Australia said on Friday it had sanctioned two North Korean individuals and companies over the use of "fraudulent" IT workers and cybercrime to earn cash for the isolated nuclear-armed state. The two men are alleged to be key operators in Pyongyang's cybercriminal activities overseas, estimated by analysts to bring in billions for the country's weapons programme. "The North Korean entities and individuals sanctioned today facilitate North Korea's use of fraudulent IT workers to raise revenue for the regime's nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes," the office of Australia's foreign minister Penny Wong said. Read: North Korea threatens South with 'most horrible' consequences, announces border countermeasures North Korea faces a slew of international sanctions over its weapons and nuclear programmes. It stands accused of seeking to skirt those sanctions by employing thousands of IT workers impersonating nationals...
Businesses, cultural events and museums planned to close at the weekend despite curbs on demonstrations as French President Emmanuel Macron seeks to restore order a week after nationwide protests turned violent. France's main student union, UNEF, has called for rallies on Saturday, while the Yellow Vest movement, an anti-establishment force that emerged in 2018, filed plans this week for a march through central Paris. Macron was due to meet student representatives later on Friday to discuss their plans, but UNEF said their rallies, which grew from high school protests last month against teacher shortages and shabby facilities, would go ahead. "Macron is trampling upon the freedom to protest in our country, and is spitting on the values of the republic he claims to defend," the union said in an emailed statement. Trade Union leader says curbing protest will not work France is still reeling from the worst violence in years last weekend, when looting and ri...