Xinhua Asia-Pacific news summary at 1000 GMT, April 23

KABUL -- At least 16 Afghan security force members were killed in two separate attacks in the country's western province of Badghis Sunday night, reported local media Tolo News TV on Monday.

In one attack, nine Afghan National Army soldiers were killed after the militants stormed security checkpoints on the outskirts of provincial capital Qala-e-Naw city, according to the report. (Afghanistan-Attacks)

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PHNOM PENH -- Ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) Vice President Samdech Say Chhum was re-elected the president of the Senate in the fourth mandate on Monday.

All 62 senators, who were present during the first session, unanimously elected him as the president. They also voted for CPP senators Nay Pena and Tep Ngorn as the first vice-president and the second vice-president, respectively. (Cambodia-Senate)

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SUVA -- The International Engineering Symposium started on Monday in the Fijian capital of Suva with some 300 participants from around 30 countries and regions.

Speaking at the symposium with the theme of "Sustainable Infrastructure Successful Economy - The Modern Day Challenges in Infrastructure Development and Delivery," Fijian President Jioji Konrote said the symposium is appropriate in light of the realities exposed by an increasingly changing climate that people are experiencing in the world. (Fiji-Symposium)

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SEOUL -- Top nuclear envoys of South Korea and Japan held talks in Seoul on Monday ahead of the summit between South Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) later this week, South Korea's foreign ministry said.

Lee Do-hoon, chief negotiator who represents South Korea at the long-stalled six-party talks, met with his Japanese counterpart Kenji Kanasugi, the Seoul ministry said in a press release. (S. Korea-Japan-Talks) Enditem