Asian Food Dominates, Costco Hack, Forever Chemicals

Author

Nextshark
October 22, 2024

Good Morning – October 22, 2024

Question: What do you guys think of the new “Karate Kid” movie poster?

TOP STORIES

Japanese Americans slam Trump’s WWII comparison of Capitol rioters

  • What he said: During a recent podcast with Dan Bongino, former President Donald Trump likened the treatment of Jan. 6 rioters to the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II, saying: “Nobody’s ever been treated like this… Maybe the Japanese during the Second World War.”

  • Why it matters: Over 120,000 Japanese Americans were forcibly imprisoned without cause during WWII. In contrast, Jan. 6 rioters were charged and convicted through legal proceedings for attempting to overturn an election.

  • Community outrage: Ann Burroughs, president of the Japanese American National Museum, called the comparison “egregiously inaccurate.” David Inoue of the Japanese American Citizens League emphasized that Japanese Americans were unjustly incarcerated without trial, unlike the convicted rioters .

ELECTION INSIGHTS

Harris leads Trump among South Asians in battleground states

  • Poll results: A survey by the Indian American Impact Fund shows Vice President Kamala Harris leading Donald Trump with 48% support among South Asians in key states like Arizona and Pennsylvania.

  • What’s driving support: South Asians cite abortion rights and inflation as top issues, with 76% of respondents favoring legal access to abortion.

  • What’s at stake: With endorsements from public figures like Rep. Pramila Jayapal and Padma Lakshmi, South Asians are rallying behind Harris as a reflection of their values and heritage .

GLOBAL AFFAIRS

India-Canada tensions escalate over Sikh leader’s killing

  • Diplomat’s denial: Sanjay Kumar Verma, India’s expelled high commissioner to Canada, denied involvement in the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a pro-Khalistan advocate shot outside a Sikh temple in British Columbia.

  • Ongoing tensions: Canada expelled six Indian diplomats, alleging their involvement. Verma criticized the accusations as “politically motivated,” with India demanding more evidence from Canadian authorities .

SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENT

Study reveals 99% of bottled water contains toxic ‘forever chemicals’

  • What the study found: An international study detected harmful PFAS chemicals in nearly all bottled water samples analyzed.

  • Impact on Asian Americans: A prior study found that Asian Americans have 88% higher exposure to PFAS than other groups, likely due to differences in dietary habits and environmental factors.

  • What you can do: Researchers recommend boiling water and using carbon filters at home to reduce exposure .

CULTURE AND HERITAGE

Ancient skeleton reveals Korean-Japanese ancestry connection

  • New findings: DNA analysis of a 2,300-year-old Yayoi skeleton confirms that migrants from Korea interbred with Japan’s indigenous Jomon people, shaping the ancestry of modern Japanese populations.

  • Why it matters: The research deepens the understanding of shared Korean-Japanese heritage, contributing to ongoing cultural discourse between the two countries .

How Asian cuisine is taking over the world’s taste buds

  • Reshaping dining globally: According to the Future of Food Report 2025, Asian cuisine is no longer “emerging” but now dominates the culinary scene. Chefs worldwide are drawing inspiration from Japanese, Cantonese, and Indian flavors, pushing Asian food to the forefront of fine dining.

  • Top dining destinations: Bali leads as a culinary hotspot, followed by Busan, Ho Chi Minh City, and Jeju, thanks to creative fusion dishes and farm-to-table trends. Experts predict that Asian restaurants will continue to compete for top global rankings in coming years.

ENTERTAINMENT HIGHLIGHTS

Kiran Rao’s ‘Lost Ladies’ aims to break new ground at the Oscars

  • The film: Rao’s comedy about swapped brides explores themes of female identity and agency, marking a milestone for South Asian women filmmakers at the Oscars.

Shohei Ohtani leads Dodgers to the World Series against Yankees

  • Big moment: Ohtani’s stellar performance propelled the Dodgers to their first World Series appearance since 2020, setting up a highly anticipated showdown with Aaron Judge and the Yankees.

Rosé becomes the first Asian female artist to debut in the U.S. iTunes Top 10

  • Achievement: Blackpink’s Rosé made history with her new single “APT,” which skyrocketed to No. 8 on the U.S. iTunes chart. The track offers a refreshing glimpse into Rosé’s candid personality .

QUICK HITS

  • Diljit Dosanjh graces Billboard Canada’s cover as the first South Asian artist featured.

  • Michelle Yeoh’s “Star Trek: Section 31” will premiere on Jan. 24, 2025, on Paramount Plus.

  • A Chinese aquarium faces backlash for featuring a fake whale shark.

  • Viral TikTok hack shows how to prepare 17 meals for just $47 from Costco .