Yangon: Facebook said Tuesday it is “seriously” fighting hate speech in Myanmar, following blistering criticism from UN officials who said the platform had morphed into a “beast” that helps spread vitriol against Rohingya Muslims. The social media giant has faced mounting pressure to snuff out inflammatory posts aimed at the Rohingya, a persecuted Muslim minority…

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Monday passed the Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill 2016 with an aim to strengthening criminal justice system for protection of people and prevention of acts threatening security of Pakistan. The bill adopted unanimously by the House focuses on actions against those promoting sectarianism, hurting religious sentiments and inflicting punishment on individuals…

BERLIN/MUNICH: Facebook is stepping up efforts to head off tougher regulation by Germany, a fierce critic of the social media network operator, saying on Monday it would do more to combat fake news as its chief operating officer met with officials in Berlin.

PARIS: Three French anti-racism associations said on Sunday they would file legal complaints against social networks Facebook, Twitter and Google’s Youtube for failing to remove “hateful” content posted on their platforms. French law requires websites to take down racist, homophobic or anti-semitic material and tell authorities about it. But French Jewish students union UEJF and…

SYDNEY: An Australian Muslim woman has donated close to Aus$1,000 (US$700) to charity after pledging to give one dollar every time she receives a hate-filled Tweet. Susan Carland, who teaches at Monash University in Melbourne, tweeted on October 22 that she was donating to UNICEF for every nasty comment from trolls. “Nearly at $1,000 in…

WASHINGTON: The South by Southwest festival reversed itself for the second time in a week Friday and announced it would hold a “summit” on harassment in the online gaming industry. The US festival earlier this week said it was canceling two panel discussions on harassment due to threats of violence, and in doing so prompted…

FAISALABAD: Inspector General (IG) Police Punjab directed the police officials to register case under Anti Terrorism Act against those speakers who will create sectarianism by delivering fierce and hate speeches. Step has been taken to maintain law & order and promote peace during the holy month of Muharram ul Haraam, a police spokesman said. The…

KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) on Tuesday strongly condemned the statement of Federal Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Samaa reported. MQM leader Farooq Sattar while addressing a press conference said that Khawaja Asif crossed all the limits in his statement against mohajirs. “The statement of Khawaja Asif is a depiction of his discrimination with mohajirs,” Sattar…

PARIS: French President Francois Hollande vowed Monday to introduce tougher penalties for “racist, anti-semitic or homophobic” remarks in the wake of last month's terrorist attacks in Paris.   Speaking at an annual dinner hosted by the country's Jewish community, Hollande called for “faster, more effective sanctions” against hate speech and added: “I want such speech…