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☆ Ohtani’s Dizzying 3 Weeks End in Exoneration by Authorities
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-13 | by ( Tim Arango | Michael S. Schmidt | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

In the clubhouse after the Los Angeles Dodgers won their season opener in Seoul last month, Shohei Ohtani’s longtime interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, made a stunning admission to the team: He was a gambling addict, and Ohtani had paid his debts to a bookmaker. Ohtani, who is not fluent in English, listened but failed to fully grasp what Mizuhara said. He knew enough to grow suspicious, however, and he wanted answers. A couple of hours later, around midnight, Ohtani finally had the chance to pull Mizuhara into a conference room in the basement of the Fairmont Ambassador Hotel in Seoul. With just the two of them there, Mizuhara leveled with his boss: He had accrued enormous debts to the bookmaker and had been stealing the baseball star’s money to pay them off.

Persons: Shohei Ohtani’s, Ippei Mizuhara, Ohtani, Mizuhara Organizations: Los Angeles Dodgers Locations: Seoul, Fairmont

☆ Bon Appétit plans to cut about 25% of its union staff, and insiders worry it will undermine the rebuilding the brand has done after a racial reckoning
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-11 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Four years after a racial reckoning roiled Condé Nast's Bon Appétit, insiders worry that planned cuts could undo a fragile rebuilding effort. Included in that figure are 94 members, or 17%, of Condé Nast Union, which covers around 550 people across a dozen titles, including Vanity Fair, Vogue, and GQ. The Test Kitchen also benefited from a home cooking boom in the pandemic. But by August 2020, 10 of 13 members of the Test Kitchen had left. Members of the BA Test Kitchen in February 2020.

Persons: Bon Appétit, Condé, Roger Lynch, Adam Rapoport, that'll, Claire Saffitz, Brad Leone, Roy Rochlin, Rachel Gurjar, Kendra Vaculin, Dawn Davis, Sonia Chopra, Davis, Monica Schipper, they'd, Jamila Robinson, James Beard, Jeff Schear, Condé Nast, Lynch, Robinson, Slack, Delia Cai, Ina Garten Organizations: Condé, Condé Nast Union, Vogue, Business, YouTube, Labs, James, The New York Times, Philadelphia Inquirer, Union, New York, Employees Locations: Condé Nast, New York City, Caribbean, Seoul, Hollywood

☆ South Korea midterms: Opposition wins landslide parliamentary vote in resounding blow to Yoon
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Heather Chen | Story Reuters | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Seoul, South Korea CNN —South Korea’s liberal opposition parties scored a landslide victory in a parliamentary election held on Wednesday, dealing a resounding blow to President Yoon Suk Yeol and his conservative party but likely falling just short of a super majority. A splinter liberal party considered allied with the DP was expected to take at least 10 seats, projections showed. It marked the highest ever turnout for a parliamentary election, though the numbers were down from the 2022 presidential vote that narrowly brought Yoon to power. Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, watches election results at his district office in Incheon, South Korea, on Thursday, April 11, 2024. “Given his likely lame duck status, the temptation for Yoon will be to focus on foreign policy where he will still have statutory power,” Richey said.

Persons: Yoon Suk Yeol, Yoon Suk, Lee Jae, myung, Lee, Yoon, ”, Kim Keon Hee, SeongJoon Cho, Mason Richey, “, ” Richey Organizations: South Korea CNN, South, Democratic Party, National Election Commission, Dior, People Power Party, Election Commission, NEC, Bloomberg, Getty, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies Locations: Seoul, South Korea, Incheon

☆ South Koreans vote for new parliament after campaign focused on economy, graft
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

People watch the first sunrise of the new year from a footbridge overlooking the city skyline in Seoul on January 1, 2024. The opposition Democratic Party (DP), which already dominates the 300-member legislature, has accused Yoon and his conservative People Power Party (PPP) of mismanaging the economy and failing to rein in inflation during their time in office. PPP leader Han Dong-hoon said a big win by the DP, whose leader is facing corruption charges, would create a crisis for the country. He warned against giving the opposition an unprecedented super majority of 200 seats, which would strip Yoon of his veto power. "I hope the two-party structure will be broken somehow, and politicians will carry out practical policies for ordinary people."

Persons: Yoon Suk Yeol, Yoon, Han Dong, hoon, Kim Ji, yun, Jung Cheol, Cho Kuk Organizations: South, Election, Democratic Party, People Power Party, DP Locations: Seoul

☆ Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter is in negotiations to plead guilty over theft and gambling, the NYT reports
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Joe Sutton | Jason Hanna | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —A former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani is in negotiations to plead guilty to federal crimes related to accusations he stole millions from Ohtani and used it for gambling, the New York Times reported Wednesday, citing three people familiar with the matter. Ippei Mizuhara was fired last month after Ohtani’s lawyers accused him of stealing from Ohtani and placing bets with a bookmaker who is under federal investigation. Ohtani later alleged Mizuhara stole the money from his bank account. “I’m very saddened and shocked that someone who I’ve trusted has done this,” Ohtani, Major League Baseball’s only two-way player, said. ESPN’s Tisha Thompson, citing multiple unnamed sources, said on CNN’s “The Lead” last month at least $4.5 million was withdrawn via wire transfer from Ohtani’s bank accounts, though it was unclear who initiated the transfers.

Persons: CNN —, Shohei Ohtani, Mizuhara, Ohtani, Michael Freedman, “, ” Ohtani, I’ve, ESPN’s Tisha Thompson, gambles, CNN’s Raja Razek, De la Fuente, Steve Almasy, Dalia Faheid, Elizabeth Wolfe Organizations: CNN, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Times, Prosecutors, Dodgers, MLB, ESPN, Los Angeles Times, baseball’s, Dodger, League Baseball’s, Internal Revenue Service, Major League Baseball, American League Locations: Ohtani, South Korea, Seoul, Korea

☆ To Counter China’s Rising Power, Biden Looks to Strengthen Ties With Japan
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Michael D. Shear | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The United States and Japan, faced with the challenges posed by an increasingly hostile China, are expected to further integrate their militaries and announce new agreements on technology and defense on Wednesday as President Biden hosts Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for a state visit to Washington. The talks are part of the Biden administration’s diplomatic outreach to counter China, which includes recent war games with Seoul. On Thursday, Mr. Biden and Mr. Kishida will meet with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of the Philippines, another Pacific islands nation that finds itself the target of a mounting Chinese military presence in the South China Sea. The Biden administration is signaling the importance of its relationship with Tokyo by holding an official state dinner on Wednesday evening in honor of Mr. Kishida, something reserved for America’s closest allies. During a day of meetings, the two leaders will announce new plans designed to confront the far-reaching ambitions of China, which Mr. Biden has described as the only global rival to the United States with the “intent to reshape the international order and, increasingly, the economic, diplomatic, military and technological power to advance that objective.”

Persons: Biden, Fumio Kishida, Kishida, Ferdinand Marcos Jr Organizations: Biden, Seoul Locations: States, Japan, China, Washington, Philippines, South China, Tokyo, United States

☆ Visits from Japanese and Filipino leaders highlight Biden’s efforts to blunt China’s aggression
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-09 | by ( Arlette Saenz | Kayla Tausche | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

Biden’s week also includes an official visit for Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, reinforcing his commitment to cultivating partnerships in the Indo-Pacific in the face of China’s rising economic and military power. The historic leaders summit on Thursday between Biden, Kishida and Filipino President Ferdinand Marcos is expected to produce announcements relating to infrastructure, energy security, digital connectivity and maritime security. Meanwhile, Japan has recently loosened restrictions on the export of military technology – paving the way for deeper collaboration with like-minded allies. The first virtual meeting with the four leaders took place in March 2021 with subsequent in-person summits in the years that followed. Biden and his team also have sought to draw in smaller regional neighbors concerned about China’s military and economic aggression.

Persons: Joe Biden, Kishida, Biden, Jake Sullivan, “, Jill Biden, Kishida Yuko, They’re, Ferdinand Marcos, Marcos, ” Sullivan, ”, John Neuffer, ” Biden, ” Rahm Emanuel, Sullivan, zeroed, Japan’s, Yoshihide Suga, Korea’s, Moon Jae, Yoon Suk Yeol, Rodrigo Duterte, Donald Trump, ” Kishida Organizations: Washington CNN, Japanese, CNN, Biden White House, Australia, US Steel, APEC, Washington, Semiconductor Industry Association, Clark Air Base, Subic Naval Base, American, White, Kishida, White House, Pacific, PBS Locations: Japan, Philippines, North Korea, Ukraine, Gaza, India, South Korea, China, Manila, ’, lockstep, Netherlands, Taiwan, Beijing, Thursday’s, US, Australia, South China, South, Russia, Kishida, United States, Tokyo, Seoul, David, United Kingdom, Washington, Vietnam, U.S

☆ South Korea to invest $7 billion in AI in effort to retain edge in chips
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-09 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Seoul Reuters —South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said on Tuesday his country will invest 9.4 trillion won ($6.94 billion) in artificial intelligence by 2027 as part of efforts to retain a leading global position in cutting-edge semiconductor chips. By earmarking investments and a fund, South Korea plans to significantly expand research and development in AI chips such as artificial neural processing units (NPUs) and next-generation high-bandwidth memory chips, the government said in a statement. South Korean authorities will also promote the development of next-generation artificial general intelligence (AGI) and safety technologies that go beyond existing models. Yoon has set a target for South Korea to become one of the top three countries in AI technology including chips, and take a 10% or more share of the global system semiconductor market by 2030. “Just as we have dominated the world with memory chips for the past 30 years, we will write a new semiconductor myth with AI chips in the next 30 years,” Yoon said.

Persons: Yoon Suk Yeol, ” Yoon, Yoon, “ Organizations: Seoul Reuters — South, South, Asia’s Locations: Seoul, South Korea, United States, China, Japan, Taiwan

☆ China concerns bring new unity to once-turbulent US-Japan-Philippines relationship ahead of major White House summit
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-08 | by ( Brad Lendon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Both the Philippines and Japan are US defense treaty allies, and the US military retains permanent bases in Japan and has base rights in the Philippines. That threat is manifested in three key areas – Taiwan, the South China Sea and the Japanese-controlled Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, analysts say. Here's why 03:27 - Source: CNNJapan and Philippines both have separate territorial disputes with China, in the former’s case the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea and in the latter’s areas of the South China Sea. Meanwhile, China claims the shoal, which is in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, as its sovereign territory, as it does much of the South China Sea, in defiance of an international arbitration ruling. “Alliance building is the most practical way to deal with China’s moves” in the South China Sea, he said.

Persons: ”, James D.J, Brown, Joe Biden, Fumio Kishida, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Xi Jinping, Biden, Micah Jeiel Perez, Marcos, Kishida, ” Marcos, Shinzo Abe, Ricardo Jose, ” Jose, Thomas, CNN Marcos, Shoal, China –, Masaharu Homma, –, Perez, Rodrigo Duterte, Marcos Jr’s, Duterte, Thomas Shoal, Veejay Villafranca, Robert Ward, BRP Antonio Luna, you’ve, Donald, Trump, ” Brown, “, Ward Organizations: South Korea CNN, White, Temple University, Japanese, Taiwan –, Communist Party, Taiwan Relations, University of, Nikkei Asia, University of the, “, CNN, East China, Philippine, China Coast Guard, US, US State Department, Gen, “ Alliance, Clark Air Base, Naval, Bloomberg, Getty, International Institute for Strategic Studies, Cooperative, Philippine Navy, BRP, Royal Australian Navy, Self, Defense Forces, JS Akebono, US Navy, USS, Multilateral Maritime Cooperative, Armed Forces, AP Analysts Locations: Seoul, South Korea, United States, Japan, Philippines, China, Tokyo, Philippine, Taiwan, Washington, South, Senkaku, East China, University of the Philippines, CNN Japan, East, South China, Palawan, China – Washington, Beijing, Spain, Spanish, Imperial Japan, New Orleans, Bataan, Subic, Manila, US, Australia, India, Vietnam, Warramunga, IISS

☆ Asia markets mixed with focus on South Korea inflation print, factory data from Australia and India
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

A customer pays for his purchase at a dried food stall in Seoul, South Korea, on Thursday, March 3, 2022. Photographer: SeongJoon Cho/Bloomberg via Getty Images Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesAsia-Pacific markets were mixed Tuesday, as investors assessed economic data from South Korea and Australia. South Korea's March inflation rate held steady at 3.1%, in line with expectations from economists polled by Reuters. Factory activity data from India is also due later in the day, with economists polled by Reuters expecting a stronger PMI reading of 59.4. South Korea's Kospi was down 0.34% and the Kosdaq slid 1.11% after the inflation reading.

Persons: SeongJoon Cho, Kospi Organizations: Bloomberg, Getty Images Bloomberg, Getty, Reuters, Nikkei Locations: Seoul, South Korea, Asia, Pacific, Australia, India

☆ North Korea tests missile, Seoul says, ahead of vote seen as gauge of support for hardline South Korean leader
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-01 | by ( Brad Lendon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Seoul, South Korea CNN —North Korea test-fired a presumed intermediate-range ballistic missile on Tuesday, South Korean officials said, its latest military maneuver since leader Kim Jong Un’s New Year declaration that he was ending a policy seeking reconciliation with the South. Pyongyang’s shows of power included long-range artillery and multiple rocket launchers, which pose a threat to the South Korean capital Seoul and other key areas near the border. But Leif-Eric Easley, professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, said Tuesday’s suspected missile test by North Korea won’t have much effect on the vote. North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui last week quashed recent speculation that Kishida could meet with North Korea’s Kim. North Korea “will not allow any attempt of Japan to contact” Pyongyang, he said, according to KCNA.

Persons: Kim Jong, Yoon Suk Yeol, Kim, Yoon’s, Democratic Party –, Yoon, Leif, Eric Easley, ” Easley, Easley, Tuesday’s, Fumio Kishida, Joe Biden, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Choe Son Hui, North Korea’s Kim, CNN’s Yoonjung Seo Organizations: South Korea CNN, North, South, Korean Central News Agency, CNN, Yoon’s People Power Party, Democratic Party, Ewha Womans University, Assembly, Korean, Philippine, North Korean Foreign, North Korea “ Locations: Seoul, South Korea, North Korea, Pyongyang, United States, North, Japan, Washington, China

☆ Samsung says it needs to 'redefine' its voice assistant Bixby with generative AI upgrade
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-01 | by ( Arjun Kharpal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

"So Bixby has been a key voice assistants voice assistant for Samsung not just for the mobile devices, but also for TVs and digital appliances that exist in Samsung's ecosystem. So it has been the core voice assistant assistant so far," Won-joon Choi, executive vice president at Samsung's mobile business, told CNBC in an interview last month. Choi did not give a timeline when Bixby may get generative AI features, but said that Samsung is "working so hard" to deliver them. Samsung's focus on the technology comes at a time when investors are scrutinizing what Apple will deliver when it comes to generative AI. Apple announced it would hold its annual developers conference, WWDC, in June, when the company is largely expected to talk up some AI features across its products.

Persons: SeongJoon Cho, Bixby, Samsung's Bixby, joon Choi, Choi Organizations: Samsung Electronics Co, Samsung, Bloomberg, Getty, CNBC, Galaxy, Google, Apple Locations: Seoul, South Korea

☆ MLB commissioner hopes Shohei Ohtani investigation is short, ‘but I just don’t know’
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-29 | by ( Ben Morse | Jill Martin | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred said on Thursday that he hopes the league’s investigation into superstar Shohei Ohtani is short, “but I just don’t know” how long it will take. The build-up to the new MLB season was overshadowed following the recent gambling scandal involving Ohtani and his former longtime interpreter Ippei Mizuhara. The Internal Revenue Service and Major League Baseball are investigating the matter, with the league trying to determine whether its strict rules against gambling have been broken. MLB commissioner Manfred can also penalize someone who goes outside legal sports betting entities and gambles with a bookie. The situation involving Ohtani has raised further questions abouts sport’s relationship with betting in the US as the industry continues to grow.

Persons: Rob Manfred, Shohei Ohtani, Ohtani, Ippei, Mizuhara, Manfred, Chris ‘, ’ Russo, Ron Jenkins, Tisha Thompson, gambles, abouts, ”, Russo, “ Organizations: CNN — Major League Baseball, MLB, Dodgers, ESPN, Los Angeles Times, baseball’s, League, MLB Network, American League, Baltimore Orioles, Texas Rangers, Internal Revenue Service, Major League Baseball, NFL, “ Sports Locations: South Korea, Seoul, Ohtani, United States

☆ Ancient DNA reveals what famed Chinese Emperor Wu may have looked like
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-28 | by ( Katie Hunt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Ancient DNA recovered from the remains of a sixth century Chinese emperor who ruled during the country’s dark ages has shed some light on what the leader may have looked like. Emperor Wu ruled China as part of the Northern Zhou dynasty from 560 to 580 and is credited with unifying the northern part of ancient China during a particularly chaotic period. “Our analysis shows Emperor Wu had typical East or Northeast Asian facial characteristics.”The authors said they hoped ancient DNA might shed light on Wu’s cause of death. The genetic analysis showed that Emperor Wu intermarried with ethnically Han Chinese, China’s dominant ethnic group today. “It’s interesting to see the genetic study, but none of the findings of this genetic study are surprising at all,” Miller said.

Persons: Emperor Wu, Wu, ”, Shaoqing Wen, Tobias Houlton, University of Dundee , Houlton, Jeong Hoongwon, Jeong, ” Jeong, Franks, Bryan Miller, Miller, wasn’t, ” Miller, “ Organizations: CNN, Fudan University, University of Dundee, Seoul National University’s School of Biological Sciences, Han, Central, University of Michigan Locations: China, Mongolia, Shanghai, Seoul, North

☆ MLB Opening Day: 2024 regular season kicks off in full with Shohei Ohtani cloud looming
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-28 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Although fans have been treated to a glimpse of MLB action, the 2024 season kicks off in full on Thursday with Opening Day. How to watchThe Opening Day slate of games takes place on Thursday, March 28, with 26 teams taking to the field. The Baltimore Orioles and the Los Angeles Angels kick off the day’s action at 3:05 PM ET at Camden Yards in Maryland. Ohtani cloud overshadows Dodgers startThe majority of the Los Angeles Dodgers offseason was dominated with optimism and talk of a World Series challenge after the acquisition of two-time MVP Shohei Ohtani and pitching phenom Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Ohtani prepares for a pitch during the Dodgers' preseason game against the Los Angeles Angels.

Persons: Tuesday’s Francis Scott Key, Shohei Ohtani, phenom Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Ohtani, Ippei, Mizuhara, Yamamoto, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Will Smith, Tyler Glasnow, Walker Buehler, Harry, Juan Soto, Soto, Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Gerrit Cole, Stanton, Nathan Ray Seebeck, Ronald Acuña Jr, Acuña, Tim Nwachukwu, Wyatt Longford Organizations: CNN, Seoul, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Deigo Padres, MLB, Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Angels, Camden, Orioles, Dodgers, ESPN, Los Angeles Times, baseball’s, League, St, Louis Cardinals, Bronx Bombers, New York Yankees, Yankees, San Diego Padres, San, American League, Houston Astros, Judge, Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, National League, Braves, NL, Phillies, National, Texas Rangers, Chicago Cubs, Washington Nationals, Cincinnati Reds, San Francisco Giants, Toronto Blue Jays, Tampa Bay Rays, Minnesota Twins, Kansas City Royals, Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates, Miami Marlins –, Cleveland Guardians, Oakland Athletics –, Colorado Rockies, Arizona Diamondbacks, Boston Red Sox, Seattle Mariners, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Mets, @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Locations: South Korea, Camden Yards, Maryland, Seoul, Ohtani, San Diego, Atlanta, Texas

☆ Seoul bus drivers strike over pay, snarling commute in South Korean capital
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-28 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

A commuter bus drives along a road in the Jongno district of Seoul on Dec. 4, 2023. Bus drivers in the South Korean capital of Seoul went on strike on Thursday after last ditch efforts at negotiating a wage hike broke down, snarling the commute for the city of more than 9 million people and another million from the outskirts. With disruptions expected during rush hours, the Seoul Metropolitan Government said the subway will run for extended hours with additional trains put into service. The full scale strike by the city's bus drivers is the first in 12 years. The negotiations between the Seoul Bus Labor Union, which represents drivers serving 97% of bus operations, and their employers failed after the union demand for a 12.7% hike in hourly wages was dismissed as "excessive," Yonhap reported.

Persons: Yonhap Organizations: Bus, Seoul Metropolitan Government, Seoul Bus Labor Union Locations: Jongno, Seoul

☆ Asia’s 50 best restaurants for 2024 revealed
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Karla Cripps | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —After losing the number one spot to Bangkok in 2023, Tokyo has reclaimed its crown as the city with the top eatery in the region at the annual Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards, which were announced in Seoul, South Korea on Tuesday evening. The list – part of the global “World’s 50 Best” brand – is compiled by the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, which is made up of more than 300 food critics, writers, chefs and restaurateurs, all selected for their knowledge of Asia’s restaurant scene. Though Singapore didn’t have any restaurants in the top five, nine of its venues made the top 50 list – more than any other city. Courtesy The World's 50 BestThe “Asia’s Best Female Chef” award went to Pichaya ‘Pam’ Soontornyanakij, owner of Bangkok restaurant Potong, which came in at 17 on this year’s list. Mineko Kato of restaurant Faro in Tokyo won the Asia’s Best Pastry Chef award and Kevin Lu of Logy, in Taipei, was voted Asia’s Best Sommelier.

Persons: Daniel Calvert, Calvert, “, ”, Sézanne, I’ve, we’d, Gaggan, Seroja, Gaggan Anand, Thitid “, Sühring, Le Du –, Ton, Bangkok –, Odette, Pichaya, Pam ’ Soontornyanakij, Ton’s Nusara, Mineko Kato, Kevin Lu, Logy, Sung Anh, Mosu, Danny Yip, Hong, Le, Fu, Hui, Samrub, Villa, Ling Long, Ando, Les Amis, Baan, Goh, Anan, Tam’s Organizations: CNN, Marunouchi, Restaurants Academy, Hospitality, Toyo, Meta, Studio, Bund Locations: Bangkok, Tokyo, Seoul, South Korea, Japan, France’s Champagne, Maronouchi, Asia, ”, Kolkata, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thai, ” Singapore, Faro, Taipei, Nusara, Suhring, Osaka, Odette, Sorn, Le Du, Potong, Shanghai, Logy, Masque, Mumbai, Manila, Delhi, Seroja, Taichung, Taiwan, Mume, Wakayama, Lolla, Avartana, Chennai, India, Fukuoka, Jakarta, Kyoto, Anan Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City, Macao

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Catcher Will Smith and the Los Angeles Dodgers agreed to a $140 million, 10-year contract Wednesday, raising the team's spending to nearly $1.4 billion for five key players since December. He opened the last week by going 5 for 10 with two RBIs as the Dodgers split a two-game series against San Diego at Seoul, South Korea. The 28-year-old was a first-time All-Star last year, when he hit .261 with 19 homers and 76 RBIs. Smith has a .263 average with 91 homers and 308 RBIs in six seasons with the Dodgers. Los Angeles has committed $1,365,687,500 to two-way star Shohei Ohtani ($700 million for 10 years), right-handers Yoshinobu Yamamoto ($325 million for 12 years) and Tyler Glasnow ($136,562,500 for five years), outfielder Teoscar Hernández ($23.5 million for one year) and Smith.

Persons: Will Smith, Smith's, Smith, Shohei, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, Teoscar Hernández Organizations: ANGELES, Los Angeles Dodgers, Dodgers, San Diego Locations: Seoul, South Korea, Los Angeles

☆ North Korean TV censors British gardening show host’s jeans
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Jack Guy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —North Korea’s state broadcaster, KCTV, has blurred out a pair of jeans worn by veteran British TV host Alan Titchmarsh as part of the country’s censorship of foreign fashion and culture. Nam Sung-wook, a professor of North Korean Studies at Korea University in Seoul, told CNN that the censorship shows North Korea is strictly implementing the newly adopted Reactionary Ideology and Culture Rejection Act. “The act aims to prohibit North Korean residents from imitating foreign countries in various aspects, including how they’re dressed and speak,” he said. “They have had campaigns against anti-socialist culture since at least the early 1990s,” said Ward. Foreign materials like books and movies are banned, often with severe punishments for those caught with black market contraband.

Persons: Alan Titchmarsh, KCTV, ”, Titchmarsh, “ I’ve, Nam Sung, Peter Ward, Kim Jong Il, “ Organizations: CNN, BBC, North Korean Studies, Korea University, Sejong Institute, “, Korean Central News Agency, United Nations Locations: Korea’s, British, Seoul, Korea, South Korea, Soviet Union, North Korea

☆ Feeling older than you are? It could be how you sleep
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-26 | by ( Sandee Lamotte | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Not getting enough sleep may cause you to feel five to 10 years older than you really are, according to two new studies. A lack of energy and motivation can certainly contribute to feeling older while limiting a person’s ability to remain physically and socially active, both of which contribute to feeling young, Balter said. For every night of poor sleep during that time, people reported feeling about a quarter of a year older than their chronological age. “These findings support that sleep, a vital biological phenomenon, might hold the key to feeling young,” Balter and her colleagues wrote in the study. “If you suspect that your sleep deprivation is due to a sleep disorder such as insomnia or sleep apnea, it’s crucial to seek evaluation and treatment from a healthcare professional,” he said.

Persons: CNN —, “, ” Leonie Balter, Balter, ”, Chang, Ho Yun, ” Yun, It’s, ” Balter, Sleepiness, chronotype, Yun Organizations: CNN, Stockholm University, Royal Society, Seoul National University, Getty Locations: Sweden, Seongnam, South Korea

CNN —Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani is expected to address the media Monday as Major League Baseball investigates allegations of theft against his former interpreter. “I think it’ll give us a little bit more clarity.”Roberts spoke before the Dodgers’ 5-3 victory over Ohtani’s former team, the Los Angeles Angels. Bookie’s attorney speaks to CNNVideo Ad Feedback MLB launches investigation into Ohtani allegations 03:03 - Source: CNNBass, Bowyer’s attorney, told CNN that her client dealt with Ippei Mizuhara. I don’t have access to that information,” she told CNN. • After learning about the allegations against Ohtani and Mizuhara, MLB on Friday announced it would be pursuing an investigation.

Persons: Shohei Ohtani, “, Dave Roberts, ” Roberts, Ohtani’s, Ippei Mizuhara, Mathew Bowyer, “ Mathew Bowyer, Diane Bass, Scott Villiard, Bowyer, Mizuhara, Ohtani, ESPN’s Tisha Thompson, Ippei, ” Bass, ” Bowyer, ” Mizuhara, ”, Bass, • Mizuhara Organizations: CNN, Los Angeles Dodgers, Major League Baseball, ” Dodgers, Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels, Dodger, ESPN, Los Angeles Times, Mizuhara, MLB, Internal Revenue Service, “ Major League Baseball, Department of Investigations, IRS, Angeles Field Office, Nippon, Ham Fighters, Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball League, “ feds, Padres, Ohtani’s, San Diego Padres Locations: Bowyer, California, Ippei, San Diego, Mizuhara’s, Seoul, South Korea

☆ A South Korean mailman got a prison sentence for throwing out 16,000 pieces of mail. He said he was 'overworked.'
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-25 | by ( Joshua Zitser | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

A South Korean mailman was sentenced to six months in prison for discarding 16,000 pieces of mail. AdvertisementA mailman in South Korea was handed a six-month prison sentence for dumping 16,003 pieces of mail. AdvertisementLee's sentence is suspended for two years, The Korea Herald reported, meaning he may avoid serving time behind bars. Lee, who delivered mail in Gangseo-gu, a district of Seoul, dumped the mail between January 2021 and September 2022, the outlet said. It found that the South Korean workforce's overall levels of emotional exhaustion increased, owing to perceived threats of job insecurity, feelings of isolation, and the pressures of their jobs.

Persons: mailman, —, Lee Organizations: Service, The Korea Herald, Seoul Southern, Court, Postal Services, South Korean, Korea Herald, Korean Locations: South Korea, Seoul

• But after the interview, Ohtani’s spokesperson “disavowed” Mizuhara’s account, then released a statement saying Ohtani had been the victim of theft. • Later on Wednesday, Mizuhara was fired as Ohtani’s interpreter. ESPN’s Thompson said the interpreter and Ohtani’s representatives did “a big 180” in what they were telling her. At first, Ohtani’s spokesperson told ESPN the player had transferred money to help pay off Mizuhara’s gambling debts, the outlet reported. “I’ve been told (Mizuhara) says something to the effect of ‘I’m sorry.

Persons: Shohei Ohtani, Ippei, “, Mathew Bowyer, Scott Villiard, Bowyer, Diane Bass, Ohtani, ”, Dave Roberts, • Mizuhara, Mizuhara, Ohtani’s, Bowyer “, ‘, Bass, “ Mathew Bowyer, ” Bass, ” Mizuhara, Tisha Thompson, Thompson, –, ESPN’s Thompson, Berk Brettler, Shohei, “ I’ve, ’ ” Thompson Organizations: CNN — Major League Baseball, Internal Revenue Service, Angeles Dodgers, ESPN, Los Angeles Times, “ Major League Baseball, Department of Investigations, IRS, Angeles Field Office, CNN, Los Angeles Dodgers, Dodgers, Ohtani’s, San Diego Padres, MLB, Ohtani, Padres, ” CNN, “ feds, Los Angeles Angels, Shohei’s, Angels, The Dodgers, Nippon, Ham Fighters, Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball League Locations: California, Seoul, South Korea, San Diego, Mizuhara’s, Ippei

☆ South Koreans are dealing with burnout and loneliness by getting pet rocks
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-19 | by ( Mikhaila Friel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

South Korean millennials are turning to pet rocks to combat loneliness and burnout at work. Originally a 1970s joke gift, pet rocks can give a low-maintenance sense of companionship. AdvertisementAdults in South Korea are using pet rocks to help with loneliness and burnout at work. The Journal's Jiyoung Sohn spoke to millennials turning to pet rocks to help them through difficult periods in their careers. Related storiesThe coronavirus pandemic prompted a pet-rock boom in South Korea, according to a July 2023 report by Korea JoongAng Daily.

Persons: —, Gary Dahl, Bettmann, Jiyoung Sohn, Koo Ah, Sohn, Koo, Yoon Jeonghan, Gen Z Organizations: Service, Street, Business, South Korea's Ministry of Interior, Safety, The Korea Herald, South Korea's Ministry, CNN, Bloomberg, Companies Locations: South Korea, Asia, Seoul, Korea

Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 index rose 0.7% to 40,003.60, while the dollar rose to 150.35 Japanese yen from 149.14 yen. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 added 0.4% to 7,703.20 after Australia’s central bank kept its benchmark interest rate steady at 4.35% for a third consecutive meeting. This week's highlight for Wall Street will likely be the Federal Reserve’s meeting on interest rates, which ends on Wednesday. The widespread expectation is for the central bank to hold its main interest rate steady at its highest level since 2001. But Fed officials will also give updated forecasts for where they see interest rates heading this year and in the long run.

Persons: Australia's, Tesla, Stephen Scherr, Wayne “ Gil ”, He’s, It's Organizations: Bank of Japan, Nikkei, Reserve Bank, Bank of England, Dow Jones, Nasdaq, Nvidia, Big Tech, Hertz Global Holdings, Cruise, Delta Air Lines, Boeing, Workers, New York Mercantile Exchange, Brent Locations: BANGKOK, Asia, Shanghai, Seoul, U.S, Oregon, San Francisco

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