Heeding the Cull of the Wild

Published on Jun 12, 2011 by Luke Hunt

Governments in the region are going on the attack against poachers in response to a depletion of wildlife. But experts say measures are needed to address what’s driving this murderous market. Read more in Spectrum. The recent seizure of 450 rare and endangered turtles, which were stuffed into four suitcases, at Suvarnabhumi airport has heightened growing concerns over animal poaching in Asia. The seizure was just one of many, indicating a worrying regional trend.   .

Burma’s Richest Man

Published on Jun 10, 2011 by Luke Hunt

No sooner had the Burmese military attempted to convince the world it was too poor to undertake a nuclear programme than its richest man emerges from the shadows to brag about the incredible fortunes he, the generals and local and Chinese businessmen have amassed over the years. Read more in The Diplomat … Tay Za is a 47-year-old billionaire — and he wants the West to know it. He recently told an Italian journalist in his first interview with the foreign press: ‘I want it to be known once and for all that I am the wealthiest man in Burma. Too many Chinese have taken our citizenship and are now boasting they are the richest. But they’re not pure Burmese.’....

Weekly News Summary – June 10

Published on Jun 10, 2011 by Luke Hunt

A look at the headlines making news this week from around Asia. ASIAWATCH — China and North Korea began constructing joint economic zones near their border regions using “government-guided, enterprise-based and marked-oriented” principles. Officials described the development projects as symbolising a “new chapter in the history of the traditional DPRK-China friendship”. Little else is known about the plans, which have occurred as North Korea prepares to transition to a new leader. South Korea, meanwhile, has appointed a North Korean defector to head a government research institute. It would be the highest South Korean government job that a North Korean refugee has ever taken. A court in Inner Mongolia has sentenced a Chinese coalmine worker to death for killing an ethnic....

Authorities Act on Wildlife Poaching

Published on Jun 8, 2011 by Luke Hunt

Photo by Melissa Alut Lim The seizure of 450 rare and endangered turtles, which were stuffed into four suitcases, at Bangkok International Airport last week has highlighted growing concern over animal poaching in Asia. Luke Hunt travelled from Southern India to north Borneo for this report for Radio Australia. Presenter: Luke Hunt Speakers: Tony Lamb, agriculturalist and horticulturalist with the Malaysian government; Sridhar Lakshmana, Managing Trustee for the Base Camp Social Research Foundation in southern India. .

Weekly News Summary – June 3

Published on Jun 3, 2011 by Luke Hunt

A look at the headlines making news this week from around Asia. ASIAWATCH — Japan’s Prime Minister Naoto Kan survived a no-confidence motion brought by dissatisfied MPs critical of his handling of March’s earthquake and tsunami disaster. In exchange for further time in the top job, Kan compromised with the rebellion of senior party members and agreed to step down once the crises were under control. Also in Japan, a hacker group claimed it had successfully infiltrated Sony’s security system. The global electronic corporation is investigating claims that the hackers stole more than one million passwords and email addresses. In April, Sony had to apologise after its PlayStation Network was attacked and hackers stole data from more than 77 million....