Xinhua Asia-Pacific News Summary at 1000 GMT, May 22

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan -- At least three people were killed and 25 others wounded after a car bomb explosion rocked Kandahar city, capital of Afghanistan's southern province of Kandahar, on Tuesday, a local official said.

"The huge blast occurred in Police District 14 of the city at around 12:30 p.m. local time. The whole place has now been sealed off. The blast caused a plume of gray smoke to rise above the scene," an eyewitness told Xinhua. (Afghanistan-Explosion)

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SUVA, May 22 (Xinhua) -- A Fijian government minister warned here on Tuesday that trade war and protectionism are not good for the world economy, especially the economies of the Small Island Developing States of the Pacific.

Addressing the opening of the regional workshop on the 11th ministerial conference (MC11) and post MC 11, Fiji's Minister for Industry, Trade, Tourism, Lands and Mineral Resources Faiyaz Siddiq Koya said that the global economy and especially Small Island Developing States of the Pacific cannot afford the emergence of protectionism and tit-for-tat trade war. (Fiji-Protectionism)

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SYDNEY -- Drunkenness and drug use will no longer count as "special reasons" to avoid jail time in Australia's Victoria state under proposed changes to the law, authorities said on Tuesday.

The decision came after two women who assaulted paramedics last year escaped mandatory prison sentences earlier this month under the "special reasons" provision, which includes allowing offenders to use alcohol and drug impairment to be exempted from jail. (Australia-Law)

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CANBERRA -- Professor Tao Dacheng, a computer scientist at the University of Sydney, was elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science (AAS) on Tuesday, one of 21 new Fellows recognized for their outstanding contributions to science.

Among the group are Australian scientist, Dr Alan Andersen, who has revealed the hidden world of ants and, in doing so, became the first person from the Northern Territory to be elected a Fellow; mathematician Professor Geordie Williamson who, at age 36, became the academy's youngest living Fellow; and Professor Anne Kelso, who has strengthened Australia's position in global influenza virus surveillance and pandemic preparedness. (Australia-Scientist) Enditem