News

Biden admin cracks down on Shein and Temu

The Biden administration is intensifying efforts to curb cheap imports from China, targeting e-commerce platforms like Shein and Temu that have taken advantage of the “de minimis” rule to bypass tariffs on low-value shipments. New regulatory actions propose ending these tariff exemptions, particularly for products under $800, in a bid to level the playing field for U.S. businesses.

Driving the news: The proposed regulations aim to close the “de minimis” exemption, which has allowed Chinese e-commerce giants to flood the U.S. market with cheap goods. Products covered by existing tariffs, such as those under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 for Chinese goods, will now face scrutiny, with the government pushing for more detailed shipment information to help Customs and Border Protection better identify illicit or unsafe imports like chemicals used to make fentanyl. House Democrats emphasized the urgency of the move, saying, “Americans continue to die from mislabeled fentanyl-laced pills that are ordered online, skirt inspection thanks to de minimis, and are delivered to Americans’ doorsteps.”

Why this matters: Shein and Temu have rapidly expanded in the U.S. using the purported loophole to ship products directly to consumers, avoiding import duties. This has led to significant market share gains, with Shein leading fashion app downloads and Temu topping iPhone downloads in 2023. The flood of these cheap shipments has hurt American businesses and workers, contributing to the closure of 18 textile plants. Reacting to the changes, Shein reaffirmed its support for reform, calling for “a level, transparent playing field.” Temu, on the other hand, said it is reviewing the proposals but remains “committed to delivering value to consumers.”

Crime

Houston man denied bond in capital murder case of Nepali woman

Bobby Shah, 51, who is accused of murdering 21-year-old Muna Pandey, a woman from Nepal, in her Houston apartment on Aug. 24, was denied bond. Shah is charged with capital murder for allegedly shooting Pandey four times, including an "execution-style" shot to the head. Prosecutors say Shah was still wearing blood-stained clothes and had a gun in his car when he was arrested days later.

What happened: Pandey's body was discovered in her apartment on Aug. 26, two days after she had been killed. Security camera footage from the day of the crime captured her with a man believed to be Shah outside her unit. In the video, Pandey is heard asking, "What are you going to do?" to which the man responded by racking his gun and telling her to open the door. KHOU 11 reports that Pandey previously worked at a Hillcroft restaurant, where Shah was a frequent customer. Police are still investigating a motive for the crime. 

What’s next: A friend of Pandey’s refuted rumors of any relationship between Pandey and Shah, insisting they shared everything and that Pandey never mentioned him. Pandey's mother, Anita, who is traveling to Houston after being granted a visa, expressed her devastation, stating she had sent her daughter to the U.S. for a better life. The Nepali community is demanding justice and questioning why Shah committed his alleged crime. Meanwhile, Shah's lawyer asserts his client’s innocence and says he is eager to prove it.

News

OC supervisor accused of corruption removed from board committee assignments

The Orange County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to remove Supervisor Andrew Do from all committee and board appointments, including his role on the Orange County Transportation Authority, amid growing calls for his resignation following a federal investigation that ties him into a corruption scandal. 

The board’s decision: The board voted unanimously to remove Do from his roles following allegations that he directed millions of dollars in contracts to a nonprofit linked to his daughter without disclosing her involvement. Supervisor Katrina Foley said, “We're having to do this because he will not resign, and we hope that he will resign because he should not continue to be publicly enriched off of the taxpayers when he, one, isn't doing his job, and two, is embroiled in a terrible corruption scandal.” 

The corruption scandal: The nonprofit, Viet America Society (VAS), is accused in a county lawsuit of misappropriating more than $10 million in taxpayer funds meant to feed the elderly during the pandemic. Do’s daughter, Rhiannon, and other VAS executives allegedly used the funds to purchase properties. Do, who has missed multiple board meetings since the raids, has not responded publicly to the accusations. His attorneys deny any wrongdoing, claiming that the organization was only guilty of poor recordkeeping.

News

Lawmakers criticize San Jose's restriction on Vietnamese garden amid political tensions

On Tuesday, California state lawmakers criticized San Jose officials for restricting access to the Vietnamese Heritage Garden, a site that has become a focal point of political tension in Little Saigon. The controversy began when District 7 Councilmember Bien Doan announced in August that his office would take control over who could host a monthly flag-raising ceremony at the garden, which previously was organized by his political rival Ha Trieu and his group. 

Representatives’ concerns: Doan’s announcement came amid a political divide over anti-communism and was seen as an attempt to limit public access to the space for political reasons. San Jose’s elected representatives, including Assemblymembers Ash Kalra and Evan Low, are concerned that allowing one official to control public space and event permits undermines free speech and public gathering rights. 

Doan’s defense: Doan defended the move as necessary to manage the garden's use and questioned the lawmakers' priorities. City Parks Director Jon Cicirelli also argued that the control over reservations is standard and that the garden's access remains under city employee management. But critics, like Councilmember Peter Ortiz, argue that the changes politicize the space and limit representation for the Vietnamese community. “I remain committed to collaborating with the city administration to establish an inclusive process that ensures all members of the Vietnamese community can access and appreciate this monument to their history and culture,” he said.

News

China to raise retirement age for the first time in 7 decades

China on Friday announced plans to raise its retirement age for the first time since the 1950s, addressing its aging population and mounting pension crisis. The new policy, set to take effect in 2025, will gradually increase the retirement age for men and women over the next 15 years.

Changes to expect: The country’s current retirement age — 60 for men across all jobs, 50 for women in blue-collar jobs and 55 for women in white-collar jobs — will increase gradually starting next year. By 2039, men will retire at 63, women in blue-collar jobs at 55 and women in white-collar jobs at 58. Many have voiced their frustration over the news, with one Weibo user writing, “In the next 10 years, there will be another bill that will delay retirement until we are 80.”

Driving the news: China’s demographic challenges, including a shrinking workforce and a rapidly growing elderly population, have made the policy change inevitable. As the country’s life expectancy rises to 78.2 years, raising the retirement age may relieve pressure on its pension system. By 2040, nearly a third of the population will be over 60, putting a strain on its pension fund that is projected to run out by 2035. To complicate matters, China is dealing with a soaring youth unemployment rate, potentially making retirement more difficult. “Young people can’t find jobs, and the elderly aren’t allowed to retire,” another Weibo user lamented.

News

NewJeans demands Hybe reinstate producer amid rare public feud

NewJeans on Sept. 11 issued a public ultimatum to Hybe Labels demanding the reinstatement of their producer, Min Hee-jin, as CEO of Ador by Sept. 25. Alleging “subtle bullying” and a toxic work environment under Hybe’s management, the group has been caught in a months-long feud over Hybe’s efforts to oust Min amid accusations that she was trying to seize control of Ador.

What NewJeans and Hybe are saying: In a rare move by a K-pop group toward their management, NewJeans took to YouTube to express their frustration with Hybe, accusing the company of fostering a toxic environment and replacing Min without consulting them. Members stressed that Min is integral to their identity — with Minji saying they all feel she is “irreplaceable” — and insisted that Hybe reinstate her by Sept. 25. However, Hybe’s new CEO, Lee Jae-sang, remains steadfast on the company’s principles, stating they will “deal with it based on our rules.” NewJeans’ livestream was deleted but other channels have reposted it, albeit with some translation errors.

The big picture and what’s next: The conflict began in April when Hybe launched an internal audit into Ador — one of its subsidiary labels — and asked for Min’s resignation, later accusing her of trying to seize control. Min has publicly fought back, claiming her dismissal was unjust and that Hybe violated her rights as a shareholder. A court ruled in May that Min could stay as CEO, but reports say she resigned in August. What happens after Sept. 25 remains to be seen, but industry experts predict NewJeans may file an injunction to suspend their contracts if their demands are ignored. If the group takes the case to court, the outcome could shape future artist-label relations in a hyper-competitive industry marred by abusive conditions.

Final Bites

Denver community rallies to replace missing Chinatown marker: A historical marker commemorating Denver's Chinatown, which mysteriously disappeared in December, was recently reinstalled at its original location at 19th and Lawrence Streets. First installed by Colorado Asian Pacific United (CAPU) in August 2023, the tall, metal and wood marker serves as a poignant reminder of the racial violence that destroyed the once vibrant Chinatown in the heart of Denver in 1880. Its disappearance was met with concern and outrage within the AAPI community, who viewed it as an erasure of their history. With the support of the local community, CAPU has successfully installed a new marker but still needs additional funds to completely cover the $12,000 cost. An official unveiling is planned for October to celebrate its return.

NFL Samoan star quarterback urged to retire after latest concussion: Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's latest concussion, which he sustained during Thursday's game against the Buffalo Bills, has ignited a wave of concern about his long-term health and calls for his retirement. The concussion, the third in a string of head injuries in his four-year NFL career — including a controversial concussion last season against the Bengals — has spurred both fans and former players to question whether the risks of continuing to play outweigh the potential rewards. Notable former NFL players such as Dez Bryant and Shannon Sharpe have publicly voiced their concerns about possible long-term consequences of Tagovailoa's repeated head trauma. Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel acknowledged the seriousness of the situation but deferred to medical professionals for a definitive assessment of Tagovailoa's health and future in football. 

Eddie Huang takes aim at Vice in explosive documentary: Filmmaker and former Vice contributor Eddie Huang offers a scathing critique of Vice Media in his new documentary, “Vice Is Broke.” The film, which premiered at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival on Sept. 6, chronicles Vice's meteoric rise and fall, highlighting what Huang sees as its exploitative business practices and mistreatment of the creatives who helped build its success. Huang, who says Vice still owes him over $300,000 in unpaid residuals, interviewed former Vice contributors, including Gavin McInnes, the co-founder of Vice and later the far-right Proud Boys. In a statement to the Hollywood Reporter, Vice Media disputed Huang's claims and questioned the relevance of his documentary, saying “Huang was never an employee of Vice and has no current knowledge of the company.”

California set to welcome state’s first Vietnamese rice liquor distillery: Dao Distillery, California’s first company to produce ruou de, or traditional Vietnamese rice liquor, is set to open at Sunrise Gold Circle in Rancho Cordova on Sept. 21. The grand opening will feature a dragon dance, firecrackers, free tastings, complimentary food and drinks and a 20% discount on a bottle purchase for visitors. Announced in March, Dao Distillery replaces Gold River Distillery, which officially closed on March 30. Owner Binh Dao told The Sacramento Bee that he aims to introduce ruou de to a broader audience “because I think it’s a great product that we have that not a lot of people know about.” While Dao Distillery is the first of its kind in California, the U.S.' first ruou de distillery opened in Texas in 2020.

Coffee is a hot topic in China: The College of Tropical Crops at Yunnan Agricultural University welcomed its first batch of students majoring in China’s first-ever coffee science and engineering program this September. A total of 100 students reportedly enrolled in the course, which opened in Pu’er City, where the first coffee seeds were introduced approximately 130 years ago. The four-year curriculum, approved by China’s Ministry of Education in March, includes foundational courses in food science and engineering, along with specialized classes in coffee flavor chemistry, processing, roasting and cupping. This new program comes as China emerges as East Asia’s fastest-growing coffee consumption market, with per person consumption increasing fourfold between 2010 and 2022.