JALALABAD, Afghanistan -- Ten civilians were killed and 27 others wounded as a blast targeted a mini-bus of security forces in eastern Afghanistan's Nangarhar's provincial capital Jalalabad on Monday, provincial government spokesman Attaullah Khogiani said.

"An explosive-laden rickshaw was detonated next to a mini-bus of the national army's recruitment personnel in Jalalabad city at around 04:00 p.m. local time killing 10 civilians including a child on the spot and injuring 27 others," Khogiani told Xinhua. (Afghanistan-Blast)

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TOKYO -- The stepfather of a five-year-old girl who died as a result of his abuse and neglect could be facing a prison sentence of 18-years as sought by prosecutors Monday in a high-profile child abuse case that has shocked the nation.

During the prosecution's closing arguments before the Tokyo District Court is set to hand down its ruling on Oct. 15, the actions of the accused, Yudai Funato, 34, were described as "malicious beyond comparison." (Japan-Abuse)

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DHAKA -- Bangladesh has lifted about 8 million people out of poverty over the past seven years, showed a World Bank report released here Monday.

It said Bangladesh has progressed significantly in reducing poverty and improving living conditions, mostly driven by labor income. (Bangladesh-Poverty)

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MANILA -- The World Health Organization (WHO) in the Western Pacific Region confirmed here on Monday that it has validated China as having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem.

Trachoma is the leading infectious cause of blindness worldwide. Infection caused by the Chlamydia trachomatis bacterium is spread through contact with discharge from the eyes or nose of infected people, particularly young children. (China-WHO) Enditem

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