## TSA agents are working without pay at US airports due to another shutdown

Authored by apnews.com

A shutdown of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that took effect early Saturday impacts the agency responsible for screening passengers and bags at airports across the country.

Travelers with airline reservations may be nervously recalling a 43-day government shutdown that led to historic flight cancellations and long delays last year.

Transportation Security Administration officers are expected to work without pay while lawmakers remain without an agreement on DHS’ annual funding.

TSA officers also worked through the record shutdown that ended Nov. 12, but aviation experts say this one may play out differently.

According to the department’s contingency plan, about 95% of TSA workers are deemed essential personnel and required to keep working.

About a month into last year’s shutdown, for example, TSA temporarily closed two checkpoints at Philadelphia International Airport.

“Not only are they not getting paid,” he said of TSA agents, “they’re probably working with reduced staff and dealing with angry travelers.”. »

### Kristi Noem abruptly ends press conference when asked about CBP shooting down a party balloon forcing airport closure

Authored by independent.co.uk

During the press conference in Phoenix, a journalist asked if the reports were true, and if so, why border officials did not appear to coordinate with the Federal Aviation Administration.

"The information coming from the administration does not add up," U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, Democrat of Texas, said after the incident in a press conference.

The closure comes at a sensitive time for both Noem and the U.S. transit system. »

### Volodymyr Zelenskyy honours disqualified skeleton racer with order of freedom

Authored by theguardian.com

The Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych has been awarded the order of freedom by president Volodymyr Zelenskyy following the controversial decision to bar him from the Winter Olympics.

Show Download the Guardian app from the iOS App Store on iPhone or the Google Play store on Android by searching for 'The Guardian'.

“He who has the truth on his side should prevail,” Heraskevych posted on social media on Saturday morning. »

### Silent Hill: Townfall reveals first-person gameplay in a new trailer

Authored by blog.playstation.com

I am thrilled to finally be able to deliver updates on Silent Hill: Townfall, following our announcement back in 2022.

In today’s State of Play, we revealed a new trailer that gives you a glimpse into the world that awaits.

To explain more, I will hand it over to Jon McKellan, Writer and Director at Screen Burn Interactive on Silent Hill: Townfall. »

### Obama responds to Trump’s video of him and Michelle as apes and says MAGA lacks a sense of ‘shame’

Authored by independent.co.uk

Former President Barack Obama has responded to a video shared on President Donald Trump’s Truth Social account depicting him and former first lady Michelle Obama as apes.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt initially claimed the post was “from an internet meme video” and said to “stop the fake outage.”.

Former President Barack Obama responded to a video shared on President Donald Trump's Truth Social account depicting him and former first lady Michelle Obama as apes ( Getty Images ). »

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