Thousands bid farewell to Tokyo zoo pandas before return to China

World

September 28, 2024

Panda fans queue for the gates to open on the last day of viewing before two pandas are sent back to China after 13 years, at Tokyo’s Ueno Zoo. PHOTO: AFP

TOKYO (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.

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” programme 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.

Shin Shin relaxes in her enclosure on the last day of viewing before she and another panda, Ri Ri, are sent back to China. PHOTO: AFP

‘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.

Despite the panda diplomacy, relations between the two countries have soured in recent years following Beijing’s growing maritime assertiveness.

Politics, Matoba said, doesn’t taint her love for the animals.

“Just like pandas, I hope Japan and China can be friends,” she said.

There are an estimated 1,860 giant pandas left in the wild, mainly in bamboo forests in the mountains of China, according to environmental group WWF.

There are about 600 in captivity in panda centres, zoos and wildlife parks around the world.

Sabah traders learn Mandarin, Korean to cater to foreign tourists

Business

September 28, 2024

A trader in Kota Kinabalu selling mangoes to Korean tourists. PHOTO: THE STAR

ANN/THE STAR – Negotiating skills can make or break a sale, more so if you can speak the language.

In Sabah’s seafood and dive haven of Semporna, local traders have learned basic Mandarin with some even conversing in Korean as tourism activities pick up and visitor arrivals from China and South Korea increase.

From learning basic numbers for prices to even mastering the art of negotiating with visitors, traders are allowing foreign tourists to bargain just like how they would do back in their own home countries.

As Chinese tourists are known for their bold negotiating tactics, local traders at the markets and jetties have also learned to be loud and firm with their customers.

“A deal works both ways and as long as they make sense and do not make us lose money, we are open to bargains and negotiations,” said a Bajau trader at the Semporna fish market near the Kahanga market.

He said speaking Chinese was not much of a challenge for them actually because local Sabahans also speak Chinese and they learned from their friends in the markets as well.

Chinese visitors often throng local markets to buy lobsters, fish, prawns and other seafood products.

But learning to speak Korean or other foreign languages just to make sales is actually quite impressive.

This is also seen in many of the seafood, handicraft and souvenir traders around Sabah, such as in Kota Kinabalu.

Many travel blogs and social media platforms have showcased how these traders use basic and “broken” Korean to speak to their customers.

Among these sites are Travelholic Korea on TikTok, showing mango sellers at the Anjung Kinabalu and along the vendor stretch near the market conversing in Korean to tourists.

The Sabah Information Department has also shared similar videos on its social media platforms, showing how tourism activities have not only boosted economic growth but also allowed traders to learn other languages to cater to the needs of their foreign customers.

US hurricane deaths rise to 44, fears of more ‘catastrophic’ flooding

World

September 28, 2024

Vehicles drive through high water on NC Highway 321 in Boone, North Carolina. PHOTO: AFP

CEDAR KEY (AFP) – At least 44 people died across five US states battered by powerful storm Helene, authorities said on Friday, after torrential flooding prompted emergency responders to launch massive rescue operations.

Roads, homes and businesses were underwater – many of them destroyed – after Helene made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane near the Florida state capital Tallahassee overnight and surged north.

As darkness settled over the region Friday, more than 4.2 million customers were without power across 10 states, from Florida up to Ohio, according to tracker poweroutage.us.

And while Helene weakened to a tropical storm and eventually a post-tropical cyclone, it has continued to wreak havoc with heavy rains that the National Hurricane Center said would result in “catastrophic and potentially life-threatening flash and urban flooding.”

Carts are seen in a flooded parking lot in Boone. PHOTO: AFP

In Cedar Key, an island city of 700 people just off Florida’s northwest coast, the full destructive force of the hurricane was on view. Several pastel-colored wooden homes were completely destroyed, victims of storm surge and ferocious winds.

“I’ve lived here my whole life, and it breaks my heart to see it,” said Gabe Doty, superintendent of Cedar Key’s water and sewer district. “We’ve not really been able to catch a break around here.”

Up to 12 inches of rain was forecast in the Appalachian mountains, with isolated spots even receiving 20 inches.

In South Carolina at least 20 people have died, including two firefighters, officials said. Among the deaths were six residents of Spartanburg County, according to county coroner Rusty Clevenger.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp’s office confirmed 15 people were killed in his state, including an emergency responder. Kemp warned that the city of Valdosta had identified 115 heavily damaged structures with multiple people trapped inside.

Florida’s toll stood at seven. Governor Ron DeSantis said the damage from Helene exceeded that of hurricanes Idalia and Debby, which both hit the same Big Bend region southeast of Tallahassee in the last 13 months.

Two women play with a ball in a flooded street at a Watauga County Park in Boone, North Carolina. PHOTO: AFP

“It’s a real gut punch to those communities,” DeSantis told Fox News.

In Perry, near where Helene slammed ashore bearing winds of 140 miles per hour, houses lost power and the gas station was flattened.

“I am Floridian, so I’m kind of used to it, but it was real scary at one point,” said Larry Bailey, 32, who sheltered in his small wooden home all night with his two nephews and sister.

Four hundred miles to the north in the Tennessee town of Erwin, a dramatic rescue operation unfolded, as more than 50 patients and staff were trapped on a hospital roof as floodwaters raged around them, local television footage showed. Helicopters were deployed in the rescue.

In neighbouring Virginia, Governor Glenn Youngkin confirmed one fatality related to Helene. “This storm is not over,” he warned in a video message.

It looks bad
With typhoon Yagi battering Asia, storm Boris drenching Europe, a deadly new hurricane damaging Mexico’s Acapulco and extreme flooding in the Sahel, September so far has been an unusually wet month around the world.

Scientists link some extreme weather events to human-caused global warming. “Helene traveled over exceptionally warm ocean waters in the Gulf of Mexico,” Andra Garner, a climate scientist at Rowan University in New Jersey, told AFP.

“It’s likely that those extra warm ocean waters played a role in Helene’s rapid intensification.”

“Storm surges are getting worse,” Garner said, “because our sea levels are rising as we warm the planet.”

Curtis Drafton, a search and rescue volunteer in Steinhatchee, Florida, raised similar concerns as he tackled the aftermath of Helene and its destructive storm surge.

“We have got to start wondering: is this the new normal? Is it going to happen every year?” the 48-year-old told AFP.

Some residents in Atlanta resorted to bailing water out of ground-floor windows with buckets, while near Tampa in Florida, boats were stranded in gardens.

In the impact zone, residents had been warned of “unsurvivable” storm surge.

President Joe Biden and state authorities had urged people to heed official evacuation warnings before Helene hit, though some chose to stay in their homes to wait out the storm.

Vice President Kamala Harris said she and Biden “will continue to monitor the situation closely,” adding the administration has mobilised 1,500 personnel to support impacted communities.

The head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Deanne Criswell said “over 600 rescues” have been conducted.

Paul stunned by Machac as Japan Open upsets keep coming

Sports

September 28, 2024

TOKYO (AFP) – Fifth seed Tommy Paul became the latest top player to make an early exit at the Japan Open when he lost 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) to Tomas Machac in the second round on Saturday.

The American’s departure means only two of the eight seeds are still standing in Tokyo.

Top seed Taylor Fritz, number three Casper Ruud, fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas and number seven Frances Tiafoe all lost in the first round.

Tommy Paul hits a return against Tomas Machac during their men’s singles match at the Japan Open tennis tournament. PHOTO: AFP

Hubert Hurkacz, seeded two, was beaten by Britain’s Jack Draper in the second round.

Paul joined them after letting the Czech Republic’s Machac back into a match that the American looked to have total control of.

“Even the not-seeded players here are great,” said the 23-year-old Machac, who has a world ranking of 34 and is looking to win his first career title.

“I’m just happy that I’m in and I just try to believe as much as possible.”

Paul won five straight games in the first set but Machac came roaring back in the second and dug in when he found himself 3-0 down in the final set.

He will play Australia’s Christopher O’Connell or American Alex Michelsen in the quarter-finals.

“I feel great,” said Machac.

“First set he was better, second set I found my rhythm. In the third set I was playing unbelievable so I’m super-happy with my performance.”

Japan’s speedy, spotless Shinkansen bullet trains turn 60

Features

September 28, 2024

754327-01-02 — This general view taken on July 24, 2024 shows N700A and N700S series trains parked at the JR Central's Shinkansen depot in the Shinagawa district of Tokyo. (Photo by Philip FONG / AFP) / TO GO WITH STORY: Japan-transport-history-society-train, FOCUS by Atish PATEL and Mathias CENA

N700A and N700S series trains parked at the JR Central Shinkansen depot in the Shinagawa district of Tokyo. PHOTO: AFP

TOKYO (AFP) – Her white-gloved, waistcoated uniform impeccable, 22-year-old Hazuki Okuno boards a bullet train replica to rehearse the strict protocols behind the smooth operation of a Japanese institution turning 60 on Tuesday.

High-speed Shinkansen trains began running between Tokyo and Osaka on October 1, 1964, heralding a new era for rail travel as Japan grew into an economic superpower after its World War II defeat.

The service remains integral to the nation’s economy and way of life – so keeping it dazzlingly clean, punctual and accident-free is a serious job.

At a 10-storey, state-of-the-art staff training centre, Okuno shouted from the window and signaled to imaginary colleagues, keeping her cool when a video screen down the platform shows a flailing passenger stuck in a door.

A staff member cleaning the interior of a train at JR Central’s Shinkansen depot. PHOTO: AFP

The live-in facility southwest of Tokyo offers what rail operator JR Central describes as an “intense education” for future conductors, drivers and other team members.

“Thank you for riding,” Okuno practised saying, bowing deeply after checking the time on her watch.

Each day nearly a quarter of a million passengers ride the Tokaido Shinkansen line, which stretches from Tokyo past Mount Fuji to Hakata around five hours away.

One top-speed Nozomi train arrives up to every five minutes.

JR Central says it has never had an accident resulting in death or injury on the bullet train, even in a country where earthquakes, typhoons and heavy snow are common.

Safety is “our top priority”, Daisuke Kumajima, the company’s PR officer, told AFP.

So “we take our education and training of our employees very seriously.”

This month for the first time, on another line run by the company JR East, two linked bullet trains uncoupled, resulting in an emergency stop but no injuries.

This picture taken on July 25, 2024 shows passengers entering through the ticket gates into the high-speed train, or Shinkansen, area at Tokyo station. PHOTO: AFP

High-speed city growth
With routes spanning the country, the Shinkansen’s top speed of 320 kilometres per hour is no longer the world’s fastest, having been outpaced by China.

But the original high-speed locomotive’s streamlined nose and spacious interiors remain a symbol of Japanese engineering prowess and attention to detail.

It’s also a tourist must-do and pop culture mainstay – such as in Brad Pitt’s 2022 blockbuster Bullet Train. A meticulous maintenance schedule means the trains are gleaming outside and in, with cleaners adjusting headrests and using brushes to ensure the seats are free of crumbs.

In some countries, train delays mean there is little time for such primping, said Christopher Hood who authored the book: Shinkansen: From Bullet Train to Symbol of Modern Japan.

This picture taken on July 25, 2024 shows a woman taking photographs of her child in front of a high-speed train. PHOTO: AFP

On the bullet train network, however, the average delay is less than a minute.

The growth of cities along Shinkansen routes over the decades shows its impact on the economy in Japan, where “face-to-face business is very, very important”, added Hood, a researcher at Britain’s Cardiff University.

In tandem the train has played a role in speeding up depopulation in rural Japan, according to Hood, leaving many elderly people isolated.

“People would rather live in the big cities… and then use the Shinkansen to go and visit relatives out in smaller cities if they need to,” he told AFP.

Future at 500 kph
At a JR Central site, an engineer taps the inner machinery of a bullet train, listening closely for any unusual sounds that could reveal a loose part.

With ageing Japan increasingly facing labour shortages, the company is also researching a new digital inspection system that can analyse images of a train to spot dangers.

JR East, meanwhile, has said driverless bullet trains could be introduced from the mid-2030s.

People walking past Tokyo station. PHOTO: AFP

There is also a huge project underway to build a high-speed maglev – magnetic levitation — line in Japan, long-delayed due to environmental opposition.

Maglev trains, which can run at 500 kilometres per hour, were meant to begin service between Tokyo and Nagoya in central Japan in 2027, but JR Central has pushed this back to 2034 or later.

The aim is to create a “dual system” with the Shinkansen, said Kumajima, to respond to demand and keep operations stable in the case of maintenance work or a big quake.

It’s easy to take the Shinkansen for granted in Japan, which is a good thing, according to Hood.

But when Japanese people travel overseas, particularly in Europe or the United States, “they soon appreciate that ‘yeah, the Shinkansen is a little bit special’,” he said.

Only working out during weekends? That is still good

Lifestyle

September 28, 2024

(ANN/THE STAR) – Despite the well-established benefits of regular exercise, many individuals struggle to find time for physical activity during the week. This often leads to attempts to “make up for it” on weekends, a practice known as being a “weekend warrior.” Recent research from China suggests that this approach is not only acceptable but potentially beneficial.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity five times a week, or 25 minutes of vigorous exercise three times a week. However, balancing work commitments, household chores, and personal obligations can make it challenging to adhere to these guidelines during the weekdays. As a result, some individuals opt to concentrate their exercise on weekends.

For illustration purposes only. PHOTO: FREEPIK

To investigate the effectiveness of this strategy, researchers analysed data from the extensive UK Biobank cohort over an eight-year period, tracking the physical activity patterns of more than 75,000 participants. They categorised individuals into three groups:

Regularly Active: Engaging in more than 150 minutes of moderate-to-intense exercise weekly.

Weekend Warriors: Meeting exercise guidelines by completing over 50 per cent of their weekly physical activity on one or two days, typically Saturday and/or Sunday.

Inactive: Individuals who do not engage in regular physical activity.

Published in the journal Nature Aging and reported by The Conversation, the study revealed that weekend warriors experienced significant health benefits compared to inactive individuals. They were 26 per cent less likely to develop dementia, 21 per cent less likely to suffer a stroke, and 45 per cent less likely to be diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Additionally, they had a 40 per cent lower risk of depression and a 37 per cent reduced risk of anxiety, comparable to those who maintained consistent activity throughout the week.

Interestingly, while most weekend warriors exercised primarily on Saturdays and Sundays, some managed to meet the WHO recommendations at other times during the week. These individuals also reported similar physical and mental health benefits, reinforcing the notion that any form of physical activity is advantageous, even if concentrated over just one or two days.

However, it is important to acknowledge the study’s limitations. The researchers could not fully account for changes in exercise habits over time or entirely eliminate the influence of other lifestyle factors. Nevertheless, this research contributes to a growing body of evidence supporting the positive effects of exercise.

Ultimately, whether you prefer daily workouts or are more inclined to be a weekend warrior, the key takeaway is to engage in regular physical activity. Staying active is essential for maintaining health and combating the negative effects of a sedentary lifestyle.

Boeing strike grinds on as latest talks fail to reach agreement

Business

September 28, 2024

WASHINGTON (AFP) – The union for striking Boeing workers said Friday that talks with the aviation giant “broke off” without agreement, after some 33,000 US employees walked out this month.

Workers in the Pacific Northwest region walked off the job on September 13 after overwhelmingly voting down a contract offer, effectively shutting down assembly plants for the 737 MAX and 777.

“Talks broke off, and we have no further dates scheduled at this time. We remain open to talks with the company, either direct or mediated,” the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) said on its website.

Boeing said it was prepared to meet again with the union.

“We remain committed to resetting our relationship with our represented employees and negotiating in good faith, and want to reach an agreement as soon as possible,” the company said in a statement.

(FILES) Striking Boeing workers hold rally at the Boeing Portland Facility on September 19, 2024, in Portland, Oregon, USA. PHOTO: AFP

Boeing on Monday announced its “best and final offer” aimed at appeasing demands: lifting wages for striking workers by 30 percent and reinstating an annual bonus.

An end-of-day Friday deadline was put in place for striking workers to sign off the deal, but the IAM said the proposal did not go far enough.

The union said in a Friday message that it had engaged in “frank discussions” with Boeing along with mediators of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS).

“While conversations were direct, we did not make progress on the pension issue. The company remains adamant that it will not unfreeze the defined benefit plan,” the IAM said, citing a key issue for some workers.

It added that the company “would not engage substantively” on other issues including higher pay, quicker wage progression and more paid time off.

Secretary for Justice of Hong Kong visits Law Society Council

National

September 28, 2024

Paul Lam, SC, Secretary for Justice of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), visited the Brunei Darussalam Law Society Council recently during his first working trip to the country.

His visit follows the Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) signed between the Supreme Court of Brunei Darussalam and the Hong Kong Department of Justice (DoJ) in May 2023, aimed at fostering greater collaboration in dispute avoidance and resolution.

During the visit, Lam met with President of the Brunei Darussalam Law Society, Nur Azizah binti Dato Seri Paduka Haji Ahmad. The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation between the legal communities of Brunei and Hong Kong, with an emphasis on further collaboration between the Brunei Darussalam Law Society, the Hong Kong Law Society, and the Hong Kong Bar Association.

Paul Lam and members of his delegation, Nur Azizah and other members of the Brunei Law Society Council members. PHOTO: FADLEY FAISAL

Lam’s visit is seen as a key step in further solidifying the relationship between the two regions, with legal cooperation taking centre stage. The MOC, signed earlier with Brunei’s Chief Justice, reflects a shared commitment to enhancing mutual legal practices and broadening the scope of partnership between the jurisdictions.

The Hong Kong delegation, which accompanied Lam, participated in discussions aimed at advancing legal cooperation, underscoring the importance of international partnerships in the legal field and mutual benefit in the ongoing collaboration. – FADLEY FAISAL

MoRA fetes new scholarship students

National

September 28, 2024

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The Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA), through its Islamic Education Department, on Saturday held a Doa Kesyukuran ceremony to honor three students awarded scholarships for their Master’s degree programs in the United Kingdom for the 2024-25 academic year.

The scholarship recipients are Awang Ahmad Rusydi bin Haji Mohd Salleh, who will pursue a Master’s in Commercial Law at Queen Mary University of London; Awang Mohammad Nur Hafizuddin bin Abdullah Mohamad Norajme, who will study for a Master’s in Statistics at the University of Leeds and Dayang Nurafrina Fikriyah binti Abdul Razak, who will undertake a Master’s (Taught) in Arabic-English Translation at the University of Birmingham.

The ceremony took place at the Rizqun International Hotel in Gadong, with the Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs, Pengiran Dato Seri Paduka Haji Mohammad Tashim bin Pengiran Haji Hassan as guest of honour.

The scholarship recipients (top row) with Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs, Pengiran Dato Seri Paduka Haji Mohammad Tashim bin Pengiran Haji Hassan and MoRA officials. PHOTO: AZLAN OTHMAN

In his remarks, the Director of Islamic Education at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Awang Haji Shamshol bin Haji Omar, highlighted that this program aligns with the Strategic Plan of the Ministry of Religious Affairs 2020-2024, particularly within the framework of Religious and Arabic Education.

He noted that, with the addition of these new scholarships, there are currently 91 scholarship recipients under the Ministry of Religious Affairs, including six pursuing Master’s degrees.

This scholarship scheme represents one of the Ministry’s initiatives to provide opportunities for outstanding Bachelor’s degree graduates to further their education at the Master’s or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) levels.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs aims for these government scholarships to cultivate religious experts in fields essential to the country, such as Tafsir al-Quran, Islamic law, and Islamic economics and finance, among others. – AZLAN OTHMAN

Blackpink’s Rosé signs with Atlantic Records for upcoming solo music

Entertainment

September 28, 2024

(ANN/KOREA HERALD) – Rosé, a member of the globally popular K-pop group Blackpink, has officially signed with Atlantic Records for her forthcoming solo projects, her agency The Black Label announced on Friday. The Warner Music-affiliated label is home to renowned artists such as Bruno Mars, Coldplay, and Ed Sheeran.

To celebrate the new partnership, Atlantic Records sent Rosé a grand bouquet of red roses, accompanied by a note that read: “Welcome to the family!”

Rosé made her solo debut in March 2021 with the single album R, becoming the second member of Blackpink to launch a solo career. The album sold over 280,000 copies on its release day, setting a new record for first-week sales by a female K-pop soloist within just 24 hours.

Atlantic Records sent Rosé a grand bouquet of red roses, accompanied by a note that read: “Welcome to the family!”. PHOTO: ANN/KOREA HERALD

The lead track, On The Ground, debuted at No. 70 on Billboard’s Hot 100, the highest-ever position for a K-pop female soloist at the time. Its music video also garnered massive attention, racking up 41.6 million views on YouTube within 24 hours, earning Rosé a Guinness World Record for the most-viewed music video in 24 hours by a solo K-pop artist.

Borneo Bulletin OnlineThe Independent Newspaper in Brunei Darussalam, Sabah and Sarawak

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