World briefs

TAIWAN’s top diplomat Joseph Wu said that his government stands with Hong Kong citizens pushing for “freedom and democracy,” and would help those displaced from the semi-autonomous Chinese city if Beijing intervenes with greater force to quell the protests. More on p11

CAMBODIA The Cambodian government expressed “strong dismay” yesterday over a U.S. Treasury decision to sanction two businessmen suspected of corruption and illegal logging. A Foreign Ministry statement said the sanctions were based on groundless accusations. “The Executive Order is an ambush against the ongoing efforts to restore trust and confidence.”

INDIA For years Romi Jan’s mornings would begin with the plaintive call to prayer that rang out from the central mosque in disputed Kashmir’s largest city. Not anymore. For nearly four months now, the voice that would call out five times a day from the minarets of the Jamia Masjid and echo across Srinagar has been silent. More on p13

NEW ZELAND 47 people from New Zealand, United States, Australia, Germany, Britain, China and Malaysia were on a New Zealand volcanic island when it suddenly erupted. Of those, dozens were killed, injured or are missing. Details are scarce because conditions on the island are too dangerous for officials to return and disaster victim identification experts have only begun their work.

AUSTRALIA Wildfires engulfed Sydney in haze so thick in some places it was 11 times worse than the level considered “hazardous,” and was apt to trigger fire alarms. The city canceled ferries and some offices in the downtown area were evacuated. Local health officials advised people to stay indoors as much as possible.

JAPAN Securities regulators are recommending that automaker Nissan be fined 2.4 billion yen ($22 million) for under-reporting compensation for its former chairman, Carlos Ghosn. The Securities and Exchange Surveillance Commission said it made the recommendation to the government’s Financial Services Agency over disclosure documents from 2014 through 2017.

VIETNAM Former U.S. first lady Michelle Obama spoke to students at a school in southern Vietnam while promoting education for girls to help reach their full potential. Obama, accompanied by actresses Julia Roberts and Lana Condor and “Today Show” co-host Jenna Bush Hager, met on Monday with girls at a high school in Long An province by the Mekong delta, where they listened to the students talk about their schoolwork and challenges.

US The FBI was justified in opening its investigation into ties between the Trump presidential campaign and Russia and did not act with political bias, the Justice Department’s internal watchdog declared, undercutting President Donald Trump’s repeated claims that he has been the target of a “witch hunt.” The rejected theories and criticism spread by Trump and supporters.