https://www.scmp.com/rss/522061/feed The latest news and top stories on Sean Duffy. He currently serves as the 20th United States Secretary of Transportation, appointed by President Donald Trump in January 2025. Previously, he was a US Representative for Wisconsin’s 7th congressional district from 2011 to 2019 and District Attorney of Ashland County Wisconsin. His responsibilities as Transportation Secretary include overseeing national infrastructure, aviation systems and regulatory changes. Duffy has pledged to prioritise air... en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Reuters Reuters Bankrupt discount carrier Spirit Airlines ceased operations on Saturday, the industry’s first casualty linked to the Iran war, after failing to secure creditor support for a US government bailout plan. The collapse of the carrier following a doubling in jet fuel prices during the two-month-old Iran war will cost thousands of jobs. It is a blow to US President Donald Trump, who had proposed US$500 million to save Spirit despite opposition from some of his closest advisers and many Republicans in... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3352244/us-carrier-spirit-airlines-shuts-down-industrys-first-iran-war-casualty?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3352244/us-carrier-spirit-airlines-shuts-down-industrys-first-iran-war-casualty?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 02 May 2026 16:42:36 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Police broke up a blockade in the centre of Dublin by fuel protesters who have brought much of Ireland to a standstill during the past week, as the government on Sunday prepared to approve cost-cutting measures they hope will end the six days of disruption over soaring costs at the pump. As tractors and trucks that had blocked O’Connell Street were rolling out of the capital, protests continued elsewhere, with police on the other side of the country clashing with demonstrators at the Galway... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3349810/ireland-police-remove-farmers-blockades-protesting-fuel-price-rises?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3349810/ireland-police-remove-farmers-blockades-protesting-fuel-price-rises?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Apr 2026 12:13:42 +0000 Reuters Reuters Absences among transportation security ⁠workers this weekend reached their highest since a partial US government shutdown began five weeks ago, the Department of Homeland Security said on Sunday, while immigration enforcement agents prepared to fill in for them at some of the busiest US airports. At airports in Houston, New York and Atlanta, more than one-third of Transportation Security Administration staff were calling in sick or otherwise absent, DHS said, as the shutdown left tens of... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3347514/trump-administration-touts-plan-ice-airports-amid-criticism-union-democrats?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3347514/trump-administration-touts-plan-ice-airports-amid-criticism-union-democrats?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 22 Mar 2026 22:19:27 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Nasa’s long-awaited moon shot with astronauts is off until at least March because of hydrogen fuel leaks that marred the dress rehearsal of its giant new rocket. It was the same problem that delayed the Space Launch System rocket’s debut three years ago. That first test flight was grounded for months because of leaking hydrogen, which is highly flammable and dangerous. “Actually, this one caught us off guard,” Nasa’s John Honeycutt said on Tuesday, hours after the test came to an abrupt halt at... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3342313/us-readied-next-moon-mission-something-dangerous-caught-nasa-guard?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3342313/us-readied-next-moon-mission-something-dangerous-caught-nasa-guard?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Feb 2026 03:27:19 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he had informed Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodriguez, that he would open up all commercial airspace over Venezuela, and Americans would soon be able to visit Trump said he instructed his transport secretary, Sean Duffy, and US military leaders to take steps to open Venezuelan airspace for travel by the end of the day. “American citizens will be very shortly able to go to Venezuela, and they’ll be safe there,” the Republican president... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/americas/article/3341744/trump-says-hes-reopening-venezuelan-and-americans-soon-can-visit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/americas/article/3341744/trump-says-hes-reopening-venezuelan-and-americans-soon-can-visit?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Jan 2026 19:01:04 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press The US military operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and flew him out of the country early on Saturday also disrupted Caribbean travel at a busy travel time for the region. No airline flights were crossing over Venezuela that day, according to FlightRadar24.com. Major airlines cancelled hundreds of flights across the eastern Caribbean region and warned passengers that disruptions could continue for days after the Federal Aviation Administration imposed... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/americas/article/3338655/caribbean-holidaymakers-stranded-after-us-operation-seize-maduro-halts-flights?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/americas/article/3338655/caribbean-holidaymakers-stranded-after-us-operation-seize-maduro-halts-flights?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 04 Jan 2026 05:16:25 +0000 Paul Buck Paul Buck The United States and China are racing to put humans on the moon for the first time since 1972 in a competition that goes far beyond technological bragging rights. Both countries are seeking to set up lunar bases that could be used to explore the moon and other points in the solar system. The moon also contains potentially valuable raw materials, including rare earth minerals and helium-3, a possible super-fuel, adding an economic and geopolitical edge to the lunar race. “If we fall behind, if... https://www.scmp.com/plus/article/3336898/lunar-race-pits-china-against-us-humans-seek-return-moon?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/plus/article/3336898/lunar-race-pits-china-against-us-humans-seek-return-moon?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 18 Dec 2025 08:07:11 +0000 Reuters Reuters US President Donald Trump’s administration said on Friday it was formally withdrawing a plan by his predecessor to require airlines to pay passengers cash compensation when US flight disruptions are caused by carriers. In December 2024, the US Transportation Department (DOT) under then-president Joe Biden sought public comment on writing rules to require airlines to pay US$200 to US$300 for domestic delays of at least three hours and up to US$775 for longer delays. In September, the USDOT first... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3332883/trump-administration-scraps-bidens-airline-compensation-plan-delayed-flights?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3332883/trump-administration-scraps-bidens-airline-compensation-plan-delayed-flights?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 14 Nov 2025 15:02:47 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Blue Origin launched its huge New Glenn rocket on Thursday with a pair of Nasa spacecraft destined for Mars. It was only the second flight of the rocket that Jeff Bezos’ company and Nasa were counting on to get people and supplies to the moon - and it was a complete success. The almost 100-metre New Glenn blasted into the afternoon sky from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, sending Nasa’s twin Mars orbiters on a drawn-out journey to the red planet. Lift-off was stalled four days by lousy local... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3332712/blue-origin-launches-huge-rocket-carrying-twin-nasa-spacecraft-mars?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3332712/blue-origin-launches-huge-rocket-carrying-twin-nasa-spacecraft-mars?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 13 Nov 2025 21:33:55 +0000 Bloomberg Bloomberg The longest government shutdown in US history has ended, but it could take days - and in some cases a week or more - before normal operations resume. Payroll systems must be updated to pay out weeks of back wages. Backlogs of grant disbursements, loan applications and customer calls that went unanswered for 43 days would need to be cleared. Delayed environmental permits, workplace inspections and contracting activities have stacked up across federal agencies. The work of reopening the government... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3332617/us-government-reopens-costs-43-day-shutdown-will-linger-weeks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3332617/us-government-reopens-costs-43-day-shutdown-will-linger-weeks?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 13 Nov 2025 07:30:56 +0000 Reuters Reuters US President Donald Trump on Monday demanded air traffic controllers return to work as travellers endured another day of flight cancellations, which the administration ordered to manage staff shortages during the government shutdown. Trump’s comment came after the US aviation system has suffered serious disruptions in recent days as air traffic controller absences soared while they work without pay. Some are absent as they need to work second jobs or cannot afford child care. An airline trade... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3332257/trump-tells-air-traffic-controllers-return-work-flight-cancellations-jump?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3332257/trump-tells-air-traffic-controllers-return-work-flight-cancellations-jump?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 10 Nov 2025 21:14:46 +0000 Reuters Reuters Hundreds of thousands of travellers had their flights delayed or cancelled on Sunday in the worst day for disruptions since the start of a US government shutdown, as Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned of worse to come in the run-up to the Thanksgiving holiday. Airlines cancelled more than 2,800 US flights and delayed more than 10,200 on Sunday in the third day of government-mandated flight cuts due to rising air traffic control staffing shortages, after thousands of delays and... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3332122/us-air-travel-will-fall-trickle-due-government-shutdown-transport-secretary-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3332122/us-air-travel-will-fall-trickle-due-government-shutdown-transport-secretary-says?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 09 Nov 2025 17:32:55 +0000 Reuters Reuters The economic impact of the US government shutdown is far worse than expected, but the US economy is likely to rebound quickly once it ends, White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett said on Friday. Construction projects are starting to slow down and travel is suffering, Hassett said in an interview with Fox Business Network. “Travel and leisure is a place that’s really being heavily hit right now, and if it continues to get hit, if the air travel thing goes south for another week or two, then... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3332000/us-government-shutdown-far-worse-expected-white-house-adviser-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3332000/us-government-shutdown-far-worse-expected-white-house-adviser-says?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 07 Nov 2025 14:27:28 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse More than 1,000 flights were cancelled across the US on Friday after the Trump administration ordered reductions to ease strain on air traffic controllers working without pay amid a federal government shutdown. Forty airports were slated for the cuts, including major hubs in Atlanta, Newark, Denver, Chicago, Houston and Los Angeles. With Republicans and Democrats in a bitter stand-off, particularly over health insurance subsidies, federal agencies have been grinding to halt since funding lapsed... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3331996/us-airline-chaos-cancels-800-flights-budget-crisis-hits-air-traffic-control?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3331996/us-airline-chaos-cancels-800-flights-budget-crisis-hits-air-traffic-control?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 07 Nov 2025 13:33:23 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse The death toll from a cargo plane crash in the southern US state of Kentucky rose to 12 on Wednesday, with investigators saying the accident was caused by one of the engines catching fire and detaching during take-off. The McDonnell Douglas MD-11, operated by package delivery giant UPS and bound for Hawaii, crashed at 5.15pm Tuesday, shortly after departing from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. It exploded into flames as it slammed into businesses adjacent to the airport, killing... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3331696/engine-fell-us-cargo-plane-crash-killed-11-people?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3331696/engine-fell-us-cargo-plane-crash-killed-11-people?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 05 Nov 2025 23:38:52 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press The US Federal Aviation Administration said on Wednesday that it was taking the extraordinary step of reducing air traffic by 10 per cent across 40 “high-volume” markets beginning Friday morning to maintain travel safety as air traffic controllers exhibit signs of strain during the ongoing government shutdown. The cutback could impact thousands of flights nationwide because the FAA directs more than 44,000 flights daily, including commercial passenger flights, cargo planes and private... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3331695/us-cutting-air-traffic-10-across-high-volume-markets-due-shutdown?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3331695/us-cutting-air-traffic-10-across-high-volume-markets-due-shutdown?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 05 Nov 2025 22:19:29 +0000 Agence France-Presse,Reuters Agence France-Presse,Reuters US President Donald Trump accused “kamikaze” Democrats of being prepared to destroy the country as the government shutdown became the longest in history on Wednesday, eclipsing the 35-day record set during the Republican leader’s first term. Federal agencies have been grinding to a halt since Congress failed to approve funding past September 30, and the pain has been mounting as welfare programmes – including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or Snap, that helps millions of... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3331679/trump-blames-kamikaze-democrats-longest-ever-us-government-shutdown?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3331679/trump-blames-kamikaze-democrats-longest-ever-us-government-shutdown?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 05 Nov 2025 14:47:18 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse The US government shutdown became the longest ever on Wednesday, topping the 35-day record set during Donald Trump’s first term, as his administration warned of holiday air travel chaos and threatened Americans’ benefits in a bid to force a resolution. Federal agencies have been grinding to a halt since Congress failed to approve funding past September 30, and the pain has been mounting as welfare programmes - including aid that helps millions of Americans afford groceries - hang in limbo. There... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3331587/us-government-shutdown-becomes-longest-history?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3331587/us-government-shutdown-becomes-longest-history?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 05 Nov 2025 05:44:49 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse US President Donald Trump on Tuesday nominated billionaire entrepreneur and private astronaut Jared Isaacman to head Nasa, again tapping the close associate of Elon Musk to lead the US space agency. The nomination, announced by Trump on Truth Social, came six months after the president withdrew his initial nomination of Isaacman to lead Nasa amid a bitter row with Musk. If confirmed by the Senate, Isaacman would replace Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who has served as interim administrator... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3331551/trump-again-nominates-musk-ally-isaacman-be-nasa-chief?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3331551/trump-again-nominates-musk-ally-isaacman-be-nasa-chief?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 05 Nov 2025 01:24:18 +0000 Reuters Reuters US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned on Tuesday that if the federal government shutdown continues another week it could lead to “mass chaos” and could force him to close some of the national airspace to air traffic, a drastic move that could upend American aviation. “If you bring us to a week from today, Democrats, you will see mass chaos, you will see mass flight delays. You’ll see mass cancellations, and you may see us close certain parts of the airspace, because we just cannot manage... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3331543/shutdown-may-force-us-close-some-airspace-mass-chaos?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3331543/shutdown-may-force-us-close-some-airspace-mass-chaos?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 04 Nov 2025 18:49:07 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press The US government shutdown was poised to become the longest ever this week as the impasse between Democrats and Republicans dragged into a new month. Millions of people could lose food aid benefits, healthcare subsidies were set to expire and there were few real talks between the parties over how to end it. US President Donald Trump said in an interview aired on Sunday that he “won’t be extorted” by Democrats who were demanding negotiations to extend the Affordable Care Act subsidies that expire... https://www.scmp.com/news/us/politics/article/3331259/us-shutdown-set-drag-6th-week-trump-pushes-republicans-change-senate-rules?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/us/politics/article/3331259/us-shutdown-set-drag-6th-week-trump-pushes-republicans-change-senate-rules?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 02 Nov 2025 22:12:23 +0000 Reuters Reuters Air travel turmoil deepened as nearly 7,000 flights were delayed in the United States on Monday, with air traffic controller absences surging as the federal government shutdown reached its 27th day. The Federal Aviation Administration cited staffing shortages and imposed ground delay programmes affecting Newark Airport in New Jersey, Austin Airport in Texas and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. Flights in the southeast were delayed earlier because of significant staffing shortages at the... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3330540/flight-delays-soar-past-4300-us-government-shutdown-continues?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3330540/flight-delays-soar-past-4300-us-government-shutdown-continues?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Oct 2025 22:18:59 +0000 Reuters Reuters Nasa said on Monday it was opening the marquee US moon landing contract to other bidders because Elon Musk’s SpaceX has experienced mounting delays with its Starship lunar lander. The move paves the way for rivals such as Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin to snatch a high-profile mission to land the first astronauts on the moon in half a century. “I’m in the process of opening that contract up. I think we’ll see companies like Blue get involved, and maybe others,” the US space agency’s acting chief Sean... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3329715/us-seek-rival-bids-artemis-3-moon-landing-spacex-lags-nasa-chief-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3329715/us-seek-rival-bids-artemis-3-moon-landing-spacex-lags-nasa-chief-says?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Oct 2025 16:58:53 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press The US Transportation Department will immediately tighten requirements for non-citizens to get commercial drivers licences after three fatal crashes this year that officials say were caused by immigrant truck drivers who never should have received licences. The nationwide audit of these licences began after a fatal U-turn crash in Florida that killed two people, caused by a truck driver who officials said was in the country illegally. But Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said fatal crashes... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3327054/trump-administration-tightens-trucker-licence-rules-non-us-citizens-after-fatal-crashes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3327054/trump-administration-tightens-trucker-licence-rules-non-us-citizens-after-fatal-crashes?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 26 Sep 2025 16:00:09 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Colorful, speckled rocks found on the surface of Mars have offered among the most encouraging evidence yet of ancient life on our neighbouring planet, scientists at Nasa announced Wednesday. The Perseverance Mars rover collected the “Sapphire Canyon” rock samples in July 2024 from what’s thought to be an ancient lake bed, and its poppyseed and leopard-esque spots pointed to potential chemical reactions that piqued the interest of researchers. If the features resulted from microbial activity that... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/3325142/speckled-rocks-clearest-sign-yet-ancient-life-mars-nasa-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/3325142/speckled-rocks-clearest-sign-yet-ancient-life-mars-nasa-says?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 11 Sep 2025 05:18:57 +0000 Bochen Han Bochen Han Nasa has barred Chinese nationals on US visas from its facilities and networks, in the latest reflection of Washington’s mounting concern over Beijing’s progress in space and other advanced technologies. Although the space agency has typically restricted the employment of Chinese citizens, those on US visas without affiliations with Chinese government institutions or state-owned companies have been able to contribute as contractors, graduate students, or university scientists. On Wednesday, Nasa... https://www.scmp.com/news/us/science-technology/article/3325104/nasa-blocks-chinese-citizens-us-visas-its-facilities?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/us/science-technology/article/3325104/nasa-blocks-chinese-citizens-us-visas-its-facilities?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 10 Sep 2025 21:11:44 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse The fatal stabbing of a Ukrainian refugee in the United States has taken on sweeping political dimensions, with the American right denouncing Democrats’ supposed lack of action on crime as US President Donald Trump seeks to expand a crackdown. Iryna Zarutska, 23, was sitting quietly on a train in Charlotte, North Carolina on August 22 when she was attacked with no warning by a man sitting behind her, security video shows. Her murder made little national news last month but it recently surged... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3324808/ukrainian-refugees-us-murder-fuels-political-debate-crime?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3324808/ukrainian-refugees-us-murder-fuels-political-debate-crime?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 08 Sep 2025 22:31:52 +0000 Ling Xin Ling Xin The first successful flight for Starship – the biggest and heaviest rocket ever built – has revived US hopes of beating China in the race back to the moon, but experts warned the breakthrough may not be enough to stop Beijing from building the first lunar base. After months of failed attempts, Tuesday’s test saw both stages of the SpaceX rocket splash down nearly intact – a milestone for the vehicle that Nasa is counting on for the first crewed American moon return mission since Apollo. Nasa... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3323437/what-does-spacexs-starship-test-success-mean-us-china-moon-race?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3323437/what-does-spacexs-starship-test-success-mean-us-china-moon-race?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 28 Aug 2025 10:55:45 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press US Transport Secretary Sean Duffy announced on Wednesday that his department is taking management of Union Station, the main transport hub in Washington, away from Amtrak, in another example of how the federal government is exerting its power over the nation’s capital. Duffy made the announcement in a statement before he was to join Amtrak President Roger Harris at Union Station for the launch of the NextGen Acela, the rail service’s new high-speed train. The secretary said Union Station,... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3323396/trump-administration-seizes-control-washingtons-union-station-amtrak?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3323396/trump-administration-seizes-control-washingtons-union-station-amtrak?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 27 Aug 2025 13:38:42 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse President Donald Trump’s administration on Thursday abruptly stopped issuing US visas for truck drivers after a fatal crash drew national attention, its latest sweeping step against foreign visitors. “Effective immediately we are pausing all issuance of worker visas for commercial truck drivers,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrote on social media. “The increasing number of foreign drivers operating large tractor-trailer trucks on US roads is endangering American lives and undercutting the... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3322725/us-stops-visas-truck-drivers-after-florida-crash-involving-indian-man-kills-3?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3322725/us-stops-visas-truck-drivers-after-florida-crash-involving-indian-man-kills-3?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 22 Aug 2025 01:04:33 +0000 Bloomberg Bloomberg James Lovell, the pioneering US astronaut whose two dramatic missions to the moon included Apollo 13, the nearly disastrous trip that captivated the world and decades later inspired a triumphant Hollywood blockbuster, has died. He was 97. He died on August 7 in Lake Forest, Illinois, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration announced, without citing a cause. A member of Nasa’s second astronaut class, Lovell made history repeatedly during the heyday of the US space programme, notching... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3321287/apollo-13-commander-james-lovell-dies-97?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3321287/apollo-13-commander-james-lovell-dies-97?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 08 Aug 2025 20:36:18 +0000 Reuters Reuters The US Transportation Department is proposing new rules to speed deployment of drones beyond the visual line of sight of operators, a key change needed to advance commercial uses like package deliveries. “We are going to unleash American drone dominance,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said at a press conference on Tuesday. Under current rules, operators need to get individual waivers or exemptions to use drones without visual line of sight. The department said eliminating those... https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3320887/us-proposes-new-drone-rules-could-lead-starbucks-amazon-deliveries?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3320887/us-proposes-new-drone-rules-could-lead-starbucks-amazon-deliveries?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 06 Aug 2025 02:39:34 +0000 Bloomberg Bloomberg Nasa’s acting administrator Sean Duffy plans to accelerate the construction of a nuclear reactor that could be used on the moon and alter the way the agency will partner with industry to replace the ageing International Space Station. The plans, outlined in directives distributed inside Nasa and seen by Bloomberg on Monday, mark the first major policy changes by Duffy after US President Donald Trump appointed him to the role as acting head of the space agency. One of the directives, first... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3320773/us-speeds-plans-nuclear-reactor-moon-amid-space-competition-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3320773/us-speeds-plans-nuclear-reactor-moon-amid-space-competition-china?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 05 Aug 2025 05:07:59 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Astronauts sidelined for the past year by Boeing’s Starliner trouble blasted off to the International Space Station on Friday, getting a lift from SpaceX. The US-Japanese-Russian crew of four rocketed from Nasa’s Kennedy Space Centre. They will replace colleagues who launched to the space station in March as fill-ins for Nasa’s two stuck astronauts. Their SpaceX capsule should reach the orbiting lab this weekend and stay for at least six months. Zena Cardman, a biologist and polar explorer who... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3320511/astronauts-launch-space-station-after-being-sidelined-boeings-troubled-starliner?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3320511/astronauts-launch-space-station-after-being-sidelined-boeings-troubled-starliner?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 01 Aug 2025 18:29:57 +0000 Holly Chik Holly Chik China has pulled the wraps off its next-generation high-speed rail technology as the United States revokes federal funding for California’s high-speed rail project. China’s latest bullet train, the CR450, is undergoing final performance tests to prepare it for commercial operation trials at 400km/h (250mph), the official Science and Technology Daily reported on Monday. The team surpassed the previous upper speed of 350km/h, at which high aerodynamic resistance and energy consumption levels had... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3319128/china-unveils-next-gen-high-speed-rail-tech-us-puts-brakes-bullet-train-funding?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3319128/china-unveils-next-gen-high-speed-rail-tech-us-puts-brakes-bullet-train-funding?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 22 Jul 2025 11:00:14 +0000