Briefly

AUSTRALIA

New law requires tech giants to pay for news

Facebook and Google will be forced to pay for Australian news under legislation passed on Thursday that is being closely watched globally for precedents in the battle between Big Tech and media companies. The world-first law passed easily after the Australian government agreed to water down elements most fiercely opposed by the tech giants, in return for both agreeing to negotiate paid deals with local media. It paves the way for Google and Facebook to plow tens of millions of dollars into struggling local media companies, and could provide a model for resolving tussles with regulators worldwide.

ARMENIA

PM sacks top general, citing coup attempt

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Thursday sacked the country's Chief of the General Staff Onik Gasparyan, accusing him of attempting a military coup. Earlier on Thursday, Gasparyan, his deputies and dozens of top military commanders had signed a statement demanding Pashinyan and his cabinet resign, the local Armenpress reported. Pashinyan responded via Facebook that he considers the statement as an attempt at a military coup.

GERMANY

Record seizure of 23 tons of cocaine

Investigators have seized 23 tons of cocaine in a record haul of the drug in Europe, with a street value of billions of euros, German customs said on Wednesday. A 28-year-old owner of an import company in Rotterdam was arrested early on Wednesday in the Netherlands over the illicit cargo, as Dutch police searched two premises－one in the port city and another in a nearby village. The drugs intercepted were all bound for the same destination in the Netherlands, police said.

Agencies - Xinhua