India, April 27 -- From viral Reels to anime poses, politicians are leaning into pop culture vibes, blending diplomacy with internet-era 'main character' energy

If you had Obama singing K-pop on your 2026 bingo card, congratulations. The former US President joined NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani at a Bronx childcare centre for a singalong of The Wheels on the Bus on April 18. But the standout was the kids teaching them Soda Pop from the KPop Demon Hunters. A humbled Obama quipped, "You made the mayor feel really old!"

Japan has always been the capital of 'kawaii', but the Mayor of Shimanto took it to the next level on April 18. To launch the Nuoo-go, a bus themed after the Pokemon Quagsire, Yamashita showed up sporting a giant, plush Quagsire ...