Breaking News, 18th of April, 2018

The head of the Russian Censorship Committee »RosKomNadzor», Alexander Zharov, announced that the agency could block Facebook in Russia as early as 2018, if Facebook does not comply with the requirements of the Russian law on the localization of databases in Russia. According to Alexander Zharov, by the end of this year it is planned to check many companies for compliance with such requirements as «localization of databases of Russian citizens on the territory of Russia», «removal of all prohibited information», as well as «compliance with other laws.» «If they are not implemented, obviously, there will be a question of blocking them.» — Zharov added.

Ukrainian forces fired at the LPR positions four times over the past day. The areas of settlements Kalinovo, Kalinovka and Zhelobok were under attack. Mortars of various caliber, weaponry of infantry fighting vehicles, grenade launchers and small arms were used in the shelling.

Mike Pompeo, recently promoted to the post of US Secretary of State, made a secret visit to Pyongyang and personally met there with the leader of the DPRK Kim Chen Un, Interfax reports while citing the »Washington Post». This was indirectly confirmed on Tuesday by the US President Trump, who said that Washington had direct talks with North Korea «at a very high level.» According to the publication, Pompeo’s visit to Pyongyang took place on the first weekend of April.In DPR, over the past day, Ukrainian troops have violated the ceasefire agreements 27 times, firing 865 shells at the territory DPR. The western outskirts of Donetsk, the Yasinovatoy neighborhood, the settlements of Spartak, Vasilievka, Zhabichevo, Yakovlevka and Krutaya Balka were under attack. Dokuchaevsk, Petrovskoe village, Gorlovka, Zaitsevo, Dolomitnoe, Ozerianovka and Shirokaya Balka, as well as the southern villages of Leninskoye and Kominternovo were hit as well. During the shelling, artillery, tanks, heavy mortars, anti-tank guided missiles, grenade launchers and small arms were used.

Following the European Union and China, India also intends to obtain compensation from the United States in the World Trade Organization for import duties on steel and aluminum, the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of the country (FICCI) reported. A source at the FICCI said that India «has such an intention». Indian experts believe that actions by the US in this matter «create a dangerous precedent», which «creates a threat to the world economic order that has been developed under the dominant role of the WTO.»

The head of the Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs, Arsen Avakov, and the director of the FBI, Christopher Rey, signed a memorandum on cooperation between Ukrainian and US agencies. According to the Minister, the cooperation will concern a number of issues, including cyber security and the fight against illegal trafficking in drugs. Arsen Avakov noted that the American side showed an interest in the practice of closer interaction that can eventually arise between the countries.