World
US seizes private jet linked to Venezuelan President
The United States has seized a private jet reportedly linked to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, claiming it was acquired illegally and smuggled out of the country in violation of UD laws.
According to the US Department of Justice, the plane, a Falcon 900EX, was confiscated in the Dominican Republic and flown to Florida on Monday.
“This morning, the Justice Department seized an aircraft we allege was illegally purchased for $13 million through a shell company and smuggled out of the United States for use by Nicolás Maduro and his cronies.
“The Department will continue to pursue those who violate our sanctions and export controls to prevent them from using American resources to undermine the national security of the United States,” said Attorney General Merrick Garland.
The transaction, conducted in late 2022 and early 2023, allegedly breached US export controls and sanctions.
The U.S. also claims that Maduro used the jet for official visits abroad. The seizure is part of the U.S. government’s ongoing efforts to hold Maduro and his affiliates accountable.
“According to the U.S. investigation, in late 2022 and early 2023, persons affiliated with Maduro allegedly used a Caribbean-based Shell company to conceal their involvement in the illegal purchase of the Dassault Falcon 900EX aircraft (which at the time was valued at approximately $13 million) from a company based in the Southern District of Florida.
“The aircraft was then illegally exported from the United States to Venezuela through the Caribbean in April 2023. Since May 2023, the Dassault Falcon, bearing tail number T7-ESPRT, has flown almost exclusively to and from a military base in Venezuela and has been used for the benefit of Maduro and his representatives, including to transport Maduro on visits to other countries,” the department explained.
In a statement, the White House National Security Council described the action as “an important step” in ensuring that Maduro faces consequences for his administration’s actions.
The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Markenzy Lapointe, said the Dominican Republic authorities had given the US government “invaluable assistance” in organising the seizure.
“The United States’ seizure of the Dassault Falcon 900EX aircraft illustrates our unrelenting commitment to enforcing U.S. export control laws and imposing U.S. sanctions for any violations,” said Lapointe.
“This successful seizure was the result of planning, coordination, and execution by the United States Government, with invaluable assistance from the authorities in the Dominican Republic. Our office, along with our law enforcement partners, will continue to work to forfeit this plane and all other assets that circumvent the law,” he added.
World
First all-civillian space team returns to earth after historic mission
SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn crew has returned to earth after five days in orbit.
The US team was led by Jared Issacman, a billionaire, alongside Sarah Gillis of Space X, Anna Menon, and Kidd Poteet.
The historic mission saw the team reach the highest altitude than any other human in five decades. It also marked the first time such an endeavor has been completed by a privately funded and operated mission.
An event live streamed by SpaceX showed the Dragon capsule land off the coast of Florida on Sunday morning.
“Splashdown of Dragon confirmed! Welcome back to Earth,” SpaceX said on X
Returning to earth is among the most dangerous stretches of any space mission.
On its orbit back, the spacecraft reached extremely hot temperatures as it seared through the thickest parts of earth’s atmosphere because of the pressure and friction caused by hitting the air while still traveling around 17,000 miles per hour.
However, the crew was protected by the Dragon’s heat shield.
The spacecraft eventually landed in water before waiting rescue crews hauled it out of the ocean and onto a special boat known as the Dragon’s nest.
Final safety checks took place there before the crew disembarked from the capsule and began the journey back to dry land.
The US’ National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) said the mission represented “a giant leap forward” for the commercial space industry.
World
Gunshots fired in Donald Trump’s vicinity at golf course
Gunshots have been fired in the vicinity of former United States President, Donald Trump, his campaign has said on Sunday.
“President Trump is safe following gunshots in his vicinity. No further details at this time,”Steven Cheung, his campaign spokesman said in a short statement.
According to the New York Post, two people exchanged gunfire outside the former president’s golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida.
The outlet reported the gunfine was not “targeting Trump”.
Trump was golfing at the resort on Sunday, which is a short distance from his main residence, Mar-a-Lago, according to US media outlets.
It comes just two months after an assassination attempt on the Republican presidential candidate.
Gunman, Thomas Crooks, fired multiple shots at Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13. One bullet grazed the ex-president’s ear.
World
Comoros president wounded in knife attack
Comoros President Azali Assoumani was slightly wounded in a knife attack Friday, the presidency said, adding that the attacker had been arrested.
“The President of the Republic Azali Assoumani was slightly wounded by a knife while attending the funeral” of a well-known religious leader, it said in a statement.
“His injuries are not serious, and he has returned home. The attacker is in the hands of the security services,” it added.
Government spokeswoman Fatima Ahamadael told AFP that the attack happened in Salimani-Itsandra, an area on the outskirts of the capital Moroni.
“Thank God, his life is not in danger,” she said, declining to give further details.
Witnesses told AFP that the attacker was a 22-year-old with no criminal history, who had joined the army in 2022. He was dressed in a boubou, and was in the room with the religious leader’s body, as mourners were paying respects, they said.
The knife injured the president’s hand, but the attacker was stopped by another mourner, the witnesses said.
A source close to the presidency, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “The president has received appropriate care. He is out of danger.”
A second source, also speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP that the attacker was a young “active-duty gendarme”.
No other details were immediately available.
After the attack, the neighbourhood remained tense, with gendarmes on the scene. Residents hurried home, sometimes pausing to whisper in small groups on the streets.
Azali, 65, a former military ruler who came to power in a coup in 1999, was re-elected president in January after a disputed vote was followed by two days of deadly protests.
He has been accused of growing authoritarianism.
In August, he granted new powers to his son, in a move that critics said was a step towards consolidating the family’s rule over the small African island nation.
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