Asia-Cast

Asia Cast for Monday 7th June

In this Bulletin…

- Chinese environmentalists tell multi-nationals to clean up their acts;
- Thai cabinet reshuffled; and
- Australia to investigate privacy breaches by Google.

But first we have our Shen Yun quote of the day

[audio]

For more information please visit www.shenyunperformingarts.org.

Our SOH focus on China is next

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Chinese environmentalists have released a report naming and shaming IT manufacturing companies causing severe heavy metal pollution.

The report by 34 environmental organisations across China says the scale of the pollution shows current controls are inadequate.

Many major IT brands outsource production of components to China to lower their costs. Greenpeace said that although these multinational companies all release their environmental-related data in accordance with the laws in other countries, they fail to do so in China.

The reports authors sent letters to 29 IT companies urging them to be more environmentally responsible. So far 20 of them have responded.

To find out just how this situation has come about check out The Epoch Times website.

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Several senior staff at a Chinese TV station were reportedly suspended for airing a reference to the 1989 Tiananmen Square Massacre. The Epoch Times said news about the suspensions has spread rapidly on the internet.

According to an unconfirmed report received by Radio France Internationale, several senior managers are under investigation after Shenzhen Satellite TV aired politically sensitive images.

Radio Free Asia said it was the appearance of a young man wearing a T-shirt carrying the words ‘Vindicate June 4′ that has landed the TV station in hot water.

During the June 4 1989 anniversary period, all media outlets in China are closely monitored. And reporting on the topic is strictly banned.

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And now for the rest of today’s Asia Cast

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North Korea has reacted aggressively to South Korean attempts to have it censured at the UN Security Council. Seoul wants the UN to condemn the north for a torpedo attack that killed 46 members of the South Korean navy.

Pyongyang labelled the diplomatic drive by South Korea as a ‘conspiratorial farce’ and warned of a stern punishment.

Seoul needs the support of Russia and China to secure a UN censure resolution against the North. China and Russia are both veto-wielding council members of the security council. Traditionally they have been close to Pyongyang.

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Thailand’s premier has announced a cabinet reshuffle to bring unity to the government and enable it to keep on working.

The premier said he would like the government to be able to solve the security problems Thailand was having and implement a reconciliation plan.

The Thai king has endorsed the eight new ministers. And they will be sworn in this week.

The finance, defence and foreign ministers, who hold key roles in the current government, remain unchanged.

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

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Pakistani health authorities said seven people were electrocuted when heavy storms struck the port city of Karachi. The deaths came as Cyclone Phet battered parts of southern Pakistan Sunday.

Hundreds of people, including fishermen and their boats, had to be rescued as the cyclone brought strong winds and heavy rainfall to coastal areas.

The navy remained on high alert Sunday, should they be needed in the aftermath of the cyclone. Pakistan’s naval chief said their relief effort would prioritise civilians along the coast.

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Australia is launching an investigation into whether Google breached privacy laws while collecting images for it Street View service.

The police were ordered to investigate complaints that Google had gathered personal data from some unencrypted wi-fi services. Australia’s attorney general thet police should investigate possible criminal breaches of the telecommunications privacy laws.

The possible offences occurred while Google vehicles collected private wireless data during the course of capturing images for Street View.

Google has said the collecting of personal data was in error. As a heavy critic of Australia’s plans for nationwide internet filters, Google has implied the investigation was part os some corporate vendetta.

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