Mayor Brugnaro: “A message that starts from our history and speaks to the world”The Venice Carnival 2026, themed “Olympus – The Origins of the Game,” brings myth, sport, and tradition to life. From the Grand Canal water parade to masked revellers in St. Mark’s Square, the festival celebrates Venice’s heritage, creativity, and the Olympic spirit from January 31 to February 17 according to the official press release. PICS/AFP

Hundreds of people gathered at Tokyo’s Ueno Zoological Gardens to say goodbye to panda twins Lei Lei and Xiao Xiao as they were returned to China amid diplomatic tensions, leaving Japan without any pandas for the first time in 50 years. (PICS/AFP)