Asia-Cast

Asia Cast for Tuesday 1st January

In this Bulletin

- Kenya riots death toll rises
- Colombia Hostage Deal Close to Collapse
- More than 20,000 Military Officers appeal in China

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North Korea has failed to meet a deadline to disclose details of its nuclear programme by the 31st of December.

Pyongyang had pledged to provide a detailed declaration of its nuclear activities by 31 December, but the US has confirmed it has not yet done so.

South Korea, Japan and the US have all expressed disappointment at the North’s failure to meet the deadline.

The agreement was part of a disarmament deal under which Pyongyang is to receive large amounts of aid.

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One of East Africa’s stable nations descended further into chaos Monday after a disputed election triggered violence that has killed at least 124 people.

The deaths in Kenya came as opposition supporters fought with police firing tear gas and live ammunition.

They were protesting the government’s announcement Sunday that voters had re-elected President Mwai Kibaki with 51.3 percent of the vote, compared with 48.7 percent for Raila Odinga, the opposition leader.

International election monitors have alleged voting irregularities.

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In Western Australia, three people were killed after bushfires engulfed a convoy of lorries on a main road.

Police found the bodies of two adults and one child late on Sunday on the Great Eastern Highway, east of the state capital, Perth.
The victims were found in two burnt-out lorries, police said. Drivers of at least six other vehicles escaped.

The road had been closed several times over the weekend because of the fires, which have been blazing since Friday

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US denies it ignored security dangers surrounding former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto when she returned to Pakistan.

State Department spokesman Tom Casey told reporters in his office Monday that the United States had concerns about Bhutto’s security before and after she returned to Pakistan.

And he disputed claims made Monday in the Washington Post and other newspapers by columnist Robert Novak that security issues had been ignored.

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A delicate mission to free three hostages held by Colombian guerrillas was close to collapse on Monday as the government and rebel leaders accused each other of trying to kill the deal.

The Venezuela-led operation to pick up two women hostages and a child born to one of them in captivity has been delayed since last week and it now looks like it may crumble.

Guerrilla leaders postponed the release of their captives from a jungle camp on Monday, saying intense military operations in the region made it impossible for now.

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And now for our original SOH news direct from China
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Over 20,000 military officers who did not receive demobilized allowances appealed to Lan Zhou military region on December 10th.

Their actions drew a response from demobilised officers all over the country causing the Chinese Communist Regime to panic.

Demobilised officer Zhao Defu from Yinchuan returned home on December 11 and was arrested on charges of illegal procession and is currently detained at Yinchuan city watch house.

Zhao’s wife says that he has been subjected to serious persecution at the watch house and is seeking assistance from the media.

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The air pollution at Pear River Delta region is becoming more aggravated daily.

Record haze days were recorded in Shenzhen , Dongguan and Guangzhou.

Meteorology expert says that the contributing factors to these hazes days are increased output of pollutants, decreased rainfall and warming winters.

According to a CNA report on December 30, the air pollution problem in Shenzhen is the most serious this year, there were 218 haze days recorded, an increase of 54 days compared to last year, Dongguan had 180 days and Guangzhou had 130 days.

The pollution is still continuing.

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