By John Helmer in Moscow
Oleg Deripaska is under unexpected personal pressure, at home and abroad, just when his plan to take control of one of the largest bauxite and aluminium producers in the world is close to final government approval. And that is exactly why the trouble for Deripaska is growing now.
Russian government authorization this month of the creation of a monopoly aluminium concern, integrating domestic and foreign bauxite, alumina, and aluminium production assets, has followed a no-objection ruling from the European Commission (EC) in Brussels. The unconditional ruling was issued by the EC on February 1.

By John Helmer in Moscow
Did Nicolas Sarkozy, the small rightwing candidate for President of France, benefit from the brief imprisonment in Lyon of one Russian billionaire, and from the award of a medal, days later in Paris, to another Russian billionaire, who happened to be the business partner of the first?
And was Sarkozy helped by Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres, ministre blanchisseur, official custodian of French culture, receiver of kickbacks, and arranger of unorthodox donations to presidential campaign chests?
In short, on January 30, when Donnedieu de Vabres awarded the medal of Officer of the Legion of Arts and Letters to Vladimir Potanin, was this the end to an ingenious quartet of hostage-taking and ransom on the French side, procuring and precious metals on the Russian?

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BY CONGRESSMAN MICHAEL HONDA AND ACTOR DANNY GLOVER
Media, like any other technology, comes with the capacity to change the world. Like other technologies, media is rapidly changing and innovating. As print media – especially newspapers – pales in public participation, for example, online internet usage is rising exponentially. Whether it is the Twittering of Iran’s elections after the government shutdown of Facebook and other social networking sites, or congressional hearings on Second Life, an online virtual reality where lifelike avatars represent human beings, media is rapidly changing the way the world does business.
Both of us, in our different spheres, have embraced the new possibilities that these new media offer us. For Michael Honda, a member of Congress can be on the cutting edge of using new technology to engage constituents, from crowd-sourcing website design to using Twitter to allow the public to feel the immediacy of democracy. For Danny Glover, an actor and director can use it to go beyond film and foster global perspectives and diverse viewpoints through catalysts such as LinkTV, an independent media outlet committed to news not covered elsewhere.
The critical point in this ever-evolving media landscape, however, is to ensure that as we evolve technologically, we evolve socially as well. By this, we mean that media evolves to reflect society in its fullest spectrum, color, creed and concern.
Yet currently, media does not.
America’s newsrooms, for example, scarcely reflect our nation’s rich tapestry, with minorities – be they Native American, Asian American, Latino American, African American or other – comprising only 13.4% of total payrolls. The absence of minorities is particularly apparent within the newspaper industry, with nearly 460 newspapers nationwide employing no minorities at all.
Not even 10% of all US daily newspapers represent parity with their community, in terms of adequately representing the demographics of the paper’s readership. The gradual close of the daily newspaper industry, furthermore, which shed 5,900 jobs last year, has also inordinately impacted minorities. Roughly one out of every six jobs lost is a minority firing.
This lack of diverse and minority perspective is a problem, as it inevitably influences reporting and programming choices and content. In Washington’s policy-related media world, the lack of minority representation is even more disconcerting, given the greater implications on policymakers’ perspectives. Take the Sunday morning talk shows, for example. On the CBS, ABC, NBC and Fox Sunday news hours, Latino and Asian Americans comprise less than 5% of all guests, with African Americans averaging less than 10%.
Public broadcasting is better than the privately controlled mainstream media identified above, because the Public Telecommunications Act of 1988 pushes public providers to be cognizant of minority voices and audiences. The purpose of the act was to create programming that serves all Americans and creates a more inclusive climate. Now, thanks to this legislation, the overall number of minorities employed within National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting Service increased to nearly 30%. Clearly, congressional action was helpful.
Independent media goes even further in representing the non-represented, even beyond our shores. The benefit of programs like LinkTV’s Mosaic, for example, which is a sampling of Middle East television news programming, is that an 18-year-old from Peoria, Illinois for example, who has yet to travel the world, has an opportunity to learn about the daily goings-on of Muslims or Arabs halfway around the globe – all without reserving a plane ticket. The more world-wise we become, the more capable we will be as a nation to understand and be understood.
Congress can do more to foster minority representation in the media and to free the fetters facing independent media outlets, but a cultural shift will also be required to create a culture of curiosity. We are slowly but surely moving in this direction. The internet certainly has opened up the eyes of many Americans, for whom local television and the town newspaper was previously the primary perspective. Interestingly, of the 2,300 journalists who work solely online, nearly 20% are minority.
Through media, we can bring the world to each and every American household, providing minority and global perspectives on issues and culture, giving voice to people outside our mainstream, and promoting cross-cultural dialogue. If we encourage this, we will have a much different US domestic and foreign policy. Be it on immigration or the Middle East, the more America properly knows the more America will care.
The minority voice cannot continue to be sidelined because a few media companies have a hold on what will hit the airwaves and what will not. Mass media must truly represent the masses.
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A historic first happened in the Cal State University East Bay production of “Almond Eyes” when three “workshop” productions sold out early, received standing ovations with audiences cheering loudly showing love and appreciation.
So many positive comments were heard that requests for a full production of Jay Chee and JoAnn Yuen’s work seems to be in the future.
If you or someone you know truly enjoyed the musical love story “Almond Eyes,” please add your wishes to the following e-mail address: Deidre.Badejo@CSUeastbay.edu, and also write to the President of the University, MO.Qayoumi@CSUeastbay.edu.
An appreciation concert of lively entertainment was given by longtime music instructor Gil Chun to all his students and assistants at Berkeley’s Rhoda Theatre of the Arts, recently.
Performing with Gil were his students of Hawaiian, folk and modern dance.  His lovely sister and cousin, who flew in from Hawaii, added the Aloha spirit to Gil’s Appreciation concert.
Just back from touring Mt. Fuji, Japan and Hong Kong, China, are Muriel Kao and her family of 10 children and grandchildren.  In great shape, this intrepid entourage loved the adventurous experience from mountain climbing to sampaning that was cultural, educational, historic and fun.  Muriel says, “This party of ten will have a fantastic memory of the Summer of 2009 with more names to add to our travel list destinations. So Shall we start planning for next summer?”

Muriel and the grandkids in front of the Golden Temple in Kyoto -
pictured left to right:  Rachel Grussi, Michael Chew, Muriel Kao,
Stephanie Chew, Lauren Chew, Daniel Grussi
Love and marriage came together when Dr. Gregory Chinn and lovely Vivan Pham, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Truc Si Pham, pledged their eternal love for each other at an elegant two-days wedding celebration at the estate of groom’s parents Dr. and Mrs. Daryl Chinn in the Napa Valley.
In honor of the bridal couple’s heritage, the groom’s mother Jacqueline Chinn planned one evening, recognizing the elders at a Chinese wedding banquet, while doing the second wedding dinner with an American style - tented with catered dinner with dancing, complete with beautiful Chinese chrysanthemum flowers.
Adding more love and joy to my family, Baby James Vincent was born to Kristin and Vincent Chun to become my 10th grandchild.
For our community supporters, there are six major, worthwhile fundraisers coming up in the next 6 weeks: Beginning Sept. 12, fundraiser for the Chinese Historical Society, followed by a fundraiser for the Angel Island Immigration Station.  Sept. 19, a noontime fashion show to benefit On Lok Senior Services, and a dinner fundraiser to benefit Asian Health Services in Oakland.  Sept. 26, a dinner fundraiser for the Chinese Community Development Corp. and a fashion show fundraiser for Chi-Am Circle, Oct. 3.
More details to come…..!
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>>Asian American Health Conference
>>MOCA Opens September 22nd
>>16th Annual Caucus Classic
>> JCCCNC’s 2009 Annual Benefit Drawing
>> PRIMO “A New Day!”
>> The Singapore Human Capital Summit Returns This September
>> Malaysia Postpones Woman’s Caning

Compiled by Melissa He

NATION

EVENT: Asian American Health Conference
DESCRIPTION: CSAAH’s 5th Annual Asian American Health Conference: “Reinvesting in Our Communities for Health Equity,” provides an opportunity to highlight the importance of making continuous investments in our communities to address issues of equity and provide linkages to resources for healthier communities.
DETAILS: $25-125. 10/8-10/9. New York University School of Medicine. Farkas Auditorium. 550 First Ave. (Btwn 30th & 33rd St), New York, NY 10016.
CONTACT: To register or for more information, please visit www.med.nyu.edu/csaah. Or call (212) 263-0463. Email: nyucsaah@gmail.com.

MOCA Opens September 22nd
A first-generation American born to immigrant parents from Shanghai, China, Helen Zia did not learn Chinese growing up in New Jersey in the 1950s. Her parents wanted her to speak only English in the hopes that she could be fully accepted in America and escape racism they experienced themselves. She went on to become a member of Princeton University’s first graduating class of women and a celebrated journalist and author.
“My parents instilled in me their respect for America — and their love for China. China was their passion and the home of their heart, while America was my home and my future,” narrated Zia in a short video telling her story growing up as Chinese American. This narrative is part of an exhibition in the new home of the Museum of Chinese in America located on Centre Street in Chinatown in Manhattan.
In its new space, set to officially open Sept. 22, the museum hopes to boost its presence in the Asian-American community and serve as the city’s premier spot to honor Chinese-American history and showcase Chinese-American arts and culture. With the additional room, the museum wants to expand its emphasis to include the national Chinese-American experience.
The museum also will feature “The Journey Wall,” an art installation designed by Maya Lin to honor family history. It consists of bronze tiles marked with various family names, their origins in China and where they settled in America. For a donation of $10,000 to 25,000, a family can honor its family roots in this installation.
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BAY

EVENT: 16th Annual Caucus Classic
DESCRIPTION: A charity golf tournament co-sponsored by the Asian Law Caucus and the Filipino Bar Association of Northern California.
DETAILS: $300-$5,000 sponsorships. Donors will receive recognition in promotional materials. Entry deadline: Monday, 9/21.
CONTACT: Audee Kochiyama-Holman: audeekh@asianlawcaucus.org or call (415) 896-1701, ext. 131 for any questions. To register or for more information, please visit http://www.asianlawcaucus.org/.

EVENT: JCCCNC’s 2009 Annual Benefit Drawing
DESCRIPTION: The Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California (JCCCNC) is hosting its Annual Benefit Drawing at the 2009 Annual Fundraising Event, Tabemasho (Let’s Eat!) on September 19, 2009.  The prizes include two round trip tickets to Japan with three nights double occupancy hotel accommodations courtesy of All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Kintetsu International, a Panasonic Viera 42” Plasma (TC-P42X1) Television courtesy of Best Buy, and $1,000 cash.  Tickets are $20 each or $50 for a book of 3 tickets, but you do not need to be present to win.
DETAILS: 9/19. 1840 Sutter Street - San Francisco.
CONTACT: Joy Iwasa, (415) 567-5505 or jiwasa@jcccnc.org. Please visit http://www.jcccnc.org for more information.
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ARTS

EVENT: PRIMO “A New Day!”
DESCRIPTION: PRIMO, the Filipino premiere powerhouse vocal trio composed of Jon Joven, Floyd Tena and James Uy, is looking forward to their San Francisco debut concert coming October 30 to the Palace of Fine Arts.  As the first of its vocal genre in the Philippines and Asia (many are dubbing them the Asian “Il Divo”), PRIMO brings “classical music with a pop twist”.
DETAILS: $15-$40. Friday, 10/30. 7:30PM. The Palace of Fine Arts Theatre. 3301 Lyon Street, San Francisco.
CONTACT: Visit http://www.unoprimo.blogspot.com for more information.
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COMMERCE

The Singapore Human Capital Summit Returns This September
The Singapore Human Capital Summit 2009 is a premier conference on managing and developing human capital, organized for Asia, in Asia.
The Summit brings together an outstanding line-up of over 30 international experts and business leaders that include business and HR leaders as well as International Thought leaders.
Topics to be discussed range from “Insights from a Global CEO – Managing Human Capital in Asia” to “Innovative Talent Strategies for New Asia.” Other Summit highlights include the following: release of the latest research findings by the London Business School, thought leadership on how prominent CEOs combine experience, insights and best practices to address human capital challenge; knowledge showcase on the latest thinking in human capital management and development; in-depth knowledge sharing through case studies, exclusive networking platform, and the Asian Human Capital Award Forum.
For the full line-up of speakers and Summit’s programme, please visit http://www.singaporehcsummit.com or call +65 6513 8798 or email: secretariat@singaporehcsummit.com
The Singapore Human Capital Summit 2009 is organized by the Ministry of Manpower and the Singapore Workforce Development Agency and will be held on Monday 9/29 & Tuesday 9/30, at the Raffles City Convention Centre. Guest-of-Honour: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong
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GLOBAL

Malaysia Postpones Woman’s Caning

A Malaysian model, who was set to become the first woman to be caned in the southeast Asian country for drinking beer in public, had her sentence postponed Monday until the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
Authorities had picked up Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno, 32, from her father’s house Monday morning and were taking her to a prison in the eastern state of Pahang when the van turned around and brought her back.
“They sent her back to the house. They said the top official asked them not to bring her to Kuala Lumpur,” said Kartika’s father, Shukarno Abdul Muttalib.
Authorities in Pahang said the delay would run until the month of fasting ends. Monday was the third day of Ramadan.
An Islamic, or sharia, court in Pahang had fined Kartika — a Muslim — $1,400 (5,000 Malaysian ringgit) and sentenced her to six strokes with a rattan cane for drinking at a hotel bar two years ago.
Kartika, a 32-year-old part-time model and mother of two, was visiting Malaysia from Singapore at the time.
She pleaded guilty, paid the fine, and wanted her caning to be carried out in public.
Kartika’s punishment is unique in that she has opted to go through with it. Two other Malaysians sentenced to the same fate have filed appeals, the Syariah (Sharia) Lawyers’ Association of Malaysia said.
The case drew widespread attention and condemnation, in and outside Malaysia.
-CNN.com
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Japan’s likely prime minister Hatoyama is poised to create a cabinet post that will put decisions in the hands of elected leaders.

Ahead of the new academic year that starts on 1st September, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev addresses scholars and schoolchildren.