News

This Texas metroplex is leading the country in Asian population growth

Texas’ Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex saw the largest increase in Asian residents among all U.S. metropolitan regions from 2022 to 2023, with Collin County contributing significantly to this growth. This surge, highlighted in a new report by the nonprofit Asian Texans for Justice (ATJ), underscores the expanding political and social influence of AAPI communities across North Texas.

Notable findings: Texas gained over 91,000 Asian residents during the past year, with Dallas-Fort Worth accounting for nearly 44,000 of them. According to the report, Collin County alone added about 20,000 residents, making up almost 22% of the area’s total increase. The largest subgroup in the DFW Asian community is Indian (35%), followed by Vietnamese (15.3%), Chinese (12.2%), Filipino (8%) and Korean (7.1%). The report also notes that while the median household income for Asian Texans is higher than other ethnic groups, this data can mask struggles within segments of the community. “We want to dispel the minority myth,” ATJ Executive Director Lily Trieu told the Dallas Morning News, emphasizing that many Asian Americans still require governmental support and public benefits.

The big picture: Texas now houses nearly 2 million AAPI residents, concentrated primarily in its four largest metropolitan areas, including Dallas-Fort Worth, which is seeing a boom in civic participation and economic growth. In its report, the ATJ said it aims to amplify AAPI voices and examine the political landscape ahead of the 2024 elections. Asian Americans are often ignored during elections due to their small population size, making it difficult for pollsters to gather statistically meaningful data. Despite being the fastest-growing racial group in the country, high costs for oversampling, language barriers and the diversity within the community make polling expensive, leaving Asian Americans underrepresented in surveys and overlooked in political strategies. “There’s a lack of understanding of what AAPI voters want, what their policy positions are, what issues they care most deeply about,” Trieu told the New York Times in February.

News

Racism, social inequities can affect heart health of Asian Americans, experts warn

A recent scientific statement from the American Heart Association (AHA) highlights how social factors such as racism, immigration status and socioeconomic disparities contribute to cardiovascular health risks among Asian Americans. These factors affect different Asian ethnic groups in unique ways, emphasizing the need for more tailored research and interventions.

Statement highlights: The statement, published in the AHA’s journal Circulation on Sept. 16, identifies a wide range of social determinants — including structural racism, immigration status, socioeconomic position and English proficiency — that influence cardiovascular health among Asian Americans. These factors differ within ethnic subgroups and play a role in shaping heart health disparities. According to the authors, structural racism and historical immigration policies, like the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act and World War II Japanese incarceration, have shaped social inequities, leading to long-term stress and inadequate healthcare access for some subgroups, particularly refugees. Acculturation and discrimination also influence health behaviors, with many Asian Americans facing barriers like limited English proficiency and poor health literacy, affecting their ability to seek timely care and follow medical recommendations.

What needs to be done: Asian Americans, the fastest-growing racial group in the U.S., are often underrepresented in health research, which contributes to a lack of understanding of their specific health needs. The statement stresses the importance of distinguishing between the diverse Asian ethnic subgroups when conducting research to avoid masking critical health differences. “All of these social determinants of health are likely interrelated, and the cumulative impact of these structural and social risk factors contributes to suboptimal cardiovascular health in Asian Americans,” said Nilay S. Shah, chair of the statement-writing group. He emphasized that addressing these challenges requires “multi-level interventions” that consider the distinct experiences of Asian ethnic groups to improve their heart health and achieve health equity.

News

Noodles, Korean fusion featured in Yelp’s “Top 100 Places to Eat” for 2024

Yelp has revealed its “Top 100 Places to Eat” for 2024, highlighting local U.S. restaurants showcasing unique trends, such as noodle artistry and Korean fusion. The annual list is determined primarily by user ratings and reviews, with higher-rated restaurants and those with more reviews being prioritized. It also considers geographic distribution and engagement metrics, all evaluated through the crowd-sourced business review platform’s proprietary algorithm. 

What’s trending?: Menya Rui of St. Louis, Missouri, ranked No. 2 overall on the list due to its popular pork shoyu ramen featuring an alchemy of chintan broth and rendered pork fat. “It’s like they gathered flavor from every corner of the universe and poured it into that bowl,” writes one Yelper. Other beloved noodle restaurants on the list include Kaneohe, Hawaii’s Adela’s Country Eatery (No. 7), Las Vegas’ Shigotonin Tapas & Sake Bar (No. 33), Washington, D.C.’s Michelin-recognized Menya Hosaki (No. 59) and Portland, Oregon’s Lucky Cat Ramen (No. 62). Korean fusion also trended on the list, with restaurants like Los Angeles’ Korean Hawaiian eatery Broken Mouth (No. 6) and Bothell, Washington’s Ta Joia (No. 28), which offers blends of Korean, Japanese and Brazilian flavors. 

Cali, Texas, New York: In California, the top-rated Asian restaurants besides Broken Mouth are San Francisco’s Ocean Indian Cuisine (No. 29), which blends Indian, Nepalese and Himalayan cuisines, and Burlingame’s Curry Hyuga (No. 55), known for its Japanese curry. In Texas, Houston’s Burger-chan (No. 27) stands out for its umami-powered burgers fused with Asian-inspired condiments, while Irving’s Mr Max (No. 72) is praised for its authentic Japanese izakaya experience. New York's top Asian eateries feature Manhattan’s Chili (No. 47), a beloved spot for Sichuan cuisine, and Amherst’s Anchi A La Carte (No. 91), which offers a blend of traditional and modern Vietnamese flavors.

Crime

2 charged with $230 million cryptocurrency theft used for luxury cars, parties

Malone Lam, 20, and Jeandiel Serrano, 21, were charged on Thursday with stealing over $230 million in cryptocurrency, which they used to fund a lavish lifestyle of international travel, luxury cars, jewelry, nightclubs and high-end rental properties in Los Angeles and Miami, according to federal prosecutors. 

The investigation: Lam, a Singaporean citizen using the alias “Anne Hathaway,” and Serrano, who went by “VersaceGod,” were arrested by the FBI on Wednesday. Both face charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. Since at least August, Lam and Serrano allegedly accessed victims' accounts and used exchanges, mixers and VPNs, along with tactics like "peel chains" and pass-through wallets, to conceal their identities. The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities still unclear on exactly how they gained access to the victim’s funds.

Lavish lifestyle: In one significant instance on Aug. 18, the duo and their conspirators stole over 4,100 Bitcoin, valued at more than $230 million, from a victim in Washington, D.C., and attempted to mask the crime by spreading the funds across multiple cryptocurrency exchanges. Miami police raided a mansion near Miami Shores connected to the investigation, rented via Airbnb, after neighbors noted that the home had drawn attention due to loud parties with luxury cars, such as Maseratis and Lamborghinis, spotted outside. The incident highlights the increasing number of cryptocurrency-related scams, some involving elaborate wire-fraud schemes and others using more direct means like stealing from victims’ smartphones.

Entertainment

How China's minute-long micro dramas are making big waves globally

China's micro drama industry, valued at $5 billion annually, is rapidly growing and challenging the traditional film industry. These minute-long videos, which are attracting millions of viewers on platforms like Kuaishou and Douyin, are rapidly expanding beyond China's borders.

Drama “TikTokization”: In the first quarter of 2024 alone, three major China-backed micro-drama apps saw 30 million downloads globally, grossing $71 million. Observers attribute the popularity of micro dramas to their convenience and accessibility on mobile devices. With fast-paced plots and frequent cliffhangers, these bite-sized shows cater perfectly to the short attention spans of today's viewers. As Emilie Yueh-yu Yeh, dean of arts at Lingnan University, puts it, "Miniaturization of the interface entails miniaturization of the product. We can call it TikTokization.” Popular shows with titles like "Grandma's Moon" and "My Wife and My Boss" hint at the dramatic and often soapy storylines that keep viewers hooked.

Meeting a demand: The micro drama industry's success is fueled by its low production costs and quick turnaround times. A series can be shot in just seven to 10 days, with costs ranging from $41,000 to $69,000. This allows for greater creative experimentation and innovation, meeting the audience's demand for on-the-go entertainment. The industry’s monetization strategy, which involves viewers paying to unlock further episodes, has proven to be highly profitable. Despite increasing government censorship that has led to the removal of thousands of micro-dramas, the industry continues to expand, with some companies looking to tap into foreign markets like the U.S., where censorship is less stringent.

Entertainment

Here are Asia’s bets to win the 2025 Oscar for best international feature film

Several Asian countries have announced their official submissions for the best international feature film category at the 2025 Academy Awards ahead of the Oct. 2 submission deadline. From heartfelt dramas to historical narratives, the selected films showcase the continent's diverse cinematic storytelling.

East Asia submissions: Hong Kong has chosen Soi Cheang's action-packed "Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In,” inspired by the comic "City of Darkness" and currently the second highest-grossing Hong Kong film this year. Taiwan has selected Hsiao Ya-Chuan's “Old Fox,” a poignant social commentary set against the backdrop of Taiwan's economic struggles in the late 1980s. South Korea's historical drama "12.12.: The Day" revisits the military coup of 1979, while Japanese entry "The Cloud" blends thriller elements with a critique of the digital age. China, a significant player in the global film industry, has yet to announce its selection. 

From South and Southeast Asia: Cambodia’s entry, "Meeting with Pol Pot," dives deep into the chilling history of the Khmer Rouge, dramatizing the journey of three French journalists attempting to secure an interview with the late genocidal dictator. Indonesia’s “Women From Rote Island” addresses harsh economic realities and patriarchal oppression in a remote community. India, on the other hand, opted for “Laapataa Ladies” ("Lost Ladies"), a light-hearted yet critical look at gender issues in rural India. Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam are still finalizing their Oscar submissions.

Final Bites

Kamala Harris says anyone who breaks into her house is “getting shot”: Vice President Kamala Harris stirred controversy over the weekend after saying she would shoot intruders of her own home. The 2024 Democratic nominee, a known gun owner, made the remark during a livestreamed conversation with Oprah Winfrey on Thursday. “If somebody breaks into my house, they’re getting shot,” she said. While expressing support for the Second Amendment — insisting once again that she is “not trying to take everyone’s guns away” — Harris is advocating for commonsense reform measures such as assault weapon bans and universal background checks. She quickly acknowledged the bluntness of her comment, adding with a laugh, “Probably should not have said that. But my staff will deal with that later.”

Connecticut ex-mayor faces backlash over racist Facebook comment: Former New Britain, Connecticut, mayor Timothy Stewart is facing criticism and a Council resolution calling for his removal from the city School Building Committee due to a recent racist comment he made on Facebook about Asian Americans. His remark was made in response to a conversation about false comments made by former President Donald Trump regarding Haitians “eating dogs,” where Stewart suggested “bringing in some Asians" for their alleged pet-eating, followed by a laughing emoji. Jenny Heikkila Díaz, co-chair of the Asian Pacific American Coalition, condemned the remark as reinforcing harmful stereotypes of Asians, while local and state Democrats have called for Stewart to apologize and resign from his position on the school building committee. The resolution, introduced by several council members, states that Stewart's behavior is “incompatible with the values of the City of New Britain,” especially given his history of bigoted remarks, including a previous incident in 2019 where he made sexist comments about women in Congress. The Council is set to discuss the resolution on Wednesday at City Hall.

S. Korean netizens outraged over “special” meals for imprisoned celebs: When the Seoul Detention Center revealed its monthly meal plan on Sept. 3, it inadvertently shared the special Chuseok feast that incarcerated actor Yoo Ah-in and singer Kim Ho-joong will eat in their first Chuseok holiday. The news sparked outrage among Korean netizens who questioned why individuals convicted of crimes are receiving what they perceive as preferential treatment, especially in light of their crimes. Yoo, who was sentenced to one year in prison and fined 2 million won for drug-related charges, has been incarcerated for two weeks. Kim, on the other hand, has been in custody since May 24 on charges of dangerous driving, fleeing the scene and attempting to cover up the incident.

"Fumbled opportunity?" Tim Chantarangsu reveals he left Shawn Mendes’ collab request on unread: Comedian and rapper Tim Chantarangsu (formerly Timothy DeLaGhetto) recently revealed  a years-old missed opportunity to collaborate with musician Shawn Mendes. Chantarangsu’s lighthearted Instagram post on Sunday revealed a 2014 Instagram DM conversation where Mendes told Chantarangsu he has been watching his videos “for a long time” before extending an invitation: “We gotta link up soon bro, Collab or something. Give me a text if you want.” The message seemingly went unnoticed for six years, with Chantarangsu finally responding in 2020 with: “Aye man, im just seeing this. Sure let’s collab lmaooo.” Mendes reacted to the post with a good-natured "bro" and laughing emoji, while Chantarangsu apologized with a "my bad, dawg.". The post sparked humorous comments from fans, with one even playfully suggesting Mendes' hit "In My Blood" was about the missed connection.

Chinese zoo admits to using dogs as fake pandas after one caught barking: A zoo in China’s Guangdong province admitted to passing off two painted Chow Chows as “panda dogs” after a public backlash. The revelation came when one of the supposed pandas was reportedly caught panting and barking, leading visitors to demand refunds. A video showing one of them panting with its tongue out has gone viral on social media. In response to the outrage, the Shanwei-based zoo, named “Strange Animals and Cute Pets Paradise,” said the phony pandas are actually among their best attractions. “These are Chow Chow dogs being painted as pandas, as this is part of our specialties,” Huang, the zoo’s manager, told local media. The backlash echoes a similar scandal at the Taizhou Zoo in Jiangsu province in May, which saw the facility insist that its “panda dogs” were dyed with safe, non-toxic dyes.

Watch Thailand’s superstar baby hippo Moo Deng through 24/7 livestream: Moo Deng, a 2-month-old female pygmy hippo at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand, is set to have her own 24-hour livestream by the end of September, following her viral rise to fame on social media. Born in July, Moo Deng captured hearts after making her Instagram debut on Sept. 6, showcasing her expressive personality and gaining millions of views. Zookeeper Atthapon Nundee, who shares content about the animals, was surprised by her popularity and hopes the livestream will encourage more visitors and engagement. Moo Deng’s name, meaning “bouncy pork,” was chosen via a social media poll, while her siblings are named Moo Waan and Moo Toon, translating to “sweet pork” and “stewed pork.” Currently, the zoo is also seeking to trademark the name “Moo Deng the hippo” to prevent others from profiting off her popularity. This move aims to enhance the zoo's income, allowing for better animal care initiatives.