Trump Threatens 50% Tariff on Canadian Aircraft Amid Escalating U.S.-Canada Trade Dispute 
SEC Drops Gemini Enforcement Case After Full Repayment to Earn Investors 
South Korea Repatriates 73 Suspected Online Scammers From Cambodia in Major Crackdown 
Sam Altman Criticizes ICE Enforcement as Corporate Leaders Call for De-Escalation 
Israel Intensifies Gaza Airstrikes Amid Ceasefire Tensions 
RFK Jr. Overhauls Federal Autism Panel, Sparking Medical Community Backlash 
Christian Menefee Wins Texas Special Election, Narrowing GOP House Majority 
United States Officially Exits World Health Organization, Raising Global Public Health Concerns 
U.S. Approves Over $6.5 Billion in Military Sales to Israel Across Three Defense Contracts 
Japan Urges Fishermen to Avoid Senkaku Islands as China Tensions Rise 
Panama Supreme Court Voids Hong Kong Firm’s Panama Canal Port Contracts Over Constitutional Violations 
U.S. Government Faces Brief Shutdown as Congress Delays Funding Deal 
Trump Family Files $10 Billion Lawsuit Over IRS Tax Disclosure 
FAA Says It Is Not Blocking Boeing 737 MAX 7 and MAX 10 Certification 
Panama Supreme Court Voids CK Hutchison Port Concessions, Raising Geopolitical and Trade Concerns 
Democrats Question Intelligence Chief’s Role in FBI Georgia Election Raid 
Faith Leaders Arrested on Capitol Hill During Protest Against Trump Immigration Policies and ICE Funding 
U.S. airports are facing growing flight disruptions as air traffic controller shortages worsen amid the ongoing government shutdown. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed that 22 “trigger” incidents of staffing shortages were reported on Saturday — one of the highest numbers since the shutdown began on October 1. The shortages have already led to widespread delays and cancellations across major airports.
According to FlightAware, over 5,900 flights were delayed across the United States by 6 p.m. Eastern Time on Sunday, following 5,300 delays the previous day. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported ground delay programs at major hubs, including Chicago O’Hare, Washington’s Reagan National, and Newark Liberty International airports, due to limited controller availability. Los Angeles International Airport also experienced a temporary ground stop on Sunday caused by staffing issues.
Duffy warned that the situation is likely to worsen as the shutdown continues and air traffic controllers miss paychecks. The Trump administration has cautioned that missed payments could increase absenteeism, putting additional strain on an already understaffed system. Currently, the FAA is short about 3,500 air traffic controllers, forcing many employees to work mandatory overtime and six-day weeks even before the shutdown began.
Roughly 13,000 controllers and 50,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers are required to work without pay during the shutdown, prompting many to seek second jobs to cover expenses. The stress and financial strain could soon impact air travel safety and efficiency nationwide.
In 2019, a 35-day government shutdown led to a spike in worker absences, causing significant delays at airports in New York and Washington. As political gridlock continues, both parties are trading blame — with Republicans calling for a clean funding bill and Democrats demanding negotiations over expiring health care subsidies.
