Skip to main content

Rare light aircraft crash in Beijing kills pilot, injures 13 people

A light aircraft crash into Beijing's tallest building on Friday killed ​the pilot and injured 13 people who were not on ‌board, the local government said following the unusual accident for the Chinese capital, where airspace is heavily restricted. Those injured are receiving medical treatment and authorities are ​investigating the incident, Chaoyang district government said in a statement ​on Saturday. "A single-engine, two-seat light sport aircraft collided with ⁠a high-rise building while flying near the East third ring road ​in Chaoyang, at 5:55pm (0955 GMT) on June 26," said the ​statement, which was posted on social media. "There was only one person on board, the pilot, who died," the statement added, without giving any further details of ​the possible cause of the crash. Damage to the facade of the ​skyscraper appeared to be limited to a hole caused by the loss of ‌two ⁠large glass panels. The gap had been temporarily boarded up as ...

Biden to leave letter for Trump following presidential tradition of outgoing notes

President Joe Biden is set to continue a presidential tradition by leaving a letter for his successor, Donald Trump, on the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office before departing the White House for the final time. This gesture mirrors what Trump did for Biden four years ago, following his refusal to attend Biden's inauguration in 2021. Biden’s note, which will remain private, is expected to follow the modern tradition of presidential farewell letters. This tradition dates back to President Ronald Reagan, who left a letter for George H. W. Bush when he succeeded Reagan in 1989. Reagan’s note, written on whimsical stationery, was a personal and lighthearted message offering support to Bush, his vice president for eight years. Since then, every president has followed suit, passing on thoughtful words to their successors. Trump similarly wrote a letter to Biden before leaving office. However, its contents remain undisclosed. Biden did reveal that the note was “very generous,” surprising many considering the contentious political climate between the two leaders. After his inauguration, Biden showed the letter to a few staff members but did not let anyone read it fully. When asked about the letter, Biden maintained it was a private matter and declined to discuss it until he had the chance to speak with Trump. Trump, in a 2023 interview, also referred to his letter as a "nice note" and shared that he had put considerable thought into it. Biden will now make his own contribution to this tradition when he writes a letter to Trump, making him the first president to both receive and write such a note for the same person. This marks an interesting chapter in American history, as Trump returns to the presidency today, becoming the first president since Grover Cleveland in the 19th century to serve nonconsecutive terms. As Biden prepares to leave office, his final day was spent in South Carolina, reflecting on his political journey and the significance of the civil rights movement in shaping his career. Speaking to a crowd, Biden struck an optimistic tone about the future of the nation, urging Americans to “keep the faith in a better day to come” and to stay engaged in the nation’s ongoing efforts for progress. Biden’s farewell contrasts with his previous, more cautionary farewell address, in which he warned of a growing oligarchy and threats to democracy. Nonetheless, Biden’s call for hope and perseverance remains central to his message as he prepares to leave office. The tradition of writing letters to incoming presidents has evolved over time, starting with simple notes to offer guidance or convey invitations. For example, John Adams wrote to Thomas Jefferson in 1801 with practical advice, while later notes have become more personal reflections and well-wishes. Each letter serves as a moment of continuity in a long-standing presidential ritual, reinforcing the transition of power in a respectful, bipartisan manner.

from Latest World News, International News | Breaking World News https://ift.tt/mwr5tQD

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

At least 32 miners dead after bridge fails at cobalt site in southeast DR Congo

A bridge collapsed at a cobalt mine in southeast Democratic Republic of Congo killing at least 32 wildcat miners, a regional government official said Sunday. The bridge came down Saturday onto a flooded zone at the mine in Lualaba province, Roy Kaumba Mayonde, the provincial interior minister, told reporters. He said 32 bodies had been recovered and more were being searched for. The DRC produces more than 70 percent of the world supply of cobalt, which is essential for batteries used in electric cars, many laptop computers and mobile phones. More than 200,000 people are estimated to be working in giant illegal cobalt mines in the giant central African country. Local authorities said the bridge collapsed at the Kalando mine, about 42 kilometres (26 miles) southeast of the Lualaba provincial capital, Kolwezi. "Despite a formal ban on access to the site because of the heavy rain and the risk of a landslide, wildcat miners forced their way into the quarry," said Mayonde. He said ...

Indian devotees splurge on jets, gold idols as Hindu temple opens

The private jet parking lots at airports near the Indian city of Ayodhya are full and the shops have run out of gold-plated idols, as wealthy devotees prepare for the invite-only opening ceremony of one of Hinduism's holiest temples. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Asia's richest man Mukesh Ambani are among the 8,000 or so attendees at Monday's inauguration event for the Ram Temple, which devotees believe is built on the birthplace of Lord Ram, a sacred Hindu deity. The construction of the temple, which began after the Supreme Court awarded the site to Hindus in 2019 more than two decades after a Hindu mob razed a mosque there, triggering deadly riots, fulfils a key campaign promise of Modi and his Hindu nationalist party. Read BJP-promised temple transforms Ayodhya: Muslims, locals feel neglected The opening ceremony, organised by the trust that built the temple, comes months before a national election which the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party is widely expected to w...

Vancouver tribunal says 'every dog is entitled to one bite' in injury case

A woman who sought nearly $5,000 in damages after being bitten by a dog on Christmas Eve has had her claim dismissed, after a British Columbia tribunal ruled the incident amounted to an accident — and that “every dog is entitled to one bite.” Ying Shen was bitten on the hand by a mini Australian Shepherd named Juliet as she stepped out of an elevator in her apartment building in Vancouver on 24 December 2022. The dog, which was leashed and accompanied by neighbour Jeffrey Dale Polo, bit Shen as the two passed each other in the corridor. According to the B.C. Civil Resolution Tribunal’s decision, Polo apologised, saying Juliet was “usually well behaved.” Shen sought medical attention that night at St. Paul’s Hospital, where she was treated for a superficial abrasion and given a tetanus shot. She later filed a report with the City of Vancouver. A bylaw officer determined that Juliet was not considered dangerous under city regulations, though the dog was found to be unlicensed. In his 5 M...