Thai protest leader Suthep a son of the elite with an axe to grind

Suthep Thaugsuban, the leader of the Thai protests, is a political veteran with a chequered past and a hatred of what he calls the 'Thaksin regime'

Chris Harris pits the Porsche 911 Turbo S against a McLaren 12C

Declaration of air zone is a sign that Beijing thinks risk of conflict is rising

The motives are complicated, analysts say, but it could signal an end to the era of China ‘hiding its capabilities while biding its time’

Technological progress gave China confidence to declare ADIZ

Improvements in the People’s Liberation Army’s air surveillance and control systems helped give Beijing the confidence to create its air defence identification zone (ADIZ) over the East China Sea, military experts said.

Italian mafia fed man alive to pigs

A group of Calabrian mafia assassins beat a rival with a spade and fed him alive to pigs, Italian police said after rounding up 20 people for various mob crimes including five murders.

Canada let NSA spy on G20, G8 summits

Canada allowed America’s National Security Agency to spy on G20 talks in Toronto in 2010 and at the G8 summit days earlier, according to documents cited by public broadcaster CBC.

By law, the CSEC cannot target anyone in Canada without a warrant, and is prohibited by international agreement from getting the NSA to spy on its behalf.

Guardian

Producer of Pretty Woman, Arnon Milchan, admits he’s an Israeli spy

Now the Israeli businessman behind hits such as Pretty Woman, Fight Club and L.A. Confidential has finally come forth with a stunning admission - for years he said he served as an Israeli spy, buying arms on the country’s behalf and boosting its alleged nuclear programme.

Protected air space over East China Sea to remain ‘forever’

Sudden announcement of controversial defence zone was under consideration ‘for some time’ and will not be rescinded, say Beijing advisers

Shrine find suggests Buddha may have been born two centuries earlier

Discovery of timber structure dating to 6th century BC suggests sage may have lived 200 years earlier than generally believed, say scientists

Malaysia summons Singapore envoy over spying reports

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Top-secret exposé: Singapore helping US spy on Malaysia

Neighbouring Singapore is a key partner of the “5-Eyes” intelligence group which was revealed to have tapped telephones and monitored communications networks in Kuala Lumpur, according to more top secret documents leaked by intelligence whistleblower Edward Snowden.

China creates air defence zone over Japan-controlled islands

Aircraft are expected to provide their flight plan, clearly mark their nationality, and maintain radio communication with Chinese authorities

Xi Jinping tipped to promote Communist Party allies to strengthen powerbase

Li Zhanshu, 63, one of Xi’s closest allies, is the front-runner to replace Han Zheng, 59, as Shanghai’s party boss, the sources said. The party boss outranks the city mayor.

Right-wing Japanese group dismisses fears of former Philippine ‘comfort women’

A right-wing historical group in Japan has criticised former comfort women in the Philippines who expressed fear at the sight of Japanese troops providing aid in their town as being the work of “professional accusers.”

Right-wing Japanese group dismisses fears of former Philippine ‘comfort women’

A right-wing historical group in Japan has criticised former comfort women in the Philippines who expressed fear at the sight of Japanese troops providing aid in their town as being the work of “professional accusers.”

Foreign trainees in Japan face exploitation

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Former bank officer jailed 11/2 years for Halloween fight which left party-goer dead

 

A Briton, who got into a fight at a Halloween party, was jailed for 11/2 years on Thursday. James Daniel Rhodes, 36, was convicted of causing grievous hurt to Mr Ronald Tan, an Australian. Mr Tan, 34, fractured his skull during the fight and died two months later.

Elliott Raymond Pitcher jailed for attacking cabby over $20 fare

A 31-YEAR-OLD commodities broker who kicked and punched a cabby over $20 in fares was jailed for two weeks yesterday.

Appointment of top audit official to Party organ signals shift in China’s anti-graft strategy

A personnel reshuffle in the Communist Party’s disciplinary forces in Shanghai appears to indicate a power transfer from local governments to the central anti-graft authorities, analysts say.

China, South Korea reject complaint from Japan over statue of assassin

China and S Korea reject complaint from Japan over proposed memorial to activist who killed colonial governor more than a century ago