The Lower House of the Russian parliament the Duma has voted in favor of two laws which the government says are needed to protect Russia from outside interference. Critics accused the authorities of trying to crash dissident. Steve Rosenberg reports from Moscow.

Well here at the Duma, Russian MPs have approved two controversial new laws before breaking for the summit. The first one tightens state regulation of non-governmental organizations: receiving funding from abroad and engaged in political activities. Such NGOs will be forced to label themselves foreign agents. That’s a phrase which in the Russian language is anonymous with spies. The second bill makes slander a criminal offense and punishable by heavy fine.

Italy’s highest court has confirmed verdicts against a group of activists who were found guilty of looting and causing destruction during a G8 summit in Geneva 11 years ago. Five are to be jailed immediately. The BBC Roman correspondent says the * in Geneva during the summit which shocked Italy also saw violence by the police. A number of police officers were convicted last week but will not be jailed.

World News from the BBC

A man from Uzbekistan has been sentenced to 15 years in prison in the United States for threatening to kill President Obama. Ulugbek Kodirov who is 22 pleaded guilty to the charge in February. A court in Birmingham, Alabama heard Mr Kodirov came up with the plan after making contact online with the member of an Uzbek Islamic group which the US considers a terrorist organization.