Xinhua Asia-Pacific news summary at 1600 GMT, Feb. 18

MAZAR-I-SHARIF, Afghanistan -- An earthquake struck Mazar-i-Sharif city, the provincial capital of north Afghanistan's Balkh province, and adjoining areas on Sunday, with no report on casualties, locals said.

The Balkh provincial police in a statement released after the quake said, "A relatively strong tremor jolted Mazar-i-Sharif city at 03:52 p.m. local time but so far no report on loss of life and property da