Daily Dose: 08/27/08
August 27, 2008
» AsianWeek Market Report
» MSU Sees Leap in Chinese Enrollment
» U.S. Labor Department Issues Report on Worst Forms of Child Labor
» New Haven Welcomes Two Guest Teachers
» Asian Indians at Greater Risk for Heart Disease and Diabetes
» El Cerrito Chinese Restaurant is Latest Takeover Robbery Target
» Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund Appoints New President
» State Budget Stalemate Has No End in Sight
» Student Bring Spirit to Convention
» UC Whistle-Blower Suit Shield Draws Fire
» Ancient Cantonese Opera to Play for Non-Chinese Speaking Public
» Pacquiao, De La Hoya Agree to Dec. 6 Fight in Vegas
» Huskies and Ducks Meet in Season-opening Pac-10 Clash
» Filipina Boxer Julaton Loses WBC Title Fight
» Filipino American Law Enforcement Officers Support Pistahan Parade and Festival
» Wells Fargo Names Filipina Officer Denise Miles as Vice President
» South Korean Court Officials Learn About American Justice System
Compiled by Leila Kang and Ivan Natividad
| AsianWeek Market Report | ||||
| Asian Stock Indexes | ||||
| NIKKEI 225 | Tokyo | 12,752.96 | -25.75 | -0.20% |
| HANG SENG | Hong Kong | 21,464.72 | 408.06 | 1.94% |
| KRX | Busan | 3,098.88 | 4.22 | 0.14% |
| SSE IX | Shanghai | 7,827.16 | -60.20 | -0.76% |
| BSE | Bombay | 14,296.79 | -185.43 | -1.28% |
| HOSE | Ho Chi Minh | 561.85 | 0.18 | 0.03% |
| SET | Bangkok | 675.99 | 7.07 | 1.06% |
| Asian American Market Report | ||||
| Yahoo! | YHOO | 19.43 | 0.35 | (1.83%) |
| Citigroup | C | 18.13 | 0.31 | (1.68%) |
| Amkor Technology, Inc | AMKR | 7.78 | 0.18 | (2.37%) |
| Sybase | SY | 34.20 | 0.53 | (1.57%) |
| UnionBancal Corp | UB | 73.46 | 0.06 | (0.10%) |
| East West Bank corp,Inc | EWBC | 12.27 | 0.24 | (2.00%) |
NATION
MSU Sees Leap in Chinese Enrollment
As of last month, Michigan State University has 339 paid deposits from Chinese freshmen.
The official tally won’t be available until later this fall, but considering that MSU had 242 Chinese undergraduates in total last fall and a mere 41 two years earlier, it’s almost certain to be a substantial increase.
MSU is not alone. Officials from other Big Ten universities say they’re seeing a similar spike in the number of new students from China.
And the number of F visas, given to students and their dependents, issued to Chinese people nationwide more than doubled from 2003 to 2007, according to the U.S. State Department.
At MSU, the increase likely goes back to programmatic efforts to “internationalize” the university, to increase connections with other countries, send more students to study abroad and bring more international students and researchers here to Michigan.
— Lansing State Journal
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U.S. Labor Department Issues Report on Worst Forms of Child Labor
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of International Labor Affairs today released its seventh annual report on efforts being made to combat the worst forms of child labor by governments in 141 countries and territories that receive U.S. trade benefits.
“This report reveals that many governments are demonstrating the will to change children’s lives, but it also makes clear that there is much more still to do to protect children around the world from exploitive child labor,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao.
As defined by the International Labor Organization Convention 182, the worst forms of child labor include any form of slavery, such as forced or indentured child labor; the trafficking of children and the forced recruitment of children for use in armed conflict; child prostitution and pornography; the use of children for illicit activities such as drug trafficking; and work that is likely to harm the health, safety or morals of children.
— Marketwatch.com
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New Haven Welcomes Two Guest Teachers
NEW HAVEN, Conn. — Visiting teachers Zhen Zhou and Renli Zhang are in the city this year through the Volunteer Teacher Program, administered by the College Board and China’s Office of Chinese Language Council International.
While the teachers receive a monthly living stipend from China, New Haven is responsible for mentoring, housing and providing transportation for them. New Haven is among eight districts in the state to join the program this year including Hamden and Clinton.
Betsy Ross Arts Magnet School became New Haven’s first school to offer Chinese last year. The Chinese program will continue to expand this year at Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School, John C. Daniels School, Metropolitan Business School and Troup Magnet Academy.
Both are experienced teachers from Kunming in southwest China. Zhang is an English professor, and Zhou is the dean of the School of Foreign Languages at Yunnan University.
— New Haven Register
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Asian Indians at Greater Risk for Heart Disease and Diabetes
With the Asian Indian population continuing to grow here in New Jersey and nationwide, events to celebrate the culture are increasing in popularity.
On Aug. 30 and 31, one of the biggest Asian Indian festivals in New Jersey will be held in Mercer County Park, where thousands of people are expected to come out to enjoy the contributions of Asian Indians through art, food, dance and other entertainment.
While the Indo-American Fair offers two days of fun activities, it also provides an opportunity to draw awareness to some important health challenges that the Asian Indian community is increasingly facing.
Coronary artery disease is three to four times more common among Asian Indian individuals than other ethnic groups, according to the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin. Moreover, an estimated 7.5 percent of Asian American adults, including Asian Indians, are currently living with diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
— Packetonline.com
BAY/CALIFORNIA
El Cerrito Chinese Restaurant is Latest Takeover Robbery Target
A Chinese restaurant in El Cerrito has become the latest target of takeover robbers in the East Bay, police said.
Two men—one armed with a gun and the other wearing a mask—stormed the Yuet Foo Seafood Restaurant on Tuesday night, police said. About half a dozen customers and employees were inside the restaurant.
The men stole an undetermined amount of cash from customers and the business before fleeing on foot toward the Richmond Annex neighborhood in Richmond.
It was unclear whether the holdup was linked to recent restaurant robberies in Oakland and other cities, including Castro Valley, Hayward and Daly City.
El Cerrito City Council in recent months passed a law requiring that shopping centers, banks and fast-food restaurants install digital video surveillance systems.
Sit-down restaurants are not covered by the ordinance, however, unless more than half its business consists of take-out service. Yuet Foo is not equipped with cameras.
— SF Chronicle
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Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund Appoints New President
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund, the country’s largest national organization devoted solely to providing scholarships for Asian and Pacific Islander Americans students, announced the appointment of Neil Horikoshi as president and executive director.
Horikoshi joins the fund after a distinguished 30-year career at International Business Machines Corporation, where he served in a variety of legal and executive management positions including general counsel and director of global business development contracts and negotiations for the Asia Pacific region.
In addition to his vast corporate experience, he serves as chairman of the Board of the Aplastic Anemia & MDS International Foundation, advisory council member for both the Asian American Justice Center and the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies and Board of Governors member for the “Go for Broke” National Education Center.
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State Budget Stalemate Has No End in Sight
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — All summer, state lawmakers have been arguing amongst themselves—and with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger—over what to do about a $15.2 billion shortfall in the state budget.
On Sunday, the Legislature is scheduled to adjourn for the year, but officials still don’t appear any closer to ironing out a deal.
Unlike other legislation, the budget requires a two-thirds vote, meaning the Democrat-controlled Legislature needs some Republican support in order to pass a spending plan.
The sideshow battle continues between Schwarzenegger and State Controller John Chiang, who is refusing to carry out the governor’s order to temporarily cut state workers pay during the budget impasse. The governor wants to reduce thousands of state workers’ pay to the federal minimum wage of $6.55 to save cash while the budget remains outstanding, but Chiang is refusing on the grounds that it’s unfair and too hard to adjust the state’s payroll system.
— OC Register
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Student Brings Spirit to Convention
Some things might just be worth skipping class for.
While most UC Berkeley students will be trying to get into waitlisted classes today, Molly Kawahata, 18, will be busy serving as one of the youngest delegates at the Democratic National Convention.
Kawahata, who is California’s youngest delegate, said she was first contacted by an Obama staffer to run for a delegate position after campaigning for California Students for Barack Obama in her Palo Alto high school.
After learning more about being a delegate, Kawahata began promoting herself on social networking Web sites. On the day of the delegate caucus, she campaigned primarily while waiting in line, leading to a first-place victory in her congressional district.
— Daily Californian
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UC Whistle-Blower Suit Shield Draws Fire
Lawmakers and University of California employees are pushing to overturn a court ruling that essentially declared UC exempt from most whistle-blower lawsuits.
The California Supreme Court ruled last month that UC employees cannot seek damages in court if the university properly investigated their whistle-blower claims. That exemption does not apply to other state agencies, including the California State University system.
Critics have called UC “the fox guarding the henhouse,” and even some Supreme Court justices suggested that the Legislature amend whistle-blower laws to better protect university employees.
Two legislators immediately introduced bills attempting to overturn the Supreme Court ruling. Despite UC’s unique constitutional independence, it should still be subject to the same whistle-blower laws as other state agencies, said the sponsor of one, state Sen. Leland Yee (D-San Francisco).
— Oakland Tribune
ARTS/ENTERTAINMENT
Ancient Cantonese Opera to Play for Non-Chinese Speaking Public
OAKLAND, Calif. — On Saturday, September 13, Helen Chou, along with seven other musicians, will perform and discuss a section of Cantonese opera, entitled General Chang and the Princess, at Oakland’s Peralta Hacienda.
After a career in real estate, Chou began studying Cantonese opera in Oakland’s Chinatown. Interested in bringing Cantonese Opera to the non-Chinese speaking public, she began translating sections of opera and projecting English and Chinese super-titles during performances by her ensemble, Music Orient. In recent years, Ms. Chou has been active in exposing a wider audience to this music. To help non-Cantonese speaking public better understand the material, she projects her English translations of opera text during performances.
The performance will start at 3 p.m., in between two showings of Oakland native, Marion Wong’s The Curse of Quon Gwon, which was the first silent film known to be produced and directed by a Chinese American.
For free reservations, call 510-532-9142. peralthacienda.org
SPORTS
Pacquiao, De La Hoya Agree to Dec. 6 Fight in Vegas
LAS VEGAS — Oscar De La Hoya will announce on Thursday that he will meet Filipino Boxer and pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao on Dec. 6, two sources close to the fight told ESPN.com.
Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum would not confirm that a deal was in place for what would be the year’s biggest fight, but he did tell ESPN.com that De La Hoya would host a media teleconference at 2 p.m. ET on Thursday to announce his opponent.
Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer would not confirm the deal, either, but sounded positive when asked about it.
Pacquiao, a lightweight titleholder who has won belts in five weight classes and is the national icon of the Philippines, would move up to welterweight for the showdown with De La Hoya.
— ESPN.com
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Huskies and Ducks Meet in Season-opening Pac-10 Clash
EUGENE, Ore. — It is rare that conference rivals face one another in the season opener, but that will be the case in Eugene on Saturday night as the 21st-ranked Oregon Ducks welcome the Washington Huskies to town for a Pac-10 clash.
Washington owns a 58-37-5 advantage in the all-time series with Oregon, but the Ducks hammered the Huskies by a 55-34 final a year ago.
Seven starters return on the defensive side of the ball for Oregon, giving the Ducks a veteran unit that should improve on last year’s numbers. The heart and soul for Oregon are the secondary, which returns three starters, including safety Patrick Chung.
The defensive line is also seen as a tough, veteran group, and the return of defensive ends Nick Reed and Will Tukuafu is comforting.
— Thesportsnetwork.com
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Filipina Boxer Julaton Loses WBC Title Fight
LENMOORE, Calif. — In her first eight-round fight for a vacant WBC International Super Bantamweight title, Ana Julaton fell short.
Brooklyn’s Dominga Olivo proved experience helps by capturing her first title after several disappointments. Though Julaton had only five pro bouts, she had unflinchingly accepted the match, which has been said to be a gutsy call.
Julaton had her moments, as her jab seemed to be able to score whenever she fired it. But after the jab or a combination, that little pause opened up the door for Olivo to retaliate.
Despite the loss, Julaton was able to maintain a steady pace in her first eight-round fight. “I was glad I was able to find out that I can go eight rounds and not get tired,” said Julaton. “And I was glad the people got to enjoy the fight.”
COMMERCE
Filipino American Law Enforcement Officers Support Pistahan Parade and Festival
SAN FRANCISCO — Members of the Filipino American Law Enforcement Officers Association proudly joined the Pistahan Parade on August 9-10 held in San Francisco’s Yerba Buena Gardens.
The eight-block parade that started from Beale Street and ending at Fourth and Folsom Streets, snaked through San Francisco downtown’s busiest streets. It was a colorful caravan that featured the different aspects of the Filipino American experience.
But arguably the loudest and most noticeable was the Officers Association slot at the tail end of the parade, where officers from various law enforcement agencies marched on foot, while some journeyed in their respective official vehicles where they proudly sounded their sirens as they rolled through.
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Wells Fargo Names Filipina Officer Denise Miles as Vice President
SAN FRANCISCO — Wells Fargo has promoted community development officer Denise Miles to vice president.
Miles is responsible for establishing and maintaining relationships with key community organizations and initiating Wells Fargo’s support of economic development and affordable housing efforts in the Peninsula market, which includes San Mateo County, Palo Alto, Los Altos and Mountain View.
Beginning her career in 2000 as an assignment editor with KTVU FOX-Channel 2, Miles went on to working as a community liaison for the office of former Mayor Willie L. Brown, Jr., where her interest in working with the community began.
Wells Fargo & Company is a diversified financial services company with more than 18,000 team members in the Bay Area and is ranked the #1 corporate giver among financial institutions by the San Francisco Business Times.
GLOBAL
South Korean Court Officials Learn About American Justice System
FORT COLLINS, Ind. — Eight judges and clerks from South Korea visited the courts of the 8th Judicial District on Tuesday through the National Center for State Courts’ International Visitors Education Program.
This year, South Korea began to give defendants the option of a jury trial.
The primary reason for the judges’ and their staffers’ visit was to examine how the United States selects jurors and handles criminal cases.
While there were some differences, the one that seemed most prominent was the frequency with which defendants in South Korea ask for jury trials.
The meeting allowed for judges from both countries to ask questions and learn more about each other’s systems.
— The Reporter-Herald
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