Germany plans rapid state intervention to protect key industries
German Economy Minister Peter Altmaier wants to set up a new government body with powers to decide quickly whether to take stakes in key domestic companies to prevent foreign takeovers.
China seeks to root out fake news and deepfakes with new online content rules
Chinese regulators have announced new rules governing video and audio content online, including a ban on the publishing and distribution of “fake news” created with technologies such as artificial intelligence and virtual reality.
Singapore tells Facebook to correct user’s post in test of ‘fake news’ laws
Singapore instructed Facebook on Friday to publish a correction on a user’s social media post under a new “fake news” law, raising fresh questions about how the company will adhere to government requests to regulate content.
Malta government rejects immunity bid by businessman over murder probe
Malta’s government said on Friday it had turned down a request by a prominent businessman for immunity from prosecution in connection with the 2017 killing of investigative reporter Daphne Caruana Galizia.
Russia arrests suspected Ukrainian spy in Crimea: RIA
Russia has arrested a Russian woman in Crimea on suspicion of state treason for allegedly attempting to obtain Russian military secrets on behalf of Ukraine, the RIA news agency cited Russia’s Federal Security Service as saying on Friday.
Australia jails three for decades over Christmas bomb plot in 2016
A court in Australia sentenced three men on Friday to decades in prison for plotting bomb attacks on Christmas Day in 2016 at key sites in the southeastern city of Melbourne, police said.
Yemen’s Houthis say they shot down Saudi helicopter, pilots killed: spokesman
Yemen’s Houthi movement said it shot down a Saudi Apache helicopter near the border with Saudi Arabia on Friday, killing its two pilots.
Malta government rejects murder pardon bid by businessman
The Malta government turned down on Friday a request by a prominent businessman for immunity from prosecution in connection with the 2017 killing of investigative reporter Daphne Caruana Galizia.
French army helicopters crashed in Mali were not under IS fire: general
Two French army helicopters that crashed in Mali on Tuesday had not been under fire from Islamic State jihadists, French army chief of staff François Lecointre said on French radio RFI on Friday.
K-pop singer sentenced to six years in jail for rape, sharing secret sex videos
A South Korean court sentenced a K-pop musician to six years in prison on Friday for raping a woman and distributing a video capturing the act in a case that drew attention to the darker side of the country’s lucrative entertainment industry.
