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America’s last pandas expected to leave Atlanta for China this autumn

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America’s last pandas expected to leave Atlanta for China this autumn


The last US zoo with pandas in its care expects to say goodbye to the four giant bears this fall.

Zoo Atlanta is making preparations to return panda parents Lun Lun and Yang Yang to China along with their American-born twins Ya Lun and Xi Lun, zoo officials said Friday.

There is no specific date for the transfer yet, they said, but it is likely to happen between October and December.

The four Atlanta pandas have been the last in the United States since the National Zoo in Washington returned three pandas to China last November. Other American zoos have sent pandas back to China as loan agreements lapsed amid heightened diplomatic tensions between the two nations.

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One of four pandas at Zoo Atlanta rests in their habitat in December. Photo: AP

Atlanta received Lun Lun and Yang Yang from China in 1999 as part of a 25-year loan agreement that will soon expire.

Ya Lun and Xi Lun, born in 2016, are the youngest of seven pandas born at Zoo Atlanta since their parents arrived. Their siblings are already in the care of China’s Chengdu Research Center of Giant Panda Breeding.

It is possible that America will welcome a new panda pair before the Atlanta bears depart. The San Diego Zoo said last month that staff members recently travelled to China to meet pandas Yun Chuan and Xin Bao, which could arrive in California as soon as this summer.

Zoo Atlanta officials said in a news release they should be able to share “significant advance notice” before their pandas leave.

As to whether Atlanta might see host any future pandas, “no discussions have yet taken place with partners in China”, zoo officials said.

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Atlanta, GA

Braves News: NBP pieces falling into place, slow market, more

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Braves News: NBP pieces falling into place, slow market, more


Well the NBP posted players all seem to be settled now, with Imai and Okamoto having signed with an MLB club and Takahashi returning to the NBP. Those players do not seem to have sparked movement in the overall market, either in free agency or in trades, at least so far, as this offseason continues to be glacial. Hopefully things pick up a bit as we get more separation from the holidays. The Braves still seem to be motivated to make a big addition, but this front office has shown that the right deal has to be there for them to pull the trigger.



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Atlanta, GA

Police investigating stabbing on Moreland Avenue in SE Atlanta

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Police investigating stabbing on Moreland Avenue in SE Atlanta


A man was stabbed Saturday in southeast Atlanta, according to police.

What we know:

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According to Atlanta police, officers responded to the 400 block of Moreland Avenue SE to reports of a male who had been stabbed. Investigators believe a female and male were involved in a dispute that resulted in the stabbing.

What we don’t know:

Police did not identify the male or female.

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No word yet on charges.

The Source: Information provided by the Atlanta Police Department.

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Atlanta, GA

Business damaged as 500 teens swarm Atlantic Station

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Business damaged as 500 teens swarm Atlantic Station


A large police presence responded to Atlantic Station on Saturday

Atlanta police say nearly 500 teenagers caused a massive disturbance at Atlantic Station Saturday night, launching fireworks into crowds and eventually drawing real gunfire outside the district.

Atlantic Station chaos

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The backstory:

Atlanta police originally responded to the shopping center after 7 p.m. following reports of shots fired. While investigators quickly determined the sounds were actually fireworks being ignited by a large crowd of “unruly” juveniles, the situation turned more dangerous as the crowd was dispersed.

“It can escalate from firecrackers to now its guns to life being taken. That’s something we don’t want,” said John Williams, who was visiting the area.

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As officers cleared the mall, a group of teenagers allegedly began firing actual guns near Spring Street NW and 17th Street. 

Shooting outside Atlantic Station

What they’re saying:

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The gunfire sent patrons at Nan Thai Fine Dining ducking for cover.

“Definitely about 30 shots,” said Jedi Niyomkul, the restaurant’s general manager. “I’m making sure everyone is on the ground because we do have a lot of glass.”

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Niyomkul said the restaurant was hit by at least one bullet. He expressed frustration that the crowd was pushed out of the mall but not adequately monitored once they crossed into the surrounding city streets.

“Once they got them across the bridge, there was no patrol over on this side to make sure that they dispersed,” Niyomkul said. “Literally at 17th and Spring, right there, 100 to 150 kids just sitting all around the corner, doing absolutely nothing, just looking for trouble.”

Atlantic Station curfew

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Dig deeper:

The disturbance occurred despite Atlantic Station’s strict codes of conduct. The district enforces a 3 p.m. curfew for anyone under 18, requiring them to be with a parent or guardian. Additionally, no one under 21 is allowed on the property after 9 p.m.

Atlanta City Council member Michael Julian Bond said the city must find a more consistent way to manage large groups of youth.

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“We again manage this population policy-wise, more than any other segment than our society, so we all got to step up year-round in how we manage that population,” Bond said.

The Source: Information in this article came from Atlanta police and FOX 5’s Annie Mapp speaking with Jedi Niyomkul and Michael Julian Bond. 

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