Bangkok a battleground as PM loses control
BEN DOHERTY BANGKOK: With his plan for a final peace deal disintegrating into open warfare in central Bangkok, the Thai Prime Minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva, went to ground yesterday, raising concerns he was losing control of his government and the army, as well as the streets of the capital.
British coalition's baptism of ire
A young cabinet born of a shotgun marriage faces an immediate economic crisis, writes Paola Totaro.
One system for every god
It's not in the Tories' interest to change the voting system, writes Andrew Stevenson
Cat among the radicals
For four years, Officer A lived a secret life among anti-racist activists as they fought brutal battles with the police and right-wing groups. Here he tells of the terrifying life he led and the psychological burden it placed on him. Tony Thompson reports.
Virtual reality puts male mind in female body
IAN SAMPLE Scientists have transferred men's minds into a virtual woman's body in an experiment that could enlighten the prejudiced and shed light on how humans distinguish themselves from others.
Laura kept quiet on support for gay marriage and abortion
ALEX SPILLIUS WASHINGTON: Laura Bush has admitted secretly supporting gay marriage and abortion rights during her husband's eight years as president.
Aceh group planned to kill Yudhoyono
TOM ALLARD HERALD CORRESPONDENT JAKARTA: A terrorist group in Aceh planned to kill the Indonesian President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, other officials and foreigners on the country's Independence Day on August 17.
Britain's top envoy rushes to shore up US relations
PAOLA TOTARO HERALD CORRESPONDENT LONDON: The British coalition government has jettisoned anti-American planks of the Liberal Democrats' manifesto and has sent the new Conservative Foreign Secretary to meet US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, just three days into its term.
Small-time corruption Greece's big problem
JASON KOUTSOUKIS IN ATHENS Of all the tawdry corruption cases to make headlines in Greece this year, the story of Babis stands out.
Turkish PM visits for historic talks
ATHENS: The Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, flew into Athens for a "revolutionary" visit to soothe the often tense ties between the historic enemies - and to help Greece out of its worst debt crisis in decades.
Marijuana tax among plans for cash-strapped US states
SIMON MANN HERALD CORRESPONDENT WASHINGTON: American states are scrambling to mend their battered budgets, with many resorting to so-called "sin" taxes and other imposts, while slashing spending, in an attempt to bridge gaping holes inflicted by the recession.
Butler inherits $9m
TOM LEONARD NEW YORK: A Hollywood actress has cut her family out of her will and left her $US8.4 million ($9.3 million) fortune, including two homes in the Dakota Building in New York, to her Nepalese butler.
Census controversy shows caste politics still counts in India
MATT WADE IN NOIDA, INDIA They were once pushed to the margins, condemned to the filthiest jobs. But for many Dalits - previously the Untouchables of the Hindu caste system - times have changed.
Mugabe's ark: zebras, giraffes and baby elephants for Kim Jong-il
DAVID SMITH JOHANNESBURG: Two by two, they were caught and lined up as an extravagant gift from one despotic regime to another.
New perestroika fires Russian optimism
'More Medvedev, less Putin' - as one Muscovite puts it - has brightened the outlook of many in Russia, writes Helen Womack in Moscow.
Revealed: Latvia's cyber hero
MIKE COLLIER RIGA: Latvians have finally learned the identity of a computer hacker referred to in the press as ''Latvia's Robin Hood'', whose arrest has now sparked a wave of protest.
Making themselves heard
With no proper channels to air grievances, discontent in China could soon lead to social instability, writes John Garnaut in Beijing.
We must tackle causes behind school killings, says Premier
JOHN GARNAUT BEIJING: The Chinese Premier, Wen Jiabao, has spoken out about "deep-seated causes" behind the recent spate of schoolyard killings and has called for mediation mechanisms to resolve conflicts that may trigger them.
