Fukushima nuclear statue ignites online furore

TOKYO: A giant statue of a child wearing a radiation suit in the Japanese city of Fukushima has touched off a storm of criticism online as the nuclear-hit area seeks to rebuild its reputation. “Sun Child”, a 6.2-metre figure sporting a yellow protective suit with a digital display on its chest showing “000”, symbolising no nuclear contamination, was installed this month near the city’s train station. Its creator, Japanese artist Kenji Yanobe, intended the statue to be a symbol of hope but critics said it was insensitive to the plight of Fukushima as it continues to struggle with radioactive contamination from the 2011 meltdown. AFP

Trump slams former White House aide Omarosa as ‘dog’

Washington: President Donald Trump lashed out at his former White House aide Omarosa Manigault Newman in especially angry terms, slamming her as a “dog” and “crazed” as their mud-slinging match escalated. Trump had already branded “Omarosa” a “lowlife” after she released a recording of her firing by chief of staff John Kelly, seemingly recorded in the White House Situation Room. But on Tuesday, he ratcheted up the war of words to a level of nastiness rarely seen, even from a president who has shown he doesn’t pull punches when insulting his critics. AFP

Belgrade zoo’s elderly resident

Belgrade: An alligator named Muja eats a quail in its enclosure in Belgrade’s Zoo, Serbia, on Tuesday. Muja is officially the oldest American alligator in the world living in captivity. He was brought to Belgrade from Germany in 1937, a year after the opening of the Zoo. Muja survived three bombings of Belgrade, the Second World War and all the hardships the zoo went through. Reuters