» AsianWeek Market Report
» Asian American Think Tank Predicts Landslide Victory by Obama
» 81 Percent of Indian Americans in Favor of Obama: Poll
» Free Charity Turkey Bowl at Serra Bowl
» Melany Dela Cruz-Viesca Appointed to Human Relations Commission
» Book Reading from Bestselling Korean Author
» Craft and Folk Art Museum’s Paper Traditions Exhibit
» Yu-na Kim Targets Five-in-a-Row
» Mickelson, Choi, Kim Vie for HSBC Champions title
» Growing Dynamic Leaders: San Francisco Community Leadership Conference
» ING Becomes Sponsor of Asian and Pacific Islander Scholarship Fund
» Chen Shui-bian Accuses Ma of Treason in Lawsuit
» China to Outline First National Action Plan to Protect Human Rights
Compiled by Josh Laddin and Andrew Lee
AsianWeek Market Report
| AsianWeek Market Report | ||||
| Asian Stock Indexes | ||||
| NIKKEI 225 | Tokyo | 9,114.60 | 537.67 | 6.27% |
| HANG SENG | Hong Kong | 14,384.34 | 39.97 | 0.28% |
| KRX | Busan | 2,474.55 | 42.37 | 1.74% |
| SSE IX | Shanghai | 5,668.81 | -156.20 | -2.68% |
| BSE | Bombay | 10,631.12 | 293.44 | 2.84% |
| HOSE | Ho Chi Minh | 361.44 | 12.80 | 3.67% |
| SET | Bangkok | 321.98 | 6.29 | 1.99% |
| Asian American Market Report | ||||
| Yahoo! | YHOO | 13.26 | 0.51 | (4.00%) |
| Citigroup | C | 14.71 | 0.72 | (5.15%) |
| Amkor Technology, Inc | AMKR | 4.01 | -0.02 | (-0.50%) |
| Sybase | SY | 27.23 | 0.15 | (0.55%) |
| UnionBancal Corp | UB | 73.48 | 0.00 | (0.00%) |
| East West Bank corp,Inc | EWBC | 17.98 | 0.11 | (0.39%) |
NATION
Asian American Think Tank Predicts Landslide Victory by Obama
WASHINGTON — The International Strategy and Reconciliation Foundation, an Asian American think tank, forecasts a “landslide presidential election victory” by Barack Obama, capturing 378 electoral votes and winning a popular vote majority of 52.2 percent over John McCain, the first time Democrats have gained such a majority vote since President Jimmy Carter won 50.1 percent in 1976. ISR predicts Democrats to expand its firm control of the Congress and governorship as well, resulting in a “One-Party rule,” yet short of a couple of Senate seats to overcome Filibuster.
President Asaph Young Chun, who developed the ISR forecasting model in 2003 and proved its viability in the past two elections, identifies Obama’s capturing of the White House is grounded on “winning 11 of 15 battleground states including Florida, Ohio, Virginia, North Carolina and Pennsylvania” and capturing 19 out of 35 states that tended to follow party-line in 2000 and 2004 elections. The ISR G3 model predicts McCain would hold just 160 electoral votes and 45.4 percent of popular vote and fail to overcome the collapsing impact on voters in Main Street of the great economic crisis in Wall Street.
Obama is expected to take an average lead of 60 percent to 40 percent among females, independents, Hispanic and Asian minority and undecided whereas McCain’s lead comes only among White evangelicals. Obama is forecasted to win among most groups of voters classified by education, age and income.
— Market Watch
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81 Percent of Indian Americans in Favor of Obama: Poll
An overwhelming 81 percent Indian Americans will vote for Democratic presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama while merely 19 percent will support the Republican nominee Senator John McCain, an opinion poll suggests.
During an informal opinion poll of Indian American U.S. citizens, carried out by a non-partisan, non-profit organization based in Washington, Bridging Nations, 81 percent of respondents said they would vote for Barack Obama and Joe Biden, while only 19 percent said they would vote for John McCain and Sarah Palin.
Of the 40 percent of the respondents who were registered as independents, 67 percent said they would vote for Barack Obama and Joe Biden while others were planning to vote for John McCain and Sarah Palin, showing that the vast majority of crucial independent voters support the Illinois senator.
The Indian American community has grown from 1.6 million people in 2000 to over 2.3 million in 2005, according to the U.S. Census Bureau—a growth rate of 38 percent, one of the highest amongst U.S. ethnic populations.
The prospect of an Indian American figuring in the presidential elections appeared briefly when Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal’s name surfaced as a possible running mate to Senator McCain.
—DNA India
BAY/CALIFORNIA
Free Charity Turkey Bowl at Serra Bowl
DALY CITY, Calif. — On Tuesday, November 25, Serra Bowl is hosting Charity Turkey Bowl VIII. All bowlers will be rolling for strikes to feed Bay Area families in need over the holidays. The event is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Serra Bowl, 3301 Junipero Serra Blvd in Daly City. Event is free but donations are accepted.
Serra Bowl will donate a turkey for those who roll a strike to St. Anthony Dining Room and the North Peninsula Food Pantry & Dining Center of Daly City. In the past seven years, over 50,000 folks have eaten a holiday meal due to this volunteer effort.
According to Mike Leong, general manager of Serra Bowl, “This is the eighth year of Turkey Bowl, yet it is our most critical year by far. ‘Striking’ out hunger is a top priority this year due to our weak economy. Our goal is to keep hunger off the table during the Thanksgiving tradition.”
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Melany Dela Cruz-Viesca Appointed to Human Relations Commission
Melany Dela Cruz-Viesca, the assistant director of the UCLA Asian American Studies Center, has been appointed by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to the Human Relations Commission of the City of Los Angeles.
Dela Cruz-Viesca also serves as the managing editor of AAPI Nexus, a nationwide journal published by the Asian American Studies Center focusing on Asian American & Pacific Islanders policy, practice and community issues, as well as the coordinator and researcher of the Center’s highly acclaimed Census Information Center, a joint partnership with the National Coalition of Asian Pacific American Community Development (CAPACD) and the U.S. Census Bureau.
She has written numerous articles on Asian Pacific American demographics, community and economic development, affordable housing and homeownership, small business development and educational issues.
ARTS/ENTERTAINMENT
Book Reading from Bestselling Korean Author
Kim Sunée, author of national bestseller Trail of Crumbs: Hunger, Love, and the Search for Home, will be reading in Oakland on Saturday, November 8 at 1 p.m. at Ohgane Korean BBQ Restaurant.
Born in Korea and adopted by a family in New Orleans at age three, Kim lived in Europe for over ten years during and after college and is now food editor at Cottage Living magazine.
Her memoir has been highly and widely praised in the U.S., translated into the Korean and will be available in Hebrew soon. Books will be available for purchase at the reading at a discount: list price $24.99 (hardcover) is available for $15.99.
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Craft and Folk Art Museum’s Paper Traditions Exhibit
The San Francisco Museum of Craft and Folk Art is presenting a new exhibit, entitled The Shape of Things: Paper Traditions and Transformations, which explores the history of cut, folded and molded paper, alongside contemporary artists who introduce fresh perspectives on those traditional forms.
The exhibition examines paper traditions from Asia, specifically from China, Japan, the Philippines and Korea and includes papercuts, origami, katagami, paper lanterns, papier-mâché and paper boxes. Juxtaposing the work with that of contemporary artists demonstrates how traditional arts, folk art, contemporary craft and fine art are all part of the same continuum.
The exhibit will run from November 14 – February 15, 2009. The museum is located at 51 Yerba Buena Lane. Admission is $5; $4 for seniors. For more information call (415) 227-4888 or visit mocfa.org.
SPORTS
Yu-na Kim Targets Five-in-a-Row
Kim Yu-na is braced to record her fifth straight Grand Prix victory this weekend.
The 18-year-old figure skater arrived in Beijing, China, Monday to compete at the Cup of China, the third Grand Prix contest in the International Skating Union (ISU) six-event series.
“I feel comfortable because I won here last year,” said Kim, a two-time defending Grand Prix final champion.
In this event, Kim will meet Miki Ando of Japan and Sarah Meier of Switzerland. Ando, a former world champion, finished third at Skate America in Everett, Wash., two weeks ago and Meier is eyeing a podium finish in her first Grand Prix appearance of the season to secure a berth at the final.
In her first Grand Prix, she delivered a strong routine, and her only glitch was a popped-loop jump. Along with her victory, skating fans expect the South Korean to surpass 200 points overall, a feat no skater has reached so far.
Although Kim holds two records for the highest points in the short program and the free skating events with 71.95 and 133.70 respectively, her rival Mao Asada of Japan holds the title for the highest combined score of 199.25, set in 2006, compared to Kim’s 197.20, which she earned in Russia last year.
— Korea Times
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Mickelson, Choi, Kim Vie for HSBC Champions title
SHANGHAI, China — Phil Mickelson is excited to be back in Shanghai to defend his HSBC Champions title and further his global ambitions, but he knows he is facing one of the best fields ever gathered in Asia.
Newly crowned European Order of Merit champion Robert Karlsson of Sweden, young American Anthony Kim and Columbian Camilo Villegas, ranked sixth, seventh and eighth respectively, are other top 10 players to have come to Shanghai.
Other big names in Shanghai are South Korea’s KJ Choi, Australia’s Adam Scott and Sweden’s Henrik Stenson, while 2007 Asian Order of Merit winner Liang Wenchong will fly China’s flag.
Meanwhile, a fierce spotlight will shine on the battle between New Zealand’s Mark Brown and India’s Jeev Milkha Singh to win the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit. Singh, Asia’s number one in 2006, trails Brown by just over 150,000 dollars, and the huge money on offer in China, as well as in Singapore and Hong Kong, could easily change the standings.
— AFP
COMMERCE
Growing Dynamic Leaders: San Francisco Community Leadership Conference
The National Association of Asian American Professionals—San Francisco (NAAAPSF) is holding a conference offering six innovative workshops that will teach participants to leverage their leadership skills in their workplace, in their lives and in their communities. Participants will benefit from personal development, networking opportunities and learning how to help their organization and their community.
The cost for early registration is $10 for students, $25 for all NAAAP members and other non-profit organization members and $50 general. Cost includes breakfast, lunch and training materials. The conference is at SF State University on November 8. More information is available at naaapsf.org/Events.do?id=6876.
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ING Becomes Sponsor of Asian and Pacific Islander Scholarship Fund
NEW YORK — ING, a global financial institution of Dutch-origin banking, investments, life insurance and retirement services, announced that it has become a platinum sponsor of the annual gala of the Asian and Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund, the country’s largest non-profit organization devoted solely to providing scholarships for Asian and Pacific Islander Americans.
Wai-Ling Eng, chair of the APIASF board of directors, said, “APIASF is very pleased to have ING join our list of distinguished companies that provide unwavering support of education, diversity and inclusion. These companies are strengthening our communities and setting a wonderful example for others to follow.”
“While we are going through major economic challenges, it is important that we don’t lose our focus from our priorities,” said Tariq Khan, senior vice president and head of market development for ING U.S. Wealth Management. “We must continue to invest in our next generation because our future depends on them. I am proud to work for a company and represent an organization that supports these students who are pursuing their educational goals.”
GLOBAL
Chen Shui-bian Accuses Ma of Treason in Lawsuit
Former President Chen Shui-bian and several independence supporters filed a treason lawsuit against President Ma Ying-jeou yesterday, alleging that recent acts by Ma constituted “offenses against the external security of state.”
“[Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait Chairman] Chen Yunlin and other Chinese leaders have repeatedly stated their intention to take Taiwan by force and through ‘peaceful means,’ and therefore we suspect that Ma’s meeting with Chen Yunlin constitutes collaboration,” he said.
Ma said in an interview with the Mexican newspaper El Sol de Mexico that relations between Taiwan and China were not state-to-state but “region-to-region” relations. Earlier, he said that the Taiwanese and Chinese are not different in terms of nationality but in where their home addresses are registered.
When asked to comment on the lawsuit during a question-and-answer session at the legislature yesterday, Minister of Justice Wang Ching-feng said that “each individual case will be reviewed by the prosecutor,” but added “I’d say it’s just political talk.”
— Taipei Times
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China to Outline First National Action Plan to Protect Human Rights
BEIJING — China planned to draft its first national action plan to protect human rights, said the State Council Information Office on Tuesday.
The action plan would cover aspects such as improving government function, expanding democracy, strengthening the rule of law, improving people’s livelihood, protecting rights of women, children and ethnic minorities and boosting public awareness of human rights, said a statement of the office.
The action plan will be drafted by a panel from the office and Foreign Ministry, joined by more than 50 departments, public associations and non-governmental organizations, including the country’s legislature, top political advisory body, supreme court, supreme procuratorate and the National Development and Reform Commission. More than 10 human rights experts from key universities and academic institutions would form a group to advise the panel, the statement said.
“As the first of its kind, the plan will leave important effect on the country’s human rights development in the future,” said Dong Yunhu, vice president and secretary general of the China Society for Human Rights Studies.
—Xinhua News Agency
