Elegy dead to a dying world

One of Taiwan’s top missile experts has been found dead in a hotel room while tensions rise between the island nation and neighbouring China . The sudden death of Ou Yang Li-hsing, the deputy head of the Taiwan defence ministry’s research and development unit, is being probed by police. The official Central News Agency reports that Ou Yang, 57, was found on Saturday morning (August 6) in the southern city of Pingtung and is believed to have been killed by a heart attack. READ MORE: WW3 fears grow as Taiwan 'prepares for war' with China and puts army on 'high alert' He worked for the military-owned National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology and has been visiting the south of the island on business. Investigators have found no sign of a break-in, reportedly leading to limited fears over the possibility of foul play. Mr Ou Yang’s family has told the investigation that not only did Mr Ou Yang have a history of heart problems, but that he also had a … [Read more...] about Mystery as Taiwan missile expert found dead in hotel as Chinese invasion threat looms

Former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan has died, his family and the Kofi Annan Foundation confirmed Saturday. He was 80. A statement from the foundation said Annan passed away peacefully on Saturday after a short illness. The foundation said Annan's wife Nane and their children Ama, Kojo and Nina were by his side during his final days. "Kofi Annan was a global statesman and a deeply committed internationalist who fought throughout his life for a fairer and more peaceful world," the foundation's statement said. "During his distinguished career and leadership of the United Nations he was an ardent champion of peace, sustainable development, human rights and the rule of law." The U.N.'s current Secretary General, António Guterres, said in a statement on Annan's passing: "Kofi Annan was a guiding force for good... In many ways, Kofi Annan was the United Nations." Annan was born in Kumasi, Ghana. He led the U.N. from 1997 to 2006, the body's seventh … [Read more...] about Former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan dies at 80

Tributes have been paid to former international cricket umpire Rudi Koertzen following his death at 73. Mr Koertzen died after he was involved in a car crash in his native South Africa , according to local media. His umpire career began there in 1981 after years spent playing cricket himself. The much-loved official presided over more than 100 Test matches between 1992 and 2010. He was on the International Cricket Council's elite panel of umpires for eight years and officiated in 331 matches, a record at the time of his retirement in 2010 that has since been surpassed by Pakistan's Aleem Dar. Advertisement Mr Koertzen died while driving from Cape Town to Despatch in Eastern Cape, where he lived with his family, ESPNcricInfo said. South Africa wore black armbands on the opening day of their tour against England Lions in Canterbury on Tuesday as a mark of respect. More on South Africa Gunmen kill 15 people and injure nine after opening … [Read more...] about Rudi Koertzen: South African former cricket umpire dies aged 73 after car crash

An operation to move a Beluga whale trapped in the River Seine since Friday has begun, according to French media. Ever since the whale strayed into a saltwater basin in the Normandy region, efforts have been under way to free it, amid fears over its rapidly declining health. Now, conservation group Sea Shepherd France said a medical team plans to transport the four-meter-long (13-foot-long) whale to a coastal spot for "a period of care". A team of around 24 experts and many other volunteers have used a crane and nets to load the beleaguered and dangerously thin beluga into a refrigerated truck for the approximately 99-mile (160-kilometre) night time trip to the northeastern French port town of Ouistreham. Twitter Due to your consent preferences, you’re not able to view this. Open Privacy Options While experts think the whale might be sick, moving the mammal could also cause it harm. Advertisement Speaking to the Associated Press, … [Read more...] about River Seine rescue: Expert warns trapped beluga whale ‘may die’ during mission to free it, but insists ‘we must still try’

A 28-year-old jockey has died, succumbing on Tuesday to injuries he sustained in a horrific horse-racing accident last Wednesday in Cambridge, New Zealand. Taiki Yanagida , known in racing circles as “Tiger,” was riding maiden horse Te Atatu Pash when his mount was checked and they both fell onto the track. Yanagida’s helmet came off as he fell — and once he hit the ground, his own horse rolled onto him and at least one other horse galloped over him. A TRIBUTE TO TAIKI: NZ/Japanese jockey Taiki Yanagida has died 6 days after a race fall. Here are some words on his life, from those who knew him far better than me. https://t.co/umlM5vSnpM — Michael Guerin (@GuerinSports) August 9, 2022 According to several sources, Yanagida suffered serious injuries to both his head and back — and the injuries to his spinal cord were so severe that even if he had survived, reports suggested he would never have walked again. He was placed in an induced coma immediately after the … [Read more...] about Jockey Dead At 28 After Horrific Horse Racing Accident | The Daily Wire

EVIL arsonists burned alive seven dogs in a sick attack on their kennels and the owners could hear the pooches “screaming” in agony. Emma Frowen, 42, said she and her family “don’t feel safe” after the attack on their beloved pets , which were doused in petrol and set alight. The mum, whose house is about a minute’s drive from the kennels housed on allotments, said two French bulldogs named Gucci and Chanel – which they were minding for friends – a pregnant cocker spaniel called Poppy which was due to give birth in three weeks, a bull cross called Yogi and three bull greyhounds called Ice, Narla, and Ferne, were set alight at around 1.30am on Sunday. She said the dogs , which they’d had for two years, were mainly looked after by her two heartbroken sons and their girlfriends. Emma told Wales Online she remembered being woken up in the middle of the night by her daughter-in-law who could hear the dogs barking and saw the flames. When she initially saw the fire she … [Read more...] about Our 7 dogs were burned alive by evil arsonists – we heard them screaming as they died and even the police were in tears

Published 31 August 2016 Share close Share page Copy link About sharing A mother found a sac of "potentially deadly" baby spiders in a bunch of bananas she bought from Lidl. Caroline Bagshaw said a "horrible" dead adult spider and about 10 live babies fell out of the fruit in her kitchen. Geoff Grewcock, of Nuneaton and Warwickshire Wildlife Sanctuary , thought they were Brazilian Wandering Spiders whose "bite could kill you". Lidl told the BBC it was investigating and would compensate Ms Bagshaw for the cost of fumigating her home. More eight-legged updates A spokeswoman for Lidl said the supermarket needed a statement from a wildlife expert confirming the species of spider and a quote from fumigators to cover the cost. Ms Bagshaw bought the bananas from Lidl's Nuneaton branch. Mr Grewcock said the curled up spider was larger than a 50p but would have been at … [Read more...] about ‘Deadly’ spider babies found in Lidl Nuneaton bananas

Vladimir Putin is thought to have purged six generals over ‘poor performance’ amid warnings his forces are amassing in south Ukraine for a fresh assault. The Ministry of Defence believes commander Aleksandr Vladimirovich Dvornikov – known as the ‘ Butcher of Syria ’ who was appointed commander of the whole Ukraine invasion back in April – was among those culled. It also named General-Colonel Aleksandr Chayko and General-Colonel Aleksandr Zhuravlev, who commanded Russia’s Eastern and Western Military Districts respectively, as ‘highly likely’ to have lost their posts ahead of the new phase of the invasion. A spokesperson for the MoD added: ‘The poor performance of Russia’s armed forces during its invasion of Ukraine has been costly for Russia’s military leadership, highly likely resulting in the dismissal of at least six Russia commanders since the start of hostilities. ‘These dismissals are compounded by at least 10 Russian generals killed on the battlefield in … [Read more...] about Putin ‘culls six generals’ as he plans ‘deadly new assault’ on Ukraine

People leave flowers outside Liquid Leisure in Windsor, following the death of an 11-year-old girl (Image: PA) SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info She claimed some lifeguards began searching for the girl "in what appeared to be a non-methodical way" and "no one appeared to be in charge" Related articles Devon cliff dramatically COLLAPSES into beach below Boris Johnson misled Parliament claims ex-staff The tragedy happened at Liquid Leisure Windsor, Datchet, Berkshire, on Saturday. The girl was reported as missing at 3.55pm and she was found at 5.10pm. She was pronounced dead in hospital. The victim, named unofficially as Kyra, was meant to be on the Total Wipeout-style challenge with around 10 friends as part of a … [Read more...] about Mum blasts staff at Liquid Leisure Windsor where girl, 11, died

Tributes from around the have been paid to Kofi Annan, the Nobel Peace Prize winner and former Secretary-General of the United Nations, who died aged 80 on Saturday after a short illness. His home country, Ghana, declared a week of national mourning. He served two terms as UN chief between 1996 and 2006. Ravina Shamdasani, the spokeswoman for the UN Office of High Commission for Human Rights, said Annan was a life-long believer in the organisation: "I think we will remember Kofi Annan most for his dedication to peace and human rights, to his unfailing belief that diplomacy, dialogue, and just that the United Nations works, that we can avoid conflicts, that we can resolve conflicts and that we should never give up. We need to keep pushing. We need to keep advocating for human rights even in the face of seemingly impossible obstacles." Admirers who took to Twitter to pay their respects: Kofi Annan was the first black African to lead the … [Read more...] about World pays tribute to former UN chief Kofi Annan who has died at the age of 80