ASIA TODAY Kabul, attack on a mosque leaves at least 10 dead and several injured. the imam died

Today’s news: the appeal against the conviction in the first instance, filed by four Vietnamese activists, including a Christian, was rejected; Pyongyang sends 450 officials to political prison camps for spreading Covid; Putin bestows the title of “heroic mother” on women who give birth to – or adopt – many children.

AFGHANISTAN

At least 10 dead and numerous wounded is the balance after a strong burst that shook the Abu Bakr al Siddiqi mosque in the Khair Khana district of Kabul. The explosion occurred during afternoon prayers and allegedly killed at least 20 people, including the imam, but the toll remains provisional. The Taliban condemned the attack, which so far has not been claimed.

VIETNAM

Four activists Vietnamese, several of them Christians, lost the appeal against the conviction in the first instance. They are Y Wo Nie, Le Van Dung, Trinh Ba Phuong and Nguyen Thi Tam, tried for propaganda against the state, an accusation used by Hanoi to suppress dissent. According to Defend the Defendersthere are more than 60 activists jailed for defending religious freedom.

CHINA

Within the framework of the “zero Covid” policy, the Chinese authorities issued harsh lockdown measures in Xinjiang and Tibet. With the lockdown efforts are being made to deal with a significant increase in cases in the last period. Only yesterday, the western Chinese region registered 2,779 new infections and in the capital, Urumqi, 73 counties are considered high risk. Mass tests are also planned to contain the spread of the virus.

ISRAEL – PALESTINE

Israeli security forces killed a young Palestinian man before dawn this morning, during a series of clashes in Nablus, West Bank. The victim was Waseem Khalifa, 18, originally from the Balata refugee camp. At least 30 Palestinians were injured. Officials intervened to protect Jewish worshipers visiting Joseph’s tomb, a site currently in dispute.

NORTH KOREA

In May, at least 450 senior government officials and cadres ended up in detention centers for political prisoners, for not having prevented the spread of Covid. The controversy arose from a photo taken by Kim Jong-un with a group of students and workers, one of whom tested positive for the virus. The detainees, who will never rejoin society, are accused of attempting against the leader’s safety and of committing a “counterrevolutionary” act.

RUSSIA

President Vladimir Putin signed a decree to grant the title of “heroic mother” to women who have ten or more children, who will be awarded one million rubles, more than 10,000 euros. And for those who adopt ten children, the order of “paternal glory” with compensation of 200-500 thousand rubles is provided.

AZERBAIJAN – ARMENIA

The president of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliev, announced that Baku will repopulate some centers in the area disputed with the Armenians, such as Lačin, Zabukh and Sus, installing new groups of Azeri citizens. To this end, a committee has been formed to coordinate the operation with the former inhabitants of the towns affected by the plan.