Pilot in Beijing skyscraper crash had mental health issues, wrote about ending life
via Punch Nigeria1 min read
Authorities reported that the pilot who died after crashing a small plane into Beijing's CITIC Tower, injuring 13 people, had mental health issues and had written about suicide in his diary. The 66-year-old pilot, surnamed Liu, flew a light aircraft into the 528-meter skyscraper in Beijing's Central Business District. The incident, which occurred at 5:55 pm, raised questions about aviation safety in Beijing, as the CITIC Tower is approximately seven kilometers from Zhongnanhai, the government compound for top Chinese leaders. Witnesses reported a hole in the windows of an upper floor, plane debris, and a small fire at the base of the tower. Liu, who was divorced and lived alone, had reportedly suffered from insomnia and anxiety, with his diary containing multiple references to "ending his life." The Chaoyang district government stated it was "an incident endangering public safety caused by personal reasons." Liu worked as a freelancer and obtained a sport pilot license in 2021 and a private pilot license in 2024. On the day of the crash, Liu took off from a general aviation airport in Pinggu district, conducting supervised and solo flights. During his final solo flight, he "deviated from the designated area and lost contact with the airport" before the crash. He was flying a two-seat propeller-driven light aircraft. Photos and videos of the crash were quickly removed from Chinese social media, and police prevented journalists and onlookers from taking pictures at the scene.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
The Federal Government has announced plans to replace the National Youth Service Corps' NYSC traditional khaki uniform with locally produced Adire fabric. This initiative, confirmed by the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, aims to promote local manufacturing and support the Nigerian economy. The minister stated that Adire is produced in various Nigerian states, including Ogun and Kwara. Additionally, the NYSC scheme will undergo reforms to ensure corps members are posted according to their fields of study, with education graduates, for instance, being deployed to schools. For security reasons, the government is considering posting prospective corps members to regions where they studied and are familiar with the environment, particularly in areas with security challenges. This measure is intended to alleviate parental concerns and streamline the deployment process. Olawande also clarified that reports of the military being removed from the NYSC are a misconception, stating that the military will continue to provide security support, while the scheme's operational leadership will be headed by a civilian. These reforms, approved by the Federal Executive Council, mark the first major overhaul of the NYSC since its establishment in 1973, with directives for the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Federal Ministry of Youth Development to amend the NYSC Act and its regulations.
The All Progressives Congress APC has reinstated six serving senators and other aspirants to its National Assembly ticket list for the 2027 elections, overturning earlier primary results in nine states. This move, based on recommendations from the party's Primary Election Appeal Committee, has led to the replacement of previously declared winners in Kogi, Abia, Benue, Taraba, Ondo, Niger, Kwara, Kaduna, and Ebonyi. The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has stated it will only accept candidates whose names align with the outcomes of primaries monitored and uploaded by the commission, potentially creating a conflict with the APC's revised nominations. INEC National Commissioner Mohammed Kudu Haruna clarified that the commission's electronic nomination portal is designed to reject any candidate names that do not match the results uploaded by its officials after monitoring primaries. This safeguard aims to prevent arbitrary substitutions and reduce litigation, a common issue after previous elections. The APC's review process involved lobbying, interventions from governors, traditional rulers, and the Presidency, with some states seeing power-sharing arrangements to resolve internal conflicts. For example, in Ondo State, a compromise was reached between Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, while a similar agreement was brokered in Benue State between Governor Hyacinth Alia and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George
Basketball superstar LeBron James congratulated Folarin Balogun after the footballer scored for the United States in their World Cup victory against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Balogun, 24, emulated James's signature "Silencer" celebration after scoring, prompting James to post on X, "THE Silencer HAS Arrived at the World Cup! Helluva goal there, Young King!" The post garnered nearly four million views. Balogun, who was born in New York, raised in London, and plays in France, is a basketball enthusiast. American soccer scouts reportedly offered him NBA courtside tickets to persuade him to play for the US. Balogun has scored three goals in the current World Cup, helping the US reach the last-16, but will miss the upcoming match against Belgium due to a red card in the Bosnia game. James, 41, recently announced his departure from the Los Angeles Lakers to play an unprecedented 24th season with another franchise.