Showing 1 - 10 of 84
Nostalgia and new fans as Tamagotchi turns 30
AFP, Published on 07/01/2026
» TOKYO - Japan's Tamagotchi toys were a 90s playground craze and the virtual pets that demand food and attention are still a hit among retro-loving Gen Z and nostalgic parents.
Indonesian child's viral fame draws tourists to boat race
AFP, Published on 24/08/2025
» PEKANBARU (INDONESIA) - Armed with colourful oars, rowers pack into long boats in western Indonesia, paddling furiously in front of race crowds swelled by the viral success of a young boy famous for his dancing at the front of the traditional vessels.
'KPop Demon Hunters' craze hits theatres after topping Netflix, music charts
AFP, Published on 23/08/2025
» LOS ANGELES — Netflix's gargantuan hit film "KPop Demon Hunters" has captured the global zeitgeist this summer, smashing streaming and music chart records. Now it is coming for movie theatres.
Dangerous dreams: Inside internet's 'sleepmaxxing' craze
AFP, Published on 07/08/2025
» WASHINGTON - From mouth taping to rope-assisted neck swinging, a viral social media trend is promoting extreme bedtime routines that claim to deliver perfect sleep -- despite scant medical evidence and potential safety risks.
Patrick Star and 'Drag Queen' crab: underwater robot live stream captivates Argentines
AFP, Published on 03/08/2025
» MAR DEL PLATA (ARGENTINA) - A robot explores the dark, cold, deep sea floor of the South Atlantic, transmitting images of vibrant coral and fish never seen before as scientists give live commentary via YouTube. And Argentines can't get enough of it.
Japan’s Sega eyes return to 1990s gaming glory
AFP, Published on 17/07/2025
» TOKYO - The big-screen success of the 1990s video game speedster “Sonic the Hedgehog” has brought new fans to Sega, which says it is poised for a comeback after two tough decades.
Global matcha obsession drinks Japan’s tea farms dry
AFP, Published on 26/06/2025
» LOS ANGELES - At a minimalist Los Angeles matcha bar, powdered Japanese tea is prepared with precision, despite a global shortage driven by the bright green drink’s social media stardom.
NZ teen dies after taking part in rugby-inspired craze
AFP, Published on 27/05/2025
» SYDNEY - A teenager has died in New Zealand after taking part in a rugby-inspired craze in which participants sprint into each other head-on with no protective gear, police said Tuesday.
Digital divas: Can Japan's virtual YouTuber craze crack America?
AFP, Published on 11/04/2025
» TOKYO — Fans waved glow sticks at an animated character on stage, having packed a sold-out Hollywood concert hall to see their virtual idol perform -- showcasing the global ambitions of Japan's "VTuber" subculture.
Black day? Guinness runs dry in UK pubs amid online craze
AFP, Published on 16/12/2024
» LONDON - At her London pub, landlady Kate Davidson has taken to issuing Guinness ration cards, but still the beer has run out amid a UK shortage of Ireland's national drink.