Politics

Trump samples banh khoai, bun thit nuong during surprise restaurant visit

In a surprising move to court Vietnamese American voters, former President Donald Trump visited Truong Tien, a popular Vietnamese restaurant at the Eden Center in Falls Church, Virginia, following a wreath-laying ceremony in Arlington on Monday. There, he also endorsed Senate candidate Hung Cao, a Vietnamese refugee and retired U.S. Navy captain looking to unseat Democrat Sen. Tim Kaine in November.

What happened: Trump, who seldom dined in public during his presidency, sampled traditional Vietnamese dishes such as banh khoai and bun thit nuong in his private visit, which was attended by about 35 people. Despite the controversy surrounding his record with the Asian American community, his visit led to a 300% increase in the restaurant’s sales that day. “I can't imagine a former president, a big person, most powerful person come here and come to a small restaurant and wishes the owners the best,” Truong told WUSA9.

The big picture: Trump’s surprise visit underscores his effort to secure support from key demographic groups, particularly in swing states like Virginia. By endorsing Hung Cao, Trump aims to bolster his influence within the Vietnamese American community, which has shown a notable Republican-leaning tendency compared to other Asian American groups. “Somehow, I don’t know what it is, you’ll have to explain it, but the Vietnamese community loves me, and I love them,” Trump said.

Sports

Jeremy Lin announces birth of first child

Basketball superstar Jeremy Lin joyfully shared the news of his first child's birth via Instagram on Friday. The 36-year-old Taiwanese American point guard posted heartfelt words and images, expressing his delight at becoming a father "a few months ago."

“Best gift”: Lin described his son as "the best possible gift," stating, "Fatherhood has honestly been the best experience of my life even though I get less sleep lol. It's given me a much deeper understanding and appreciation of the love that's been shown to me, by God, my parents, and my loved ones." He added, "I hope one day my son will say he felt that same love through his daddy."

Another milestone: The former NBA player, who rose to fame during the 2011–12 season with a phenomenon known as "Linsanity," currently plays for the New Taipei Kings of the Taiwan Professional Basketball League. Known for his privacy regarding family matters, Lin surprised fans last year when he revealed he had been married for "over a couple of years."

News

NIH acknowledges “difficult climate” for Asian scientists created by China Initiative

The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) has acknowledged the "difficult climate" created by its investigations under the Trump administration's controversial China Initiative, which targeted scientists — primarily of Asian descent — for alleged undisclosed links to China. 

NIH statement: As a result of these investigations, 112 scientists reportedly lost their jobs, casting doubt on the integrity of many and harming U.S. life sciences research. While the NIH stopped short of apologizing, its director, Monica Bertagnolli, expressed support for Asian researchers. “I recognize that certain government actions to protect against concerning activities by the PRC have had the unintended consequence of creating a difficult climate for our valued Asian American, Asian immigrant and Asian research colleagues who may feel targeted and alienated. While I fully support NIH’s efforts to address serious integrity breaches instigated by the PRC, I believe there are opportunities to do this in a way that protects our relationships with our trusted Asian research colleagues,” Bertagnolli stated.

U.S. loses leadership: The U.S. has long attracted top global researchers, with 100,000 Chinese-born scientists contributing significantly to its scientific leadership. However, a Stanford study shows a rise in the number of Chinese-born scientists leaving the U.S., from 900 in 2010 to 2,621 in 2021. Marcia McNutt, president of the National Academy of Sciences, warned that the U.S. is losing its STEM leadership to China, noting a significant increase in China's share of drug trials as the U.S.'s share declines. To reverse the decline, McNutt urged reducing red tape for international students and lowering regulatory burdens on faculty.

Politics

Evan Low faces election complaint amid fiery Bay Area House race

California Assemblymember Evan Low has been hit with an election complaint filed by former FEC Chair Ann Ravel, adding tension to his already-tight race against former San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo. The candidates are seeking to replace Rep. Anna Eshoo for the 16th Congressional District.

About the complaint: The complaint filed by Ann Ravel — who has endorsed Liccardo — alleges that Low’s campaign failed to disclose in-kind contributions from the nonprofit Stand with Asian Americans (SwAA). Specifically, it points to a February email sent by the campaign, which allegedly used SwAA’s email list and web platform without proper reporting. “For me, it’s more about how I think it’s so important for people who are in public service and run for office to follow the law,” Ravel told The Mercury News. SwAA, however, has categorically denied the allegations, stating that they have never provided email lists to Low’s campaign and condemning the accusations as “politically motivated and irresponsible.”

Low’s response: Low's campaign dismissed the complaint as a distraction orchestrated by Liccardo's supporters, labeling it a “false accusation” stemming from a simple volunteer mistake involving the wrong hyperlink. “This is simply a case of a volunteer working in their personal capacity using the wrong hyperlink,” Low’s campaign said. Meanwhile, Liccardo’s campaign seized the opportunity to criticize Low, accusing him of unethical behavior and referencing a separate, ongoing investigation. “Evan Low will do anything to further his political career,” said Liccardo's campaign.

Politics

Nikki Haley urges UN hearing on Taiwan’s status

Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley called on the international organization to hold a hearing on UN Resolution 2758 and address China’s aggression toward Taiwan during a visit to Taipei on Saturday. The document recognizes the People’s Republic of China as the legitimate government of China and does not mention Taiwan.

Supporting Taiwan: Haley emphasized that the resolution has been misused by Beijing to marginalize Taiwan and called for global support in acknowledging the issue. The UN should not “allow the Chinese Communist Party to hijack a resolution and claim it’s about Taiwan,” Haley said. She advocated for a hearing, even as a sidebar event, to discuss Taiwan’s status and the harassment it faces from China. She also argued that Taiwan deserves a nonmember observer status in the UN — similar to Palestine — and criticized the UN for turning a blind eye to Taiwan’s plight, stressing that the self-governing island has been instrumental in global efforts such as alerting the world to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Criticizing isolationism: Haley also criticized isolationism on Saturday, arguing that it’s crucial for the U.S. to support allies like Taiwan, Israel and Ukraine in the face of growing threats from China. “I don't think the isolationist approach is healthy. I think America can never sit in a bubble and think we won't be affected,” Haley said. In July, former President Donald Trump suggested that Taiwan should pay the U.S. for protection from China. Haley urged the Republican Party to focus on standing with allies and showing strength worldwide, underscoring that both Republicans and Democrats agree on the importance of supporting Taiwan against Chinese aggression.

Entertainment

“The Influencer” winner loses $225K prize after allegedly leaking win

South Korean YouTuber Oh Byeong-min, better known as Oking, was disqualified from receiving his 300 million won ($225,300) prize money after winning Netflix reality show “The Influencer.” The 30-year-old content creator was accused of disclosing his victory to others in January, several months before the show began airing on Aug. 6.

About the leak: Choi Seung-jung, former CEO of cryptocurrency Winnerz Coin, reportedly claimed in May that Oh disclosed his victory during a visit on Jan. 13. Despite acknowledging potential penalties for leaks, Oh allegedly shared details about the win and the prize money. A Netflix spokesperson confirmed to The Korea Herald on Thursday that the winning contestant has not been awarded the prize money "to maintain the programme's credibility and fairness among participants."

About the show: “The Influencer,” a seven-part Netflix reality series, features South Korean content creators vying for the top spot. The finale aired on Aug. 13, with Oh emerging victorious over finalists Pani Bottle, Risabae and actor Jang Keun-suk. Netflix has declined to comment on potential additional penalties for Oh. 

Final Bites

Jackie Chan to carry torch at Paris 2024 Paralympics: Jackie Chan was named as one of the torchbearers of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. The Hong Kong actor will carry the torch on Wednesday. The torch-bearing ceremony began on Saturday in Stoke Mandeville, England — the birthplace of the Paralympics — and arrived in France on Sunday. The event includes 12 Paralympic Flames, which will be relayed simultaneously by 1,000 torchbearers across 50 towns in France, before converging in Paris for the opening ceremony at Place de la Concorde on Wednesday evening.

Canada imposes 100% tariff on Chinese EVs, sparking global trade concerns: Canada announced on Monday that it will impose a 100% tariff on Chinese electric vehicles and a 25% tariff on Chinese steel and aluminum starting Oct. 1. This move, following similar actions by the U.S. and EU, aims to address concerns over China's state-directed over-capacity and trade practices. The tariffs will affect all EVs from China, including those made by Tesla, which saw its shares fall by 3.2% in response. Critics including China argue that the tariffs violate World Trade Organization rules and disrupt global trade. Responding to the new Canadian tariffs, analysts expect Tesla may shift its vehicle exports to Canada from the U.S., which could impact its profits due to higher production costs. Canada, facing pressure from domestic industries, is also considering additional tariffs on chips and solar cells and aims to enhance its role in the global EV supply chain. 

K-pop stars under fire for attending Ye’s South Korea listening party: Several K-pop stars, including Aespa’s Giselle and Winter, NewJeans’ Minji, Danielle and Hanni, as well as 2NE1’s CL and Minzy, are under fire after being spotted at Ye’s (formerly known as Kanye West) and Ty Dolla Sign’s “Vultures Listening Experience” at Goyang Stadium in Goyang, South Korea, on Friday. The last time Ye was in South Korea for a performance was in 2010, when he appeared at a hip-hop festival in Gangwon province. Ye faced backlash in 2022 for making antisemitic remarks and for being linked to a white supremacist, among other controversies. Some fans criticized the idols who attended Ye’s “listening party,” with one X user commenting, “Please educate them re Kanye, his misogyny and lack of respect for his own people.” 

Studio Ghibli's tearjerker anime film "Grave of the Fireflies" to stream on Netflix: Studio Ghibli's acclaimed animated film, "Grave of the Fireflies," is set to make its Netflix debut on Sept. 16. Directed by the legendary Isao Takahata, this heart-wrenching tale of war orphans will be available in over 190 countries, expanding Netflix's extensive collection of Studio Ghibli classics. Based on Akiyuki Nosaka's award-winning short story, "Grave of the Fireflies" follows the tragic journey of two siblings struggling to survive in war-torn Japan. The film joins a growing library of Ghibli titles already available on the streaming platform, including "Spirited Away," "Princess Mononoke" and "Howl's Moving Castle."