Taiwan’s military chief was killed in a helicopter crash on Thursday, the defence ministry said, just days before the island goes to polls to elect a new president. The chief of the general staff, Shen Yi-ming, was among eight senior officers — including three major-generals — who died when their Black Hawk helicopter smashed into mountains near Taipei. Flags at all military units will fly at half-mast for three days as Shen was the highest-ranking military official to die while on official duty, the government said.
