Xinhua Asia-Pacific news summary at 1600 GMT, March 11

MAZAR-I-SHARIF, Afghanistan -- One person was killed and eight others, including children, injured in an explosion at a ceremony in Mazar-i-Sharif, capital city of nothern Afghanistan's Balkh province on Saturday, provincial hospital spokesman Khair Mohammad Khair Khwa said.

Provincial police spokesman Mohammad Asif Waziri also confirmed the explosion. (Afghanistan-Explosion)

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ISLAMABAD -- R