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Pair of Giant Pandas Set to Travel from China to San Diego Zoo

This photo released by the San Diego Zoo shows giant panda Yun Chuan on Thursday, April 25, 2024, in the Sichuan province of China. (Ken Bohn/San Diego Zoo via AP)
This photo released by the San Diego Zoo shows giant panda Yun Chuan on Thursday, April 25, 2024, in the Sichuan province of China. (Ken Bohn/San Diego Zoo via AP)
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Pair of Giant Pandas Set to Travel from China to San Diego Zoo

This photo released by the San Diego Zoo shows giant panda Yun Chuan on Thursday, April 25, 2024, in the Sichuan province of China. (Ken Bohn/San Diego Zoo via AP)
This photo released by the San Diego Zoo shows giant panda Yun Chuan on Thursday, April 25, 2024, in the Sichuan province of China. (Ken Bohn/San Diego Zoo via AP)

A pair of giant pandas will soon make the journey from China to the US, where they will be cared for at the San Diego Zoo as part of an ongoing conservation partnership between the two nations, officials said Monday.
The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance said its caretakers recently visited China to meet the giant pandas, Yun Chuan and Xin Bao, ahead of their planned trip to Southern California. An exact date for the handoff hasn't been set.
Yun Chuan, a mild-mannered male who's nearly 5 years old, has “deep connections” to California, the wildlife alliance said. His mother, Zhen Zhen, was born at the San Diego Zoo in 2007 to parents Bai Yun and Gao Gao, The Associated Press reported.
Xin Bao is a nearly 4-year-old female described as “a gentle and witty introvert with a sweet round face and big ears.”
“Our conservation partners in China shared photographs and personality traits of Yun Chuan and Xin Bao, but meeting them in person was so special," said Dr. Megan Owen, the alliance's vice president of conservation science. “It’s inspiring as people from around the world come together to conserve, protect, and care for these special bears, and we can’t wait to welcome them to San Diego.”
The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance has a nearly 30-year partnership with leading conservation institutions in China focused on protecting and recovering giant pandas and the bamboo forests they depend on.

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Saudi Arabia Launches Major Project to Protect Marine Ecosystems in Arabian Gulf

The vast Saudi waters in the Arabian Gulf, spanning over 27,000 square kilometers, are a haven for a diverse array of marine life. SPA
The vast Saudi waters in the Arabian Gulf, spanning over 27,000 square kilometers, are a haven for a diverse array of marine life. SPA
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Saudi Arabia Launches Major Project to Protect Marine Ecosystems in Arabian Gulf

The vast Saudi waters in the Arabian Gulf, spanning over 27,000 square kilometers, are a haven for a diverse array of marine life. SPA
The vast Saudi waters in the Arabian Gulf, spanning over 27,000 square kilometers, are a haven for a diverse array of marine life. SPA

Saudi Arabia is launching a groundbreaking project to assess the health of its vital ecosystems in the Arabian Gulf, in a significant step toward safeguarding its marine treasures.

Led by the National Center for Wildlife (NCW), the project aims to create a comprehensive roadmap for protecting marine biodiversity and ensuring the long-term health of the Gulf waters.

NCW CEO Dr. Mohammed Qurban said in a statement that scientists will evaluate the condition of the coral reefs, seagrass meadows, and mangrove forests.

They will identify both natural and human-caused threats to these habitats, and develop strategies to mitigate these risks. Ultimately, the project will use the collected data to design a management plan for the conservation and restoration of the coastal ecosystems.

Qurban said the vast Saudi waters in the Arabian Gulf, spanning over 27,000 square kilometers, are a haven for a diverse array of marine life, all supported by the rich ecosystems of the Gulf. The project will ensure that these vital habitats continue to thrive for generations to come.

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Watches Belonging to F1 Great Schumacher Fetch Millions at Auction

One of F1 legend Michael Schumacher's watches sold at auction. Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP
One of F1 legend Michael Schumacher's watches sold at auction. Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP
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Watches Belonging to F1 Great Schumacher Fetch Millions at Auction

One of F1 legend Michael Schumacher's watches sold at auction. Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP
One of F1 legend Michael Schumacher's watches sold at auction. Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP

Eight watches belonging to Formula One legend Michael Schumacher were sold at auction in Geneva on Tuesday for a total of four million Swiss francs (4.4 million dollars/4.1 million euros).
The German seven-time F1 world champion was a passionate watch collector until the skiing accident he suffered in December 2013, since which he has not been seen in public, said AFP.
Two of the timepieces sold at the Christie's auction were personalized gifts Schumacher received from then Ferrari team principal Jean Todt to celebrate his achievements on the racing track with the Italian manufacturer.
An F.P. Journe Vagabondage with a dial honoring the seven F1 world championships Schumacher won was sold for 1,646,700 dollars.
But the piece that went for the most - 2,711,500 dollars - was a vintage pink gold Patek Philippe.
"Our sincere thanks go to our consigners as well as the Schumacher family who entrusted us with the outstanding property of Michael Schumacher. We saw strong global participation, with an emphasis on America" said the auction house's watch specialist Remi Guillemin.

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Miniature Poodle Sage Fetches Top Prize at Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show 

Sage, a Miniature Poodle from Houston, Texas, competes in the Non-Sporting Group during the 148th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City, New York, US, May 13, 2024. (Reuters)
Sage, a Miniature Poodle from Houston, Texas, competes in the Non-Sporting Group during the 148th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City, New York, US, May 13, 2024. (Reuters)
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Miniature Poodle Sage Fetches Top Prize at Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show 

Sage, a Miniature Poodle from Houston, Texas, competes in the Non-Sporting Group during the 148th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City, New York, US, May 13, 2024. (Reuters)
Sage, a Miniature Poodle from Houston, Texas, competes in the Non-Sporting Group during the 148th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City, New York, US, May 13, 2024. (Reuters)

A miniature poodle named Sage was crowned "Best in Show" on Tuesday at the 148th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, fetching the grand prize in the most prestigious competition among pure-bred canines in the United States.

The finalist representing all breeds classified as non-sporting dogs, Sage emerged victorious from more than 2,500 top-ranked canines competing in a two-day contest, held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in the Queens borough of New York City.

Sage, a 4-year-old black-colored female groomed in the fine, fluffy topiary style traditional for poodles, competed head to head against the winners in six other groups - terriers, hounds, herding dogs, working dogs, sporting dogs and toy dogs.

She was the first female to win the top prize at Westminster since 2020, according to commentators on the Fox Sports channel, which broadcast the event live.

The Westminster dog show bills itself as the second-oldest US sporting event, behind only the Kentucky Derby thoroughbred horse race. This year's competition drew a field of contenders representing 200 breeds from all 50 US states and 12 other countries.

Mercedes, a female 4-year-old German shepherd, was named runner-up for the overall contest, after first winning the top prize in the herding dog group.

Along with Sage and Mercedes, the two other finalists chosen on Monday were Comet the Shih Tzu, representing the toy group, and Louis, the Afghan hound leading the hound group.

Rounding out the finalists were three group winners chosen on Tuesday - Micah the black cocker spaniel, representing sporting dogs; Monty, the giant schnauzer, leading the working dogs; and Frankie, a colored bull terrier from the terrier group.

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Wildfire Forces Out Hundreds of Residents in Canada's Oil Sands Hub of Fort McMurray

A picture taken through a window shows smoke rising from wildfire MWF017 on the south side of the Athabasca River valley near Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada May 10, 2024. Alberta Wildfire/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
A picture taken through a window shows smoke rising from wildfire MWF017 on the south side of the Athabasca River valley near Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada May 10, 2024. Alberta Wildfire/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
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Wildfire Forces Out Hundreds of Residents in Canada's Oil Sands Hub of Fort McMurray

A picture taken through a window shows smoke rising from wildfire MWF017 on the south side of the Athabasca River valley near Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada May 10, 2024. Alberta Wildfire/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
A picture taken through a window shows smoke rising from wildfire MWF017 on the south side of the Athabasca River valley near Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada May 10, 2024. Alberta Wildfire/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights

Hundreds of residents in four neighborhoods in the southern end of Canada’s oil sand hub of Fort McMurray, Alberta, were ordered to evacuate with a wildfire threatening the community, authorities said Tuesday.

The Rural Municipality of Wood Buffalo said residents in Beacon Hill, Abasand, Prairie Creek and Grayling Terrace needed to leave by 4 p.m.

An emergency evacuation warning remained in place for the rest of Fort McMurray and surrounding areas.

The rural municipality said the residents in the four neighborhoods were being ordered out to clear room for crews to fight the fire, which had moved to within 13 kilometers (8 miles) of the city, The AP reported.

Fort McMurray has a population of about 68,000, and a wildfire there in 2016 destroyed 2,400 homes and forced more than 80,000 people to flee.

“It’s very important for me to know that this fire activity is very different than the 2016 Horse River wildfire. We have an abundance of resources and we are well positioned to respond to this situation,” Regional Fire Chief Jody Butz said.

Suzy Gerendi, who runs the dessert shop in the Beacon Hill neighborhood, said she was already packed up when the evacuation order came down. Gerendi lived in Beacon Hill when fire overtook it in 2016.

She immediately began the drive towards Edmonton, Alberta with her three dogs.

“It’s very, very dark and orange,” Gerendi said. “It brings up some memories and it’s not a good feeling.”

Residents were also dealing with heavy smoke and ash.

“It’s dark. The smoke is everywhere,” said resident Else Hoko.

Hoko picked up her two sons from school in Abasand after receiving the evacuation order. She had also fled in 2016.

“I’m so stressed,” she said, adding that she’s praying for rain.

The Beacon Hill and Abasand neighborhoods saw serious losses in 2016.

The current fire has grown to about 110 square kilometers (42.5 square miles) and remains out of control.

Josee St. Onge, an Alberta Wildfire information officer, said wind is pushing the fire toward the community.

She said crews have been pulled from the fire line for safety reasons, and air tankers and helicopters continue to drop water and retardant on the “active edges.”

“Unfortunately, these are not favorable winds for us, and the fire will continue to advance towards the town until we see a wind shift,” she said.

More than 230 wildfires were burning across western Canada, most of them in British Columbia, where about 130 were counted, officials said.

In the northeast of the neighboring province of British Columbia, areas subject to mandatory evacuation increased, with the latest order Monday for Doig River First Nation and the Peace River Regional District as a fire threatened nearby.

Forecasts on Tuesday called for wind that could blow a growing wildfire closer to Fort Nelson. Emergency workers had been phoning as many of the estimated 50 residents still in town and urging them to go.

The British Columbia Wildfire Service said the blaze had grown to 84 square kilometers (32 miles). On Monday, it was about 53 square kilometers (21 miles) in size. A photo by the service shows the billowing blaze spreading in a vast wooded area.

The community of about 4,700 and the neighboring Fort Nelson First Nation have been under an evacuation order since Friday.

Northern Rockies Regional Municipality Mayor Rob Fraser said one drawback of the evacuation is the challenge for essential staff, including firefighters, to find food.

“This is really going to be weather dependent, and so far the weather has been holding with us,” Fraser said of the wildfire in a video posted to Facebook.

In 2023, Canada experienced a record number of wildfires that caused choking smoke in parts of the US and forced more than 235,000 Canadians to evacuate their communities. At least four firefighters died.

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Yellow Diamond Brooch Resembling Queen Elizabeth's Up for Auction

The Allnatt, a 101.29-carat yellow diamond, mounted as a brooch by Cartier, is displayed ahead of auction, during a Sotheby's media preview in Geneva, Switzerland, May 13, 2024. REUTERS/Pierre Albouy
The Allnatt, a 101.29-carat yellow diamond, mounted as a brooch by Cartier, is displayed ahead of auction, during a Sotheby's media preview in Geneva, Switzerland, May 13, 2024. REUTERS/Pierre Albouy
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Yellow Diamond Brooch Resembling Queen Elizabeth's Up for Auction

The Allnatt, a 101.29-carat yellow diamond, mounted as a brooch by Cartier, is displayed ahead of auction, during a Sotheby's media preview in Geneva, Switzerland, May 13, 2024. REUTERS/Pierre Albouy
The Allnatt, a 101.29-carat yellow diamond, mounted as a brooch by Cartier, is displayed ahead of auction, during a Sotheby's media preview in Geneva, Switzerland, May 13, 2024. REUTERS/Pierre Albouy

A golden-hued diamond brooch, similar to one worn by the late Queen Elizabeth, is expected to be sold for around $6 million at a Sotheby's auction in Geneva this week.

The "Allnatt" diamond, bearing the name of its first owner, a British sportsman, is a rare stone, fancy vivid yellow in color and weighing 101.29 carats, Reuters.

It was mounted by Cartier into a floral design strongly resembling Queen Elizabeth's Williamson Pink diamond, given to her as a wedding gift in 1947.

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Boxing Fight 'Ring of Fire' to Be Held Next Saturday in Kingdom Arena

The match will take place at the "Ring of Fire" in the Kingdom Arena in the Saudi capital, Riyadh - SPA
The match will take place at the "Ring of Fire" in the Kingdom Arena in the Saudi capital, Riyadh - SPA
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Boxing Fight 'Ring of Fire' to Be Held Next Saturday in Kingdom Arena

The match will take place at the "Ring of Fire" in the Kingdom Arena in the Saudi capital, Riyadh - SPA
The match will take place at the "Ring of Fire" in the Kingdom Arena in the Saudi capital, Riyadh - SPA

A boxing match between Britain's Tyson Fury and Ukraine's Oleksandr Usyk will take place next Saturday at the "Ring of Fire" in the Kingdom Arena in the Saudi capital, Riyadh.

The winner of the match will become the first undisputed heavyweight world champion, holding all four major world titles: the World Boxing Association (WBA), the World Boxing Council (WBC), the International Boxing Federation (IBF), and the World Boxing Organization (WBO), SPA reported.
There has not been an undisputed heavyweight champion for 25 years. The last time this title was held was in 1999 when the champion only held three of the four organization belts: WBC, WBA, and IBF. Now, the WBO belt has been added for the first time in the era of the four belts, making the upcoming match historic.

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Riyadh to Host International Kahila Arabian Horse Championship on May 22

Riyadh to Host International Kahila Arabian Horse Championship on May 22
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Riyadh to Host International Kahila Arabian Horse Championship on May 22

Riyadh to Host International Kahila Arabian Horse Championship on May 22

Riyadh is preparing to host the Kingdom International Championship for Arabian Horses (Kahila) at the Arena Riyadh Venue for Exhibitions, starting on May 22.
Under the supervision of the King Abdulaziz Arabian Horse Center, the championship will span five days, showcasing the qualities and capabilities of purebred Arabian horses from the Kingdom and the region, SPA reported.
With over 100 horse owners and 250 horses, competitors will vie for prestigious titles in various categories, with contests for Egyptian and Saudi horses and a horse beauty show.

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Saudi Space Agency, NASA Hold 'Beyond Earth: Journeys to the Stars' Dialogue

Saudi Space Agency, NASA Hold 'Beyond Earth: Journeys to the Stars' Dialogue
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Saudi Space Agency, NASA Hold 'Beyond Earth: Journeys to the Stars' Dialogue

Saudi Space Agency, NASA Hold 'Beyond Earth: Journeys to the Stars' Dialogue

Prince Sultan University in Riyadh hosted a joint delegation from the Saudi Space Agency (SSA) and its US counterpart, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

The event was attended by the SSA CEO Dr. Mohammed bin Saud Al-Tamimi, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, US Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Michael Ratney, and Saudi Astronauts Rayyanah Barnawi, Ali Al-Ghamdi, and Mariam Fardous.
The event aimed to discuss ways to enhance cooperation in the fields of science, research, development, and innovation as part of the SSA's ongoing efforts to develop national capabilities and competencies.

The agency aims to adopt scientific methods and modern technologies and harness all of these to develop the Saudi space sector, according to SPA.
The Saudi agency hosted a dialogue session titled "Beyond Earth: Journeys to the Stars" featuring a distinguished panel. The event included NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, alongside Saudi astronauts Rayana Barnawi, Maryam Firdaus, and Ali Al-Ghamdi. The discussion addressed several key topics, including articles on the Saudi space program, NASA's vision for the future, the challenges and opportunities presented by space exploration, and the role of pioneers in inspiring future generations to pursue careers in the vast field of space exploration.

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King Charles Unveils His First Portrait Since Coronation

Artist Jonathan Yeo and Britain's King Charles III at the unveiling of artist Jonathan Yeo's portrait of the King, in the blue drawing room at Buckingham Palace, in London, Tuesday May 14, 2024. (AP)
Artist Jonathan Yeo and Britain's King Charles III at the unveiling of artist Jonathan Yeo's portrait of the King, in the blue drawing room at Buckingham Palace, in London, Tuesday May 14, 2024. (AP)
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King Charles Unveils His First Portrait Since Coronation

Artist Jonathan Yeo and Britain's King Charles III at the unveiling of artist Jonathan Yeo's portrait of the King, in the blue drawing room at Buckingham Palace, in London, Tuesday May 14, 2024. (AP)
Artist Jonathan Yeo and Britain's King Charles III at the unveiling of artist Jonathan Yeo's portrait of the King, in the blue drawing room at Buckingham Palace, in London, Tuesday May 14, 2024. (AP)

Britain's King Charles on Tuesday unveiled the first official portrait of himself since his coronation last May.

The portrait by artist Jonathan Yeo depicts Charles against a background of vivid red hues, wearing the uniform of the Welsh Guards military unit, with a butterfly just above his shoulder.

"Much like the butterfly I've painted hovering over his shoulder, this portrait has evolved as the subject's role in our public life has transformed," Yeo, 53, who has previously painted Charles' late father Prince Philip, said in a statement.

"My aim was also to make reference to the traditions of Royal portraiture but in a way that reflects a 21st Century Monarchy and, above all else, to communicate the subject's deep humanity."

The portrait unveiled at Buckingham Palace was commissioned in 2020 to celebrate the then Prince of Wales's 50 years as a member of the grant-giving body, The Drapers' Company, in 2022, the palace said.

Yeo's past subjects have included British broadcaster and naturalist David Attenborough, Oscar-winning actor Nicole Kidman and former Prime Minister Tony Blair.

The oil on canvas artwork, which measures about 8-1/2 by 6-1/2 feet, is expected to be displayed at Drapers' Hall in the City of London - the capital's financial district - from the end of August, the palace said.

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Summer 2023 Was the Hottest in 2,000 Years, Study Says

A child cools off at a water supply line as temperatures rise in Karachi, Pakistan, 13 May 2024. (EPA)
A child cools off at a water supply line as temperatures rise in Karachi, Pakistan, 13 May 2024. (EPA)
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Summer 2023 Was the Hottest in 2,000 Years, Study Says

A child cools off at a water supply line as temperatures rise in Karachi, Pakistan, 13 May 2024. (EPA)
A child cools off at a water supply line as temperatures rise in Karachi, Pakistan, 13 May 2024. (EPA)

Last summer, as wildfires swept across the Mediterranean, roads buckled in Texas and heatwaves strained power grids in China, it was not just the warmest summer on record, but the hottest one in some 2,000 years, new research has found.

European scientists last year established that the period from June through August was the warmest in records dating back to 1940 - a clear sign of climate change fueling new extremes.

But the summer heat of 2023 in the Northern Hemisphere also eclipses records over a far longer time horizon, a study in the journal Nature found on Tuesday.

"When you look at the long sweep of history, you can see just how dramatic recent global warming is," said study co-author Jan Esper, a climate scientist at Johannes Gutenberg University in Germany.

Summer 2023 saw land temperatures between 30 and 90 degrees North of latitude reach 2.07 degrees Celsius (3.73 degrees Fahrenheit) higher than pre-industrial averages, the study said.

Scientists used meteorological station records dating back to the mid-1800s combined with tree rings from thousands of trees across nine sites in the Northern Hemisphere, to recreate what annual temperatures looked like in the distant past.

Last summer, they found, was 2.2 C warmer (4 F) than the estimated average temperatures for the years of 1 to 1890, based on these tree ring proxies.

Scientists with the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service said in January that 2023 was "very likely" to have been the warmest in the last 100,000 years.

However, Esper and a team of European scientists have refuted such claims. They argue the scientific methods of gleaning past climate information from sources such as lake and marine sediments and peat bogs, do not allow to draw out year-by-year comparisons for temperature extremes over such a vast time scale.

"We don't have such data," Esper said. "That was an overstatement."

The warming from rising greenhouse gas emissions caused by the burning of fossil fuels was amplified last summer by an El Nino climate pattern which generally leads to warmer global temperatures, Esper said.

"We end up with longer and more severe heatwaves and extended periods of drought," he said.