Animal WorldLeave a comment

Thai navy rescue four cats from burning ship

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Thai navy sailors have rescued four ginger cats that were abandoned on a burning ship in the Andaman Sea. The human crew had already been evacuated, but the navy soon discovered a few forgotten members when they were sent to check the site for oil spills. A sailor swam out to the capsized boat, before putting the cats on his back to be pulled back to safety. Reportedly, the felines suffered no injuries and are healthy, they are now being cared for by their rescuers at their command post, said Reuters news agency. On Tuesday, the Phamonsin Nava 10 fishing … Continue reading Thai navy rescue four cats from burning ship

AsiaLeave a comment

South Korea’s first transgender soldier found dead

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South Korea’s first transgender soldier, who was discharged from the military for undergoing gender reassignment surgery, has been found dead at her home. The cause of death of Byun Hee-soo, a transgender rights campaigner, is not yet known. She launched a landmark legal challenge against the military in January last year over her dismissal, her petition for reinstatement was rejected in July. South Korea remains conservative on matters of sexual identity. The 23-year-old had been receiving counselling from a mental health centre near her home in Cheongju in Chungcheong province (which is south of Seoul). Her counsellor became concerned after … Continue reading South Korea’s first transgender soldier found dead

MONARCHYLeave a comment

Meghan accuses royals of perpetuating falsehoods

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The Duchess of Sussex has said she is not afraid of the consequences of speaking out in her and Prince Harry’s interview with Oprah Winfrey. In a second teaser clip released by CBS for the upcoming interview, Meghan said “a lot… has been lost already”. She said she could not be expected to be silent if the royals had a part in “perpetuating falsehoods about us”. It comes as Buckingham Palace said it had launched an investigation into claims the duchess bullied royal staff. The interview with Winfrey, which will air in the US on Sunday, is expected to lift the … Continue reading Meghan accuses royals of perpetuating falsehoods

NATURELeave a comment

Powerful earthquake shakes central Greece

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A strong earthquake struck central Greece on Wednesday, sending people near the epicentre running from their homes in panic. Tremors were felt across the country and as far as Albania, North Macedonia, Kosovo and Montenegro. The 6.3-magnitude earthquake hit after midday and was at a depth of 10km (6.2 miles), the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) said. The epicentre was 20km south of Elassona, a town almost 400km from the capital Athens, the Athens Geodynamic Institute said. In the city of Larissa, 40km south of Elassona, people rushed out of their homes into the streets. Larissa resident Dimitris, 46, said: … Continue reading Powerful earthquake shakes central Greece

CrimeLeave a comment

Developing Story: Man injures 8 with axe in Sweden before being shot, arrested

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A man armed with an axe attacked and wounded eight people in a southern town in Sweden on Wednesday before being shot and arrested. “We heard a scream from the street. Then we saw a man enter the store, shouting that he had been stabbed,” Asa Karlqvist, owner of a florist shop, told local newspaper Vetlanda-Posten. “Blood was pouring from his shoulder so we got towels and applied pressure on the wound,” she said. Prime Minister Stefan Lofven said a possible “terrorist” motive was being investigated. “In the light of what has emerged so far in the police investigation, prosecutors … Continue reading Developing Story: Man injures 8 with axe in Sweden before being shot, arrested

Latin AmericaLeave a comment

Tragic: Seven university students fall to death in Bolivia

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At least seven students have died and five seriously injured when they fell from the fourth floor of a university building in Bolivia after a metal railing gave way on Tuesday, the government said. Footage of the incident shows students crammed into a narrow passageway trying to enter an assembly hall. A metal railing can be seen giving way under the weight of the pushing and shoving students, with several plummeting to the concrete floor below at the El Alto university near La Paz, others clutched on to fellow students to stop their fall. “From this accident, seven have died … Continue reading Tragic: Seven university students fall to death in Bolivia

Geo PoliticsLeave a comment

German warship to cross South China Sea for first time since 2002

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A German frigate will set sail for Asia in August and, on its return journey, become the first German warship to cross the South China Sea since 2002, senior government officials said on Wednesday. The ship will not pass within what officials called the “12-nautical-mile”, officials in the foreign and defence ministries added, in a reference to contested areas of the sea, which China claims almost in its entirety. The United Kingdom is also sending its navy to the region, announcing on Saturday that HMS Queen Elizabeth will set sail on its maiden voyage in May this year and is … Continue reading German warship to cross South China Sea for first time since 2002

AsiaLeave a comment

Myanmar Coup : 38 killed in bloodiest day since coup

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At least 38 people were killed in anti-coup protests in Myanmar on Wednesday, the United Nations said, in the bloodiest crackdown yet on peaceful demonstrations against a military coup. Security forces opened fire on people protesting against military rule across Myanmar, a day after neighbouring countries called for restraint and offered to help resolve the crisis. Police and soldiers opened fire with live rounds with little warning, witnesses said. Describing Wednesday’s death toll as “shocking”, Christine Schraner Burgener, the UN’s envoy on Myanmar, said in New York there were “now more than 50 people [dead] since the coup started and … Continue reading Myanmar Coup : 38 killed in bloodiest day since coup

BusinessLeave a comment

Samsung considers four sites in U.S for $17 billion chip plant

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Samsung Electronics Co Ltd is considering two sites in Arizona and another one in New York in addition to Austin, Texas, for a new $17 billion chip plant, according to documents filed with Texas state officials. The tech giant is also seeking combined tax abatements of $1.48 billion over 20 years from Travis County in Texas and the city of Austin, it added in the documents dated Feb. 26, up from the $805.5 million previously mentioned. Samsung is in talks with the sites at Arizona and New York, with each offering property tax abatement and “significant grants and/or refundable tax … Continue reading Samsung considers four sites in U.S for $17 billion chip plant

Australia & New ZealandLeave a comment

Christian Porter, Australian attorney general denies rape allegation

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Australia’s Attorney General Christian Porter has identified himself as the cabinet minister at the centre of a rape accusation – an allegation he strongly denies. A letter sent to Prime Minister Scott Morrison last week alleged Mr Porter raped a 16-year-old girl in 1988. The woman took her own life last year, New South Wales Police have closed their investigation into the matter. Mr Porter, 50, said he retained Mr Morrison’s support as attorney general. “The things that are being claimed did not happen,” he told reporters in Perth on Wednesday. “Nothing in the allegations that have been printed ever … Continue reading Christian Porter, Australian attorney general denies rape allegation

Art and CultureLeave a comment

‘Undiscovered Titian painting’ found in Ledbury church

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A discoloured painting which hung in a parish church for more than 100 years has been linked to the Renaissance master Titian. The Last Supper was gifted to St Michael and All Angels Church in Ledbury, Herefordshire, in 1909. Art historian Ronald Moore believes he has now discovered Titian’s signature on the canvas during restoration work. “It always had a feel of Titian about it, but I could never identify it… now we have a breakthrough,” he said. Mr Moore was approached by the church to research and then restore the vast painting – which is more than 12ft wide … Continue reading ‘Undiscovered Titian painting’ found in Ledbury church