World briefs

Japan’s downgrading of South Korea’s trade status took effect yesterday, a decision that has already set off a series of reactions hurting their relations.

Indonesia At least one Indonesian soldier was killed and five police officers were injured yesterday in a violent protest against racism in the country’s restive Papua region, police said.

India’s top court on yesterday took up legal challenges to the government’s decision to revoke Indian-controlled Kashmir’s special status and asked the government to explain its stance to the court.

Australia announced yesterday that it has formed a task force to crack down on attempts by foreign governments to meddle in Australian universities.

Gaza Thousands of Palestinians are taking part in funerals of three Hamas policemen killed in rare bombings at Gaza City checkpoints the previous night.

Syria Opposition activists say government warplanes have struck towns and villages in the northwestern province of Idlib, including one near a Turkish observation post.

Mexico An attack on a bar in Mexico’s Gulf coast city of Coatzacoalcos killed 23 people and injured 13. The attackers started a fire that ripped through the bar, killing eight women and 15 men. There was no immediate information on the condition of the injured.

Russia President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman has denied media reports that Moscow may have been involved in the brazen daytime slaying of a Georgian man in Berlin.

UK British Prime Minister Boris Johnson asked Queen Elizabeth II yesterday to suspend Parliament, throwing down the gauntlet to his critics and causing outrage among opposition leaders who will have even less time to thwart a no-deal Brexit.

UK An alleged victim of Jeffrey Epstein who claims she was also sent to London and elsewhere for sex with Britain’s Prince Andrew has challenged the British royal to speak up, saying: “He knows exactly what he’s done and I hope he comes clean about it.”

US A 16-year-old Swedish climate activist who crossed the Atlantic in a zero-emissions sailboat anchored in waters off New York City as she prepared to land at a downtown marina. Greta Thunberg has become a symbol of a growing movement of young climate activists.