Asia-Cast

Asia Cast for Sunday 18th January

In this Bulletin…

-Man in China interrogated and detained for handing out flyers;
-Three Red Cross workers kidnapped in the Philippines, and
-New species of marine animals discovered.

But first, here’s our SOH focus on China

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According to mainland China sources, in order to have a second child with her new Husband, Li Yingfang hired someone to kill her husband’s daughter and her own son, resulting in the death of her own 9-year-old son.

Chinese policies limit couples to have only one child. Chinese Business Daily reported Li Yingfang 36 used to be an employee of a Bank in China in Chengcheng County, Shanxi Province.

In 2004 Li Yingfang remarried with Mr. Hou and after always wanted another child, she fell pregnant two times, but was reported on by her husband’s ex-wife and was forced to have abortions.

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According to mainland China sources, for several decades, a Shanghai citizen, Dan Miaofa, has continued to appeal for justice for his father who was badly treated during the Cultural Revolution.

On December 31, While he handing out flyers in Shanghai’s CBD he was attested by local police, during which he was subjected to violent interrogation, detention, and was not released until January 9.

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And now for the rest of today’s Asia Cast
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A girl aged two is in a serious condition after been affected with the H5N1 strain of bird flu in Shanxi, northern China.

The girl was discovered ill on 7 January in the central province of Hunan and taken to a hospital in her home province, Chinese state media say.

Health officials did not say how the child had become infected.

China’s health ministry said that the girl had been transferred to another hospital after her symptoms grew worse.

All anyone who have come close contact with her are under “strict medical observation”.

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Following the kidnapping of three Red Cross workers in the Philippines, the international Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has temporarily suspended operations.

Military chief Alexander Yano says some 2,000 soldiers are searching the towns of Talipao, Indanan and Patikul for a Swiss, Italian and Filipino, all members of the ICRC, who were abducted by an armed group.

Authorities are investigating the jail guard who is said to have possible links a leader of the local extremist group Abu Sayyaf.

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You’re listening to Asia Cast on the SOH Radio Network
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Toyota has announced it will slash they’re production to 9,000 vehicles a day, less the half of the 20.000 it was turning out daily because of the global economic crisis.

The cut will bring Toyota below the 11,000 cars a day the company reportedly needs to produce to be profitable.

The company has also suspended production for a day at 11 of its 12 Japanese car plants, the first in a series of shut-downs designed to combat the slump in sales caused by the financial crisis.

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A host of new species of marine animals in deep waters south-west of Tasmania have been discovered by Scientists

The joint US-Australian team collected samples from depths never before explored in Australian waters.

The scientists used a deep diving robot to explore a rift in the earth’s crust known as the Tasman Fracture Zone, which drops from 2,000 metres to 4,000 metres.

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And now for our Divine Performing Arts quote of the day by a dancer and pianist, Steve and Bridgett from Montreal Canada…

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Experience true Chinese culture like never before as Divine Performing Arts presents classical Chinese dance and music in gloriously colorful and exhilarating shows.

The Divine Performing Arts world tour is coming to a city near you soon. Don’t miss out, visit www.divineperformingarts.org today.

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