Asia-Cast

Asia Cast for Monday 22nd June

In this Bulletin…

-New dance champions crowned;
-China to observe longest total eclipse in 500 years; and
-Obama prepared for North Korea test.

But first, here’s our SOH focus on China
***********************

The third annual International Classical Chinese Dance Competition came to a close on Sunday, June 21.

First place winner Tony Xue, and second place winner Alison Chen, both of the junior division, depicted noted warriors in their youth.

Though contest regulations did not stipulate the theme of dance entries, contestants all chose to portray figures in ancient Chinese history.

Among the dancers there is the understanding that their participation in the competition means much more than glory or a medal it means that they have contributed to the preservation of a grand and profound culture.

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

Over 10,000 angry people in Nankang City of Jiangxi Province protested on the street and overturned a dozen police cars, paralysing the Nankang section of the Ganyue Highway. They were protesting a proposed new furniture tax plan, as reported by The Epoch Times.

Furniture is the cornerstone industry for Nankang. According to authorities, Nankang City began to reorganize the local furniture industry at the beginning of June.

A new tax collection and management system was scheduled to be implemented on June 15. The authorities claimed that the protest resulted from some furniture store owners misunderstanding of the new tax plan.

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

China will see the longest total solar eclipse in 500 years on July 22.

The total eclipse will last for up to six minutes. It will be the longest total solar eclipse in almost 500 years from 1814 to 2309, according to Wang Sichao, a researcher with the Nanjing-based Purple Mountain Observatory (PMO) under the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

The eclipse would be seen in parts of 11 provinces in China; in southwestern, central-southern and eastern areas, such as Tibet, Sichuan, Yunnan, Hubei, Henan, Hunan, and Zhejiang, while it can be seen all over Shanghai.

Viewers in other provinces in China, such as Beijing, will only witness a partial eclipse.

The prime time is expected to begin from 9:00 am to 9:38 am Beijing Time.

*********************
And now for the rest of today’s Asia Cast
*********************

President Barack Obama says the US is “fully prepared” for a possible missile test by North Korea over the Pacific.

His comments, in an interview with CBS television, come in response to reports that Pyongyang was considering launching a missile towards Hawaii.

Last month the North conducted an underground nuclear test – its second ever – and test-fired a number of short-range missiles.

The United Nations Security Council extended sanctions in response.

In an interview to be aired by CBS on Monday, Mr Obama said that the administration, and their military, is fully prepared for any contingencies.

Asked if Washington was warning of a military response, Mr Obama said no.

*********************
You are listening to Asia Cast on the SOH Radio Network
*********************

A vote by Cambodia’s National Assembly has decided to strip parliamentary immunity from two opposition members.

The vote means the two politicians, Mu Sochua and Ho Vann, can be prosecuted on defamation charges.

The UN’s human rights organisation has criticised the government’s increasing use of the courts against its critics.

The government has defended its use of the courts, saying in one case a critic had attempted to cause “chaos and confusion” with inaccurate remarks.

The two politicians are among at least six critics of the government who have been the subjects of recent legal action.

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

A decades-long dispute over who should be seen as the true father of the nation will be decided by Bangladesh’s high court.

The court ruled that Bangladeshi independence from Pakistan in 1971 was first proclaimed by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the first president.

Mr. Rahman was the father of the current Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina. The opposition BNP has always said that independence was declared by the late husband of its leader, Khaleda Zia.

There has been no reaction to the court’s ruling yet from the opposition party.

The two main parties – Awami League and BNP – have differed for decades over who should be seen as the true father of the nation.

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

“Asia Cast… keeping you across the to pheadlines from Asia and the World.”