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5.9 magnitude earthquake shakes Indonesia’s Aceh province. No casualties reported

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:12:28 GMT

BANDA ACEH, Indonesia (AP) — A strong and shallow undersea earthquake shook part of Indonesia’s Aceh province Saturday, but there were no immediate reports of serious damage or casualties.The U.S. Geological Survey said the magnitude 5.9 earthquake was centered 362 kilometers (225 miles) east of Sinabang, a coastal town in Aceh province at a depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles).Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysical Agency said there was no danger of a tsunami but warned of possible aftershocks. The agency put a preliminary magnitude at 6.3. Variations in early measurements of quakes are common.Indonesia, a vast archipelago of more than 270 million people, is frequently hit by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions because of its location on the “Ring of Fire,” an arc of volcanoes and fault lines in the Pacific Basin.A magnitude 5.6 earthquake on Nov. 21 killed at least 331 people and injured nearly 600 in West Java’s Cianjur city. It was the deadliest in Indonesia since a 2...

Most money for endangered species goes to a small number of creatures, leaving others in limbo

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:12:28 GMT

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Since passage of the Endangered Species Act 50 years ago, more than 1,700 plants, mammals, fish, insects and other species in the U.S. have been listed as threatened or endangered with extinction. Yet federal government data reveals striking disparities in how much money is allocated to save various biological kingdoms.Of the roughly $1.2 billion a year spent on endangered and threatened species, about half goes toward recovery of just two types of fish: salmon and steelhead trout along the West Coast. Tens of millions of dollars go to other widely known animals including manatees, right whales, grizzly bears and spotted owls.But the large sums directed toward a handful of species means others have gone neglected, in some cases for decades, as they teeter on potential extinction.At the bottom of the spending list is the tiny Virginia fringed mountain snail, which had $100 spent on its behalf in 2020, according to the most recent data available. The underground...

California man injured by rogue wave shares harrowing tale

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:12:28 GMT

A cyclist in Ventura County, California says he feels fortunate to have escaped with only minor injuries after a massive, rogue wave crashed ashore Thursday.The wave struck as onlookers had gathered at Pierpont Beach in the city of Ventura to watch the high surf caused by a large offshore storm system.  Video recorded by Colin Hoag shows people first casually watching as the wave breaks and barrels toward a short brick wall at the dead-end of Seward Avenue. When it becomes clear the wave isn’t stopping, they turn and run for their lives. Southern California beaches battered by waves again, prompting closures and warnings Several people were knocked to the ground and swept down the road. Nine people were hospitalized for minor to moderate injuries and the wave caused extensive damage to the oceanfront Inn on the Beach hotel, officials said.Gilbert, who didn’t share his last name, was wearing a neon green jacket and standing with his bicycle next to the beach at the time.“The w...

Paula Abdul accuses 'American Idol' producer Nigel Lythgoe of sexual assault

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:12:28 GMT

Paula Abdul filed a lawsuit Friday accusing Nigel Lythgoe of sexually assaulting her while she was working on “American Idol” and “So You Think You Can Dance.”Lythgoe is best known as the executive producer of the hit reality competition shows — he produced "American Idol" from 2002 to 2014 and "So You Think You Can Dance" from 2005 to 2014.According to Variety, Abdul claimed in the early years of working on “American Idol,” Lythgoe had sexually assaulted her and again in 2014 when she was working on “So You Think You Can Dance.”During the first alleged assault, Abdul claims Lythgoe shoved her against the wall of an elevator before grabbing her genitals and breasts, and shoving his tongue down her throat. She pushed him away and when the elevator doors opened, she ran out and called her representatives for help.LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 27: Paula Abdul (L) and Nigel Lythgoe arrive at the Dizzy Feet Foundation's 3rd Annual Celebration of Dance Gala held at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on ...

Passenger train fatally strikes person on tracks in Menlo Park

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:12:28 GMT

MENLO PARK — A fatal accident in Menlo Park involving a passenger train temporarily disrupted Caltrain service on the Peninsula.A northbound Caltrain fatally struck a person Friday night, the rail service said.“At approximately 6:22 p.m., northbound train #711 fatally struck a person near the Menlo Park Station,” Caltrain spokesperson Dan Lieberman said.An estimated 31 people were on board the Caltrain at the time of the fatal incident, according to Lieberman.None of the passengers were injured as a result of the fatal collision.The individual who was killed after being struck by the train hasn’t been identified.An investigation was underway regarding the fatal incident.“Trains are still single-tracking through the area” as of approximately 10:45 p.m. Friday night, Lieberman said. He added, “That should have minimal impact on service going forward.”  

Caleb Love, Oumar Balllo power No. 4 Arizona to a 100-81 win over California in Pac-12 opener

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:12:28 GMT

BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) — Caleb Love scored 22 points, Motiejus Krivas had 18 and No. 4 Arizona beat California 100-81 on Friday night in the Pac-12 opener for both teams.Oumar Ballo added 17 points and 11 rebounds for the Wildcats (10-2). Pelle Larsson had 12 points and seven assists.It was the perfect bounce-back game for Arizona after taking a three-day break following a 96-95 loss in double-overtime to then-No. 14 Florida Atlantic last Saturday.“We have high standards and our guys wanted to respond from our last game, and we want to establish a standard of how we play,” Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd said. “I thought we did that in the first half. I just think our guys came out and played with spirit and energy and kind of really took it to them right away.”Love scored 20 or more points for the fifth time this season and the 31st time in his career. He shot 7 for 10 from the field.Love also got a technical foul for taunting. He drew the call after making a powerful dunk over Gus Larson...

Connor Ingram posts another shutout, Crouse and Keller score in Coyotes’ 2-0 victory over Ducks

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:12:28 GMT

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Connor Ingram made 28 saves in his fifth career shutout and Lawson Crouse scored his team-leading 16th goal in the Arizona Coyotes’ 2-0 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Friday night.Clayton Keller scored a power-play goal for Arizona, which matched its road victory total from last season. The Coyotes had an NHL-worst seven road wins last season while finishing seventh in the Central Division, but this seventh road victory of the new season moved Arizona up to fourth in the division in its final game of 2023.Two days after rallying from a four-goal deficit to beat Colorado in overtime, Arizona took an early lead and kept it comfortably. The Coyotes completed their three-game season series against Anaheim with two victories.“The last two games, I don’t think we wavered,” Arizona coach André Tourigny said. “I think we played solid every game. We’re consistent. I’m happy about the mindset, what we’re trying to do, the focus, the communication on the bench. ...

Trail Blazers beat Spurs 134-128 to split 2-game set in Portland

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:12:28 GMT

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Jerami Grant and Malcolm Brogdon each scored 27 points and the Portland Trail Blazers took advantage of San Antonio rookie star Victor Wembanyama’s absence to beat the Spurs 134-128 on Friday night for a split in the two-game set.Wembanyama rested on the second night of a back-to-back after the rookie rolled an ankle earlier this month. He had 30 points Thursday night in San Antonio’s 118-105 victory.Brogdon also had seven assists. Jabari Walker scored a career-high 25 points, and rookie Scoot Henderson added 21 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds.“That was probably his best game so far,” Portland coach Chauncey Billups said about Henderson.Henderson wowed the crowd with a wrap-around assist in the second quarter to Matisse Thybulle.“Oh man, I didn’t know what that was,” Walker said about Henderson’s eye-popping pass. “He’s got some stuff.”Keldon Johnson scored 27 points for San Antonio.“I thought we played horrendously, getting down by 26,” Spurs coach Gregg...

Justin Schultz scores in OT to give Kraken 2-1 win over Flyers

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:12:28 GMT

SEATTLE (AP) — Justin Schultz scored with 2:25 left in overtime on Friday night, giving the Seattle Kraken a 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers.It was a season-high fourth straight win for Seattle, and its sixth straight one-goal game (4-0-2). The Kraken also tied a franchise record with points in their eighth straight game (6-0-2).Oliver Bjorkstrand, playing in his 500th NHL contest, played the puck along the right boards and found Schultz at the near post. Schultz slid it past Flyers goalie Carter Hart for his third of the season. Hart finished with 27 saves.“I just kind of waited for the opportunity,” Schultz said. “Bjorky and (Yanni Gourde) did a great job just holding onto the puck, and we found an opportunity. (I was) lucky enough to (have it) go in.”“I think we’re just sticking with it. And guys are working hard and we know it’s there just wasn’t coming for us,” Schultz added. “We believe in this group. We have almost the same group as last year so we know w...

George, Harden help Clippers close successful December with 117-106 win over Grizzlies

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:12:28 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Paul George scored 23 points, James Harden added 16 points and 13 assists, and the Los Angeles Clippers closed a successful December with a 117-106 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night.The Clippers were 11-2 in December, which is the best mark in the Western Conference for this month.Ivica Zubac added a season-high 20 rebounds along with 15 points as the Clippers had seven players score in double figures. It was Zubac’s fifth double-double in his last seven games.Jaren Jackson Jr. and Marcus Smart scored 22 apiece for the Grizzlies. Ja Morant had 19 points and 10 assists. Morant is averaging 26.8 points in five games since coming back from a 25-game suspension to begin the season.The Clippers led most of the game. A dunk by Daniel Theis 30 seconds into the fourth quarter gave them a 96-75 advantage before Memphis began to rally.Memphis scored 12 straight points to open a 22-9 run over a four-minute span. Smart’s 3-pointer with 6:03 remain...