The U.S. Transportation Secretary warned air traffic controllers to show up for work during the government shutdown or face termination, citing a critical staffing shortage that is causing widespread flight delays. Despite frustrations and financial stress among controllers, the union emphasizes the importance of maintaining operations, while the government emphasizes discipline to prevent disruptions.
A ransomware attack on Collins Aerospace caused major disruptions at several European airports, including Heathrow, Brussels, and Berlin, leading to flight delays and cancellations, with authorities investigating the incident and working to restore systems.
Several major European airports experienced disruptions due to a cyberattack on Collins Aerospace's check-in systems, affecting dozens of flights and thousands of passengers, with ongoing efforts to restore full functionality amid increased cybersecurity concerns.
Multiple major European airports, including London, Berlin, and Brussels, experienced flight delays and cancellations due to a cyberattack on their service provider affecting check-in and boarding systems. The disruption, linked to cyber-related issues at Collins Aerospace, caused significant operational delays, with airports advising passengers to confirm flights. The attack highlights ongoing cybersecurity vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure.
A cyberattack on a service provider disrupted check-in and boarding systems at several major European airports, including Brussels, Heathrow, and Berlin, causing delays, cancellations, and operational challenges, with Brussels Airport canceling half of its flights on Sunday to manage the situation.
Hong Kong experienced its fourth black rain alert in a week due to record-breaking heavy rainfall, causing flight delays, road flooding, landslides, and service disruptions across the city, with neighboring Shenzhen also issuing a red alert amid regional extreme weather.
Several arrests were made at a heated Sacramento council meeting discussing a Gaza cease-fire resolution, as disruptions led to the mayor calling for a recess twice. The police department ordered the chambers to be vacated, but roughly 60 to 70 people remained, leading to arrests for unlawful assembly. The council meeting was set to resume with only media allowed in the chambers.
Disruptions in the Red Sea trade routes, particularly the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, due to intensified attacks by Houthi rebels in Yemen, could impact global energy markets and supply chains, potentially driving consumer prices higher. Major shipping firms, including BP and container shipping giants, have halted transit via the Red Sea/Suez Canal route, leading to rerouting of cargoes via the southern tip of Africa, which adds weeks to vessel journeys and increases costs and delays in world trade. While oil and gas supply is not directly threatened, the increased costs and delays could lead to higher ocean freight shipping rates and ultimately be passed on to consumers, potentially accelerating inflation and impacting global oil demand outlooks.
An unexpected strike by French workers at Eurotunnel, the undersea link between Britain and continental Europe, has disrupted cross-Channel rail traffic, causing massive disruptions on the busy London-Paris route and threatening the Christmas holiday plans of many travelers. The strike, which was called over bonus pay, resulted in the closure of terminals in France and Britain, leaving thousands of travelers stranded. The tunnel operator, Getlink, is not covered by the French law that requires a 48-hour strike notice for transport operators. The unions are demanding a tripled bonus payment, while the company has offered 1,000 euros. French Transport Minister Clement Beaune called the strike unacceptable and urged an immediate solution.
Over 90 opposition MPs, including 33 from Lok Sabha and 45 from Rajya Sabha, have been suspended for causing disruptions and uproar in Parliament over last week's security breach incident. Of the 80 MPs suspended, 64 have been suspended for the remainder of the winter session, while the remaining are pending a report from the Privileges Committee. The suspensions come after 14 MPs were previously suspended for similar disruptions. Opposition parties have criticized the suspensions, demanding action against a BJP MP who facilitated the entry of two individuals with smoke canisters.
Storms and inclement weather are expected to disrupt Thanksgiving travel plans in the US, with rain, snow, and severe storms forecasted. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) anticipates this holiday travel season to be the busiest ever, with millions of passengers expected to be screened. Tornadoes are a possibility in Louisiana and Mississippi, while the northeast and mid-Atlantic regions may experience disruptions at airports due to wind and rain. However, Thanksgiving Day is predicted to be cool and dry in central and eastern US, while a storm is expected on the east coast during the weekend after Thanksgiving. The TSA assures travelers that they are prepared for the anticipated volumes.
The California Democratic Party has stated that members who participated in a pro-Palestinian demonstration that disrupted party meetings will face consequences. Protesters demanding a cease-fire in Gaza overwhelmed security guards and entered the convention center, leading to the cancellation of planned caucuses. The party's chair, Rusty Hicks, expressed disappointment and stated that those who violated the party's code of conduct would be held accountable. The conflict in Gaza has highlighted divisions within the party, with progressives demanding a cease-fire and pro-Israel Democrats taking a different stance. The disruptions have caused concerns among Jewish party members, who feel unsafe participating in the convention.
Spirit Airlines canceled about 100 flights on Friday to conduct inspections on some of its aircraft, causing disruptions that are expected to last several days. The inspections, required by European and US regulators, are aimed at identifying signs of cracking around fasteners that attach pressure panels to beams on the planes' airframes. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stated that it will ensure the matter is addressed before the planes are returned to service. Spirit Airlines has canceled over 3,600 flights this year, representing 1.5% of its schedule.
Researchers have made a breakthrough discovery in mitigating damaging runaway electrons in tokamak fusion devices by harnessing Alfvén waves. These waves, which have historically reduced the efficiency of tokamak reactors, were found to diffuse high-energy electrons before they could cause damage. The circular process involves runaways creating instabilities that generate Alfvén waves, preventing avalanches from forming. The findings provide a link between these waves and the generation of runaway electrons, potentially leading to the development of tokamak designs that naturally mitigate runaway electron damage. This discovery could accelerate the arrival of controlled fusion energy on Earth and have implications for the advancement of the ITER project.
London's Gatwick Airport has imposed a daily flight limit of 800 departures and arrivals until Sunday due to an outbreak of COVID-19 among air traffic control staff. Around 30% of the division's employees are off sick, causing disruptions. The airport aims to prevent last-minute cancellations and delays while National Air Traffic Services (NATS) returns to normal operations. The largest number of cancellations will occur on Friday, affecting 33 departures. NATS apologized for the inconvenience but cited various medical reasons for their inability to manage normal flows.
