Skip to main content

Featured

Air Transat Faces Flight Suspensions Amid Pilot Strike Notice

  Air Transat has announced it will gradually suspend flights starting Monday following a 72-hour strike notice issued by its pilots’ union. The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), representing roughly 700 pilots, delivered the notice after nearly a year of unsuccessful negotiations with the airline’s parent company, Transat A.T. Inc. Background The union filed the strike notice on Sunday, giving pilots the legal right to walk off the job as early as Wednesday. Last week, pilots voted 99% in favor of strike action , underscoring their frustration over stalled contract talks. ALPA leaders emphasized that pilots do not want to strike but feel compelled to act after management failed to meet demands for a modernized agreement. Airline Response Air Transat confirmed it will begin suspending flights gradually between December 8 and 9 to prepare for a possible full shutdown. The company stated it is working “around the clock” to reach a deal and minimize disruption for trave...

article

U.S. Treasury Secretary Warns of Approaching Debt Ceiling Crisis


Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has issued a stark warning that the United States could hit its debt ceiling as early as mid-January. In a letter to congressional leaders, Yellen stated that her agency would need to begin taking "extraordinary measures" to prevent the nation from breaching the debt limit. These measures are special accounting maneuvers intended to keep the government operating without defaulting on its obligations.

Yellen emphasized the urgency of the situation, urging Congress to act swiftly to protect the full faith and credit of the United States. The debt ceiling, which had been suspended until January 1, 2025, is expected to be reinstated on January 2, 2025. However, due to a scheduled redemption of nonmarketable securities held by a federal trust fund associated with Medicare payments, the Treasury does not expect to need to take extraordinary measures until January 14 to January 23.

The federal debt currently stands at approximately $36 trillion, a figure that has grown significantly over the years under both Republican and Democratic administrations. The spike in inflation following the COVID-19 pandemic has further increased government borrowing costs, making the situation even more critical.

Yellen's warning comes after President Joe Biden signed a bill last week that averted a government shutdown but did not address the debt ceiling issue. The bill was passed only after intense debate among Republicans over how to handle President-elect Donald Trump's demand to raise or suspend the debt limit.

As the new year approaches, the nation's fiscal health hangs in the balance, with lawmakers facing a critical decision on how to address the impending debt ceiling crisis.




Comments