Some three months after an election that represented one of the biggest challenges in years to Thailand’s royal

A former soldier has recounted the terrifying shark attack he suffered during a military exercise which caused him to lose an arm and a leg. Paul de Gelder was a paratrooper who feared for his life during the ordeal, which saw him attacked by a 50-tonne bull shark. The animal tore off two of his limbs during the attack in 2009, and de Gelder spoke about his ordeal during an interview with CBS. The 46-year-old from Melbourne, Australia was taking part in a naval exercise in the Sydney Harbour when it took place. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter “I was swimming from point A to point B on the surface on my back and a 10-foot bull shark came up from underneath me,” he said. "It grabbed me by the back of my right leg and my right hand, which was by my side, all in one bite." Describing how he tried to fight back by hitting the shark, de Gelder said: "That's when it started to shake me like a rag doll. As its teeth worked through my flesh and bone like saws, I was overcome by the most intense pain imaginable." He then recalled how he managed to escape the shark’s clutches before having to swim back to his boat surrounded by a pool of blood. "It took me under. The pain and the terror. I thought I was going to die. It removed my hamstring and my hand,” de Gelder added. "I had to swim back to my safety boat with one hand and leg through a pool of my own blood. I didn't think I was going to make it. “I'm very, very lucky and blessed to still be here and breathing today." He returned to work with the armed forces and also became a motivational speaker. However, despite his injuries, he believes that sharks should not be demonised. "I see my role as speaking up for an animal that doesn't have a voice,” he said. "I figure if someone like me who has almost lost their life and two limbs to a shark can understand why they are so important and why they need to be saved, then maybe everyone else should be able to as well." Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

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The Republic of Ireland embark upon a face-saving mission in Faro on Monday evening when they attempt to secure just a second Euro 2024 qualifier victory at the seventh time of asking. Anything but a comfortable win over Group B minnows Gibraltar, the only team Stephen Kenny’s men have beaten to date during a desperately disappointing campaign, would invite derision with automatic qualification gone and a play-off place an unlikely source of salvation. Here, the PA news agency takes a look at some of the talking points surrounding the game at the Estadio Algarve. The end is nigh Stephen Kenny launched his reign as Ireland manager on twin promises to overhaul an ageing squad and play a more exciting brand of football. He has delivered the former and achieved only partial success with the latter. Unfortunately for him, any progress has not been translated into results and as he heads into what seems certain to be his penultimate competitive game, he has won only five of the 27 which have preceded it. So near, so Faro While the Republic of Ireland’s last away game against Gibraltar – a 1-0 Euro 2020 qualifier win at the Victoria Stadium in March 2019 – was played on the rock itself, the sides have met previously at the Estadio Algarve. Robbie Keane’s double and goals from Cyrus Christie and Shane Long secured a 4-0 Euro 2016 qualifier victory in September 2015. However, their most recent visit to the stadium in September 2021 had a nasty twist in the tail when Cristiano Ronaldo’s last-gasp double overhauled John Egan’s header to hand Portugal a 2-1 World Cup qualifier win. Fergie time? Ireland hope they have found a new talisman for years to come in the shape of 18-year-old Brighton striker Evan Ferguson. The teenager was left painfully isolated for long periods against Greece after hitting the post early on, and he will hope for better service as he attempts to add to his two senior international goals – the last of them against Gibraltar – in seven appearances to date against a significantly more porous defence. Winging it Celtic winger Mikey Johnston has not kicked a ball in anger for his club yet this season after being laid low by a back injury during the summer. Kenny threw him on for the last 20 minutes against the Greeks in an effort to add creativity to his labouring side and, while he remains short of match fitness, Monday’s game could be the perfect opportunity for him to launch his season. The Republic lacked inspiration on Friday evening and Johnston provided just that in a second-half cameo in the reverse fixture, in which he scored the opening goal in a 3-0 win. No points, no goals In many respects, Ireland could not have chosen a better opponent for a game they simply have to win. Gibraltar have lost their last seven – a run culminating in Wednesday night’s 4-0 friendly defeat in Wales – without scoring and have conceded a total of 17 goals and collected no points in their five Group B fixtures to date. They last found the back of the net in a 1-0 friendly victory over Andorra in November. Read More Triumphant Wigan boss Matt Peet aims to emulate coaching heroes Dan Biggar confident future is bright for Wales as Test career draws to end England captain Jos Buttler says Afghanistan defeat ‘tough loss to take’ England’s World Cup hopes in jeopardy after shock Afghanistan defeat England’s shock World Cup defeats as Afghanistan add their name to list Harvey Elliott believes Jordan Henderson deserves better from England fans

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