Kabul, at least 6 dead in attack on Hazara school

Today's headlines: one person killed in Sri Lankan protests; Mariupol could fall soon; Solomon Islands' agreements with China worry regional neighbours; Hong Kong activist convicted under a colonial law; South Korea to rethink how they calculate age .

AFGHANISTAN

At least six people are dead after an attack on a Kabul boys' school in the city's Hazara district. No group has claimed the three explosions, although Islamic State militiamen had struck the area before. The devices were placed in backpacks, according to a local official.

MYANMAR

Myanmar's Government of National Unity has said it will offer rewards to soldiers who desert the ranks of Burma's military junta with their military assets. Defectors will be given between 0,000 and 0,000. According to some officials, however, the idea is impractical and unrealistic.

SRI LANKA

At least one person was killed and a dozen were injured yesterday after Sri Lankan police attempted to crack down on people's protests against the caravan. Clashes broke out in the central city of Rambukkana. Authorities had asked protesters to move away from a railway that had been blocked for hours.

SOUTH KOREA

Koreans could gain a year in age: President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol would like to do away with the traditional Korean method of calculating one's age, according to which a child at birth is already one year old and gains an extra year after each New Year. In South Korea there are also two other systems but abandoning the tradition is difficult because age is an element of primary importance for life in society.

CHINA - SOLOMON ISLANDS

According to Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, the new cooperation pact with China will not undermine regional security. In contrast, the United States, Japan, New Zealand and Australia expressed concern about the security pact "and its grave risks to a free and open Indo-Pacific," the White House said.

HONG KONG

A Hong Kong court sentenced pro-democracy activist Tam Tak-chi, 50, who had already been in prison for a year, to 40 months. The radio host was convicted of "sedition" under a colonial-era law. City authorities are using a wide range of tools in addition to the Beijing-imposed national security law to restrict the rights of Hongkongers.

RUSSIA

Moscow is doubling its efforts to conquer Mariupol by stepping up attacks on Ukraine's eastern regions. Russia last night issued a new ultimatum enjoining Mariupol fighters to surrender and "end their senseless resistance" from 2 p.m. today.