World briefs

CHINA A gas explosion inside a coal mine in southwestern China has killed seven people and injured two more. Rescue crews at the Rongsheng mine in Guizhou province were able to save 11 people, including the two injured.

THAILAND A 96-year-old confidant of late King Bhumibol Adulyadej has been formally confirmed as the regent to manage the throne in the place of the crown prince and heir apparent, but it wasn’t clear how long the caretaker arrangement would last. More on p12

PHILIPPINES A powerful typhoon slamed into the northeastern Philippines, leaving at least two people dead, knocking out power and isolating villages amid floods and toppled trees. More on p13
INDONESIA At least eight people were killed and 30 others injured yesterday after a small suspension bridge crowded with people returning from temple prayers collapsed near the Indonesian resort island of Bali, officials said. The bridge links the small islands of Lembongan and Ceningan, close to Bali.

TURKEY A suicide bomber blew himself up yesterday during a Turkish police raid against suspected Islamic State members near the Syrian border, killing three police officers and wounding nine other people, an official said.

FRANCE Tens of thousands of people have marched in Paris to call for the repeal of a law allowing gay marriage, six months before France’s next presidential election. The protesters ended up at Trocadero Plaza, near the Eiffel Tower. Police estimated the crowd at 24,000, while organizers gave a figure of 200,000.

SWEDISH officials say they have evacuated about 40 people from a refugee center in southern Stockholm after a fire engulfed the building. Kurt Jansson, who headed the fire operations, said the alarm came in the early hours of yesterday, adding that police were investigating the incident. Investigators are treating the matter as possible arson.