World briefs

SOUTH CHINA SEA The Philippine government is taking “appropriate diplomatic action” to protect its claims in the South China Sea but did not elaborate or name China in a non-confrontational policy that immediately sparked criticism.

INDONESIA’s most volatile volcano spewed smoke and ash early yesterday in the latest of several eruptions in less than two weeks.

THAILAND Four years after seizing power, Thailand’s junta has a singular success it never hoped for: uniting a politically divided nation in growing dissatisfaction with the thin-skinned rule of the generals. 

INDIA A deadly virus has killed at least three people in southern India, officials said yesterday, with medical teams dispatched to the area amid reports that up to six other people could have died from the disease and others are ill. 

AFGHANISTAN An official says the Taliban killed at least five members of a demining team in southern Kandahar province.

SYRIA’s military yesterday declared the capital and its surroundings “completely safe” from militants for the first time in nearly seven years.

TURKEY’s president addressed thousands of expatriate Turks in Bosnia’s capital to shore up support before his country’s snap presidential and parliamentary elections next month.

GERMANY Berlin police say activists protesting rising rents and gentrification in the German capital have occupied nine vacant buildings.

VENEZUELA A growing roster of nations condemned Venezuela’s presidential election yesterday and threatened to ramp up diplomatic and economic pressure on President Nicolas Maduro’s already embattled government. More on p14

BRAZIL About two dozen African migrants were brought ashore in northeastern Brazil after being rescued at sea by fishermen, Brazilian authorities said.