TOPIC

/ people

Sean Duffy

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 traffic safety, restore confidence in Boeing and reform fuel economy standards. He also had a career as a Fox News contributor and reality television personality.

A Spirit Airlines Airbus A320 prepares to take off from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Florida in January 2021. Photo: AP

US, Israel war on Iran

US carrier Spirit Airlines shuts down, industry’s first Iran war casualty

Jet fuel prices have doubled during the conflict, and a Trump-backed US$500 million bailout did not materialise.

3 May 2026 - 12:42AMvideocam

European Union

Ireland police remove farmers, blockades protesting against fuel price rises

13 Apr 2026 - 1:52AM

Sean Duffy

US carrier Spirit Airlines shuts down, industry’s first Iran war casualty

Jet fuel prices have doubled during the conflict, and a Trump-backed US$500 million bailout did not materialise.

Ireland police remove farmers, blockades protesting against fuel price rises

ICE agents to screen travellers at US airports as TSA absences soar

As US readied next moon mission, something dangerous caught Nasa off guard

Four astronauts are to fly around the moon and back, but hydrogen leaks push planned launch to at least March.

Trump says he’s reopening Venezuelan airspace and Americans can visit soon

Even as the president suggested US citizens would be safe in Venezuela, the State Department kept in place its highest-level travel advisory.

Caribbean holidaymakers face ‘painful’ costs after Maduro capture shuts skies

Even though the airspace restrictions will end at midnight on Sunday, airlines have warned that disruptions could continue for days.

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Aerospace | Lunar race pits China against US as humans seek return to moon

China and the US are vying to put people on the moon for the first time in more than 50 years in a contest that is as much about economics and geopolitics as it is about technology.

Trump administration scraps Biden’s airline compensation plan

The rule mandates that airlines compensate passengers between US$200 and US$775 for delays on domestic flights.

Bezos’ Blue Origin launches huge rocket for milestone Mars mission

In a remarkable first, Jeff Bezos’ company successfully recovered the New Glenn booster, matching the cost-saving achievement by rival SpaceX.

End of shutdown starts long process of rebooting the US government

US agencies face backlogs to resume normal operations, while billions in losses may never be recouped.

Trump threatens unpaid US air traffic controllers over shutdown absences

US president threatens to ‘dock’ pay of controllers who miss work, while promising US$10,000 bonuses for those who don’t.

Shutdown chaos could see US air travel fall to a ‘trickle’, transport secretary warns

Thousands more flights cancelled or delayed as passengers face chaos triggered by the federal government shutdown.

38-day US government shutdown far worse than expected: Hassett

White House adviser Kevin Hassett told reporters he expects an economic recovery after the government reopens, but did not declare a recession.

US cuts over 1,000 flights due to shutdown, with Thanksgiving just weeks away

Forty airports are affected, including major hubs in Atlanta, Newark, Denver, Chicago, Houston and Los Angeles.

Engine fell off UPS cargo plane before Kentucky crash that killed 12

Investigators say the left engine detached during take-off, leading to Tuesday’s fatal crash in Louisville.

US cutting 10% of flights in ‘high-volume’ markets as shutdown drags on

Extraordinary measure is expected to impact thousands of daily flights during what is now the longest US government shutdown in history.

Trump blames ‘kamikaze’ Democrats for longest ever government shutdown

The Republican president told a breakfast meeting at the White House that the Democrats would ‘take down the country if they have to’.

US government shutdown becomes longest in history

Shutdown has disrupted the lives of millions of Americans with federal programme cuts, flight delays and workers going without pay.

Trump again nominates Musk ally Isaacman to be Nasa chief

The billionaire private astronaut was renominated six months after the US president withdrew his initial choice amid a bitter row with Elon Musk.

‘Mass chaos’: shutdown may force US to close some airspace

Trump transport chief Sean Duffy warned of major flight delays and cancellations, as the shutdown enters its 35th day.

‘Won’t be extorted’: Trump vows no negotiation as US shutdown nears record

US president blames Democrats, pushes Republicans to change Senate rules as the US government shutdown drags on.

Nearly 7,000 US flights delayed in a day as controller absences surge in shutdown

Staffing shortages are cited in delays at major hubs as the US government shutdown nears the one-month mark.

Nasa opens US moon landing contract to rival bidders as SpaceX lags

Citing SpaceX delays, the US space agency is shifting strategy and inviting new proposals for a high-profile crewed moon mission.

US tightens trucker licence rules for non-US citizens after fatal crashes

The drastic change means roughly 190,000 non-US citizens who currently hold a commercial licence would not be eligible under the new rules.

Speckled rocks ‘clearest sign’ yet of ancient life on Mars, Nasa says

Scientists found vivianite and greigite in Martian rock; on Earth, these minerals are known to be formed by microbial life.

Nasa blocks Chinese citizens with US visas from its facilities

As race to the moon heats up, space agency spokeswoman says move is to ‘ensure the security of our work’.

US crime debate intensifies after Ukrainian refugee’s murder on train

Killing surged into the spotlight after Republican lawmakers promoted CCTV video of the incident.

What does SpaceX’s Starship test success mean for the US-China moon race?

The near-flawless flight revives hopes for Nasa’s Artemis III plans for 2027 but analysts warn Chinese momentum could win lunar prize.

Aerospace | Lunar race pits China against US as humans seek return to moon