Parish damaged in Israeli military operation in Jenin

Today's headlines: UN criticizes new ban imposed by Taliban; Primary and middle schools reopen today in Manipur; Malaysia announces date for elections in six states; Agreements for direct flights Chengdu, China, and Baku, Azerbaijan; South Korea wants to end the phenomenon of "ghost children"; In Russia sites for "Prigožin 2024" blocked.

ISRAEL - PALESTINE

The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem has issued a statement condemning the Israeli military operation in Jenin, which among other things also caused much damage to the local parish. Patriarch Pizzaballa also calls for an immediate ceasefire and the "pursuit of peace and dialogue to prevent further future unjustified attacks against the population." A Hamas activist injured at least seven people after a car ramming and stabbing in Tel Aviv. The man was later killed by a civilian.

AFGHANISTAN

While Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif suggested the international community "engage" the Taliban, the United Nations instead urged them to lift a ban imposed yesterday under which hair and beauty salons will have to close, further restricting women's access to public spaces. According to the UN, the restriction will have a negative impact on the economy and contradicts the Taliban's stated support for women's entrepreneurship.

INDIA

After more than two months of violence and clashes, primary and secondary schools reopen today in Manipur. This was announced two days ago by the education department despite skirmishes still occurring. At least 120 people have been killed and more than 300 injured in ethnic clashes since May 3, while tens of thousands have been displaced. There are more than 1,000 educational institutions in Manipur.

MALAYSIA

Malaysia's Election Commission decided today that elections will be held Aug. 12 in six states across the country for local assembly representatives to fill a total of 245 seats. Experts say the polls will be an eventual signal of approval toward the national unity government led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, in which Pakatan Harapan is working with former rival Barisan Nasional for the first time.

CHINA-AZERBAIJAN

A delegation from Azerbaijan, led by Baku city administration chief Eldar Azizov, paid an official visit to China at the invitation of the Sichuan provincial leadership. In the meeting with Governor Huang Qiang, a Memorandum of Cooperation between the cities was approved, starting with a direct Chengdu-Baku flight, and later the delegation also visited Beijing, forging other agreements between the two capitals.

SOUTH KOREA

Seoul wants to put an end to the phenomenon of "ghost babies," which concerns infants registered at birth in hospitals but who are not yet reported to authorities as citizens. An amendment proposed after a woman killed her own children last month and stored their bodies in a freezer stipulates that starting next year all hospitals will be required to report the births of all South Korean babies to the government within 14 days. However, children of foreigners are excluded from the measure.

RUSSIA

In Russia, several sites pointing to the campaign of "Prigožin 2024" for the upcoming presidential election have been blocked, by what public authority is not known, displaying images and catch phrases of Wagner's "cook," such as the slogan "We must shoot accurately, and work honestly," extolling the leader as "the only one who will never betray Russia by selling it to American banks to buy European castles

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