Thai court hands Iranian life sentence over botched bombing
An Iranian man who blew off his own legs was sentenced to life in prison by a Thai court on Thursday for his involvement in a botched bomb plot that rocked Bangkok last year and brought condemnation from Israel. A court found Saeid Moradi, 29, guilty of attempted murder in an attack that authorities say was intended to target Israeli diplomats. A second defendant, Mohammad Khazaei, 43, was given 15 years in jail for possession of explosive devices. Five people were wounded by a series of explosions in Bangkok on February 14, 2012. Israel has accused arch-enemy Iran of orchestrating the attacks, but Tehran denies the accusations.
Rare polio virus spreads to Israel's north
Israel's president is urging the country's children to get polio boosters after a rare appearance of the virus spread to the north of the country. President Shimon Peres and Health Minister, Yael German met with children getting vaccinations at a Jerusalem clinic on Wednesday. German said new lab results show the “virus is migrating north and spreading.” Israel this week began a nationwide campaign to inoculate children with booster drops after a rare discovery of the virus in the south of the country.
Two Thai teenagers arrested for selling 'funny air'
Two Thai teenagers have discovered laughter isn't always the best medicine after they were arrested for selling balloons containing “funny air” – or laughing gas – to tourists. The pair, aged 17 and 19, were charged Wednesday with trafficking in controlled substances, punishable by a maximum five-year jail term, after allegedly selling balloons containing nitrous oxide in the tourist resort of Pattaya. The gas, known locally as funny air, induces euphoria and laughter when inhaled. It has several legitimate uses, including numbing pain during medical procedures such as dentistry.
Queen's swan found barbecued on British riverbank
British police were on Wednesday investigating the killing and apparent barbecueing of one of Queen Elizabeth II's swans. The bird was butchered, burnt and stripped of its flesh before the carcass was dumped on a riverbank near Windsor Castle, west of London, police and an animal charity said. All wild mute swans in Britain are considered the property of the crown and it is an offence to kill one. A law dating from the 12th century claimed ownership for the Crown of all swans in England and killing or injuring one of the birds used to be classed as treason.
