Xinhua Asia-Pacific news summary at 1600 GMT, July 9

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Thursday responded to South Korea's dialogue offer to discuss operation of the inter-Korean factory park in the DPRK' s border town of Kaesong, Yonhap News Agency reported, citing South Korea's unification ministry.

A unification ministry official was quoted as saying the South Korean government continued to propose talks with the DPRK to discuss the constructive development of the Kaesong Industrial Complex, including a wage issue for DPRK workers. (South Korea- DPRK-Talks)

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KABUL -- The Afghan intelligence agency on Thursday confirmed that another senior leader of the Islamic State (IS) branch in Afghanistan had died following the recent U.S.-led airstrike in eastern Nangarhar province.

"Based on information of National Directorate of Security (NDS), now, it has been confirmed that another senior member of Daesh (IS) outfit leadership named Sheikh Maqbul, known as Shahidullah Shaid, has been killed during the recent airstrike in eastern Nangarhar province," NDS, the country's intelligence service, said in a statement. (Afghanistan-IS-Leader)

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JAKARTA -- A blast triggered by a suspected bomb hit a shopping mall on the outskirts of Jakarta on Thursday, but there was no report of casualties.

The explosion took place in a toilet of Alam Sutera Mall shopping center at midday, triggering panic among visitors of the mall, TV One said. (Indonesia-Mall-Blast)

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COLOMBO -- Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena did not finalize his party's nomination list even after members including former President Mahinda Rajapakse signed the nomination papers on Thursday, an official said.

Sirisena, who is the leader of the main opposition United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA), was still reviewing the nominations for the candidates including that of Rajapakse, UPFA member and Cabinet Spokesperson Rajitha Senaratne said. (Sri Lanka- Election-Nomination) Endi