MILESTONES
DIED: At 76 in southern France after a battle with cancer, Michael J Gorman, editor and publisher of the Bangkok Post during one of its most critical periods. Born in England, Gorman was sent by Thomson Newspapers to fill the top executive and editorial role at the Post in 1970. He oversaw operations until 1984, including the merger of the newspaper with the former No 1 Bangkok
World. He steered both newspapers through numerous democracy-military confrontations. In 1982, he was jailed briefly after being sued by military strongman Gen Kriangsak Chomanan, the only Post editor ever imprisoned.
EXTRADITED: To Thailand from Spain with the help of Interpol, the Italian Costa Ruggero, 66. He will be tried on charges of having sex with an 11-year-old in 2007. He fled Thailand before police could serve an arrest warrant. On his return to Thailand, he told police he only had sex with adult prostitutes.
KILLED: By Maryland police, Aaron Alexis, who had just murdered 12 people inside a historic US Navy base in Washington. Alexis, 34 when he died, had strangely taught himself Thai and Buddhism, and hoped to migrate to Thailand, before he decided to be a mass murderer instead. Highly alert US police officers said they believed Alexis had mental problems.
DIED: At 70 in Arizona a year after suffering a crippling stroke, former world heavyweight boxing champion Ken Norton. He was one of the best of his age, and of all time. Norton, then ranked No 8, was the second fighter to defeat Muhammad Ali, breaking Ali’s jaw in their 1973 fight. His win-loss record was 42-7 with one draw and 33 knockouts.