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☆ Brazil plane crash: Prior icing accident looms over investigation
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-13 | by ( Pete Muntean | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Numerous videos posted on social media show the turboprop ATR 72 in an apparent flat spin as it spiraled toward the ground with no visible forward movement. “As we progress through the investigation, things will start to solidify.”A crash in 1994The French-Italian ATR 72 has “checkered record” Goelz said. The ATR 72 utilizes deicing “boots,” designed to expand and physically break apart ice that accumulates on wings. “A jet likely would not have been at that altitude.”Following reports of Friday’s crash, ATR said it was aware of an accident and is working to support investigators. “Aviation safety doesn’t lend itself to quick answers.”

Persons: Friday’s, ”, Peter Goelz, Bruce Landsberg, Goelz, “, Landsberg Organizations: CNN, National Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, NTSB, Eagle, “, “ Aviation Locations: Brazil, Cascavel, Brazil’s, Paraguay, São Paulo, FlightAware, Vinhedo, “, Roselawn , Indiana, United States, France

☆ Korean Air orders at least 40 Boeing wide-body planes in a vote of confidence for the manufacturer
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-22 | by ( Leslie Josephs | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

A Boeing 777X airplane takes off during its first test flight from the company's plant in Everett, Washington, January 25, 2020. FARNBOROUGH, England — Boeing won orders for at least 40 wide-body jetliners from Korean Air, including the yet-to-be-certified 777X jetliner, in a vote of confidence for the struggling manufacturer. The order, announced at the Farnborough Airshow outside of London, includes 20 777X planes, the largest in Boeing's commercial jet lineup, and 20 787-10 Dreamliner planes, both long-range jets. Korean Air CEO Walter Cho said he expected to start receiving the planes later this decade. "If I wasn't assured, I would not have ordered it," Cho said at a news conference of Korean Air's order.

Persons: Walter Cho, Cho, whoever's Organizations: Boeing 777X, England — Boeing, Korean Air, U.S . Federal Aviation Administration, Boeing, Delta Air Lines, Airbus Locations: Everett , Washington, FARNBOROUGH, England, Korean, Farnborough, London

☆ Hong Kong Mafia (triad) member rates 12 Mafia scenes in movies and TV
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-02 | by ( Margaret Guzman | David Ibekwe | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Jimmy Tsui, a former member of the Sun Yee On triad in Hong Kong and Tung On in New York City's Chinatown, breaks down 12 Chinese organized-crime scenes in movies and TV shows based on realism. Tsui also looks at scenes in New York City's Chinatown, such as the rivalry between two Tong associations in "The Corruptor," with Mark Wahlberg and Chow Yun-fat; and the gambling-house scene in "Year of the Dragon." Tsui also explains the rituals and hierarchy of the triads, such as the initiation-ceremony scene in "Election" (2005) and the voting scene in "The Brothers Sun" E7, starring Michelle Yeoh. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.

Persons: Jimmy Tsui, Tsui, Jackie Chan, Chris Tucker, Chow Yun, Leslie Cheung, Jet Li, Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Jason Statham, Tony Leung, Andy Lau, Mark Wahlberg, Michelle Yeoh Organizations: Sun, Irish, San, Hong Kong, Infernal Affairs, Business Locations: Hong Kong, Tung, New York, Chinatown, United States, San Francisco

☆ Steve McCurry’s photo of Shaolin monks training captures their incredible acrobatics
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-03 | by ( Amy Gunia | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

A young Shaolin monk runs horizontally across a wall, intense concentration, and perhaps a hint of astonishment, visible in his face. Four other trainees at a martial arts academy near the Shaolin Temple in China’s Henan province lounge nonchalantly, seemingly unaware of the gravity-defying action taking place above their heads. “There’s this high-level action,” photographer Steve McCurry told CNN of the photo’s composition in a video call from his home in Philadelphia. The Shaolin Temple – which was founded in AD 495 on the slopes of the sacred Mount Song – is said to be the home of Chan Buddhism. Today, Shaolin kung fu is widely known, and the monks’ feats in athleticism have been emulated in popular movies.

Persons: Steve McCurry, ’, doesn’t, McCurry, –, ”, Jeremy Horner, LightRocket, It’s, “ Organizations: CNN, Jet, Pennsylvania State University, Geographic, Shaolin Locations: Shaolin, China’s Henan, Philadelphia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Soviet, Peshawar, Niger, India, Pennsylvania, Dengfeng, Zhengzhou

☆ United's string of scary safety events likely has nothing to do with Boeing
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-18 | by ( Taylor Rains | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Read previewFrom a missing panel to a tire falling off midair, United Airlines has experienced multiple high-profile safety incidents over the past few weeks. Instead, some aviation experts have pointed to a possible trend in United's maintenance safety systems. Regarding the missing panel, he said, "that smacks of a maintenance problem of United Airlines." Former Delta Air Lines chief pilot, Alan Price, noted safety redundancies in some events played out as they were designed to. Kirby said safety enhancements like an extra day of pilot training and a "centralized training curriculum" for new-hire mechanics, which were planned before the recent safety events, are actively being deployed.

Persons: —, Max, That's, Arthur Rosenberg, Richard Aboulafia, Steve Ganyard, Alan Price, Kit Darby, Mark Millam, Scott Kirby, Kirby Organizations: Service, United Airlines, Airbus, Boeing, Business, Fox News, Tires, Aviation, ABC, Denver International Airport ,, Aviation Safety Network, Former Delta Air Lines, Associated Press, CBS, Flight Safety Foundation, Alaska Airlines Locations: Houston, San Francisco, United, Denver, Denver International Airport , Colorado, USA

☆ France's Rafale fighter jet is so popular its manufacturer can't keep up
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-04 | by ( Michael Peck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

France's Dassault Aviation may not be able to meet demand for its Rafale fighter jet. AdvertisementFrance's Rafale fighter has become so popular that the manufacturer may not be able to meet demand, according to a British think tank. Advertisement"The French aircraft maker aimed to produce 15 Rafales last year but only completed 13," IISS said. AdvertisementA French Dassault Rafale M fighter jet launches from the French aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle during interoperability exercises with the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, March 3, 2020. This helps explain why the Rafale has become popular with India and several Middle Eastern nations.

Persons: —, IISS, Lockheed Martin, Richard Aboulafia, Charles De Gaulle, Dwight D, Eisenhower, Michael Peck Organizations: Dassault Aviation, Rafale, Service, International Institute for Strategic Studies, French Air Force, Navy, Defense News, Dassault, UAE, French, Lockheed, Dassault Rafale, US Navy, Kaleb, Defense, Foreign Policy, Rutgers Univ, Twitter, LinkedIn Locations: India, British, Ukraine, Egypt, Greece, Qatar, Croatia, UAE, Indonesia, Mica, France, , Michigan, Russia, Forbes

☆ The short trips Taylor Swift's jet takes are getting mocked on social media. Some of the flights might not be what you think.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-17 | by ( Taylor Rains | Grace Kay | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Read previewTaylor Swift is getting roasted for her private jet trips — and some of them might not even be hers. Jack Sweeney, the college student known for tracking Swift and other celebrities' aircraft on social media, posted on X via the account dedicated to tracking Swift's jet: "These short flights are likely maintenance or demo flights." AdvertisementA private jet linked to Taylor Swift took two short flights on January 30. Courtesy of JetSpySwift still owns another private jet, a Dassault 7X. AdvertisementSwift has tried to mask her private jet travelsIt's far from the first time Swift has faced criticism for her jet travel.

Persons: —, Taylor Swift, Stogna, Swift, Jack Sweeney, JetSpy Swift, Louis, Van, Bob Hope, Travis Kelce, Charles B, Swift's, She's, Sweeney Organizations: Service, Business, Dassault Falcon, Federal Aviation Administration, Google, Dassault, Nashville, Bob Hope Airport, BI, Chiefs, Wheeler, Airport, PIA Locations: Stogna Bologna, @1000waystoRy, Illinois, Missouri, St, Las Vegas, Burbank , California, Nashville, Los Angeles, Van Nuys, Kansas City, Kansas

☆ Private jets of Russian oligarchs keep flying but not to Europe
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Gleb Stolyarov | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

A view shows the Boeing 737-700 BBJ (plane number RA-73890) private aircraft on the tarmac of the Pulkovo International Airport in Saint Petersburg, Russia, June 14, 2023. The Boeing linked to Yevtushenkov was among at least 50 private jets re-registered under the Russian flag since the February 2022 invasion, according to previously unreported national aircraft registry data up to early August reviewed by Reuters. Several of the repatriated private jets were associated with prominent politicians and business figures, according to two senior Russian aviation industry sources, who were not authorised to speak to the media and spoke on condition of anonymity. Because of sanctions, Russian planes are prohibited from entering the 27-country European Union, where Russia's oligarchs previously flew frequently for business and leisure and where many private jets linked to them were registered before the war, tail numbers show. VEB, Uralkali and Mazepin did not respond to requests for comment on the registration of the jets in Russia.

Persons: Luba, Vladimir Yevtushenkov, Yevtushenkov, Vladimir Putin, Dmitry Mazepin, Putin, Igor Shuvalov, Mazepin, Gleb Stolyarov, Mike Collett, White, Frank Jack Daniel Our Organizations: Boeing, Pulkovo, REUTERS, Soviet, Reuters, Sistema, Ministry, Transport, JETS, Russian, Union, Bombardier Challenger, Uralkali, Bombardier, VEB.RF, VEB, EU, United Arab, Thomson Locations: Saint Petersburg, Russia, Riviera, Belarus, oligarch, Ukraine, Turkey, Dubai, China, Russian, Maldives, Seychelles, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Yevtushenkov, United Kingdom, Aruba, of, Uralkali, UAE, Prague, Bishkek, States, Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Italy, United Arab Emirates, Latvia, Britain, Oman, Soviet

☆ A Russian airline is planning to fly an Airbus A320 out of a wheat field where it made an emergency landing last month
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

An Airbus A320 operated by Ural Airlines made an emergency landing in Siberia last month. Russia has been facing an aircraft shortage due to international sanctions. Ural is repairing the jet, protected by 24/7 security, in hopes it will take off from the field. AdvertisementAdvertisementA Russian airline's Airbus A320 could take off from the same wheat field where it made an emergency landing last month, Reuters reported. Russia has been grappling with an aircraft shortage since the country faced international sanctions in the wake of its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Persons: —, Alexey Malgavko Organizations: Airbus, Ural Airlines, Service, Reuters, Boeing, REUTERS, Telegram Locations: Siberia, Russia, Sochi, Omsk, Siberia's Novosibirsk, Ukraine, Ural

A specialist works at the site of a crash of the private jet linked to Yevgeny Prigozhin in the Tver region, Russia, on August 24. "There was no external influence on the plane; it is an established fact," the Russian leader claimed. The mutiny was suddenly called off in a deal that required the Wagner chief and his fighters to relocate to Belarus. There is no concrete evidence that points to Kremlin involvement and, officially, the cause of the crash is unknown. Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials and US President Joe Biden have suggested Putin may have been behind the crash.

Persons: Yevgeny Prigozhin, Anton Vaganov, Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin's, Vladimir Putin, Putin, Prigozhin, Joe Biden, Jessie Yeung, Lauren Said, Moorhouse Organizations: Reuters Investigators, Wagner Locations: Tver, Russia, Russian, Sochi, Belarus

☆ A jet on the bottom of the Mediterranean shows why even small parts can cause big problems for the F-35
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Michael Peck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

A British F-35B crashed during takeoff from the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth in late 2017. An investigation found the accident was caused by an air intake cover that was lodged in the intake. A Royal Air Force F-35B takes off of HMS Queen Elizabeth in August 2021. Royal Navy/LPhot Unaisi LukeInvestigators determined that the accident was caused by an air intake cover that became lodged in the intake before takeoff. An F-35B on the Mediterranean seafloor after crashing off HMS Queen Elizabeth in November 2021.

Persons: Elizabeth, HMS, LPhot, Luke, Queen Elizabeth, —, Michael Peck Organizations: Service, US Marine Corps, Britain's Ministry of Defence, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, Luke Investigators, British Ministry of, Gear, British Ministry of Defence, US Air Force, Marine Corps, US Navy, Defense, Foreign Policy, Twitter, LinkedIn Locations: British, Wall, Silicon, South Carolina, Forbes

☆ A sneaky move at a Kremlin meeting may show why Putin took his time in eliminating Prigozhin
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-17 | by ( Paul Iddon | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

If so, the process of removing Prigozhin may have begun at a Kremlin meeting days after his uprising. On June 29, five days after the rebellion was called off, Putin gathered Prigozhin and his commanders in the Kremlin, according to a report in the Russian outlet Kommersant. "Reports of the meeting — and the lack of notable cases of dissension following Prigozhin's death — suggest that the meeting likely achieved its goals," Orr said. Chekalov, a senior deputy to Prigozhin, oversaw logistics, coordinating numerous Wagner activities and operations in Libya and Syria. ALEXEY DANICHEV/POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesUnder Prigozhin, Wagner amassed a business empire using lucrative concessions from governments and backers in the countries where it operated.

Persons: Yevgeny Prigozhin, Vladimir Putin, Putin, Wagner, Prigozhin, Alexei Troshev, nodded affirmatively, Matthew Orr, RANE, Orr, Dmitry Utkin, Valery Chekalov, Anton Mardasov, Mardasov, ALEXEY DANICHEV, Prigozhin's, Pavel Organizations: Service, Wagner Group, Kommersant, Reuters, French Army, Associated Press, Russia's Ministry of Defense, PMC Convoy, PMC Redut, Russian, Ministry of Defense, Getty, Belarusian Defence Ministry, Wagner PMC, SVR Locations: Wall, Silicon, Moscow, Russian, Tver, Eurasia, Prigozhin, Libya, Syria, Mali, Africa, East, Russia, Belarus, St . Petersburg, Saharan Africa, Ukraine, Osipovichi

Brazil's Center for Research and Prevention of Aeronautical Accidents (CENIPA), in the interests of improving aviation safety, had said it would join a Russian-led investigation if it were invited and the probe held under international rules. U.S. aviation safety consultant and former investigator John Cox said an internal Russian investigation would always be questioned without the participation of Brazil, the country where the plane was manufactured. "I think it hurts the transparency of the Russian investigation." In air crash investigations, experts work to improve aviation safety without assigning blame, but probes are often tainted by political interests. Jeff Guzzetti, a former U.S. air crash investigator, said Russia should accept assistance from Brazil, even if CENIPA can only participate remotely.

Persons: Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Anton Vaganov, Prigozhin, Vladimir Putin's, Marcelo Moreno, John Cox, Cox, CENIPA, Jeff Guzzetti, Allison Lampert, Gabriel Araujo, Valerie Insinna, Denny Thomas, Grant McCool Organizations: Police, REUTERS, SAO PAULO, Embraer, EMBR3, Reuters, Wagner Group, Brazil's Center for Research, Aeronautical, United Nations International Civil Aviation Organization, Interstate Aviation Committee, Accident Investigation, U.S ., Convention, International Civil Aviation, Thomson Locations: Tver, Russia, MONTREAL, SA, Moscow, Russian, Ukraine, Montreal, St Petersburg, Brazil, U.S, Sao Paulo, Washington

A cameraman films wreckage of the private jet linked to Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin near the crash site in the Tver region, Russia, August 24, 2023. U.S. aviation safety consultant and former investigator John Cox said an internal Russian investigation would always be questioned without the participation of Brazil, the country where the plane was manufactured. "I think it hurts the transparency of the Russian investigation." In air crash investigations, experts work to improve aviation safety without assigning blame, but probes are often tainted by political interests. Jeff Guzzetti, a former U.S. air crash investigator, said Russia should accept assistance from Brazil, even if CENIPA can only participate remotely.

Persons: Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Marina, Prigozhin, Vladimir Putin's, Marcelo Moreno, John Cox, Cox, CENIPA, Jeff Guzzetti, Allison Lampert, Gabriel Araujo, Valerie Insinna, Denny Thomas, Grant McCool Organizations: REUTERS, SAO PAULO, Embraer, EMBR3, Reuters, Wagner Group, Brazil's Center for Research, Aeronautical, United Nations International Civil Aviation Organization, Interstate Aviation Committee, Accident Investigation, U.S ., Convention, International Civil Aviation, Thomson Locations: Tver, Russia, MONTREAL, SA, Moscow, Russian, Ukraine, Montreal, St Petersburg, Brazil, U.S, Sao Paulo, Washington

☆ How Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin spent the mysterious 2 months between his failed coup and his plane crash — from strange meetings with Putin to sitting in a tent in his underwear
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( Kelsey Vlamis | Sebastian Cahill | Erin Snodgrass | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin was "exiled" to Belarus after staging a short-lived mutiny in Russia. Here's what we know about what he was up to before Russian officials say he was killed in a plane crash. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, who said he talked Putin out of assassinating Prigozhin, said that the Wagner boss had arrived in the country. July 4-6: Back in Russia after raid on St. Petersburg homeThe Russian media outlet Fontanka reported Prigozhin arrived in St. Petersburg on July 4. August 24: Prigozhin was on a private jet that crashed in RussiaAlmost two months to the day since his armed rebellion, Prigozhin was killed in a plane crash, according to Russian officials.

Persons: Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Vladimir Putin's, Prigozhin, Simon Miles, Putin, Alexander Lukashenko, Lukashenko, Jake Epstein, Freddy Mapouka Organizations: Service, Russian, Duke University's Sanford School of Public, Soviet Union, Fox News, Putin, Kremlin, Pentagon, New York Times, Central African, Associated Press Locations: Belarus, Russia, Wall, Silicon, Soviet, Ukraine, Moscow, Russian, St, Petersburg, St . Petersburg, Belarusian, Africa, Central African Republic

☆ Prigozhin plane crash: Villagers hear bang, then see plane plummet to ground
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

KUZHENKINO, Russia, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Residents of a village near the site of a plane crash which is believed to have killed Russian mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin said they had heard a bang, then saw the jet plummet to the ground. A Reuters reporter at the crash site early on Thursday saw men taking away black body bags on stretchers. Part of the plane's blue-and-white liveried tail and other fragments lay on the ground near a wooded area. [1/2]A wreckage of the private jet linked to Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin is seen near the crash site in the Tver region, Russia, August 24, 2023. Some unnamed sources told Russian media they believed the plane had been shot down by one or more surface-to-air missiles.

Persons: Yevgeny Prigozhin, Wagner, Vitaly Stepenok, Marina Lystseva, gesturing, Stepenok, Anatoly, I've, Prigozhin, Angus MacSwan, Bernadette Baum Organizations: Embraer, Kremlin, Defence Ministry, Reuters, REUTERS, Marina, Thomson Locations: KUZHENKINO, Russia, Kuzhenkino, Russia's Tver, Moscow, St, Petersburg, Tver, Ukraine, Russian

☆ Exclusive: US believes missile inside Russia likely shot down Prigozhin's presumed plane, US officials say
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] A satellite image shows the area where the private jet linked to Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin crashed near Kuzhenkino, in the Tver region, Russia, August 24, 2023, in this handout picture. PLANET LABS PBC/Handout via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Aug 24 (Reuters) - The United States believes a surface-to-air missile originating from inside Russia likely shot down the plane presumed to be carrying mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin on Wednesday, two U.S. officials told Reuters on Thursday. The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity given the sensitivity of the matter, stressed that the information was still preliminary and under review. Russian air authorities have said Prigozhin, his right-hand man Dmitry Utkin and eight other people were on the private plane that crashed with no survivors north of Moscow on Wednesday. Reporting by Phil Stewart and Idrees AliOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Dmitry Utkin, Phil Stewart, Idrees Ali Organizations: PBC, Handout, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Kuzhenkino, Tver, Russia, United States, Moscow

A cameraman films a wreckage of the private jet linked to Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin near the crash site in the Tver region, Russia. Neither referenced the plane crash in which 10 people were said to have been killed. A Reuters reporter at the crash site on Thursday morning saw men carrying away black body bags on stretchers. Unnamed sources told Russian media they believed the plane had been shot down by one or more surface-to-air missiles. SECOND PLANE LINKED TO PRIGOZHINFlightradar24 online tracker showed that the plane had dropped off the radar at 6:11 p.m. (1511 GMT).

Persons: Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Marina Lystseva, Prigozhin, Vladimir Putin, Sergei Lavrov, Anatoly, Putin, WAGNER, Dmitry Utkin, Abbas Gallyamov, Gallyamov, Bill Browder, Browder, Joe Biden, I’m, Biden, Sergei Shoigu, Valery Gerasimov, Andrew Osborn, Angus MacSwan Organizations: Marina, Defence Ministry, Embraer, SA, Reuters, Telegram, Kremlin, Twitter, General Staff, Thomson Locations: Tver, Russia, MOSCOW, Ukraine, South Africa, Moscow, St, Petersburg, Kuzhenkino, Russian, St . Petersburg, Grey, Africa, Belarus

Putin's comments, which suggested he harboured decidedly mixed feelings about Wagner's mercenary boss, were the most definitive yet on Prigozhin's fate. It remains to be seen too how Wagner fighters, some of whom have already spoken of betrayal and foul play, react. Pledging a thorough investigation which he said would take time, Putin said that "preliminary data" indicated that Prigozhin and other Wagner employees had been on the downed plane. A cameraman films a wreckage of the private jet linked to Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin near the crash site in the Tver region, Russia, August 24. The mutiny was ended by an apparent Kremlin deal which saw Prigozhin agree to relocate to neighbouring Belarus.

Persons: Putin, Vladimir Putin, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Prigozhin, Wagner, It's, Ramzan Kadyrov, Marina Lystseva, Kadyrov, Anatoly, Prigozhin's, Sergei Shoigu, Valery Gerasimov, Andrew Osborn, Nick Macfie, Andrew Heavens, Stephen Coates Organizations: Reuters, U.S . Department of Defense, REUTERS, Marina, Embraer, SA, Telegram, Wagner Group, Wagner, General Staff, Thomson Locations: MOSCOW, Moscow, U.S, Washington, Ukraine, Africa, Kremlin, Donetsk, Tver, Russia, St . Petersburg, Kuzhenkino, Grey, Belarus

In one extraordinary video, he shouted and cursed at Shoigu and Gerasimov, demanding ammunition so his men could keep fighting as he stood in a field littered with the corpses of Wagner fighters. Prigozhin performed a U-turn and Wagner fought on, eventually capturing the city in late May. But a turning point came weeks later when he rejected an order for Wagner fighters to sign contracts placing them under the control of the defence ministry. Two weeks later, a video appeared to show Prigozhin welcoming his fighters to Belarus. Taking advantage of his political connections, Prigozhin was awarded major state contracts, becoming known as "Putin's chef" after catering for Kremlin events.

Persons: Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Marina Lystseva, Vladimir Putin, Sergei Shoigu, Staff Valery Gerasimov, Prigozhin, Putin, Christo Grozev, Bellingcat, Donald Trump, Stanislav Belkovsky, Mark Trevelyan, Cynthia Osterman, Nick Macfie Organizations: REUTERS, Marina, Defence, Staff, Kremlin, Financial Times, St, Thomson Locations: wreckages, Tver, Russia, Ukraine, Moscow, Ukrainian, Bakhmut, Rostov, Belarus, St Petersburg, Africa, St Petersburg's, U.S, Niger, Prigozhin

There was no immediate official confirmation that Prigozhin, Russia's most powerful mercenary and a self-declared enemy of the Russian Defence Ministry, was physically on board. Reuters could not confirm that he was on the aircraft though a Telegram channel linked to Wagner pronounced him dead. Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin leaves the headquarters of the Southern Military District amid the group's pullout from the city of Rostov-on-Don, Russia, June 24, 2023. Unconfirmed Russian media reports said that Dmitry Utkin, Prigozhin's right-hand man, had also been on board and that Prigozhin and his associates had attended a meeting with officials from the Russian Defence Ministry. An unverified video clip posted to social media showed a plane resembling a private jet falling out of the sky towards the earth.

Persons: Wagner, Prigozhin, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Vladimir Putin's, Putin, Joe Biden, Alexander Ermochenko, Sergei Shoigu, Valery Gerasimov, Dmitry Utkin, Andrew Osborn, Max Rodionov, Mark Trevelyan, Grant McCool Organizations: Russian Defence Ministry, Reuters, Wagner Group, Kremlin, Defence Ministry, Embraer, TASS, Southern Military, REUTERS, Russia's, General Staff, Thomson Locations: Moscow, MOSCOW, Russia, Africa, Tver, St . Petersburg, Kuzhenkino, Tver Region, Rostov, Don, St Petersburg, Ukraine, Belarus

☆ Wheels Up flies for now, but private-jet rivals see opportunity
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Allison Lampert | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Wheels Up avoided a possible bankruptcy when it secured backing from investors on Tuesday, including U.S. carrier Delta Air Lines (DAL.N). Two operators have closed down since May in the face of diminished traffic and higher labor costs could force some private-jet operators out of business. While private flying remains above 2019 levels, traffic has slowed since the pandemic, when wealthy passengers sought to avoid crowded commercial airports. The company, which provided third-party flying service to Wheels Up, faces a lawsuit from Wheels Up over a contract dispute. Jamie Walker, chairman of U.S. private jet operator Jet Linx, said he sees opportunity for both organic growth and acquisitions due to the softening marketplace.

Persons: Brian Foley, Foley, Jim Segrave, Uber, Dynamics's, Canada's, Travis Kuhn, Justin Crabbe, Andrew Collins, Jamie Walker, Linx, " Walker, Allison Lampert, Ben Klayman, Andy Sullivan Organizations: Delta Air Lines, Rivals, Gulfstream, Canada's Bombardier, U.S, Argus, North, Thomson Locations: U.S, New York, Miami, North Carolina, Montreal

☆ Ukraine desperately wants F-16s because without them all it has are Soviet-era fighter jets that simply aren't cutting it
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-07 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Ukraine has long sought F-16s, believing the Western fighter jets would be a boon to their arsenal. Danil Shamkin/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesUkraine is currently flying Soviet-made MiG-29 and Su-27 multirole fighters against a larger and technologically superior Russian air force. The aircraft are underdogs compared to Russian fighter aircraft like the MiG-31s and Su-25s, which feature advanced radars that allow them to see and locate targets further away, among other higher-end capabilities. Ukraine's been operating much of its air force from "remote locations, places that the Russians wouldn't expect," Tannehill added. One of the biggest challenges for the Ukrainian air forces has been Russia's formidable air defenses, which have kept much of Kyiv's air force far from the front lines.

Persons: Justin Bronk, Danil, Tannehill, Taylor Crul, they'd, Joe Biden, Abrams, It's, Bronk, they're Organizations: Service, Ukraine, Soviet, Royal Norwegian Air Force Academy, Royal United Services Institute, NATO, Ukrainian Air Force, Getty Images, US Navy, Kyiv, Patriots, US Air Force, Falcon, White House, Pentagon, AIM, Air Missile, Air Force, Reuters Locations: Ukraine, Soviet, Wall, Silicon, Ukrainian, Vasylkiv, Kyiv, Getty Images Ukraine, Russian, Russia, Moscow, Taylor Crul Ukraine

☆ A newly surfaced image of Prigozhin hints at where the Wagner boss may have finally ended up after his failed mutiny
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-14 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

But a new photo of the mercenary boss offers a hint that he may be at a military camp in Belarus. A Skyfi satellite image of the training base at Tsel outside Asipovichy in Belarus where Wagner forces are training Belarusian troops. But the new image of Prigozhin suggests that he may be at the same military camp where his Wagner mercenaries are training Belarusian soldiers. The windows in the photo appear to match those on tents at the military camp being used by Wagner and Belarusian soldiers. Although the rebellion left questions about where Wagner fighters would end up, US officials have since said that they aren't fighting in Ukraine anymore.

Persons: Yevgeny Prigozhin, Wagner, Jens Stoltenberg, Adam Berry, ALEXANDER NEMENOV, Belta, Wagner's, Alexander Lukashenko, — Prigozhin, Vladimir Putin, Prigozin, —, Prigozhin, It's Organizations: Service, Wagner Group, Belarussian, NATO, Belarusian Defence Ministry, Getty, PMC Wagner, Kremlin, Twitter, Ukrainian, Pentagon, Bakhmut, Russian Armed Forces Locations: Belarus, Minsk, Wall, Silicon, Belarusian, Moscow, Tsel, Asipovichy district, Asipovichy, Asipovichy District, Mogilev Region, AFP, Russian, St . Petersburg, Ukraine

☆ Wagner boss Prigozhin, the warlord who railed against the Russian military and led a failed mutiny, has all but disappeared
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-10 | by ( Sonam Sheth | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Yevgeny Prigozhin has retreated into the shadows since his failed rebellion against Russian military leaders. The Kremlin said Prigozhin and Putin met on June 29, and that Prigozhin pledged his loyalty to the Russian leader. June 29: Prigozhin had a face-to-face meeting with Putin, according to the Kremlin, raising questions about whether Prigozhin went to Belarus in the first place. Prigozhin is still in Russia, according to Belarusian officials and Russian media reports, but the Wagner boss has retreated into the shadows since his failed rebellion. The Russian leader — who has long been accused of ordering the imprisonment and assassinations of those he deemed disloyal — shocked former US intelligence officials by allowing Prigozhin to live, and stay in Russia.

Persons: Yevgeny Prigozhin, Prigozhin, Putin, Wagner, Vladimir Putin, Prigozhin's, Alexander Lukashenko, Flightradar24, Lukashenko, —, Russia's, Glenn Carle Organizations: Russian, Service, Kremlin, PMC Wagner, Putin, CIA Locations: St . Petersburg, Wall, Silicon, Moscow, Ukraine, Belarus, St, Petersburg, Russia, Russian

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