Ryan General

Cafes in China are taking a unique approach to attract customers by "employing" pets, allowing owners to send their furry companions to work and earn "snack money." Profitable trend: Pet cafes are capitalizing on the significant overlap between coffee lovers and pet owners, particularly among young women. According to a 2022 report, women aged 25 to 40 represent a large portion of coffee consumers, while pet ownership is most prevalent among 19 to 30-year-olds, with women accounting for 80% of pet owners.

[ Source ] Yuki Kawamura, the fourth Japanese player in NBA history, made his highly anticipated debut on Friday with the Memphis Grizzlies, playing 3 minutes and 34 seconds in their loss to the Houston Rockets.

Home Zach Edey, drafted ninth overall by the Memphis Grizzlies, has had an impactful, albeit challenging, start to his NBA career.

Just over a week before it hits U.S. theaters on Nov. 8, “Weekend in Taipei” unveiled a ‘90s-style, grainy VHS trailer that combines retro charm with high-octane action. Directed by Taiwanese American filmmaker George Huang and co-written by French filmmaker Luc Besson (“Taken,” “The Transporter”), the film stars Luke Evans as DEA agent John Lawlor, whose mission brings him back to Taipei, where he must confront an old flame, Joey Kwang (Gwei Lun-mei), now the wife of a dangerous druglord Kwang, played by Sung Kang.

Filipino American voters are emerging as a critical constituency in Nevada’s high-stakes 2024 elections, where Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are nearly tied. Both parties are intensifying their outreach in this battleground state, with candidates attending Filipino events and increasing visibility through ads. Pivotal demographic: Totaling around 59,000 registered voters, Filipino Americans comprise a significant share of Nevada’s electorate, representing nearly 12% of voters statewide, according to APIAVote. Historically Democratic-leaning but somewhat independent in recent years, Nevada’s fastest-growing Asian American group faces targeted campaigns from both parties. Harris‘s team has launched initiatives such as “Pinoy Pride” billboards, community events and Filipino-focused ads discussing healthcare and the economy, while Republicans, including Trump, have used Filipino American surrogates and traditional Filipino cultural references to connect with the community. Campaign challenges: Campaigners from both parties aim to reach Filipino Americans in Nevada, where unique challenges exist due to the dispersed nature of the Filipino population and cultural factors. Outreach complications also arise from the community’s Spanish surnames and variable availability due to work commitments.

Two Asian American political candidates in Milpitas, California, have been targeted with hate crimes twice within a week. Campaign signs for city council candidate Bill Chaun and mayoral candidate Hon Lien on the 500 block of Jurgens Drive were first discovered to be vandalized on Oct. 24. After replacing the signs, both candidates found they had been defaced again on Oct. 30. Chaun’s sign was defaced with the phrase “No Asians,” while Lien’s had “No No” scrawled in red ink.

A new study from travel technology company Expedia reveals that despite rising inflation in Asia, the region’s growing mass-affluent travelers are prioritizing luxury experiences and long-haul trips. The study, conducted in partnership with Atomik Research, surveyed 4,000 respondents across China, India, Indonesia, Singapore and Vietnam. Allocating the budget: According to the study, 81% of Asian travelers view travel as a key priority, with many cutting back on other discretionary expenses to maintain their travel budgets. Asian travelers plan to allocate 23% of their income to travel in the coming 12 months, favoring destinations like Japan, the U.S. and France. Premium experiences preferred: The researchers found that these travelers prefer premium experiences, with 52% opting for 4- or 5-star hotels and nearly 40% planning private tours amid the rising inflation across the region. They also seek personalized and luxury experiences, with 44% looking for airline upgrades and 42% prioritizing accommodation enhancements.

Entertainment The San Diego Asian Film Festival (SDAFF) is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a diverse lineup of over 170 films from more than 35 countries, screening from Nov. 7-16.

Entertainment “To All The Boys” star Lana Condor married her boyfriend of nine years, actor and musician Anthony De La Torre, in an intimate ceremony at the Serra Franciscan Retreat Center in Malibu on Oct. 31.

Entertainment The Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival (PAAFF) kicks off Thursday with a diverse program of over 100 films from 25 countries.