Latest News
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Philippines evacuates 100,000 as Fung-wong intensifies to super typhoon
Over 100,000 people were evacuated from the Philippines' eastern and northern regions on Sunday as Fung-wong intensified into a super typhoon, ahead of its arrival expected later that day. It is threatening to unleash torrential rainfall, destructive winds and storm surges. The Philippines has been flooded with storm alert signals. Signal No. The highest alert, Signal No. 5, was raised in southeastern Luzon including Catanduanes, coastal areas of Camarines Norte, and Camarines Sur. Metro Manila and its surrounding areas were under Signal No. 3. Super Typhoon Uwan (185 kph) is expected to land in Aurora Province in central Luzon on Sunday evening at the latest. Already, parts of Eastern Visayas are experiencing power outages. Images shared by the Philippine Coast Guard showed evacuees transferring from narrow, long passenger boats to trucks waiting for them during preemptive rescue operations. 300 Flights Canceled According to the Civil Aviation Regulator, more than 300 domestic flights and international flights were cancelled. The video, shared by ABS-CBN News X, showed a stormy Catanduanes Province, with an overcast skies, violent tree branches swaying in the wind and heavy rain falling visibly and pounding on the area. Its intensity was audible. Fung-wong arrived in the Philippines only days after Typhoon Kalmaegi devastated the country, killing 204 and leaving a trail destruction. It then slammed into Vietnam where it killed five more people and destroyed coastal communities. On Saturday, in the central Vietnamese fishing village of Vung Cheo, hundreds of lobster farms were washed or damaged. Fishing vessels were piled in wrecks on the main road. Reporting by Karen Lema, Additional reporting by Minh Nguyen, Thinh Nguyen (both in Vietnam) Editing by Rod Nickel
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FAA bans MD-11 flights after UPS jet crash
After a deadly crash of a UPS MD-11 freighter in Louisville, Kentucky, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration issued an order on Saturday prohibiting MD-11 aircraft from flying until further inspection. At least 14 people were killed. UPS and FedEx have grounded their combined fleets of more than fifty McDonnell Douglas MD-11 freighters following a Boeing recommendation. The FAA stated that its emergency airworthiness instruction was prompted after the Tuesday crash in which the left motor and pylon separated from the aircraft during takeoff. The cause of detachment will be investigated. The U.S. regulator stated that "this condition could result in a loss of safe flight and landing". UPS stated that it was complying with the directive as it had grounded 26 MD-11 aircraft, which represents about 9% its fleet. Boeing announced on Saturday its support for the FAA's order. FAA Likely to Require Comprehensive Inspections Boeing acquired the MD-11 Program through its 1997 merger McDonnell Douglas. The FAA will likely require thorough engine and pylon checks before allowing planes to return to service. The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board leads the investigation into the crash at the airport of a 34-year old MD-11 freighter. The plane soared to about 100 feet (30 meters) before bursting into flames and destroying nearby businesses. As the plane rolled down the Louisville Airport runway, one of its three engines separated from the left wing. Safety investigators in the United States said on Friday that three UPS pilots tried to take control of the aircraft just before the crash. Reporting by David Shepardson, Washington DC; Allison Lampert, Montreal; Editing Sergio Non and Rod Nickel
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US airlines cancel 1,330 flights due to shutdown
U.S. Airlines canceled 1,330 flights in the United States on Saturday as part of the government-mandated flight cutbacks. The industry is bracing for further cancellations if the shutdown continues. Federal Aviation Administration has instructed airlines to reduce 4% of their daily flights at 40 major airports starting Friday due to safety concerns regarding air traffic control. Air traffic controllers are in short supply because they haven't been paid for several weeks. On Tuesday, the reductions will reach 6% before reaching 10% on November 14. Flights Delayd in at Least 12 Major Cities The FAA reported on Saturday that there were staffing problems at 25 airports, and other centers. This caused delays in flights at least in 12 major U.S. Cities, including Atlanta, Newark and Chicago. The FAA implemented ground delay programs on Saturday at several airports, with average delays of 337 minutes at Atlanta, the busiest U.S. Airport. On Saturday, 5,450 flights were cancelled and 7,000 delayed after Friday's 7,000 delays. Friday morning, at 6 a.m. ET (1100 GMT), the cuts began. About 700 flights were affected by the cuts on Friday morning (1100 GMT). These include flights operated by American Airlines, Delta Air Lines (Southwest Airlines), United Airlines and Southwest Airlines. On Saturday, these airlines cancelled roughly the same number flights. In an interview earlier this week, FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford stated that 20% to 40% controllers had not shown up for work in the last few days. During a U.S. Senate discussion on Friday, Ted Cruz blamed air traffic control issues on the shutdown. Cruz, a Texas Republican and chair of the Senate Commerce Committee said that since the start of the shutdown, more than 500 pilots had filed voluntary safety reports regarding mistakes made by air-traffic controllers due to fatigue. The record-breaking 39-day shutdown of the government has forced 13,000 air traffic control operators and 50,000 security screening workers to work without pay. This has led to an increase in absenteeism. On Thursday, many air traffic controllers learned that they wouldn't be paid for the second consecutive pay period in the coming week. Sean Duffy, the U.S. Transportation secretary, said he might require a 20% reduction in air traffic if controllers don't show up to work. Duffy said, "I evaluate the data." We're going make decisions based upon what we see on the airspace. Trump's administration has cited problems with air traffic control as Republicans attempt to pressure Senate Democrats into supporting what they refer to as a "clean" funding bill for the government without any strings attached. Democrats blame Republicans for refusing to negotiate on health insurance subsidies which will expire by the end of the year. (Reporting and editing by Thomas Derpinghaus, Rod Nickel, and David Shepardson)
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Minister: Hungary's exemption from US sanctions against Russia energy is permanent
Hungary claimed on Saturday that it had received an indefinite waiver of U.S. sanctions for the use of Russian oil and natural gas. However, a White House representative reaffirmed that this exemption was only valid for one year. Last month, U.S. president Donald Trump imposed sanctions related to Ukraine on Russian oil firms Lukoil & Rosneft. These sanctions carried the threat of additional sanctions against entities who buy oil from these firms. Viktor Orban met Trump, a Trump ally for many years, at the White House last Friday in order to push for a reprieve. Hungary heavily relies on Russian energy, and Orban faces an election in close proximity next year. The prime minister was very clear. Peter Szijjarto, Hungarian foreign minister, said on Facebook that he had agreed with President Obama to obtain an exemption from sanctions for all time. There are no sanctions indefinitely on the oil and gas exports to Hungary. In an email sent on Saturday, a White House official reiterated that the exemption was for a year. HUNGARY IS EXPECTED BUY U.S. LNG Officials added that Hungary will also diversify their energy purchases, and have committed to buy U.S. Liquefied Natural Gas with contracts worth around $600 million. Hungary's continued reliance on Russian Energy since the start of the conflict with Ukraine in 2022 has prompted criticism from several European Union allies and NATO members. Orban said that Hungary has received a permanent exemption from energy imports through the TurkStream pipeline and Druzhba pipeline. Orban said that there are no sanctions in place to restrict or increase the cost of supply for Hungary through these routes. Orban stated that this exemption was general and had no time limit. According to figures from the International Monetary Fund, Hungary purchased 74% of gas and 86% oil in 2024 from Russia. The IMF warns that a cutoff of Russian gas across all of Europe could cost Hungary over 4% of GDP. Orban stated that without the agreement energy costs would have soared, hitting the economy as a whole, increasing unemployment, and causing "unbearable price increases" for both households and businesses.
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Delhi Airport operator confirms that all flight operations are back to normal following glitch
Delhi International Airport announced on Saturday that all flight operations are running as usual at the airport, following a technical problem which caused hundreds of delays over the last two days. Delays were caused by a malfunction in the software used to create flight plans. India's airports authorities had announced late Friday night that the system is "up and working" following a technical error. In a press release, the Indian government stated that the system, called Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS), was back in automatic mode on Saturday afternoon. The government reported that Ram Mohan Naidu, minister of civil aviation, has instructed officials to prepare for system upgrades including the addition of additional servers or fallbacks to improve air traffic operations.
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Minister: Hungary's exemption from US sanctions against Russia energy is permanent
Hungary announced on Saturday that it has been granted an indefinite exemption from U.S. sanction for its use of Russian oil and natural gas. This is contrary to a White House official, who claimed it was only granted a year-long exemption. Last month, U.S. president Donald Trump imposed sanctions related to Ukraine on Russian oil firms Lukoil & Rosneft. These sanctions carried the threat of additional sanctions against entities who buy oil from these firms. Viktor Orban met with Trump, a longtime ally of Trump, at the White House last Friday in order to push for a reprieve. Hungary heavily relies on Russian energy, and Orban faces a tight election in 2019. The prime minister was very clear. Peter Szijjarto, Hungarian foreign minister, said on Facebook that he had agreed with President Obama to obtain an exemption from sanctions for indefinite time. There are no sanctions indefinitely on the oil and gas exports to Hungary. The White House official noted that in addition to the exemption from sanctions, Hungary had also committed to buy U.S. Liquefied Natural Gas with contracts worth around $600 million. Hungary's continued reliance on Russian Energy since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine 2022 has prompted criticism from several European Union allies and NATO members. Orban said that Hungary has received an exemption indefinitely for energy imports via TurkStream and Druzhba pipelines. Orban said that there are no sanctions in place to restrict or increase the cost of supply for Hungary through these routes. Orban stated that this exemption was general and had no time limit. According to figures from the International Monetary Fund, Hungary purchased 74% of gas and 86% oil in 2024 from Russia. The IMF warns that a cutoff of Russian gas across all of Europe could cost Hungary over 4% of GDP. Orban stated that without the agreement energy costs would have soared, affecting the economy as a whole, increasing unemployment, and causing "unbearable price increases" for both households and businesses.
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Trump calls on lawmakers to give healthcare funds 'directly' to the people
The President Donald Trump floated on Saturday a possible compromise amid the impasse surrounding the U.S. Government shutdown. He urged Republicans to redirect federal funds that are currently going to health insurance companies in accordance with the Affordable Care Act to give them to individuals. Trump said in a post on social media that he recommended to Senate Republicans to send the hundreds of billions of dollars currently going to Insurance Companies to save the poor Healthcare provided by ObamaCare directly to the people so they can purchase their own, much better, healthcare and still have money leftover. He added that the "worst healthcare anywhere in the world, ObamaCare, is the one provided by the BAD, BIG Insurance Companies. Take it from them and give it to people. Trump's remarks on Truth Social were made just hours before the U.S. Senate reconvened at noon (1700 GMT), after rejecting legislation that would have reinstated pay for hundreds of thousands federal workers who had been without pay during the longest U.S. shutdown in history. The two sides are still at odds on how to reopen government. Democrats want to include in a funding measure the healthcare subsidies for 24 million Americans that will expire at the end of this year. Republicans, however, say Congress should first pass a bill with no strings attached to allow government reopening. White House representatives did not respond immediately to a comment request on Trump's tweet. The representatives of U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and U.S. Senate majority leader John Thune did not respond immediately to a comment request. (Reporting and editing by Alistair Bell, Sergio Non, and Jonathan Landay)
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Tornado in southern Brazil kills six, injures hundreds
The state government reported that a tornado, accompanied by high winds and heavy rainfall, struck Parana in the south of Brazil, killing six. Rio Bonito do Iguacu, the town that was hardest hit, suffered multiple structural failures and roof collapses. The state's civil defence agency reported that more than half of the city area had been affected. The power lines and roads were damaged. The authorities reported that 437 people received treatment for injuries, and approximately 1,000 were forced to relocate. Guarapuava, a nearby city, was also affected. According to the Parana Meteorology and Environmental Monitoring System the winds of the tornado reached speeds between 180 km/h (111mph) and 250 km/h (155mph). Gleisi-Hoffman, the Institutional Relations Minister, said that she will travel to the affected area with Adriano Massuda, acting Minister of Health and other federal officials on Saturday to assist in relief and reconstruction efforts. "We will continue our assistance to the people of Parana, and provide any help that is needed," wrote President Luiz inacio da Silva on X. He also expressed condolences to families of the victims. (Reporting and editing by Alistair Bell; Marcela Ayres)
Suspension of flights to Middle East
Issues about dispute in the Middle East have actually prompted international airline companies to suspend flights to the region or to prevent affected airspace.
Below are some of the airlines that have suspended services to and from the area:
AEGEAN AIRLINES
The Greek airline company in August cancelled flights to and from Beirut up until March 29.
AIR ALGERIE
The Algerian airline company has actually suspended flights to and from Lebanon up until further notification, it said on Aug. 1.
AIR ARABIA
The United Arab Emirates provider will resume flights to Beirut on Jan. 9.
AIRBALTIC
Latvia's airBaltic has actually cancelled flights to and from Tel . Aviv till Jan. 28. It announced the suspension in late.
September. AIR FRANCE-KLM Air France has extended its suspension of Paris-Tel Aviv. flights until Jan. 17 and Paris-Beirut flights up until Jan. 31.
KLM will extend its momentary suspension of flights to. Tel Aviv and will not fly till the end of March.
The group's affordable unit Transavia has cancelled flights to. and from Tel Aviv, Amman and Beirut up until end-March.
AIR INDIA
The Indian flag carrier has suspended flights to and from. Tel Aviv till further notice, it stated on Aug. 12.
BULGARIA AIR
The Bulgarian carrier said it would resume flights to and. from Tel Aviv on Dec. 26. It had actually cancelled the flights in. October pointing out security suggestions.
CATHAY PACIFIC
Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific has actually cancelled flights to Tel . Aviv till Oct. 25, 2025. It suspended its flights to Israel in.
August. CORENDON AIRLINES
The Turkish airline has cancelled flights to and from Tel . Aviv up until January.
DELTA AIR LINES
The U.S. provider has paused flights in between New york city and Tel . Aviv through March 2025. The suspension was announced on Sept. 19.
EASYJET
EasyJet will not hurry to resume flights to Tel Aviv. after a ceasefire in between Israel and Hezbollah entered effect,. its incoming CEO said on Nov. 27. The UK budget airline had. formerly suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv until March.
EMIRATES
UAE's state-owned airline has cancelled flights to Beirut. and to Baghdad up until Jan. 31. The suspension started in late. September.
FLYDUBAI
Flights to Beirut remain momentarily suspended, a. flydubai spokesperson said on Dec. 30.
IAG
IAG-owned British Airways has suspended flights to Tel Aviv. till the end of March 2025.
IAG's inexpensive airline company, Iberia Express, has cancelled. flights to Tel Aviv until March 29 while Vueling will keep. operations to and from Tel Aviv suspended throughout the first. quarter of 2025.
IRAN AIR
The Iranian airline company has actually cancelled Beirut flights till. further notice. The suspension was announced in late September.
IRAQI AIRWAYS
Iraq will enable the national carrier Iraqi Airways to resume. flights to Lebanon on Dec. 30, the transportation minister was estimated. as stating by state media on Dec 28. Iraqi Airways had actually suspended. all its flights to and from Beirut on Sep. 27.
ITA AIRWAYS
The Italian carrier has extended the suspension of Tel Aviv. flights through Jan. 31, a suspension that has been in location. because Sept. 30.
LOT
The Polish provider plans its first set up flight to. Beirut for April 1. It had actually suspended its flights to Lebanon in. August.
LUFTHANSA GROUP
The German airline group has extended the suspension of its. flights to Tel Aviv until Jan. 31.
Flights to Tehran are cancelled up until Jan. 31 and to Beirut. until Feb. 28.
SunExpress, a joint endeavor in between Lufthansa and Turkish. Airline companies, has suspended flights to Beirut up until March. 31.
PEGASUS
The Turkish airline stated on Jan. 2 that it was carrying. out Beirut flights during daylight hours from Istanbul and. Antalya.
RYANAIR
Europe's most significant spending plan airline company does not intend on resuming. operations to Israel until March 31 at the earliest, while a. decision to resume operations to and from Jordan from December. is under discussion, a Ryanair spokesperson said on Nov. 27.
SUNDAIR
The German airline company has actually cancelled flights between Beirut and. Bremen till March 26. The cancellation started on Sept. 23.
UNITED AIRLINES
The Chicago-based airline company confirmed on Dec. 30 that its. flights to Tel Aviv remain suspended. The suspension started on. July 31.
VIRGIN ATLANTIC
The UK carrier has suspended Tel Aviv flights until completion. of March. The suspension has actually remained in location given that September.
WIZZ AIR
The Hungary-based airline has suspended Tel Aviv flights. through Jan. 14, other than for those from Larnaca. Wizz Air has. suspended its flights to Tel Aviv since October.
(source: Reuters)