PHUKETWAN recognises the importance of Asean with the Economic Community approaching and marks what's happening around the region with a new column, Asean Today.



pinknews.co.uk US Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has performed a ceremonial same-sex wedding in Vietnam - for a gay Ambassador. Justice Ginsburg, who was one of the five justices to rule earlier this year that same-sex marriage is a constitutional right, previously outraged anti-gay activists by herself officiating a number of same-sex weddings.



abc.net.au Alleged Afghan people smuggler Sayad Abbas, connected to a mass drowning at sea, has been extradited from Indonesia to face charges in Australia.



straitstimes.com The Singapore version of the racy women's monthly Cosmopolitan, which was launched four years ago after a longstanding ban by the authorities, is closing down. The October issue of Cosmopolitan Singapore will be its last.



smh.com.au Malaysia's government newsagency has published a new theory suggesting Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 glided downwards and landed with soft impact on the southern Indian Ocean.



time.com The head of Burma's military-backed ruling party has been removed from his position, in what appears to be a purge of a key political rival by President Thein Sein before new elections slated for November 8. Former general Shwe Mann was considered one of the three most powerful figures in the nominally civilian government.



straitstimes.com Thailand is building Asia's longest bicycle lane, spanning 184.8km across five provinces, to encourage exercise and a healthy lifestyle among the people.



UPI A Cambodian senator is in hiding after a call by Prime Minister Hun Sen for his arrest for alleged treason. Sok Hour, a senator with the small opposition Sam Rainsy Party, allegedly posted fake transcripts on his Facebook page of treaties pertaining to the Cambodia-Vietnam border, an action outraging Hun Sen.



thestar.com Deep-fried crocodile, cheese ice cream, the unfortunately named Chicken Ass, raw woodworms and street-style duck fetuses are all mine - assuming I can stomach them. Delicious or disgusting? There???s only way to find out.



rfa.org Seizures of large quantities of synthetic drugs and their precursor chemicals by Lao police in recent months point to renewed efforts by authorities to slow growing rates of addiction in the impoverished, one-party state, sources say.



Brunei Times His Royal Highness Prince Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, received in audience North Korea's Foreign Minister Ri Su-yong at Qashr Al-Meezaan yesterday morning. The minister is in the Sultanate for a three-day visit in an effort to boost bilateral co-operation between the two countries.