Bye bye 'Barbie': Vietnam bans new movie over South China Sea map

14 Sept 13:02 Key points summarised by AI

Vietnam has banned the upcoming 'Barbie' movie from cinemas, citing scenes that depict China's controversial 'nine-dash line' map in the South China Sea.
The government's decision highlights the ongoing territorial dispute between Vietnam and China over the resource-rich waterway, which Hanoi also claims.
This ban is part of a recurring pattern, as Vietnam has previously censored other international films and series, including 'Uncharted' and 'Abominable', for featuring the disputed nine-dash line.

Nationwide crackdown launched on illegal nominee shareholders and land holdings

Yesterday 15:20 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul initiated a nationwide crackdown on illegal Thai nominee shareholders in foreign-run businesses and land holdings to safeguard national interests.
The government will integrate efforts across all relevant agencies to target illicit foreign operations, forced sales of illegally acquired property, and high-risk land ownership schemes.
Key strategies include auditing suspect land and building holdings, establishing a long-term monitoring system, and cross-referencing data from various authorities to trace ultimate beneficial owners.
Prime Minister Anutin emphasized that no influential figures or corrupt officials are above the law, promising straightforward prosecution, asset seizures, and protection for enforcing officers.
Beyond land ownership, the integrated crackdown will also extend to tackle transnational crimes, including drug and human trafficking.