Kabul, attack on a Sunni mosque: 50 victims and rising

Today's headlines: Chinese authorities ban from social media (and detain) a popular influencer son of Wanda Group owner; Jakarta suspends palm oil exports; the world's longest glass bridge is inaugurated in Vietnam; foreign companies flee Moscow; a new political opposition movement is born in Bishkek; Jerusalem: two more victims in the new wave of violence, an Israeli and a Palestinian. 

AFGHANISTAN

The death toll from the (probable) suicide bombing that struck the Khalifa Sahib mosque in Kabul yesterday afternoon has risen to over 50, the latest in a series of bloody attacks during the holy month of Ramadan. The explosion occurred at the end of the prayer, while the faithful (Sunnites) were preparing to perform the Zikr, a ritual act considered "heretical" by the radical movements. 

ISRAEL - PALESTINE

A Palestinian and an Israeli security officer are the latest victims of the escalation of violence in the area. The first died during a military operation in the north of the West Bank, in Azzun. An Israeli armed guard died in an attack on the settlement of Ariel. Yesterday afternoon at least 42 people were injured in new clashes at the Esplanade of Mosques in Jerusalem. 

INDONESIA

Since 28 April, Jakarta has provisionally suspended palm oil exports to protect local consumers and the domestic market. High global demand and the war in Ukraine, the main producer of sunflower oil, were behind the price escalation. The measure is also intended to calm protests and social tensions. President Joko Widodo wants "reasonable prices". 

CHINA

Chinese authorities banned from Weibo Wang Sicong, one of the most popular influencers and son of the multi-billionaire Wang Jianlin, owner of Wanda Group. According to the Global Times, the Communist Party's megaphone, he "violated the law". In fact, he criticised a herbal preparation from traditional medicine and distributed it to treat Covid-19. Unconfirmed rumours spoke of his arrest. 

VIETNAM

Hanoi wants to revive tourism, hit by a two-year Covid-19 pandemic, by inaugurating the longest glass bridge in the world. The structure, inaugurated yesterday, is called Bach Long, is 150 metres high and 632 metres long, joins two mountains and can support a weight of at least 500 people. Built in Moc Chau, in the Northern Highlands, the bridge marks 47 years since the end of the war. 

RUSSIA

According to Rbk's calculations, foreign companies occupy almost six million square kilometres of commercial space in Moscow. This is 15% of the total number of offices, shopping centres and warehouses in the capital. As a result of the war with Ukraine, most of them have announced their intention to leave the country; however, properties can only be sold at steep discounts and consequent losses.

KYRGYZSTAN

In Biškek, a new political opposition movement called the "Social Council" was born, with about 50 politicians and social activists as members. The movement does not intend to take the side of the current government or the opposition parliamentary groups. According to one of its founders, Islam Isakov, the future group 'rejects radical methods'. 

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