Afghanistan, Ethiopia, El Salvador.
Today's three stories you should know.
Afghanistan
At least three people have been killed in a powerful explosion at a Kabul mosque during evening prayers. Dozens of people were wounded and officials have said the death toll could rise very significantly. No group has yet claimed responsibility but the local ISIS affiliate group, Islamic State Khorasan Province, has been behind several similar attacks since the Taliban came to power, including one last week that killed a prominent pro-Taliban cleric. The imam of the Siddiqi mosque was reported to be among the dead today, suggesting ISIS-K is now directly targeting religious leaders.
More from BBC here.
Ethiopia
Strong words from the director-general of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom, today. Wondering aloud why global leaders weren’t paying attention to the humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, he said: “Maybe the reason is the colour of the skin of the people." Ethiopia has been in the grip of a brutal civil conflict, largely centered on Tigray, for almost two years. Tedros, who is himself from Tigray, said some six million people there have no access to basic services.
More from Reuters here.
El Salvador
El Salvador’s congress today voted to extend for another month the country’s “state of exception,” which has suspended some fundamental rights in an attempt to crack down on spiralling gang violence. An incredible 50,000 people have been detained since the operation began in March after drug gangs were blamed for 62 killings in one day. Though criticized by human rights groups, the introduction of emergency powers has proven very popular with a population wearied by gang warfare.
More from AP here.