Xinhua Asia-Pacific news summary at 1600 GMT, Aug. 26

COLOMBO -- Former Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was arrested and remanded recently, has been granted bail on Tuesday evening.

The order was issued by Colombo Fort Magistrate Nilupuli Lankapura, who directed that Wickremesinghe be released on three surety bonds of 5 million rupees each. (Sri Lanka-Wickremesinghe-Bail)

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SYDNEY -- Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Tuesday accused Iran of directing antisemitic attacks in Australia and announced that Iranian Ambassador Ahmad Sadeghi has been told to leave the country.

Addressing a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, Albanese said that the Australian Security Intelligence Organization (ASIO) has gathered credible evidence that Iran directed at least two antisemitic attacks against the Australian Jewish community in Sydney and Melbourne since October 2023. (Australia-Iran-Ambassador-Leave)

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TOKYO -- Japan's weather agency said on Tuesday that intense heat is expected to continue in the country from the Tohoku region in the northeast to the Kyushu region in the southwest.

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said a high-pressure system covering wide areas in eastern and western Japan is driving up temperatures. (Japan-Heat) Enditem