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Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani and his wife, Mamiko Tanaka, attend a Lakers game in Los Angeles on Dec. 8.
BASEBALL / MLB
Dec 29, 2024

Shohei Ohtani ends blockbuster year with baby announcement

Ohtani announced on Instagram on Saturday that he and his wife are expecting their first child, capping a huge year for the Dodgers star.
High school soccer teams during the opening ceremony for the national championships on Saturday at National Stadium in Tokyo.
SOCCER
Dec 29, 2024

Drama and dreams: Japan's wildly popular school soccer tourney breeds future stars

The annual tournament kicked off on Saturday, with young players dreaming of playing in the final in front of tens of thousands at National Stadium in Tokyo.
OnlyFans CEO Keily Blair gestures during the Axios BFD event in New York on Oct. 12, 2023.
BUSINESS / Tech
Dec 30, 2024

How OnlyFans turned into a global empire bent on redefining porn

For all its ambition and influence, the inner workings of OnlyFans remain opaque.
Japan's 2024 Word of the Year, "futehodo," is a phrase tied to a Netflix show and highlights the broader decline in the cultural significance of such awards, with recent selections often seen as superficial or promotional.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Dec 31, 2024

Japan’s 2024 word of the year has no rizz

Some critics wondered why the word of the year award was, essentially, functioning as advertising for a TV show that is still available on streaming.
A man offers prayers at Hebikubo Shrine in Tokyo's Shinagawa Ward. The shrine is one of several across the country dedicated to the snake.
LIFE / Lifestyle / Longform
Jan 1, 2025

Shed your skin and reinvent yourself in the Year of the Snake

The Year of the Snake is characterized by wisdom, calm and steady progress. It urges introspection, calculated moves and a journey of reinvention.
Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers attempts a pass against the Rams during the second half of their game in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Dec. 22.
MORE SPORTS / Football
Jan 2, 2025

Jets quarterback Rodgers ponders NFL future ahead of season finale

The 41-year-old Rodgers, a four-time NFL MVP, said he would make a decision about whether he'll play in 2025 before free agency in March.
U.S. star Ilona Maher has the largest social media following of anyone in rugby.
MORE SPORTS / Rugby
Jan 2, 2025

World Rugby chief says U.S. star Ilona Maher will help fuel World Cup fever

The versatile American back — a breakout star at the 2024 Paris Olympics —  is the world's most popular rugby player on social media
Broncos coach Sean Payton says the Chiefs earned the right to rest their players on Sunday.
MORE SPORTS / Football
Jan 2, 2025

Broncos coach Sean Payton says Chiefs earned right to rest players

The Chiefs will hold out quarterback Patrick Mahomes and other starters in the regular-season finale to keep the squad healthy for a run at a third consecutive Super Bowl title.
Carlos Sainz sits inside his car after a practice session ahead of the Dakar Rally in Bisha, Saudi Arabia, on Jan. 1.
MORE SPORTS / Auto Racing
Jan 2, 2025

'El Matador' Carlos Sainz ready to defend Dakar Rally crown

Sainz's fourth title came when he was 61 — making him the oldest winner of the race — and was the first Dakar victory for German outfit Audi.
Justin Thomas hits a shot during a practice round ahead of the British Open in Troon, Scotland, on July 15, 2024.
MORE SPORTS / Golf
Jan 2, 2025

Justin Thomas 'fully capable' of year like Scottie Scheffler had in 2024

The 31-year-old University of Alabama alumnus enters the season-opening event, The Sentry at Kapalua, Hawaii, this week, looking to have the best year of his career.
Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs scores against the 49ers during their game in Santa Clara, California, on Sunday.
MORE SPORTS
Jan 3, 2025

Lions and Vikings to determine No. 1 seed in winner-take-all showdown

The stakes are clear in the latest game in the long-running rivalry between NFC North foes Detroit (14-2) and visiting Minnesota (14-2).
Manchester City's Erling Haaland (left) moves past Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford (center) during their match in Manchester, England, on Dec. 26, 2024.
SOCCER
Jan 3, 2025

Premier League chief concerned about impact of Club World Cup's impact on Man City and Chelsea

The two clubs will be England's representatives in FIFA's expanded 32-team event in the United States, with players' unions threatening legal action on welfare grounds.
Security personnel stand guard outside the Superdome ahead of the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans on Thursday.
MORE SPORTS / Football
Jan 3, 2025

Tragedy in New Orleans casts somber mood over Sugar Bowl

Heavy security blanketed New Orleans on Thursday as the Sugar Bowl went off without a hitch.
Manchester City's Bernardo Silva receives instructions from manager Pep Guardiola during a match against Aston Villa in Birmingham, England, on Dec. 21, 2024.
SOCCER
Jan 3, 2025

Manchester City's Bernardo Silva says Premier League title no longer within reach

City lifted a record fourth straight English top-flight title last season, but has struggled in this campaign and is sixth in the standings.
Luke Litter competes during semifinals of the World Darts Championship in London on Thursday.
MORE SPORTS
Jan 3, 2025

Luke Littler beats 'The Bullet' to reach World Darts Championship final

The 17-year-old Englishman took the darts world by storm last year when he reached his first final.
The path forward for the Nippon Steel-U.S. Steel deal is unclear. The companies could sue the U.S. government, another buyer could swoop in for U.S. Steel, or Republicans who favor the deal could urge U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to find a way to approve it.
BUSINESS / Companies / FOCUS
Jan 4, 2025

What's next for the Nippon Steel-U.S. Steel deal?

The companies could sue the U.S. government, another buyer could swoop in, or those who favor the deal could urge Trump to find a way to approve it.
Hideki Matsuyama hits a shot from the rough during the third round of The Sentry golf tournament in Kapalua, Hawaii, on Saturday.
MORE SPORTS / Golf
Jan 5, 2025

Hideki Matsuyama holds one-shot edge on Collin Morikawa at The Sentry

Matsuyama, who was the second-round leader, couldn't shake Morikawa, who also shot 62 in the PGA Tour season opener at The Plantation Course in Kapalua, Hawaii.
Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase looks to race away from Steelers cornerback Cory Trice Jr. during the second quarter of Cincinnati's win over Pittsburgh on Saturday.
MORE SPORTS / Football
Jan 5, 2025

Ravens secure AFC North as Bengals stay alive

The win means the Ravens will begin the NFL playoffs next week at home against either the Los Angeles Chargers or the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Hideki Matsuyama celebrates after winning The Sentry at the Plantation Course in Kapalua, Hawaii, on Sunday
MORE SPORTS / Golf
Jan 6, 2025

Hideki Matsuyama breaks PGA Tour scoring record on way to win at The Sentry

The win was the 11th for Matsuyama on the PGA Tour
The Bristol Bears' Ilona Maher takes a selfie with fans after her team's match against Gloucester-Hartpury in Bristol, England, on Sunday.
MORE SPORTS / Rugby
Jan 6, 2025

U.S. rugby star Ilona Maher draws record crowd in debut for Bristol

She came off the bench for the final 20 minutes at Ashton Gate to huge cheers but was unable to make a major impact.
Australia captain Pat Cummins (left) receives the trophy after clinching the series on Day 3 of the fifth test match against India in Sydney on Sunday.
MORE SPORTS / Cricket
Jan 6, 2025

Pat Cummins expresses pride after Australia tops India to win 'everything'

The six-wicket victory in the fifth test in Sydney also secured the right to defend the World Test Championship (WTC) title against South Africa at Lord's in June.
The Lions celebrate after a touchdown during their game against the Vikings in Detroit on Sunday night.
MORE SPORTS / Football
Jan 6, 2025

Lions pull away from Vikings in second half to secure top seed in NFC

The heavyweight clash capped the final day of the NFL regular season, which also saw the Denver Broncos and Tampa Bay Buccaneers claim the final two playoff spots available.
Bristol Bears' Ilona Maher takes a selfie with fans after a match against Gloucester-Hartpury on Sunday in Bristol, England.
MORE SPORTS / Rugby
Jan 7, 2025

Rugby 'superstar' Maher on a mission to promote women's game

The 28-year-old has signed a three-month contract with English women's Premiership side Bristol.
Afghanistan's Azmatullah Omarzi (second right) celebrates with teammates during a One Day International cricket match between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan in Harare, Zimbabwe, on Dec. 17.
MORE SPORTS / Cricket
Jan 7, 2025

England urged to boycott Afghanistan match by British politicians

Female participation in sport has effectively been outlawed since the Taliban's return to power in 2021.
Scottie Scheffler in a bunker near the green of the first hole in singles match during the final round of The Presidents Cup golf tournament in Ile Bizard, Quebec, Canada, on Sept. 29
MORE SPORTS / Golf
Jan 7, 2025

Scheffler to skip La Quinta as hand heals

Scheffler had already withdrawn from The Sentry, which was won on Sunday by Japan's Hideki Matsuyama.
China's Zheng Qinwen competes at the WTA Finals in Riyadh in November.
TENNIS
Jan 8, 2025

Zheng looks to emulate Li's Australian Open success

The achievements of Li Na gave rise to predictions of Chinese superstardom in women's tennis. Ten years later, Zheng Qinwen appears ready to follow in her footsteps.
Jannik Sinner hits a return during an exhibition in Melbourne on Tuesday.
TENNIS
Jan 8, 2025

Sinner turns focus to Australian Open defense after 'amazing' year

The Italian is coming off a breakthrough year in which he backed up his maiden Grand Slam title at Melbourne Park by winning the U.S. Open and ATP Finals.
U.S. Anti-Doping Agency CEO Travis Tygart testifies before U.S. Congress during an anti-doping hearing on June 24, 2024.
MORE SPORTS
Jan 9, 2025

U.S. withholds payment to WADA amid dispute over Chinese doping tests

The move to hold back 2024 WADA dues comes in the wake of WADA's controversial handling of positive doping tests by 23 Chinese swimmers who were later allowed to compete.
Brock Purdy threw for 3,864  yards and 20 touchdowns for the 49ers during the 2024 season.
MORE SPORTS / Football
Jan 9, 2025

49ers prepared to go all in on quarterback Brock Purdy

Purdy had 3,864 passing yards and 20 touchdowns for the 49ers in 2024.
Hideki Matsuyama set a PGA Tour scoring record on his way to a win at The Sentry in Kapalua, Hawaii, on Sunday.
MORE SPORTS / Golf
Jan 9, 2025

Hideki Matsuyama going for Hawaii sweep at Sony Open

Matsuyama won The Sentry on Sunday with a 35-under-par 257, the lowest 72-hole score in relation to par in PGA Tour history.

Longform

Visitors walk past Sou Fujimoto's Grand Ring, which has been recognized as the largest wooden structure in the world.
Can a World Expo still matter? Japan is about to find out.