News

Thailand makes history as 1st SEA country to legalize same-sex marriage

Thailand has legalized same-sex marriage, becoming the first country in Southeast Asia to do so. The landmark bill, which received royal endorsement from King Maha Vajiralongkorn, will come into effect in 120 days, allowing LGBTQ-plus couples to marry starting Jan. 22, 2025.

About the law and what officials are saying: The marriage equality bill, published in the Royal Gazette on Tuesday, amends the Civil and Commercial Code to replace gender-specific terms with gender-neutral language, granting full legal, financial and medical rights to same-sex couples, including adoption and inheritance rights. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra celebrated the occasion in an X post, writing, “Congratulations to everyone’s love” along with the hashtag #LoveWins. The royal signing of the bill represents a culmination of over two decades of advocacy. “We’ve been waiting for a long time. As soon as it becomes law, we will go register our marriage,” actor and YouTuber Apiwat Apiwatsayree told AFP.

Why this matters: The significant step marks Thailand as the third nation in Asia to recognize same-sex marriage, following Taiwan in 2019 and Nepal last year, amid a backdrop of ongoing struggles for LGBTQ-plus rights in the region. Community members hailed the law as a “monumental step” for equality, with prominent LGBTQ-plus activist Ann Chumaporn telling the BBC, “Today we’re not only getting to write our names in marriage certificates, but we are also writing a page in history... It’s a triumph of equality and human dignity.” Activists plan a mass wedding for over 1,000 couples on the first day the law is enacted.

Entertainment

Jenn Tran powers through “DWTS” music glitch as dating rumor swirls

A technical issue did not stop Jenn Tran and dancing partner Sasha Farber performing on “Dancing with the Stars.” The mishap occurred on Tuesday’s episode of the ABC dance show amid dating rumors about the two stars.

What happened: Tran, 26, and Farber, 40, were performing a tango routine inspired by “The Great Gatsby” to Fergie’s "A Little Party Never Killed Nobody" (featuring GoonRock and Q-Tip) when something came up and left them dancing without the track. Recalling the “nerve-wracking” experience to People, Tran said she believes muscle memory helped her get through it. “I just kept going, and I just did what I had to do. I'm honestly really proud of myself too because I do think something like that could really mess with someone's head,” she said.

Are they dating?: The mishap came just days after “Dancing with the Stars” fans were abuzz when Farber called Tran “babe” in a TikTok video. “We just stopped at McDonald’s,” Farber said in the video before asking Tran if he could take a lick from her ice cream cone, “Babe, can I have some?” The moment quickly started a frenzy in the comment section. “It’s happening stay calm,” one user declared.

News

Court revives suit alleging anti-Asian bias in NYC school admissions

A federal appeals court has revived a lawsuit alleging that changes to New York City’s admissions process for selective public high schools discriminated against Asian American students. The decision comes amid broader scrutiny of admissions policies following a Supreme Court ruling that restricted race considerations in college admissions.

About the case and its revival: The lawsuit, Christa McAuliffe Intermediate School PTO v. Bill de Blasio, claims that the city’s Discovery Program, designed to increase access for disadvantaged students to prestigious high schools like Stuyvesant and Bronx Science, disproportionately impacts Asian American applicants. In 2018, changes to the program required schools to reserve 20% of seats for students from disadvantaged middle schools, which critics argue led to the exclusion of many Asian American applicants. A federal district court initially ruled that there was no evidence of disparate impact, but the Second Circuit Court unanimously decided to reinstate the case on Tuesday. The court's ruling allows the plaintiffs to pursue evidence of discriminatory intent during the discovery process.

Why this matters: The implications of the case resonate amid ongoing debates about equitable admissions practices in schools across the U.S. Proponents of the changes argue that they are necessary to rectify systemic inequalities, with advocates noting that Asian American students had previously outperformed other racial groups in admissions. “The City’s modest attempt to make the admissions process fairer for low-income students of color should be celebrated, not challenged in court,” said Michaele Turnage Young, senior counsel at the Legal Defense Fund. Opponents, however, warn that the perception of a zero-sum game in admissions can entrench existing inequalities. Fran Fajana, director of Racial Justice Strategy at LatinoJustice PRLDEF, remarked that characterizing admissions as a zero-sum game perpetuates inequity.

News

Penn Law professor who called for “less Asian immigration” suspended

Amy Wax, a tenured law professor at the University of Pennsylvania, has been suspended from teaching for one year following a ruling by the Faculty Senate Committee on Academic Freedom. Wax has a history of sparking outrage for criticizing the abilities and attitudes of minority groups in America, leading to public backlash, declining enrollment in her courses and calls for her suspension. 

Found guilty: The committee found her guilty of “flagrantly unprofessional conduct,” including racially inflammatory remarks and inviting controversial white nationalist speaker Jared Taylor to her classroom. Over the years, Wax has made numerous controversial statements, including questioning the capabilities of Black students, criticizing Brahmin Indian immigrants and advocating for “less Asian immigration,” particularly those who lean Democratic. Despite her suspension, Wax has defended her statements under the banner of academic freedom.

Suspension details: The suspension, which will take effect in the 2025-2026 academic year, follows a lengthy review of her behavior. Although Wax will not be fired or lose her tenure, she will be denied summer pay, stripped of her named chair and required to include a disclaimer in public appearances stating she does not represent the university. Additionally, a public reprimand will be issued in the Ivy League school's weekly publication, Penn’s Almanac.

News

China's economic slowdown fuels designer "dupe" boom

Formerly label-loving consumers in China are reportedly turning to "dupes," high-quality replicas of branded goods, in a bid to save money amid the nation’s economic slowdown. Analysts say this trend not only affects luxury brands but also mid-range brands like Nike and Uniqlo.

Value over brand: The country's real estate crisis, coupled with declining consumer confidence, has led to a decrease in overall consumption and retail sales. Facing pay cuts and job insecurity, consumers are now actively seeking more affordable alternatives as they prioritize value and quality over branding. In fact, social media searches for these counterfeit products have tripled from 2022 to 2024, according to Mintel.

Rise of “rational shopping”: The rise of dupes is impacting the exclusivity of high-end items and could potentially hurt their future growth in China. Luxury brands like LVMH have already experienced a decline in sales in the region. Blair Zhang, Mintel's senior luxury and fashion analyst, notes, "There’s no more blind trust in well-known brands under the currently-cautious spending trends. Instead, there’s more rational shopping decisions that spur active discussions on cheaper alternatives.”

News

Kids in South Korea are getting taller, heavier

A recent study by the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS) found that South Korean children and teenagers have experienced significant growth and accelerated maturation over the past decade. The study, which measured 1,118 individuals between 7 and 19 years old, found increases in height, weight and earlier onset of puberty compared to data from 2011-2013.

Taller, more mature: Boys in elementary school now average 54.8 inches tall, up from 53.1 inches, while high school boys stand at 68.2 inches, compared to 67.4 inches a decade ago. Girls also saw increases, with elementary school girls reaching an average height of 53.9 inches, up from 52 9 inches, and high school girls averaging 63.7 inches, compared to 63 inches previously. The peak growth rate for boys now occurs between 14 and 15 years old, and for girls between 13 and 14, about two years earlier than in the past. Observers note that improved living conditions fueled by South Korea's recent economic growth may have allowed children and teenagers to reach their full genetic growth potential.

More weight gain: Weight increases were also noted across all age groups and genders. Elementary school boys gained an average of 6.6 pounds, while high school boys gained 9.7 pounds. Girls also experienced weight gains, with elementary school girls gaining 2.4 pounds and high school girls gaining 6.1 pounds on average. The study also found an increase in body mass index (BMI) for both boys and girls, with 20.7% of boys and 14.3% of girls having a BMI of at least 23, indicating potential overweight or obesity concerns.

Final Bites

📰 Pope Francis offers Vatican refuge to Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi: Pope Francis has called for the liberation of Myanmar’s detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi, offering Vatican territory as a refuge for her. The pontiff reportedly expressed his offer during a private conversation with Jesuits in his recently concluded Asia-Pacific tour. “I asked for Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi's release and received her son in Rome. I offered the Vatican to receive her in our territory,” he said, as per Reuters. Furthermore, he emphasized that “we cannot stay silent” and that “we must do something” about the situation in Myanmar. The country is currently ruled by a military junta that came into power after staging a coup against the democratically-elected Suu Kyi on Feb. 1, 2021. Suu Kyi, who was subsequently imprisoned and remains in detention, faces a 27-year sentence on politically motivated charges. Responding to the pope’s offer, her son Kim Aris told AFP, “I am sure that Maymay would express her gratitude to Pope Francis... Nonetheless, I am doubtful that the junta would take such a request into account.”

🎤 George Takei comments on pop star Chappell Roan’s “both sides” stance on elections: American pop star Chappell Roan is facing backlash for comments in which she refused to endorse any presidential candidate in the upcoming election. In an interview with The Guardian, the 26-year-old singer-songwriter, who identifies as a lesbian, said, “I have so many issues with our government in every way. There are so many things that I would want to change. So I don’t feel pressured to endorse someone. There’s problems on both sides.” Instead, she urged people to vote based on local issues in their cities. Her remarks sparked criticism online, with many pointing out that the "both sides" argument often undermines critical political analysis. Veteran actor George Takei, who publicly came out as gay in 2005, also responded on X, saying, “If you’re a high profile figure in the LGBTQ+ community, you need to take a stand in this election. Both sidesing it when our community is under direct attack from the GOP is an irresponsible cop out.”

📺 Awkwafina joins star-studded cast of "Black Mirror" Season 7: Award-winning actress Awkwafina joins a star-studded cast for the highly anticipated seventh season of "Black Mirror," Netflix's acclaimed sci-fi anthology series. Revealed during Netflix‘s Geeked Week last week, the diverse ensemble also includes Emma Corrin, Paul Giamatti, Issa Rae and Peter Capaldi. Fans can also look forward to the return of Cristin Milioti, Billy Magnussen, Jimmy Simpson, Milanka Brooks and Osy Ikhile in a follow-up to the popular Season 4 episode "USS Callister." Set to release in 2025, the new season will continue the show’s tradition of exploring thought-provoking and often unsettling technological advancements. 

📱 Beabadoobee calls out Americans for lack of concert etiquette: Filipino British singer-songwriter Beabadoobee recently addressed concert etiquette during an Instagram live on Sept. 21, highlighting disrespect and rude behavior at concerts, such as throwing objects and shouting inappropriate remarks. She emphasized three key points: fans should allow others to enjoy the show without judgment, be mindful of their surroundings to avoid disrupting others and only use TikTok memes appropriately. “I feel like this generation of kids don't seem to understand concert etiquette, or maybe it's just Americans. For me, it's common sense, but I feel like I need to remind people that this is concert etiquette… I want everyone to have fun ... and if you're stopping people from having fun, that's not a vibe,” she said. 

📸 How a K-pop idol lit up Milan Fashion Week 2024: Jin ignited a media frenzy at the recent Milan Fashion Week, emerging as the most talked-about figure during the Gucci runway show. Drawing unprecedented crowds, the BTS member also took social media by storm, significantly outpacing mentions of other celebrities. Journalist Alessandro Argentieri of Marie Claire Italia noted in an Instagram comment that Gucci’s “was the only show to have such an audience,” while French magazine Paris Match dubbed Jin the “Darling of Europe.” Gucci itself posted photos showing a sea of photographers gathered around Jin, as well as clips of fans hoping to catch a glimpse of the week’s “main event.” Jin’s front-row seat, clad in a striking iridescent sweater and tailored trousers, solidified his return to the fashion scene after serving in the South Korean military. Other K-pop idols who attended the fashion week and drew heavy social media engagement include Aespa’s Karina, NCT’s Jaehyun and Enhypen.