Thai Prime Minister not quitting for botching oath

Bangkok: Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said on Friday he was not quitting despite facing mounting criticism for failing to properly take his oath of office. Prayuth led the inauguration of his Cabinet in a ceremony presided over by the king on July 16. However, he omitted a phrase in the oath of office in which he was supposed to pledge to uphold every aspect of the constitution. The omission has raised questions over whether the inauguration was legally valid. Prayuth’s failure to recite the oath in full, which also led to other ministers making the same error because they repeated what he said, was pointed out by an opposition politician. AP

Japan ex-empress diagnosed with breast cancer: Palace

Tokyo: Japan’s former empress Michiko has been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer and will soon undergo surgery. Michiko’s husband Akihito formally stepped down as emperor in April, the first abdication for 200 years in the world’s oldest monarchy. In June, the agency announced Michiko would have her heart examined after a blood test showed she was at a higher risk of heart failure. Akihito and Michiko are known for dramatically modernising the tradition-bound monarchy, bringing themselves closer to the public and boosting popular support for the household. AFP