Tiger Woods credits mom for success in emotional speech

Hello and good morning! It’s Friday, June 14. Here is some of the news you need to know in our community today:

Sports

Tiger Woods credits mom for success in emotional speech

Eldrick Tont “Tiger” Woods received the USGA's highest honor, the Bob Jones Award, during a ceremony on Tuesday in North Carolina. Surrounded by his family, the 48-year-old golf superstar delivered a heartfelt speech honoring his 80-year-old mother Kultida for her unwavering support throughout his career.

• In his speech, Woods emphasized his mom's behind-the-scenes sacrifices, calling her "the greatest rock any child could possibly have." "Everyone always thought it was me and dad on the road. But mom was at home. She's been there my entire life, through thick and thin,” he said.

• Kultida, who is of Thai, Chinese and Dutch descent, met Tiger's father Earl in 1968 while working as a secretary at a U.S. Army base in Thailand. She has been a constant presence in her son's life and is often seen on the golf course cheering her son on while sporting her signature oversized black glasses and visor. “She’s a very tough, tough old lady, very demanding,” Woods shared about his mother, who he added was “the enforcer” during his childhood, to USA Today in 2017.

Sports

Can the sport of cricket catch on in the U.S.?

The success of the recent T20 World Cup matches in New York City, including the stunning American upset win over Pakistan last week, have fueled optimism for cricket's potential growth in the U.S. A sell-out crowd of 34,000 on Sunday witnessed India beat Pakistan — two nations where cricket is the most popular sport — by six runs at the Nassau County Cricket Ground in Long Island. India went on to qualify for the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup 2024 after beating the U.S. by seven wickets on Wednesday. 

• Cricket is a “bat-and-ball” sport that has concepts similar to baseball, with "sixes" resembling home runs and "wickets" mirroring outs. Its fast-paced T20 format also offers a shorter, more action-packed experience, potentially appealing to younger fans. 

• While the sport’s inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics offers some hope of the game's growth in the U.S., the current lack of school or community cricket programs for kids may pose a challenge.

News

San Fran makes Vietnamese an official language

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on Tuesday to recognize Vietnamese as an official city language. It now joins Chinese, Spanish and Filipino in a move aimed at enhancing language access for the city’s diverse immigrant communities.

• The decision follows an amendment to San Francisco’s language access ordinance, which now lowers the threshold for language translation services from 10,000 to 6,000 speakers with limited English proficiency. A total of 6,791 residents primarily speak Vietnamese in the city.

• This means all city government announcements — including telephonic interpretations, website content, written notifications and other official services — will be translated into Vietnamese. Community advocates highlighted persistent gaps in language access, with issues noted even in essential services such as healthcare.

News

Lawsuit accuses California DA of anti-Asian racism

Patti Lee, former spokesperson for Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price, filed a lawsuit on Wednesday alleging Price promoted a culture of anti-Asian bias in the workplace and violated open records laws amid media inquiries. The suit mirrors a legal claim that Lee filed in March accusing Price of “constantly and openly” making derogatory comments against Asian Americans. Lee claims she was fired for whistleblowing after accusing communications director Haaziq Madyun of hiding, deleting or altering records.

• In a statement, Lee, who seeks damages for emotional distress and unpaid and lost wages, said, “I have never been subjected to such humiliating and bullying behavior in a workplace. It is unacceptable in any professional environment, but when the perpetrator is a public official who claims to be a civil rights advocate, it is unconscionable.”

• Price's office has not commented on the lawsuit, which coincides with a recall effort against Price and broader challenges in Oakland, including rising crime and business closures. Price was also publicly accused last year of “being disrespectful to the AAPI community,” particularly in relation to the shooting death of toddler Jasper Wu, by veteran prosecutor Rebecca Warren after she and another Alameda prosecutor resigned.

Crime

Robbery suspect who targeted Asian homes in Oakland is caught

Derrick Behrens, 32, was arrested in Oakland, California, for committing four armed residential robberies targeting victims of Asian descent. Behrens, who allegedly demanded money from his victims, is accused of stealing cash, luxury purses and a car during these crimes, which typically occurred before dawn in April. 

• The Oakland Police Department reported that Behrens, who they said had an “extensive criminal history for similar crimes,” would park blocks away from the homes he targeted and walk to them. A son of one of the victims told KTVU, "They took everything we have. They took a lot of jade, sort of like in Asian cultures, pretty expensive, gold chains, they took some cash.” He added, "Honestly, one more criminal behind bars makes us really happy and safer in this community.”

• Oakland Police Chief Floyd Mitchell and Mayor Sheng Thao commended officers and stressed the importance of proactive policing in the arrest. Mitchell emphasized ongoing efforts despite a decrease in overall violent crimes, stating, “Our work is far from complete.”

Food

Buldak instant ramen is too spicy for Denmark

due to the risk of “acute poisoning” from excessive capsaicin, the active ingredient in chili peppers. The three types of ramen being recalled are Buldak Hot Chicken Ramen 3x Spicy, Buldak Hot Chicken Ramen 2x Spicy, and Hot Chicken Stew.

• The Danish Food and Drug Administration noted that children, frail adults and the elderly are at risk, with possible symptoms including high blood pressure, vomiting, burning and discomfort. “That is why we are now demanding shops remove the products from their shelves,” the agency said.

• “It seems that the Danish food authorities have initiated the recall due to concerns that the excessive spiciness could cause problems, not because of any quality issues with the product. We plan to closely examine the Danish regulations and respond to the recall accordingly,” a Samyang Foods official told The Korea Times. South Korean ramen export revenue hit the $100 million mark for the first time in April, with Samyang Foods accounting for the majority.

Entertainment

Disney casts Australian teen as live-action Moana

Catherine Laga'aia, a 17-year-old of Samoan heritage whose father featured in two “Star Wars” movies, has been cast as Moana in Disney’s live-action remake of the hit 2016 animated film. Laga'aia will take over the titular role from Auli’i Cravalho, who opted out of reprising her role in order to “pass the baton to the next young woman of Pacific Island descent.” 

• Laga'aia, whose family hails from Samoa, expressed excitement to portray the role: “My grandfather comes from Fa‘aala, Palauli, in Savai‘i. And my grandmother is from Leulumoega Tuai on the main island of ‘Upolu in Samoa. I’m honored to have an opportunity to celebrate Samoa and all Pacific Island peoples, and to represent young girls who look like me.”

• The film, which is set to hit theaters in July 2026, will see Dwayne Johnson reprise his role as demigod Maui. Johnson will also co-produce the film while Cravalho will serve as an executive producer. The film’s supporting cast includes John Tui, Frankie Adams and Rena Owen, portraying Moana's father, mother and grandmother, respectively. “Moana 2,” a separate project which is an official sequel to the animated film, is set to hit theaters on Nov. 27.

More News

• “Crazy Rich Asians” … the series?: At the “House of the Dragon” premiere in Paris last week, Casey Bloys, chairman and CEO of HBO and Max content, confirmed to Variety that Jon M. Chu’s 2018 rom-com hit “Crazy Rich Asians” is being developed into a series. Bloys did not provide specific details about the project. In addition to a Max series, “Crazy Rich Asians” is also being developed as a stage musical, with Chu set to make his Broadway directorial debut with the production.

• Live-action “Avatar” issues open casting call for a beloved character: Netflix, through Downtown Casting, has started an open casting search for Toph in their live-action adaptation of "Avatar: The Last Airbender," which was renewed for Seasons 2 and 3 earlier this year. The studio is looking for someone to portray a character described as “mid-to-late teens, female, Asian, sassy, confident and unfiltered.” The casting call sheet also noted that “actors who are blind or have low vision are encouraged to submit,” with filming set for Fall 2024.

• “One Piece” celebrates its 25th anniversary Las Vegas-style: Monkey D. Luffy and the Straw Hat crew have taken over the Exosphere exterior at the Las Vegas Sphere as the franchise celebrates its 25 year anniversary. Toei Animation created a 90-second presentation that is being played at the venue from June 10 to June 16. In addition to the visual spectacle at the Las Vegas Sphere, Toei Animation also released a special montage showcasing the 25-year adventure of Luffy and his crew.

  

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