The launch of the fourth generation Mazda3 stirred emotions with its bold yet sophisticated styling. Renowned as the World Car Design of the Year, fans were captivated by its mature interpretation of Kodo design, but some asked for more power and Mazda listened. For 2021, the Skyactiv-G 2.5 Turbo engine has been added to the 2021 Mazda3 powertrain offering. The …

Asian Americans are finding a ray of sunshine this year, amid the ugly and alarming racism occurring nationwide. Reason: The growing trend of candidates from both parties running for office, with Kamala Harris, an American of Asian ancestry, getting elected as the nation’s vice president last year. In the coming November 3 elections, a total of 45 Asian American and …

Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote) has joined other top community organizations in lauding the signing of the Covid-19 Hate Crimes Act into law by President Joe Biden. The president has consistently denounced the surge in racism against Asian Americans as “un-American.”   Remarked APIAVote Executive Director Christine Chen: “APIAVote applauds Congress for passing this legislation, and President Biden …

Following a complete redesign in 2020, the 2021 Sonata model line features available 19-inch wheels and tires, Safe Exit Warning and a 6-way power passenger seat on the Limited trim. The 19-inch alloy wheels with 245/40 R19 Pirelli P Zero™ tires are now standard on the turbocharged SEL Plus trim. P-Zero All Season tires are for driving enthusiasts who want …

The fourth-generation Toyota Highlander Hybrid’s bold, distinctive design takes it one step further for 2021 with the now standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ (TSS 2.5+) and LED headlamp enhancements for LE and XLE. Setting off the bold design, the LE and XLE grades feature a black front grille with silver-colored paint surround, while the Limited and Platinum grades are distinguished …

By Jennie L. Ilustre   Americans of Asian ancestry have reasons to celebrate Asian American Month this May, given several developments lately. Although there’s still a lot more issues that need to be addressed, they can point to at least five recent developments that are a cause for celebration.     1 Senate Passes “The Covid 19 Hate Crimes Act” …

“The surge of Covid-19 infections and deaths in India is nothing short of heartbreaking”, says Vice President Kamala Harris By Geeta Goindi Washington, DC, May 8, 2021 – Vice President Kamala Harris has said the surge in coronavirus cases and fatalities in India “is nothing short of heartbreaking” and the US is determined to help its friend in its hour …

  Some businesses still fail to recognize how important it is to keep employees happy and motivated. If a company wishes to retain its best talents, offering lackluster work conditions will not get them too far.    At the same time, negative words travel fast, and if a potential candidate hears bad things about a business, they will not bother …

Technology and Design Updates, plus a New Model • New standard 10.25” large center display with latest-generation Mazda Connect infotainment • Carbon Edition offers unique styling and premium features to the three-row, midsize crossover • 2021 Mazda CX-9 goes on sale with a starting MSRP1 of $33,960 The Mazda CX-9 is the brand’s flagship three-row midsize crossover SUV, able to …

By Jennie L. Ilustre   Two American lawmakers of Asian ancestry have introduced “The Covid 19 Hate Crimes Act” in the 118th U.S. Congress to address the surge in racist acts against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, or AAPIs, which began when the pandemic started last year. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D, HI) said the bill would, among other things, …

By Jennie L. Ilustre   Asian American leaders hailed the “historic” appointment of Assemblyman Rob Bonta as the first Filipino American California Attorney General, and linked it to addressing anti-Asian hate acts and violence.   In his first statements, Bonta indeed vowed to combat hatred. “This will be one of my first priorities as your Attorney General: to ensure those …

English for Heritage Language Speakers at Georgetown University– Native speakers of critical languages are in high demand in the U.S. government. EHLS trains advanced English speakers to be effective communicators and strong candidates for federal jobs. All EHLS participants receive a full scholarship from the National Security Education Program (NSEP) that includes tuition and a $3,600 monthly living stipend for the full time program January to …

By Jennie L. Ilustre   Successful technology entrepreneur Andrew Yang is running for mayor of New York City. He launched his candidacy on January 14, with the grandson of America’s civil rights icon Martin Luther King, Jr. as co-chair of his mayoral campaign. At  the launch, US Congressman (NY-15) and campaign Co-Chair Ritchie Torres called Yang “a problem solver who’s …

By Jennie L. Ilustre   Asian American advocates have lauded President Joe Biden’s policy changes addressing their urgent concerns, which they assert are Mainstream America issues as well. These are: 1) Immigration reform, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals or DACA; 2) anti-Asian American racism; 3) the Census; 4) a fast-tracked, concerted pandemic response, and 5) the $1.9 trillion economic …

No cake company celebrates the Lunar New Year like Lady M Confections. For the 2021 Lunar New Year, Lady M ushers in the Year of the Ox with a special Red Bean Mille Crêpes cake.  Originally created as an exclusive cake for the Lady M Boston boutique and unveiled as a nationwide limited time offering in 2020, the Red Bean Mille Crêpes cake is made …

By Jennie L. Ilustre   The year 2021 will see more Asian Americans take public office at all levels, some of them making history in the process. Vice President-elect Kamala Harris was not the only American candidate of Asian ancestry who won big in the November elections. According to the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS), a total …

By Jennie L. Ilustre   President-elect Joe Biden’s promise to reverse immigration policies, and to protect the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program on Day One–after his noontime inauguration on January 20, 2021–is welcome news to some 700,000 DACA recipients. The figure includes 16, 000 Asians. The DACA and immigration reform issue is in Biden’s stack of Day One …

5 Ways Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris is a Winner   By Jennie L. Ilustre   Kamala Harris became the nation’s Vice President-Elect when unofficial count showed Joe Biden had topped the required 270 Electoral Votes to win this year’s presidential elections. Incumbent President Donald Trump got 232 Electoral Votes.Biden garnered a total of 306 Electoral Votes.  On December 14, the …

By Jennie L. Ilustre   Signs point to a ‘Blue Wave, a Democratic sweep in this year’s elections, according to polls and analyses by political experts. Reason: The pandemic, as well as the narrowing of President Trump’s base as women, suburbanites, and seniors have flipped for his Democratic rival Joe Biden.   Three Asian American leaders, who have grassroots experience …

By Jennie L. Ilustre   A recent survey showed that Asian American voters would turn out in record-breaking numbers, by mail or in person on November 3, for this year’s presidential election – and could potentially provide the margin of victory in some battleground states.   “Asian Americans saw a record high level of midterm election turnout in 2018,” said …

By Jennie L. Ilustre   Americans of Asian ancestry mourned the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on September 18, noting that the nation and the community not only lost a unique American, but a civil rights champion as well.   President Trump and the Senate have declared that a replacement would be named and confirmed sooner rather …

By Jennie L. Ilustre   Asian American leaders and friends have hailed the “historic” and “inspiring” choice of US Senator Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party’s vice presidential candidate.   Former Vice President Joe Biden, the party’s candidate for president in the November 3 elections, announced Harris as his running mate on August 11. Harris was among Biden’s several rivals …

Los Angeles, CA, August 27, 2020 – #GoldOpen, the community movement created by Gold House that successfully catapulted Parasite, The Farewell, Crazy Rich Asians, Just Mercy, and nearly two dozen multicultural films to box office success, is debuting the first-ever #GoldOpen Premier Access for The Walt Disney Company’s Mulan. “We miss being together–and know the power communities unlock when they …