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Added on the 11/09/2018 14:38:46 - Copyright : Wochit
Thousands rally in Georgia for a third consecutive day as lawmakers advanced a controversial "foreign influence" law that opponents say will undermine Tbilisi's longstanding European aspirations. The protesters, including a motorcycle procession, block traffic on the main thoroughfare of the Georgian capital, in front of the parliament building. IMAGES
Thousands gather in Georgia's capital, Tbilisi, for fresh street protests against controversial "foreign influence" legislation being debated in parliament. The bill has sparked outrage in Georgia and concern in the West, with many arguing it mirrors repressive Russian laws and undermines Georgia's bid for European Union membership. IMAGES
Uganda's Constitutional Court rejects a bid to overturn a controversial anti-gay law that is considered one of the toughest in the world. "We decline to nullify the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023 in its entirety, neither will we grant a permanent injunction against its enforcement," Justice Richard Buteera, Uganda's deputy chief justice and head of the court, says in the landmark ruling. IMAGES
Venezuela's Executive Vice President Delcy Rodriguez arrives at parliament in Caracas to discuss a law against fascism proposed by President Nicolas Maduro. Several other ministers and authorities are attending the parliamentary session, including Parliament President, Jorge Rodriguez, and Vice President and Minister of Defense, Vladimir Padrino. IMAGES
The EU hits Apple, Google parent firm Alphabet and Meta with the first ever probes under a mammoth digital law, which could lead to big fines against the US tech giants. Announcing the move, EU Commission executive vice-president Margrethe Vestager says that "DMA (Digital Markets Act) compliance is something that we take really seriously". Since March 7, the world's biggest tech firms have had to comply with the DMA, which aims to curb their behaviour and ensure that they give users more choice. SOUNDBITE
The US says it is "alarmed" after Hong Kong legislators fast-tracked a new national security law that introduces penalties such as life imprisonment for crimes related to treason and insurrection, and up to 20 years in jail for the theft of state secrets. "We believe that these kinds of actions have the potential to accelerate the closing of Hong Kong’s once open society," US Department of State deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel tells reporters during a press briefing. SOUNDBITE