Gunmen killed at least 13 people Saturday in Senegal who were gathering firewood in the forest, the military said. It was the worst attack in years in the West African nation’s restive southern region, where a separatist insurgency has dragged on for more than three decades.

The bloodshed sparked fears of renewed unrest in the area, which had been relatively calm for the last several years.

Col. Abdoul Ndiaye said late Saturday that seven others were wounded in the massacre 4 miles (7 kilometers) outside of the town of Ziguinchor, and the military stepped up its presence near the town. Casamance is separated from the rest of Senegal by the nation of Gambia.

While no immediate claim of responsibility for the slayings was made, suspicion fell on the separatist group founded in 1982 known as the Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance.

The armed wing of the group had agreed to a cease-fire in 2014, and the last major attack blamed on the group had been in 2013 when rebels took 12 employees of a South African bomb disposal firm hostage. The victims, all Senegalese citizens, were eventually released.

Saturday’s deaths came just hours after the release of two prisoners belonging to the separatist group following negotiations that were mediated by the Community of Sant’Egidio.

The separatists have long argued that their region is culturally distinct from the rest of Senegal, and has suffered from inattentive governments in the country’s capital, Dakar.

Sadio Mane is the embodiment of the dreams of millions of young Africans, emerging from a small village in Senegal to play at the highest level in Europe and become an international icon.

The diminutive attacker defied his family, who did not want him to play soccer, to sneak away from his home village of Bambali to join an academy in the capital Dakar and then catapult his way into club football.

He has gone on to help his country to successive World Cup tournaments, win a first Africa Cup of Nations title and, at club level with Liverpool win the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup, and he returns again for the World Cup in Qatar.

The 30-year-old is the reigning African Footballer of the Year, a title he has won back-to-back, and will again be Senegal's talisman as they take on Ecuador, the Netherlands and hosts Qatar in Group A.

For aspirant footballers from Africa, Mane is a role model who overcame the odds of growing up in the rural south of his country to achieve his ambitions and attain riches beyond his wildest dreams.

He has ploughed much back. His philanthropy in his home region has seen him build a hospital and a school and hand out financial support to numerous families in need.

"Why would I want 10 Ferraris, 20 diamond watches or two planes? What will these objects do for me and for the world?" he has said.

PHOTO: REUTERS

"I was hungry, and I had to work in the field; I survived hard times, played football barefooted, I did not have an education and many other things, but today with what I earn thanks to football, I can help my people."

On the field, Mane has been the catalyst for Senegal's progress to the World Cup, converting the winning penalty in the shootout that followed a playoff stalemate with Egypt in March.

He slammed home his shot, exactly as he had done six weeks earlier in Cameroon as Senegal also edged the Egyptians on penalties to win the Cup of Nations.

He will carry a burden of expectation in Qatar, on top of the tumult of his surprise close-season move from Liverpool to Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich, but Mane never looks happier than when trotting out with his compatriots and looking to take Senegal to loftier heights.
African champions Senegal carry the continent's best prospect of breaking barriers at the World Cup finals and hope to atone for a miserable last tournament in Russia where they were eliminated on disciplinary points.

Senegal are one of three African nations who have reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup, following Cameroon's 1990 exploits with a dream debut in 2002, which included beating holders France in the opening game of the tournament.

Ghana also progressed to the last eight in 2010 but that was the last time Africa proved able to make an impression on the tournament.

In Russia four years ago, all five of the continent's representatives went out in the first round, including Senegal, who were tied with Japan but lost out because they had collected more bookings in their opening three games.

PHOTO: REUTERS

The team has had a significant overhaul since, boosted by a contingent of French-born players, including goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, defender Abdou Diallo and midfielders Pape Gueye and Nampalys Mendy.

Senegal have put much effort into recruiting players from the growing European-based diaspora, contributing to their winning the African title for the first time in February.

But it was stalwarts such as captain Kalildou Koulibaly, Sadio Mane and Idrissa Gana Gueye who proved the backbone of their Africa Cup of Nations triumph, and will likely provide the driving force for the team in Qatar too.

One drawback is that many regulars lack game time at club level this season but coach Aliou Cisse is putting on a brave face. "This is a factor we anticipated. There is nothing alarming, we are not panicking," he said.

SENEGAL AT THE WORLD CUP

Following is a statbox on Senegal at the World Cup:
FIFA Ranking: 18
Odds: 80-1

Previous tournaments:

Senegal are one of three African countries to reach a World Cup quarter-final - the best achievement by a team from the continent. They did so on their debut appearance in 2002, when they upset holders France in the opening game in Seoul. Senegal qualified again for the last World Cup in Russia and lost out on a place in the knockout stage on the number of cautions received in the first round after they were tied in the group standings with Japan on points, goal difference and goals scored.

How they qualified:

Senegal were the top-ranked team in the African qualifiers, earning a bye in the group phase which started last September. They romped through their group, winning five of their six matches against Congo, Namibia and Togo, who were the only side to take points off them in a 1-1 draw. Senegal then met Egypt in the playoffs in a repeat of their Africa Cup of Nations final success six weeks earlier and won a shootout again, after the two-legged tie in March ended 1-1 on aggregate, to book a place in Qatar.

Form guide:

Senegal coach Aliou Cisse led a chorus of critics demanding to have Cup of Nations qualifying matches, scheduled for the June and September international window, postponed to allow the Qatar-bound African teams to organise more testing World Cup warm-up games. He was partially successful, after Senegal beat Benin and Rwanda in Cup of Nations qualifiers in June, and a postponement of the campaign in September allowed Senegal to instead beat Bolivia in a friendly in France and then draw 1-1 with Iran in Austria.
 

US tourist David Madrigal is over the moon after paying $200 for a "vintage" console at a busy Tokyo store that is tapping into booming global demand for retro gaming kit.

"When I came into this store, I was like a kid walking into a candy shop," Madrigal, 23, told AFP at Super Potato in the Akihabara district famous for its Japanese pop culture shops.

"This stuff is my passion. I love older consoles," he said. The PS Vita, a console released in 2011, that he bought "would usually cost me about $600 in the US."

Super Potato has three floors packed with Game Boy cartridges, Sega Dreamcast consoles wrapped in plastic and antiquated arcade machines where nostalgic customers can play "Street Fighter II" again.

Prices can be eye-watering. A handheld Nintendo Game & Watch electronic game from the 1980s -- featuring "Zelda" -- was priced at 250,800 yen ($1,750).

Around 70-80 percent of customers are foreign tourists, who have flocked to Japan in record numbers this year, store manager Komura, who only gave his surname, told AFP.

Soul gaming

Part of the appeal, Madrigal said, is that many modern games are a bit "more of the same" compared to ones when he was growing up.

"There was a different kind of innovation," he said. "Companies weren't afraid to think outside the box. They were willing to take risks."

Video game historian Hiroyuki Maeda said that additional demand from collectors comes from the fact that some consoles were marketed differently outside Japan.

Nintendo's Famicom and Super Famicom consoles for example were released abroad under alternative names, and with different and more colourful designs, he said.

"If you come to Japan and see a machine you've never seen before, you want to buy it. It stimulates the collector's soul," said Maeda, who has written dozens of books on gaming history.

"The definition of retro gaming varies, depending on the era that the people who engage in it are nostalgic for," Maeda told AFP.

'Super collector'

Amid rice fields and lotus fields two hours north of Tokyo, Proudro (his online persona) has amassed a vast treasure trove of video game relics.

The "super collector" has stuffed an old building opposite his family home with several thousand vintage games and consoles, as well as arcade machines in full working order.

"The appeal of collecting retro games is really the nostalgia of childhood memories in games shops or spending time playing at friends' houses," the 50-year-old collector said.

"To be honest, I don't really play games," he added.

"Being surrounded by games, their sounds, their atmosphere, looking at them and dreaming, that's enough to keep me happy."

Stuffed into bins

Proudro has spent lavishly to build his collection.

Retro games can reach sky-high prices: a still-wrapped version of the game "Super Mario Bros.", released in 1985, sold in 2021 for $2 million.

Until the late 1990s, however, old games were virtually worthless, according to historian Maeda.

"They were crammed into bins in shops" and sold for as little as 10 yen (seven US cents today), he said.

Proudro says he travelled around Japan 20 years ago looking for collectables in toy shops and bookstores.

"There were often stocks of Super Famicom or Game & Watch in a corner, covered in dust. The elderly people who ran these shops would tell me to take them away to clear them out," Proudro said.

"As I work in vegetable wholesale, I would give them a crate of onions or potatoes, and everyone was happy.

"Today that would no longer be possible. These shops have disappeared, and with the internet, everyone has started to resell," he added.

Wanting to share his passion with others, Proudro founded an association of retro gaming enthusiasts and is delighted at the interest shown by people from around the world.

"But to be honest, I also think that Japanese products should stay in Japan. It's a bit like Japanese woodblock prints in the past, which were taken abroad where they were more appreciated, before being bought back by Japan," he said.

His country, he laments, "is slow to realise the value" of its works.

If you are seeking an immersive cultural journey to tick off your bucket list, then this is the perfect season for you to grab your backpack and set off on an adventure that will leave you awe-inspired. With the scorching summer heat behind and the chill of winter yet to arrive, autumn in Asia is the perfect season for delving into the tranquillity of nature.

So, here are 5 places to visit in Asia, where the magic of autumn is truly enchanting.

Kausani, India

With more than 20 culturally diversified states and multiple union territories, India has so much to offer travellers looking for a quick getaway to serenity.

Kausani — often referred to as "The Switzerland of India" — is a picturesque hill station in the Bageshwar district in Uttarakhand. It is known for its mesmerising 300 km panoramic view of the distant snow-capped mountains.

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As the season sets in, the surrounding forests and valleys of Kausani take on hues of gold creating a perfect setting for nature walks and treks. The clear sky offers unparalleled vistas of the majestic Himalayas, including peaks like Trishul, Nanda Devi, and Panchachuli.

Notable temples such as Bajinath and Rudrahari are located in caves — a major attraction for culture enthusiasts.

Bukhara, Uzbekistan

For those in search of a blend of history and autumnal charm, Bukhara is an ideal destination.

The warm palette of the season complements the golden-medieval architecture of this ancient city. It is one of the best-preserved Islamic cities in the world with historically significant urban structures.

Bukhara, one of Uzbekistan's Silk Road cities, once served as a pivotal centre of trade between the east and the west of Central Asia.

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The majestic Kalyan Minaret still rises above winding alleys of the city along with the historical domes and arches of ancient madrasas.

Lyab-i Hauz is a must-visit. It is a historical pool surrounded by grand mulberry trees that turn vibrant gold in autumn, offering an ethereal setting. Also, the locals harvesting cotton in the fields and the pleasantly serene weather make the outdoor bazaars a delight in this season.

Nikko, Japan

Nikko is a UNESCO World Heritage site concealed in the mountains of north Tokyo, known for its historic temples and autumn colours. The maple trees blaze in shades of flaming crimson and gold around Nikko's temples transforming the entire area into a breath-taking autumn paradise.

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The final resting place of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the Toshogu Shrine and Rinnoji Temple, adorned by majestic cedar trees, provides beautiful spots to enjoy both natural and historical beauty. The cascading water of Kegon Falls framed by vibrant fall foliage offers a truly memorable sight.

Plan your visit between late October and early November, when the fall colours are at their most spectacular form.

Thimphu, Bhutan

Tucked away in the heart of Bhutan, Thimphu offers a mesmerising blend of spiritual, traditional and natural splendour against the backdrop of the majestic Himalayas. Tshechu, the country's most iconic autumn festivals, make this time of year one of the best to visit. Filled with mask dances, music, and rituals, these festivals bring the streets alive with Bhutanese culture during September and October.

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A hike to the iconic Tiger's Nest Monastery is a must for a delightful adventure. Nestled on a cliff 900 meters above the valley floor, this revered monastery provides spectacular views of the surrounding autumn foliage, along with a sense of tranquillity and awe-inspiring beauty.

Photo: Collected / Harsh Aryan / Unsplash

Kolkata, India

The arrival of autumn, marked by the blooming of kashphool, signals the most awaited festival for Bengali — Durga Puja!

Kolkata becomes a vibrant canvas filled with intricately towering pandals with sounds of dhaks (traditional drums) and devotional songs during this time of the year.

The most revered place you can visit in Kolkata during Durga Puja is Kumartuli Park, a labyrinth of alleys, a settlement of hundreds of potters who make the idols of goddess Durga every year for a living. There are also other places you should not be missing such as the Baghbazar Sarbojonin Durgotsav, Mohammad Ali Park, Santosh Mitra Square, etc. where nature and people unite to celebrate the triumph of good over evil.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Wednesday he will not seek re-election as head of his party, meaning the end of his premiership after just under three years.

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party, which has governed Japan almost uninterrupted since 1945, is due to hold an internal leadership contest next month. Its popularity ratings have slumped because of rising prices.

"In this presidential election, it is necessary to show the people that the LDP is changing and the party is a new LDP," Kishida told reporters in Tokyo.

"For this, transparent and open elections and free and vigorous debate are important. The most obvious first step to show that the LDP will change is for me to step aside," he said.

"I will not be running in the forthcoming presidential election."

Kishida had informed senior administration officials of his intention not to run, media including national broadcaster NHK and Kyodo news reported earlier,

The head of the ruling party is traditionally also prime minister.

Kishida, 67, has been in office since October 2021, and has seen his and his party's poll ratings slide sharply in response to rising prices hitting Japanese incomes.

His cabinet's support rating has been languishing around 25 percent this year, according to an NHK poll.

The world's fourth-largest economy has also struggled to gain traction, with output shrinking 0.7 percent in the first quarter.

In November, Kishida announced a stimulus package worth 17 trillion yen (more than $100 billion at the time) as he tried to ease the pressure from inflation and rescue his premiership.

Having seen prices barely move for years, Japanese voters have been reeling from rising prices since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, pushing up energy costs and putting pressure on the government.

Despite some recovery in recent weeks, the yen has been one of the world's worst-performing currencies over the past year, falling sharply against the dollar.

While welcome news to Japanese exporters, this makes imports pricier and stokes inflation for households.

Even before November, the government had injected hundreds of billions of dollars into the economy over the past three years since the Covid-19 pandemic.

Early exit

Kishida could in theory have governed until 2025, and there had been speculation he might call a snap election to shore up his position.

But NHK reported that growing voices inside the LDP believed the party would not be able to successfully contest elections under the Kishida government.

Kishida has also faced severe criticism over a major funding scandal within the party.

The prime minister "seems to have judged that he himself needs to take responsibility in order to dispel growing distrust", NHK said.

Under Kishida, Japan pledged to double its defence spending to the NATO standard of two percent of GDP by 2027.

This marked a turn from decades of strict pacifism, encouraged by the United States as both seek to confront an increasingly assertive China.

US President Joe Biden hosted Kishida at the White House in April when the two countries announced a "new era" in cooperation.

Japan and the Philippines in July signed a defence pact allowing for the deployment of troops on each other's territory.