Russia tightens control over internet information; North Korea recalls ambassadors to the UN and China
(Baonghean.vn) - President Putin issued a law against fake news and insulting the government; North Korean ambassadors to China and the United Nations returned home; SDF completely controlled IS barracks near the Iraqi border.
President Putin issues law against fake news, insulting the government
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Russian President Vladimir Putin. Photo:AP |
President Vladimir Putin signed a new law on March 18 aimed at tightening control over information on the Internet, after the draft was approved by the Russian parliament nearly two months ago. Under the new law, individuals who disseminate or post online material that shows disrespect for society, the state, official symbols of the Russian Federation, the Constitution of the Russian Federation, state power enforcement agencies and President Putin will be fined 300,000 rubles ($4,700) and imprisoned for 15 days for repeated violations.
Russian authorities are also allowed to block fake websites or accounts and impose fines for spreading fake, unverified news. The maximum fine is 1.5 million rubles ($23,000) if the violation leads to serious consequences such as death or riots. The fines vary depending on whether the violator is a citizen, official or legal entity.
Venezuelan opposition seizes control of diplomatic facility in US
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The Venezuelan embassy building in the US in 2008. Photo:AFP. |
Venezuelan opposition representative in the US Carlos Vecchio announced that this force has taken control of two buildings of the Venezuelan Ministry of Defense in Washington DC and a consulate in New York City, USA, according toReuters.Vechhio said 12 of the 55 Venezuelan diplomats decided to stay in the US to support opposition leader Juan Guaido, and affirmed that the group expected to take control of the Venezuelan Embassy in Washington DC in the next few days.
The Venezuelan Foreign Ministry called on US authorities to take the necessary measures to prevent the "forceful occupation" of diplomatic offices, asserting that such a transfer of ownership is a violation of international law on the protection of diplomatic property.
North Korean ambassadors to China and the United Nations return home
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| Pyongyang's top envoy to the United Nations Kim Song. Photo: Yonhap |
On March 19, Yonhap news agency quoted a source as saying that North Korea's ambassadors to China and the United Nations (UN) have returned to Pyongyang. According to the source, North Korean Ambassador to China Ji Jae-ryong and North Korean Ambassador to the UN Kim Song returned to Pyongyang on an Air Koryo flight from Beijing on the same afternoon. The appearance of about 10 North Korean diplomats, including the two ambassadors mentioned above, was recorded at the airport.
It is unclear why the heads of North Korea’s two most important foreign diplomatic missions were recalled, but observers speculate that the return may be related to Pyongyang’s review of its strategy toward the United States following the Hanoi summit. However, some have suggested that the North Korean diplomats are returning to attend meetings of heads of diplomatic missions or to attend the first session of the new National Assembly in April.
SDF takes full control of IS camp near Iraqi border
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| Soldiers of the SDF. Photo: Reuters |
Reuters reported that a media official of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said on March 19 that the force had gained full control of a camp of the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) terrorist organization in Baghouz near the Iraqi border, although IS was still entrenched inside.
The announcement comes as the campaign to retake control of the area continues. In a statement to reporters, the official said that some IS elements are clustered in a small area on the banks of the Euphrates River and have not yet surrendered.
Cyclone Idai ravages 3 African countries, thousands dead and missing
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| Flooding caused by Cyclone Idai in Manicaland province, Zimbabwe, March 17. Photo: THX/TTXVN |
According to the latest figures released on March 19, the number of victims killed by Cyclone Idai in the three southern African countries of Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe has reached nearly 240. This number is expected to increase as thousands of people are believed to be missing in floodwaters and debris caused by the storm.
The International Red Cross is currently working with NASA and the European Space Agency to collect satellite information to get a comprehensive assessment of the area affected by Cyclone Idai and the number of people still trapped by the storm. According to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), at least 1.7 million people in Mozambique are in the path of Cyclone Idai.
