作者： root

Airline CEOs torch lawmakers for turning air travel into a ‘political football’

Published March 15, 2026 11:49am EDT | Fox News

Denver International Airport is asking travelers to donate grocery and gas gift cards to help unpaid TSA workers during the government shutdown in an effort to ‘ease the burden’ as Congress faces pressure to act.

Airline industry leaders blasted lawmakers Sunday over the effects of the latest government shutdown, warning that federal aviation workers are being left unpaid as air travel demand surges.

In an open letter, airline CEOs said air travel has once again become “the political football” in a shutdown fight, urging Congress to immediately fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and permanently protect key aviation employees from future pay disruptions.

The DHS shutdown, which began Feb. 14, has now stretched on for a month.

The latest revelation comes as war in the Middle East drags on, heightening concerns over domestic sleeper cell threats and threatening to further disrupt global energy flows, driving up jet fuel prices and increasing costs for airlines.

DEMS VOTE TO KEEP DHS CLOSED DESPITE AIRPORT CHAOS, IRANIAN SLEEPER CELL THREAT

Airports in the U.S. are reporting longer-than-normal wait times in security lines, as Transportation Security Administration agents miss their first full paycheck.(Mark Felix/Bloomberg/Getty Images)

“This problem is solvable, and there are solutions on the table. Now it’s up to you, Congress, to move forward on bipartisan proposals that will get federal aviation workers—including TSA officers, U.S. Customs clearance officers at airports and air traffic controllers—paid during shutdowns,” wrote executives from American Airlines, United, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, Alaska Air Group as well as airfreight titans Atlas Air Worldwide, UPS and FedEx.

The group called on lawmakers to pass several pending measures, including the Aviation Funding Solvency Act, the Aviation Funding Stability Act and the Keep America Flying Act, which would ensure that air traffic controllers and TSA officers continue to be paid regardless of the government’s funding status.

They pointed to the immediate toll on frontline workers, noting that TSA officers “just received $0 paychecks” and arguing that it is “simply unacceptable” for employees responsible for national travel security to go without pay.

The letter also underscored the broader consequences for travelers and the economy.

TRAVEL IS ABOUT TO GET MORE EXPENSIVE AS IRAN CONFLICT SPARKS JET FUEL CRUNCH

Lawmakers have yet to agree on a proposal to fund the Department of Homeland Security.(Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images)

“With spring break travel in full swing, FIFA World Cup 2026 right around the corner and celebrations for America’s 250th birthday throughout the year, the stakes are especially high,” the executives wrote, adding that the pressure on the aviation system is mounting.

Airlines are expecting a record 171 million passengers this spring, they said, but travelers are already facing checkpoint delays of two, three and even four hours.

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The TSA line at William P. Hobby Airport in Houston stretched from the security checkpoint into the lower level parking garage.(Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)

Airlines said they are trying to reduce the disruption by holding flights for delayed passengers and rebooking others, but warned that Congress must act to keep the aviation system functioning smoothly and safely.

“It’s past time for the government to make sure that TSA officers, U.S. Customs clearance officers at airports and air traffic controllers are paid for the job they do.”

Amanda covers the intersection of business and politics for Fox News Digital.

伊朗无人机攻击以色列安全机构

发布/2026年3月15日 20:58

在以色列中部城市霍隆（Holon），以色列安全人员星期天（3月15日）正在扑灭因空袭引发的火灾。 （法新社）

伊朗伊斯兰共和国通讯社援引军方声明报道，伊朗军队星期天对以色列境内的安全中心和警察机构发动了大规模无人机袭击。

新华社星期天（3月15日）引述以色列官媒Kan TV News的报道，伊朗向以色列中部发射导弹，一枚导弹的弹片击中了美国驻以色列领事所使用的一栋住宅楼。

另一方面，埃及外交部星期天发表声明说，埃及外长阿卜杜勒阿提当天已启程前往卡塔尔首都多哈，开启对海湾国家的访问行程。

声明说，这次出访旨在就近期地区军事升级与相关国家进行紧急磋商。埃及将通过联合行动缓和地区紧张局势，并优先以外交途径维护地区和平与安全。

Norovirus outbreak on Princess cruise ship sickens more than 150 passengers and crew

March 15, 2026 / 11:07 AM EDT / CBS News

A norovirus outbreak sickened more than 150 passengers and crew aboard a Princess cruise ship as it sailed through the Caribbean last week, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced.

A total of 104 guests and 49 crew members reported symptoms of gastrointestinal illness during their voyage. There were 4,307 guests and 1,561 total crew members on board, the health agency said. The cruise company notified the CDC of the outbreak on March 11, after the ship had already spent several days at sea.

The cruise liner, called Star Princess, set out on March 7 for an eight-day voyage that was scheduled to end on March 14, according to the CDC. The tracking site CruiseMapper.com showed that the vessel departed from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and traveled through the Caribbean, making stops in Honduras, Belize and the Mexican Riviera, before returning to its original port. When the outbreak was reported, the Star Princess would have been sailing from Belize City to Cozumel, according to that itinerary.

Those who fell ill during the norovirus outbreak predominantly experienced diarrhea and vomiting, which are among the most common symptoms of the infection colloquially known as the “stomach bug.”

In response to the outbreak, Princess Cruises and the crew of the Star Princess ship told the CDC that they followed their outbreak response plan, which calls for increased cleaning and disinfection procedures on board, the health agency said. Crew members also collected stool samples from people experiencing symptoms to undergo testing, and isolated sick passengers and crew, according to the CDC.

The agency’s Vessel Sanitation Program, which was developed to help the cruise industry prevent and control outbreaks of gastrointestinal illnesses on ships, “is doing a field response to conduct an environmental assessment and outbreak investigation,” the CDC said.

Princess Cruises did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

Norovirus outbreaks happen relatively often on cruise ships, especially those operated by major cruise lines. In early January, the CDC reported that an outbreak on board a Holland America cruise ship had sickened more than 80 people after departing from Fort Lauderdale at the end of December.

In February, the agency said 27 people were sickened in an outbreak of an unknown gastrointestinal illness on board a luxury cruise ship, the Regent Seven Seas, which was sailing from Miami to Honolulu.

加拿大与北欧国家寻求建立“中等强国”更紧密合作

发布/2026年3月15日 20:51

加拿大和五个北欧国家表明，双方已同意在军工生产和其他领域深化合作。

路透社报道，加拿大总理卡尼一直寻求与中国、中东国家以及印度和欧洲建立更紧密的联系，试图减少加拿大对美国的依赖，并建立一个由他所谓“中等强国”主导的贸易秩序。

挪威、瑞典、丹麦、芬兰、冰岛和加拿大的政府首脑在奥斯陆举行的会议上说，他们旨在通过在国防采购方面开展更紧密合作，以加强集体防务、安全与韧性。

卡尼在会后告诉记者：“我们一致认为，如果各自单独花这笔钱，或者以缺乏协调的方式花这笔钱，这不会给纳税人带来应有的价值。”

他还说：“我们仍将与美国进行大量采购……但在所有情况下，都将寻求通过伙伴关系进行更多采购。而且我们可以合作的国家范围要广泛得多。”

延伸阅读

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韩学者：美国退出亚太并非不可能 区域国家须携手打造新经济安全框架

卡尼吁加澳携手合作 加强对抗霸权

六国领导人还誓言，将继续向乌克兰提供经济、民用、军事和人道援助。

丹麦首相弗雷德里克森说：“旧的世界秩序已经消失，而且可能不会重现。因此，我们必须建立新的秩序，而这种世界秩序必须建立在我们所代表的价值观之上。”

[加拿大][冰岛][瑞典][挪威][丹麦][芬兰]

上一篇 美伊据报拒绝谈判停火 或准备长期对抗
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教宗良十四世痛心伊朗战争“骇人暴力” 呼吁立即停火

发布/2026年3月15日 21:48

教宗良十四世星期天（3月15日）就不断扩大的伊朗战事发出呼吁，希望有关方立即停火，并对这场“骇人暴力”表示痛心。 （路透社）

教宗良十四世说，伊朗战事让中东地区人民饱受苦难，他对此表示痛心，并呼吁有关方立即停火。

路透社报道，教宗良十四世星期天（3月15日）说，暴力无法带来中东地区人民所渴望的正义、稳定与和平。

教宗在圣彼得广场举行的祷告活动中说：“过去两周，中东各国人民一直饱受战争骇人暴力的折磨。我代表中东地区的基督徒以及所有善良的人们，呼吁冲突责任方：立即停火！”

他说：“成千上万无辜民众已经丧生，更多的人被迫流离失所。我再次向所有在袭击中失去亲人的人表达我的慰问。”

他补充道，黎巴嫩的局势同样令人“深感忧虑”。“我希望能够开启对话之路，为全体黎巴嫩人民的共同福祉，帮助黎巴嫩当局为当前这场严重危机寻求持久解决方案。”

Ukraine waiting on U.S. and Russia to agree on next round of peace talks, Zelenskyy says

March 15, 2026 / 8:30 AM EDT / AP

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in comments released Sunday that he was ready for the next round of trilateral peace talks to end Russia’s more than 4-year-old invasion of Ukraine, but that it was up to Washington and Moscow to agree on where and when to meet.

Zelenskyy said the U.S. had proposed hosting the next meeting between American, Ukrainian and Russian negotiating teams, which include U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, but Moscow had refused to send a delegation.

“We are waiting for a response from the Americans. Either they will change the country where we meet, or the Russians must confirm the U.S,” Zelenskyy said in a media briefing Saturday. “We are not blocking any of these initiatives. We want a trilateral meeting to take place.”

The U.S. has postponed its sponsored talks between the two sides due to the war in the Middle East. The Iran war, which erupted on Feb. 28 following U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran and spread across the region, has drawn the international spotlight away from Ukraine’s plight as it strives to hold back Russia’s bigger army.

Speaking to journalists, Zelenskyy also warned of a “very high” risk that the Iran war could drain the air defense stockpiles Ukraine depends on to counter Russian missile strikes.

Zelenskyy said he lacked a clear picture of available stockpiles and had discussed with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Friday whether SAMP/T systems could serve as an alternative to U.S.-made Patriot batteries for intercepting ballistic missiles. He said Ukraine would be “first in line” to test any viable alternative.

Firefighters put out the fire in a residential neighborhood following a Russian missile and drone attack, in Brovary, Ukraine, Saturday, March 14, 2026. Efrem Lukatsky / AP

He also appeared to push back against U.S. President Trump’s recent assertion that Washington does not need Ukrainian drone technology.

“No, we don’t need their help on drone defense,” Mr. Trump said in a Fox News Radio interview that aired Friday.

Zelenskyy said Washington had reached out to Ukraine “several times” to request assistance for a particular country or for support for Americans, without giving specifics. He said the requests had come from various U.S. military institutions to Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense and other military leaders.

“All our institutions received these requests, and we responded to them,” Zelenskyy said.

He said he had offered Washington a defense cooperation deal last year worth $35 billion–$50 billion that would have given the U.S. administration access to technology from roughly 200 Ukrainian drone, AI and electronic warfare firms, with half of all production earmarked for partners, primarily the U.S.

According to the Ukrainian leader, American military officials had expressed strong interest in the proposal, and Mr. Trump himself had indicated he was receptive.

“We received a message from them, and directly from the president as well, that they are interested,” Zelenskyy told reporters. “We did not sign the document with President Trump. I do not have an answer as to why. Perhaps it will happen later, but I am not sure.”

伊朗无人机攻击以色列安全机构 | 联合早报

发布/2026年3月15日 20:58

伊朗伊斯兰共和国通讯社援引军方声明报道，伊朗军队星期天对以色列境内的安全中心和警察机构发动了大规模无人机袭击。

新华社星期天（3月15日）引述以色列官媒Kan TV News的报道，伊朗向以色列中部发射导弹，一枚导弹的弹片击中了美国驻以色列领事所使用的一栋住宅楼。

另一方面，埃及外交部星期天发表声明说，埃及外长阿卜杜勒阿提当天已启程前往卡塔尔首都多哈，开启对海湾国家的访问行程。

声明说，这次出访旨在就近期地区军事升级与相关国家进行紧急磋商。埃及将通过联合行动缓和地区紧张局势，并优先以外交途径维护地区和平与安全。

日美首脑下周会谈聚焦中东局势 高市是否派军舰成焦点 | 联合早报

发布/2026年3月15日 22:06

日本首相高市早苗下周三出访美国，出访前夕特朗普对日本提出派遣自卫队护送途经霍尔木兹海峡的船只引争议。自民党高官呼吁慎重其事，而反对党则担心高市会接下“难以完成的任务”。

高市将在19日与特朗普进行会谈，日媒认为她将会被迫就是否派遣部队作出回应。根据《自卫队法》可发出“海上警备行动”命令，使用武器护卫日本相关船舶，但日本执政自民党政调会长小林鹰之星期天（3月15日）在日本放送协会（NHK）的政策讨论节目中强调，“门槛非常高，应该慎重判断。”

他称，鉴于持续不断的冲突，也尚未认定当前局势构成威胁日本生存或具有重大影响的局面，有必要冷静评估以及采取适当行动。”此外，他也认为特朗普说话多变，有必要与之面对面才能了解真正意图。

朝日新闻指出，日本当局一直避免评估美国对伊朗的攻击。若要派遣自卫队，除非日本明确表示支持对伊朗的攻击，否则很难参与支援美国军队。

2019年，霍尔木兹海峡发生油轮遇袭事件，那时美国也曾寻求组建一个保护民用船只的“自愿联盟”，时任首相安倍晋三拒绝加入这一联盟，主要因为日本方面顾虑影响与伊朗的外交关系。

高市早苗在众议院内回答反对党关于是否会派遣扫雷部队去中东的质询时，并未完全排除这一可能。她说：“清除废弃地雷不构成对埋地国的战争行为，因此不涉及武力使用，是可以根据《自卫队法》的规定进行。”

反对党议员冈本三成担心，高市见了特朗普会过于兴奋，敦促她“绝对不要承担不可能完成的任务”。

日本明治大学大学院和平研究所学者木下千萱认为，小林鹰之所指的“极其困难”说法反映了执政党内部的大多数意见。而且，这个意见也与日本民意相符合，即反对入侵伊朗。

另据产经新闻报道，特朗普这次发出希望其他国家向霍尔木兹海峡派遣军舰的国家包括中国，这一点让人费解。

前首相石破茂星期天在富士电视台的节目中说：“中国的介入使情况与以往的情况截然不同，我们有必要对此深入讨论。”

教宗良十四世痛心伊朗战争“骇人暴力” 呼吁立即停火

发布时间 / 来源

教宗良十四世星期天（3月15日）就不断扩大的伊朗战事发出呼吁，希望有关方立即停火，并对这场“骇人暴力”表示痛心。 （路透社）

教宗良十四世说，伊朗战事让中东地区人民饱受苦难，他对此表示痛心，并呼吁有关方立即停火。

路透社报道，教宗良十四世星期天（3月15日）说，暴力无法带来中东地区人民所渴望的正义、稳定与和平。

教宗在圣彼得广场举行的祷告活动中说：“过去两周，中东各国人民一直饱受战争骇人暴力的折磨。我代表中东地区的基督徒以及所有善良的人们，呼吁冲突责任方：立即停火！”

他说：“成千上万无辜民众已经丧生，更多的人被迫流离失所。我再次向所有在袭击中失去亲人的人表达我的慰问。”

他补充道，黎巴嫩的局势同样令人“深感忧虑”。“我希望能够开启对话之路，为全体黎巴嫩人民的共同福祉，帮助黎巴嫩当局为当前这场严重危机寻求持久解决方案。”

Republicans sharply criticized former President Joe Biden over rising prices at the gas pump, but a spike in energy prices amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict in Iran threatens to scramble the party’s affordability messaging.

The Iran conflict has led to a surge in gas prices for Americans, leading to an average 50 cents a gallon increase since Operation Epic Fury began on Feb. 28.

The average price of gas reached $3.63 per gallon on Friday, according to AAA. Diesel prices have also risen to $4.89 per gallon. The increases have been mostly fueled by volatility in oil prices, which closed above $100 per barrel Thursday for the first time since 2022 as the Strait of Hormuz remained effectively shuttered from the conflict.

The president characterized the gas price hike amid the Iran conflict as “a very small price to pay” in a Truth Social post Sunday.

That statement represented a sharp break with Trump’s typical messaging touting low gas prices prior to Operation Epic Fury.

“Gasoline, which reached a peak of over $6 a gallon in some states under my predecessor — it was quite honestly a disaster — is now below $2.30 a gallon in most states. And in some places, $1.99 a gallon,” President Donald Trump said during his Feb. 27 State of the Union address. “And when I visited the great state of Iowa just a few weeks ago, I even saw $1.85 a gallon for gasoline.”

The surge in gas and diesel prices threatens to undermine the economic message of President Trump and congressional Republicans, who have touted low gas prices as a major win in the lead-up to November’s midterm elections. Cost of living issues are expected to be a key concern among voters as both parties claim to be laser-focused on making everyday life more affordable.

Trump directed the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to release 172 million gallons of crude oil Wednesday in an effort to lower oil prices.

“I filled it up once, and I’ll fill it up again, but right now, we’ll reduce it a little bit, and that brings the prices down,” Trump told Cincinnati news station WKRC.

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During the 2024 presidential contest, Trump frequently campaigned on ending Biden’s “war on American energy” and pledged to reverse a surge in gas prices that occurred under his predecessor’s tenure.

Gas prices averaged $3.45 per gallon across all fuel grades during Biden’s four-year term, surging to a record high of more than $5 per gallon in June 2022 after the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

“Starting on Day 1, we will drive down prices and make America affordable again,” Trump said during a speech at the Republican National Committee convention in July 2024. “People can’t live like this.”

Democrats have seized on rising prices at the pump amid the conflict in Iran.

“I wish the administration thought about this before they started this unnecessary war,” Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, who caucuses with Democrats, said Monday when asked about the gas price hike.

“Donald Trump’s war has sent gas prices skyrocketing through the roof,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., wrote on social media Monday. “What contempt. What cluelessness.”

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Republicans have voiced confidence that the rise in gas prices would be temporary. GOP lawmakers have frequently cited their efforts to roll back Biden-era energy regulations and boost domestic production as evidence that their policies are working to lower energy prices.

“It’s going to be probably volatile for a period of time. I think what’s going to be key is ensuring we can get safe access to the Strait of Hormuz,” Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., said Monday, adding that he was confident the disruption would be short-lived.

Daines, who abruptly suspended his re-election campaign last week, highlighted that average gas prices were under $3 per gallon prior to Trump’s State of the Union speech.

“That’s an important win for the American people,” the retiring Montana lawmaker said. “Something you’re reminded of usually weekly when you’re gassing up your vehicle.”

Some Republicans and Trump administration officials are also arguing that a defeated Iran will ultimately spur lower gas prices, even if there is pain in the short run.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt characterized the recent increase in oil and gas prices as “temporary” during a briefing Tuesday.

“Once the national security objectives of Operation Epic Fury are fully achieved, Americans will see oil and gas prices drop rapidly, potentially even lower than they were prior to the start of the operation,” Leavitt said.

“At the end of the day, we’re going to destroy this regime, and their ability to disrupt oil is going to be less, and we’re going to have more production, not less,” Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., told reporters Monday. “Once you take the largest state sponsor of terrorism off the planet, who depends on oil for their revenue, that’s a more stable world.”

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However, some Republicans are warning that high oil and gas prices could be catastrophic for the party’s midterm prospects.

“I think if you add in high gas prices, high oil prices, and if we are still bombing Iran with kinetic action … I think you’re going to see a disastrous election,” Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., told Fox Business’ Maria Bartiromo on Tuesday.

Nearly seven in 10 Americans — including 44% of Republicans — expect gas prices to keep increasing in the coming months, according to a Reuters-Ipsos poll released Monday.

Trump has threatened Iran with unprecedented force if the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz is further restricted.

“Death, Fire, and Fury will reign upon them — But I hope, and pray, that it does not happen!” Trump wrote Monday on Truth Social.