Daily Dose: 10/06/08
October 6, 2008
» AsianWeek Market Report
» Half of Korean Students Drop Out of Top School
» New Citizenship Exam
» Northern California Bus Crash Leaves 10 Dead
» Plans for Little Toyko Expansion
» Margaret Cho Hosting Equalipalooza
» Plans for Vietnamese American Community Center Move Forward
» Aristotle Garcia Crowned Mr. Hyphen 2008
» South Korean Police Pursue Cyberbullies After Actress Suicide
» SF Communities of Color Come Together to Support Performing Arts
» Sun Yue Cleared for Practice
» Wang Wins China’s First Gold of World Mind Sports Games
» Paulson Taps South Asian American to Run Rescue Program
» Bank of America Gives Chinatown Community Development Center Facility a Makeover
» Climate Change Could Devastate Philippines
» Blind and Sighted People Battle Over S Korea’s Massage Industry
Compiled by Justine Rivero, Sye-Ok Sato, Josh Laddin, and April Choi
| AsianWeek Market Report | ||||
| Asian Stock Indexes | ||||
| NIKKEI 225 | Tokyo | 10,473.09 | -465.05 | -4.25% |
| HANG SENG | Hong Kong | 16,803.76 | -878.64 | -4.97% |
| KRX | Busan | 2,831.06 | -122.91 | -4.16% |
| SSE IX | Shanghai | 7,217.32 | -341.95 | -4.52% |
| BSE | Bombay | 11,801.70 | -724.62 | -5.78% |
| HOSE | Ho Chi Minh | 433.71 | -18.43 | -4.08% |
| SET | Bangkok | 382.91 | -38.25 | -6.48% |
| Asian American Market Report | ||||
| Yahoo! | YHOO | 14.88 | -1.12 | (-7.00%) |
| Citigroup | C | 16.45 | -1.90 | (-10.35%) |
| Amkor Technology, Inc | AMKR | 5.25 | -0.47 | (-8.22%) |
| Sybase | SY | 26.63 | -2.13 | (-7.41%) |
| UnionBancal Corp | UB | 73.51 | 0.05 | (0.07%) |
| East West Bank corp,Inc | EWBC | 14.85 | -0.23 | (-1.53%) |
NATION
Half of Korean Students Drop Out of Top Schools
A study conducted by Columbia University doctoral student Samuel S. Kim found that 44 percent of Korean students dropped out of the top 14 U.S. universities. Kim reviewed the studies of 1,400 Korean students who attended one of the 14 schools between 1985 and 2007. The Korean dropout rate surpassed U.S. students who left school at a 34 percent rate, Chinese at 25 percent and Indian students at 21 percent, according to the Korea Times.
Kim said Korean students face familial pressures to study more than their U.S. counterparts, meaning they spend less time socializing and fail to set up a strong basis for career success overseas. Kim presented the study as part of his doctoral dissertation at New York University Friday.
— United Press International
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New Citizenship Exam
A new citizenship test that emphasizes American concepts and values over rote memorization went into effect Wednesday. Instead of clear-cut questions like “What were the original 13 states” or “Who said ‘Give me liberty or give me death’?,” the new test features open-ended prompts asking applicants to describe the function of the Constitution or what the “rule of law” is.
The new exam is causing some immigrants to worry that the new test will be more difficult. “Even though we’ve known about the possible change for quite some time, it’s really sinking in now, and some people are panicking,” said Mark Yoshida, staff attorney for the Asian Pacific American Legal Center. According to immigrant officials, there is no evidence of a measurable increase in applications, and immigrants should not worry over the exam.
A pilot program has shown that 92 percent of applicants pass the new test on the first try compared to 84 percent under the old one. Those who don’t pass the exam on the first try get a second chance. This is the first time the test has been revised since 1986.
— LA Times
BAY/CALIFORNIA
Northern California Bus Crash Leaves 10 Dead
WILLIAMS, Calif. — A casino-bound charter bus ran off a road and overturned, killing ten people died and leaving dozens of others were injured. Emergency responders were having trouble communicating with passengers because many of them spoke Lao, a California Highway Patrol officer told the San Francisco Chronicle.
California Highway Patrol officials said the bus crashed at about 6:10 p.m. Sunday on a rural road near Williams—about 60 miles north of Sacramento—as it headed to Colusa Casino Resort from Sacramento.
— AP
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Plans for Little Toyko Expansion
Little Toyko will see a new addition consisting of trendy boutiques and apartments in high-rise towers. Neighborhood leaders are trying to bring back young Japanese Americans with the $300 million Nikkei Center, a complex of apartments, shops and public gardens. They say that the Nikkei Center represents a last hope for the neighborhood to maintain a strong Japanese character.
“It’s our attempt to determine the community’s destiny, which up until now has been determined by well meaning developers from outside the community,” said Jonathan Kaji, whose firm, Kaji & Associates, is co-developing the property. At the start of World War II, Little Toyko had 8,000 residents of Japanese decent. After the war and internment camps, many Japanese Americans moved to new suburbs without a history of racial exclusion. The neighborhood was also affected by the early 1990s collapse of the Japanese economy. In 2005, about two thirds of the neighborhood’s 875 households were of Japanese descent. Most were elderly residents in senior housing developments. By June 2008, the number of homes grew, but Japanese occupants decreased to just over half.
— Forbes.com
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Margaret Cho Hosting Equalipalooza
EVENT: Fundraiser to help defeat Proposition 8
DESCRIPTION: Winning Productions announces Equalipalooza—a night of entertainment for equality. Fellow comedians Johnny Steele, Heather Gold and Ali Mafi will join Margaret Cho for an evening of comedy and creativity with a conscience. Janice Mirikitani will read her poetry and Margot Duane, the producer of Equalipalooza, will exhibit her photographs of the same-sex wedding movement.
DETAILS: $40, Oct. 15, 8 p.m., Broadway Studios, 435 Broadway, San Francisco.
CONTACT: Margaret Duane, 415-453-4238, equalipalooza.com
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Plans for Vietnamese American Community Center Move Forward
SAN JOSE, Calif. — The city is moving forward with a plan to create a $2.7 million Vietnamese American community center to honor the contributions and heritage of the city’s largest immigrant population. The plan calls for a center to open inside the George Shirakawa Center on Lucretia Avenue.
The San Jose Redevelopment Agency is now looking for volunteers to serve on a 24-member task force to help decide the look of the center and what services it would offer. The center would serve one of San Jose’s largest and most politically active groups. One in 10 of the city’s nearly 1 million residents is Vietnamese. Recall backers recently submitted a petition with more than 5,000 signatures. The recall effort needs 3,162 signatures to qualify for the ballot. Whether it qualifies is expected to be announced by the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters within the next couple of weeks.
It could take 18 months before renovations are made to the Shirakawa Center, so city officials do not expect the center to open until at least 2011.
The deadline to apply to serve on the task force is Tuesday, Oct. 7. Applications are available online at sjredevelopment.org/vacc.htm.
— San Jose Mercury News
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Aristotle Garcia Crowned Mr. Hyphen 2008
Aristotle Garcia of the Filipino American Arts and Exposition, a grassroots, non-profit organization that contributes to the artistic and cultural pride of the Filipino American community, was crowned Mr. Hyphen 2008 on Oct. 4 at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center. The contest included rounds of talent, Q&A and a fashion show. Six Asian American men representing non-profit organizations that spread the word about important issues such as education, arts, politics and more competed for the prize of $1000 donation to their non-profit organization.
Aristotle Garcia has been making a name for the Filipino community both on and off the stage. A singer himself, Aristotle works behind the set as an active representative of FAAE. Being the associate producer and talent coordinator for the Pistahan Parade and Festival, he is recently responsible for putting forth the largest Filipino festival outside of the Philippines. When asked by the judges during the Q&A session what Asian stereotype he dislikes the most, he responded “the stereotype that Asians are a quiet group.” Aristotle and all the contestants of Mr. Hyphen 2008 are helping to combat stereotypes about Asian men.
ARTS/ENTERTAINMENT
South Korean Police Pursue Cyberbullies After Actress Suicide
The recent death of Choi Jin-sil, a 40-year-old actress who killed herself after online gossip falsely linked her to another actor’s early September suicide, has spurred the South Korea National Police to launch a crackdown on Internet activity.
South Korea had previously implemented a program that required Web portals to monitor and erase malicious comments when a complaint is registered; this new month-long effort has assigned 900 police officers to actively pursue harassers online.
Korea also introduced a series of laws last year to deal with cyberbullying, requiring users to register their real names when commenting online. Choi’s death came a year after that of singer Yoo Na, who committed suicide after cyberbullying about her plastic surgery.
South Korea’s efforts could have far-reaching effects in a country where more than 70 percent of households are connected to the Internet, and online communities dominate social activity.
— Findingdulcinea.com
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SF Communities of Color Come Together to Support Performing Arts
EVENT: Communities of Color Press Conference
DESCRIPTION: The Asian American Theatre Company, Lorraine Hansberry Theatre, AsianWeek, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and PG&E are pleased to announce an exciting collaboration to promote the performing arts. The Asian American Theatre and Lorraine Hansberry Theatre will assist each other in casting plays and will co-promote to both theatre’s audiences.
DETAILS: Free, Oct. 7, 10:30 a.m., PG&E Auditorium, 77 Beale St., San Francisco.
CONTACT: Darryl Chiang, 415-519-2920, darryl@asianamericantheatre.org
SPORTS
Sun Yue Cleared for Practice
Sun Yue has been cleared by doctors to practice with the Lakers after it was determined that his mononucleosis was not contagious. A second-round pick of the Lakers in 2007, Sun still has fatigue but will join the team at training camp. “I’m feeling better,” Sun said Friday. “The doctor said I’ve just recovered and still need a lot of time to rest, but I don’t want to miss much in camp. So I’ve come here to see what I can do. I can run, but I still feel weak.”
He has signed a two-year deal with the Lakers, previously he started for the Chinese national team in the Beijing Olympics. Due to his lack of NBA-level experience, he is not expected to be a rotation player for the Lakers this season. However, if he is unable to earn minutes as a Lakers backup, he might be sent to the Lakers’ Development League team, the D-Fenders.
— LA Times
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Wang Wins China’s First Gold of World Mind Sports Games
BEIJING — Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) player Wang Yang from China won the first gold medal of the World Mind Sports Games, beating Nguyen Vu Quan of Vietnam in the final round of the men’s rapid event on Monday.
The 24-year-old Wang, who started systematic learning of xiangqi at the age of 12, made his way to the throne with a perfect record. He upset eight rivals and tied with his teammate Jiang Chuan, who grabbed the silver.
“I am very excited to win the first gold for China. It is my first time to win an international title and I feel very honored,” said Wang, coming from Wuhan Province in central part of China.
The first World Mind Games, which officially opened on last Friday night, attracted more than 3,000 players from 143 countries and regions. Bridge, Chess, Go, Draughts and Xiangqi are on the program.
— Chinaview.cn
COMMERCE
Paulson Taps South Asian American to Run Rescue Program
WASHINGTON — Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson is expected to tap Neel Kashkari, a key adviser on whom he has come to rely heavily during the financial crisis, to oversee the Treasury’s $700 billion program to buy distressed assets from financial institutions, according to people familiar with the matter.
Mr. Kashkari, 35, a Treasury assistant secretary for international affairs and a former Goldman Sachs Group Inc. banker, is expected to be named interim head of the Treasury’s new Office of Financial Stability as early as Monday.
— Wall Street Journal
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Bank of America Gives Chinatown Community Development Center Facility a Makeover
Bank of America is teaming up with celebrity Asian American designer Vern Yip to conduct a makeover at the Tenderloin Family Apartments of Chinatown Community Development Center. The facility offers safe, high-quality affordable housing for low-income families in the neighborhood.
The makeover will provide the residents with a safe recreational space and a better quality of life. In 2008, Bank of America has invested $61 million to renovate more than its 100 banking centers across the Bay Area. The makeover will be revealed in November.
Born in Hong Kong, Vern Yip is a national designer in the U.S. Vern runs his own design company in Atlanta, Vern Yip Designs. He also has appeared on several mainstream TV programs, including The Oprah Winfrey Show, NBC’s Today and CBS’ The Early Show.
GLOBAL
Climate Change Could Devastate Philippines
MANILA, Philippines — Climate change could have a devastating impact on the Philippines, leading to widespread destruction of the country’s flora and fauna and flooding the capital, Manila, NASA scientist Josefino Comiso warned.
The continued melting of Arctic ice caps, brought on by climate change, could cause sea levels to rise by 23 feet. Comiso said the change in ocean temperatures caused by climate change could cause the Philippines’s fish stocks to be depleted and many species of plant and animal life to die. Rising temperatures could reach a point where “various living creatures” would start to die in large numbers.
Fish species are already starting to disappear from Philippine waters as delicate coral reefs, some of the biggest in the world, are destroyed in the archipelago, according to the international marine watchdog group, Reef Check. In a report last year, the group said coral reefs were already suffering from severe bleaching.
— AFP
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Blind and Sighted People Battle Over S Korea’s Massage Industry
The strict, legally blind qualification to practice massage therapy in South Korea is being challenged in the country’s constitutional court. While the law was intended to offer legal protection that provides blind people with autonomy and income, others say it is a monopoly that discriminates against sighted people.
7,000 visually impaired massage therapists currently earn their living through this exclusive right to practice massage, a law in place for the better part of a century. However, the capital of Seoul has numerous massage parlors, barber shops and bath houses, offering massages by an estimated half a million unlicensed, sighted practitioners.
This illegal army of sighted masseurs wants the country’s top judges to rule that they have a basic human right to choose their profession. Fearing the judgment may go against them, blind people have been holding demonstrations at the courthouse in a fight to keep the massage trade their own.
The constitutional court is expected to deliver its verdict in the next few weeks.
— BBC
Comments
One Response to “Daily Dose: 10/06/08”
Got something to say?
In re the Paulson appointment of an “Asian” gofer in the ongoging “bailout,” may I suggest that a “G-Sax” appointee only underlines the fox-guarding-the-henhouse model.
Besides, when will “we” recognize the fact that window-dressing appointments only reenforce the lack of either parity OR, more importantly, respect.