عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Varieties

Thousands Bid Farewell to Tokyo Zoo Pandas Before Return to China

Shin Shin relaxes in her enclosure on the last day of viewing before she and another panda, Ri Ri, are sent back to China after 13 years, at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo on September 28, 2024. (Photo by Richard A. Brooks / AFP)
Shin Shin relaxes in her enclosure on the last day of viewing before she and another panda, Ri Ri, are sent back to China after 13 years, at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo on September 28, 2024. (Photo by Richard A. Brooks / AFP)
TT
TT

Thousands Bid Farewell to Tokyo Zoo Pandas Before Return to China

Shin Shin relaxes in her enclosure on the last day of viewing before she and another panda, Ri Ri, are sent back to China after 13 years, at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo on September 28, 2024. (Photo by Richard A. Brooks / AFP)
Shin Shin relaxes in her enclosure on the last day of viewing before she and another panda, Ri Ri, are sent back to China after 13 years, at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo on September 28, 2024. (Photo by Richard A. Brooks / AFP)

Thousands of thankful, sobbing fans flocked to a Tokyo zoo Saturday to bid an emotional farewell to a pair of beloved pandas before their imminent return to China, Agence France Presse reported.

Sporting T-shirts, hats and sun umbrellas featuring the black and white bears, visitors shed tears, took selfies and eagerly waved at Ri Ri and Shin Shin on the panda couple's penultimate day at Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens.

More than 2,000 panda lovers formed long queues outside the zoo Saturday morning, some having spent the whole night there armed with picnic blankets and camping chairs.

Among the most committed was Mayuko Sumida, 44, who said she had arrived around 10 pm the previous night, carrying with her panda-shaped key rings.

"I'm overwhelmed," she said after admiring the two for the last time.

"They are the best duo that brings comfort and smiles to me."

The mammals are immensely popular around the world, and China loans them out as part of a "panda diplomacy" program to foster foreign ties.

The pandas Ri Ri and Shin Shin arrived at Ueno Zoo in 2011 and were due to stay until February 2026, but Japan and China agreed it would be better for the 19-year-olds to return to their home country in light of their declining health.

They will be transported back to China on Sunday.

- 'Emotional support' pandas -

On Saturday, strict crowd control measures were in place at the zoo to escort fans away after giving them just a few minutes to adore and photograph the pair through the glass.

Ri Ri and Shin Shin were "like the sun to me" and "always gave me emotional support,” Machiko Seki, who like other fans wore black to avoid window reflections ruining their pictures, told AFP.

"When I look at their smiles, whatever worries me just goes away... I can't be more grateful for them," the woman in her 50s said, shedding tears.

The pair gave birth in 2017 to cub Xiang Xiang -- the zoo's first baby panda since 1988, who became a massive draw -- as well as twins in 2021.

Many fans cried when Xiang Xiang was returned to China last year, and her departure was broadcast live on local television.

Michiyo Matoba, 61, has been coming to see Xiang Xiang's parents almost every week.

"Ri Ri loves climbing trees so I hope he will enjoy those mountains of China as much as he likes, and the glutton Shin Shin will hopefully start eating to her heart's content after regaining her health,” she said.

Most Viewed

 
 
Varieties

Think Tank: Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei Face High Risk of Severe Haze this Year

People stop by a cafe with murals painted on its facade in the Arab Street district of Singapore on June 16, 2026. (Photo by Roslan RAHMAN / AFP)
People stop by a cafe with murals painted on its facade in the Arab Street district of Singapore on June 16, 2026. (Photo by Roslan RAHMAN / AFP)
TT
TT

Think Tank: Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei Face High Risk of Severe Haze this Year

People stop by a cafe with murals painted on its facade in the Arab Street district of Singapore on June 16, 2026. (Photo by Roslan RAHMAN / AFP)
People stop by a cafe with murals painted on its facade in the Arab Street district of Singapore on June 16, 2026. (Photo by Roslan RAHMAN / AFP)

Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei face a high risk of severe haze this year due to hot and dry weather conditions, biofuel demand and economic pressures, a research institute said Wednesday.

The Singapore Institute of International Affairs said it was the second time it had issued a red risk rating since launching its Haze Outlook report in 2019. The previous red risk rating was in ⁠2023, Reuters reported.

Here are some ⁠details:

August to September is the peak danger period for haze in the Southeast Asian region, driven by the El Niño and Indian Ocean Dipole weather phenomena, the report said.

The ⁠return of El Niño is expected to create a longer and stronger dry season at a time when fire preparedness could be adversely affected by economic uncertainty and cost pressures.

The SIIA said rising costs of fertilizer and fuel as a result of the Iran war could lead to unsustainable activity such as the use ⁠of ⁠fire rather than machinery to clear land and dispose of waste.

Land use could also intensify as demand for biofuels rises due to energy supply disruptions.

"This trend will continue even if the US-Iran agreement holds, as countries now want energy independence," said SIIA associate director Khor Yu-Leng.

ASEAN cooperation and sustainable land management will be critical to reducing risks, the report said.

Varieties

Australian Shark Attack Survivor Briefly Emerges from Coma

A warning sign notifying the public that a shark-spotting drone is operating in the area is displayed at Coogee Beach following a shark attack on Saturday, in Sydney, Australia, June 16, 2026. (Reuters)
A warning sign notifying the public that a shark-spotting drone is operating in the area is displayed at Coogee Beach following a shark attack on Saturday, in Sydney, Australia, June 16, 2026. (Reuters)
TT
TT

Australian Shark Attack Survivor Briefly Emerges from Coma

A warning sign notifying the public that a shark-spotting drone is operating in the area is displayed at Coogee Beach following a shark attack on Saturday, in Sydney, Australia, June 16, 2026. (Reuters)
A warning sign notifying the public that a shark-spotting drone is operating in the area is displayed at Coogee Beach following a shark attack on Saturday, in Sydney, Australia, June 16, 2026. (Reuters)

An Australian woman mauled by a shark at a popular Sydney beach briefly emerged from an induced coma and said "I love you" to family, according to an update from her brother.

Leah Stewart is in hospital on life support and has had multiple surgeries, including the amputation of her arm, since the June 13 attack at Sydney's Coogee Beach, according to a fundraising site set up to help her rehabilitation and care.

Doctors reduced her sedation to bring her out of the induced coma for a short time, her brother Joshua Stewart said in an update Tuesday to the GoFundMe page, which has raised Aus$492,000 ($340,000).

"This allowed Leah to share her first words 'I love you' with her Mum and partner Fernando who have been by her side in ICU since the incident. Her first thoughts were with her daughter August and wanted to check she was OK," he said.

"This is a lot faster than anyone expected, and for us this feels like a miracle and is everything so many of us have hoped and prayed for over the past week."

Leah Stewart, described by local media as a 34-year-old teacher from Coogee, had undergone five days of surgeries in the past week and was scheduled for more in the coming weeks, her brother said.

"Leah has a long road ahead and still remains in critical care, but this is such a positive first step and gives us hope for Leah's long term recovery."

Australian scientists believe rising ocean temperatures are shifting sharks' migratory patterns, which may be contributing to an uptick in attacks.

A 12-year-old boy died after he was bitten by a shark while swimming in Sydney Harbour in January.

Three divers were fatally mauled in separate incidents between May and June -- two in Western Australia and the third in Queensland.

There have been nearly 1,300 shark incidents around Australia since 1791, of which more than 260 resulted in death, according to a database of shark encounters with humans.

Varieties

Congo Fan Who Poses as Living Statue of Independence Leader Lumumba Makes It to World Cup

Democratic Republic of Congo's supporter Michel Kuka Mboladinga, pays tribute to Democratic Republic of Congo's late prime minister Patrice Lumumba, by remaining motionless ahead of the 2026 World Cup Group K football match between Colombia and Democratic Republic of Congo at the Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan on June 23, 2026. (AFP)
Democratic Republic of Congo's supporter Michel Kuka Mboladinga, pays tribute to Democratic Republic of Congo's late prime minister Patrice Lumumba, by remaining motionless ahead of the 2026 World Cup Group K football match between Colombia and Democratic Republic of Congo at the Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan on June 23, 2026. (AFP)
TT
TT

Congo Fan Who Poses as Living Statue of Independence Leader Lumumba Makes It to World Cup

Democratic Republic of Congo's supporter Michel Kuka Mboladinga, pays tribute to Democratic Republic of Congo's late prime minister Patrice Lumumba, by remaining motionless ahead of the 2026 World Cup Group K football match between Colombia and Democratic Republic of Congo at the Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan on June 23, 2026. (AFP)
Democratic Republic of Congo's supporter Michel Kuka Mboladinga, pays tribute to Democratic Republic of Congo's late prime minister Patrice Lumumba, by remaining motionless ahead of the 2026 World Cup Group K football match between Colombia and Democratic Republic of Congo at the Guadalajara Stadium in Zapopan on June 23, 2026. (AFP)

Congo’s famous living statue finally made his World Cup debut on Tuesday.

Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, who gained fame during the Africa Cup of Nations for posing as a statue of Congo’s assassinated independence leader Patrice Lumumba for the entirety of games, attended Congo's 1-0 loss to Colombia after missing its opener against Portugal because of Ebola quarantine requirements.

Lumumba Vea, as the sharply dressed supporter is known for his resemblance to the slain leader, was at his seat about an hour before the game at Estadio Akron. He wore a bright red jacket and tie, yellow shirt and blue pants. When the game began, he stood motionless on a pedestal behind the Congo bench with his right arm raised.

Nkuka Mboladinga was a few minutes late back to the pedestal after halftime, but he stood there until the end and even a few minutes after the final whistle.

He did not want to be interviewed, but nodded and smiled when asked if he was happy to have finally made it to the World Cup.

Congo played Portugal to a 1-1 draw last week in Houston.

Nkuka Mboladinga also missed Congo’s World Cup playoff match against Jamaica earlier this year — when his nation secured a return to the tournament after 52 years — because he was unable to get a visa in time. He had traveled to Kenya and then Ethiopia in a bid to get a visa for the game, which was also played in Guadalajara.

Nkuka Mboladinga became a social media sensation at the Africa Cup for posing as a statue of Lumumba on a pedestal with his right hand raised and standing still throughout games.

Lumumba was an activist who helped to end Belgium’s colonial rule over Congo in 1960. He became the newly independent country’s first prime minister and was seen as one of Africa’s most promising leaders, but he was assassinated within a year during a struggle against a Belgian-backed secessionist movement in the mineral-rich Katanga region.

A Belgian court in March ordered a 93-year-old former diplomat to stand trial for the slaying. Etienne Davignon, who previously denied wrongdoing, is the last living among 10 Belgians suspected of involvement in the killing and has been charged with “participation in war crimes” for his role in the “unlawful detention and transfer” of Lumumba.