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)

Heavy snowfall blanketed Shimla, transforming the Himachal Pradesh capital into a winter wonderland. Tourist footfall surged as IMD predicted more snowfall in the next 24 hours, with temperatures dropping across mid-hill stations and weather warnings issued for higher reaches. (Pics/PTI)