Trump's FBI Director, Cancer Doctor's Cancer, $6.2M Banana

December 03, 2024

Good Morning – December 3rd, 2024

Your daily update on stories impacting the Asian and Asian American community, along with key insights into business, culture, and trends.

TOP STORIES

Trump taps Indian American FBI critic to lead agency

President-elect Donald Trump has selected Kashyap “Kash” Patel, a staunch ally and vocal critic of the FBI, to lead the agency. However, the anti-“deep state” advocate faces significant controversy over his qualifications and views, with critics warning that his appointment could transform the FBI into a tool for political retribution.

  • Driving the news: Trump’s choice of Patel reflects his determination to remake the FBI, with Patel pushing for the agency’s dismantling and a more aggressive approach toward government and media accountability. A former federal prosecutor and key figure in Trump’s first administration, Patel has publicly called to shut down the FBI’s headquarters and criticized its role in investigating the former president. Described as a polarizing figure, Patel’s nomination was reportedly a close call, with Trump’s advisers split over alternatives. Trump praised Patel as a “brilliant lawyer” dedicated to exposing corruption and championing “America First” policies. He reportedly lauded Patel’s 2023 book, “Government Gangsters: The Deep State, the Truth and the Battle for Our Democracy,” as a “blueprint to take back the White House and remove these Gangsters from all of Government.”

  • About Patel: A New York native raised by Indian immigrant parents, Patel began his legal career as a public defender before moving into national security at the DOJ. There, he worked on counterterrorism cases, although his role in high-profile prosecutions, such as the Benghazi attack, has been disputed. Patel later joined Trump’s first administration, where he played key roles in defense and intelligence operations, including efforts to discredit the FBI’s Russia investigation. Patel’s post-Trump career includes writing books, launching a foundation to fund conservative causes and producing pro-Trump media. His critics view him as a relentless self-promoter, while supporters see him as a crusader against entrenched bureaucratic corruption.

  • Reactions: Patel’s nomination has triggered sharp divisions in Washington. Democrats fear that Patel’s appointment could politicize the FBI, with Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut telling NBC News that his only qualification is “because he agrees with Donald Trump that the Department of Justice should serve to punish, lock up and intimidate Donald Trump's political opponents.” John Bolton, a national security adviser in Trump’s first term who was Patel's boss, also denounced his nomination, likening him to Joseph Stalin’s secret police chief. Meanwhile, GOP Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota expressed support for current FBI Director Christopher Wray, telling ABC News that he has “no objections” to the way the official has handled himself. Appointed by Trump in 2017, Wray will need to resign or be ousted before his term ends in 2027 to make way for Patel, who will still need Senate confirmation.

Doctor studying lung cancer in non-smokers diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer

Taiwanese American Stanford University physician Dr. Bryant Lin, known for his research on lung cancer in non-smokers, has opened up about getting diagnosed with the condition himself.

  • What happened: Lin, who co-founded Stanford’s Center for Asian Health Research and Education (CARE), never smoked in his life. However, he was diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer in May, eight weeks after experiencing persistent coughing and tightness in his throat. His diagnosis was linked to a mutation in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a condition prevalent in Asian non-smokers. This leads to the disease making a silent progression and often being detected too late. “About 50% of nonsmoker Asians [with lung cancer] have this mutation, and less than 20% of non-Hispanic whites have it. We don’t really know why Asians get this mutation more than other groups,” Lin told Yahoo Life in a recent interview. He currently undergoes targeted therapy, which consists of chemotherapy and a daily dose of osimertinib, a drug that helps stop or slow the spread of cancer cells. 

The big picture: Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. It is responsible for 18.7% of all cancer deaths, with 125,070 fatalities annually in the U.S. alone. Globally, around 2.5 million cases are diagnosed each year. Around 40% of non-small cell lung cancer cases are diagnosed at stage IV, which is considered incurable. Stage IV patients tend to have poor survival rates, with up to 30% dying less than three months after their diagnosis. While smoking is a primary cause, 15-20% of cases reportedly occur in non-smokers, many of whom, like Lin, have genetic mutations that make early detection challenging. A previous study also found that nonsmoking lung cancer cases are on the rise among Asian American women.

POLITICS AND POLICY

Philadelphia concludes hearings on proposed 76ers arena

Philadelphia’s City Council is holding its final hearings this week on the contentious $1.3 billion proposal to build a new 76ers arena in Center City. The decision could have lasting impacts on the city’s economic future, urban landscape and Chinatown community, with a vote anticipated as early as Dec. 12.

  • Catch up: The debate over the 18,500-seat arena, dubbed 76 Place at Market East, has been one of the most polarizing issues in recent city history. Proposed in 2022 by Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, the project would replace part of the Fashion District mall and is backed by Mayor Cherelle Parker. Proponents, including labor unions and construction leaders, argue the arena will be an economic boon for the nation’s poorest large city. Yet critics cite a litany of concerns, from the potential displacement of Chinatown residents to increased congestion. The Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation has been vocal about the threat to their 150-year-old neighborhood. “Our Chinatown and our economy have not recovered from the pandemic. Gentrification, displacement will erase Chinatown if six years of construction does not,” warned Executive Director John Chin. Whether the arena can achieve the claimed $700 million in tax revenue is also a question, especially with Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) officials stating they lack the funds to accommodate increased transit demands.

  • What to expect: The public hearings culminated on Monday, with a public comment session from 6 to 9 p.m. in City Hall, followed by a final legaislative hearing today. Councilmembers will consider whether to move the bills out of committee for a potential first reading on Thursday and a final vote on Dec. 12 before the holiday recess. Negotiations continue over key aspects of the proposal. Councilmember Mark Squilla is pushing for additional concessions, including free SEPTA fares if less than 40% of attendees use public transit. Meanwhile, the 76ers have made clear that approval must happen by year’s end to meet their timeline for a 2031 opening, threatening relocation if delays persist. They have also committed to a $50 million Community Benefits Agreement (CBA), including support for minority-owned businesses and Chinatown, though Councilmembers and activists deem the amount insufficient given the historical failures of similar developments to deliver promised benefits.

Family of missing Hawaii woman taps FBI amid death threats

The family of Hannah Kobayashi, the 30-year-old missing creative from Hawaii, has reportedly received death threats, prompting formal reports to the FBI. The threats against their lives, including those against their small children, also resulted in the shutdown of a Facebook page dedicated to Kobayashi’s search, though it appears to be back up and set to private as of press time. Los Angeles police say Kobayashi “intentionally” missed her connecting flight at LAX on Nov. 8, but her family disputes this, attributing it to a tight layover and calling the claim unsupported by evidence. They also criticized inaccuracies in official updates, including her age and the timeline of her missing person report, and expressed frustration over poor communication. Cryptic text messages Kobayashi sent before disappearing mentioned fears of identity theft and financial fraud. Surveillance footage shows her at LAX and other Los Angeles locations, but her phone has been off since Nov. 11. Kobayashi’s disappearance led to her father dying by suicide on Nov. 24. The family, now relying on private investigators, remains hopeful but deeply concerned for her safety. Anyone with information is urged to contact the LAPD at 1-877-527-3247.

CULTURE AND TRENDS

Crypto entrepreneur eats his $6.2M banana artwork

As promised, Chinese-born cryptocurrency entrepreneur Justin Sun ate the duct-taped banana he purchased for $6.2 million from artist Maurizio Cattelan's conceptual artwork, “Comedian.” Sun peeled off the duct tape and consumed the banana during a press conference held at The Peninsula Hong Kong on Friday. “It’s much better than other bananas. It’s really quite good,” declared the 34-year-old billionaire, who won the banana at a Sotheby’s auction last week. He described the experience as part of the artwork’s history, drawing parallels between conceptual art and cryptocurrency. Sun’s purchase came with a certificate allowing him to recreate “Comedian” by duct-taping any banana to a wall. Sun provided all the event’s attendees a roll of duct tape and a banana as a souvenir so that, “Everyone has a banana to eat.” In 2019, a South Korean art student named Noh Huyn-soo also ate a banana from an earlier Cattelan installation, citing hunger as his initial motive.

Chelsea Manalo wins Philippines’ 2nd straight Miss Universe best national costume

Chelsea Manalo, representing the Philippines, won the best national costume award at the Miss Universe 2024 competition for her intricate ensemble dubbed  “Hiraya,” which means “I hope” or “I wish.” The victory, announced on Nov. 30, marks the Philippines’ second consecutive win in the National Costume competition, following Michelle Dee’s triumph in 2023. Designed by Manny Halasan, the costume paid homage to the Philippines’ rich history, culture and deep-rooted faith. In an earlier post, Manalo shared that "Hiraya" reflected her faith and belief in divine guidance. Manalo, who finished in the top 30, also became the first-ever Miss Universe Asia. Based on fan votes, the national costume category is a way for contestants to showcase their country's story, traditions and values to the world.

HEALTH AND SCIENCE

Scientists discover lost “big head” human species in East Asia

Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the University of Hawaii at Manoa have discovered the existence of a previously unknown human species, “Homo juluensis,” in eastern Asia. This ancient group, nicknamed the "big head people" or Julurens, is believed to have lived alongside Homo sapiens and other hominins between 300,000 and 50,000 years ago.

  • Key findings: The discovery, published in Nature Communications last month, is based on fossils with unique features that do not match any known human ancestors, including Neanderthals or Denisovans. The Juluren's large brain size and mosaic of traits suggest a complex evolutionary history involving interactions among multiple hominin species in the region. "These fossils represent a new form of large-brained hominin," noted paleoanthropologists Xiujie Wu and Christopher Bae.

  • Why it matters: The study highlights eastern Asia as a hotspot of human diversity during the late Quaternary period. Unlike the linear model of evolution previously assumed, the human family tree in this region appears to have been a tangled web of coexisting species. Anthropologist John Hawks, who was not involved in the research, called the findings “provocative,” adding that they challenge long-held assumptions about human prehistory.

Japanese professor creates his own android to answer his students’ questions

Hiroshi Ishiguro, a roboticist at Osaka University, has invented a robot based on his appearance to help him with his duties as a professor. Speaking to CNBC in October, Ishiguro shared that he initially constructed the first model of his android, the Geminoid HI-1, in 2006 to give lectures whenever he was busy. “But now, after the lectures, this Geminoid HI-6 [the latest model] can answer the questions given by an audience," he said. The professor used silicone rubber to give the robot human-like skin, while he used hair from his scalp for its hair. To enable the robot to respond to questions, Ishiguro integrated it with a large language model (LLM) and had it scan 10 of his books and almost all of his recorded interviews. While Ishiguro noted that the LLM was the breakthrough for the latest Geminoid model, he stressed that its actuators  — mechanical components that provide motion — were just as important. In addition to the Geminoid, he invented several other robots, including a social robot for children.

SPORTS

Shohei Ohtani seeks $325,000 worth of trading cards from ex-interpreter: 

Shohei Ohtani has asked a federal court to return $325,000 worth of trading cards that his former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, allegedly bought using money stolen from him.

  • Catch up: Mizuhara, who was also a longtime friend of Ohtani’s, pleaded guilty to bank and tax fraud charges in June. He was accused of stealing approximately $16.5 million from Ohtani between 2021 and 2024 to pay off gambling debts, a scandal that broke while the Los Angeles Dodgers were still in Seoul for their 2024 MLB season opener. The feds eventually cleared Ohtani’s name, noting that he was also a victim in the case.

  • What he wants: Ohtani filed a petition in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California on Nov. 26 to claim ownership of the seized collectible cards, which were allegedly purchased using the stolen funds between January and March 2024. Mizuhara allegedly intended to resell the cards he bought from eBay and Whatnot. In addition to those cards, Ohtani asked the court to recover “a quantity of personally signed collectible baseball cards” with his image that were in the ex-interpreter’s “unauthorized and wrongful possession” when they were seized.

  • What’s next: Facing a maximum of 33 years for his charges, Mizuhara was originally scheduled for sentencing on Oct. 25, but the date was pushed back due to its overlap with World Series Game 1. Prosecutors rescheduled it for Jan. 24, 2025.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

Uniqlo faces boycott calls in China over Xinjiang cotton comments

Japanese apparel retailer Uniqlo is under fire in China following CEO Tadashi Yanai’s comments in a BBC interview that the company does not source cotton from Xinjiang. Yanai stated, "We’re not using [Xinjiang cotton]," but halted further explanation, saying the topic was "too political." The remarks sparked outrage on Chinese social media, where hashtags like "Xinjiang cotton is the best in the world" and "controversy over Uniqlo founder’s remarks" gained millions of views. One Weibo user criticized, "With this kind of attitude ... can we stand firm this time?" China, which accounts for over 900 Uniqlo stores and a fifth of the company’s revenue, has been sensitive to foreign brands’ stances on Xinjiang, a region linked to forced labor allegations that Beijing denies. The backlash echoes ones in similar boycotts against H&M, Nike and others over Xinjiang cotton, raising questions about Uniqlo's future in its largest overseas market.

ENTERTAINMENT

“Moana 2,” ‘Wicked” break records with post-Thanksgiving box office

Disney’s “Moana 2” surged to an unprecedented $225 million in U.S. ticket sales over the five-day Thanksgiving weekend. The film broke multiple records, including the biggest three-day and five-day releases for the holiday period, surpassing the $125 million record “Frozen II” set in 2019. With $386 million globally, “Moana 2” is now the second-highest global debut of 2024, behind “Deadpool and Wolverine” ($438 million). Meanwhile, the Jon M. Chu-directed “Wicked” added another $81 million to its $114 million first week box office tally, bringing its running total to $263.1 million and making it the highest-grossing movie based on a musical of all time. Together with “Gladiator II” and its $30.7 million haul, the three films helped push the holiday weekend's box office total to nearly $420 million, setting a new record for the period.  

NewJeans members tap their parents for guidance following agency exit

NewJeans members, following the termination of their contracts with Ador, are charting their own path forward with the support of their parents, who are reportedly assisting with career decisions, PR and security. Despite some members’ desires to continue collaborating with former Ador CEO Min Hee-jin, legal disputes surrounding the matter complicate their prospects with third-party agencies. In the interim, NewJeans will continue scheduled activities, such as their appearances at various year-end festivals in Japan and Korea, and are planning to launch a new fan communication channel after discontinuing their Phoning app. Meanwhile, Min Hee-jin has filed a defamation suit against two Dispatch reporters, former Hybe CEO Park Ji-won and PR chief Park Tae-hee, alleging the use of illegally obtained private conversations and false reporting. Min claims the reporters misrepresented her actions, including accusations of manipulating NewJeans to sever ties with Hybe, a claim bolstered by a controversial Dispatch article citing private chats with a NewJeans member's parent. Ador, for its part, has since disputed the group’s claims, asserting that the contracts are still valid.

Thailand to launch world’s 1st LGBTQ+ “The Voice” edition

Thailand is set to make history in 2025 with the launch of “The Voice Pride,” the first LGBTQ+ edition of the global talent competition “The Voice.” The upcoming series, which will premiere during Pride Month in June, aims to celebrate the diversity and artistry of the LGBTQ+ community. The announcement comes as Thailand prepares to implement its new same-sex marriage law, solidifying its position as a leader in LGBTQ+ rights in Southeast Asia. "The Voice Pride is not just a competition but a celebration of love, acceptance, and incredible talent," said Pattanee Jareeyatana, CEO & MD of Exit365, the production company behind the show. In addition to “The Voice Pride,” “The Voice Thailand” has been renewed for its 10th season, which will also air next year.

The time Hayao Miyazaki was left speechless by late director Akira Kurosawa

Hayao Miyazaki was left speechless after late Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa complimented his film “My Neighbor Totoro” during a discussion about their work in 1993. The meeting, which was aired by Nippon TV, took place at Kurosawa’s villa in Gotemba, Shizuoka Prefecture, near Mount Fuji in April of that year. At one point, Kurosawa, known for his feudal Japan samurai films like “Rashomon” (1950), “Ikiru” (1952) and “Seven Samurai” (1954), praised Miyazaki by saying he liked the cat bus in “My Neighbor Totoro” (1988). The animator, who had yet to reach international fame at the time, gleefully responded with “Thank you” and was at a loss for words. “Those are the kinds of things that people like me in this business can’t do, and that’s something I’m really envious about,” Kurosawa said. The Studio Ghibli co-founder explained how he grew up with the perception that Japan was an “impoverished and pitifully hopeless country” after the war. Noting how that was what people told him, he continued, “It was only after I went overseas for the first time that I started appreciating Japan’s natural environment.” Kurosawa, who received an honorary Oscar in 1990 handed to him by George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, died of a stroke on Sept. 6, 1998.

Stay informed, stay inspired. We’ll be back tomorrow with more stories that matter to the Asian and Asian American community.