuesday, the league announced the four-day hockey fan festival that will take place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre South Building from February 1 to February 4.The 2024 Hyundai NHL Fan Fair will have interactive hockey games for fans of all ages and fans can expect special appearances by NHL Alumni and current NHL players. Throughout the festival, there will be NHL memorabilia and trophies on display including the chance to take a photo with the Stanley Cup.If you miss out on getting a ticket to the All-Star Skills competition, there will be official watch parties.Individual tickets for each day of the 2024 Hyundai NHL Fan Fair are available for purchase at NHL.com/FanFair.The last time Toronto hosted the All-Star game was in 2000.

Partial reopening of Highway 3 near Keremeos, B.C., after slide forced evacuations

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:39:00 GMT

KEREMEOS, B.C. — Crews have partially reopened a major highway through southern British Columbia as they deal with a rock slide that blocked the route west of Keremeos on Sunday.A geotechnical survey was done Tuesday and DriveBC, the province’s online traveller information system, says Highway 3 between Keremeos and Hedley opened to single lane traffic in each direction by late afternoon.The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen says it has lifted the local state of emergency declared shortly after boulders crashed down on the section of highway about 300 kilometres east of Vancouver.The evacuation order has also been ended for the two properties, including an RV park, along the strip of land between Highway 3 and the Similkameen River.FortisBC, which provides electricity in the region, says power is restored to 114 customers in the rural area, but the Telus website says internet, home phone and 911 landline links are among the telecommunication systems still knocked out b...