Thu, Apr 15, 2004 -- 6:30 PM

Pacific Time

Thu, Apr 15, 2004 -- 6:30 PM

Audio currently not available for this program.

On Pacific Time this week -- Who's theÃ? new bagel king in New York? A man from Thailand. And the story of the bagel Ã?â?? in Beijing. Also on the program, a KoreanÃ? American woman whoÃ?â??s a rabbi.

Host: Nguyen Qui Duc

Japanese Hostages Released by Iraqi Insurgents

One week after they were kidnapped while riding a taxi into Iraq, three Japanese hostages were driven to a well-known Sunni mosque in Baghdad and handed over to the Islamic Clerics Committee, which acted as a mediator. But the good news is unlikely to take the heat off the Koizumi government.

Kaori Shoji Commentary

Commentator Kaori Shoji wonders how the three young Japanese hostages ended up in Iraq.

Music Bridge #1

"Funky Grooves Extended Mix" by DJ Pointer, from "Techno Rave in Asia" (MP 9549-3, Hong Kong release)

Chaplain James Yee: Charges Dropped, Reprimand Lifted

Army captain James Yee, a Chinese-American Muslim chaplain ministering to the detainees captured in Afghanistan and held in Guantanamo Bay, was first accused of spying. That charge was dropped. The charges became "possession of pornography, and adultery." Now those charges have been dismissed as well. General James Hill, the head of the U.S. Southern Command, which is in charge of the prison on Guantanamo Bay, also removed a letter of reprimand from his file.

Music Bridge #2

"Carpal Tunnel Syndrome" by Loud, from "Taikoelectric" (Eel 001, Canadian release)

Exploited Garment Workers Go After Retailers

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the apparel industry employs about 120,000 sewing machine operators, many of whom are Asian immigrant women who speak little or no English. The factories where they work are often no better than sweatshops. But the workers are organizing, and they're not just going after the garment factory owners. They're taking aim at large manufacturers and retailers who contract the work out to these garment factories.

Beijing Bagels

In the farmlands at the edge of Beijing, an unlikely entrepreneur is bringing bagels to China.

New York's Thai Bagel King

Cynthia Gouw visits Absolute Bagels on Broadway at 107th street, a Thai-owned bagel shop that is rated one of the best in Manhattan.

Music Bridge #3

Unknown Thai pop CD bought at a Bangkok street market.

The Changing Face of America's Jewish Leadership

New York rabbi Angela Warnick Buchdahl, born to a Korean Buddhist mother and a Jewish father, is the first woman to graduate from both the rabbinic and cantorial schools, and is the first Asian American ordained at a main seminary in North America.

End Music

"Deko-boko" by Cicala Mvta/Ohkuma Wataru Unit, from "Deko-boko" (Nektar 68.822, German release)