Google's Schmidt urges NKorea to allow more open Internet accessJanuary 10, 2013 - 10:46 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Google executive chairman < b>Eric Schmidt urged North Korea on Thursday, Jan 10 to shed its self-imposed isolation and allow its citizens to use the Internet or risk staying behind economically, after seeing the tightly controlled country on a private visit, according to Associated Press. Schmidt joined former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richards in a delegation that also urged North Korea to put a moratorium on missile launches and nuclear tests that have prompted U.N. sanctions and sought fair treatment for a detained American citizen there. "As the world is becoming increasingly connected, their decision to be virtually isolated is very much going to affect their physical world, their economic growth and so forth," Schmidt told reporters at the Beijing airport after returning from the four-day trip. "It will make it hard for them to catch up economically. We made that alternative very, very clear. "The government has to do something. It has it make it possible for the people to use the Internet. It is their choice now. It's in my view time for them to start or else they will remain behind." The unusual trip, which was not sanctioned by the U.S. government, has been criticized for appearing to hijack U.S. diplomacy and boost Pyongyang's profile after North Korea's widely condemned rocket launch to put a satellite into space last month. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. |