Asia-Cast

Asia Cast for Tuesday 11th May

In this Bulletin…

- Rainstorms in Southern China affecting millions;
- Aquino opens strong in Philippines election; and
- Climate scientists predict Earth too hot for humans in future.

But first we have our Shen Yun quote of the day

[Audio]

For more information please visit www.ShenYunPerformingArts.org.

Our SOH focus on China is next

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China’s southern provinces are going through heavy rainstorms causing destruction and mudslides, reports The Epoch Times.

The latest report says 86 people are dead or missing. The rainstorms have affected millions of people, displacing about 250,000, and damaging nearly 10,000 houses.

In Guangdong, a recent storm, considered the most powerful rainstorm in history, flooded over 30 parking garages in just a few hours.

Last Thursday much of Hunan was devastated by heavy rainstorms.

In Hunan Province, avalanches and mudslides have hit more than 1,000 locations. Heavy rains are expected to continue until May 13.

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A man in Jiangxi Province has been arrested after allegedly stabbing to death eight people, including three family members.

State-run media say the man was arrested on Saturday evening, less than two hours after the attack occurred.

China has been going through a spate of knife attacks; most recently there have been several attacks on children.

Recent studies have cited an increase in psychiatric illnesses often linked to stress which may be brought about by rapid social change and a failed social support system.

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And now for the rest of today’s Asia Cast

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Benigno Aquino III, son of former President Corazon Aquino has widened his lead in the Philippine presidential election on Tuesday.

He is said to be campaigning on a promise to begin prosecuting corrupt officials in efforts to restore credibility to the country’s government agencies.

During this election, the country has dealt with computerized counting machine glitches and violence that claimed at least nine lives.

However, election officials are hailing Monday’s vote as a success. Recent reports said Benigno was leading the nine-candidate race with over 40 per cent of the votes from about 78 per cent of the precincts.

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At least 100 people have been killed and 350 wounded in a series of shootings and suicide attacks in Iraq.

In the city of Hilla, three bomb attacks targeted staff at a textile factory, killing at least 45.

The violence was said to have started with a series of drive-by shootings aimed at police and army officers in Baghdad.

Monday’s violence has been blamed on al-Qaeda in Iraq.

Official figures show that the amount of casualties in Iraq this April is slightly less than a year ago.

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“You are listening to Asia Cast on the SOH Radio Network”

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As concerns remain high for voter fraud in the Philippines, some claim voting electronically could prevent problems in future elections for many countries.

The United States is planning to introduce electronic voting and India has already had it in place since the general election of 2004.

In the UK, the 2010 election was marred for those unable to vote within the designated time frame, due to long lines. Experts argue that old systems are in much need of modernization.

Not everyone trusts electronic voting. Some opponents identify the potential for hacking, fraud and security issues.

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Australian scientists warn half of the Earth could become too hot for human beings to live on in less than 300 years.

Research by the University of New South Wales has forecast the effect of climate change over the next three centuries.

They say without action to cut greenhouse gas emissions, average temperatures could rise by 10 to 12 per cent by the year 2300.

They say climate change will not stop in the year 2100, where much of the climate change debate ends.

One researcher said the possible temperature rise would pose a threat to the survival of our species.

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