bbc.co.uk A Chinese court has rejected the appeal of former politician Bo Xilai and upheld his life sentence for bribery, embezzlement and abuse of power.


PHUKET: The daily wrap of Thailand news, with a Phuket perspective, plus relevant reports from national and international media. Beware of inconsistent imitations.

abcnews.go.news European leaders united in anger as they attended a summit overshadowed by reports of widespread US spying on its allies - allegations German Chancellor Angela Merkel said had shattered trust in the Obama administration and undermined the crucial trans-Atlantic relationship.

abc.net.au The US domestic spy agency monitored the phone conversations of 35 world leaders using numbers supplied by a US government official, according to a report. Citing classified documents leaked by fugitive whistleblower Edward Snowden, Britain's The Guardian added that staff in the White House, State Department and the Pentagon were urged to share the contact details of foreign politicians with the National Security Agency.

bbc.co.uk Thailand's most senior Buddhist leader, the Supreme Patriarch Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara, has died aged 100. He passed away on Thursday after suffering a blood infection following recent surgery for an intestinal infection, doctors said.

bangkokpost.com The Airports of Thailand board of directors has agreed on the need to raise the airport departure tax for both domestic and international passengers by 100 baht, AoT Chairman Sita Divari said.

nationmultimedia.com The number of passengers travelling through Airports of Thailand's airports is expected to increase by 6-7 percent next year. AOT Chairman Sita Divari anticipated the increase in light of continued positive sentiment, particularly during high tourism seasons.

ibtimes.com Thailand is contemplating charging foreign visitors an entrance fee, in an effort to keep unsavory characters out of the country and attract ''quality'' tourists.

bangkokpost.com Malaysian tourists are the latest group to complain. Withaya Lim, a tour operator in Hat Yai, said many tour agencies and tourists from Malaysia had contacted him to complain after they learned of the entry charge plan.

news.com.au Dozens of Australian cows have suffocated on a nightmare flight from Melbourne to Kazakhstan. The Department of Agriculture is investigating the incident, with reports suggesting a malfunctioning air conditioning system on the plane left 49 cows without oxygen.

bangkokpost.com If you visit Chiang Mai or Phuket today, you will bump into an army of Chinese tourists. I think we should think more carefully, weighing the pros and cons, before waiving visa fees for Chinese tourists. We are not ready for the consequences.

afp A Rohingya asylum-seeker collapsed and died after staff at a Japanese immigration centre failed to call for help because the doctor was having lunch. Anwar Hussin fell ill soon after he was detained on October 9, according to People's Forum on Burma, a Japan-based NGO headed by a Japanese lawyer.

bbc.co.uk Portuguese police have reopened their inquiry into the disappearance of British girl Madeleine McCann, the public prosecutor's office has said. Madeleine, from Leicestershire, was three when she disappeared from Praia da Luz in the Algarve in May 2007.

nationmultimedia.com As Thailand becomes more prosperous, development assistance from abroad is being phased out with the European Commission the latest executive body to announce changes, saying Thailand will no longer qualify to receive assistance from EuropeAid next year, due to its now-recognised middle-income status.

news.com.au In a bizarre map produced by NBC News, pretty much the whole of Australia is depicted as being ablaze this week. You might have thought the bushfires of the past week have been confined largely to New South Wales, but noooo. Not according to NBC they're not.

abcnews.co.com Dina Eastwood has decided officially to end her 17-year marriage to Clint Eastwood. The actor-director's wife filed divorce papers in Monterey County Superior Court in California, according to court's website.

indiatimes.com Dive operators in Phuket, Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, and Krabi all feature numerous dive shops that are qualified to give international PADI certification courses and can take you to brilliant diving spots on lovely little boats. Don't forget to take some good pictures together.



October 26 Phuket Fc V Rayong United

October 29-November 3 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour, Karon

October 31 Halloween

November 2 Nakhonrachasima FC V Phuket FC

November 5 Melbourne Cup Day

November 8-9 Islamic New year celebrations, opposite Phuket Provincial Hall

November 17 Loy Kratong Day

November 24-December 1 Challenge Laguna Phuket Tri-Fest. Laguna Phuket

December 5 HM The King's birthday

December 26 Commemoration of 2004 Asian Tsunami



January 9-12 Phuket International Boat Show, Royal Phuket Marina

September 24-October 2 Vegetarian Festival, Phuket

November 14-21 Fourth Asia Beach Games, Phuket