AsiaCast

Asia Cast for Monday 2nd November

In this Bulletin …

- Beijing gets unexpected snowfall;
- North Korea ready for talks with the US; and
- UN chief in Kabul for key talks.

But first, here’s our SOH focus on China
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Chinese meteorologists have brought about Beijing’s earliest snowfall in a decade, after seeding rain clouds with silver iodide to ease a drought.

The Weather Modification Office had sprayed clouds with 186 doses of the chemical to bring rain for the wheat crop, state media said.

Cloud seeding is often used in China to bring on rain. But the arrival of a cold front caused heavy snow to fall, disrupting road, rail and air travel.

The country’s north is prone to droughts, while the south is often flooded.

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Next, a story related to our recent coverage of the mapping of pollution hotspots in China. Residents in a Chongqing township have told SOH that industrial pollution is ruining their health and the environment.

The Red Butterfly Chemical Corporation plant in Dazu County produces strontium carbonate. It’s used in making fireworks and in the ceramics industry.

Residents from Longshu Township said that years of waste from the chemical plant has polluted water sources and poisoned crops in the area. They also said people in the nearby villages suffered from all kinds of cancers and rare diseases.

Many people have reported the pollution, but cash strapped local authorities have been working to protect the plant, not shut it down.

Listen to Inside China Today for an in-depth report on this.

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And now for the rest of today’s Asia Cast

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North Korea has said it is ready for direct talks with the US on rolling back its nuclear programme but will go its own way if Washington refuses.

North Korea’s foreign ministry said wider talks including North Korea’s neighbours were possible, depending on any direct negotiations with the US.

Pyongyang pulled out of the long-running six-party nuclear disarmament talks earlier this year.

In May, the North conducted an underground nuclear test.

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Japan’s new space freighter has burned up in the Earth’s atmosphere after completing its mission to the International Space Station.

The H-II Transfer Vehicle carried 4.5 tonnes of supplies to the orbiting platform, including scientific equipment for its Kibo laboratory.

The freighter, which had arrived at the space station in September, was released on Friday.

A series of engine firings then took the vehicle into a controlled but destructive dive over the Pacific.

A statement from the Japanese space agency said the freighter re-entered the atmosphere just before 6:30 am Japan Standard Time.

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At least 30 people have been killed in a suspected suicide bombing in the Pakistani city of Rawalpindi.

Police said a bomber blew himself up in a hotel car park next to a bank. More than 40 people were injured, including women and children.

The blast struck a busy area where security is controlled by the military, not far from army headquarters.

Last week, more than 100 people were killed after a huge car bomb ripped through a busy market in Peshawar.

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UN chief Ban Ki-moon is in Kabul for talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai amid confusion over the planned run-off in the presidential election.

The visit comes a day after Mr Karzai’s sole rival, Abdullah Abdullah, withdrew from the second round vote.

Mr Ban is expected to show solidarity with UN staff following a Taliban attack on their guesthouse last week. Five UN staff died in the attack.

Correspondents say resolving the poll issue will also be on the agenda.

There is still confusion over whether the second round will go ahead on Saturday. An announcement is due from the Afghan election commission.

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“Asia Cast … Keeping you across the top headlines from Asia and the world.”