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Xinhua Asia Pacific news summary at 1600GMT, April 12

Xinhua, April 12, 2017 Adjust font size:

At least five civilians were killed and three others wounded in a suicide bombing near the government office buildings in central of Afghan capital of Kabul on Wednesday, a spokesman of the Interior Ministry said.

"One suicide bomber detonated his explosive-jacket in a roadside in Pul-e-Yakpaysagi locality in police District Two of Kabul city. As a result five civilians were martyred and three others wounded," spokesman Najib Danish said in a statement.

The blast took place roughly at 04:05 p.m. local time in a area where the Defense Ministry building, Ministry of Finance and a police station are located, according to Danish. (Afghanistan-Suicide Bobming)

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BANGKOK -- Thai army chief Gen. Chalermchai Sittisart said on Wednesday the absolute executive power of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha might still be enforced at any time until later this year.

The comments came followed persistent calls from the political sector that the premier stop using his absolute executive power now as the constitution has already been promulgated and a general election is bound to occur.

Speaking at the army headquarters, the army chief said possibilities of political and subversive unrests cannot be ruled out though the situation has largely remained under control of the government. (Thailand PM-Excutive Power)

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MANILA -- An Abu Sayyaf sub-leader was killed during a clash between government forces and the Islamist extremists in the central Philippine Bohol province, the Philippine military said on Wednesday.

Government troops and police have recovered the bodies of six enemies killed in the clash on Tuesday, and Abu Rami, a sub-leader and spokesman of Abu Sayyaf, was among the dead, said General Eduardo Ano, the Armed Forces of the Philippines' chief of staff.

Ano described the death of Abu Rami as "a very big accomplishment and a big blow against the Abu Sayyaf." (Philippines-Abu Sayyaf sub-leader-Killing)

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TOKYO -- Japan will hold a series of activities marking the 45th anniversary of the normalization of China-Japan diplomatic relations this year and the 40th anniversary of a bilateral peace and friendship treaty next year, said Sadayuki Sakakibara, chairman of Japan Business Federation, here on Wednesday.

Sakakibara, head of an executive committee for holding the activities, said at the first conference of the committee here that Japan hopes to further enhance friendly exchanges with China through these activities. (Japan-China-Friendship Treaty) Endit