Iran says hundreds of banks were torched in ‘vast’ unrest plot
Iran’s top leader on Wednesday denounced an outbreak of deadly unrest as a “very dangerous conspiracy” as authorities reported about 731 banks and 140 government sites had been torched in the disturbances.
Japan and South Korea scramble planes to shadow Russian bombers: agencies
Japan and South Korea scrambled jets to shadow two Russian strategic bombers over the neutral waters of the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea, Russian news agencies reported on Wednesday, citing Russia’s Defence Ministry.
Merkel wants Europe to aim for joint stance on China and 5G
German Chancellor Angela Merkel called on European countries on Wednesday to agree a common approach towards China and the rollout of the next generation 5G mobile network.
In reversal, Cambodia’s Hun Sen offers U.S. new ‘bond of friendship’
Cambodia’s authoritarian leader Hun Sen has offered to renew friendship with the United States after receiving a letter from President Donald Trump, a turnaround in relations with the country he once accused of conspiring to overthrow him.
Swiss revamp antiquated money laundering, terrorism reporting system
Switzerland is revamping its system to report suspected money laundering or terrorism financing, the government said on Wednesday, abandoning a 21-year-old system that requires suspicious transactions to be reported by fax or mail.
French farmers clog highways to protest at “agri-bashing”
French farmers angered by government policies that they say threaten their livelihoods drove convoys of tractors into Paris on Wednesday, obstructing commuter traffic and adding to the social unrest facing President Emmanuel Macron.
China accuses Taiwan’s ruling party of using ‘absurd’ spying claims to win votes
China likened claims by a Chinese asylum seeker in Australia who said he was a spy for Beijing to an absurd screenplay, accusing Taiwan’s ruling party on Wednesday of manipulating the “concocted” story to boost its chances in a looming election.
Incoming EU chief promises no compromise on rule of law
Incoming EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday the rule of law must hold everywhere in the bloc, signaling no respite for nationalist governments in Poland and Hungary at odds with Brussels on upholding democratic standards.
Australia to return historic Indian artifacts amid investigation
Australia will return three culturally significant artifacts to India when Prime Minister Scott Morrison visits the country early next year, the Australian government said on Wednesday.
‘Vast and dangerous conspiracy’ defeated by Iranian people – Khamenei
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday that the Iranian people had defeated a conspiracy, referring to unrest kicked off by a rise in fuel prices.
