The disease which continues to spread in Africa is currently classified by the UN health body as a public health emergency of international concern
world3 days ago
Russian MPs on Tuesday passed in the final third reading controversial legislation banning "propaganda" of remaining childless, the latest measure targeting what Moscow depicts as Western liberal ideas.
Facing an ageing population and low birth rates, Moscow is seeking to reverse a demographic slump — accentuated by its military offensive on Ukraine — that threatens its economic future.
MPs in the Duma lower house of parliament voted unanimously in favour of the draft bill, which would apply to materials online, in media, advertising and in films that promote "rejection of childbearing".
The bill targets "destructive content" that promotes a "conscious" rejection of having children.
Violations would be punishable by fines up to 400,000 rubles ($4,000) on individuals to five million rubles for businesses. The bill also includes a provision to deport foreigners.
"This is a fateful law... Without children, there will be no country. This ideology will lead to people stopping giving birth to children," the Duma's speaker Vyacheslav Volodin told MPs ahead of the vote.
He also said the legislation was about "protecting citizens, primarily the generation growing up, from information spread in the media space that negatively affects the development of personality".
This is "so new generations of our citizens grow up orientated towards traditional family values", he said.
The legislation will now be considered by the upper house of parliament on November 20, before being signed into law by President Vladimir Putin.
Moscow has long portrayed itself as a bulwark against liberal values, but that trend has hugely accelerated since the Kremlin launched its Ukraine offensive, further rupturing ties with the West.
The disease which continues to spread in Africa is currently classified by the UN health body as a public health emergency of international concern
world3 days ago
The strike on an apartment killed nine people including a Hezbollah commander, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said
world3 days ago
The US national Tsunami Centre said no Tsunami warning was issued
world3 days ago
Hundreds of demonstrators defied a ban on demonstrations, chanting demands for an end to violence in Gaza and 'Free Palestine'
world4 days ago
Houthi militants have launched attacks on international shipping near Yemen since November last year
world4 days ago
According to reports, Doha has withdrawn as a key mediator in negotiating a Gaza ceasefire
world5 days ago
The United States has accused Iran of conspiring to assassinate the president-elect
world5 days ago
There were no reports of major damage or casualties and no tsunami warnings were issued
world5 days ago