Suni Lee, Asher Hong qualify for Paris Olympics

Entertainment

New York Times says it's rude to ask guests to remove their shoes

A recent party guide published by the New York Times sparked heated discussion on social media regarding footwear etiquette in private residences. A suggestion from the guide that it’s rude to ask people to remove their shoes drew strong disapproval from many Asian Americans and individuals from cultures where shoe removal is customary.

Not in Asian households: Many in favor of shoe-free homes commented that it's disrespectful to ignore a host's request, noting the cultural significance of cleanliness and respect for personal spaces. Indian American comedian Hari Kondabolu shared a screenshot of the entry and wrote: “When you find out who doesn’t have Asian friends.”

Other cultures chimed in: “Why allow dirt, germs to enter into your homes along with footwear?” wrote another X user. “BTW even in Turkey they don’t allow shoes inside the homes.” Other users also pointed out that many European and African countries follow the practice for the same reason. The stance is supported by research indicating that keeping shoes off helps maintain cleaner indoor environments due to the high bacteria levels found on shoes and floors.

Sports

Suni Lee, Asher Hong qualify for Paris Olympics

Sunisa Lee and Asher Hong have both earned spots in the U.S. Olympic Gymnastics women’s and men’s teams, respectively. Lee, the first Hmong American Olympian and the reigning all-around gold medalist, aims to defend her title in Paris, while Hong, a Chinese American rising star, is set to make his Olympic debut.

Against all odds: Lee, whose kidney-related health issue prevented her from competing internationally for Team USA, managed to place second at the Olympic Trials in Minneapolis on Sunday. "We didn't even think that I would be here, so everything has been hitting me like a freaking roller coaster,” said the 21-year-old athlete. “I have not stopped crying since, but I'm just so happy. I'm so glad that I never gave up."

Ready for gold: Hong, who helped the U.S. win a team bronze at the 2023 world championships, expressed his disbelief after learning he’s Paris-bound. “We’re going to bring the team medal home,” the 20-year-old Stanford senior said. “That has been the goal. We are prepared and ready, and we just have to go do our jobs.” 

Crime

13-year-old refugee from Myanmar killed by police

Nyah Mway was fatally shot by a police officer in Utica, New York, following a foot chase on Friday night. Police reportedly stopped Mway and another boy based on their resemblance to suspects in a recent armed robbery in the area. In body camera footage of the incident, Mway can be seen running away as officers prepared to search him for weapons, leading to a chase where he allegedly displayed a handgun, which was later determined to be a toy pellet gun. 

The shooting: Officer Bryce Patterson can be seen catching up with Mway before tackling and punching him. After a struggle, Officer Patrick Husnay, a six-year veteran of the Utica Police Department, opened fire at the boy. He was taken to Wynn Hospital, where he died of his injuries. The incident has sparked community outrage and prompted investigations by local and state authorities to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Three officers involved in the incident have been placed on administrative leave with pay amid ongoing investigations.

About Mway: Nyah, who had just graduated from middle school, was the second of four children in a refugee family from Myanmar's Karen ethnic group. They settled in the U.S. eight years ago after fleeing persecution and living in refugee camps. Mway’s family is now demanding justice and accountability, insisting that they will not be satisfied until the officers involved are prosecuted and jailed.

Crime

California sees decline in Asian hate crimes, surge in LGBTQ+ bias incidents

On Friday, California Attorney General Rob Bonta released the 2023 Hate Crime in California Report, noting a 7.1% decrease in overall reported hate crime events from 2,120 in 2022 to 1,970 in 2023. Despite a 10.71% decrease in anti-Asian bias events, hate crimes against LGBTQ+, Jewish and Muslim communities increased. Anti-LGBTQ+ bias events notably rose by 86.4%, while hate crimes motivated by sexual orientation bias increased by 4.1%, from 391 incidents in 2022 to 405 in 2023. 

Bonta’s call to action: Bonta emphasized the need for continued efforts to combat hate, urging local partners and law enforcement to utilize available resources, which include an updated law enforcement bulletin summarizing relevant civil and criminal hate crime laws, guidance for prosecutors to enforcement and multilingual materials to aid in identifying and responding to hate crime incidents. His initiatives also involve launching the Racial Justice Bureau, engaging city leaders and appointing a hate crimes coordinator to strengthen enforcement efforts statewide.

Government

Hawaii governor signs 13 bills aimed at Native Hawaiian communities

Hawaii Gov. Josh Green signed 13 pieces of legislation directed at Native Hawaiian communities on June 28. The bills primarily cover housing, education and tourism.

Kaiapuni education: HB 2074, one of Friday’s key bills, mandates the Department of Education to develop a comprehensive strategic plan for kaiapuni (“learning environment”) education, which Green describes as “vital for the preservation and promotion of Hawaiian language and culture.” The scheme includes a $3.5 million budget to fund new positions for kaiapuni teachers and curriculum specialists and monitoring some 1,400 students.

Tourism plan: Another bill is SB 2659, which requires the Hawaii Tourism Authority to establish a Tourism Functional Plan, prioritizing sustainable tourism practices and preserving Native Hawaiian cultural resources. “This bill ensures that our visitor industry grows in a way that respects and preserves our cultural heritage while promoting economic diversification,” Green said.

News

Chinese netizens help man reunite with plush toy in Barcelona

A Chinese tourist visiting Spain was reunited with his stuffed sloth toy after several users on Xiaohongshu helped him locate his beloved companion. The toy, which he calls “Bread,” was stolen on June 9 at the Sagrada Familia metro station in Barcelona, presumably by someone who thought the toy was a purse with money inside.

• The search: The man spent days looking for Bread, even posting a reward of 500 euros ($540) and losing his passport in the process. Several Chinese residents in Barcelona helped him by offering accommodation and handing out flyers to locate the toy. “Many people might not understand, but Bread is more important to me than my job, my degree, or my possessions. I just really want to hug him again, no matter what it takes,” he said.

• Their reunion: A Spanish metro cleaner eventually found his beloved stuffed toy tucked between a ticket machine and a wall on June 15. Overjoyed with the reunion the following day, the man said, “I have never received so much kindness in my life. I am truly thankful.” He also gave the reward money to the person who found the toy.

More Asian News

Vietnamese airport cleaner returns lost $55K to traveler: Tran Thi Huong, a cleaner at Da Nang International Airport, discovered a bag containing $54,900 in cash while cleaning on Wednesday and promptly reported the find to airport authorities. A Japanese tourist retrieved his belongings on Thursday, explaining that he forgot his bag at the international terminal before his flight to South Korea on the day it was found. Da Nang International Terminal Investment and Operation Company and Hoan My company rewarded Tran with 5 million dong ($196) and 1 million dong ($40) for her honesty on Friday.

U.S. law schools see increase in Asian applicants: Asian applicants to American law schools have increased by 6.1% this year, according to new data from the Law School Admission Council. Meanwhile, Hispanic and Black applicants rose by 8.9% and 6.7%, respectively. Despite concerns after a 2023 Supreme Court ruling against race-based admissions, the figures show that minority interest in legal education remains strong. Over the past three years, law schools have enrolled increasingly diverse first-year classes, with minorities comprising a record 40% last year.

Singer urges Tiananmen remembrance at prestigious awards show: Taiwanese singer and activist Panai urged the public not to forget the events of Tiananmen Square at the Golden Melody Awards, known as the Grammys of the Chinese-speaking world, on Saturday. The 1989 incident, sometimes referred to as the Tiananmen Square massacre, saw the deaths of an estimated thousands as the Chinese government cracked down on pro-democracy protests. Panai, who was speaking at the awards’ 35th year — nearly a month after the massacre marked its own 35th anniversary — emphasized the importance of democracy and freedom of speech. Taiwan President Lai Ching-te later acknowledged Panai’s comments on social media, vowing to “continue to protect and defend the freedom of all musicians to create.”