Ratu Elizabeth Mangkat

[ baca versi jawi di sini ]

Ratu United Kingdom dan Negeri-negeri Komanwel, Ratu Elizabeth II telah mangkat di Balmor sebentar tadi pada usia 96 tahun.

Memetik sebuah kenyataan daripada Istana Buckingham hari ini:

Queen [Ratu Elizabeth] telah mangkat dengan tenang di Balmoral tengah hari tadi [waktu United Kingdom]. King [Raja Charles] dan Queen Consort [Permaisuri Camila] akan kekal di Balmoral petang ini dan akan pulang ke London esok.

Dalam sebuah kenyataan ringkas, Raja baharu UK, Raja Charles, menzahirkan rasa dukacita atas pemergian ibunda Baginda.

“Kemangkatan Ibunda tercinta Beta, Duli Yang Maha Mulia Queen, ialah saat terpaling mendukacitakan bagi Beta dan seluruh warga kerabat Beta.

“Beta tahu seluruh negara, negeri-negeri dan Komanwel, serta warga seluruh dunia yang tidak terkira banyaknya akan terkesan dengan kemangkatan Baginda Queen.”

Ratu Elizabeth merupakan pemerintah tertua di seluruh dunia, sehingga kemangkatan Baginda. Baginda telah menyaksikan pemerintahan 15 Perdana Menteri berbeza sejak pertabalan Baginda pada 1952.

Sebelum ini, kerabat diraja United Kingdom telah bergegas ke Balmoral setelah Ratu Elizabeth dilaporkan dalam keadaan gering. Dalam sebuah kenyataan oleh Istana Buckingham, doktor-doktor Baginda dikatakan risau akan kesihatan Baginda, dan menyarankan Baginda kekal di bawah pengawasan perubatan.

Suami Ratu Elizabeth, Putera Philip mangkat pada 9 April tahun lepas, pada usia 99 tahun.

Putera Philip, Duke Edinburgh, Mangkat pada Usia 99 Tahun

Baca versi Jawi di sini.

Duke Edinburgh dan suami Ratu Elizabeth II, Putera Philip telah mangkat di Istana Windsor sebentar tadi pada usia 99 tahun.

Memetik sebuah kenyataan daripada Istana Buckingham hari ini:

“Adalah dengan penuh dukacita Duli Yang Maha Mulia Baginda Queen mengumumkan kemangkatan suami tercinta Baginda, Duli Yang Maha Mulia Putera Philip, Duke Edinburgh. Baginda telah mangkat pagi tadi di Istana Windsor. Segala pengumuman selanjutnya akan dibuat pada masa yang sesuai. Kerabat Diraja (United Kingdom) akan bersama-sama dengan warga seluruh dunia dalam berkabung berikutan kemangkatan Baginda.”

“It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle. Further announcements will made in due course. The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss.”

Baginda merupakan Putera Suami paling lama menduduki takhta dalam sejarah Britain, dan hanya beberapa bulan sebelum menyambut hari jadi baginda ke-100 pada bulan Jun.

Putera Philip telah pulang ke Istana Windsor pada 16 Mac setelah tinggal di hospital selama sebulan. Baginda pada mulanya menerima rawatan untuk jangkitan kuman namun kemudiannya menjalani pembedahan jantung.

Satu notis kemangkatan Baginda telah dipaparkan pada pagar Istana Buckingham seperti biasa. Walau bagaimanapun, notis tersebut kemudiannya diturunkan bagi mengelakkan berlakunya kesesakan orang ramai.

Wabak Covid-19 akan membawa impak besar kepada istiadat pemakaman Baginda Putera Philip. Dengan kawalan dan ketetapan ketat akibat penularan wabak Covid-19, segala jenis elemen awam bagi istiadat tersebut tidak akan dilaksanakan secara biasa.

Putera Philip sebelum ini telahpun dilaporkan dalam keadaan gering akibat kesihatan Baginda. Baginda telah mengumumkan akan menarik diri daripada pertemuan diraja pada bulan Mei 2017. Kali terakhir Baginda dilihat mencemar duli semasa upcara rasmi adalah pada akhir tahun itu ketika perarakan Marin Diraja di pekarangan Istana Buckingham.

Sejak itu, Baginda kurang dilihat secara awam, dan meluangkan kebanyakan masa Baginda di estet Sandringham Baginda Queen di Norfolk, dan kemudiannya di Istana Windsor semasa tempoh perintah berkurung sepanjang pandemik Covid-19, di mana Baginda berdua telah menyambut ulang tahun ke-73 perkahwinan Baginda secara tertutup pada bulan November 2020.

[Dipetik daripada laporan The Guardian]

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Dies Aged 99

The Duke of Edinburgh, the Queen’s “strength and stay” for 73 years, has died aged 99.

A statement from Buckingham Palace on Friday said: “It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle. Further announcements will made in due course. The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss.”

He was the longest serving consort in British history, and was only months away from his 100th birthday in June.

Philip had returned to Windsor Castle on 16 March to be reunited with the Queen after spending a month in hospital – his longest stay. He initially received care for an infection but then under went heart surgery for a pre-existing condition.

An official notice of his death was posted on the railings of Buckingham Palace, as is traditional, but was being removed shortly afterwards to avoid crowds gathering.

The coronavirus pandemic will have a major impact on the carefully laid plans for the duke’s funeral. With restrictions still in place amid the Covid-19 outbreak, the public elements of the final farewell will not be able to take place in their original form.

Philip’s health had been slowly deteriorating for some time. He announced he was stepping down from royal engagements in May 2017, joking that he could no longer stand up. He made a final official public appearance later that year during a Royal Marines parade on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace.

Since then, he has rarely been seen in public, spending most of his time on the Queen’s Sandringham estate in Norfolk, though moving to be with her at Windsor Castle during the lockdown periods throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and where the couple quietly celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary in November 2020. -{The Guardian]

Amazing Bridges from All Across the World

Completed in 2003, the Seri Wawasan Bridge was designed by the Kuala Lumpur-based firm, PJSI Consultants, and is located in Putrajaya, Malaysia.

Architecture is a form of art that had no limits nor boundaries and can be found just anywhere across the world, from houses to skyscrapers, buildings to bridges.

Here are 8 of one of the most beautiful bridges in the world, designed by world-renowned architects such as Zaha Hadid and Santiago Calatrava.

(Images credit to Yahoo! News)

Today, the iconic Tower Bridge in London is a must-see tourist attraction. Opened in 1894, the bridge allows automobiles and pedestrians to cross the River Thames, while also allowing river traffic to pass, as the bascules can be raised to an angle of 86 degrees.

Designed by starchitect Santiago Calatrava, Puente de la Mujer, which was completed in 2001, is located in the commercial district of Buenos Aires.

Built in 1650, Isfahan’s Khaju Bridge was built at the height of the Safavid dynasty (1501–1736) in modern day Iran. The structure, which is 436 feet long and 40 feet wide, contains 23 arches. Beautiful in the daylight and at night, the Khaju Bridge is a popular public meeting spot.

Completed in 2001, Amsterdam’s High Bridge (which also goes by the name Python Bridge) was designed by the New York–based firm West 8.

Designed by the late Zaha Hadid, Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Bridge was completed in 2010 for a total of $300 million.

Running through the valley of the River Tarn near Millau in southern France, the Millau Viaduct is the world’s tallest bridge, with a summit that rises some 1,125 feet above the base of the structure. Designed by architect Sir Norman Foster and structural engineer Michel Virlogeux, the bridge opened in 2004.

Completed in 2003, the Seri Wawasan Bridge was designed by the Kuala Lumpur-based firm, PJSI Consultants, and is located in Putrajaya, Malaysia.

Venice’s Rialto Bridge, which was built in the 16th century, is the oldest bridge still standing over the city’s Grand Canal.

Photos: Ariana Grande Concert (Manchester Arena) Explosion Killed 22

Scenes of carnage in the Manchester Arena foyer after the suicide bomb attack. (The Sun)

At least 22 people including children were killed in an explosion at the Ariana Grande pop concert which was held at the Manchester Arena last night.

The horrific blast sent thousands of adults, teenagers and children screamed and fled in panic from the packed Europe’s largest indoor arena as people were leaving the arena after the concert ended.

The Sun reported that, “Witnesses told of seeing shards of metal tearing into concert-goers in the foyer area of the world-famous concert venue – leaving dozens lying in pools of blood.”

According to The Telegraph, at least 59 others were injured and many others are still missing and desperate parents have spent the night searching for loved ones, some as young as eight years old, who have been missing since the explosion.

The Telegraph also reported that police believe that the attack was carried out by one man who died at the scene, although they are still working to establish if he “was acting alone or as part of a network”.

The suicide bomber was reported to detonate an explosive device in the foyer outside the main hall of the arena.

Sixty ambulances flooded the area and more than 400 police officers were deployed.

The first victim to be named after an explosion is Georgina Callander, 18.

Prime Minister Theresa May suspended all election campaigning due to the incident.

My deepest condolences to all the family and friends of the victims.

Please click the photos for larger images:

In Photos: Icy Blast Hits UK

Weathe picture in Sheffield, South Yorkshire at the war memorial covered in snow outside the church on Hollinsend Road, Manor

Heavy snow fell in Scotland, Northern Ireland and the north of England causing major travel disruption.

Schools were closed in Scotland, Northern Ireland, Cumbria, Lancashire and Tameside, Greater Manchester.

Main roads in Durham, Yorkshire and north Wales were blocked, while more than a dozen rail services between Manchester and York were cancelled.

Tractors clear the snow from the runways at Manchester Airport’s Terminal 1, as schools, transport and mobile phone signals were disrupted after heavy snow hit parts of the country.

Pictured – Snowy scenes around the Derbyshire Peak District today. Heavy snow has swept across northern parts of the UK and is expected to spread south over the next 24 hours, bringing health concerns and fears of travel disruption. Around 13cm of snow has already accumulated in Spadeadam, Cumbria, and the Met Office has issued an amber “be prepared” warning for parts of the north east, north west and Yorkshire. Villager Jim / Ross Parry

Picture Shows A postal worker trudging through the snow near Barnsley in South Yorkshire. Ian Hinchliffe / Rossparry.co.uk

Weathe picture in Sheffield, South Yorkshire where cars get stuck travelling up Leighton Road, Gleadless.

Heavy snow in parts of Glasgow West End, Janaury 29, 2014. has forced people out early to clear their cars of up to 6 inches of snow.

Weather picture in Emley Moor, West Yorkshire, where this vehicle has crashed off the road after heavy snowfalls overnight. rossparry.co.uk / BBCLeeds

Lego Hunting, Anyone?

Lego pieces have been turning up on British beaches since 1997. (Tracey Williams/LegoLostAtSea)

Looking for a place for Lego hunting?

Go to Cornwall, England!

For the last 17 years, Lego hunters can find Lego pieces at beaches in Cornwall, England.

On February 13, 1997, a shipping container filled with nearly 5 million Lego pieces was thrown into the sea about 32 kilometres off the British south coast after the Tokio Express ship carrying them was struck by a huge wave.

Below are some of the Lego pieces collected at the beaches.

A green Lego dragon on the shore (Tracey Williams/LegoLostAtSea)

A Lego octopus found in a cave in South Devon, England, in the late 1990s. (Tracey Williams/LegoLostAtSea)

A guide to Lego pieces collected from U.K. beaches (Tracey Williams/LegoLostAtSea)

A Lego pirate’s cutlass washed up in Newquay, May 12, 2014. (Tracey Williams/LegoLostAtSea)

Photos: Beautiful Scenes Of UK Winter Wonderland

Water not-quite-fall: Climbers Simon Stokes and Mark Davies admire giant icicles along the frozen Kinder Downfall waterfall high in the Derbyshire Peak District. But the frozen waterfall is expected to be back to naomal by the weekend. (MailOnline)

The weather in United Kingdom is freezing cold on December 13, 2012 with the temperature between 2°c and 4°c.

Waterfalls were frozen with icicles hanging beautifully over the rocks, it is just like in a winter wonderland.

The River Thames froze at Wargrave, Berkshire, and canals iced over in London, Birmingham and Stockport.

Mail Online reported that, yesterday’s freezing fog and ice brought beautiful scenes to the countryside but transport chaos in many cities yesterday as temperatures plummeted to -10°c.

It is may cause a lot of trouble for the people around the area but the scenes are really beautiful.

(Please click the photos for bigger images)

Water not-quite-fall: Climbers Simon Stokes and Mark Davies admire giant icicles along the frozen Kinder Downfall waterfall high in the Derbyshire Peak District

A man braces the cold as he walks through Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, which had been coated in frost, transforming it into a carnival of blue, white and wintry colours

What a view! Early morning frost coats a bench at the top of Sutton Bank on the North York Moors, as temperatures plummeted last night

BATH, UNITED KINGDOM – DECEMBER 12: People are seen out for a walk as frost lingers on the trees at Dyrham Park on December 12, 2012 near Bath, England. Forecasters have warned that the UK could experience the coldest day of the year so far today, with temperatures dropping as low as -14C, bringing widespread ice, harsh frosts and freezing fog. Travel disruption is expected with warnings for heavy snow in some parts of the country. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

BATH, UNITED KINGDOM – DECEMBER 12: Frost lingers on the trees at Dyrham Park on December 12, 2012 near Bath, England. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) less

LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 12: The early morning frost clings to a cobweb in Regents Park on December 12, 2012 in London, England . (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

BATH, UNITED KINGDOM – DECEMBER 12: Frost is seen on plants at the Bath Racecourse on December 12, 2012 near Bath, England. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

BATH, UNITED KINGDOM – DECEMBER 12: Frost is seen on plants at the Bath Racecourse on December 12, 2012 near Bath, England. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

BATH, UNITED KINGDOM – DECEMBER 12: A person is seen out walking as frost lingers on the trees at Dyrham Park on December 12, 2012 near Bath, England. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

European Airspace Opens But Passengers Are Still Stranded

My father’s friend, Mr Steve McEwan still cannot get back to United Kingdom.

But the airspace is already opened.

Please click for European airspace developments as of 1942 GMT April 21, 2010.

The earliest he can fly home on Emirates airline will be on April 30, 2010.

His actual flight was on April 16, 2010.

He had been stranded in Kuala Lumpur for 7 days and has to wait for another 8 days to fly home!

The volcanic ash from under the Eyjafilljallajokull glacier caused European airspace to be closed for 5 days.

So, when the airspace is open on Wednesday millions of people tried to get home.

It needs a lot of plane trips to get everybody home.

So some stranded passenger are still stranded even when the European airspace is now opened.

Jenna Suttmeier , 21, right, and Shannon Grossman, 20, left, from Seattle, United States, play volleyball as they wait for their flight to Madrid at the Son Sant Joan Airport in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, on Sunday, April 18, 2010. Spain's airport authority has closed 12 airports as the ash cloud emerging from an Icelandic volcano reaches the north of the country. (AP Photo/Manu Mielniezuk)

This is a disaster especially to the stranded passengers.