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US charter flights repatriating Americans to Middle East, State Department claims
The U.S. State Department announced on Wednesday that a U.S. government charter flight is bringing Americans from the Middle East to the United States, and additional flights are being planned for other locations in the region. The agency did not provide any information on the number or passengers, the countries they were departing from, nor the arrival and departure times of the flight. Since February 28, when U.S. forces and Israeli forces launched initial strikes against Iran, more than 17500 Americans have safely returned home to the United States. The State Department reported that approximately 8,500 Americans returned from the Middle East on Tuesday. The Department of State reported that many more Americans have fled the Middle East for other countries in Europe or Asia since the beginning of the conflict. The State Department issued a directive on Monday urging Americans in 14 Middle Eastern countries to leave the region immediately using "available commercial transportation." Many Americans are still facing difficulties due to the global travel disruptions that have been caused by this war. Some?U.S. lawmakers were very critical of the situation. The State Department was accused by lawmakers of poor planning and late warnings. The Department responded that it was "facilitating charter flights from the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan" for U.S. Citizens in need. Christian Martinez, Ismail Shakil, and Steve Gorman reported; Jacqueline Wong edited.
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Sky News reports that the first UK flight to Middle East will be delayed until Thursday.
Sky News reported that a British flight to repatriate UK citizens after the Middle East war broke out did not take off on time from Oman as planned. The flight has now been rescheduled later Thursday. Could not confirm the report immediately. The British Foreign Office didn't immediately respond to an outside of'regular office hours? request for comment. The Foreign Office said that British nationals, their partners or spouses, and children were welcome to take the flight. Priority was given to the most vulnerable. Sky News reported that an unidentified passenger who was scheduled to fly on the flight said, "We were told the plane would?takeoff later today after the pilot has rested." The passenger said, "We were informed that due to the slow check-in process and delays, the pilot needed to rest as he had already clocked his hours." Since Israel and the U.S. struck Iran on Saturday, hundreds of thousands of Europeans are stranded. Iran attacked its neighbors after Israel struck on Saturday. The people stuck in the area are either on holiday, transiting through or permanently based there. British Airways said that it will also operate a flight out of Oman at the dawn of Thursday local time. Gursimran K. Kaur, Bengaluru. Christopher Cushing & Kate Mayberry edited the article.
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Airline share prices rebound after a resumption of Middle East flights
Airline shares recovered on 'Thursday, as more flights left the Middle East. This provided some respite for carriers who had lost billions in value due to the U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran earlier in the week. The government has been scrambling for flights out of the Middle East to accommodate tens and thousands of citizens who have been stranded due to the U.S.-Israeli conflict against Iran. This conflict has caused the closure of most of the airspace in the region because of the threat of missiles striking passenger planes. Dubai, the busiest airport in the world, handles over 1,000 flights per day. Its closure has disrupted travel and caused ticket prices to soar on popular routes, such as Australia-Europe. Emirates and Etihad Airways now operate a limited number services?from Dubai and Abu Dhabi via the safe air corridors of the United Arab Emirates, while Qatar Airways flight from Doha remains completely halted. Flightradar24 reports that as of Thursday morning's early hours, Emirates flights have left Dubai for destinations such as Sydney, Amsterdam and Mumbai. However, the majority of these services remain cancelled. The Australian government announced that three commercial flights are scheduled to depart from the United Arab Emirates and arrive in Australia on Thursday. This follows the arrival of 200 Australians on a flight by Emirates from Dubai on Wednesday evening, where there were emotional scenes at the arrival gates, as families embraced their returning travellers. The?U.S. State Department said that a U.S. charter flight brought Americans from the Middle East to the United States, and other flights were being arranged for various locations in the region. State Department announced. Canada has said that it is working on repatriating stranded Canadians by organizing seats on commercial flights, and hiring charter flights. Air India announced that it would be flying a Boeing 787 with more capacity on Thursday to bring back passengers who were stranded on the Mumbai-Dubai Delhi route. ASIAN AIRLINE SHARE REBOUND After a double-digit drop in recent days, many Asian airline stocks have recovered amid concern over the length of the conflict and the impact on oil prices. Kenny Ng is a securities analyst at China Everbright Securities International. He said: "I consider this recovery to be short-term and its sustainability will depend on the current situation in the Iranian Conflict." The New York Times, citing briefed officials, reported that operatives of Iran's Ministry of Intelligence had expressed an openness to U.S. Central Intelligence Agency?to talk about ending the war. Shares of Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific Airways grew by 4.2%. Qantas Airways jumped more than 1%, and Korean Air Lines rose more than 5.0%. Air China, China Eastern Airlines, and China Southern Airlines all fell between 1%-?3% on the Hong Kong and Shanghai market, stabilising from steeper drops earlier in the week. Asian airlines are very sensitive to Iran because of the exposure they have through energy and routes, both in terms of revenue and cost. Gary Ng is a senior economist with Natixis. He said that any news about reducing the length of the war could easily change sentiment. Airspace is so constrained that airlines have to make reroutes, carry more fuel, or stop for refueling to avoid sudden divergence or long flight paths along safer corridors. Some expatriates and marooned tourists have tried to escape the Middle East via Saudi Arabia or Oman where the airspace is still open.
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US lawmakers express concern about Intel's testing tools from a China-linked firm
As reported first by. ACM Research is a California-based producer of chipmaking equipment that has deep roots in China and two overseas units which were sanctioned by the U.S. ACM Research's customers include Chinese companies sanctioned by the U.S. such as YMTC, SMIC and YMTC. This raises questions about whether ACM can pass sensitive Intel information to Chinese clients. The lawmakers wrote to Intel CEO Lip Bu Tan on Wednesday that "by operating in Intel's facility, ACM can gain exposure to cutting edge chipmaking processes which may materially improve quality and competitiveness for?ACM as well as Chinese military companies." Intel stated in a statement that "ACM Tools are not used in Intel’s semiconductor production processes." The company also said that it fully complies to U.S. laws, regulations and works regularly with the U.S. Government on security issues. ACM didn't immediately respond to the request for comment on this story. The company had previously said that it couldn't comment on "specific engagements" with customers, but it revealed the shipment of three tools to a major U.S. semiconductor manufacturer. These are currently being tested and many have already met performance standards. ACM has previously stated that it does pose a threat to national security, noting that the U.S. unit sanctioned in Shanghai is "bifurcated" and "isolated" from its U.S. operation. It also added that U.S. clients are directly supported by U.S. personnel with robust safeguards protecting customer trade secrets. The Chinese Embassy at Washington has not responded to a comment request immediately. The letter is also signed by Democrats Elissa slotkin and Andy Kim, as well as Republicans Jim Banks, Pete Ricketts. It shows a bipartisan concern over China's increasing role in the?U.S. The semiconductor industry. The House Selection Committee on China stated in October that it had "reviewed reports with concern?that ACM Research...?has sold (semiconductor production equipment) to a U.S. semiconductor manufacturer who also formally certified ACM Research tools for use on its production line." On?Wednesday, the lawmakers noted that Intel faces special responsibilities because of its U.S. Government stake. Intel had resisted calls from President Donald Trump for his CEO to resign in August due to his alleged ties with China. They wrote: "This raises important questions about Intel’s fiduciary responsibilities and?approach towards safeguarding the public interests, including how?the company benefits American taxpayers and economic interests," They added that "Intel’s involvement with Chinese companies on the blacklist calls into question if taxpayer dollars are subsidizing activity which could directly threaten U.S. National Security and leadership in semiconductor manufacture." (Reporting and editing by Diane Craft, Thomas Derpinghaus and Alexandra Alper)
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UKMTO: Crew safe after explosion reported near Kuwait
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said that a tanker anchored off Kuwait saw a large explosion on its port side and was taking in water. UKMTO reported that the master saw a'small craft' leaving the area after the explosion, which took place 30 nautical miles (56 km) southeast of Kuwait Mubarak al Kabeer Port in the Gulf. In an advisory note, it stated that "there is oil in the water from a cargo tank, which could have some impact on the environment, the vessel has taken in water, no fires were reported, and the crew was'safe. Kuwait's interior ministry stated in a statement issued later that the incident occurred outside of Kuwait's territorial water, at least 60 kilometers (37 miles) from Mubarak Al Kabeer port.
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UKMTO: Crew safe after explosion reported near Kuwait
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said that a?tanker anchored off?Kuwait saw?a 'large explosion?" on its port side, and was taking in water. UKMTO reported that the master saw a small boat leave the area after the explosion. The explosion occurred in the Gulf 30 nautical miles (56 kilometers) south of Kuwait's Mubarak al Kabeer port. In an advisory note, it stated that "there is oil in the water from a cargo tank, which could have an environmental impact. The vessel has taken water on board, but there are no reported fires and the crew members are safe." Kuwait's interior ministry stated in a statement later that the incident occurred outside of Kuwait's territorial water, at least 60 kilometers (37 miles) from Mubarak Al Kabeer port.
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Bloomberg News reports that NASA will be contacting ULA to obtain critical hardware for the moon rocket.
Bloomberg 'News' reported Wednesday that NASA intends to choose?United Launch Alliance as a supplier of a critical component for future missions?of its moon rocket. According to the report, this could be done in order to replace Boeing-built equipment that NASA's Inspector General has estimated will cost $2.8 billion by 2028. Bloomberg reported that NASA plans to use the upper part of the Vulcan rocket from ULA, also known as Centaur V rocket, for its fourth Space Launch System rocket flight when it aims to send people to the moon for the first time since more than 50 years. ULA is a joint venture of Boeing and Lockheed Martin. NASA, Boeing, and Lockheed Martin didn't immediately respond to requests for comments, while ULA directed NASA to comment. NASA has added a spacecraft docking test last month to its Artemis Moon Programme before it attempts its first crewed lunar landing. This is part of a major overhauling of the U.S. effort on the moon, amid increasing delays and 'competitive pressure' from China. The agency has also abandoned efforts to upgrade its SLS rocket. Instead, it will 'focus on increasing the rocket's flight rate and production, which has fallen behind that of newer launch systems. The decision affects the roughly $2 billion contract that Boeing has with the United States to build a stronger?SLS upperstage, which is no longer in development. Reporting by Rhea Abraham in Bengaluru, editing by Sumana Niandy and Sherry Phillips
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US lawmakers express concern over Intel's testing on tools made by a Chinese-linked firm
A group of bipartisan U.S. legislators led by Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren and Republican Tom Cotton raised concerns on Wednesday about national security issues regarding?Intel?s testing of ACM Research's chipmaking tools, which was first reported by?. ACM Research is a Fremont-based manufacturer of chipmaking equipment. It has deep roots in China, and two overseas units were sanctioned by the United States. ACM Research's customers include Chinese companies like YMTC CXMT SMIC that are sanctioned. This raises questions about whether ACM can pass sensitive Intel information to Chinese clients. The lawmakers wrote to Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan on Wednesday that "by operating in Intel's facility, ACM can gain exposure to cutting edge chipmaking processes which?may improve the quality and competetiveness of ACM as well as Chinese military companies." Intel stated in a press release that "ACM Tools are not used by Intel's semiconductor production processes." The company also said that it fully complies to U.S. laws, regulations and regularly engages with the U.S. Government on security issues. ACM didn't immediately respond to the request for comment on this story. The company had previously stated that it could not comment on "specific customer engagements" but confirms that "ACMR’s U.S. Team has sold and delivered numerous tools from our Asian Operations to domestic customers." The company also revealed that it had shipped three tools from its Asian operations to a major U.S. semiconductor manufacturer. These are currently being tested, and some of them have already met performance standards. The letter is also signed by Democrats Elissa slotkin and Andy Kim, as well as Republicans Jim Banks and Pete Ricketts. It shows a bipartisan concern over China's increasing role in U.S. Semiconductor Manufacturing. The House Selection Committee on China stated in October that it had "reviewed reports with concern" that ACM Research...has allegedly sold (semiconductor production equipment) to a U.S.-based semiconductor manufacturer who also officially certified ACM Research tools for use on its production line. The lawmakers noted on Wednesday that Intel, who resisted President Donald Trump's calls for the CEO to resign in August due to alleged ties with China, now faces unique responsibilities because the U.S. Government owns a stake. They wrote: "This raises serious questions about Intel's approach to protecting the public interest and its fiduciary responsibilities, as well as how it benefits American taxpayers and economic interests." They added: "Intel’s involvement with Chinese companies on the blacklist raises questions about whether taxpayer dollars subsidise activities that may directly threaten U.S. security and leadership in semiconductor production." (Reporting and editing by Diane Craft; Alexandra Alper)
American Airlines unions increase pressure on the board due to lagging profits
American Airlines has been lagging behind Delta Air Lines and United Airlines in terms of profitability for years. The unions of American Airlines are now turning this gap into an issue of governance, pressing directors to be accountable at the top.
The tensions have escalated in recent days. The pilots' association has urged the board of American Airlines to take "decisive actions" and requested a board meeting. Meanwhile, the flight attendants union issued a vote of no confidence in Robert Isom, the Chief Executive Officer, and demanded a leadership change.
Labor groups making public calls for a change in leadership outside of formal contract negotiations is unusual. The unions' demands are framed as an attempt to directly involve the board, by linking strategy and execution to reliability and financial performance.
The Association of Professional Flight Attendants, which represents American Airlines' flight attendants said that on Monday their board voted unanimously against the CEO of American Airlines.
The union claimed that the airline had fallen "dangerously" behind its competitors, and demanded "accountability and improved operational support as well as a change in leadership." The union plans to protest on Thursday outside American's headquarters, in Fort Worth, Texas.
Julie Hedrick, APFA president, said: "At the very end, we feel that our management team has failed us." "We do not want to be left with a business that is not competitive."
American refused to comment on the union votes, and in response'questions pointed out Isom's recent remarks to employees and investors outlining the turnaround strategies and emphasising accountability. Isom stated that American's turnaround plan should begin to show results by 2026 on the last quarterly earnings call. Last week, he reiterated the message during an internal leadership meeting. He said, "It begins with us." "2026 cannot just feel different. It must be different. American is trying to convince investors, through the unions, that investing in high-quality products, operational reliability and efforts to win corporate clients back and drive loyalty revenue will help it narrow its profit gap.
Delta's stock has gained 14% and United's about 12% over the past year.
PROFIT GAP FUELS PRESSURE
According to the company's results, American generated 352 million dollars in 2025 on a pretax adjusted basis, compared to Delta, which generated $5 billion, and United, who generated $4.6 billion.
American Airlines has attributed the?underperformance to exposure to a soft domestic market, wider economic uncertainty, and a federal shutdown that weighed heavily on bookings.
Union officials have linked worker frustration with the gap and lower profit-sharing payouts. APFA reported that some crew members only received $150 in profit sharing for 2025.
Isom said to employees in a town hall meeting last month that the profit-sharing was "meager", but that "if you break even that's what you get," according an audio recording.
Analysts at JPMorgan said that American's share of pretax profits for American, Delta, and United was just under 4% in 2025. However, the analysts expect this to increase to around 12% by 2026. Melius Research stated that the airline can "recapture earnings" in 2026 following a difficult 2025.
American also stated that it expected to reduce its debt to less than $35 billion by 2026. This is an year earlier than the previous target.
PILOTS PUSH BOARD ENGAGEMENT
The vote of no confidence was prompted by a letter sent last week by the board of the pilots' union urging the board at American to take "decisive actions" and warning the carrier that it remains on a "underperformance path" due to "persistent cultural, operational and strategic deficiencies." The union requested that Nick Silva be given the opportunity to present his concerns to the entire board. Isom promised to meet with the union as soon as he could and that the board would have discussed the request.
The union claimed that it has not received a response from directors, and Isom's reply "wasn't responsive" to their request for a meeting at the board level. The union said that, after several meetings with Isom's?executive staff over the last year, engaging with the entire board was the "necessary" next step.
EXECUTION UNDER STRAIN The latest flare-up comes after a winter storm in late January that caused?widespread cancellations of flights and tested American's system for recovery.
OAG, an aviation analytics company, found that American Airlines' reliability was below its key competitors in January. Southwest, Alaska Airlines and United Airlines were all ahead of American in terms of on-time performance. It also had the highest cancellation rates among these airlines.
The unions have described the disruption as "evidence" of deeper weaknesses in planning and execution. This framing is consistent with a larger?aviation pattern. The major operational failures have at times drawn attention beyond the day-to-day management. From Southwest Airlines' 2022 holiday disruption that prompted congressional hearings to airline CEOs requesting meetings with Boeing directors following Alaska Airlines' door plug incident in January of 2024.
Charles Elson is a retired University of Delaware Professor and Corporate Governance Specialist. He said that public calls for the removal of a CEO do not guarantee a leadership change. However, employee unrest could become a problem for an organization with a large customer base, and can be a warning to its board.
Elson stated, "When you have unhappy employees and your business is in contact with customers, you have a problem." (Reporting and editing by Matthew Lewis in Chicago, Rajesh Kumar Singh)
(source: Reuters)