>> Arab countries have agreed to allow punishment of satellite channels deemed to have offended Arab leaders or national or religious symbols. At a meeting in Cairo called by Egypt and Saudi Arabia, a charter was adopted allowing authorities to withdraw permits from offending channels. The charter calls on broadcasters to "protect Arab identity from the harmful effects of globalisation'.The only country that did not endorse the charter was Qatar, the home of satellite station al-Jazeera.

>> People in the UK who download pirated music and films may have their Internet access cut under an act the government is considering. Internet service providers would be asked to act against users who access pirated material.