Over 800 flights cancelled across US; Hungary secures russian energy exemption after Trump meeting

Washington, DC: The ongoing US shutdown is adversely affecting the aviation sector. Hundreds of flights were cancelled across the US on Friday (November 7). The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is gradually reducing flights at the country's busiest airports. The 40 airports selected by the FAA for flight reductions are spread across more than two dozen states. According to FlightAware, a website that monitors flight disruptions, over 800 flights were cancelled nationwide, four times the number canceled on Thursday. According to FlightAware, airports in Chicago, Atlanta, Denver, Dallas, and Phoenix experienced the most disruptions. The FAA has taken this step to alleviate the shortage of air traffic controllers, who have been working without pay for over a month. Trump considering exempting Hungary from Russian energy sanctions US President Donald Trump indicated on Friday that he is considering exempting Hungary from US sanctions on Russian energy. Trump made the remarks during a meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban at the White House. Trump said, "We are considering this because it is extremely difficult for them to obtain oil and gas from other regions." Orban said this is a "life-and-death issue" for his landlocked country. He said that if these sanctions are implemented, it will have a serious impact on the Hungarian people, and that is the issue he has come to discuss with Trump. The Hungarian Prime Minister said in his statement that he will make several suggestions to Trump to create a workable exemption system. He said, "I am not asking for any gifts or special concessions. I just want the US to understand that the energy sanctions imposed on Russia have put countries like Hungary, which do not have access to the sea, in an impossible situation." Cornell University to Pay $60 Million to Trump Administration America's prestigious Cornell University has agreed to pay $60 million and accept the Trump administration's interpretation of civil rights laws. Under this agreement, the university will have its federal funding restored. Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff announced the deal on Friday. He said the agreement will restore more than $250 million in research funding withheld by the government while maintaining the university's academic freedom. According to the agreement, the university will donate $30 million directly to the US government and $30 million to research projects related to American farmers. Remains of Another Hostage Handed Over to the Red Cross in Gaza The Israeli military said on Friday that the remains of another hostage have been handed over to the Red Cross in Gaza. Hamas has returned the bodies of 22 hostages since the start of the current ceasefire. If it is confirmed that these bodies belong to another hostage, the remains of five other hostages will still remain in Gaza. The ceasefire, which began on October 10, aims to end the deadliest and most destructive war ever fought between Israel and the Palestinian militant group. Hamas's military wing reported on Friday that the body of a hostage was found in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis. Ban Lifted, Japan Resumes Seafood Exports to China Japan said on Friday that seafood exports to China have resumed, two years after the ban was imposed due to the release of treated radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear plant. Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said that 6 metric tons of scallops were shipped to China from Hokkaido on Wednesday. China had imposed a complete ban on Japanese seafood in August 2023. Kihara called this move positive and urged China to lift the remaining restrictions as well. Hungary Granted Exemption to Purchase Oil and Gas from Russia The United States has granted Hungary a complete exemption from restrictions on purchasing oil and gas from Russia. This decision was made after a meeting between President Donald Trump and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban at the White House. During the meeting, Trump and Orban heaped praise on each other. Orban said that defeating Russia would be a miracle for Ukraine, clearly demonstrating his distinct stance from other European leaders. Trump also praised Hungary's migration policy and said the European Union should show Orban more respect. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto described the exemption as a guarantee of energy security. Trump said Hungary was granted the exemption because it is not a landlocked country and relies on oil and gas pipelines. Orban had previously proposed a summit in Budapest for Trump and Putin, but Trump later canceled the meeting. Experts say the meeting is a symbolic victory for Orban, especially as he faces economic challenges ahead of next year's elections.