Asia-Cast

Asia Cast for Wednesday 23rd June

In this Bulletin…

- Fake anti-cancer drugs from China;
- Thailand red-shirts mourn rogue general; and
- Australia’s cyber-crimes increase.

But first we have our SOH focus on China.

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

Counterfeit anti-cancer drugs from China are impacting pharmaceutical companies world-wide, reports The Epoch Times.

They’ve been prevalent in China for many years. Yet, lack of adequate drug regulations is to blame for the large amounts of fake anti-cancer drugs flooding the market.

The fake medications are being sold in two-thirds of Chinese drug stores, says one investigator. People are not only losing their money on the dangerous fakes, but also their lives.

The World Health Organization estimates that 10 percent of the pharmaceutical drugs in global circulation are bogus, with China being the biggest contributor of the counterfeits.

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

Beijing recently announced it plans to make China’s currency more flexible, allowing it to gain value against the U.S. dollar. However, it’s ruling out a large, one-off move in the Yuan’s value.

And on Tuesday, for the first time since the weekend pledge, its central bank raised the centre point of the currency’s official trading band.

But analysts said China would still limit the appreciation so as not to damage its export-led economy.

The move, ahead of the G20 summit later this month in Toronto, has tempered market fears of a possible trade war between China and the US.

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

Now for the rest of today’s news.

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

Thousands of red-shirts attended the funeral of a Thai activist leader who was shot in May as he led anti-government protestors in Bangkok.

Although nearly 1,000 police were stationed in the capital, the general’s cremation ceremony was a peaceful event.

The protest leader known as Commander Red was shot by an unknown gunman while speaking to an American journalist.

Thailand media reported that along with red-shirts, the ceremony was also attended by government and opposition politicians, senior military and police officers.

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

Kyrgyzstan’s border patrol say about 35,000 refugees have returned to the country after fleeing because of ethnic clashes.

But, authorities say tensions remain high as angry protestors have confronted the country’s interim leader over falling living standards since he took power.

They also say they are moving elections forward by a month in order to bring a legitimate government as quickly as possible.

The number could not be confirmed. A spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in Uzbekistan said aid workers had seen a large number of refugees returning.

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

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

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

Private hauling companies carrying supplies to American soldiers in Afghanistan are helping to fund the Taliban, says a U.S. report.

A contract worth US$2.2 billion dollars paying for the transport of supplies has intensified the rise of warlord activities it warns. It may be a significant source of funding for insurgents.

It highlights the problem of private militias extorting money from the primary contractors by attacking convoys that have not bought protection. Such highway warlords are also believed to pay protection money directly to insurgents, it said.

Many warlords operate under the name of officially registered private security companies.

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

Australian’s are being targeted by cyber criminals like never before says a new cyber crime report published by the government.

The report says cyber crimes are costing Australian business nearly US$565 million dollars a year and suggests some direct steps to protect consumers.

Some steps include a national cyber-crime reporting centre, more training for law enforcement agencies and information sharing on a wider range of cyber-crime types.

The report also stresses that increasing internet speeds would probably worsen the situation for consumers and businesses.

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

And we now bring you the Shen Yun quote of the day

[audio]

Asia Cast will be changing to a weekly round up of events around the Asia-Pacific region. We’re keeping our focus on China and will continue to cover topics avoided by other media. The SOH Radio Network thanks you, we value your listener-ship and your feedback.

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