
South Africa: Police Chase New Lead For Missing Joslin Smith Sold By Mother Firstpost Africa
South Africa's police continue to search for missing girl Joslin Smith, whose mother was sentenced to life in prison earlier this year for kidnapping and trafficking her daughter. In the latest, the police teams combed through an informal settlement in Saldanha Bay, a fishing town 135 km north of Cape Town. The search teams were led by detectives with K-9 members. The police say whether the ongoing search will yield any success remains to be seen. In May this year, Joslin's mother, Raquel "Kelly" Smith, her boyfriend, Jacquen Appollis and their friend Steveno van Rhyn were sentenced to life in prison after they were convicted of kidnapping and trafficking the girl. The South African police said an investigation into the case was not closed despite the sentencing of the suspects. South Africa has one of the highest crime rates in the world. Kidnapping of children in the country is also on the rise. Human trafficking, ritual killings, ransom and extortion have driven this surge in kidnappings.
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Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Heartbreaking Farewell: Korean Star Song Young-gyu's Sudden Departure Leaves Fans in Shock
Star Song Young-gyu A Shocking Loss That Hits Close to Home Hey, fellow K-drama fans, imagine scrolling through your feed and bam-news hits that one of those intense side characters from your binge-watch list is gone. Song Young-gyu , the 55-year-old actor who stole scenes in hits like 'Extreme Job' and 'Narco-Saints', was found collapsed in his car in Yongin, South Korea, early one morning. It's the kind of plot twist no one saw coming, and it's got us all reflecting on how fragile life can be, especially under the harsh glare of fame. Reports say a friend discovered him around 8 AM in his townhouse parking area and alerted the authorities right away. Police are investigating, but initial signs point to a sudden health crisis. Adding to the tragedy, Song had been facing intense public scrutiny just before his passing, which amplified the emotional toll on everyone involved. His wife and two daughters are left to mourn this unexpected loss, highlighting the personal devastation behind the headlines. In the fast-paced world of entertainment, such incidents often leave a void that's hard to fill, with fans worldwide processing the shock through social media tributes and rewatches of his memorable roles. The Storm Before the Silence: Recent Troubles Now, let's not sugarcoat it-Song had been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons just weeks before. Last month, on July 19th, he got booked for drunk driving after boozing with pals in Yongin's Giheung district and driving about 5 km home to Cheoin-gu while tipsy. His blood alcohol level? Way over the limit, clocking in at license-revocation territory (0.08% or higher). That's a massive slip-up, especially for someone in the public eye. He was released without detention, but the fallout was brutal, with waves of negative media coverage and online backlash piling on. Because of this, he had to drop out of his ongoing theater play 'Shakespeare in Love'. And get this-his roles in the dramas 'I Shopping' on ENA and 'Try: We Become Miracles' on SBS were already filmed, so producers are scrambling to edit out his parts as much as possible. A close aide shared with a sports daily that after the DUI reports, Song was tormented by nasty articles and vicious online comments. The surrounding vibes were just toxic, they said. It's a stark reminder of how cyberbullying can crush even the toughest spirits. The reality is these pressures build up fast in the industry, often leading to irreversible consequences for those caught in the storm. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Treatment That Might Help You Against Knee Pain Knee pain | search ads Find Now Undo Leaving a Lasting Legacy in K-Entertainment Song Young-gyu wasn't just any actor; he was the guy who brought that raw, unforgettable edge to every role. Remember his intense vibes in 'Extreme Job', the blockbuster comedy that had us all cracking up? Or his gritty performance in 'Narco-Saints' and 'Casino'? Those films didn't just entertain-they left a mark. His career spanned movies and dramas, showcasing a talent that resonated with fans worldwide who've been hooked on Korean waves via streaming platforms. From small-screen appearances to big-screen intensity, Song's versatility kept audiences coming back for more, turning everyday stories into something gripping. Expanding on his impact, Song's work often delved into complex characters dealing with moral dilemmas, mirroring real-life struggles. In a way, it's poetic yet tragic that his own life echoed some of those themes. His body of work, including lesser-known gems, continues to inspire reruns and discussions among fans, proving his influence endures beyond the screen. Over the years, he appeared in numerous projects, building a portfolio that highlighted his range from comedic timing to dramatic depth, making him a staple in Korean entertainment circles.


The Hindu
a day ago
- The Hindu
Popular South Korean actor Song Young-Kyu found dead
Veteran South Korean actor Song Young-Kyu, known for his roles in popular K-dramas like Big Bet, Hwarang and Hot Stove League, has been found dead inside a vehicle days after he was caught in a DUI scandal. The 55-year-old was reportedly found dead in a car on Sunday at a townhouse complex in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province. An investigation has been launched by the Yongin Eastern Police Station. His cause of death remains unknown, local news website Koreaboo reported. The actor was arrested for drunk driving on June 19 with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 per cent. The incident caused Song to be removed from several acting roles like ENA's The Defects, SBS's The Winning Try and stage play Shakespeare In Love. The Defects, which he had already shot for, issued a statement stating that his screen time would be restricted following the controversy. Song is survived by his wife and two daughters. In South Korea, celebrities are held to higher moral standards, and controversies often lead to heavy scrutiny and impact on careers.


Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
South Korean actor Song Young-Kyu found dead in car two weeks after facing massive backlash over DUI controversy
Popular South Korean actor Song Young-Kyu , known for his roles in K-dramas like "Big Bet", "Hwarang" and "Hot Stove League", has been found dead inside a vehicle days after he was caught into a DUI scandal. He was 55. Song Young-Kyu was reportedly found dead in a car on Sunday at a townhouse complex in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province. An investigation has been launched by the Yongin Eastern Police Station and the cause of his death remains unknown, local news website Koreaboo reported. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category CXO Finance Artificial Intelligence Project Management Digital Marketing healthcare Data Science Data Science Operations Management Product Management Leadership Cybersecurity Others Public Policy Technology MBA MCA Healthcare Design Thinking PGDM Management Skills you'll gain: Customer-Centricity & Brand Strategy Product Marketing, Distribution, & Analytics Digital Strategies & Innovation Skills Leadership Insights & AI Integration Expertise Duration: 10 Months IIM Kozhikode IIMK Chief Marketing and Growth Officer Starts on Apr 7, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Technology Strategy & Innovation Emerging Technologies & Digital Transformation Leadership in Technology Management Cybersecurity & Risk Management Duration: 24 Weeks Indian School of Business ISB Chief Technology Officer Starts on Jun 28, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Digital Strategy Development Expertise Emerging Technologies & Digital Trends Data-driven Decision Making Leadership in the Digital Age Duration: 40 Weeks Indian School of Business ISB Chief Digital Officer Starts on Jun 30, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Operations Strategy for Business Excellence Organizational Transformation Corporate Communication & Crisis Management Capstone Project Presentation Duration: 11 Months IIM Lucknow Chief Operations Officer Programme Starts on Jun 30, 2024 Get Details ALSO READ: Karoline Leavitt, 27, has a net worth of $7 million: Here's the secret behind how Trump's youngest star amassed such fortune by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Crossout: New Apocalyptic MMO Crossout Play Now Undo Why was Song Young-Kyu arrested? Song Young-Kyu's death comes just two weeks after he was found involved in DUI incident in Yongin. The veteran South Korean actor was arrested for drunk driving on June 19 with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent and it is a serious offence in South Korea. The actor was found driving under the influence and his license was revoked under the South Korean law. The incident caused Song Young-Kyu to be removed from several acting roles like ENA's "The Defects", SBS's "The Winning Try" and stage play "Shakespeare In Love". "The Defects" which he had already shot for, issued a statement which stated that his screen time would be restricted following the controversy. Live Events On June 19, Song Young Kyu was caught driving under the influence. He drove about 5 kilometres while drunk in Yongin, the same area where he lived and was then referred to the prosecution. Though the incident happened in June, it only became public a month later in late July. This brought a wave of backlash and led to major changes in his professional life. ALSO READ: Duke Dennis handcuffed after bizarre mall game in San Antonio. What are the charges against him? On Monday, Song Young-Kyu was allegedly found unconscious inside a parked vehicle by an acquaintance. After the police were alerted, an investigation was launched into his death and the circumstances surrounding it. Police confirmed there were no signs of foul play and no suicide note was found. Song is survived by his wife and two daughters. In South Korea, celebrities are held to a higher moral grounds and controversies often lead to heavy scrutiny and impact on career. Reports suggest Song-Young-Kyu was said to be extremely concerned by the DUI charges and its aftermath. As per Koreaboo, 'He was distressed by the malicious articles and comments, and the circumstances were extremely unfavourable at that time.' Song Young-Kyu started his career on stage with a children's musical Wizard Mureul in 1994. His work encompassed theater, film and television. While Extreme Job brought him worldwide acclaim, he also appeared in projects including Hyena, Trick, Baseball Girl and Stove League. (With PTI inputs)