The casting of Sydney Sweeney and Noah Centineo as rival mech pilots in a war between Earth and its space colonies places two white American actors at the center of the live-action Mobile Suit Gundam, a Japanese franchise defined by war, colonialism and identity. The announcement follows Sweeney’s appearance in her controversial 2025 American Eagle campaign criticized for its use of genetics language. In “Gundam,” human evolution is not abstract but central to the conflict, with evolved individuals identified and deployed in war.

Hallmark Channel is facing criticism over its upcoming film “All’s Fair in Love and Mahjong,” which features a predominantly white cast despite centering on a Chinese cultural tradition. The movie, set to premiere May 9 during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, has drawn objections from Asian American creators and viewers online. Critics point to casting choices that they say sideline Asian representation in a story built around Chinese culture.

Shipping delays and surging logistics costs tied to the Iran war are disrupting rice exports from Thailand and Vietnam, two of the world’s largest suppliers. Vietnam primarily ships rice to regional markets such as the Philippines and China, while Thailand supplies key Middle East buyers including Iraq. Exporters report longer delivery times, contract renegotiations and weaker prices as shipments are delayed.

Bang Cho, an 84-year-old Korean man living with dementia, died after authorities say he was beaten and set on fire in downtown Los Angeles. Prosecutors allege Lavonta Martel Wilder carried out the attack shortly before midnight on April 19. Wilder, 40, now faces a murder charge that could result in a life sentence.

Asian Comedy Fest will return to New York City from May 5 to May 7 for its seventh year, bringing more than 70 Asian and Pacific Islander performers to Sugar Mouse in Manhattan. Proceeds from the six-show festival will support Immigration Social Services, a nonprofit that has served immigrant families in Manhattan’s Chinatown and Lower East Side for more than 50 years.

Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) has introduced a bill that would deny entry to, deport or denaturalize any noncitizen affiliated with socialist, communist or Islamic fundamentalist parties, naming the legislation after New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed a resolution honoring Vicha Ratanapakdee last Tuesday, marking five years since his death with a renewed commitment to protecting older residents.

Federal prosecutors are being mobilized nationwide to pursue citizenship revocation against nearly 400 naturalized Americans, the latest move of the Trump administration in its immigration agenda.

A majority of Americans now say the promise of upward mobility is harder to achieve than it was for their parents, according to a new Times/YouGov poll. Fifty-nine percent of respondents said success is less attainable today, reflecting growing concern over economic stability and opportunity. The findings show a widening gap between belief in the American Dream and confidence in its reality.

Palantir Technologies, a data analytics company deeply embedded in U.S. military, intelligence and law enforcement operations, published a 22-point manifesto on X stating that some cultures are “regressive and harmful” while arguing that technology companies must support U.S. military power. The post, which has accumulated more than 32 million views, appeared four days after Democratic lawmakers demanded answers about a government surveillance network the company built and operates.