Author: theparknews

CNN — The United States seized the plane after determining there were criminal issues surrounding Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s acquisition of the aircraft, including a violation of U.S. sanctions, and flew the aircraft to Florida on Monday, according to two U.S. officials. It’s the latest development in long-frozen relations between the United States and Venezuela, and the seizure in the Dominican Republic marks a further escalation as the United States continues to investigate what it sees as corrupt activities in the Venezuelan government. “This sends a message all the way up,” one US official told CNN. “It’s unprecedented to seize…

After surviving an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania in July, Donald Trump told a Fox News host that he thinks God believes he will “fix” the country.”If you believe in God, I think you believe in God more. But then somebody says, ‘Why?’ I want to believe that God thinks I’m trying to fix this country,” Trump told Mark Levin on the Life, Liberty & Religion show after the host asked him if the July 13 shootings had strengthened his faith in the Almighty.Former U.S. president and current Republican presidential candidate Trump has in recent months sought…

Paris — Italian transgender athlete Valentina Petrillo finished third in the visually impaired women’s T12 400m semifinal at the Paralympic Games on Monday but failed to qualify for the final.The 50-year-old Petrillo ran a personal best of 57.58 seconds in the second semifinal but finished behind Hajar Safarzadeh Ghaderijani of Iran and Alejandra Paola Pérez Lopez of Venezuela, who both reached Tuesday’s final.Petrillo ran the fourth heat of the first round in 58.35 seconds to qualify for the semi-finals.At the age of 14, Petrillo was diagnosed with Stargardt disease, a retinal disease that causes progressive vision loss. As a result,…

WASHINGTON — The U.S. government has seized a luxury jet used by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro that officials say was illegally purchased through a shell company and smuggled out of the United States in violation of sanctions and export control laws. The Justice Department said Monday that the Dassault Falcon 900EX was seized in the Dominican Republic and transferred to the custody of federal authorities in Florida. The plane landed at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport shortly before noon on Monday, according to a flight tracking website. U.S. officials said aides to the Venezuelan leader used Caribbean-based shell companies to conceal…

Hodgson University’s Brisheem Davis escapes a tackle during a game against Howard University. Photo by Jason Winchell High school football season kicked off Thursday night, making for a great football weekend at first state. Hodgson 21 Howard 6: The Silver Eagles scored the final 21 points to defeat their VO Tech rivals on Thursday afternoon. Brisheem Davis had two touchdowns, a 30-yard reception and an interception six for 37 yards in the final minutes to seal the win. Xavier Brown threw two touchdown passes and also completed a two-point pass. Amir Madi had a 64-yard scamper late in the first…

The JMU football department announced Monday that tickets for Saturday’s home opener against Gardner-Webb have sold out, with tickets currently only available on the secondary market. It was the first time since 2011 that JMU sold out its home football opener as fans flocked to Harrisonburg to get their first look at the expanded Bridgeforth Stadium. JMU beat Central Connecticut State University 14-9 in a sold-out home opener in 2011, but the Dukes will be hoping to beat an FCS opponent quicker this time around. The Dukes are expected to have an easy win when they host a 0-1 Gardner-Webb…

A few years ago, I spoke with a Nepalese member of parliament about the challenges he faced in trying to improve the lives of his constituents. “What do they need?” I asked. “I bought a cow from somebody before,” he replied firmly. “Why did you buy him a cow?” was the obvious next question I asked. He looked at me intently. “Because I needed the cow,” he said. The exchange highlighted a fundamental truth of politics in many places: When the state is failing to meet its people’s needs, the blame always falls on lawmakers. For just about everything. Over…

(KMAland) — We’ll have the latest news on local college sports posted throughout the day, so keep checking back to see all the latest updates from the area schools listed below.Heart of America Athletic Conference -Football Player of the Week: https://www.heartofamericaconference.com/sports/fball/2024-25/releases/20240902jp4bz2 -Men’s Soccer Player of the Week: https://www.heartofamericaconference.com/sports/msoc/2024-25/releases/20240902l2r6v1-Women’s Soccer Player of the Week: https://www.heartofamericaconference.com/sports/wsoc/2024-25/releases/20240902lg8rgs-Volleyball Player of the Week: https://www.heartofamericaconference.com/sports/wvball/2024-25/releases/20240902m1grwt-Cross Country Athlete of the Week: https://www.heartofamericaconference.com/sports/wxc/2024-25/releases/20240902maf20uNorth Star Athletic Association -Volleyball Players of the Week: https://playnorthstar.com/news/2024/9/2/nsaa-volleyball-players-of-the-week-no-3-edition-announced.aspx-Football Players of the Week: https://playnorthstar.com/news/2024/9/2/first-installment-of-2024-nsaa-football-players-of-the-week-announced.aspxGreat Plains Athletic Conference -Football Player of the Week: https://gpac.prestosports.com/sports/fball/2024-25/releases/20240901zcwhj0Iowa State UniversityIowaNorthern Iowa- Olivia Chambers places fifth in the 50m freestyle at…

Getty ImagesAfD supporters complain not only about immigration but also about the neglect of the economy.A far-right party is on the verge of winning the most votes in German state elections for the first time since the Nazis.For some in Germany, the rise of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) is a literal nightmare.But others, particularly in the east, say the AfD represents an opportunity for change.German politics has been tense all year, and Sunday’s vote in Thuringia and Saxony could reach a boiling point.”Liar!” a small crowd in Thuringia shouted as Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke in the city of Jena…

Hunter Martin, Dr. John Noble, Heath Shroyer Story LinkLAKE CHARLES – The McNeese State University football program has introduced exclusive QuickTake Sports digital check-in kiosks. The cutting-edge technology platform is the first of its kind to feature biometric sensors, facial recognition and vital sign measurement using a digital touchscreen, revolutionizing training and performance communication for McNeese athletes.The QuickTake Sports Kiosk is designed to help athletes perform at their best through precision health data tracking. Athletes simply stand in front of the kiosk to check in and the kiosk will measure their vital signs and mood. It then provides motivational…