Olympics

Chinese Olympian brings back Paris blanket only to find it was made in her hometown

Chinese Olympian brings back Paris blanket only to find it was made in her hometown: Chinese swimmer Zhang Yufei brought home the blanket she received during the Paris Olympics only to find that the souvenir quilt she packed was actually made in her home province of Jiangsu, China. The assistant coach of the Chinese national swimming team shared an unboxing video online after Zhang received her luggage.

Packed suitcase: Zhang humorously complained about the difficulty of packing her belongings before leaving Paris, including the six medals – one silver and five bronze – that she won in swimming. Despite this, she managed to squeeze everything into her luggage and still made room for the Olympic blanket.

Surprising discovery: A company representative, identified only by his surname Sun from Wuxi, a city in Jiangsu, recognized the quilt's design from the assistant coach’s post and left a comment expressing his excitement. Sun told Yang Zi Wan Bao that the company has a history of over 30 years and extensive experience in supplying products for major competitions and events.“The blankets used in the Olympics involve many processes, and this special blanket for the Paris Olympics was designed by the Olympic Committee and then produced by us through a long-term collaborating distributor," he said.

Politics

AAPI Democratic leaders stress importance of Asian voters for Harris

AAPI Democratic officials are emphasizing the crucial role that AAPI voters will play in November’s election as they rally behind Kamala Harris, who could make history as the first Asian and Black woman to serve as U.S. president.

What they are saying: At an AAPI caucus meeting during this week’s Democratic National Convention, U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth stressed the importance of mobilizing the AAPI community, the fastest-growing racial group in the U.S., particularly in key battleground states. “We are the margin of victory,” Duckworth declared, urging nationwide outreach. Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi highlighted the increasing AAPI representation in Congress. The significance of AAPI voters was a consistent theme at the meeting, with leaders pointing out that their support could be decisive in securing Harris’ victory.

South Asian community support: Harris’ mixed heritage — being the daughter of a Jamaican father and an Indian mother — resonates deeply with South Asian Americans. Sumathi Madhure, a South Asian delegate, told the Los Angeles Times, “To think that somebody of South Asian descent will be, perhaps, the president, be the most powerful person in the world...that’s just beyond imagination.” Harris, who spoke briefly at the DNC on Monday, has long embraced her dual heritage. “I grew up with a strong Indian culture, and I was raised in a Black community,” she said in 2003, reflecting her deep connection to both identities. This shared identity has galvanized the South Asian community, which has mobilized significant support, including raising $285,000 in donations and recruiting 500 new volunteers through the South Asians for Harris initiative.

News

Anchorage community demands justice after fatal police shooting of 16-year-old

Hundreds marched in downtown Anchorage, Alaska, on Saturday, to demand justice and reforms following the fatal police shooting of 16-year-old Easter Leafa in her family's apartment on Aug. 13. Community leaders and Leafa's family expressed grief and called for transparency, urging the release of unedited bodycam footage. Protesters carried signs reading “Justice for Easter,” “Don’t shoot” and “Say her name.” The march is one of several events honoring Leafa and pushing for change, following six police shootings in the city since May.

What happened: Police responded to Greenbriar Apartments after receiving a call from Leafa's sister, who reported that Leafa had a seven-inch knife. Upon arrival, officers found nine people in the apartment and attempted to move them into a bedroom to isolate Leafa, who was on the back porch covered in a blanket. When officers opened the screen door and asked Leafa to show her hands, she stood up, removed the blanket and approached them with the knife at leg level, ignoring commands to drop it. Officer Alexander Roman, a seven-year veteran, then fired three rounds at Leafa while another officer deployed a less-lethal projectile. The department is still reviewing evidence.

Calls for justice: Leafa, who had recently moved to Anchorage from American Samoa, was set to begin her junior high school year. The community outrage has led Mayor Suzanne LaFrance and Police Chief Sean Case to propose reforms aimed at reducing officer-involved shootings, including an external investigation into Leafa’s death, a third-party review of police department policies, the creation of a community advisory committee and an examination of all police shootings from the past 15 years. However, Darrell Evan, the police union president, has opposed these proposals, noting that he was “dismayed by what city leaders have said and implied over the past few days.”

Crime

Man sentenced for double murder at Houston Chinatown restaurant

A 51-year-old repeat offender, Bich Xuan Dang, was sentenced to 45 years in prison for his involvement in a double murder at a Vietnamese restaurant in Houston’s Little Saigon neighborhood in 2022, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced on Thursday. “This was a brutal shooting at a place that should be safe for families and for all Houstonians. It’s important to the community, as well as the victims’ families, that everyone involved be held accountable,” Ogg said in a statement.

Catch up: On Oct. 5, 2022, Dang, along with two other men, walked into Tai Loi restaurant and fatally shot Hanh Nguyen, 63, and Long Nguyen, 51, while they were sitting inside a booth. The shooting, captured on surveillance video, was preceded by an attempted extortion of $1,000 at a nearby Vietnamese business. Dang was arrested on Oct. 16 after an hours-long standoff with SWAT. He pleaded guilty to the murder charges just before his trial was set to begin, ensuring he cannot appeal the conviction or sentence. Dang must serve at least half of his sentence before being eligible for parole. 

Ongoing investigation: The case against the other arrested suspect, Hieu Trong Nguyen, is still pending, while a third suspect, who is also described as Asian, remains at large. Investigation into the case continues. Anyone with information is urged to call the Houston Police Department’s Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.

News

New study reveals hidden suicide risks among Asian American youth

A new study from the University of Washington School of Medicine highlighted that while Asian Americans overall have lower suicide rates compared to their non-Asian counterparts, this average conceals alarming disparities among ethnic subgroups. Published in JAMA Pediatrics on Monday, the research revealed that Vietnamese American youth and those in the "all other" category face notably higher rates compared to their Indian and Chinese American peers.

Key findings: The study, led by Dr. Anthony L. Bui, analyzed suicide data from 2018 to 2021, focusing on youths aged 15-19 and young adults aged 20-24. The data revealed that Vietnamese youth have the highest suicide rate at 10.57 per 100,000, while Indian youth have the lowest at 6.91 per 100,000. Other groups fell within this range, with Chinese youth at 7.59, Filipino youth at 7.64 and Korean youth at 8.44 per 100,000. Among young adults, Vietnamese individuals also exhibit the highest rates at 17.66 per 100,000. 

Addressing the disparities: Dr. Bui stressed the importance of tailored mental health strategies, noting that broad generalizations can obscure critical issues within specific communities. “When we’re designing policies and programs to address this problem, we need to think about which communities to focus on and how to make our mental health interventions appropriate, taking into account things like culture, language and community resources,” he said.

News

Family-owned Koda Farms closes after nearly a century in rice business

Koda Farms, a family-owned rice farm in Dos Palos, California, renowned for its heirloom rice varieties, is closing its doors after nearly 100 years. Facing escalating costs in farming — ranging from water and insurance to labor and organic fertilizer — the Koda family has decided to cease operations by the end of the year.

How Koda Farms came to be: Koda Farms was founded by Japanese immigrant Keisaburo Koda in the 1920s after he immigrated to the U.S. in 1908. The former school principal purchased land in South Dos Palos, which eventually became Koda Farms, and was later passed down to his sons. The farm became famous for its heirloom rice varieties like Kokuho Rose and Sho-Chiku-Bai, which are used in top restaurants and grocery stores across the country. Despite facing significant challenges — including the family’s incarceration in World War II and the loss of much of their land — they managed to rebuild the business. “For what our parents and grandparents went through, we feel a huge sense of obligation, but in another sense, I feel like it’s time to move on,” Robin Koda, Keisaburo’s grandchild and current co-owner, told the New York Times.

What’s next: The Kodas have decided to license their trademarks to Western Foods, a grain manufacturer that will continue farming Kokuho Rose rice in the Sacramento Delta region and processing other rice products in Northern California and Arkansas. “Our goal is to maintain the legacy and the heritage ... hopefully bring some new product development for their existing brands and continue the legacy for the next 50 to 100 years,” Western Foods President Miguel Reyna told the Sacramento Bee.

Entertainment

Nintendo Museum lets visitors play games on a giant Famicom

Shigeru Miyamoto, the creator of “Super Mario” and “The Legend of Zelda,” gave a first-look tour of the Nintendo Museum in a Nintendo Direct livestream on Tuesday. The presentation showcased what fans can expect to see at the upcoming museum, including the chance to play on a Famicom using a giant controller.

A glimpse of history: Miyamoto said the museum was built on the site of the same factory where Nintendo produced Hanafuda and other playing cards within the company’s Uji Ogura Plant, which was built in 1969. He also mentioned that an area once filled with trucks has now been transformed into a Mario-themed plaza. “I used to come here often, so it feels nostalgic to me,” he said.

Activities offered: In addition to the giant Famicom, fans can participate in other interactive exhibits, such as playing a shooter game on a giant screen and using the company’s 1968 Ultra Machine baseball pitching mechanism, which launches ping pong balls, inside a recreation of a retro Japanese room. The museum is set to open its doors in Kyoto on Oct. 2, with ticket prices at 3,300 yen ($22) for adults, 2,200 yen ($15) for visitors aged 12-17 and 1,100 yen ($7) for children aged 6-11. Admission is free for preschoolers and younger children.

Final Bites

“The Acolyte” cancelation news coincides with series star’s birthday: Disney Plus and Lucasfilm have decided not to renew the Star Wars series "The Acolyte" for a second season, with the news coincidentally breaking on actor Manny Jacinto's birthday on Sunday, Aug. 19. Jacinto, who is Filipino Canadian, played a pivotal role in the series as Qimir, a seemingly harmless pharmacist who was later revealed to be the menacing Sith Lord known as "the Stranger." Despite a decent critical reception, "The Acolyte" failed to maintain strong viewership numbers. The cancellation has sparked disappointment among fans, particularly due to the unfortunate timing coinciding with Jacinto's birthday.

Ke Huy Quan joins “Zootopia 2” cast: Oscar-winning actor Ke Huy Quan, known for his roles in "Everything Everywhere All at Once" and "Loki," has joined the cast of the highly-anticipated "Zootopia 2." The 53-year-old star will voice Gary, a venomous viper who becomes entangled in the latest case for bunny cop Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) and her fox partner Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman). The film, which unveiled its first footage at D23, is set to release in November 2025.

Apple’s “K-Pop Idols” trailer exposes idols’ struggles: Apple TV Plus released the official trailer for its upcoming documentary series “K-Pop Idols,” which is set to premiere globally on Aug. 30. The six-part series offers an unprecedented glimpse into the intense world of K-pop, featuring stars such as Jessi, Cravity and Blackswan. The documentary follows Jessi’s solo tour, Cravity’s struggles to meet agency expectations and Blackswan’s internal conflicts, providing a raw look at the idols’ personal and professional challenges. “Everytime I see this kind of documentary, I feel like I have to love all of [the] idols because they've worked hard and they all deserve it,” one viewer wrote.

Netflix to launch immersive “Squid Game” experience in NY: Squid Game: The Experience is an immersive adventure launching in New York City on Oct. 11, ahead of the second season’s Dec. 26 debut. Participants can engage in “Squid Game”-inspired activities, including the iconic Red Light, Green Light game, without the real danger depicted in the Netflix series. Attendees will also be able to enjoy Korean food and shop for themed merchandise. The Experience will be held at Manhattan Mall, with tickets now available for purchase. Netflix is also expanding its in-person experiences with plans for retail destinations and more “Squid Game” content, including a third season in 2025 and a multiplayer video game launching later this year.

Voice of Pokemon's Misty dies at age 55: Rachael Lillis, the voice actor behind Misty and Jessie in the English dub of the “Pokemon” anime series, died on Aug. 10 at age 55 after a battle with breast cancer. The news was shared by her colleague Veronica Taylor, the voice of Ash Ketchum, and confirmed by her sister Laurie Orr. Lillis, born July 8, 1969, voiced her “Pokemon” characters in over 400 episodes and two films. Her career also included roles in "Your Lie in April" and "Hunter x Hunter." A memorial is planned as her family grieves privately.