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Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Czech zoo welcomes Barbary lion cubs whose population is extinct in the wild
Four Barbary lion cubs have been born in a Czech zoo, a vital contribution to a small surviving population of the rare lion which is extinct in the wild. The three females and one male played in their outdoor enclosure at Dvur Kralove Safari Park on Wednesday, enjoying themselves under the watchful eyes of their parents, Khalila and Bart. That will change soon. As part of an international endangered species programme which co-ordinates efforts for their survival in captivity, the cubs will be sent to other participating parks, including the Beersheba zoo in Israel. That might not be the end of the story for the animal. Dvur Kralove deputy director Jaroslav Hyjanek said that while preliminary steps have been taken for a possible reintroduction of the Barbary lion into its natural habitat, it is still a 'far distant future'. A member of the northern lion subspecies, the Barbary lion once roamed freely its native northern Africa, including the Atlas Mountains. They were almost completely wiped out because of human activity. Many were killed by gladiators in Roman times, while overhunting and a loss of habitat contributed to their extinction in the wild later. The last known photo of a wild lion was taken in 1925, and the last individual was killed in 1942. It is believed the last small populations became extinct in the wild in the middle of the 1960s. Fewer than 200 Barbary lions are estimated to live in captivity Mr Hyjanek said that after initial talks with Moroccan authorities, who have not rejected the idea of their reintroduction, a conference of experts has been planned to take place in Morocco to decide whether it would make sense to go ahead with such a plan in one of the national parks in the Atlas Mountains. Any reintroduction would face numerous bureaucratic and other obstacles. Since the lion has not been present in the environment for such a long time, the plans would have to ensure their protection, a sufficient prey population and co-operation and approval from local communities. Mr Hyjanek said such a move is still worth trying if it turns out to be sustainable. 'It's important to have such a vision for any animal,' he said. 'Without it, the existence of zoos wouldn't make sense.'
Associated Press
6 hours ago
- Associated Press
Unity in Diversity: A Celebration of Malaysian Identity at Wesley Methodist School Kuala Lumpur (International)
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - Media OutReach Newswire - 7 August 2025 - At Wesley Methodist School Kuala Lumpur (International) (WMSKLI), Unity Day is not just a celebration, it is a bold reflection of what the school truly stands for: unity, respect, and a deep-rooted pride in Malaysia's heritage. The thunderous rhythm of the 24 Festive Drums echoed across, uniting the crowd in awe. A powerful display of tradition, teamwork, and Malaysian spirit. This year's Unity Day was a vibrant showcase of Malaysia's multicultural richness, brought to life through traditional attire, cultural performances, interactive booths, and nostalgic games. Students, teachers, and guests from all walks of life came together, not just to enjoy the celebration, but to honour what it means to be Malaysian. While WMSKLI delivers the globally recognised Cambridge IGCSE curriculum, the school remains intentionally grounded in Malaysian values. What makes WMSKLI unique is its deliberate commitment to instil national pride, even among students pursuing international education. In a purposeful initiative, WMSKLI encourages its Year 11 students to take the SPM Bahasa Malaysia and Sejarah (History) papers. This effort is not merely academic and preparing them to be highly employable in Malaysia, but it is also about giving students a deeper understanding of their cultural roots, national language, and the historical journey that shaped the modern Malaysia. Unity Day is more than a day of celebration. It is a mirror of WMSKLI's intentional fostering of unity amidst diversity. Through shared experiences: be it food, dance, language, or heritage, students are taught to celebrate differences and find strength in common ground. From the chants of dikir barat to the beat of kompang, from colourful baju kurung to traditional Indian dances, Unity Day served as a powerful reminder: while our cultures may differ, the spirit of unity binds us all. Our students paid tribute to Sabah's rich heritage with a captivating dance, celebrating the beauty of East Malaysia's traditions. In today's fast-paced global landscape, WMSKLI stands out as a school that educates not only for success, but for significance. Here, students are nurtured to lead with empathy, grounded in their heritage, and respectful of others. Unity Day beautifully captured this vision. It reminded everyone that being truly international does not mean leaving behind one's roots. At WMSKLI, it means embracing them and using them to shape a more connected, compassionate world. Students & teachers took to the stage to deliver a moving poetry recital—honouring Malaysia's journey and reminding us all of the power of words to inspire unity. Hashtag: #WMSKLI #UnityDay #WesleyMethodistSchool The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Wesley Methodist School Wesley Methodist School Kuala Lumpur International (WMSKLI) is a Christian international school offering the globally recognised Cambridge curriculum from Year 7 to Year 11. Grounded in strong Methodist values, WMSKLI is committed to nurturing students in a holistic and disciplined environment that emphasises academic excellence, character development, extra - curricular achievements and community service. The school aims to develop global citizens who lead with integrity, compassion, and purpose.
Associated Press
10 hours ago
- Associated Press
The grandchildren of 2 men who experienced both A-bomb attacks 80 years ago now work for peace
HIROSHIMA, Japan (AP) — When the atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945, Ari Beser's grandfather was on board both of the American B-29 bombers that carried the weapons. On the ground, Kosuzu Harada's grandfather survived both attacks. Neither of the men — U.S. radar specialist Jacob Beser and Japanese engineer Tsutomu Yamaguchi — met during their lives. But both became staunch advocates of nuclear abolishment. Decades later, that shared goal has brought their grandchildren together. Ari Beser and Harada are telling their grandfathers' linked stories and working to seek reconciliation and understanding about an attack that continues to divide people in both countries. During this week's commemoration of the 80th anniversaries of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki attacks, the grandchildren visited a station in Hiroshima where Yamaguchi, badly injured, boarded a train back to his hometown of Nagasaki a day after the Aug. 6, 1945, attack. The two grandchildren then went to the Hiroshima peace park where they spoke with The Associated Press about what their grandfathers experienced during two of the 20th century's most momentous events and their consequences. Kosuzu Harada remembers her grandfather as a compassionate advocate for peace Yamaguchi was 29 when he was burned severely in the Hiroshima bombing. He was in the city on a temporary assignment as a shipbuilding engineer. After Yamaguchi arrived in Nagasaki, and was telling colleagues about the attack he'd witnessed in Hiroshima, the second bomb exploded. Harada first learned about her grandfather's experience of both bombs when she interviewed him for an assignment in elementary school. Yamaguchi didn't talk about his experience in public until he was 90 because of worries about discrimination. He then became a vocal activist for peace until he died in 2010. In 2013, Harada learned that the grandson of an American who was on the planes that bombed both Hiroshima and Nagasaki wanted to hear about Yamaguchi's story. 'I had mixed feelings as a family member of the survivors,' Harada said, recalling Ari Beser's first visit. Ari Beser quietly listened as Harada's mother talked about Yamaguchi. Harada and her mother were surprised when they learned the senior Beser was exposed to radiation during his missions. 'We used to see ourselves only from the victims' perspective,' she said. 'We learned that war effects and ruins everyone's lives.' 'I feel it is my role to keep telling about the horror ... so that the same mistake will never be repeated,' Harada added. She tours Japan to talk about her grandfather's story and to push for a nuclear-free world. Yamaguchi used to say that he could never forgive the U.S. government for dropping the bombs, but he had no hatred for Americans. Even as his health deteriorated, Yamaguchi still spoke of his past, holding an interview from his hospital bed. Beser, a visual journalist and producer, has since regularly visited Nagasaki, and he and Harada have become friends. Harada believes the U.S. government should formally apologize for the bombings. 'A reconciliation takes time. It's a long process which takes generations,' Harada said. Ari Beser's grandfather was considered a hero at schools for his role in the bombings When he was asked about the attacks during his first visit to Hiroshima 40 years ago, Jacob Beser did not apologize, but said: 'I wouldn't say it was our proudest moment.' He said the world needed to make sure it doesn't happen again. Growing up, Ari Beser was told that his grandfather's bone cancer was presumably from his radiation exposure during the bombing missions. In 2011, Ari Beser traveled to Japan for the first time to learn more about the bombings. He has since met many survivors and is eager to hear their stories. 'Before, I think that we all believed in the same justifications. I can't justify it anymore,' Ari Beser said about the bombings. 'For me, all I focus on is trying to convey it to people so that it doesn't happen again.' Because his grandfather was on both B-29s, Ari Beser was always interested in meeting a double survivor. That led him to Harada's family 12 years ago. 'It's passing the baton and it's leaving the record. … We are the keepers of memory,' Ari Beser said. He was young when his grandfather died and never got to talk with him about the bombings. 'I also want to interview him or just want to ask him so many questions' and find out if there were other options besides dropping the bomb. Despite language difficulties, the two grandchildren keep communicating and working together on projects, including a book about their grandfathers. As the world increasingly becomes a divisive place, with fighting in the Middle East and Ukraine, Ari Beser believes his work with Harada is more important than ever. 'It makes you nervous, makes you worry because if this history repeats with today's nuclear weapons, it's almost unimaginable how much would be destroyed,' Ari Beser said. Visiting Japan and meeting with Harada, he said, 'makes me little bit more hopeful. ... Everybody needs hope and this is how I get hope.' ___ The Associated Press receives support for nuclear security coverage from the Carnegie Corporation of New York and Outrider Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. ___ Additional AP coverage of the nuclear landscape:
