Burbank Airport Experiences Disruptions as Air Traffic Control Tower Goes Unstaffed During Government shutdown
Hollywood Burbank Airport experienced important flight delays and cancellations Monday due to an unstaffed air traffic control tower, a outcome of the ongoing government shutdown stemming from the impasse between Democrats and Republicans. The tower was without personnel from 4:15 p.m. to 10 p.m.,according to FAA spokesperson Kristen Alsop.
The staffing shortage is occurring as air traffic controllers work without pay during the shutdown. Transportation secretary Sean Duffy reported a slight increase in air traffic control workers calling in sick.As of 5 p.m.,outgoing flights at the airport were delayed by an average of two hours and 31 minutes,with the longest delay reaching three hours and 55 minutes,attributed to both staffing shortages and ongoing runway construction. By 6:30 p.m., the airport reported 25 arrival delays, 17 departure delays, seven arrival cancellations, and five departure cancellations, as stated by airport spokesperson Mike Christensen.
Despite the unmanned tower, air traffic flow was maintained by Southern California TRACON, a San Diego-based FAA institution utilizing radar technology to manage airspace around numerous Southern California airports.
California Governor Gavin Newsom publicly criticized President trump, stating via X (formerly Twitter), ”Thanks, @realDonaldTrump! Burbank Airport has ZERO air traffic controllers from 4:15pm to 10pm today because of YOUR government shutdown.”
The National Air traffic Controllers Assn. (NATCA) highlighted the situation as evidence of the fragility of the aviation system given a pre-existing national shortage of air traffic controllers. The union emphasized the urgent need to accelerate training and hiring, noting that nearly 11,000 controllers are currently working without pay, many working extended shifts – up to six days a week with 10-hour days. NATCA stated it is indeed collaborating with the FAA to minimize disruptions and advocate for increased hiring.
The FAA confirmed that delays were also occurring at other airports nationwide, including Newark Liberty International Airport, Denver International Airport, and Harry Reid International Airport in las Vegas. Monday marked the sixth day of the government shutdown, impacting hundreds of thousands of federal employees through furloughs or unpaid work, and leading to suspensions or reductions in agency operations.
## putin Claims Russian Drones Can’t Reach Lisbon, Criticizes western “Hysteria”
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated during a speech at the Valdai Group Forum on Thursday that Russia does not possess drones capable of reaching Lisbon, adding that targeting the city is unnecessary as “there are no targets there.”
Putin addressed recent incidents involving drones in European airspace, including those that prompted airport closures in denmark, and assured that russia “won’t do that anymore.” He characterized the Western reaction to these events as ”hysteria,” accusing Western leaders of using the incidents to divert attention from domestic issues.CNN Portugal reported earlier this week that Lisbon is the only European capital outside the range of Russia’s new drones.
Earlier in his speech, Putin mocked European Union leaders, suggesting they should shift their focus from perceived Russian threats to addressing problems within their own countries. “Honestly, I feel like saying, calm down, sleep in peace, finally deal with your own problems,” he said.
The Russian President also criticized Sweden and Finland’s decision to join NATO, labeling it “stupid” and arguing it resulted in the loss of strategic advantages afforded by their previous neutral status. He further questioned the strength of NATO, referencing comments made a week prior by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who described Russia as a “paper tiger.” putin rhetorically asked, “If we are at war with the whole block of NATO and we are moving forward, moving, with confidence, we will be just a paper tiger? What is the NATO? What does it really represent?”
Despite reports emerging from within Russia detailing fuel supply disruptions due to Ukrainian attacks and impending tax increases, Putin asserted that the country has passed “the worst economic phase.”
Meta Superintelligence Labs Shifts Focus to Accelerated Engineering Capabilities
MENLO PARK, CA – October 3, 2025 - Meta’s Superintelligence Labs is undergoing a restructuring designed to expedite the development and deployment of advanced artificial intelligence technologies. The organization, dedicated to long-term AI research, is prioritizing faster engineering tools and workflows to accelerate progress, according to internal communications reviewed today.
The move signals a heightened emphasis on practical request and rapid iteration within Meta’s aspiring AI division. While the Labs will continue essential research, the reorganization aims to bridge the gap between theoretical breakthroughs and tangible product development.This shift impacts engineers and researchers across the Superintelligence Labs, with the goal of streamlining processes and fostering a more agile environment. The change is intended to allow Meta to more quickly capitalize on advancements in the field and maintain a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
The internal restructuring involves a consolidation of resources and a renewed focus on tooling. Meta is investing in infrastructure and platforms that will enable engineers to prototype,test,and deploy AI models more efficiently. The initiative is expected to accelerate the pace of innovation and reduce the time required to bring new AI-powered features to Meta’s platforms and potentially beyond.
The reorganization began implementation on October 3, 2025, and is expected to be fully realized within the coming months. The Labs will continue reporting to Meta’s Chief AI Scientist, but will operate with increased autonomy in selecting and implementing engineering tools.
The European Central Bank’s Advice: “Keep Calm and Carry Cash”
Despite the increasing prevalence of digital payments, the European Central Bank (ECB) is advising households to maintain a small cash reserve to prepare for potential crises. This suggestion stems from a recent ECB study, aptly titled “Keep calm and carry cash,” which analyzed the impact of recent disruptive events on payment systems and consumer behavior.
The study examined four significant crises – the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Greek debt crisis, and the April 2025 Iberian blackout – and found that cash remains a vital and irreplaceable payment method during emergencies. The ECB views cash as a crucial “alternate tire” for the payment system, offering resilience when digital infrastructure fails.
Evidence from thes events supports this view. During the initial 90 days of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Europeans withdrew an additional €19.5 billion in cash beyond expected levels. Similarly, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, countries bordering the conflict, like the Baltic states and Finland, experienced cash issuance rates six to ten times higher then normal.
More recently, the Iberian blackout in April left over 50 million people in Spain and Portugal without power, disrupting digital payment systems and rendering cards and ATMs unusable. Businesses that accepted cash were able to continue operating,highlighting the limitations faced by those without physical currency.
The ECB isn’t suggesting stockpiling large sums of money. Instead, official recommendations from countries like Austria, the Netherlands, and Finland suggest keeping between €70 and €100 per person – enough to cover essential expenses for 72 hours. Sweden recommends storing the equivalent of one week’s worth of essential spending on food, medicine, and fuel.
Beyond practical considerations, the ECB study points to a psychological benefit. Holding cash provides a sense of control and security during uncertain times, tapping into a behavioral economic principle known as “aversion to loss.” Cash is tangible, autonomous of internet access, electricity, or banking systems, and offers transaction privacy.
The ECB emphasizes that widespread cash holdings create a decentralized liquidity network, bolstering societal functionality even when other systems fail. The study concludes that, just as citizens prepare emergency kits with flashlights and radios, cash should be considered an integral part of crisis preparedness, ensuring redundancy and confidence in critical moments.
Tornado Confirmed in Massachusetts Communities Following Weekend Storms
HOLDEN, Mass. – National Weather Service (NWS) teams have confirmed that a tornado touched down in at least two Massachusetts communities over the weekend. The NWS reported the EF-1 tornado first impacted Paxton and then Holden at approximately 4:15 p.m. on Saturday.
An EF-1 tornado is characterized by estimated wind speeds between 86-110 mph, though the NWS indicated the tornadoes in Paxton and Holden were on the lower end of that range.
While significant damage was surveyed in Otis and Blandford,meteorologists found no evidence of a tornado in those locations. Damage assessment is ongoing in Berlin.
Holden residents described the storm as brief but devastating. “I’ve never experienced anything like this,” said Drew Richard of Willow Brook Road. “It got really windy, like a huge gust of wind like I have never seen before and then all the patio furniture started moving around the pool, it got blown everywhere.”
Cleanup efforts began Monday, wiht local businesses prioritizing the removal of fallen trees. “We actually had to reschedule a lot of our work from this whole entire week because this is priority. When peopel have trees knocked over, we need to clean it up speedy,” stated Nicholas Kent, owner of Kent Tree Landscape.
Janna Goodnow,a Holden resident,recounted the intensity of the storm: “Twenty-four-inch trees were just snapping and rolling over in front of me. It was wild; only lasted like three minutes, but it was utter destruction.”
A tree fell onto a Holden home, landing directly in the living room. Residents emphasized the importance of seeking shelter in basements during the storm.
“I looked outside and I saw all this wind whipping up trees and stuff, and there was a big maple over there that I saw just getting ripped out of the ground,” said holden resident Matthew Waite.
John Peden, another holden resident, described taking immediate action: “I just picked up the kids and was like, ‘get in the basement,’ and then after waiting like five, ten minutes, came up and then just saw the damage everywhere.”
Fortunately, no injuries were reported in connection with the tornado.
Meanwhile, a severe thunderstorm watch was issued for much of Maine on saturday afternoon, with several severe thunderstorm warnings also issued during that time.Numerous Maine communities experienced over 1 inch of rainfall over the weekend.
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