Taichung (Taiwan) (AFP) – Taiwanese persimmon farmer Lo Chih-neng stands on a ladder in his sprawling orchard using secateurs to cut the golden-yellow fruit still hanging from branches after enduring a tough season.
Blooming hard: Taiwan's persimmon growers struggle
Knicks roll to ninth straight NBA win, Ivey hurt in Pistons victory
Los Angeles (United States) (AFP) – Karl-Anthony Towns scored 31 points and Josh Hart delivered his second straight triple-double to propel the New York Knicks to their ninth straight NBA victory on Wednesday, 119-103 over the Utah Jazz.
'Numb' New Orleans grapples with horror of deadly truck attack
New Orleans (AFP) – The celebratory atmosphere of Bourbon Street in New Orleans, long an American byword for indulgence and revelry, was dimmed Wednesday as residents and visitors alike reeled from a deadly truck attack on New Year’s crowds.
Asia stocks begin year on cautious note
Hong Kong (AFP) – Asian stocks began 2025 mostly in the red on Thursday after worries about US interest rates, tariffs and China’s economy gave Wall Street the holiday blues for a fourth straight session.
2024 was China's hottest year on record: weather agency
Beijing (AFP) – Last year was China’s warmest on record, its weather agency said, as the world experiences a surge in extreme weather fuelled by climate change.
Perera's 46
Nelson (New Zealand) (AFP) – Kusal Perera cracked a career-best 101 off just 46 balls as Sri Lanka secured a consolation seven-run victory in the third and final Twenty20 match against New Zealand in Nelson on Thursday.
South Korea police raid Jeju Air, airport over fatal crash
Muan (South Korea) (AFP) – South Korean police on Thursday raided the offices of Jeju Air and the operator of Muan International Airport as part of the probe into the fatal crash of a Boeing 737-800 plane that killed 179 people.
South Korea's Yoon resists arrest over martial law bid
Seoul (AFP) – Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was resisting arrest for a third day on Thursday after vowing to “fight” authorities seeking to question him over his failed martial law bid.
Sainz set to step out of comfort zone to defend Dakar Rally title
Bisha (Saudi Arabia) (AFP) – Veteran Spanish driver Carlos Sainz made history when he won his fourth Dakar Rally last year and is confident that he has what it takes to challenge for victory in this season’s gruelling race in Saudi Arabia.
New Year's fireworks accidents kill five in Germany
Berlin (AFP) – Five people died across Germany and a police officer was seriously injured from accidents linked to the powerful fireworks Germans traditionally set off to celebrate the new year, police said Wednesday.
