World News 7/27

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JAPAN:

Japan has demonstrated its continuing success in space technology by launching an H-2B rocket carrying the unmanned Kounotori 3 cargo vehicle bound for the international space station last Saturday. This 3rd successful launch of such a cargo has fully established as a player in space technology. The rocket was launched from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA’s) Tanegashima Space Center in the town of Minami-Tane, Kagoshima Prefecture.
The Kounotori 3 is set to dock with the space station tonight. A Japanese astronaut will carry out the docking of the vehicle with the space station using a robot arm together with an American astronaut.
At the present time U.S., Europe and Russia dominate the large rocket market and compete to replace the void left by the cancellation of the U.S. Space Shuttle program. Mitsubishi is set to take over Japan’s future launches and compete with the big 3.
Japan’s biggest hurdle to compete is the high cost of their rockets. Private competitors in the U.S. are developing price cutting strategies, but Japan established a space strategy Cabinet Office on July 12th in response.

PHILIPPINES:

On Monday, Philippine President Benigno Aquino addressed a joint session of her congress and expressed her resolve to stand up to China on their territorial disputes in the South China Sea. She said that China must respect the Philippine’s rights there and asked for the support of her people in peacefully resolving the dispute. She said “Let us speak with one voice.”
She also announced that the Philippines will make upgrades in its military capabilities in response to China’s territorial claims against large areas of the South China Sea. Vietnam, Taiwan, Brunei and Malaysia also are involved in the disputes with China. The areas in dispute have large oil reserves under the seabed.
The military upgrades will be accomplished by a 75 billion peso fund.

THAILAND:

There was a large seizure of animals protected under the law in Thailand in the Muang district of Thailand on Monday. The 47 protected animals including crocodiles, monitor lizards, an Asiatic black bear, turtles and hawk eagles. The action took place at a Buddhist temple in Kanchanaburi province known as Wat Phothisat Banpot Nimit.
The large group of about 100 authorities and police found 47 undocumented protected animals among the 80 live animals at the temple. They also found an elephant skeleton. The animals are scheduled to be transferred to sanctioned facilities for such animals.

MYANMAR:

Aung San Suu Kyi completed her triumphant tour of Europe last Wednesday in Paris. The French gave her a welcome much like the ones reserved for foreign leaders. First she met with President Francois Hollande at the Elysée presidential palace. She then conducted a news conference and attended a formal dinner with government leaders and French intellectuals. At the news conference she praised Myanmar President Thein Sein and characterized him as sincere and honest. She expressed reservations about many other government officials and the military leaders. She said these leaders also have to be committed to the President’s reform measures.