Entertainment

Sandra Oh gets her first Emmy win

Sandra Oh, known for her roles in “Grey's Anatomy” and “Killing Eve,” finally clinched her first Emmy Award for her producer role in her Hulu movie “Quiz Lady” in the best TV movie category at the Creative Arts Emmys on Saturday. The 53-year-old star was notably absent from the ceremony as she was attending the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) to promote her new sci-fi film, “Can I Get a Witness?”

Celebrating from afar: Oh's win marks a significant milestone in her career, during which she has received 14 Emmy nominations for her acting roles. Oh, who was serving as honorary chair of the TIFF Tribute Awards this week, took to Instagram to express her excitement: "OMG Quiz Lady just won an Emmy for Best TV Movie! I love you, whole QL team!"

About the movie: During the ceremony, Oh’s co-star and co-producer Awkwafina and the film's writer and producer Jen D'Angelo, were reportedly shocked to learn it was Oh's first-ever Emmy win. “Quiz Lady,” a comedy helmed by Chinese American director Jessica Yu about two sisters teaming up to clear their mother's debts by winning a game show, premiered at TIFF last year before its subsequent release on Hulu.

News

Brown, UNC, Amherst sees rise in Asian American students

Following the Supreme Court's June 2023 ruling against affirmative action, three more institutions — Brown University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) and Amherst College — saw increases in Asian student enrollment. MIT previously reported a similar trend, while universities like Yale, Princeton, Duke, Tufts and the University of Virginia found the reverse.

By how much: At Brown, Asian students now make up 33% of the incoming class, up from 29% the previous year. UNC noted a slight increase from 24.8% to 25.8%, while Amherst’s rose from 18% to 20%. Meanwhile, Black and Hispanic enrollees both fell at Brown, with the university specifically noting a 27% to 18% decline in “groups historically underrepresented in higher education.” Black enrollment also decreased from 10.5% to 7.8% at UNC and 11% to 3% at Amherst, while Hispanic enrollment fell from 10.8% to 10.1% at UNC and 12% to 8% at Amherst.

The big picture: Overall, the SCOTUS ruling has led to varying outcomes across institutions, with some schools mitigating the impact through targeted recruitment and financial aid. Others, particularly those with national and international scopes, have struggled to maintain a diverse student body without race-conscious admissions policies. The full impact of the ruling remains to be seen as more schools release their admissions data.

News

Newlywed Oregon nurse found dead after going missing

Melissa Jubane, a 32-year-old nurse at St. Vincent Hospital in Portland, Oregon, was found dead on Friday after being reported missing earlier in the week. 

What happened: Shortly after marrying her husband, Bryan Llantero, on Aug. 24 in Hawaii, Jubane was reported missing by her coworkers and family after failing to show up for work, leading to an investigation by Beaverton police. The main suspect for her death is her neighbor, Bryce Johnathan Schubert, 27, who was arrested and charged with her murder on Saturday. Investigators reportedly traced Schubert “through an extensive investigation,” which ultimately led to the discovery of Jubane’s remains. Exact details surrounding her death and how her remains were found have not been disclosed. 

Remembering Jubane: The Oregon Nurses Association planned a vigil for Jubane, who was born to Filipino parents, on Monday evening near the hospital where she worked, expressing condolences and offering support to her family, friends and colleagues. St. Vincent's Hospital also released a statement mourning her loss, saying, “Melissa was an exceptional nurse, committed to our Providence Mission and daily demonstrating our values of compassion, excellence and integrity. We stand in support of her loved ones and those who worked so closely with Melissa.”

News

Thousands rally against proposed 76ers arena in Philadelphia ahead of town hall

Opponents of the proposed 76ers arena in Center City Philadelphia rallied at City Hall on Saturday, voicing concerns about its potential negative impact on Chinatown. 

The rally: Organized by community groups like the Asian Pacific Islander Political Alliance (APIPA), 4,000 people braved the rain and marched down the Chinatown neighborhood. The event highlighted fears that the arena, proposed in July 2022 to be ready by the 2031-32 season, would displace residents and businesses, prioritizing profit over long-standing community needs. Rally participants argued that the development would harm the flourishing Chinatown neighborhood, with some citing concerns about increased congestion and accessibility issues near Jefferson Hospital. Developers of the arena have not commented on the rally.

Upcoming meeting: Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, who has yet to take a firm stance on the project, will host a town hall meeting at the Convention Center on Wednesday to discuss the controversial proposal for the new Sixers arena. The Save Chinatown Coalition will reportedly be attending and representing the 69% of Philadelphians who oppose the arena. While the mayor prioritizes keeping the Sixers in the city, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has attempted to lure the team to Camden with $400 million in tax credits.

News

Asian woman films herself confronting group in NYC after alleged COVID remark

An Asian TikTok user named Isis Hong confronted a group in New York City after she claims someone said "COVID" when she coughed while at a safe distance from them. The encounter, which she captured on video, escalated into a heated exchange, with Hong alleging she was physically assaulted.

Captured on film: In the video which has been viewed over 37,000 times, Hong can be seen asking the group what they said to her. One of the individuals denies saying anything, while another admits to making the comment. Hong accuses the group of racism and says they threatened to physically harm her. The confrontation appeared to turn physical, with Hong claiming one individual knocked her phone out of her hand. The video elicited a strong response from viewers, with many commending Hong for her bravery in standing up to the group and others expressing concern for her safety.

Call for help: In subsequent videos, a visibly distressed Hong shared her experience with viewers and explained that she filed a police report for assault and harassment. Hong, who expressed feeling unsafe and targeted, pleaded with her followers to help identify the individuals involved. She highlighted that this was not her first encounter with racism, recalling past incidents where she faced verbal abuse and even physical threats. The story is developing and NextShark has reached out to Hong for comment.

Politics

Harris leads, Trump gains ground in latest polls

Recent polling reveals a tightly contested race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, who faced off in what could be their only debate in Philadelphia last night. While Harris leads in most national polls, Trump has made significant gains among key voter groups, while several swing states show signs of tightening ahead of November’s election.

The numbers: A poll conducted by Big Village between Sept. 6 to Sept. 8 shows Harris leading Trump by five points, with 49% of likely voters supporting her compared to 44% for Trump. Similarly, an Emerson College poll conducted from Sept. 3 to Sept. 4 shows Harris ahead by two points. However, a New York Times/Siena College poll conducted from Sept. 3 to Sept. 6 gives Trump a narrow one-point lead (48% to Harris’ 47%) — his first lead in a major national poll. This suggests the race may be tightening after Harris’ “honeymoon period.” In Florida, Trump holds a two-point advantage (49% to Harris’ 47%), according to a Morning Consult poll conducted from Aug. 30 to Sept. 8. Other swing states are equally competitive: Harris leads by just one point in Michigan and two points in Wisconsin, while both candidates are deadlocked in Pennsylvania, according to a CBS News/YouGov poll conducted from Sept. 3 to Sept. 6.

The big picture and what’s next: National polling averages show Harris leading by 2.3 to 2.8 points, but Trump’s recent surge is reflected in key swing state polls, where he has made gains with independent voters and Latino constituencies. A PBS News/NPR/Marist poll also shows a drop in Harris’ support among independents, with Trump leading her 49% to 46%, and Latino voters, where Trump now has 51% support. How the candidates will fare in new polls after squaring off in potentially their only debate yesterday remains to be seen.

News

Chinese man dies after working 104 days straight with only 1 day off

A 30-year-old Chinese man died after working for 104 consecutive days with only one day off, highlighting the tough working culture in China. A court in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, recently disclosed that the man, referred to by the pseudonym A’bao, died of multiple organ failure caused by pneumococcal disease, an infection from the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae, which later developed into sepsis, on June 1, 2023.

What happened: A’bao signed to work as a painter in February 2023 and was assigned to a project in Zhoushan. He then worked 104 consecutive days to May, taking only one day off on April 6. On May 26, he fell ill and took a sick day. However, his condition worsened and he was rushed to the hospital by May 28, where he died a few days later. The company he worked for, whose name was not disclosed, did not classify his death as a work-related injury, arguing that more than 48 hours had passed between the onset of his illness and his death.

The aftermath: A’bao’s family sued the company for alleged negligence. A Zhejiang court ruled that the company violated China’s labor law, which states that workers “shall work for no more than eight hours a day and no more than 44 hours a week on the average.” Despite this clear prohibition, China’s so-called “996” culture — which expects workers to toil from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week — continues to persist, resulting in creative protests. The court held the company 20% liable for A’bao’s death and awarded his family 390,000 yuan ($55,000) in compensation, along with 10,000 yuan ($1,400) for emotional distress.

Final Bites

Ali Wong tackles life as a “Single Lady” in new comedy special: Ali Wong is set to explore her post-divorce journey in her new Netflix stand-up special, “Single Lady,” premiering on Oct. 8. Filmed at The Wiltern in Los Angeles during the Netflix Is a Joke festival, the special marks Wong's fourth comedy hour for the streaming platform. The special, directed by Wong herself, will also delve into her love life experiences with boyfriend and "Saturday Night Live" alum Bill Hader following her split from tech executive Justin Hakuta in 2022 after eight years of marriage. Despite their divorce, Wong and Hakuta have maintained a close relationship. 

“Shang-Chi” director to helm “Spider-Man 4”?: Destin Daniel Cretton, director of "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings," is reportedly in talks to direct the next installment in the Spider-Man franchise. Cretton is set to replace Jon Watts, who departed the franchise after the previous three films. While the plot for "Spider-Man 4" remains under wraps, it is expected to continue Peter Parker's story after the events of "No Way Home," with Tom Holland reprising his role as the superhero. Cretton's involvement is seen as a vote of confidence from Marvel, following his successful work on "Shang-Chi" and the upcoming "Wonder Man" series. The director also remains committed to other projects, including a live-action "Naruto" adaptation and a "Shang-Chi" sequel.

Sense of purpose boosts health and well-being, study shows: Did you know that having a stronger sense of purpose in life could significantly boost your health and well-being? A 2022 research published in the American Journal of Health Promotion studied the data of nearly 13,000 U.S. adults over 50 and found that those who experienced an increase in purpose had a 46% lower risk of death and were 13% less likely to suffer from sleep problems over a four-year period. Additionally, they showed higher optimism, a 43% lower risk of depression and felt less lonely. While the benefits did not extend to all health areas, the study suggests that cultivating purpose may be a powerful tool for improving both physical and mental health as we age.