From Lebanon bank attack to plea for Afghan peace: the non-coronavirus news you may have missed

FBI offers reward over fire at Muslim centre and train sighting prompts more speculation over North Korean leader's whereabouts

Lebanese security forces inspect the Fransabank branch in Saida after it was attacked with an explosive device. AFPinspect 

Lebanese bank bombed as currency falls

An explosive device was thrown at a private bank branch in southern Lebanon on Saturday amid rising public anger over the country's worst economic and financial crisis in decades.

The blast damaged the facade and roof of the Fransabank branch  in Saida, the National News Agency reported. The branch was closed at the time.

The value of Lebanon's currency has lost more than 60 per cent of its market value against the US dollar in recent weeks, although the official exchange rate remains unchanged.

Kim Jong-un’s train spotted at resort 

Speculation about the health and whereabouts of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un were renewed after a report that his special train was spotted at a resort town in the country's east last week.

A US-based North Korea monitoring project, 38 North, said the train was seen parked at the "leadership station" in Wonsan on April 21 and April 23.

"The train's presence does not prove the whereabouts of the North Korean leader or indicate anything about his health, but it does lend weight to reports that Kim is staying at an elite area on the country's eastern coast," the group said.

The last official report on Mr Kim was on April 11, when state media said he presided over a meeting.

FBi investigates arson at Islamic centre

The FBI is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of anyone connected to a fire that badly damaged an Islamic centre in the US state of Missouri and that coincided with the start of the Muslim holy month.

Richard Quinn, the special agent in charge of the St Louis Division, announced the award on Friday, hours after the fire broke out early that morning at the Islamic Centre of Cape Girardeau. Twelve to 15 people were evacuated from the building without injury. Fire Chief Travis Hollis said the damage to the building was extensive.

US envoy pleads for Afghan reconciliation

The US peace envoy to Afghanistan issued a fresh appeal to the country's feuding leaders to set their differences aside and focus on dealing with the coronavirus pandemic and advancing a peace agreement with Taliban insurgents.

“The well-being of the Afghan people and the country itself depend on all parties devoting their full energies to fighting the Covid-19 pandemic, the shared enemy of all,” Zalmay Khalilzad tweeted on Sunday.

He said Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and his rival Abdullah Abdullah, who claim victory in September's presidential election, should “put the interest of the country ahead of their own" during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which began last week.