Olympics

China, U.S. tie for most gold medals at Paris 2024

The Paris Olympics concluded on Sunday with a notable tie between China and the U.S., with both nations securing 40 gold medals each. While the U.S. led in the overall medal count with 126 compared to China's 91, the tie for gold signals a significant shift in the global sports landscape.

Diverse athletic strengths: China’s athletes dominated in diving, table tennis, weightlifting and shooting, securing multiple golds in each sport. The country also made impressive inroads in swimming, clinching gold in the men's 4x100-meter medley, a historic first. Team USA, on the other hand, excelled in athletics, securing 14 gold, 11 silver and nine bronze medals in track and field alone. American swimmers also collected eight golds out of their total 28-medal haul. The basketball teams, both men's and women's, also clinched golds. 

Reactions in China: In China, netizens hailed the country’s impressive medal haul, with the hashtag “China tied for first place on the gold medal leaderboard” becoming a trending topic on Weibo. Some criticized the U.S. for alleged attempts to undermine Chinese successes through doping allegations. State-media Global Times touted that the “success of Chinese modernization can bring not only economic growth, but also can benefit the development of public health, as well as the environment for sports industries.”

Olympics

Indonesia claims two historic golds at Paris 2024

Indonesia secured its first-ever Olympic gold medals outside of badminton at the Paris Olympics, marking the nation's most successful Olympic performance since 1992, when it won two golds, two silvers and a bronze. Speed climber Veddriq Leonardo won the gold in the inaugural men’s speed climbing event, while weightlifter Rizki Juniansyah clinched the men's 73-kilogram gold with an Olympic record-breaking clean and jerk.

Historic victory for Leonardo: Leonardo, a 27-year-old former world record holder, clinched Indonesia's ninth Olympic gold medal by completing the climb in 4.75 seconds, a mere 0.02 seconds ahead of China's Wu Peng. "I feel very happy, very joyful," he expressed after his historic win. "My heart raced (in the competition), but I stayed focused and finished it."

Juniansyah's golden performance: Juniansyah contributed another Olympic gold with a total lift of 354 kilograms, setting a new Olympic clean and jerk record. The 21-year-old shared his emotions, stating, "There are no words that can describe how I am feeling. You saw me crying because it's been such an emotional and beautiful experience, and I am already looking towards the future."

Olympics

Sun Yingsha, H.E.R. shine at Paris Olympics closing ceremony

Filipino American R&B sensation H.E.R. and the historic participation of Chinese table tennis star Sun Yingsha in the extinguishing of the Olympic flame. The ceremony also included a handover to Los Angeles for the 2028 Games, highlighted by actor Tom Cruise. 

H.E.R. performance: H.E.R., known for her soulful ballads and powerful vocals, took center stage during the handover segment, captivating 70,000 stadium attendees and millions watching from home. Clad in a flowing white jumpsuit and her signature sunglasses, the 27-year-old artist began the national anthem as a reflective ballad before transitioning into rock, ending on a soaring note.

Sun makes history: Sun, on the other hand, made history as the first female Asian athlete to participate in the symbolic extinguishing of the Olympic flame. The 23-year-old, who earned two gold medals and one silver, represented Asian athletes in this prestigious role, joining six other athletes from five continents and one from the Refugee Olympic Team. The ceremony also broke tradition by featuring the women's marathon as the final event — instead of the men's — and marked International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach's last Olympics in his current role as he officially announced the closing.

Crime

Police warn of targeted burglaries against Asian Americans in Pennsylvania

The Abington Township Police Department reported two recent burglaries targeting Asian American business owners in Meadowbrook and Huntingdon Valley in Pennsylvania. Authorities in Montgomery County are on high alert, noting that criminals have been surveilling Asians, following them home and targeting them based on the stereotype that they keep large amounts of cash at home.

The burglaries: The first incident in Meadowbrook occurred on July 31, with no one home, while the second on Aug. 6 involved an assault on a Huntingdon Valley resident. Police are investigating possible links between these crimes and others in the region, emphasizing the seriousness of the trend and urging residents to report suspicious activity. The cases are a top priority for Abington police, who are currently pursuing leads to prevent further incidents.

Safety measures: The department has advised increased vigilance and security measures for residents, especially Asian American business owners. Abington Township urges residents to be vigilant about unfamiliar cars and people possibly following them home, securing valuables, installing motion sensor lights, surveillance cameras and considering alarm systems for homes and businesses.

News

Virginia restaurant owner issues “bounty” to identify dine-and-dasher

A restaurant owner in Fairfax, Virginia, has offered a $150 "bounty" to help identify a man he claims to be a frequent dine-and-dasher, responsible for stealing $150 worth of food over four separate incidents. Alex Kang, the owner of Okonomi Asian Grill, told 7News that he was inspired to offer the bounty after seeing a missing cat poster in his neighborhood, thinking he should "try something similar."

What happened: The man, who reportedly uses multiple aliases, allegedly employed a scheme where he would cancel his DoorDash order as soon as a staff member handed him the food, but before they could press the confirmation button on their end, according to Kang. The Fairfax police, who were already aware of the incident, noted that the most recent incident was on Aug. 5, when the man picked up a food order worth $26.50. Kang shared a few pictures and surveillance footage of the man on the restaurant’s Instagram page to aid in identifying the alleged suspect, described as being in his 20s, about 6 to 6-foot-2 in height and driving a silver or gray BMW.

The aftermath: While Kang has already provided all the necessary information to the Fairfax Police Department regarding the case, he noted to Fox5 that he is aware the department is understaffed and busy, saying, “The police can only do so much. It’s such a small amount…it’s a misdemeanor, it’s a class one misdemeanor at best. They’re doing the best they can.” Meanwhile, a spokesperson for DoorDash told 7News that they have already “reimbursed the restaurant for the orders,” adding that the food delivery app will also “deactivate the customer accounts involved.”

News

India’s new law punishes men who break off promises after sex

India’s new criminal code, the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), has sparked controversy with the introduction of Section 69, a law that penalizes men who engage in sexual relationships based on false promises. The law aims to protect women from sexual exploitation, but some observers raise concerns about its implementation and potential misuse.

Details: Section 69 criminalizes sexual relationships formed through deceit. The law is seen as a response to numerous cases in which women have alleged rape after relationships fell apart, previously tried under broader provisions of the old Indian Penal Code. The Ministry of Law and Justice explains that deceitful actions include giving false promises about marriage, employment, promotion or hiding one's true identity to mislead the victim. The crime is punishable by up to 10 years' imprisonment and fines.

Reactions: The law has been met with mixed reactions. Supporters, like Audrey Dmello of local women’s rights NGO Majlis Law, told CNN that it gives women “validity as to what happened to them.” However, critics argue that the law is vague and could be weaponized to harass men after break-ups. Some also worry about the difficulty of proving deceit and intention in court. “The court works on evidence. We will have to produce circumstantial evidence that there was a promise to marry, and the sexual intercourse happened under guise or pretense. This is very difficult to prove,” a senior police official told India Today.

Final Bites

Could historic Ohtani home run ball fetch $200K?: Jason Patino, a fan who caught Shohei Ohtani’s historic 176th career home run ball, is reportedly auctioning the ball on Heritage Auctions, with bids starting at $50,000 on Aug. 23. Patino initially planned to keep the ball but changed his mind after realizing its potential market value, which experts estimate could reach $200,000. Ohtani recorded the homer in the third inning of a 10-0 win over the New York Mets on April 21, surpassing Hideki Matsui for most home runs by a Japanese-born MLB player. “I took a while to get this point since my last homer, so just honestly, happy, relieved,” he told MLB.com following his victory. Ohtani’s memorabilia, including a baseball card signed by both him and Babe Ruth, fetched more than $110,000 in January.

“Squid Game” Season 2 teaser features a big return: Netflix released the first teaser of the highly anticipated second season of “Squid Game,” spotlighting the return of Lee Jung-jae as protagonist Seong Gi-hun as he re-enters the deadly competition. The 30-second clip features a new batch of faceless players in green tracksuits, with Gi-hun’s #456 patch prominently revealed at the end. Taking place three years after his initial victory, the new season sees him returning with a new resolve, diving back into the life-or-death game to seek revenge. “Will he succeed in getting his revenge? Front Man doesn't seem to be an easy opponent this time either,” creator Hwang Dong-hyuk previously noted. Season 2 premieres on Dec. 26, while a third and final season has been confirmed for 2025.

Manny Jacinto joins “Freakier Friday” cast: Manny Jacinto, known for his roles in "The Good Place" and "Nine Perfect Strangers," has been cast as Lindsay Lohan's husband in “Freakier Friday,” the sequel to the 2003 comedy “Freaky Friday.” While plot details remain under wraps, the sequel is expected to explore a new family dynamic, with Lohan’s character Anna navigating motherhood and a new marriage. Jacinto joins a star-studded cast that includes returning members like Jamie Lee Curtis and Chad Michael Murray. Slated for a 2025 release, the film kicked off its production in June.

U.S. blacklists 5 more Chinese companies over alleged Uyghur abuses: The U.S. has expanded its blacklist under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, banning imports from five additional Chinese companies accused of exploiting Uyghur forced labor in Xinjiang. The companies include (1) Hong Kong-based Rare Earth Magnesium Technology Group Holdings, (2) its parent Century Sunshine Group Holdings, (3) Xinjiang Habahe Ashele Copper Co., (4) Xinjiang Tengxiang Magnesium Products Co. and (5) Kashgar Construction Engineering (Group) Co. This move, targeting firms involved in industries such as magnesium production and nonferrous metal mining, is part of Washington’s broader effort to eliminate forced labor from its supply chain. China, meanwhile, denied the allegations. “The so-called ‘forced labor’ in Xinjiang is nothing but an egregious lie propagated by anti-China forces and a tool for U.S. politicians to destabilize Xinjiang and contain China’s development,” the Chinese Embassy in Washington said on Thursday.

Beloved Brooklyn Filipino restaurant to close after 15 years: Purple Yam is closing on Aug. 30, co-owner Amy Besa announced on Instagram, inviting patrons to celebrate before the restaurant shutters. Operated by Besa and her husband, Romy Dorotan, Purple Yam is known for its authentic Filipino dishes and homemade ice cream in iconic flavors. They also authored a cookbook, "Memories of Philippine Kitchens," featuring Filipino recipes and culinary stories. The decision to close comes as the couple, now in their 70s, faces rising costs and seeks retirement. Despite this, they plan to remain involved in the food industry. “The most important lesson of all is that the world turns on food. It is through food that I have gained so much insight and wisdom. When coupled with Filipino hospitality and generosity, it is the most powerful weapon we have in bringing people together,” Besa said.”