Daily Dose: 09/02/08
September 2, 2008
» AsianWeek Market Report
» Asian Americans Top SATs in Math
» Asian American Suspect Sought in Salt Lake City Shooting
» Indian Americans Could Be Critical to This Year’s Elections
» Free Chinese Language Sales and Use Tax Class
» GOP Assemblyman Tran Seen at Delegate Event
» First Asian American Basketball Player Movie To Be Shown
» Teen Drama, With a Twist
» Ceramics Artist Creates Bamboo Submarine
» ‘Sopranos’ Star James Gandolfini Weds Former Mode
» Gold Medalist Mania Hits Hong Kong, Hong Kong Hits Back
» Park Chu-Young Completes Monaco Move
» Pacquiao Accepts Fight With De La Hoya
» Taiwan Ends Yokota’s Kanto Kup Softball Reign
» News Corportatios’s STAR Signs First U.S. Cable Distribution Deal
» India’s Tata Suspends Work on World’s Cheapest Car
» 8 Honorees Given Ramon Magsaysay Award
» Fifty International Journalists to Cover U.S. Presidential Elections in Battleground States
» Death Sentence in Rampage Sparks Debate in China
» Thai Protesters Flout Premier’s State of Emergency
» Pakistani-born Scientist Indicted on Murder Charges in U.S.
Compiled by Leila Kang and Carlos Militante
AsianWeek Market Report
| AsianWeek Market Report | ||||
| Asian Stock Indexes | ||||
| NIKKEI 225 | Tokyo | 12,609.47 | -244.71 | -1.75% |
| HANG SENG | Hong Kong | 21,042.46 | 136.15 | 0.65% |
| KRX | Busan | 2,956.81 | 3.02 | 0.10% |
| SSE IX | Shanghai | 7,578.36 | -106.88 | -1.39% |
| BSE | Bombay | 15,049.86 | 551.35 | 3.80% |
| HOSE | Ho Chi Minh | 539.10 | -8.59 | -1.57% |
| SET | Bangkok | 465.32 | -12.73 | -2.66% |
| Asian American Market Report | ||||
| Yahoo! | YHOO | 18.75 | -0.63 | (-3.25%) |
| Citigroup | C | 19.42 | 0.43 | (2.26%) |
| Amkor Technology, Inc | AMKR | 7.47 | -0.04 | (-0.53%) |
| Sybase | SY | 34.77 | 0.36 | (1.05%) |
| UnionBancal Corp | UB | 73.61 | -0.07 | (-0.10%) |
| East West Bank corp,Inc | EWBC | 13.01 | 0.54 | (4.33%) |
NATION
Asian Americans Top SATs in Math
Asian American students topped the math scores, with an average of 564, compared with 549 for white students, 453 for Hispanic students and 429 for black students, from among 1.5 million students who took the Scholastic Aptitude Test admissions exam for 2008 in the United States.
Educators in the United States have explained small drops in average scores on the entrance test as a result of growing participation by students of varied backgrounds.
But scores for 2008 did not budge even a point from the year before.
Each of the SAT’s three sections—critical reading, math and writing—has a maximum score of 800, for a total of 2400.
Overall, white students outscored Hispanic test-takers on the reading section, 510 to 446; black students scored an average of 438.
The College Board shows average scores by ethnicity as reported by the test-takers.
— LA Times
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Asian American Suspect Sought in Salt Lake City Shooting
SALT LAKE CITY — A Salt Lake City SWAT team’s search for a man wanted in connection with a shooting inside a business this morning came up empty.
Police said an officer saw what he thought was movement or a light being turned off inside the convenience store Friday evening, leading police to believe it was occupied. They were looking for a man believed to be involved in the shooting of another man found unconscious and bleeding in a car outside the building around 5:30 p.m. Friday.
White said the man is a 41-year-old Asian American, standing 5-foot-6 and weighing about 135 pounds. He’s also an acquaintance of the victim, police said.
The victim, an Asian American man in his 30s, was in critical condition Friday night with a gunshot wound to his leg and a head injury.
— Deseret News
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Indian Americans Could Be Critical to This Year’s Elections
FAIRFAX, Va. — The political attitudes and values of Indian Americans tend to be more progressive and Democratic than other Americans of comparable backgrounds, according to a focus group of likely Indian American voters conducted in Northern Virginia this summer by the Campaign for America’s Future.
Participating voters saw themselves aligned closely with Democrats and very far from Republicans on a wide range of economic, cultural and international issues.
The opinion research marks the first exploration of its type into the rapidly growing Indian American population, which holds tremendous potential for political activism if properly engaged.
Participants were knowledgeable about some issues unique to the Indian American community, but those issues were not their priorities. Further, their attitudes toward core issues like our country’s direction, the economy, the war in Iraq and energy policy were virtually indistinguishable from other progressive-leaning Americans.
— Marketwatch.com
BAY/CALIFORNIA
Free Chinese Language Sales and Use Tax Class
CUPERTINO, Calif. — State Board of Equalization Vice Chairwoman Betty T. Yee in partnership with the City of Cupertino will host a free Basic Sales and Use Tax class in Cupertino on Wednesday, September 10. The class, provided in Cantonese and Mandarin, will be held at the Cupertino Senior Center, 21251 Stevens Creek Blvd from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
The Basic Sales and Use Tax class is designed to provide participants an overview of the correct application of the tax and also to assist in the preparation of sales and use tax returns. Participants are encouraged to bring their own sales and use tax return along with any documentation pertaining to the business-filing period.
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GOP Assemblyman Tran Seen at Delegate Event
LAKE MINNETONKA, Minn. — At least one Republican Assembly member has been spotted in Minnesota while legislative business continues—somewhat—in Sacramento.
Assemblyman Van Tran (R-Garden Grove) was noted for his attendance at a brunch event and later seen talking with other prominent Republicans. Tran is a delegate to the Republican National Convention.
Sometime this week, the state Senate is set to vote on a budget proposal by Republican members. A daily session to call a possible vote is set for each day at 4 p.m. Two-thirds of legislators in both chambers must vote for a budget to send to the governor for approval.
Last week, most Democratic state legislators skipped the Democratic National Convention in Denver for the same reason, but at least a few were seen in early delegation sessions before they returned for afternoon legislative sessions in California.
— Politickerca.com
ARTS/ENTERTAINMENT
First Asian American Basketball Player Movie To Be Shown
SAN FRANCISCO — The Wat Misaka Story is a documentary film about the first Asian American pro basketball player.
Award-winning filmmakers Christine Toy Johnson and Bruce Johnson, who are based in New York, will present a special screening of their film Sunday, Sept. 14, 1 p.m. at the Sundance Kabuki Cinema, 1881 Post St. (at Fillmore) in San Francisco’s Japantown. Doors open at 12:30 p.m.
Admission is free, but space is very limited. Interested parties must RSVP to the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California, (415) 567-5505, by Sept. 10.
— Hokubei.com
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Teen Drama, With a Twist
Following on the heels of popular teen book-to-television dramas like Gossip Girl, another young-adult book series for girls is making the jump to cable television and placing an Asian American woman as the lead.
Samurai Girl begins on ABC Family with a two-hour premiere next Friday. The show follows a 19-year-old named Heaven who has been adopted by one of Japan’s most powerful families after mysteriously surviving a plane crash as a child. As she is set to be married against her will, ninjas invade and attack her and her family, sending her into a new quest to reclaim her identity and discover her calling.
Jaime Chung will be playing the lead role in Samurai Girl. The Korean American actress was last seen as a member on MTV’s Real World: San Diego cast.
— Wall Street Journal
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Ceramics Artist Creates Bamboo Submarine
ALLENDALE, Mich. — Korean-born artist Hoon Lee explores one of his native country’s oldest and most sacred art forms in the opening show of the season for the Grand Valley State University Art Gallery.
Lee says Korean artists began working with clay around the same time their country was settled, in 6000 B.C. Ceramics, like the countryside itself, were strongly influenced by neighboring China and Japan. Lee’s exhibition explores the fine line that separates Korean ceramics from the clay and porcelain creations of other countries. It also introduces viewers to Korea’s traditional ceramic styles—Celadon and Buncheong.
Lee designed each piece in the exhibit to represent the ceramics of his ancestors. According to the artist, Celadon denotes the simple ceramics of the Koryo Dynasty, between 918 and 1392. The term comes from the bluish-green glaze artists used to decorate their pieces.
Buncheong was the technique popularized during the Choseon Dynasty, between 1392 and 1910. It is characterized by intricate designs and an emphasis on aesthetics.
— Mlive.com
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‘Sopranos’ Star James Gandolfini Weds Former Model
The Emmy-winning star of HBO’s acclaimed series The Sopranos tied the knot with Deborah Lin in Honolulu, Hawaii, on Saturday, Aug. 30, reports People.
“Hawaiian Wedding Song” replaced the more traditional wedding march as the guests watched Lin walk down the aisle. Gondolfini, 46, and the former model, 40, exchanged vows in Lin’s hometown at Central Union Church. The actor’s son Michael, 8, was the best man.
The reception took place at a nearby resort where the Chinese, Hawaiian and Italian influences were celebrated with a dinner of roasted duck, bok choy, Ahi tuna, Mahi Mahi, followed by tiramisu and cannolis. The new bride and groom wore lei, as they watched Chinese lion dancers traipse through the guests.
The couple got engaged in 2007 in the Bahamas.
— Zap2it.com
SPORTS
Gold Medalist Mania Hits Hong Kong, Hong Kong Hits Back
The first stop outside of mainland China for the country’s gold-winning Olympians was Hong Kong. The athletes arrived for a three-day celebration in their honor—a chance to share China’s Olympic glory with the special administrative region and perhaps garner some sympathy votes for pro-Beijing political parties in the upcoming legislative elections.
In Hong Kong, the visit inspired a frenzy among Olympic fans, some of whom lined up overnight to secure tickets for the athletic demonstrations.
But while China’s gold medal winners have endured years and years of rigorous training within the state sports system to become the world’s best at their sports, at least some were apparently no match for Hong Kong and Macau. The combination of subtropical heat, a hectic schedule and being chased by paparazzi and fans may have been too much to handle for rower Zhang Yangyang, who fainted during lunch on Sunday, the South China Morning Post reported.
— Sky Canaves
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Park Chu-Young Completes Monaco Move
South Korean striker Park Chu-young has joined AS Monaco on a four-year deal. The seven-time French champions have paid $3 million to K-League club FC Seoul.
The 23-year-old becomes the fourth from his nation to play in France. Park, who has scored nine goals in 27 games for the national team, had been linked with Premier League club Wigan Athletic a week earlier.
For his part, Park is looking forward to the new challenge, who has been keen on a move to Europe for some time.
— Goal.com
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Pacquiao Accepts Fight With De La Hoya
Manny Pacquiao has accepted a title bout with Oscar De La Hoya. The fight is set for December 6 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao started his boxing career as a light-flyweight (108 lbs) but will move up to welterweight (147 lbs). Pacquiao leaves for the U.S. for training on September 12.
Pacquio is the reigning World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight champion (135 lbs) and previously held the WBC fly (112 lbs) and has won the International Boxing Federation super-bantam (122 lbs) and WBC super-feather (130 ibs).
His record is 47-3-2 with 35 KOs.
— Manila Mail
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Taiwan Ends Yokota’s Kanto Kup Softball Reign
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — After three years of domination by host Yokota and a weekend spent dodging showers and thunderstorms, a new champion was crowned Monday in the 4th Kanto Kup.
Taiwan’s National Team rallied from a 20-11 fourth-inning first-game deficit behind the bat of Chen Kuo-ming to dethrone Yokota in a two-game championship, 22-20 and 12-6, in the Pacific-wide open softball tournament at Yokota Park.
Taiwan overcame stellar first-game hitting performances by Keith Serrano, who went 4-for-5 with two homers and six RBIs and tournament Offensive MVP Steve Derivan, who was 3-for-5 with four RBIs.
The Taiwanese left nothing to chance in the second game, scoring seven runs in the first inning and were never threatened. Yokota chipped away and got within 9-6 in the fifth inning, but Taiwan closed out the scoring with three runs in the sixth.
— Stripes.com
COMMERCE
News Corportatios’s STAR Signs First U.S. Cable Distribution Deal
HERNDON, Va. — Cox Communications, the third-largest cable provider in the U.S., and STAR, a wholly owned subsidiary of News Corporation and Asia’s leading media and entertainment company, today announced the launch of three popular Indian television channels on Cox Communications’ digital cable platform in Northern Virginia.
The launch represents STAR’s first cable distribution deal in the U.S., while also bolstering Cox Communications’ current lineup of Indian content for viewers across Northern Virginia, which has one of the largest South Asian populations in the U.S.
Cox Communications’ South Asian viewers in Northern Virginia can now tune in to STAR India PLUS (channel 275), the #1 General Entertainment Channel in India for eight straight years; STAR ONE (channel 274), the next generation of Hindi entertainment; and STAR India GOLD (channel 276), one of India’s top Bollywood movie channels. Each channel is available with individual monthly subscriptions.
— STAR
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India’s Tata Suspends Work on World’s Cheapest Car
NEW DELHI — India’s Tata Group on Tuesday officially suspended construction of a plant to build the world’s cheapest car in the face of unrelenting protests and said it was looking at new sites.
The group, which had hoped to market the four-door Nano for 100,000 rupees (2,264 dollars) by October, said it was considering shifting the plant from its site in the Singur district of Marxist-ruled West Bengal state.
The announcement came as thousands of protesters continued to blockade the nearly completed Nano car plant in Singur, a suburb of state capital Kolkata, saying poor farmers had been evicted to make way for the factory.
The protesters, led by local politicians, say they will lift the siege only if 400 acres (160 hectares) of land is returned to the owners.
Tata Motors has already poured 350 million dollars into the project.
— AFP
GLOBAL
8 Honorees Given Ramon Magsaysay Award
The Ramon Magsaysay Awards, also known as the Asian Nobel Prize, honored 8 Asians that have been addressing a wide range of issues affecting Asians. The ceremony was August 31 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
Grace Padaca, from the Philippines, has been empowering voters of Isabela province to reclaim their democratic right to elect leaders of their own choosing and to contribute as full partners in their own development.
The Center for Agriculture and Rural Development Mutually Reinforcing Institutions, or CARD-MRI, has provided microfinance for over half a million to poor women and their families.
Therdchai Jivacate,from Thailand, has provided the poorest amputees with inexpensive, practical and comfortable artificial limbs made from recycled plastic.
India’s Prakash and Mandakini Amte have helpted the Madia Gond tribe to adapt to contemporary India through teaching and healing.
Indonesia’s Ahmad Syafii Maarif has dedicated his life to preaching religious tolerance and insisting that terrorism is not the authentic face of Islam. He is also a retired leader of one of India’s largest organizations, Muhammadiyah.
Akio Ishii from Japan will be recognized not only for his publishing career but also his attempts to put discrimination, human rights and other difficult subjects in the Japan’s public discourse.
Ananda Galapatti of Sri Lanka brought appropriate and effective psychological treatment for Sri Lankans victimized by war and natural disasters
The recipients were each given a certificate, a medallion bearing the likeness of Magsaysay and $50,000.
— Asian Journal
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Fifty International Journalists to Cover U.S. Presidential Elections in Battleground States
WASHINGTON — Fifty journalists from around the world have been selected to participate in a program that will provide a close-up look at the U.S. electoral process, the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) announced today.
The Election 2008 Visiting Journalists Program will take place from October 22 to November 6. It is sponsored by the U.S. State Department’s Foreign Press Center and administered by ICFJ.
Journalists will participate in a two-day orientation in Washington, D.C., and then undertake assignments at news organizations in battleground states. The journalists will cover the election for their own news organizations and benefit from the experience of participating at U.S. news outlets reporting on the political process.
The participants are newspaper, magazine, online and radio journalists from around the world, including 11 from sub-Saharan Africa, eight from East Asia and the Pacific, eight from Europe, 11 from the Middle East and North Africa, five from South Central Asia and seven from Latin America and the Caribbean.
— Marketwatch.com
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Death Sentence in Rampage Sparks Debate in China
SHANGHAI, China — An unemployed man charged with killing six Shanghai police officers in a knife attack was sentenced to death Monday, state media reported.
The Shanghai No. 2 People’s Intermediate Court found Yang Jia guilty of premeditated murder and ordered the death penalty for the Beijing man. On July 1, Yang stabbed a security guard at a police building in Shanghai’s Zhabei District, started a fire at the gate, then attacked nine officers inside the building with a knife.
Shanghai’s public security bureau said at a news conference July 7 that Yang had sought revenge after Zhabei police interrogated and detained him for six hours last fall over a stolen bicycle.
In the wake of the stabbing attack, there has been an outpouring of comments online from citizens nationwide, as well as from Chinese media, questioning how a seemingly minor incident could trigger a rampage that left six people dead and four others injured.
— LA Times
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Thai Protesters Flout Premier’s State of Emergency
BANGKOK, Thailand — Thailand’s embattled leader struggled to keep the peace and his grip on power, after declaring a state of emergency that was openly flouted by thousands of anti-government protesters in the capital.
While Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej sought to tamp down newly violent unrest pitting largely prosperous urban forces against the country’s impoverished rural majority, he also was hit by an electoral commission finding that could disband his party and bar him from politics.
Samak and the army chief, Gen. Anupong Paochinda, both said authorities viewed emergency rule as a last resort and stressed they wanted to avoid violence.
Some anti-government groups taunted authorities by threatening to switch off water and electricity at police stations and other government offices Wednesday.
The prime minister has repeatedly insisted he will not bow to demands that he step down.
— AP
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Pakistani-born Scientist Indicted on Murder Charges in U.S.
NEW YORK — A U.S. court on Tuesday announced the indictment of Pakistani-born, U.S.-educated scientist Aafia Siddiqui, 36, for allegedly attacking U.S. agents who went to interrogate her after she was arrested by local police in Afghanistan.
U.S. officials have privately described her as a “treasure trove” of information on the Al-Qaeda terror network.
Her arrest was the first time in five years she had been seen publicly, and her family and lawyers allege she had been held captive since disappearing in Pakistan in 2003—possibly in a secret U.S. or allied prison.
Siddiqui faces one count of attempting to kill U.S. nationals abroad; one count of attempting to kill U.S. officers and employees; one count of armed assault of U.S. officers and employees; one count of using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence; and three counts of assault of U.S. officers and employees.
— AFP
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