Today's headlines: US hi-tech firms will not be allowed to invest in China; Security disputes between Japan and South Korea; East Timor seeks alternatives to Australia to extract its gas; India: Rahul Gandhi's 'long march' begins; Russian pop singer mourns Gorbachev's death.
GULF
Member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council have asked US TV streaming giant Netflix to remove content deemed offensive to 'Islamic and social values' in the region. For example, images of two girls embracing are prohibited. In the event Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait will take legal action against the company.
UNITED STATES-CHINA
US hi-tech companies will not be allowed to invest in the Chinese market for the next 10 years. The measure is contained in the billion plan to promote the domestic microchip industry. Industry companies that receive government subsidies will not be allowed to invest and develop technology in China.
JAPAN-SOUTH KOREA
After six years, Tokyo and Seoul held high-level discussions on security and defence. The respective deputy ministers met today in the South Korean capital. Main topic: cooperation against the nuclear threat from North Korea. The two countries have territorial disputes and over Japan's colonial heritage.
EAST TIMOR
China, Japan, Indonesia and South Korea are alternative investors to Australia for the development of the Sunrise gas field, located in the waters between East Timor and the northern Australian coast, revealed Jose Ramos-Horta, president of the small nation, during a visit to Canberra today.
INDIA
Rahul Gandhi's 'long march' begins today, the Congress leader's 3,570 km-long journey to revive the fortunes of India's historic party, which has been in a slump for several years. Gandhi will visit 12 states in the country and will be accompanied by more than 100 members of the political formation.
RUSSIA
Alla Pugačeva's statements on Gorbachev's funeral have sparked controversy and discussion. Russia's most famous pop singer commented stating that she had 'not cried so much in a long time; an era in which we found freedom and stopped being the evil empire for the whole world has disappeared'.
KAZAKHSTAN
Despite rumours to the contrary, Kazakh President Tokaev will meet Putin in Orenburg, Russia at the 19th Forum for Cooperation between the two countries. This was announced on its website by the Kazakh Ministry of Trade and Integration. The date of the meeting has yet to be specified.