pcmag.com The National Security Agency said that a multi-hour outage of its website, NSA.gov, was caused by an error during scheduled maintenance rather than a hacking attack as rumored on the Internet.

ibtimes.co.uk US television channel NBC has sparked ridicule among Australians for an over-the-top graphic to illustrate the bushfires in Sydney's state of New South Wales. The news channel aired a ''catastrophe map'' that suggested that the coastline of more than half the country was ablaze.


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

afp Flags flew at half-mast and crowds of mourners turned out to pay their respects after Thailand's top Buddhist leader, Supreme Patriarch Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara, died aged 100.

Phuket Update Owners of entertainment venues on Phuket and around Thailand are being asked to observe the laws and behave with suitable moderation until November 8. The period could be extended to 30 days.

bangkokpost.com Battling Phuket vice sometimes requires more than just the enforcement of the law, as businessman Chart Chindapol has learned. ''As I am trying to solve the problems, I have become 'mafia' myself in the eyes of those who are affected by my actions,'' Mr Chart said.

bloomberg Electrolux, the world's second-biggest home appliances maker, said it will eliminate 2000 jobs after reporting third-quarter earnings below analysts' estimates, and plans to close a factory in Australia and move production to Thailand.

bangkokpost.com Thailand is expected to sign a visa-exemption agreement with Myanmar next month during a visit by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, a Burma (Myanmar) Foreign Ministry official said. Border crossings by land are not included.

afp France and Germany have pushed for Washington to agree to new rules on espionage after damaging revelations that the United States tapped German Chancellor Angela Merkel's mobile phone and spied on other allies.

bbc.co.uk A small tsunami triggered by a quake has hit Japan's eastern coast - where the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant is located - but no damage is reported. The 30cm waves reached the region after the 7.1 magnitude tremor struck at a depth of 10km about 320km off the coast.

dailymail.co.uk The Thailand Tourism Authority (TTA) says the 500 baht tax - which has not been confirmed - is essential to cover the cost of visitors who leave the country without paying medical bills. The idea has sparked concern from holiday firms who fear it will discourage tourists from booking trips to a renowned sunspot that is famous for the beaches of Krabi and Phuket. (Ed: Er, we think that's actually TAT.)

wsj.com An ad campaign for a skin-whitening product in Thailand has sparked a debate over whether having lighter skin leads to better-paying jobs and higher social status in the Southeast Asian country.Social media sites were filled with messages that explored the role of skin color.

afp Australia said it has struck a deal with Malaysia to disrupt the transit of asylum-seekers through the Southeast Asian nation to Indonesia, where they board boats heading for Australian waters.

abc.net.au Thai police announced a huge seizure of more than five million illegal methamphetamine pills - worth about $30 million - believed to have been smuggled from Burma (Myanmar). Six people were arrested near Bangkok.

bbc.co.uk Amazing cliff diving competition in Thailand

news.sky.com Mahouts in Thailand have been protesting against plans to nationalise the nation's elephants, which supporters say will cut poaching and the illegal trade in wild animals. The government is keen to approve the draft Wild Animals Preservation and Protection Bill, which will transfer the ownership of domesticated elephants to a state-run agency.

reuters (The story headlined 'Singapore says no to popular adultery website' is withdrawn because the Media Development Authority denied it was planning to ban the site. A substitute story will follow shortly.)

bnionline.net The Burma government has convicted 72 Rohingya, sentencing many to lengthy prison terms last week, according to Mogul (not real name), a relative of one of the victims. If they have the money they can buy their freedom for 30,000 Kyat.

nytimes.com David Pogue, the technology writer for The New York Times, whose columns were among the most popular at the paper, said that he was leaving for Yahoo to start a consumer-focused technology site.

news.sky.com Orlando Bloom and Miranda Kerr have split after three years of marriage, it has been confirmed. The Lord of The Rings actor and Australian model have been together for six years and have a son, Flynn, who was born in 2011.

news.com.au Comedian Russell Brand has given one of his most candid interviews, where he admits why he's never voted and never will and called for a revolution to solve the world's problems which sent social media into a spin.

channelnewsasia.com The Jakarta governor is putting a stop to street monkey performances. Animal rights activists said the dancing monkeys are ill-treated by their handlers. Others are concerned the animals may spread diseases.



dailymail.co.uk After a decade of unparalleled club success, Kevin Sinfield begins his biggest challenge on Saturday. The England captain heads into battle against the might of Australia promising to do everything he can to deliver England's first World Cup for 41 years, insisting: ''We're ready to rock and roll.''



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