Asia-Cast

Asia Cast for Saturday 13th March

In this Bulletin…

- Eleven Siberian tigers die in captivity in China;
- Asylum seekers rescued off Australian coast; and
- Australia won’t support global ban of blue fin tuna.

But first, here’s SOH focus on China

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

Over only three months, eleven rare Siberian tigers have died at a zoo in north-eastern China.

A local wildlife protection official, Liu Xiaoqiang says lack of food may have caused malnutrition, leading to the tigers deaths.

Mr Liu also says the tigers were kept in very small cages, not allowing them to move as much and lowering their resistance to disease.

However, a manager at the zoo says the tigers simply died of various diseases.

The tiger’s deaths have raised concerns about how tigers are treated in China, especially as China is celebrating the year of the tiger.

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

Over 90 authors have criticized China for refusing a HIV-positive Australian writer to enter the country for a government-sponsored tour.

Author Robert Dessaix revealed his health status in his application for a visa. He was abruptly refused without explanation.

The Australian Society of Authors penned an open letter, signed by more than 90 writers, condemning the decision.

In the letter the authors said that it was discrimination and asked the Chinese government to explain their decision.

A spokeswoman from the Australian government has said to have spoken with Chinese authorities through diplomatic channels, in support of Mr Dessaix’s visa application.

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

And now for the rest of today’s Asia Cast

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

Thirty-two asylum seekers were rescued after they were spotted floating on boats off the north-west Australian coast this week.

The Australian Ministry of Home Affairs said two different boats where found sailing near the Tiwi Islands on Thursday. The groups say they want to come to Australia.

Australian officials say the two separate rescues have highlighted the problem of smugglers taking asylum seekers on dangerous trips.

Brendan O’ Connor, minister for home affairs, commented on the issue saying that people smuggling is a terrible act with organizers putting innocent people’s lives at risk.

Australian officials did not say what country the asylum seekers were from.

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

As part of defence and energy deals, Russia has announced it will build 16 nuclear reactors in India.

The Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin signed the long-anticipated nuclear agreement after a visit to India.

Prime Minister Putin said nuclear co-operation was one of the most important parts in the partnership between the two countries which have strong trade ties.

Six of the reactors would be built by 2017. Russia has already started building two reactors in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

Russia is in competition with French and US firms for contracts to build nuclear power plants in Asia’s third-largest economy.

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

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

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

Twin suicide blasts in Lahore, Pakistan, has killed around 39 people and left 95 others injured.

The suicide attackers approached military convoys on foot and detonated their explosives just 15 to 20 seconds apart. Five of those killed were Pakistani soldiers.

The blasts happened in Pakistan’s second most populous city. They ripped through a busy market area near the security area. The streets were crowded just before the start of Friday prayers.

A Lahore Police spokesman said hours later, a third blast shook the Moon Market area of Lahore. He said the nighttime explosion was not as serious as the earlier twin blasts.

The investigation so far indicates that the bomb was planted. No one was hurt.

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

The Australian Government has decided not to support a global ban on the trade of the northern variety of the bluefin tuna species, despite a collapse of world stocks.

Instead Peter Garrett, the Federal Environment Minister, is supporting stronger trade control measures on the trade of Atlantic bluefin tuna.

Australia will make official its position in Doha tomorrow at the 175-nation Convention of the Parties on International Trade in Endangered Species.

After decades of industrial-scale fishing, stocks of Atlantic bluefin tuna are estimated to be at 15 per cent of the original 1940s levels.

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

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