## 80% of NYC-area air traffic controllers absent amid 'surge' in callouts: FAA

Authored by abcnews.go.com

A surge in callouts among air traffic controllers "is straining staffing levels" at multiple airports across the U.S. -- including in the New York City area where 80% of controllers are absent, the Federal Aviation Administration said Friday evening.

"After 31 days without pay, air traffic controllers are under immense stress and fatigue," the FAA said in the update.

Here’s what to know about air traffic controllers amid the government shutdown and how staffing shortages could impact travel:.

Why do air traffic controllers work without pay during the shutdown?.

Since air traffic controllers are considered essential workers, they are required to work without pay for the duration of the government shutdown.

Air traffic controllers, like other federal employees, typically receive backpay once the government reopens, but they must draw from savings or find alternative income in the meantime.

Staffing shortages among air traffic controllers have worsened over the course of the government shutdown, though they remain limited to a fraction of facilities nationwide, analysts told ABC News. »

### Thief makes off with $80K in whipped cream during Ontario trailer heist

Authored by globalnews.ca

Guelph police are looking for a suspect who allegedly whipped up a creamy heist earlier this week.

Just before 11 a.m. Wednesday, police said a manager from a business on Speedvale Avenue West reported a trailer had been stolen earlier in the morning.

The trailer was loaded with 30 pallets of Gay Lea-branded whipped cream worth $80,000. »

### Thousands Of Jailed Immigrants in Chicago Have Vanished From Federal Records, Human Rights Attorneys Claim

Authored by latintimes.com

Attorneys consulted by NBC Chicago, however, say federal authorities have refused — or are unable — to disclose where many of those detainees are being held or whether they have already been deported.

"It is quite dire," said Mark Fleming of the National Immigrant Justice Center, which is suing federal authorities.

A ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court remains pending on whether National Guard troops can be deployed to Chicago. »

### Venezuelan president asks Putin for military assistance, WP reports

Authored by pravda.com.ua

Against the backdrop of a US military build-up in the Caribbean, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has appealed to Russia, China and Iran for military assistance.

Details: Maduro's requests to Moscow were set out in a letter that was to be delivered to Russian ruler Vladimir Putin by a "senior aide".

The documents also state that Maduro wrote to Chinese President Xi Jinping, requesting "expanded military cooperation" between the two countries to counter "the escalation between the US and Venezuela". »

### Andrew had '40 prostitutes brought to five-star Thailand hotel room' during four-day taxpayer funded trip, author claims

Authored by lbc.co.uk

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor had 40 prostitutes brought to his five-star hotel during a four-day trip to Thailand, the disgraced royal’s unauthorised biographer has claimed.

“He uses the excuse of his role as Trade Envoy, paid for by the taxpayer, to go off on these trips."

Andrew is representing his country and insists on staying in a five-star hotel rather than the embassy, which he always did. »

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