Asian View
Key words : origin life
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20201206_06/
A capsule released from Japanese space probe Hayabusa2 has been observed re-entering Earth's atmosphere, with witnesses in Australia seeing a fireball like a big shooting star in the sky.
The capsule, which is believed to be carrying sand samples from the remote asteroid Ryugu, was on course to land in a desert in South Australia.
The capsule was observed as a fireball shortly before 2:30 a.m. on Sunday Japan Time, or around 4:00 a.m. local time in South Australia.
The capsule has commands to open its parachute at a height of about 10,000 meters before landing in the desert.
A team waiting near the expected landing zone will search for and retrieve the capsule.
The capsule will be analyzed for gases that may have been emitted by the sample before it is flown to Japan to be opened in a research facility. That will mark the end of its 5 billion-kilometer voyage to and from Ryugu that took 6 years to complete.
The capsule's contents will be distributed to researchers for experiments on how the solar system was formed.
They are expected to analyze the sand samples for signs of water and organic substances, which could give clues about the origins of life on Earth.
The Hayabusa2 probe is already heading for a new mission as it still has much of its fuel. The spacecraft is expected to reach another asteroid in 11 years and explore it.
Key words : south chief prosecutor
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20201206_14/
South Korea's chief prosecutor is to face a disciplinary panel on Thursday following a request by Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae.
Prosecutor-General Yoon Seok-youl has been at odds with President Moon Jae-in's administration since he led investigations into a scandal involving relatives of former justice minister Cho Kuk. Cho was forced to resign.
After becoming justice minister, Choo demoted and transferred Yoon's close associates. Late last month, Choo suspended Yoon and sought to penalize him for allegedly obstructing inspections.
South Korean media reports say the panel may decide to dismiss Yoon. His term ends next July.
Yoon won a court decision that nullified Choo's order and returned to work last Tuesday.
He is now seeking a ruling from the constitutional court that the disciplinary panel, whose members were selected by Choo, is unconstitutional.
It is unclear if the panel can meet as scheduled.
Key words : taiwan banned
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20201205_06/
Authorities in Taiwan have banned the publication of a Chinese picture book after it was criticized for glorifying China's response to the coronavirus.
The book is about a child whose father is a doctor. It depicts him giving up his Lunar New Year holiday to help stop the spread of the virus.
Some lawmakers in Taiwan took issue with the book's expressions, such as, "Hang in there, China," and "Hang in there, Wuhan".
On Wednesday, the culture ministry banned the book, saying the necessary application for permission to publish it in Taiwan had not been made.
Authorities in Taiwan say they respect freedom of the press, but are stepping up their supervision. They claim the book is part of Beijing's agenda to realize unification.
Key words : thailand king
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20201206_02/
Thailand's king has been greeted by crowds of his supporters despite anti-government protests that are calling for royal reform.
King Maha Vajiralongkorn, accompanied by Queen Suthida, appeared before about 50,000 people who gathered at a square near the Grand Palace in the capital, Bangkok, on Saturday. The king led a birthday commemoration for his late father.
The Thai king walked through the crowd of royalists and talked with some of them after he read out a message praying for stability and prosperity of the country.
A man who participated in the event said protests will subside if protesters see this turnout and understand the truth.
A woman said people who are critical of the king have no right to live in the country.
The anti-government protests led by a youth movement are demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and royal reform.
Protesters criticize the king for his intervention into Thai politics and demand that use of royal assets should be more transparent. They have marched to facilities linked to the monarchy.
The Prayut administration is stepping up a crackdown on demonstrators. Police have questioned protest leaders for allegedly insulting the monarchy.
Key words : international ski
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20201205_11/
The International Ski Federation, or FIS, has announced that test events for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing will not be held during the 2020-21 season.
FIS events which will be affected are the Freestyle Ski, Snowboard, Freeski World Championships; the Ski Jumping Continental Cup; the Ski Jumping World Cup; the Nordic combined World Cup; the Alpine World Cup; and the Cross Country World Cup.
The events were scheduled to be held at Beijing Olympic venues from January through March of 2021.
But China has put in place restrictions on international travelers due to the coronavirus pandemic, and FIS says the situation is likely to remain complex for the coming months.
The Beijing Organising Committee and FIS say they hope to hold other events to test the venues with only Chinese athletes.
The International Skating Union, or ISU, also canceled test events in Beijing.
The Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final, initially scheduled for December, the World Cup Short Track Speed Skating, scheduled for December, and the World Speed Skating Championships, scheduled for February, have all been canceled.
Key words : business jet
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20201207_01/
Interest in business jets has been expanding as a way to transport small groups of people while reducing the risk of catching the coronavirus.
The trend comes as Japan has resumed business travel to and from China, Singapore, and other parts of the world.
JAL Business Aviation operates charter flights for groups of up to about 10 people. The Japanese firm says the number of inquiries it receives from corporate clients has recently climbed roughly four times from the level before the pandemic.
The company ascribes the rise to reduced regular international flights and the need to take anti-infection steps for people on business trips.
President and CEO Konto Ryusuke says hygienic issues appear to be fueling the interest although business jets are usually regarded as a luxury.
Another Japanese company, Fuji Business Jet, offers domestic charter flights. It plans to increase its fleet of three jets to four around next spring.
Key words : resident typhoon
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20201207_04/
Roadside trees in a Japanese community hit hard by a powerful typhoon last year have been illuminated to lift the spirits of residents.
Colorful light bulbs lit up a roughly 1-kilometer stretch of 120 trees on Sunday evening, in a residential neighborhood of Nagano City.
Typhoon Hagibis flooded houses in the area when a nearby river levee section broke.
A local resident said she is happy now that the illumination has brightened her mood.
A local commerce and industry group led the project. Its branch chief said it will take more time to rebuild the district.
He said he hopes people who left the area after the disaster will come back to enjoy the illumination.
The event will run through the end of January.
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