German law fines firms for hateful posts

BERLIN — Social media companies will face stiff penalties under a new German law for failing to swiftly remove hateful content.

The measure, which cleared Germany’s Parliament on Friday, stipulates fines of up to $57 million if companies such as Facebook, Twitter and Google do not delete posts containing racist, defamatory or otherwise illegal speech within 24 hours. The measure is seen as a test case in the battle against fake news and online hate, problems bedeviling governments across the West. But Germany’s muscular approach has human rights groups worried about a chilling effect on free expression.

Canada-Japan ties

In an era of growing uncertainty, Canada and Japan should strengthen ties to realize the two countries’ shared values, such as free trade, sustainable development and human rights, Canadian Ambassador to Japan Ian Burney said on Friday at a Canada Day reception marking the 150th anniversary of the country’s confederation.

Le Pen charged

Marine Le Pen, who lost the French presidential elections in May, was charged with misuse of funds Friday after snubbing French judges’ questions about allegations she and other National Front members improperly paid aides with European Union money for jobs related to domestic politics, according to her lawyer.

Ms. Le Pen refused to be interrogated and simply made a statement during a face-off with investigative judges, her lawyer, Rodolphe Bosselut, said in a text message. She was then charged in a process known as “mise en examen,” triggered when there is serious and consistent evidence showing likely involvement in a case.

Pakistan pivots to China

ISLAMABAD— The words from Pakistan’s top foreign policy adviser could not have been clearer. At a news conference welcoming China’s foreign minister to the Pakistani capital this week, Sartaj Aziz declared, “Pakistan’s relations with China are the cornerstone of our foreign policy.

It was a blunt signal of change by a country that has long been a key ally and aid recipient of the United States, from their Cold War alliance to a more recent, uneasy partnership in the fight against Islamist terrorism in the region. Today, Pakistan continues to receive hundreds of millions of dollars in U.S. annual support.

Experts say the move is hardly surprising.

Pakistani officials have been worried for months that the Trump administration will put heavy pressure on their government, possibly by cutting aid or even declaring it a “state sponsor of terrorism” because of complaints by Afghan officials, U.S. military officials and members of Congress that Pakistan continues to harbor anti-Afghan insurgents.

Russia extends ban

MOSCOW— Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree to extend a ban on Western food imports for another 18 months after the European Union extended economic sanctions against Russia.

Mr. Putin’s office published a decree on Friday that keeps the food ban in place until Dec. 31, 2018.