Global Pulse compares and contrasts news reports on key issues from around the world. Watch new episodes and follow the issues. http://www.linktv.org/globalpulse/blog en-us Mon, 13 Feb 2012 07:24:10 -0800 http://www.linktv.org/linkasia/blog/post/1159/ajoy-bose-reports-on-an-indian-air-pollution-firestorm 16e6a3326dd7d868cbc926602a61e4d0 [&amp;lt;a href="http://storify.com/LinkAsiaNews/indians-take-issue-with-non-issue-comment" mce_href="http://storify.com/LinkAsiaNews/indians-take-issue-with-non-issue-comment" target="_blank"&amp;gt;View the story "Indians Take Issue with \"Non-Issue\" Comment" on Storify&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;] Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:00:00 -0800 Link Media, Inc. South Asia http://www.linktv.org/about/blog/post/1157/link-tv-continues-to-build-a-bridge-to-iran a8240cb8235e9c493a0c30607586166c <a href="/bridgetoiran"></a>If you read and watch entertainment news, you know that an Iranian filmmaker, Asghar Farhadiis, is racking up the Hollywood awards for A Separation even in a climate of <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2012/feb/05/separation-iran-film-critics-backlash" target="_blank">US-imposed sanctions</a>. And if you're paying attention to most media coverage, you're well aware of the nuclear issue. But other than that, do we have a lens into the lives and stories of Iranians? Does this kind of cultural lens matter as we settle into our perspectives about Iran? Yes. Without showing the lives, struggles and culture of everyday people living and working in Iran, we in the West have a potentially skewed image of Iranians.   In 2006, Link TV developed a documentary TV series, <a href="/bridgetoiran">Bridge to Iran,</a> to provide a window into the lives and struggles of everyday Iranians -- to respond to the cultural and political tensions that have developed between Iran and the US since the Iranian Revolution.  Over the years, Bridge to Iran has covered a wide range of social and political issues in modern Iran, including the experiences of young girls facing womanhood and uncertain futures, religious pilgrims who risk their lives to visit a holy site in war-torn Iraq, rural life and political awareness, an exploration of Tehran as an urban metropolis, and Iranian women's participation in the election process.   The <a href="/bridgetoiran">new season premieres on February 14</a>. In each of the four episodes of Bridge to Iran, in-depth discussions between host Parisa Soultani and top Iranian filmmakers provide a unique lens into some of the challenges and realities facing Iranians during a time of increased instability -- including censorship, sanctions and safety concerns.   Here are the details about the films and when to catch the episodes, on Link TV or online:   <a href="/programs/iran-a-cinematographic-revolution">Iran: A Cinematographic Revolution</a>, directed by Nader Takmil Homayoun, explores the history and politics of Iran through its rich filmmaking tradition; premieres on February 14 at 7:30 pm ET / 4:30 pm PT and February 16 at 10:00pm PT. Watch online starting February 14.   <a href="/programs/the-queen-and-i">The Queen and I</a>, directed by Nahid Sarvestani, documents the filmmaker's complex relationship with the exiled former queen of Iran; premieres on February 21 at 7:30pm ET / 4:30pm PT and February 23 at 10:00pm PT. Watch online now!   <a href="/programs/we-are-half-of-irans-population">We Are Half of Iran's Population</a>, directed by Rakhshan Bani Etemad, looks at women's participation in the controversial 2009 elections; premieres on February 28 at 7:30pm ET / 4:30pm PT and March 1 at 10:00pm PT. Watch online now!   <a href="/programs/siah-bazi-the-joy-makers">Siah Bazi (The Joy Makers)</a>, directed by Maryam Khakipour, traces the demise of a popular form of irreverent street theater; premieres on March 6 at 7:30pm ET / 4:30pm PT and March 8 at 10:00pm PT. Watch online starting March 6.   Bridge to Iran offers a diverse perspective on a country on the receiving end of a torrent of media attention -- but with a lens that's inclusive of the people and the art found within Iranian borders. We hope you'll tune in and tell others.   * * *   Caty Borum Chattoo is a producer and communication strategist with Link TV, assistant professor in the School of Communication at American University in Washington, DC, and media fellow with the AU Center for Social Media. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:00:00 -0800 Link Media, Inc. Middle East Asia North America http://www.linktv.org/linkasia/blog/post/1158/life-in-limbo-the-stories-of-burmese-refugees-in-thailand 0c048b3a434e49e655c1247efb389cec (LinkAsia: February 3, 2012)Yul Kwon:This week, Myanmar's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi began campaigning outside Yangon for April's by-elections. The Nobel Laureate will continue her tour around the country to win support for other candidates from her party. If the politics of Burma has become easier, it doesn't matter to the hundreds of thousands of Burmese who fled the country's military government. At least 140,000 live in Thailand. And for most of them, life is brutal. NHK has the story of one young refugee.--NHK World NEWSLINEAirdate: January 30, 2012Reporter:Mae Sot marks the border between Myanmar and Thailand. The far side is Myanmar. Every day people cross from Myanmar, often illegally, to look for work. They total around 20,000 a year. They expect a better life, but often they find reality is tough. This garbage dump is close to the river. I'm standing at a garbage mountain in the town on the Thai border with Myanmar. The scene is really terrible. Here people from Myanmar make a living by collecting garbage. The mountain of trash is dotted with people. They are searching for scraps of steel and plastic to sell. Thirteen-year-old Zimintu came here with his family five years ago. He earns about a dollar a day, too little to feed his family of four. Picking vegetables out of the garbage is sometimes the only way to get enough to eat.Zimintu:My father is sick, so I have no choice but to do this.Reporter:A local NGO has built a school near the garbage site to help the children. About 150 students attend the school. They all live at the dorm, but they get medical check-ups and free meals through the school. Zimintu's younger brother studied at the school two years ago. After Zimintu finishes his day collecting garbage, he goes to the school to pick up his brother. He wishes he was also playing with his friends. But he has to support his family.Zimintu:Put the sweets in your bag. Let's go home.Reporter:He hopes that one day, he too will go to school and become a doctor.Zimintu:Working at the dump site is no fun at all. It's just that there's no alternative job. I want to return to my hometown someday.Reporter:Zimintu endures a tough job to support his family, but that doesn't stop him from dreaming that one day things will get better. Khemmapat Rojwanichkun, NHK World, Northern Thailand.  Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:00:00 -0800 Link Media, Inc. Asia http://www.linktv.org/mosaic/blog/post/1156/bahrain-denies-journalists-entry-ahead-of-one-year-anniversary e22312179bf43e61576081a2f250f845 In the week leading up to the one year anniversary of Bahrain's February 14 Revolution, many journalists have been denied visas to the country. Journalists from the New York Times, Christian Science Monitor, the Wall Street Journal, the BBC, Associated Foreign Press, and Al-Jazeera English were all denied visas because of what the government is <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/glcarlstrom/status/166920375010209792" target="_blank">calling </a>a "high volume of requests."   "This refusal to allow access for such prestigious media organizations is another ominous signal from the Bahrain government about what might happen this coming week,&rdquo; <a href="http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/2012/02/07/international-media-shut-out-of-bahrain-as-anniversary-approaches/" target="_blank">said </a>Brian Dooley of Human Rights First. "The days approaching the anniversary are tense and rife with rumor. Bahrain's refusal to admit human rights and media organizations only fuels suspicions that the government wants to hide the truth about its ongoing abuses."   It is unclear how many journalists are allowed to enter the country for the February 14 anniversary, but the Information Affairs Agency <a href="http://uncut.indexoncensorship.org/2012/02/journalists-denied-entry-to-bahrain-as-anniversary-of-unrest-approaches/" target="_blank">maintains </a>they are allowing many foreign media outlets to cover the events.   As part of the 2011 "Arab Spring" uprising, the protests in Bahrain were initially aimed at achieving greater political reforms and equality for the predominantly Shia population. However, following a bloody night raid on February 17, 2011 against peaceful protestors staging sit-ins at Pear Roundabout in Manama, the protestors raised their demands and called for an end to the centuries-long authoritarian rule of the Khalifa dynasty. On <a href="/mosaic/20110314" target="_blank">March 14</a>, Hundreds of Saudi troops entered Bahrain to help protect government facilities amid escalating protests against the Sunni-led government.   Mohammed al-Maskati, head of the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights, <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/08/us-bahrain-violence-idUSTRE81713M20120208" target="_blank">says </a>his team has documented 60 deaths since February 14, 2011 and that the police's aggressive approach in countering activists has stiffened in the past two months. Meanwhile, hundreds of activists have been detained, injured, and tortured in the past year.   After almost a year, violence is still rife in Bahrain as the revolutionary youths remain resolute in their demands and Saudi-backed forces are increasingly brutal in their crackdowns. This week the February 14 Youth Coalition issued a "charter" saying the government crackdowns had gone too far. "The aim of this revolution has become to bring down the regime and decide our own fate after it became clear that trying to live with it and reform it has become impossible," it <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/08/us-bahrain-violence-idUSTRE81713M20120208" target="_blank">said</a>.   As next week's anniversary approaches, many people are uncertain about how the events will unfold and worry of increased violence, chaos, and deaths. Emile Hokayen, Mideast Analyst at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/emile_hokayem/status/167227818177069056" target="_blank">tweeted</a>, "Here in Bahrain, lots of uncertainty abt next week. Rumors galore, concern in some quarters, fatigue in others, real frustration among opp."   Photo: A girl flashes the victory sign with her fingers amid fellow anti-government protestors waving Bahraini flags during a rally held by Al-Wefaq, Bahrain's main Shiite opposition, in Sanabis, west of Manama January 12, 2012. Thousands of anti-government protesters participated in the rally shouting anti-government slogans demanding the downfall of the ruling family. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed.   Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:41:11 -0800 Link Media, Inc. Middle East http://www.linktv.org/linkasia/blog/post/1155/chinabuilt-sri-lankan-port-arousing-suspicion 285f89b802bcb2651801455c86d78f2a (LinkAsia: February 3, 2012) Yul Kwon: Now, some view China's growing assertiveness in the South China Sea as part of a naval strategy that stretches all the way to the Persian Gulf. For example, China is building a deep-water port in Sri Lanka. China says its just helping Sri Lanka's economy, but others in Asia are skeptical about Beijing's motives. Here's how NHK reported on the Sri Lankan port.   --   NHK World NEWSLINE Airdate: January 27, 2012   NHK Anchor: China is currently helping to construct seaports in Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Bangladesh, sometimes referred to as China's "string of pearls." The ports encircle India. Some observers view them with suspicion, evidence of alleged Chinese ambitions over the region. Today's report from Sri Lanka looks at a massive port facility China is building on the island, and how India might respond. NHK World's Namini Wijedasa reports.   Reporter: Construction is well underway at this seaport in Hambantota in southern Sri Lanka. Some facilities began operations in 2010. 85% of the cost of construction is being shouldered by China. The government claims that once complete, the port will be one of the biggest in south Asia, with capacity for 33 vessels, including some of the world's largest ships. Hambantota is situated at the mid-point of a crucial ceiling that connects the Persian Gulf with the Malacca Strait. It's an attractive position for a maritime hub.     Nilantha Siriwardana, Divisional Secretariat: Located in the middle of a ceiling, we are well-placed to offer shipping and fuel services. It's a good opportunity for Sri Lanka to develop.   Reporter: The port is being built by Chinese companies. And almost all the workers are Chinese. The massive project is already a popular tourist attraction.   Local Resident: We're really grateful to China. It's thanks to them that we can build such a port.   Reporter: The Chinese activities in the town aren't limited to the seaport. This international airport has a 3.5-kilometer runway and is due to open this year. Here too, China is paying for some of the construction. The main contractor is also Chinese. Massive amounts of Chinese aid are transforming this once normal town into a transport center for the entire region. Some observers are concerned. They fear China might use the facilities for military purposes. But that's not a position shared by the Sri Lankan government. It welcomes Chinese economic support.   Basil Rajapaksa, Sri Lankan Economic Development Minister: We will make sure that Sri Lanka will be very closely allied with India, and we will never do any harm. To my knowledge, China has never indicated anything like that kind of military assistance.   Reporter: India is looking on with caution. It opened a consulate in Hambantota in November 2010 to gather information. For India, economic grow is a top priority. Confrontation with China is unappealing. For now, it has little choice but to try and keep the peace. With a careful eye on the developments taking place around the shores of the Indian Ocean. Namini Wijedasa, NHK World, Hambantota, Sri Lanka. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:00:00 -0800 Link Media, Inc. Asia South Asia http://www.linktv.org/worldmusic/blog/post/1153/svetlana-spajic-sings-an-ode-to-nikola-tesla 55b1927fdafef39c48e5b73b5d61ea60   From an entire night of a capella magnificence and magic at DROM, comes this praise song for inventor <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikola_Tesla" target="_blank">Nikola Tesla.</a> (Surprise of evening was the presence of Debbie Harry in the audience.) Here are Svetlana's notes on the song:   "The song in honor of Serbian Scientist Nikola Tesla, made by my old godfather Milan Bilbija from Cirkin Polje, Prijedor, Bosnian Krajina. He died in 2008. Melody made by Svetlana Spajic."   The brief shot of the overhead image of the gusle, the Serbian instrument upon which the epic singers (guslars) play, with image of Tesla, is the property of multi-instrumentalist Darco Macura, who I finally met face to face along with Svetlana, in Belgrade in 1997. I had used several of his musical performances in a compilation of music I was producing. He was also Svetlana&rsquo;s first mentor.   Lyric translation by Svetlana Spajic:   My soul is in pain, but I sing this song, I sing the song from Nikola Tesla Oh Nikola, brilliant and smart, you invented electric power, magnetic waves and transformers Oh Nikola if you'd lived longer, you would have made electric power from the sun. Where are you now? Where are your New York doves? Does the new America remember you? Scientists don't care for monuments; yours, Nikola, stands at Niagara Falls Oh Nikola, from the village of Smiljan, the gusle is adorned with your image Oh Nikola, it doesn't matter that you are a Serb, the generations of the world will remember you   For more of Michal's original music videos, visit <a href="http://inter-muse.com/" target="_blank">inter-muse.com</a> Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:00:00 -0800 Link Media, Inc. Europe http://www.linktv.org/linkasia/blog/post/1154/mayor-of-village-near-fukushima-calls-for-residents-to-return e8b1cbd05f6e6a358a81dee52493dd06 (LinkAsia: February 3, 2012) Yul Kwon: Now to Japan, where last spring's earthquake and tsunami triggered a nuclear disaster. Seventy-eight thousand people fled the area surrounding the damaged Fukushima nuclear plant. And this week, the mayor of one village called on residents to return home. But are they safe from radiation? Here's NHK with the story.   --   NHK World NEWSLINE Airdate: January 31, 2012   Reporter: Kawauchi village is located about 20 kilometers southwest of the plant. It was evacuated last year following the March 11th earthquake and nuclear disaster. All 3,000 residents were forced to leave. The evacuation advisory was lifted in September, but only about 200 people have returned.   Yuko Endo, Kawauchi Mayor: I am making this declaration to ask and encourage residents to return home. I am determined to overcome hardships. Let's create a safe village together.   Reporter: Endo announced on Tuesday he will return to Village Hall in March. He says elementary and junior high schools will re-open in April. The nuclear accident forced a complete evacuation of nine municipalities in Fukushima. Kawauchi will be the first to have residents return home, but many are worried. They say decontamination work is behind schedule.   Resident: My child wants to go home, but I'm worried about radioactivity. I have mixed feelings.   Reporter: Another concern is jobs. There were 95 businesses in the village, but only 35 have re-opened since the quake.   Yuko Endo, Kawauchi Mayor: The declaration is only the beginning. I'm not expecting results soon. I hope villagers come home after all radioactive substances have been removed, maybe in two or three years. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:00:00 -0800 Link Media, Inc. Asia http://www.linktv.org/linkasia/blog/post/1152/david-bandurski-on-chinas-economic-reformsor-lack-thereof 45f31d16b1058d586fc3be7207b58053 [&lt;a href="http://storify.com/LinkAsiaNews/page-not-found" mce_href="http://storify.com/LinkAsiaNews/page-not-found" target="_blank"&gt;View the story "\"Page Not Found.\"" on Storify&lt;/a&gt;] Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:00:00 -0800 Link Media, Inc. Asia http://www.linktv.org/linkasia/blog/post/1151/a-vision-for-asian-news f197002b9a0853eca5e046d9ca4663d5 [&lt;a href="http://storify.com/LinkAsiaNews/why-i-want-to-link-to-asia" mce_href="http://storify.com/LinkAsiaNews/why-i-want-to-link-to-asia" target="_blank"&gt;View the story "Why I Want to Link to Asia" on Storify&lt;/a&gt;] Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:00:00 -0800 Link Media, Inc. Asia South Asia http://www.linktv.org/linkasia/blog/post/1150/welcome-to-linkasia 2b38c2df6a49b97f706ec9148ce48d86 [&amp;lt;a href="http://storify.com/LinkAsiaNews/asia-from-the-treetops-to-the-grassroots" mce_href="http://storify.com/LinkAsiaNews/asia-from-the-treetops-to-the-grassroots" target="_blank"&amp;gt;View the story "Asia: From the Treetops to the Grassroots" on Storify&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;] Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:00:00 -0800 Link Media, Inc. South Asia Asia http://www.linktv.org/linkasia/blog/post/1145/asias-response-to-iranian-oil-embargo feab05aa91085b7a8012516bc3533958 [&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://storify.com/LinkAsiaNews/how-will-iranian-oil-sanctions-affect-asian-countr" mce_href="http://storify.com/LinkAsiaNews/how-will-iranian-oil-sanctions-affect-asian-countr" target="_blank"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;View the story "How will Iranian oil sanctions affect Asian countries?" on Storify&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;] Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:00:00 -0800 Link Media, Inc. Middle East South Asia Asia http://www.linktv.org/linkasia/blog/post/1149/japans-perspective-on-an-iranian-oil-embargo 09c6c3783b4a70054da74f2538ed47c6   (LinkAsia: January 27, 2012) Yul Kwon: The European Union is increasing the pressure on Iran to halt its nuclear program. It&rsquo;s joining the US and the UK in the latest round of sanctions, which includes an embargo on Iranian oil. Japanese broadcaster NHK has our top story.   --   NHK World NEWSLINE Airdate: January 23, 2012   Reporter: The EU ministers made their decision at a meeting in Brussels. Their sanctions came in line with similar measures that were approved last month in the United States. The ministers agreed to freeze the assets of Iran&rsquo;s central bank. They want to cut off the main source of revenue for the government. The EU is the second-largest importer of Iranian oil. It accounts for nearly 20 percent of the total. Sources close to the talks say the ministers are focusing on how Iran will react to the decision, including the possible closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The strait is the only waterway to the open ocean for many areas around the Persian Gulf. NHK World&rsquo;s Go Sawahata has just been there. He reports that it&rsquo;s still busy, at least for now.   Go Sawahata (Reporter): I reached the Strait of Hormuz by sailing up the coast of Oman. The Persian Gulf was busy with oil tankers from all over the world. Oman has military facilities near the Strait of Hormuz. Omani boats were on patrol. Iran conducted huge naval exercises in the area late last month. Iran has also just launched its latest missiles in a show of its military clout. The United States has deployed a second aircraft carrier in the area. Countries along the gulf have built up their military forces in case of tension with Iran. The United Arab Emirates signed a contract last month to buy the latest US missile interceptors. Saudi Arabia signed a deal to buy more F-15 fighters from the United States.   Theodore Karasik (Institute of Near East and Gulf Military Analysis): They&rsquo;re increasingly buying more arms, as well as their recent experience in Libya, has taught them how to use air power effectively. So this is a nice combination of attributes to face off against Iran.   Go Sawahata: The big question is how Gulf States will export their oil if the Strait of Hormuz is closed. The UAE is building a pipeline to bypass the strait. But the pipeline won&rsquo;t be finished for at least six months.   Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al Nahyan (UAE Foreign Minister): I&rsquo;ll do everything I can to keep oil production going.   Go Sawahata: Ninety percent of Japan&rsquo;s oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz. Japanese businesses are keeping a close eye on developments. This Japanese company is involved with production of oil in the UAE for export to Japan. Even if the Strait of Hormuz stays open, any more military tension will hit the company&rsquo;s business.   Katsujiro Kida (Japan Oil Development): Closure of the strait would create a situation beyond any company&rsquo;s control. An accidental incident could trigger something that nobody wants to happen.   Go Sawahata: Tension between the West and Iran over Iranian nuclear program is at a critical level. There are fears of a regional war. The fate of the central artery for global oil transport is at stake.    Fri, 27 Jan 2012 12:00:00 -0800 Link Media, Inc. Middle East Asia http://www.linktv.org/mosaic/blog/post/1146/one-year-later-young-egyptians-vow-to-finish-their-incomplete-revolution 8a3363abe792db2d8761d6403605aeb7 The events of January 25, 2011 sparked a movement that changed the course of history in Egypt and the entire region. Exactly one year later, thousands of Egyptians who participated in the revolution that toppled President Hosni Mubarak filled Cairo's Tahrir Square. While some gathered in celebration, many others rallied in defiance of what they believe is an unfinished revolution. "I think anyone who intends to go and celebrate on January 25 needs to go and reconsider this choice because we still have a long way to go," <a href="http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2012/01/24/what_happened_to_my_revolution?page=0,3" target="_blank">recounts </a>one protestor.   As revolutionaries reflect on the January 25 anniversary, for many, today is a grim reminder that despite the fall of Mubarak, not much has changed in Egypt. One journalist who has been covering events in Egypt all year <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jan/25/egypt-bloggers-january-25-anniversary?newsfeed=true" target="_blank">described</a> the revolution as "young and intoxicating&hellip;Mubarak was gone, and Egypt overflowed with hope and the invincibility of youth." But today, "one year later, the romanticism of the revolution has faded."   As bitter political division and a troubled economy still plague the country today, many wonder how long and what it will take for Egypt to bounce back. And, despite historic first round parliamentary elections, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) still remains largely in charge.  <a href="/mosaic">According to al-Alam TV</a>, hundreds of thousands of protestors across the country today are demanding an end to military rule, the start of presidential elections, and the execution of deposed President Hosni Mubarak. They are also mourning the many Egyptians who have died since January 25, 2011.   Despite the unforeseen challenges since the fall of Mubarak, Egyptians are determined not to give up on the promise of the "Arab Spring." When the Guardian newspaper <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jan/25/egypt-jan-25-anniversary-twitter-stories?newsfeed=true" target="_blank">asked </a>people on Twitter, "What does #Jan25 a year on mean to you?", many responses conveyed a sense of deep pride and hope for the future of Egypt. One person tweeted, "This year's #Jan25 is filled with hope of a better future 4 #Egypt even though it is still marred by a number uncertainties." Another wrote, " We breathe hope, we paid blood to get our freedom, my beloved Egypt is and will always be great.#JAN25"     Photo: A demonstrator carries an Egyptian flag near Tahrir Square where demonstrators are gathering to mark the first anniversary of Egypt's uprising, January 25, 2012.  REUTERS/Asmaa Waguih   Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:00:00 -0800 Link Media, Inc. North Africa Middle East http://www.linktv.org/linkasia/blog/post/1147/japans-shuttered-nuclear-reactors-rumble-to-life a1d50185e7426cbb0acad1e6ca74b9aa (LinkAsia: January 20, 2012)  Sydnie Kohara: The International Energy Agency says that Japan is generating electricity from oil, because only 5 of the country&rsquo;s 54 nuclear reactors are in operation. According to the utility TEPCO, two reactors in Niigata prefecture just passed an earthquake stress test, which means they can stay open. But Japanese broadcaster NHK tells us the governor of Niigata is skeptical.   --   NHK World NEWSLINE Airdate: January 16, 2012   Reporter: TEPCO gave the nuclear and industrial safety agency the results of tests on the number one and number 7 reactors at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant in Niigata prefecture. The tests are a precondition for restarting the reactors. Tepco claims the reactors could endure a tsunami of up to 15 meters, nearly 5 times as high than the safety standards set by the company.   Zengo Aizawa (TEPCO): We considered the two reactors more than safe enough. We want to explain the results to local residents and authorities. We also want to consult with them about how to proceed.   Reporter: Niigata governor Hirohiko Izumida says it&rsquo;s still too early to decide whether to restart the reactors.   Hirohiko Izumida (Niigata governor): Doing stress tests is better than nothing. Of course, TEPCO has to factor in what really happened at Fukushima-Daiichi. Otherwise, what&rsquo;s the point in having this kind of computer simulation?   Reporter: Japan&rsquo;s utilities have submitted stress test results for 14 reactors. That&rsquo;s nearly 30 percent of the reactors that have been shut down for inspections. Fri, 20 Jan 2012 12:00:00 -0800 Link Media, Inc. Asia http://www.linktv.org/linkasia/blog/post/1148/vietnams-lunar-new-year-homecoming df0aab058ce179e4f7ab135ed4e641a9 (LinkAsia: January 20, 2012) Sydnie Kohara: Vietnam is also preparing to celebrate the Lunar New Year. People are returning to their hometowns and that includes former refugees who fled the country during the Vietnam War. The government has made a point of welcoming them back this year with a high-profile event. It reflects the government&rsquo;s desire to reconcile with expatriates amid a shortage of skilled workers. Here&rsquo;s NHK with the story.   --   NHK World NEWSLINE Airdate: January 17, 2012   Reporter: State-run television covered the Welcome Home event on Monday as its lead story on the evening news. The government-sponsored Spring in Homeland 2012 party took place ahead of newt week&rsquo;s lunar new year, known as Tet in Vietnam.   Many people fled the country during the Vietnam War, especially from now-defunct South Vietnam, in the final days of the conflict in the 1970s. About 2.7 million Vietnamese now live overseas.   Officials used to treat them with suspicion because of connections with pro-reform groups. But that attitude has changed in recent years. The government even invited children living from overseas back to Vietnam to see first-hand how the country is developing.   Former refugees are now viewed as a possible solution to the shortage of business leaders Vietnam needs to further its market reforms. At Monday&rsquo;s event, President Truong Tan Sang played drums to welcome the expats home. The government will likely continue to send messages of conciliation to Vietnamese from around the world to return and support the country&rsquo;s economic development. Fri, 20 Jan 2012 12:00:00 -0800 Link Media, Inc. Asia http://www.linktv.org/rss/linktv_rss.gif http://www.linktv.org/globalpulse/blog