Asia-Cast

Asia Cast for Tuesday 04th April

In this Bulletin

- South Korea’s first astronaut set for launch
- Lawyers Provide Voluntary Legal Assistance to Detained Tibetans and
- The Torch Arrives at Washington, D.C.

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Twenty nine year old, Yi So-yeon is to be South Korea’s first astronaut set to blast off for a mission to the International Space Station (ISS).

Ms Yi and two Russian cosmonauts will take off at 1116GMT from Kazakhstan’s Baikonur centre.

Yi an engineer will spend about 10 days in space and conduct a series of scientific tests.

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The last part of the Olympic torch relay in Paris was canceled Monday after anti-China protesters forced authorities to extinguish the flame at least five times, take to a bus and skip some scheduled stops, including city hall.

There were confrontations between the authorities and demonstrators throughout the day as the relay attempted to crisscross Paris, birthplace of the modern Olympic movement, and other landmarks.

The torch was eventually driven by bus to its ending destination, where it was displayed again during a public ceremony at a stadium.

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You’re listening to Asia Cast on the SOH Radio Network
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According to recent media reports in China, several hundred Tibetans were arrested during the “March 14″ unrest in Tibet.
Expressing their serious concerns about the incident, eighteen lawyers in China openly signed on as volunteers on April 2 to provide legal assistance to the detained Tibetans. More lawyers are expected to join the campaign.

In the wake of the Tibet incident, the international society’s condemnation over the Chinese regime’s violent suppression and voice to boycott the Beijing Olympics keep escalating.

Political leaders of various countries have indicated in succession that they would not attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics.

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In Washington, D.C., three Nubian Sudanese athletes, with torches in hand, ran from the Victims of Communism Memorial to a crowd of hundreds of participants of a Global Human Rights Torch Relay (HRTR) rally at Freedom Plaza on April 6.

China’s continuing violation of human rights leading up to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing was the focus of attention of the HRTR rally, as the international campaign passed the torch to the nation’s capital, having passed through 29 countries, and the American cities of San Jose, Boston, Denver, and, most recently, San Francisco, which received the torch on Saturday.

The Washington, D.C. City Council passed a resolution that supported HRTR and condemned the human rights abuses in China.

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And now for our original SOH news direct from China
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According to inclusive news, on April 5th, Canadian Foreign Minister Maxime Bernier issued a statement on serious concerns that the eight Tibetans were shot by the Chinese Communist armed police in Ganzi, western area of China.

Bernier said in the statement that:”Canada strongly urges the Chinese government to release restraints and allow the peaceful protest. At the same time, Canada reiterated to require the Chinese government to have the dialogue with Dalai Lama or the representatives.”

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China’s Meteorological Administration experts pointed out that, due to serious air pollution, people in urban areas of China are like vacuum cleaners and every person would filter up to 15 cubic meters of air each day.

The haze weather composed by the toxic air has led to the death of 300,000 people each year, according to Beijing resources.

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Today marks the last show in Brisbane, Australia and Bucuresti the Divine Performing Arts Chinese Spectacular has been getting rave reviews and standing praise.

Ştefan Beleş, an engineer in the construction industry, shared his thoughts with Epoch Times.

He said this was the first time he had experienced a show of this magnitude.

He was very impressed with Divine Performing Arts’ choreography. “The performers all move in perfect harmony, reflecting the divine connection. Everything is natural, he said though traditional Chinese art, a natural balance is attained.
For show information please visit www.DivineShows.com

“Asia Cast… keeping you across the top headlines from Asia and the World.”