Asia Cast

Asia Cast for Thursday 29th May

In this Bulletin

- 240-year-old Hindu monarchy to be abolished
- 100000 people left homeless in Central Columbia and
- Two aftershocks causes thousands of homes to collapse

*******************************************

Himalayan nation’s 240-year-old Hindu monarchy is to be abolished after a constitutional assemble voted in favour of a republic.

In an historic vote that caps a peace deal between Maoist rebels and mainstream parties, politicians ordered unpopular King Gyanendra to step down and for his palace to be turned into a museum.

Officials said King Gyanendra, who ascended to the throne after most of the royal family was massacred by a drunken prince in 2001, will have 15 days to vacate his Kathmandu palace.

*******************************

A flooding in Central Columbia has left 100,000 homeless and at least 14 people dead, officials said Wednesday.

Torrential downpours have caused the Magdalena River, the nation’s principal waterway, to overflow. The flooding has flattened houses, killed animals and crops, made highways impassable and isolated entire villages.

**************************************
You’re listening to Asia Cast on the SOH Radio Network
***************************

China has invited a delegation from the Taiwanese organisation that deals with bilateral relations to attend talks in Beijing as early as 11 June.

The talks will focus on tourism and direct charter flights.

On Wednesday, the head of Taiwan’s ruling party held a landmark meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao.

Kuomintang (Nationalist Party) Chairman Wu Poh-hsiung’s meeting with Mr Hu was the highest-level encounter since the two sides split in 1949.

*********************************************

A Chinese woman in the US has pleaded guilty to helping spy for Beijing on US military relations with Taiwan.

Yu Xin Kang, 33, confessed to aiding and abetting Chinese spy Tai Shen Kuo, who obtained classified information from a former US defence analyst.

She faces up to 10 years in prison when sentenced on 1 August.

****************************************************
And now for our original SOH news direct from China
*****************************************************

China’s official media said that on the 27th May two strong aftershocks caused more than 400,000 homes to collapse, leaving at least ten injured.

The U.S. Geological Survey showed that aftershocks of 5.7 hit Qing Chuan County in Sichuan on 27th May.

Qingchuan County in Shaanxi Province also reached aftershocks of a 5.7 scale, but no more one was hurt.

******************************

Only 70 days until the Beijing Olympic Game. Yet, Beijing’s air pollution index on the 27th May climbed to the highest level. Beijing government warned the public with respiratory problems to stay inside their homes and not to go out.

CNA reported that the Beijing Environmental Protection Bureau website announced the air quality as “dangerous” levels of Grade 5 which is the worst possible grade.

Environmental Protection Agent said: “People with sensitive health should avoid going out.” Major source of pollution was suspended particles that are usually caused by the burning coal and vehicle emissions.

******************************************

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