Asia Cast

Asia Cast for Monday 19th January

In this bulletin

-New death from bird flu in China;
-Asian heart disease gene found; and
-Thailand to tackle migrant claims.

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A 27-year old Chinese woman has died from bird flu in the eastern Shandong Province.

This weekend Ms Zhang passed away after becoming infected with the H5N1 strain of avian influenza. This is the third case of bird flu to be reported on in almost a year.

A 19-year-old woman also died in Beijing handling ducks two weeks ago.

The latest death was announced the day after the infection of a two-year old with bird flu in Hunan was reported.

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China has announced that each year Tibet will have a special day to celebrate the Chinese military’s crushing of a Dalai Lama-led rebellion and the subsequent ‘freeing of slaves’ 50 years ago.

Every March 28 will be ‘Serfs Emancipation Day’, which was approved by the Himalayan region’s parliament unanimously.

The holiday is sure to fuel controversy, as communist China’s versions of recent Tibetan history are markedly different from those of the Dalai Lama and his supporters.

China has ruled Tibet since 1951, after sending in troops to ‘liberate’ the Himalayan region the previous year.

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Researchers have found a gene mutation which is carried by 60 million people, that almost guarantees the development of heart disease.

Nature Genetics have reported that around 4 per cent of people from the Indian subcontinent have the mutation, which increases the risk of heart disease seven-fold.

The international team of scientists has said that it is rare to find a gene which has such a big effect and is so common.

Experts said it could lead to a screening test but it was not yet clear if it would aid treatment decisions.

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Abhisit Vejjajiva, Thailand’s new Prime Minister has said he will meet human rights officials to discuss claims of Thai army abuse of asylum seekers.

There have been reports that his staff are investigating that troops have sent Rohingya people from western Burma back to sea in boats without engines.

Over the weekend reports of more than 500 deaths have poured in, from Indian officials and regional newspapers.

These reports suggest that more than 1,000 Rohingyas were put to sea in December.

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This evening judges in Thailand are expected to hand down their verdict against a Melbourne man who has pleaded guilty to insulting the Thai monarchy.

In 2005 Harry Nicolaides, 41, wrote a novel which briefly referred to the private life of Thailand’s Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn.

Visibly emotional, he spoke saying he wanted to make amends for his crime.

Lese-majesty laws are taken very seriously in Thailand and if found guilty Mr. Nicolaides could face up to 15 years in jail.

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And now for our Divine Performing Arts quote of the day
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Tonight’s DPA quote is from  Mr. Patrick Gallineaux, a professional dancer who recently attended the Divine Performing Arts performance at the San Francisco Cupertino Flint Center.

Recording …

Experience authentic Chinese music, legends and dance like never before. Visit www.divineperformingarts.org to find out when this divine show will be in your local city.

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