California Launches Portal for Reporting Alleged Misconduct by Federal Immigration Agents 
Taiwan Opposition Criticizes Plan to Block Chinese App Rednote Over Security Concerns 
Minneapolis Leaders Push Back as Trump Escalates Rhetoric Against Somali Community 
Pentagon Probe Finds Hegseth’s Use of Signal Risked Exposing Sensitive Yemen Strike Details 
UN General Assembly Demands Russia Return Ukrainian Children Amid Ongoing Conflict 
EU Prepares Antitrust Probe Into Meta’s AI Integration on WhatsApp 
FDA Memo Raises Questions About Possible COVID-19 Vaccine Links to Rare Child Deaths 
Peru Moves to Declare State of Emergency at Chile Border as Migrant Tensions Rise 
U.S. Defense Chief Pete Hegseth Defends Controversial Second Strike on Suspected Drug-Smuggling Vessel 
U.S. Repatriation Flight Carrying 266 Venezuelan Migrants Lands in Caracas 
Honduras Election Turmoil Intensifies as Nasralla Blames Trump for Shift in Results 
U.S. Justice Department Orders Intensified Probe Into Antifa and Domestic Extremist Groups 
Israel Receives Body of Deceased Hostage as Rafah Crossing Reopening Hinges on Final Returns 
Honduras Election Turmoil Deepens as Nasralla Alleges Fraud in Tight Presidential Race 
U.S. May Withhold $30.4 Million From Minnesota Over Improper Commercial Driver Licenses 
Trump Administration Halts Immigration, Green Card, and Citizenship Processing for 19 Countries 
New Orleans Immigration Crackdown Sparks Fear as Federal Arrests Intensify 
The U.S. government shutdown has entered its 23rd day, sparking growing fears of nationwide flight delays and cancellations as thousands of federal aviation employees continue working without pay. Around 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers have missed their first full paycheck, raising concerns about staffing shortages and air travel safety.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt warned that if Democrats “continue to shut down the government, they will also be shutting down American air travel.” However, Democrats argue that President Donald Trump and Republican leaders are responsible for the ongoing impasse, accusing them of refusing to negotiate.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy acknowledged that flight delays and cancellations could worsen, depending on whether air traffic controllers continue showing up for work. Data from the U.S. Department of Transportation shows that air traffic control absences accounted for 53% of flight delays earlier in the shutdown, far above the usual 5%. Though the rate has declined recently, disruptions remain a growing concern.
House Speaker Mike Johnson emphasized that the Federal Aviation Administration lacks the funds to pay controllers and urged Democrats to pass legislation to reopen the government. The Senate is preparing to vote on a bill to pay essential federal workers during the shutdown, but Democrats are pushing for additional healthcare subsidies under the Affordable Care Act before agreeing to a full reopening.
Senator Chris Van Hollen blamed Republicans for the stalemate, insisting Trump must return to negotiations. Airlines and unions are also urging both parties to resolve the crisis swiftly, warning that prolonged disruptions could harm travelers and the economy.
The FAA, already short about 3,500 controllers before the shutdown, faces increasing strain as remaining staff endure long hours and mandatory overtime—raising the risk of major air travel delays nationwide.
