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New vaccine expected to give endangered California condors protection against deadly bird flu

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:27:57 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Antibodies found in early results of a historic new vaccine trial are expected to give endangered California condors at least partial protection from the deadliest strain of avian influenza in U.S. history. The California condor is the only bird species in the U.S. that has been approved for the new emergency-use vaccine, which was administered this summer to condors bred in captivity during a trial at the Los Angeles Zoo, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park and the Oregon Zoo. Authorities launched the study after the avian influenza deaths earlier this year of 21 free-flying condors in Arizona, part of a Southwest flock usually accounting for a third of the wild population.Wildlife officials feared that the outbreak’s toll on the California condor population could erase any gains made to rebuild the wild population, spurring the efforts to fast-track the vaccine. After 40 years of recovery efforts to prevent the extinction of the iconic vulture with a 10-foot (3-meter)...

Settlement over Trump family separations at the border limits future separations for 8 years

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:27:57 GMT

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The federal government would be barred from immigration policies that separate parents from children for eight years under a proposed court settlement announced Monday that also provides families that were split under the Trump administration with temporary legal status and short-term housing aid.The settlement between the Biden administration and the American Civil Liberties Union, if approved by a judge, would at least temporarily prohibit the type of “zero-tolerance” policy on illegal immigration under which former President Donald Trump separated thousands of families at the border with Mexico.“It is our intent to do whatever we can to make sure that the cruelty of the past is not repeated in the future. We set forth procedures through this settlement agreement to advance that effort,” Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told The Associated Press.Trump, the front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination, hasn’t ruled out reviving the hi...

Arrest made in airport parking garage shooting that killed Philadelphia officer and injured another

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:27:57 GMT

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A suspect has been arrested in an airport parking garage shooting that killed a Philadelphia police officer and injured another last week, authorities said. Police have scheduled a Monday afternoon news conference to release more information.Authorities said the two officers had just arrived at work at about 11 p.m. Thursday when they heard breaking glass and saw several people breaking into a car in the parking lot at Philadelphia International Airport. A confrontation ensued, and the two officers and one of the suspects were shot.Fifty-year-old Officer Richard Mendez, who had been on the force for more than two decades, was shot four times and was pronounced dead at a hospital. Officer Raul Ortiz, a 20-year veteran of the force, was shot once in his arm and was released from the hospital Saturday.Authorities said the suspects fled in an SUV reported stolen a week ago that was later seen at a hospital dropping off 18-year-old Jesus Herman Madera Duran, who autho...

Cricket’s Olympic return draws an enthusiastic response from around the world

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:27:57 GMT

MUMBAI, India (AP) — Cricket’s return to the Olympic program for the 2028 Los Angeles Games drew an enthusiastic response from around the world.Cricket, a bat-and-ball game that is hugely popular in south Asia, was one of five sports added to the LA Games by the International Olympic Committee on Monday. Flag football, baseball-softball, lacrosse and squash were also included.“After a wait of more than a century, our beloved sport is back on the Olympic stage,” former India captain Sachin Tendulkar wrote on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. “This marks the dawn of a new era for cricket as it will be a golden opportunity to foster inclusivity and showcase new talent from emerging cricketing nations. A start of something truly special!”Monday’s decision was made at an IOC meeting in Mumbai, the Indian city that will host five matches at the ongoing Cricket World Cup.“Our beautiful game of cricket has a rich heritage and diverse international following,” said Paki...

Suncor CEO says company remains committed to decarbonization

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:27:57 GMT

OTTAWA — The CEO of one of Canada’s biggest oil producers says he hasn’t studied the fine print on new federal regulations to cut emissions from gasoline and diesel.Suncor CEO Rich Kruger says he is aware of the regulations and says the company is meeting its obligations.But when asked what impact the regulations will have on Suncor’s products, he said he hadn’t looked at them in great detail yet.The regulations took effect earlier this year, requiring companies that refine or import gasoline and diesel to offset their greenhouse gas emissions by investing in clean technology and renewable energy.Kruger is in Ottawa today speaking at the House natural resources committee to explain comments he made this summer about reducing his company’s emphasis on the transition to lower-emitting energy sources.Kruger says his comments were misinterpreted as Suncor ending its commitment to curbing its carbon footprint, when the focus is really on ensuring the company...

B.C. to bring in new rules on short-term rentals to create more housing

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:27:57 GMT

VICTORIA — The British Columbia government has introduced new legislation aimed at increasing badly needed rental housing, in part by forcing those offering short-term accommodation to live on the property they’re renting.The government says the legislation would rein in a rapidly expanding short-term rental market. Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon introduced the bill Monday in the legislature, saying there has been “an explosion” of short-term rental units and the legislation will target areas with high housing needs. “Vacancy rates across the province are extremely low. People are struggling to find homes that they can afford and the rapid increase in short-term rentals is making the problem worse,” he said.Short-term rentals remove thousands of homes from B.C.’s communities, Kahlon said. The legislation would force short-term rental platforms to share their data with the province for enforcement and tax purposes, and would limit short-term rentals ...

The Supreme Court leaves in place a court victory for PETA over North Carolina’s ag-gag law

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:27:57 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Monday rejected North Carolina’s appeal in a dispute with animal rights groups over a law aimed at preventing undercover employees at farms and other workplaces from taking documents or recording video.The justices left in placea legal victory for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals in its challenge to the state law, which was enacted in 2015. PETA has said it had wanted to conduct an undercover investigation at testing laboratories at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill but feared prosecution under the “Property Protection Act.” In a 2-1 decision, the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in February that the law could not be enforced against PETA — and likely others in similar situations — when its undercover work is being performed to conduct newsgathering activities. “People have a right to know about illegal and unethical conduct. Exposing unsafe or inhumane practices and working conditions is essential to holdi...

GOP’s Jim Jordan is shoring up support and peeling off detractors ahead of a House speaker vote

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:27:57 GMT

Two weeks without a House speaker, Republicans will meet behind closed doors Monday evening to try to unite around their new nominee, far-right firebrand Rep. Jim Jordan, a Donald Trump ally who appears to be quickly shoring up support to win the gavel.One by one Jordan, the hard-charging Judiciary Committee chairman, has been peeling off detractors who view the Ohio Republican as too extreme. A major pressure campaign from Trump allies including Fox News’ Sean Hannity has helped quickly build support. A floor vote that could turn into a showdown is set for Tuesday.In a letter Monday to colleagues, Jordan took a cooperative tone vowing to “bring all Republicans together” if he becomes House speaker after the ouster of Kevin McCarthy.“The country and our conference cannot afford us attacking each other right now,” Jordan wrote. “It is time we unite to get back to work on behalf of the American people.”The political climb has been steep for Jordan, an outsider and founding...

Ontario-wide carjacking task force to be co-led by OPP, Toronto police

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:27:57 GMT

Ontario Provincial Police have joined with their Greater Toronto Area counterparts to create a provincial task force aimed at addressing a rise in carjackings. The task force is set to be co-led by the OPP and Toronto police, who say the level of violence used in vehicle thefts represents a “new and evolving threat.”In a joint statement, the forces say there have been more than 300 carjackings in the GTA this year, with over 200 of those taking place in Toronto.Vehicle theft more broadly has spiked in recent years, with some insurance industry groups calling it a crisis.  Related: One person suffers stab wound in knifepoint carjacking in North York Police searching for puppy, Porsche taken in North York carjacking ‘Shell-shocked’: Mississauga man says 2 SUVs stolen from driveway in 2 weeks “The violence associated with auto thefts in Toronto and across the GTA is a concerning trend, and can be incredibly tr...

'You get butterflies': Rookie Tyson Bagent gets his chance after Justin Fields injury

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:27:57 GMT

CHICAGO — He was one of the best stories of the Bears' training camp as the undrafted free agent earned the chance to be the team's backup quarterback in his first season. The next chapter of that came Sunday, when Tyson Bagent made his NFL debut, but it wasn't under the best of circumstances. In fact, it was the opposite. Justin Fields' right hand injury, which was later reported by Fox Sports' Jay Glazer to be a dislocated thump, knocked him out of the game. That put the undrafted rookie onto the field for the first time during a regular season NFL game, a chance for him to get to know the league while others got to learn about him. "Obviously you get butterflies because you're playing in front of so many people, and you know, the stakes are high in the NFL," said Bagen when asked about entering the game in the third quarter of the Bears' 19-13 loss to the Broncos Sunday. "But felt really prepared. Felt like the coaches did a good job of always preparing all the quarterbacks week-...