Asia-Cast

Asia Cast for Wednesday 16th December

In this Bulletin…

- Editor of exclusive Obama interview demoted;
- Philippines Mayon volcano activity increases; and
- Australia to introduce internet filters for the masses.

But first, here’s our SOH focus on China
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The top editor of a Chinese newspaper known for pushing the limits, has been demoted after an exclusive interview with United States President Barack Obama.

According to Reuters, he will now be working under a new top editor. Reuters cited three Southern Weekend employees who asked to remain anonymous.

They say the personnel shuffle came after pressure from the Chinese regime’s propaganda department.

The interview questions and transcript publication were restricted by the regime, and Southern Weekend had published the interview with the bottom half of the page left mostly blank, commonly recognized as a sign of protest against censorship.

For more on this story, watch NTDTV.

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In 2008, authorities in China’s northern Hebei Province started a massive urbanization project called the Three Year Transformation Project and now some residents whose homes have been demolished say they’ve been victims of violence by authorities, reports NTDTV.

The project is said to be a large scale demolition of mostly illegal structures, run-down buildings and residential houses and has affected over 28 square miles already.

A local from Pingquan County says local police demolished her home by force last Friday, injuring her in the process.

Now in winter, she and her family of six have been left without a home.

For more on this story, watch NTDTV.

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And now for the rest of today’s Asia Cast

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Volcanic activity is increasing in the Philippines and volcanologists say a major eruption could take place at Mayon Volcano in just days or weeks.

NTDTV reports say the Philippines’ most active volcano spewed burning mud and rocks on Tuesday, prompting authorities to start evacuating about 50,000 people from nearby cities and towns.

The regional director from the Philippine Office of Civil Defence said they hope to execute the evacuation at the soonest time, aiming for zero casualties, rather than wait for the volcano to erupt.

Although Mayon experienced another minor eruption Wednesday, seismologists say there may be a hazardous eruption soon.

For more on this story, watch NTDTV.

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Protesters have brought India-run Kashmir to a standstill amid claims that a federal inquiry into the deaths of two women is a cover up.

Protesters allege two women in May were raped and murdered by security forces; however, India’s Central Bureau of Investigation told the high court in Srinagar that they had died by drowning.

The Bureau put out a report that absolved four police officers arrested for destroying evidence, saying the charges against them were unsubstantiated.

Campaigners told the high court the CBI had not recorded vital information provided by the relatives of the two women.

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

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At least 33 people were killed and 60 more injured during a suicide blast in a market in the Dera Ghazi Khan Town of Punjab Province, Pakistan’s most populous region.

A car loaded with around 880 pounds of explosives detonated near the house of a local politician.

The bomb destroyed a number of buildings, including a mosque, bank and the house of a member of the Pakistan Muslim League-N party, which is in charge of the Punjab government but is the opposition party in the federal government.

The attack is said to be Taliban related.

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In 2010, filter laws will be introduced to Australia’s Parliament which will incorporate internet web filters banning access to websites containing criminal content.

The Communications Minister of Australia said the banned websites to be filtered will be selected by an independent classification body which will be guided by complaints from the public.

A recent seven month trial alongside internet service providers found that the technology behind the filter was 100 percent effective.

Critics say that although the filter laws have noble aims, they worry it won’t just be illegal websites that will be blocked.

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