Category Archives: World/National

Fleet of UPS planes grounded after deadly crash expected to miss peak delivery season

Fleet of UPS planes grounded after deadly crash expected to miss peak delivery season

By SARAH RAZA Associated Press

A fleet of planes that UPS grounded after a deadly crash isn’t expected to be back in service during the peak holiday season due to inspections and possible repairs, the company said Wednesday in an internal memo.

The airline expects it will be several months before its McDonnell Douglas MD-11 fleet returns to service as it works to meet Federal Aviation Administration guidelines, said the memo from UPS Airlines president Bill Moore to employees. The process was originally estimated to take weeks but is now expected to take several months.

A fiery MD-11 plane crash on Nov. 4 in Louisville, Kentucky, killed 14 people and injured at least 23 when the left engine detached during takeoff. Cargo carriers grounded their McDonnell Douglas MD-11 fleets shortly after, ahead of a directive from the FAA.

“Regarding the MD-11 fleet, Boeing’s ongoing evaluation shows that inspections and potential repairs will be more extensive than initially expected,” Moore wrote in the memo.

A UPS spokesperson said in a statement that the company will rely on contingency plans to deliver for customers throughout the peak season, and it “will take the time needed to ensure that every aircraft is safe.”

The 109 remaining MD-11 airliners, averaging more than 30 years old, are exclusively used to haul cargo for package delivery companies. MD-11s make up about 9% of the UPS airline fleet and 4% of the FedEx fleet.

Boeing, which took over as the manufacturer of MD-11s since merging with McDonnell Douglas in 1997, said in a statement that it is “working diligently to provide instructions and technical support to operators” so that they can meet the FAA’s requirements.

The FAA said Boeing will develop the procedures for inspections and any corrective actions, pending approval from the FAA.

Some families are ‘adopting’ turkeys for Thanksgiving instead of eating them

Some families are ‘adopting’ turkeys for Thanksgiving instead of eating them

ERIE, Colo. (AP) — An increasing number of farm animal sanctuaries across the country have started promoting an alternative version of Thanksgiving. Rather than dipping turkeys into gravy, families “adopt” them, donating money to their lifelong care. In return they receive photos, certificates and sometimes one-on-one visits with the birds. At Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary in Colorado, a $25 donation comes with a certificate, photo and either a virtual or in-person visit. The funds help pay for extending the turkeys’ outdoor pasture area, their feed and sometimes their pricey vet bills. The sanctuary says the program is about educating the public that turkeys are more than just centerpieces.… Continue Reading

Trump spares turkeys — but not his political opponents — at annual pardoning ceremony

Trump spares turkeys — but not his political opponents — at annual pardoning ceremony

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump brought insults and grievances to the traditional Thanksgiving turkey pardoning ceremony at the White House. On Tuesday, he joked about sending the turkeys to a prison in El Salvador and suggested naming them after Democratic stalwarts Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi. Trump also claimed that last year’s turkey pardons by President Joe Biden were invalid. The ceremony eventually proceeded with Trump pardoning a turkey named Gobble, although its companion, Waddle, was absent. Trump also used the event to claim that Thanksgiving meal prices are dropping, though some research suggests otherwise.… Continue Reading

Trump scraps tariffs on beef, coffee and tropical fruit in a push to lower grocery store prices

Trump scraps tariffs on beef, coffee and tropical fruit in a push to lower grocery store prices

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has announced the removal of U.S. tariffs on beef, coffee, tropical fruits and other commodities. This move comes amid pressure to address high consumer prices. Trump had focused on tariffs to boost domestic production and the U.S. economy. However, recent off-year elections showed economic concerns as a top issue, with Democrats gaining wins. Inflation remains a challenge despite Trump’s claims to have vanquished it. The administration insists tariffs weren’t a major factor in rising grocery prices. Democrats and industry groups argue this move acknowledges the impact of Trump’s tariffs on consumers. “We just did a little bit of a rollback on some foods like coffee,” Trump said later Friday night.… Continue Reading

President Trump signs government funding bill, ending shutdown after a record 43-day disruption

President Trump signs government funding bill, ending shutdown after a record 43-day disruption

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has signed a government funding bill that ends a record 43-day shutdown. The disruption caused financial stress for federal workers who went without paychecks, stranded scores of travelers at airports and generated long lines at some food banks. The signing ceremony came just hours after the House passed the measure on a mostly party-line vote of 222-209. Democrats wanted to extend an enhanced tax credit that lowers the cost of health coverage obtained through Affordable Care Act marketplaces and refused to go along with a spending bill that did not include that priority. But Republicans said that was a separate policy fight to be held at another time, and they prevailed.… Continue Reading

Epstein email says Trump ‘knew about the girls,’ but White House calls release a Democratic smear

Epstein email says Trump ‘knew about the girls,’ but White House calls release a Democratic smear

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House is accusing Democrats of selectively leaking emails from disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein to “create a fake narrative” to smear President Donald Trump. Epstein wrote in a 2011 email Trump had “spent hours” at Epstein’s house with a victim of sex trafficking and said in a separate message years later Trump “knew about the girls.” The emails made public by Democrats on the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday add to the questions about Trump’s friendship with Epstein and about any knowledge he may have had in what prosecutors call a yearslong effort by Epstein to exploit underage girls. The Republican president denies any knowledge of Epstein’s alleged crimes.… Continue Reading

Speaker Johnson faces an unruly House as lawmakers return for shutdown vote

Speaker Johnson faces an unruly House as lawmakers return for shutdown vote

WASHINGTON (AP) — After refusing to convene the U.S. House during the government shutdown, Speaker Mike Johnson is recalling lawmakers back into session. They are set to consider the bill to reopen the federal government on Wednesday. As hundreds of lawmakers return they are bringing pent-up legislative demands after nearly two months away. There are calls to release the Jeffrey Epstein files and swear-in Arizona’s Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva, who won her special election back in September. It’s all a test of the speaker’s leadership and shows the ways he has amassed power alongside President Donald Trump.… Continue Reading

Senate approves bill to end the shutdown, sending it to the House

Senate approves bill to end the shutdown, sending it to the House

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate has passed legislation to reopen the government, bringing the longest shutdown in history closer to an end after a small group of Democrats struck a deal with Republicans. The shutdown could last a few more days as members of the House, which has been on recess since mid-September, return to Washington to vote on the legislation. President Donald Trump has signaled support for the bill, saying Monday that “we’re going to be opening up our country very quickly.” The final 60-40 Senate vote broke a grueling stalemate that lasted more than six weeks as Democrats demanded that Republicans negotiate with them to extend health care tax credits. The Republicans never did.… Continue Reading

Senate is poised to take the first steps to end 40-day shutdown

Senate is poised to take the first steps to end 40-day shutdown

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate is poised to take the first steps toward ending the 40-day government shutdown Sunday after a group of moderate Democrats agreed to proceed without a guaranteed extension of healthcare subsidies, angering many in their caucus who want to continue the fight. The agreement from Sens. Jeanne Shaheen, Maggie Hassan and Sen. Angus King of Maine would pass three annual spending bills and extend the rest of government funding until late January. That’s according to three people familiar with the agreement who requested anonymity until the deal is made public. Senate Democrats were meeting Sunday evening to discuss the proposal. The government shutdown has now lasted 40 days.… Continue Reading

Rockefeller Center Christmas tree arrives in Manhattan, kicking off New York’s holiday season

Rockefeller Center Christmas tree arrives in Manhattan, kicking off New York’s holiday season

NEW YORK (AP) — The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree has arrived in Manhattan, marking the start of New York City’s holiday season. This year’s tree is a 75-foot Norway spruce from East Greenbush, a suburb of Albany. It traveled about 150 miles on a flatbed truck to reach its new home. On Saturday workers used cranes to position the 11-ton tree at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. The spruce will soon be decorated with over 50,000 LED lights and a Swarovski star. It will be lit Dec. 3 during a live TV broadcast. The tree was donated by Judy Russ and her family.… Continue Reading

Recent News

Powered By SoCast