Trump suggests first lady's role in changing his view of Putin over Ukraine
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The Independent
18 minutes ago
- The Independent
Security experts are ‘losing their minds' over Trump's latest plan to solve FAA staffing crisis
Despite the Trump administration's hardline immigration policy and mass deportation plans, one government agency is looking to recruit from overseas, and security experts are said to be 'losing their minds' over the prospect. The Federal Aviation Administration is studying the possibility of recruiting air traffic controllers from foreign countries, according to a document seen by The Atlantic. 'The FAA is facing significant air traffic controller staffing shortages, and to address this issue, is exploring the idea of recruiting experienced international talent,' states a three-page executive summary of the initiative. 'However, this approach must be carefully managed to ensure that the FAA's high standards for safety and procedures are upheld,' it adds, acknowledging the need to 'balance the critical areas of safety, training, national security, and immigration law to create a sustainable and effective workforce strategy for the FAA.' The Trump administration has vowed since President Donald Trump 's inauguration to 'protect American workers' over 'the foreign-born,' and yet the median salary for an air traffic controller is approximately $145,000, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data for 2024. Speaking on condition of anonymity, a U.S. official told The Atlantic that the FAA's security experts are 'losing their minds' over the idea of bringing foreign nationals in to work at such a sensitive part of the U.S. aerospace system. There is particular concern over access they could gain to radars and communications networks, as well as sensitive information about military flight paths, restricted airspace, and air-defense zones. Department of Transportation spokesperson Nathaniel Sizemore told the outlet that the FAA is 'exploring every available option' to address a shortage in the air traffic controller workforce. No final decision has been made regarding the hiring of overseas candidates, Sizemore said. However, he also suggested that the initiative could be payback, because 'foreign countries routinely steal U.S. controllers, who are rightfully frustrated by outdated tools and crumbling infrastructure.' Current staffing shortfalls result in ground delays at airports across the U.S., which diminishes flight capacity. More than 90 percent of the country's 313 air-traffic-control centers are functioning below the FAA's recommended staffing levels, according to the union that represents controllers. These shortages have led to fatigue and burnout among controllers, who are required to work mandatory overtime to maintain air travel operations. A preliminary FAA report says that January's midair collision at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport occurred when staffing was 'not normal.' The crash killed 67 people. In the aftermath of the tragedy, Secretary Sean Duffy released plans to increase salaries for new trainees by 30 percent and offer bonuses to existing employees who agreed to postpone their retirement. A major stumbling block to looking overseas for controllers is that most federal jobs are only available to U.S. citizens, and FAA rules stipulate that non-citizens are not eligible for the necessary security clearances. In an effort to get around the rule, The Atlantic reports that the memo envisions a 'need to create a structured pathway for these international recruits that leads to FAA employment and eventual U.S. citizenship.' The FAA appears to be taking inspiration from 'institutions that admit international students,' despite the Trump administration's moves to crack down on foreign nationals studying in the U.S. The memo suggests a four-and-a-half-year path for candidates that includes language training and courses about weather and 'basic phraseology.' Any applicants will require rigorous vetting and background checks, it notes, and objections are expected from labor unions.
Daily Mail
19 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Jewellery helps Cartier owner Richemont buck the slowdown in the luxury market to post sparkling sales
Cartier owner Richemont delivered a sparkling sales update yesterday as demand for its jewellery brands bucked a slowdown in the wider luxury market. Sales for the first quarter to the end of June rose by 6 per cent to £4.7billion, the Swiss group said. Jewellery – where brands include Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels – was a stand-out performer, with revenues up 11 per cent. But sales in Richemont's watches division, including Vacheron Constantin and Jaeger-LeCoultre, fell 7 per cent – though that marked a slight improvement after an 11 per cent decline in the previous quarter. Richemont has outpaced rivals such as France's LVMH as the industry faces a prolonged slump, amid volatile conditions in the US and a downturn in China.
Reuters
19 minutes ago
- Reuters
Zelenskiy says he wants half Ukraine's weapons to be produced domestically
July 16 (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Wednesday that he was counting on his new incoming government to take measures to boost the proportion of weapons made at home to 50% within six months. Zelenskiy has carried out a political reshuffle this week, nominating as his new prime minister Yulia Svyrydenko, the driving force behind a minerals deal with the United States. Outgoing prime minister Denys Shmyhal has been put forward as the new defence minister. The nominations, which require parliamentary approval, came as diplomatic efforts to end the war with Russia, now in its fourth year, have stalled and as Ukraine seeks to revive its cash-strapped economy and build up a domestic arms industry. Zelenskiy said he, Shmyhal and outgoing defence minister Rustem Umerov had decided at a meeting on Wednesday that the defence ministry would have "greater influence in the domain of arms production". "Ukrainian-made weapons now make up about 40% of those used at the front and in our operations," Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address. "This is already significantly more than at any time in our country's independence. The production volumes are truly large, but we need more. "Our goal is to reach 50% Ukrainian-made weaponry within the first six months of the new government, by expanding our domestic production. I am confident this is achievable, though not easy." Zelenskiy has long stressed the importance of boosting domestic production of weapons and developing joint production of weaponry with Ukraine's Western partners. It has focused on drone production and on providing air defences to withstand intensifying Russian drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian cities. Zelenskiy has in recent weeks stressed the importance of developing drone interceptors as a rational way of tackling swarms of drones. Kyiv's military authorities last week announced the allocation of $6.2 million for a drone interceptor program to defend the capital's skies from Russian drones.
