Sports

Filipino American swimmer claims USA’s first Paralympics 2024 gold

Filipino American para swimmer Gia Pergolini made history in Paris on Friday, becoming the first Team USA athlete to win gold at the 2024 Paralympics. She secured her victory in the 100-meter backstroke S13 with a time of 1:04.93, just shy of her world record. This win marks Pergolini's second consecutive gold medal in this event, following her success in Tokyo 2020. The 20-year-old Atlanta native, whose mother was born and raised in Manila, expressed her pride in representing the U.S.: “I'm just so happy to be here and representing one of the greatest countries in the world and getting its first gold medal Paralympics. It's just unreal, especially after watching the Olympians dominate the Olympics, I wanted to do that here and I'm so glad I got to do that and end up achieving my goal.”

Sports

Naomi Osaka finds pride in motherhood following U.S. Open loss

Tennis star Naomi Osaka shifted her perspective after her early exit from the U.S. Open last week, expressing immense pride in her accomplishments both on and off the court. In a heartfelt Instagram post on Saturday, Osaka shared images of her daughter and highlighted the fulfillment she experiences as a mother: “Honestly I had typed out a whole caption about how I’m disappointed with myself etc but I’ve been sitting here playing with my daughter and I realized that I couldn’t be more proud of myself. I gave birth to such an amazing human and I played the US Open? A win is a win.” She continued. “Sure it didn’t work out this time but I have faith it will eventually. Thank you NY 🖤 see you next time.”

Fashion

Legendary Japanese designer Yohji Yamamoto says work is a “prison”

Japanese high fashion designer Yohji Yamamoto, who celebrated the 50th anniversary of his first brand Y’s in 2022,  recently revealed his personal feelings about work. When asked by The Wall Street Journal if he ever found it difficult to begin work in the morning and how he managed to maintain his work ethic, the 80-year-old Tokyo native, renowned for his masterful tailoring and deconstructed aesthetics, said, “I feel like I’m in a prison. It’s a duty.”

Early years: In the English translation of Nikkei Asia’s 29-part series on Yamamoto, the avant-garde designer revealed that he never had any intention of finding work when he was young, as he “wanted to remain a student as long as possible.” To avoid looking for a job, Yamamoto asked his mother if he could help her run their dressmaking business, an idea she eventually agreed to on the condition that he enroll in a dressmaking school. He graduated from Keio University in the spring of 1966 and then from Bunka Fashion College, where he learned fashion design, in 1969.

Office not included: Yamamoto shared with the Journal that walking with his dog and having breakfast soon after are his two favorite activities of the day, adding that he hates “going to the office.” He explained, “Because it’s too busy. Fashion design is very busy, especially because I make everything in Japan, bringing everything to Paris. It’s all very crazy.” When asked about his go-to place for seeking inspiration, Yamamoto said, “Inspiration falls down while I’m driving. You have to have some necessity, mental necessity for the next collection. I’m looking for ‘oh, yes!’ in the car.”

News

Breast cancer rates are surging among Asian American women

Breast cancer rates among Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) women are rising at an alarmingly faster rate than in other racial and ethnic groups, particularly among younger women. 

Data: In 2021, the breast cancer diagnosis rate among AAPI women under 50 was approximately 55 per 100,000, higher than that of Black and Hispanic women and on par with white women, according to the National Institutes of Health. Between 2000 and 2021, diagnoses among AAPI women under 50 rose by 52%, with increases also observed in older age groups. Despite advancements in treatment, the breast cancer death rate for AAPI women has remained steady at about 12 per 100,000 since 2000, contrasting with a 30% decline in death rates for women of other racial and ethnic groups during the same period.

Concerns: The trend is of significant concern as researchers attempt to understand the causes, which may include cultural shifts, stress and lifestyle changes among AAPI women. Additionally, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander women have experienced a 116% higher breast cancer death rate compared to Asian American women. Other cancers, such as pancreatic, thyroid and colon cancer, are also increasing among young AAPI women, but breast cancer remains the most common and concerning due to its aggressive nature and higher mortality rates.

News

All charges dropped against suspect in Oakland police officer's killing

The Alameda County District Attorney's Office dismissed all charges against Marquise Cooper, one of four men initially charged in connection with the killing of Oakland police officer Tuan Le. Le, a four-year veteran of the Oakland Police Department, was fatally shot on Dec. 29, 2023, while responding undercover with other officers to a burglary at a cannabis business near Jack London Square. 

Charges dropped: Cooper, who served as a lookout during a burglary at a marijuana business, was initially charged under the felony murder rule, which holds accomplices accountable for fatalities during the commission of a felony. However, a judge ruled that Cooper should not stand trial for murder since he was not present when the fatal shooting occurred. Following this decision, all charges, including burglary, were also dropped, with Cooper’s attorney stating that the case against his client was weak. 

Concerns: The Oakland Police Officers' Association President Huy Nguyen expressed concern over the dismissal, noting that “perpetrators of violent crimes must face consequences, otherwise it sends a dangerous message that undermines public safety and emboldens those who threaten the peace and security of our neighborhoods.” District Attorney Pamela Price stated that the charges against Cooper were dismissed "without prejudice" due to a lack of evidence, but the investigation into his role in the burglary will continue. Nguyen anticipates Price’s next steps in seeking justice, as she faces a recall vote in November amid scrutiny over her progressive policies.

News

California settles $350K sexual harassment lawsuit filed by ex-worker against Fiona Ma

California has agreed to pay $350,000 to settle a 2021 lawsuit with Judith Blackwell, a former employee who accused Democratic State Treasurer Fiona Ma of sexual harassment. Blackwell's allegations included that Ma exposed herself and crawled into bed with her during shared accommodations at a hotel and rental unit. The trial, initially set to start this month, was delayed multiple times before the settlement.

Ma’s response: Ma rejected the allegations, asserting that Blackwell was the one who entered her bedroom. She denied any physical contact with Blackwell and characterized the incidents as “random, isolated incidents that did not constitute to sexual harassment.” Ma, who maintained that the lawsuit was “frivolous” and aimed to “embarrass [her] in hopes of receiving millions of dollars,” described the settlement as a “vindication.” 

Ma’s defense: Ma is represented by both the California Department of Justice and private attorneys, with her defense funded by over $170,000 in donations. Although the lawsuit also included claims of racial discrimination and wrongful termination, these were not presented to the jury due to the state's justification for Blackwell's firing. Despite Ma’s efforts to have the case dismissed, Judge Christopher Krueger permitted the sexual harassment allegations to proceed to trial. Earlier this year, Ma announced her candidacy for lieutenant governor in 2026. As treasurer, she manages state investments, serves on pension fund boards and oversees programs for affordable housing and public works financing.

News

Beijing’s “coordinated” supporters instigated violence in SF, report says

China’s government successfully exerted a repressive influence in San Francisco during President Xi Jinping’s visit in November, escalating months of coordinated efforts to silence dissent through orchestrated violence against anti-CCP protesters. In an investigative report released Tuesday by the Washington Post, Chinese diplomats and pro-CCP diaspora groups were revealed to be working to intimidate and suppress criticism, extending Beijing’s authoritarian reach into the U.S. well before the visit.

Coordinated violence and intimidation: While aggression was observed on both sides, pro-CCP activists, some with ties to the Chinese state, reportedly instigated “the most extreme violence” against anti-Xi protesters during Xi’s visit for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, attacking them with items like extended flagpoles and chemical sprays. Verified videos show coordinated groups of young men embedded among pro-CCP demonstrators, who were seen punching, kicking and even throwing sand in the faces of dissenters. Chinese diplomats from San Francisco and Los Angeles were identified among the crowd directly interacting with aggressors. One protester, Zhang Kaiyu, who was beaten unconscious, told the Post, “Everywhere we went … we were outnumbered and overwhelmed by the pro-CCP people.”

Diplomatic involvement and response: The Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles incentivized participation by covering the costs of hotels and meals for pro-CCP supporters, with at least 35 diaspora groups from across the U.S. attending the protests, the Post found. Additionally, Chinese diplomats hired over 60 private security guards to “protect” these groups, with reports indicating that officials encouraged the guards to intervene in altercations. Despite the clear evidence of pro-CCP violence, Chinese officials denied responsibility, accusing U.S. agencies of fabricating evidence. An ongoing FBI investigation, coupled with State Department concerns, underscores the severity of China’s “transnational repression” on American soil. Since the violence, activists who protested Xi reported feeling isolated and fearful, with some experiencing depression and insomnia.

News

South Korean schools embroiled in deepfake porn crisis

A deepfake porn crisis has gripped South Korea, with perpetrators using artificial intelligence technology to fabricate sexually explicit images of students, who are often minors. Telegram chat rooms, some with thousands of members, have become hubs for sharing and creating deepfake porn. 

National crisis: Victims are often targeted based on their school affiliation, with some chat rooms specifically dedicated to individual students. Between Jan. 1 and Aug. 25, 781 individuals reported being victims of deepfake-related digital sex crimes, and a shocking 36.9% of them were minors. The crisis has sparked widespread fear and anger, with many calling for stricter punishments and better education on digital ethics.

Protecting women and minors: The South Korean government has vowed to introduce stricter punishments for those involved in creating and sharing deepfake pornography and is investigating Telegram's role in facilitating these crimes. Women's rights advocates stress the need for comprehensive measures, including better education on digital ethics and addressing the underlying societal issues that contribute to such offenses. "The repeated violence against women in this country is a result of the state's failure to listen to the numerous calls in the past raising alarms on the issue, lax punishment for perpetrators and a lack of awareness that such actions are crimes," Kim Su-jeong, director of the Women's Human Rights Counseling Center, told Yonhap.

Final Bites

Pope Francis begins Asia-Pacific tour in Indonesia: Pope Francis started his longest and farthest trip yet, landing in Jakarta to kick off a 12-day Asia Pacific tour that will also take him to Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste and Singapore. Despite his advanced age and recent health struggles, the 87-year-old Catholic leader is expected to emphasize interfaith dialogue and environmental protection, which are key themes of his pontificate. “Please pray that this journey may bear fruit,” he wrote on social media. His visit in Indonesia — the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation — is seen as a historic opportunity to bridge religious divides. President Joko Widodo welcomed the Catholic leader, emphasizing their shared commitment to peace and brotherhood. The Pope’s itinerary includes a visit to Jakarta’s Istiqlal Mosque and meetings with both religious leaders and refugees.

11-year-old Indian guitarist performs Metallica for the first time ever on “AGT”: Maya Neelakantan made history in “America’s Got Talent” by becoming the first contestant to perform a Metallica song. The 11-year-old guitarist from Chennai, Tamil Nadu, played her own rendition of “Master of Puppets” during Quarterfinals 3 on Aug. 27. “I’m the first act Metallica have ever given permission to play on AGT. I really want to make Metallica proud,” she said ahead of her performance. Neelakantan left an impression on the judges when she performed Papa Roach’s “Last Resort” during her audition, with Simon Cowell calling her a “rock goddess.”