JUNG CHANG, the Chinese born author of Wild Swans, has chided China for not allowing political and intellectual freedoms to keep pace with economic growth.
Dr Chang (44), who is now a British citizen, is in Bangkok for the launch of the Thai language edition of Wild Swans.
Her latest project is a biography of Mao which she is writing with her husband, historian Jon Halliday.
The renowned Arab writer Emile Habibi (74) has died at his home in Haifa after a long bout with cancer. He will be buried in Haifa today.
Habibi, who wrote seven novels on characters engrossed in the Palestinian Israeli conflict, split the Arab literary movement in 1992 when he accepted Israel's top prize for Arab literature.
James Hewitt, the former Gulf War tank commander with whom Princess Diana admits adultery, has told a TV documentary he "would have died" for her, according to the Sun.
Meanwhile Britain's press watchdog, Lord Wakeham, has fired a warning shot across the bows of newspaper editors and the paparazzi after publication of pictures showing Prince William at Eton.
Actress Bo Derek allegedly reneged on a deal to appear naked in a cable TV film once she got a better offer to star in a multi million dollar perfume advertising campaign for Bijan Fragrances, a pay per view television company, Warner Vision Entertainment, alleges in a federal lawsuit.
Foreclosure proceedings have been launched against Burt Reynolds, who has allegedly failed to make monthly payments of $8,500 on his Florida ranch since August.
The Jackson Five are set to re form to record and tour and will include troubled superstar Michael, according to Tito Jackson who said the brothers met four weeks ago to discuss the plan to reunite the 1970s hit group. The group could tour Britain next year, he said.
Entertainer Michael Barrymore has been admitted to hospital suffering "stress and depression", his agent said.
Anne Chudleigh said the TV star was exhausted after his recent tour and would require specialist care. Doctors in Southampton expect him to remain in hospital for a few weeks, she added.