Asia Cast

Asia Cast for Thursday 26th of June

In this Bulletin….

- International Telecom Charity forced out of Burma;
- China’s rare fish symbolizing the Olympic rings died suddenly; and
- Survivors of the fatal ferry crash in the Philippines found washed ashore on island.

But first, here is our original SOH news direct from China
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On June 23 Public Security Bureau of Shuangyashan City, China mobilized hundreds of police to stop nearly 10,000 retrenched workers who were forced out of service for attempting to appeal to higher authorities.

According to Radio Free Asia report, witnesses said, public security officers are jam-packed at train and bus stations at all major junctions in Shuangyashan City.

Local communist officials announced a month ago, it would take a high-handed policy to suppress petitioners who intend to appeal to higher authorities.

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Five acipensers, a rare fish, described as a symbol of the Olympic rings, from China’s National Aquatic Wild Animals Protection Branch was given to Hong Kong.

Also known as a “panda in water,” the five of them made their first public appearance in Hong Kong’s Ocean Park.

In less than three days, on the 23rd of June one of the acipensers died unexpectedly, causing critics accusing Hong Kong to have intentionally killed the national treasure.

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‘And now for the rest of today’s Asia Cast’
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In the latest “World Disaster Report” the international federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said the AIDS epidemic in southern Africa is so severe that it should be classed as a disaster comparable to floods or famine.

At least one person in ten is living with HIV in nations such as South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland and Zambia, the report said.

The consequences of the epidemic are felt by all of society and not just those who are sick, due to the economic strain and social tensions.

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Two international charity teams dedicated to delivering emergency telecoms in disaster areas have been forced to leave cyclone-hit Burma.

The members of Telecoms San Frontieres finally reached Burma on 1 June after waiting nearly a month to be granted visas to enter the country but were only not allowed to visit affected areas such as the Irrawaddy Delta.

The charity, which described the situation as “unprecedented”, said it had no other choice but to leave.

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Forty-eight known survivors have been found washed ashore in different places around Sibuyan Island in the Philippines where a ferry was toppled by a Typhoon early Saturday morning.

The U.S. military has sent naval crafts from Okinawa and Hawaii to assist the Philippines in relief and search-and-rescue efforts. The U.S.S. Ronald Reagan, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, was in the area Wednesday in support of relief efforts.

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New Zealand government has signed over huge areas of forest land to the ownership of seven Maori tribes.

Hundreds of Maori, some in traditional dress, had come to the parliament to witness the signing of the settlement.

The historical settlement – the largest single deal between the government and Maori tribes – seeks to address grievances dating back to the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi.

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

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