IV. International (9-16-09)

. Asian markets ended mostly higher, with Japanese shares gaining as overnight gains on Wall Street and a weaker yen spurred appetite.

     . South Korea has been put under a spotlight in the global community as its economy is recovering at the fastest pace in the world, with a record high trade surplus, stock market rallies and the strengthening of the Korean won.

     . More than 1,000 representatives from 150 cities gathered in Inchon 9/15 for a 3-day networking forum aimed at strengthening partnerships and showing visions for the development of creative cities.

     . India’s industrial output growth in July slowed for a 16-month high in June, but manufacturing continued to hum, signaling that a recovery in Asia’s 3^rd largest economy is still on track.



. China’s president Hu Jintao is to present his country’s stance on various current issues, including climate change, economic recovery and trade protectionism to the UN and the G20 summits next week.

     . The government filed a formal request for consultation with the US under WTO dispute settlement mechanism over steep US tariffs on Chinese tires.

     . Chinese brand Sanlu, tainted by the milk scandal, brings 7.3 million yuan at auction. An unidentified entrepreneur from South China won the bid at an auction in the Shijiazhuang. Foreign-client investment rose 7% in August, the first increase in 11 months, as Beijing remained cautious on recovery.

. Former Taiwan president Chen Shi-bian (2000-2008) and his wife were found guilty of corruption and sentenced to life in prison. Their son and daughter-in-law were also sentenced to 20 to 30 months in jail for related crimes.

     . The 21^st Summer Deaflympic Games in Taipei concluded in unprecedented fashion as organizers replaced the typical ceremonial fanfare with a big Taiwanese-style party that allowed athletes to interact with each other while enjoying delicious local cuisine.

     . The issue of an economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA) between Taiwan and China will not be on the agenda of the next round of talks between the two sides later this year, Taiwan’s Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) said.

. With the Democratic Party of Japan leader Yukio Hatoyama on the verge of taking the helm of the government today (9/15) Japan will be setting a dubious round of having four consecutive “hereditary prime ministers” (those with ancestors who previously held the top office).

     . Japan Airlines Corp confirmed the tie-up talk with foreign carriers and said it slash its workforce by 14% as the struggling carrier seeks to escape its long malaise.

     . Hirohisna Fujii, a leading candidate to become prime minister, said it is “not right” to weaken the yen to benefit Japan’s exporters, adding the government “in principle” must refrain from such action.

. Ssangyong Motor Co. said it has submitted a turnaround plan to the Seoul Central District Court seeking capital reduction and a debt-for-equity swap by creditors. It’s the latest step to get its house in order after filing for bankruptcy protection in February.

     . Pres. Lee Myung-bak expressed hope that Japanese Emperor Akihito will visit Seoul next year on the occasion of the 100^th anniversary of Japan’s annexation of Korea in a bid to move Korea-Japan relations forward.

     . With the anti-racism bill pending in the National Assembly, and the head of the Korean Immigration Service admitted this week that racism is a grave problem confronting the nation; it is becoming even clearer the matter is one stoking genuine concern.

. Starting January 2010, a new service in the Philippines called Hatid Kabayan has arranged a special ride for Filipinos returning to PI from NAIA to any point in PI or to any province. The traveler just goes to a special booth set up for this purpose to fill out some forms, show his passport to show his status abroad and everything is all set.

     . Was Philippine president (GMA) lying when she said she only used P187 million pesos of her contingency fund in 9 years or an average of P20 million pesos a year? A Malacanang functionary cited the same figure.

     . She canceled her trip to New York this month and is going only to London and Saudi Arabia. The people are questioning the need for the travel, e.g., using the money instead to help victims of Typhoon “Maring.”

     . The Filipinos are more discerning this time around in the election of the head of State. They are looking for a leader who is untainted with corruption and has integrity, traits that they see in presidential candidate Noynoy Aquino, son of former president Corazon Aquino.

. India’s state-run oil companies will likely not produce oil from Iran’s Farsi block due to the low value of high-sulphur crude and low returns on investment, but natural gas resources could be devalued, a senior executive with one of the companies said.

     . Pilots of Indian carrier Jet Airways agreed to resume work after ending a 5-day strike with management that resulted in the cancelation of more 800 flights.

     . Nuclear Power Corp of India is in talks with Indian Oil & Aluminum Co. for two state-run companies to invest in the nuclear power monopoly’s upcoming energy projects.

     . North Indian farmers are selling their wives to survive, it has been revealed. Left without money due to failing crops, debt-ridden farmers in Bundelkhand, Uttar Pradesh, have reportedly been selling their wives to money lenders for 50 to 150 pounds

.

. A terror suspect recently detained in Pakistan is the same Swedish national once held by US at Guantanamo Bay, police said. He and others in his group were allegedly trying to join al-Quaeda in the country’s lawless tribal areas

     . Islamic militants clad head-to-toe in women’s burqas attempted to attack an oil facility in Karachi, raising fears that insurgents are fleeing NW Pakistan and infiltrating the nation’s main business hub.

     . The government has taken a big initiative of announcing a first ever 5-year textile policy (8-12-09) to restructure the textile sector, improve its performance as the largest LSM sector and give impetus to dwindling exports.

. Colombo’s war on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Ealam may have ended. But its war on media freedom is far from over. Unlike the army offensive in the Northeast of Sri Lanka, this is a war waged in disregard of the island state’s ethnic divide.

     . Bharti Airtel Ltd. is considering acquisition of Sri Lankan operations of Luxembourg-based Millicom International Cellular S.A. in a deal worth between $100 million to $120 million. To be a significant player in the market, you need to do an acquisition.

     . Disappointed with the lack of support from the West at a crucial time in its fight against terrorism, Sri Lanka has successfully bonded with new friends: Iran, China and Libya which helped Sri Lanka scoff at the big stick wielded by western countries.

. China disputes Indian media report of political interference in Nepal. While India is inviting popular opprobrium in Nepal trying to prevent Maoist prime minister Prachanda from sacking the army chief (Gen. Bookmangud), China reportedly told Prachanda to stick to his guns and China would support him.

     . Stanley Ho’s casino operator in Macao said gaming revenue has risen strongly at the second half of the year after competition and Beijing’s visa restrictions dented first-half profit.

     . Dalai Lama of Tibet met with two US officials 9/14 ahead of his scheduled visit to the United States, his spokesman said.

. A CNN/Opinion Research Corp released 9/15 indicates that 39% of Americans favor involvement in Afghanistan, while 58% is opposed to the mission.

     . Since the war in Iraq began in March 2003, 4,344 members of the US military had died there, according to an Associated Press count.

     . The government raised pressure on Australia’s largest telecom company (Telstra Corp) to surrender its market domination by splitting its wholesale and retail divisions.

     . Police are investigating whether historical coins stolen almost a decade ago from a former Northland (New Zealand) museum are being sold on the Internet. Up to $500,000 of gold jewelry, coins and other relics were recovered from the ocean floor earlier but were stolen on April 8, 2000.

. Human rights activists in Indonesia have criticized a new Islamic law which allows for punishment, including lashes and stoning, in Aceh Province.

     . East Timor’s Opposition moved to censure the government of Prime Minister Xanaxa Gusmao over its decision to free an Indonesian militia leader accused of crimes against humanity.

     . Myanmar’s Prime Minister (Gen. Thein Sein) plans to attend the UN General Assembly in NYC during the last week of September, a government official said.

     . Qualification inflation among corporate executives in Hong Kong appears not to be an isolated phenomenon, with another director accused of having a degree from an unrecognized university.

. Malaysia freed 5 terror suspects held for up to 7 ½ years without trial under a strict security law that has been severely criticized by civil rights groups.

     . Suspected Muslim insurgents shot and killed 5 paramilitary troops in S. Thailand where such violence has left thousands dead in the past 5 years, an army spokesman said.

     . Singapore retail sales dropped for the 10^th consecutive month in July as the city-state’s consumers remained cautious amid an economy slowly emerging from a severe recession.

     . Ho Chi Minh City Urban Development Fund failed to sell any of the VND500 billion ($28 million) of municipal bonds it offered at an auction on 9/14.

" Supporting Asian and Minority Businesses"