World Briefs

CHINA STATE media say a powerful tornado has killed 78 people and destroyed a large number of buildings in the eastern province of Jiangsu. The reports said the tornado formed near the city of Yancheng yesterday. They said large numbers of people were injured and roads were blocked. Southern and eastern China have experienced weeks of torrential rain and storms that have caused widespread flooding and a number of casualties.

SOUTH CHINA SEA Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo visits the Natuna islands in a move designed to send a message about the country’s commitment to protecting its sovereignty in the area at the edge of the South China Sea.

JAPAN There will be no Fourth of July fireworks for American troops in Japan this year because of restrictions imposed after a former U.S. Marine was accused of raping and murdering a woman on Okinawa.

THAILAND-MYANMAR In a demonstration of her popular appeal, Myanmar de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi receives a rapturous welcome as she presides over a town hall-type meeting with some of the huge population of migrant workers from her homeland who eke out a living in Thailand.

PAKISTAN Thousands of mourners attend the funeral of a well-known Pakistani Sufi singer who was shot dead in the port city of Karachi in an attack claimed by Islamic extremists.

PAKISTAN A provincial minister says his local government has allocated USD3 million to a Taliban-linked seminary in the region, along the border with Afghanistan. Mushtaq Ghani said that the funds will be used to bring the seminary into the mainstream educational system.

USA Weary but defiant Democrats commandeered the House floor yesterday, demanding gun-control votes in the aftermath of the Orlando massacre in an extraordinary 24-hour long protest broadcast live to the world by social media. Pressure had built on Capitol Hill following the shootings at a Florida gay nightclub this month that killed 49 people and injured 53 others.

NIGERIA Three Australians, two Nigerians, a New Zealander and a South African have been kidnapped in Nigeria in an ambush that killed their Nigerian driver, Australian officials said. Another Australian escaped.

WIKILEAKS The founder of anti-secrecy site WikiLeaks plans to host a live, online punditry show about Britain’s referendum on whether to stay in the EU. Julian Assange has been holed up in the Ecuadorean Embassy in London since 2012. The Australian recently said he was “pretty much” in favor of Britain leaving the EU, arguing that its membership was holding the 28-nation bloc back.

BUSAN FESTIVAL The new chairman of Asia’s largest film festival expresses confidence it will go on as planned this fall, despite threats of a boycott from filmmakers angry over what they view as a government assault on the event’s independence.