Coronavirus
New York Times Describes Vietnam’s Early Success in Managing Pandemic as ‘Luck’
The New York Times is receiving backlash for a recent tweet describing Vietnam’s early success in managing the pandemic as “luck.”
About the tweet: The news company recently published an article about Vietnam’s new wave of coronavirus cases and shared it on Twitter on June 2, which garnered negative reactions from the public.
3-Year-Old to Play at Carnegie Hall After Becoming Youngest Elite International Music Competition Winner
Brigitte Xie, 3, will be one of the youngest people to ever perform at Carnegie Hall in New York.
The performance: The young pianist from Ridgefield, Conn., became the youngest first-place winner of the Elite International Music Competition earlier this spring, which landed her a performance in the American Protégé International Music Talent Competition in November, according to New York Post.
Cat Makes History After Repatriation to the Philippines Amid Myanmar Political Turmoil
A cat owned by a Filipino migrant worker in Myanmar became the first pet to be repatriated to the Philippines when it joined the fifth government-funded repatriation flight amid the COVID-19 pandemic on May 29.
Plea for help: Karen Vinalay, an art director returning home due to the ongoing crisis in Myanmar, initially failed to get permission from the Philippine Embassy in Yangon, to bring along her short-haired cat, Jon Snow White, the Manila Bulletin reported.
NY Judge Orders Nursing Agency to Pay Filipino Nurses $1.56 Million for Threatening Them With Fines
A New York federal judge ordered a nursing agency and recruiter to pay $1.56 million on Tuesday, for threatening the Filipino nurses they brought to the U.S. with large fines if they prematurely left their jobs.
Breach of contract: Prompt Nursing Employment Agency LLC, which conducts business as Sentosa Services, was found to have violated the Trafficking Victims Protection Act and broken its contract with threats to harm the nurses financially, reported Bloomberg Law.
Meet Anchyi Wei, the First Chinese American Woman to Win Mrs. DC America in 19 Years
Capitol Hill resident Anchyi Wei made history earlier this month when she took home the Mrs. DC America sash and became the first Chinese American woman to win the title in 19 years.
Pageant details: Wei won the beauty pageant, in Washington, D.C. on May 1, according to An Officer and Gentlewoman, LLC.
57% of Asian Americans Feel Unsafe in Public, Poll Shows
As reports of anti-Asian incidents increase amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the majority of Asian Americans feel unsafe to be in public, according to a new poll.
Key findings: The survey, conducted by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, found that 57% of Asian Americans now feel at risk “often” or “sometimes” because of their race.
Indian American Convenience Store Owners Praised for Returning $1 Million Lottery Ticket
People are praising the Indian American owners of Lucky Stop, a convenience store in Southwick, Mass., for returning a $1 million lottery ticket to a customer.
What happened: Lea Rose Fiega purchased a $30 Diamond Millions scratch-off ticket in March, according to CBS News.
Friends Who Met on ‘Subtle Asian Mental Health’ Want to Make it Easier For You to Talk to Parents About Mental Health
A virtual team of Asian therapists, who met on Facebook, are offering tips on how to bridge the initial conversations with your Asian parents about mental health.
Founded by Christopher Vo, a marriage and family therapist based in Houston, the Asian Mental Health Collective (AMHC or the Collective) is the first mental health organization centering around the Asian community.
NY Mets and Partner Give $10K Grant to 10 Asian-Owned Businesses During AAPIHM
The New York Mets and its partner Fiserv show their support to the community by giving away $10,000 grants to Asian-owned businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The details: The sports team and its partner gave the grants on Monday in recognition of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, according to CBS New York.
$1 Billion Raised for AAPI Same Day Anti-Asian Hate Crimes Act Signed
A philanthropic initiative called The Asian American Foundation (TAAF) raised over $1 billion for AAPI communities, the organization announced Thursday.
Historic achievement: TAAF was able to raise the money within two weeks, the organization shared in a statement.
‘They Question My Ethnicity, My Patriotism’: Elaine Chao Slams Democrats for ‘Double Standard’ on Racism
Elaine Chao is accusing Democrats of a “double standard” on racism against Asian Americans, saying she has faced attacks on her Chinese heritage both in office and on the campaign trail.
On Democrats: Chao, who served as the former secretary of Transportation in the Trump administration, said Democrats accuse her of “divided loyalties” while claiming to be “purveyors of anti-discrimination.”
Biden Signs Anti-Asian Hate Crimes Act Into Law
POTUS Joe Biden signed the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act into law on Thursday, sealing its fate after bipartisan support in Congress.
Why it matters: The new law will accelerate the investigation of coronavirus-related hate crimes, which have disproportionately impacted Asian Americans in the course of the pandemic.