Ethiopian Airlines Halts Flights to Asmara Amid Operational Challenges; US Seizes Jet Linked to Maduro; Czech Police Uncover Migrants in Truck; UN Mediates Libya Bank Crisis; Kurdish Authorities Release Daesh-linked Prisoners; Saudi Tanker Amjad Safe After Nearby Attack
Ethiopian Airlines suspends flights to Eritrea amid operational challenges.
Ethiopian Airlines has decided to suspend its flights to Asmara, Eritrea starting September 3, 2024, citing operational challenges without providing additional details. This comes after the air link between the two nations had just resumed in July 2018 following a long hiatus due to conflicts. There has been no comment from the Eritrean government regarding the suspension.
Meanwhile, the United States has seized a Dassault Falcon 900EX private jet, alleging it was illegally used by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in violation of US sanctions. The jet, which was reportedly smuggled out of the US in April 2023, was flown from the Dominican Republic to Florida before being intercepted. This action is part of wider US efforts against alleged human rights abuses and corruption in Venezuela under Maduro's regime.
In Europe, Czech police discovered around 30 migrants, one of whom was unfortunately deceased, in a truck on a motorway between Prague and Dresden. Following the discovery, a helicopter was deployed to locate several migrants who attempted to flee, resulting in the temporary closure of the D8 motorway. All the migrants have since been detained.
Over to Libya, the UN Support Mission has facilitated critical talks in Tripoli to resolve a central bank crisis impacting oil production and the economy. The crisis stemmed from internal factions' attempts to replace the Central Bank governor, leading to a shutdown in oil production. These talks involved key representatives from Libya's House of Representatives.
In Syria, Kurdish authorities have granted amnesty and released 50 prisoners who were accused of links to the Daesh terrorist group. This move, initiated based on recommendations from a May 25 meeting of Syrian tribes, is intended to include Syrians not involved in direct combat or bloodshed. Nonetheless, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces continue to detain thousands of Daesh suspects in northeastern Syria.
On the maritime front, Saudi shipping firm Bahri reported that its tanker Amjad was not targeted nor damaged during an attack on a nearby vessel in the Red Sea. Amjad remains fully operational and is continuing its journey to its planned destination, with all relevant authorities notified and continuous communication maintained with the crew.
Meanwhile, the United States has seized a Dassault Falcon 900EX private jet, alleging it was illegally used by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in violation of US sanctions. The jet, which was reportedly smuggled out of the US in April 2023, was flown from the Dominican Republic to Florida before being intercepted. This action is part of wider US efforts against alleged human rights abuses and corruption in Venezuela under Maduro's regime.
In Europe, Czech police discovered around 30 migrants, one of whom was unfortunately deceased, in a truck on a motorway between Prague and Dresden. Following the discovery, a helicopter was deployed to locate several migrants who attempted to flee, resulting in the temporary closure of the D8 motorway. All the migrants have since been detained.
Over to Libya, the UN Support Mission has facilitated critical talks in Tripoli to resolve a central bank crisis impacting oil production and the economy. The crisis stemmed from internal factions' attempts to replace the Central Bank governor, leading to a shutdown in oil production. These talks involved key representatives from Libya's House of Representatives.
In Syria, Kurdish authorities have granted amnesty and released 50 prisoners who were accused of links to the Daesh terrorist group. This move, initiated based on recommendations from a May 25 meeting of Syrian tribes, is intended to include Syrians not involved in direct combat or bloodshed. Nonetheless, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces continue to detain thousands of Daesh suspects in northeastern Syria.
On the maritime front, Saudi shipping firm Bahri reported that its tanker Amjad was not targeted nor damaged during an attack on a nearby vessel in the Red Sea. Amjad remains fully operational and is continuing its journey to its planned destination, with all relevant authorities notified and continuous communication maintained with the crew.