Japanese cat gets huge send off

A lavish funeral was held for a Japanese cat who became an international star when she was made a station master at a train station in western Japan. Tama, who was made a railway official eight years ago, was credited with putting the rail firm back on track financially after attracting thousands of tourists. She was given a custom-made cap and jacket which made her a familiar sight at the Kishi Station.The 16-year-old cat died of heart failure on June 22.

New Elephant for Auckland Zoo

The latest addition to Auckland Zoo is the arrival of Anjalee, the elephant!! Anjalee's journey took nearly six years.

Her arrival comes after Auckland Zoo's other Asian elephant Burma's companion Kashin passed away in 2009.

Ash cloud affects flights

Five airports in Indonesia have been forced to shut down including the tourist hotspot of Bali due to a volcanic eruption. Mount Raung in East Java has been spewing ash into the air for nearly a week obscuring visibility at the airports. Flights between Bali and Australia and New Zealand have been cancelled and stranded travellers are trying to return home.

The re-opening of the airports would depend on Mount Raung's activity over the next few days.

-Internet