Iran says Israel, U.S. will be targeted if Washington attacks
A senior Iranian cleric warned Washington on Wednesday that if it attacked Iran, the United States and allied Israel would be targeted, as a war of words escalated after the United States reimposed sanctions on Iran.
Thailand sees drop in Chinese visitors after tourist boat disaster
A boat disaster near Thailand’s Phuket Island that killed 47 Chinese last month is significantly cutting arrival numbers from China, though the Thai tourism industry is hopeful the decline will be stemmed by late this year.
British Royal Navy monitors Russian warship in English Channel
The Royal Navy said one of its vessels was monitoring a Russian warship in the English Channel, the fourth UK ship required to observe Russian movements around Britain in the last two months.
Australian PM, fighting for political life, dumps tax policy
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s grip on power slipped further on Wednesday when he was forced to abandon his centerpiece tax policy and a conservative rival in his own party canvassed support for an imminent second challenge.
China expects to wean away Taiwan’s last Africa ally soon
China expects self-ruled Taiwan’s last diplomatic ally in Africa, the Kingdom of eSwatini, will switch to Beijing soon, a senior Chinese diplomat said on Wednesday, a day after China won over a third Taipei ally this year.
Hundreds gather to watch legal showdown over Zimbabwe vote
Hundreds gathered around screens outside Zimbabwe’s top court on Wednesday to watch a legal showdown between President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the opposition leader challenging his July 30 election victory.
Bolton reaffirms U.S. not seeking regime change in Iran
U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton reaffirmed on Wednesday that the United States was not seeking a change of government in Iran.
Serbia may reintroduce compulsory military service: president
(This Aug 21 story corrects number of helicopters to nine from ten in paragraph 9.)
Suicide attack kills six Sunni fighters in northern Iraq: police
A suicide attack on a former Iraqi lawmaker’s house killed at least six tribal militiamen and wounded seven others in a northern Sunni Muslim village early on Wednesday, police said.
Taiwan president says China is aiming to use pressure to affect elections
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen said on Wednesday China was exerting pressure on the island in an attempt to influence its politics, including upcoming local elections.
