Sports

Shohei Ohtani becomes first and only member of MLB's 50-50 Club

Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani became the first player in Major League Baseball history to achieve a 50-home run and 50-stolen base season. Ohtani's historic 50th homer came in the seventh inning during a dominant 20-4 victory over the Miami Marlins at LoanDepot Park on Thursday.

Historic performance: During Ohtani’s record-setting performance, he went 6-for-6 at the plate, driving in 10 runs and scoring four times. The 30-year-old Japanese athlete, who also previously set records for being the fastest to reach 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases, hit his 50th home run after earlier swiping his 50th and 51st bases. "To be honest, I'm the one probably most surprised," he said after the game.  

A lonely club: The Atlanta Braves’ Ronald Acuña Jr., who stole 73 bases but fell short with only 41 home runs last year, is the closest player to almost reach Ohtani’s feat. The four other players in the 40-40 club are Jose Canseco of Oakland Athletics (1988), Barry Bonds of the San Francisco Giants (1996), Alex Rodriguez of the Seattle Mariners (1998) and Alfonso Soriano of the Washington Nationals (2006).

News

Investigation revealing corruption in Korean adoptions sparks global reassessment

An investigation by the Associated Press and Frontline has uncovered that Western governments facilitated and encouraged the adoption of South Korean children for many years even amid evidence that adoption agencies were competing fiercely for children, pressuring birth mothers and bribing hospitals. Many adoptees have now found that their adoption documents were falsified, prompting a global reassessment of adoption practices.

The investigation: The AP investigation uncovered cases of kidnapped or missing children being sent abroad, fabricated identities and parents falsely told their children had died. The demand for South Korean children surged after the 1950-53 Korean War, particularly from Western families facing domestic shortages of adoptable children. Scandinavian countries, including Sweden and Denmark, exerted diplomatic pressure on South Korea to continue adoptions despite concerns about the ethics of the practice. In the U.S., Harry Holt, an evangelical Christian, pioneered the adoption system, flying children to American families in large numbers, often without sufficient safeguards to ensure the children were true orphans.

Reevaluating the system: European countries are now reevaluating their role in international adoptions, with several nations halting foreign adoptions or issuing apologies. However, the U.S., which played a leading role in international adoptions, has yet to fully address its accountability. Although a U.S. review has acknowledged the possibility of falsified adoption documents, it has found no evidence that officials were aware of the fraud. The investigation continues, with a documentary titled “South Korea’s Adoption Reckoning” premiering on PBS on Friday.

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Japanese boy fatally stabbed in China amid rising anti-Japan sentiment

A 10-year-old Japanese boy was fatally stabbed on his way to school in Shenzhen, China, on Wednesday, coinciding with the anniversary of Japan’s 1931 invasion of Manchuria. This is the second such attack in recent months, raising fears among Japanese expatriates and stoking tensions between China and Japan amid growing anti-Japanese sentiment.

What happened: The boy was stabbed in the abdomen just outside his school, the Shenzhen Japanese School, at around 8 a.m. Despite receiving treatment, he died from his injuries early the next day. The suspect, identified as a 44-year-old with the surname Zhong, has a prior criminal record — including “damaging public infrastructure” and “interfering with public order” — but his motive remains under investigation. In response to the incident, local officials have expressed condolences and increased security measures near the school. Meanwhile, Shenzhen residents began laying flowers at the school gate. “This child, no matter which country he is from, is the hope of a family, and of a nation,” said a retired teacher. Japan has condemned the incident and is now seeking answers, while China, which described the attack as an “isolated incident,” vows to “continue to take effective measures to protect the safety of all foreigners.”

The big picture: The incident has reignited concerns over anti-Japanese sentiment in China, which has fluctuated over the years due to historical grievances, such as Japan’s occupation of parts of the country during World War II. The attack, in particular, occurred on the anniversary of the 1931 Mukden Incident, a key moment in Japan’s invasion of Manchuria. Rising geopolitical tensions, including Japan’s release of treated radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear plant, have further fueled nationalist sentiment in China. Wednesday’s stabbing follows a similar incident in June when a Japanese mother and her child were attacked near a Japanese school in Suzhou, leaving a Chinese bus attendant dead while trying to protect them. Videos calling for Japanese schools to be shut down have also circulated on social media. After Wednesday’s incident, some Japanese companies have issued safety warnings and even offered their employees free flights home. Some Japanese parents have also decided to send their children abroad earlier than planned.

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More paid maternity leave = better mental health, Hong Kong study finds

Researchers from the University of Hong Kong, Duke-NUS Medical School and the University of British Columbia found that Hong Kong’s four-week extension of its statutory paid maternity leave in 2020 significantly improved mental health among mothers. 

Research findings: The study, published in Health Affairs, highlights the positive impact of Hong Kong's decision to extend paid maternity leave from 10 to 14 weeks, aligning it with the International Labor Organization's recommendations. By analyzing 1,414 mothers, researchers found that postpartum depression symptoms among mothers decreased by 22% following the policy change, and there was a 33% drop in mothers whose emotional well-being negatively affected their childcare. 

Significance: This shift is significant given that Hong Kong's postpartum depression rates (30%) are notably higher than the global average of 18%. The policy change is seen as crucial for improving maternal health and addressing the city’s labor shortage by supporting workforce retention among women of childbearing age, who have the highest participation rate among the 52% of women participating in the workforce. The study underscores the importance of paid maternity leave, particularly relevant for the U.S., which lacks national paid family leave amid ongoing labor shortages and mental health issues.

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Viral video of man kicking Nara’s “divine messenger” deer prompts local crackdown

A viral video of what appears to be a male tourist kicking a deer in Nara, Japan, has sparked public outrage, prompting local authorities to implement measures promoting respect for the sacred animals. 

The viral video: In the viral video that surfaced in July, a man wearing a white shirt is seen kicking deer as he walks along a sidewalk crowded with the animals. At one point, he even slaps a deer in the face. The video has since received nearly 20 million views on X, with many users condemning the man’s actions. After it went viral, police reportedly received over 100 complaints demanding protection for the deer. 

What’s being done: In response, emergency patrols were conducted, and officers distributed flyers and used loudspeakers in multiple languages to inform tourists about the legal consequences of harming the animals. Authorities are also utilizing electronic billboards to raise awareness. The deer in Nara Park are historically revered as “divine messengers” of Shinto gods and have been protected since ancient times. Causing serious injury or death to a deer can result in up to five years in prison or a fine of up to 1 million yen ($6,900). Despite efforts, cases are challenging to prosecute if there is no “clear evidence of serious harm, such as broken bones or bleeding,” a senior police official noted.

Final Bites

Democrats promote Harris with K-pop idol’s feminist anthem: The Democratic Party’s TikTok account is making waves after using Blackpink’s Lisa’s latest single, “New Woman,” to promote Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign. The video, which was posted on Sept. 15, shows Harris delivering a speech on her commitment to middle class and working families, as well as a montage of her career as vice president. Captioned “pure aura,” the post has since amassed 2.2 million views, with fans collectively praising the song choice. “New Woman,” which features Spanish singer Rosalía, champions women empowerment and breaking barriers, aligning with Harris’ historic 2020 election and messages of change and resilience in the ongoing campaign cycle.

Ohtani's 50th homer ball estimated to fetch $500,000: The lucky fan who snagged Shohei Ohtani's historic 50th home run ball during the Dodgers' game against the Marlins on Thursday could be looking at a windfall of around $500,000 if they choose to auction it, according to experts at SCP Auctions. The ball, caught by a fan in his 50s, marks a first in MLB history: Ohtani's 50th homer in a season where he also achieved 50 stolen bases. The same game saw Ohtani deliver an outstanding performance with six hits, three home runs and 10 RBIs. David Kohler of SCP Auctions, who initially estimated it to fetch a staggering $300,000 at auction, later revised the estimate to half a million dollars, citing the ball's unique significance. 

Lee Jung-jae back in his 456 tracksuit in “Squid Game” Season 2 teaser: Netflix has officially revealed a special teaser trailer for Season 2 of “Squid Game,” offering a glimpse into the intense and dangerous competition thriller series set to be released on Dec. 26. The teaser shows key characters like Front Man (Lee Byung-hun) and protagonist Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), who re-enters the survival game three years after his initial victory in the first season with a new resolution in mind. “Gi-hun once again dives into the mysterious survival game, starting another life-or-death game with new participants gathered to win the prize of 45.6 billion won,” the official Season 2 synopsis reads. Season 2 will introduce new contestants alongside familiar faces from the first season. Director Hwang Dong-hyuk, who made history with his Emmy win for directing “Squid Game,” returns as writer, director and executive producer. “I do have a lot on my shoulders, but I’ll make sure it’s worth the wait,” Hwang previously told Netflix. 

Miya Cech to bring Toph to life in “Avatar” Season 2: Miya Cech, recognized for her roles in "Beef" and "Young Rock," will portray the powerful earthbender Toph Beifong in the highly-anticipated second season of Netflix's live-action "Avatar: The Last Airbender." The 17-year-old actor, who is of Chinese and Japanese American descent, is thrilled about representing her Chinese heritage and contributing to the show's celebration of Asian cultural diversity, noting that she considers this opportunity “amazing and a gift as an actor.” A longtime fan of the animated series, Cech is already immersed in intensive training to prepare for the physically demanding role. She is also collaborating with a consultant from the blindness community to ensure an authentic and respectful portrayal of Toph's unique perspective.

Netflix's "One Piece" reveals first look at Tony Tony Chopper debut: A new teaser for the highly anticipated second season of Netflix's live-action "One Piece" offers a first look at fan-favorite character Tony Tony Chopper. Revealed during Netflix's Geeked Week, the CGI rendition of the beloved reindeer showcased his iconic pink hat and fuzzy ears, though his full face and voice actor remain a mystery. Chopper's introduction aligns with the Drum Island arc, mirroring his first appearance in the anime. The upcoming season also features the addition of Nico Robin, played by Lera Abova, and her menacing associate, Crocodile, portrayed by Joe Manganiello. Currently filming in South Africa, the release date for Season 2 is yet to be announced.

Singapore hosts “world's largest illumination event”: With over 20 million LED lights, Illumi — stylized as “illumi” and touted as the “world’s largest illumination event” — made its international premiere at Singapore’s Bayfront Event Space, next to the Marina Bay Sands, on Sept. 13. Created by Canadian event production company Cavalia and presented by Base Entertainment Asia, the event takes visitors on a journey through nine themed light worlds, including the magical forest, infinite poles, dune palace, tunnel of colors, illumi tree, jurassic kingdom, enchanted maples, wall of lights and puppies and kitties. This marks the first time Cavalia has taken the project outside of Canada, where it debuted in Montreal in 2019. The Singapore event will run until Feb. 2, 2025, with ticket prices starting at 25 Singaporean dollars ($20) for adults and 15 Singaporean dollars ($12) for children.

Asia dominates list of best hotels in the world for 2024: Thailand luxury hotel Capella Bangkok, situated along the Chao Phraya River, topped this year’s World's 50 Best Hotels list. The expert panel of judges behind the annual list highlighted the hotel’s remarkable architecture, world-class spa and personalized service. Opened in 2020, Capella Bangkok has 101 rooms that offer stunning river views and private villas with Jacuzzi plunge pools. The experts also attributed the ranking to the hotel's Michelin-starred Cote by Mauro Colagreco, its celebrated Auriga spa and the dedicated local guides. The World's 50 Best Hotels’ Emma Sleight praised Capella Bangkok for its "extraordinary" balance of luxury and intimacy. Asia dominated this year’s rankings with 19 hotels featured, including Rosewood Hong Kong at No. 3, The Upper House in Hong Kong at 5 and Raffles Singapore at 6.