Xinhua Asia-Pacific news summary at 1000 GMT, April 17

Myanmar government forces have seized four more strategic hilltops and villages where the Kokang ethnic army based during its combing of two highlands in its latest offensive with heavy weapons, tanks and air strikes, the military-run Myawaddy media reported on Friday.

These areas lie in Hsinkok Tan highland, northeast of Parsinkyaw village, and San Ta Aik Shun highland, east of the Parsinkyaw village. (Myanmar-Kokang-Fighting)

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HANOI -- Vietnamese customs seized 65.42 kg of rhino horns and elephant tusks sent from France via airline route earlier on Thursday.

The seizure includes 18 tusks weighing 60.56 kg which may belong to African elephants, and three rhino horns weighing 4.86 kg, an online newspaper of Vietnam Customs said on Friday. ( Vietnam-Smuggling-Seizure)

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BANGKOK -- Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Friday said it was necessary for the government to take stringent security measures considering the existence of many unstable factors in the society.

Some people have criticized the government for using harsh measures to tackle certain issues, but they should understand that it is for the sake of maintaining stability and moving the country forward, Prayut said, referring to security measures invoked earlier under Article 44 of the interim constitution. (Thailand- Security Measures)

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COLOMBO-- The international legal team of jailed former Maldives President Mohammed Nasheed has been asked to register with the attorney general's office before meeting their client, local media reported on Monday.

The opposition leader was sentenced to 13 years in jail last month on terrorism charges in a trial heavily criticized by foreign governments, the UN and Amnesty International for its apparent lack of due process. (Maldives-Ex-President-Legal Teams) Endi