Royal Navy Intercepts Russian Warship Amid Surge in Moscow’s Naval Activity

The United Kingdom says it is witnessing a sharp uptick in Russian military movements at sea, as the Royal Navy confirmed the interception of a Russian corvette and tanker transiting through the English Channel.

The UK Ministry of Defence, in a statement on Saturday, disclosed that Russian naval operations around British waters have risen by 30 per cent in the last two years, a development officials described as “noteworthy and concerning” given the current geopolitical climate.

According to the ministry, HMS Severn, a Royal Navy patrol ship, shadowed the Russian corvette RFN Stoikiy and its support tanker Yelnya as the vessels made their way close to UK waters.

The British crew maintained contact until the ships approached the French coastline, where surveillance duties were formally handed over to a NATO ally in line with long-standing maritime cooperation protocols.

This latest encounter comes against the backdrop of rising tensions between London and Moscow.

Just weeks ago, a Russian intelligence-gathering vessel was accused of pointing lasers at UK surveillance aircraft operating off the coast of Scotland, an action Britain condemned as “reckless and dangerous.”

Moscow, however, dismissed the allegation as “militaristic hysteria,” further deepening diplomatic strains.

Security analysts note that the increase in Russian naval deployments fits into a wider pattern of assertive military posturing by the Kremlin in key maritime corridors.

In response, the UK and its NATO partners have stepped up patrols across the North Atlantic and Arctic regions.

To reinforce ongoing monitoring efforts, the UK has deployed three Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft to Iceland under a NATO arrangement aimed at improving intelligence gathering and boosting situational awareness of Russian submarine and surface vessel activities.

Defence officials stressed that while the interception of foreign warships in international waters is routine, the frequency and nature of recent encounters underscore the need for heightened vigilance.

“The Royal Navy will continue to safeguard our territorial integrity and uphold international maritime security,” a senior defence source said, adding that British forces remain “fully prepared to respond to any emerging threats.”

The UK’s latest move reaffirms its commitment to NATO’s collective defence posture as Russia continues to test Western resolve in contested waters.

US Government Shutdown Grounds Flights as Air Travel Faces “Trickle” Threat

Air travellers in the United States continue to face severe disruptions for a third consecutive day as the federal government shutdown drags on, with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warning that flights could be reduced to a “trickle” if lawmakers fail to resolve the funding impasse.

According to flight tracker FlightAware, approximately 1,400 flights to, from, or within the US were cancelled on Sunday morning, while 2,700 others were delayed.

Newark, New Jersey, reported the longest delays, averaging over two hours.

The shutdown, now in its 40th day, has left hundreds of thousands of federal workers unpaid and disrupted vital services, including air traffic management.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) officials had announced last week that air travel capacity would be cut by up to 6% this weekend and 10% next weekend at 40 of the nation’s busiest airports.

While international flights are officially exempt, airlines may still cancel some of these services.

The root of the crisis lies in a political deadlock between Republicans and Democrats over government funding.

Duffy cautioned on CNN that the situation could escalate further, particularly as Americans prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday.

“You’re going to see air travel be reduced to a trickle,” Duffy said.

“Many of them are not going to be able to get on an airplane because there are not going to be that many flights that fly if this thing doesn’t open back up.”

The shutdown has left air traffic controllers fatigued, with many refusing to report to duty due to unpaid wages, forcing the FAA to reduce flight allowances.

While Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth offered military controllers as a stopgap, Duffy rejected the proposal, citing civilian certification requirements.

Political tensions remain high, with each party blaming the other for the growing chaos.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer accused Republicans of “playing games with people’s livelihoods,” while the White House claimed Democrats are “inflicting their man-made catastrophe on Americans just trying to make life-saving medical trips or get home for Thanksgiving.”

Democrats insist on including funding for health insurance subsidies, a condition that Republicans have resisted, preferring a clean government funding bill.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump suggested over the weekend that money be sent directly to Americans to purchase health insurance instead of going through insurance companies.

Efforts to reach a compromise appeared to gain some traction, with the Senate convening in a rare weekend session.

Republican lawmakers were reportedly working on a compromise package that could end the stalemate, with a possible vote to advance legislation expected.

U.S. Air Travel in Crisis as 13,000 Air Traffic Controllers Work Without Pay Amid Government Shutdown

The United States is facing a deepening aviation crisis as nearly 13,000 air traffic controllers continue to work without pay for over a month due to the prolonged federal government shutdown, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has said.

The shutdown, now entering its second month, has caused severe disruptions across the country’s air transport system, grounding hundreds of flights and leaving thousands of passengers stranded.

On Sunday morning, the FAA issued a ground stop at Newark Liberty International Airport, one of New York’s busiest air hubs, with average delays stretching beyond three hours.

Officials warned that disruptions could last into Monday as staff shortages cripple flight operations.

At least half of America’s 30 major airports are grappling with critical manpower shortages. The U.S. Transport Secretary, Sean Duffy, confirmed that more flight cancellations are imminent to “ensure public safety.”

“Flights will be cancelled across national airspace to make sure people are safe,” Duffy said during a television interview on Sunday.

Air traffic controllers, like other essential federal workers, have been compelled to remain on duty despite not receiving pay.

They are among thousands affected by the funding deadlock between the Republican-controlled Congress and the Democratic-led Senate.

The FAA, in a statement, appealed to lawmakers to end the shutdown and allow workers to receive their wages, warning that the current situation could trigger further operational breakdowns.

“The shortage means we have had to reduce the flow of air traffic to maintain safety,” the agency stated. “This may result in delays or cancellations.”

According to flight-tracking platform FlightAware, nearly 4,500 flights across the U.S. were delayed and more than 500 cancelled on Saturday alone.

In New York, the nation’s busiest airspace, about 80% of air traffic controllers were absent heading into the weekend, the FAA said.

The resulting gridlock has left airlines scrambling to manage schedules and passengers stranded in terminals.

Secretary Duffy acknowledged the growing strain on aviation workers, noting that many controllers were under “a great deal of stress” as they try to balance their duties and family responsibilities without pay.

“They don’t make a lot of money,” he said.

“Some of them are the only breadwinners in their households. They’re being forced to choose between going to work without a paycheque or finding side jobs just to put food on the table.”

The shutdown stems from a budget impasse in Washington.

A Republican-backed funding bill has failed more than a dozen times to pass the Senate, while Democrats have insisted on conditions to protect social welfare programmes.

They are demanding an extension of health insurance tax credits and a reversal of President Donald Trump’s cuts to Medicaid, which supports millions of low-income, elderly, and disabled Americans.

Meanwhile, Trump has accused Democrats of “holding the government hostage for political gain,” while opposition lawmakers blame the administration’s intransigence for the crisis affecting federal workers and public services.

As the shutdown drags on, pressure is mounting on both sides of the political divide to reach a compromise.

Labour unions and aviation experts have warned that prolonged staff shortages could compromise safety and lead to a cascading effect on the global aviation network.

For now, the FAA insists it will maintain operations under reduced capacity — but warns that the situation is unsustainable.

“The safety of the travelling public remains our top priority,” the agency said. “But our workforce must be supported. America’s airspace cannot run on goodwill forever.”