Thai Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha admitted on Tuesday he had sought advice from fortune-tellers following media speculation over his spiritual beliefs.
Prayuth led a May coup that toppled a democratically elected government after months of mass protests that brought much of the capital Bangkok to a halt.
He was named prime minister last month in an appointment that was condemned by opponents. (Reuters)
Accused of chewing police car seat
An Idaho woman accused of chewing up the back seat of a police cruiser after being arrested in a pepper spray incident could face up to five years in prison if convicted of a felony charge linked to the damage, authorities said.
Staci Spence, 42, is expected to enter a plea in coming days to a charge of malicious injury to property tied to allegations she gnawed through the upholstery and foam cushioning of the back seat of a patrol vehicle, according to Bonner County Sheriff’s Deputy Josh Florea. (Reuters)
Teacher held for ‘biting toddler’
A Virginia pre-school teacher has been arrested and charged with assault and battery after she allegedly punished a 13-month-old boy by biting his shoulder, police said.
Theresa Brown, 24, is accused of biting the toddler at The Goddard School in Woodbridge, Virginia, a private school about 22 miles (35 km) southwest of Washington, according to Prince William County police. (Reuters)
Drove stolen car to police meeting
A 26-year-old Connecticut man is in police custody after showing up to a phony probation meeting driving a car that police say he stole from a woman in a supermarket parking lot and later may have used to rob a bank.
Gary Harding was arrested when he arrived at a state office in New Haven for what he thought was to be a meeting with his probation officer. (Reuters)
Reporter curses, quits over drugs
An Alaska television reporter wrapped up a live segment on medical marijuana with a curse and an “I quit,” telling viewers she will work instead to legalise pot in the state. (Reuters)
Inmate caught after hoop escape
Authorities have recaptured a physically fit felon who scaled a basketball hoop to escape from an Arizona detention centre and was on the run for more than two months, a top law enforcement official said.
Wade Cole Dickinson, a 29-year-old convict who listed his occupation as personal trainer, was taken into custody without incident on Monday at an apartment in Las Vegas, Nevada, said David Gonzales, US Marshal for the District of Arizona. (Reuters)
Banksy artwork back on display
A Banksy artwork which disappeared from a building wall has been exhibited in a school – after being hidden under a bed for four years.
Leopard and Barcode, one of the artist’s celebrated early stencil works, had been situated on the side of a house on Pembroke Road, Bristol.
It went missing from the property in August 2010, during extensive building work, and its location remained a mystery to art fans and local residents. But the piece was back in the public gaze after being put on display at Nailsea School in Somerset for an open evening. (PA)