World briefs

CHINA Residents in an oil town near the Russian border protest against a planned aluminum plant over pollution fears, in the latest example of rising demands for clean air among China’s citizens.

HONG KONG Seven police officers are convicted of a lesser charge in the assault of a pro-democracy activist whose videotaped beating during the height of 2014 pro-democracy protests sparked outrage. 

TAIWAN Investigators are looking into excessive speed as the possible cause of a bus crash in Taiwan that killed 32 people and injured several others in the island’s worst road accident in more than three decades. The bus flipped over while cornering on an expressway ramp in Taipei after taking a tour group to view cherry blossoms.

SOUTH KOREA prosecutors attempted for a second time to arrest Samsung’s de facto leader, who faces bribery allegations in connection with a massive political scandal. 

INDONESIA Residents of the Indonesian capital vote today in an election for governor that has become a battleground in a high stakes tug-of-war between conservative and moderate forces in the world’s most populous Muslim nation. More on p13

PAKISTAN Markets and businesses are closed across much of the country’s Punjab province in mourning for 13 people killed in a suicide bombing claimed by a breakaway Taliban faction.

THAILAND-US — The highest-ranking U.S. official to visit Thailand since a 2014 coup urged the country to restore democracy while reaffirming the partnership between the two nations, saying America needs “a strong and stable ally” in Southeast Asia.

MYANMAR A court in western Myanmar sentenced to death a man arrested for his part in an attack on a border guard post that triggered a crackdown by security forces on the country’s Muslim ethnic Rohingya minority.

THE PHILIPPINES’ environment chief ordered 75 mining contracts canceled because the projects are located in watersheds, intensifying her crackdown against mines that she says harm the environment.

CONGO Witnesses say at least four people have been killed in a police clampdown on a separatist political and religious group in Congo’s capital. A police operation against members of the Bundu Dia Mayala movement at its founder’s home left at least two members dead, according to witnesses. Jean Onema Wembo, mayor of the Ngiri-Ngiri commune south of the capital, said two others were killed elsewhere in clashes between police and suspected members.