Year: 2025

South Korean fans soak up nostalgia with vintage Japanese superheroes

Seoul (AFP) – Die-hard South Korean fans cheer and clap as their favourite superheroes strike poses in brightly coloured uniforms to the sounds of a soulful Japanese ballad, a nostalgic throwback to the days of VHS.

It's been decades since Japanese superhero series 'Choudenshi Bioman' was last on TV, but it still resonates for South Korean millennials

Asian markets track Wall St loss; Frankfurt lifted by German vote

Hong Kong (AFP) – Asian markets mostly fell Monday following a dour end to last week for Wall Street fuelled by disappointing economic data, but Frankfurt and the euro rose after conservatives won Germany’s closely watched election.

Hong Kong extended its recent rally, even as most other Asian markets fell

Japan warns of avalanches, icy roads ahead of more snow

Tokyo (AFP) – Japan will face more heavy snow after a two-week whiteout, the country’s weather agency said Monday, warning people to be wary of avalanches and icy roads.

All Black Caleb Clarke admits dangerous driving: NZ media

Sydney (AFP) – All Blacks wing Caleb Clarke said he was “extremely apologetic” Monday after admitting to dangerous driving charges, New Zealand media reported.

Caleb Clarke was reportedly "extremely apologetic" after admitting to dangerous driving charges

Debutants San Diego stun Galaxy with win in Los Angeles

Los Angeles (United States) (AFP) – San Diego FC pulled off a major surprise in their first ever game in Major League Soccer, winning away to defending champions Los Angeles Galaxy 2-0 on Sunday.

Anders Dreyer scored San Diego FC's first goals in MLS as they beat champions Los Angeles Galaxy 2-0

India's Modi uses mega Hindu festival to burnish credentials

Prayagraj (India) (AFP) – The quest of millions seeking salvation at the world’s largest religious festival has also been a golden opportunity for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to burnish Hindu nationalist credentials.

The world's largest religious festival has also been a chance for Indian PM Narendra Modi to burnish Hindu nationalist credentials

Surprise rebel alliance could give Sudan's beleaguered RSF a boost

Port Sudan (Sudan) (AFP) – Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces have signed a charter paving the way for a parallel government with its allies, including a former foe who analysts say could offer crucial territory, fighters and border access.

An image grab taken from a handout video posted on the Sudanese paramilitary Rapid Support Forces page on X on July 28, 2023 shows its commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo addressing fighters

Three years after Russia invasion, UN faces difficult votes on Ukraine

United Nations (United States) (AFP) – Defying Kyiv and its European allies, Washington plans on Monday to submit to the UN Security Council and General Assembly a draft text that calls for a “swift end” to the Ukraine conflict but makes no reference to its territorial integrity, in an early test of Donald Trump’s muscular approach to the crisis.

The United States will submit a draft resolution on the conflict in Ukraine to a UN vote that makes several diversions from another text on the same topic that will be voted on by the UN General Assembly that same day

German 'rust belt' town spotlights growing appeal of the far right

Duisburg (Germany) (AFP) – Sporting a cap with the Trump-inspired slogan “Make Duisburg Great Again”, AfD candidate Alan Imamura was upbeat as he campaigned for the far-right party in Germany’s ailing industrial heartland.

A poster of the Alternative for Germany's Alice Weidel and a 'Make Duisburg Great Again' cap at a stall of the far-rigth party in the western industrial town

Campbell downs Potgieter in playoff for first PGA Tour title in Mexico

Mexico City (AFP) – Brian Campbell shook off an errant tee shot — saved by a lucky break — to birdie the second playoff hole, capturing his first US PGA Tour title at the Mexico Open with a gutsy win over South African Aldrich Potgieter on Sunday.

American Brian Campbell reacts after a birdie at the second playoff hole to win the US PGA Tour Mexico Open