Russia bans fake news, criminalises 'disrespect' of state

Agencies

March 8, 2019

Europe, Mar 8: Russian senators on Thursday passed two bills that impose a ban on spreading fake news and criminalises disrespect of the state.

According to Al Jazeera, the lower house, the State Duma, approved the bills, which are also expected to pass in the upper house soon before President Vladimir Putin signs them into law.

The bill banning fake news imposes restriction on the spreading of "unreliable socially-important information" that could "endanger lives and public health, raise the threat of massive violation of public security and order or impede the functioning of transport and social infrastructure, energy and communication facilities and banks."

The bill also prescribed fines for publishing materials that portray disrespect to the state, its symbols and government authorities. Repeat offenders could face a 15-day jail sentence, reported Al Jazeera.

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AstraZeneca to withdraw Covid-19 vaccine globally as demand dips after admitting side effects

News Network

May 8,2024

AstraZeneca said on Tuesday it had initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a "surplus of available updated vaccines" since the pandemic.

The company also said it would proceed to withdraw the vaccine Vaxzevria's marketing authorizations within Europe.

"As multiple, variant Covid-19 vaccines have since been developed there is a surplus of available updated vaccines," the company said, adding that this had led to a decline in demand for Vaxzevria, which is no longer being manufactured or supplied.

According to media reports, the Anglo-Swedish drugmaker has previously admitted in court documents that the vaccine causes side-effects such as blood clots and low blood platelet counts.

The firm's application to withdraw the vaccine was made on March 5 and came into effect on May 7, according to the Telegraph, which first reported the development.

London-listed AstraZeneca began moving into respiratory syncytial virus vaccines and obesity drugs through several deals last year after a slowdown in growth as COVID-19 medicine sales declined.

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