World briefs

TAIWAN Gay couples in Taiwan plan a mass wedding registration after lawmakers voted to legalize same-sex marriage, a first in Asia and a boost for LGBT rights activists who had championed the cause for two decades. More on p11

INDONESIA Poor weather conditions have forced seven French navy fighter jets taking part in a training exercise to make emergency landings in northern Indonesia, an Indonesian air force official said yesterday.

NEPAL Rescuers yesterday recovered the bodies of two Indian climbers who died on the world’s third-tallest peak this past week and flew them to Nepal’s capital.

AUSTRALIA A jubilant Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison vowed yesterday to get straight back to work after a shock election victory by his conservative government that has left bewildered voters wondering how they were taken by surprise. More on p13

SWITZERLAND Swiss media were reporting that early exit polls yesterday show that voters approved a measure to strengthen Switzerland’s gun laws, bringing the Alpine country in line with many of its European partners over the objections of many law-abiding gun aficionados.

SAUDI ARABIA  does not want war but will not hesitate to defend itself against Iran, a top Saudi diplomat said yesterday amid heightened tensions in the Persian Gulf after attacks on the kingdom’s energy sector.

FRANCE French President Emmanuel Macron sees himself as Europe’s savior and this week’s European Parliament elections as a make-or-break moment for the beleaguered European Union.

RUSSIA says Syrian government forces have unilaterally ceased fire in the northern Idlib province, the last major rebel stronghold.

USA Former President Jimmy Carter carved an unlikely path to the White House in 1976 and endured humbling defeat after one term. Now, six administrations later, the longest-living chief executive in American history is re-emerging from political obscurity at age 94 to win over his fellow Democrats once again.