Experts Urge Swift Modification of Airplane Engines to Prevent Smoke After Bird Strikes

In recent years, safety concerns have been raised regarding the engines on Boeing 737 Max airplanes and certain Airbus models. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has recommended that these engines be modified quickly in order to prevent smoke from filling the cockpit or cabin after a bird strike. This issue was brought to light after two bird strikes involving Southwest Airlines planes in 2023, one in Havana, Cuba and another in New Orleans. While the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Boeing have already issued warnings to airlines and pilots about this problem, the engine manufacturer has been working on a solution.

Fed Leaves Key Interest Rate Unchanged But Predicts Two Cuts This Year

In a meeting on Wednesday, Federal Reserve officials announced that they expect inflation to worsen in the coming months. However, they still foresee two interest rate cuts by the end of this year, the same as they projected in March. This marks the fourth straight meeting in which the key interest rate has remained unchanged. According to Fed Chair Jerome Powell, the economy is currently expanding at a “solid pace. ” However, he also stated that the Fed does expect President Donald Trump’s tariffs to cause an increase in prices by the end of the year, and the central bank wants to wait until the impact of these duties becomes clearer before making any moves. President Trump, on the other hand, has once again called for lower interest rates.

Acting Chair of Civil Rights Agency Defends Controversial Decisions

During a Senate hearing on Wednesday, Andrea Lucas, the acting chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), defended her decision to drop lawsuits on behalf of transgender workers. While she acknowledged that these workers are protected under civil rights laws, she stated that her agency is not independent and must comply with President Trump’s orders. Lucas, who was first appointed to the EEOC in 2020 and elevated to chair in January, spoke at her confirmation hearing at the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. While Republican lawmakers praised her leadership, Democrats accused her of politicizing the agency.

Nippon Steel Finalizes Takeover of U. S.

Nippon Steel and U. S. Steel have finalized their partnership, a year and a half after the Japanese company first proposed its deal to buy the iconic American steelmaker for nearly $15 billion. This bid was met with national security concerns and presidential politics, delaying the transaction for over a year after it was approved by U. S. Steel shareholders. As a result, Nippon Steel was forced to expand the deal, giving the federal government a say in certain matters. The combined company will become the world’s fourth-largest steelmaker and bring top-notch technology to U. S. Steel, while Nippon Steel gains access to a robust U. S. steel market.

Amazon Aims to Produce 10,000 Robotaxis Annually