Federal Shutdown Causes 8,800 US Flight Delays, Threatens Thanksgiving Travel

The ongoing federal government shutdown in the U.S. is causing significant flight delays and cancellations, with thousands of flights delayed due to air traffic controllers and TSA officers working without pay, particularly impacting major airports like JFK and Chicago O’Hare ahead of the Thanksgiving travel surge. In the UK, London Underground's Victoria and Jubilee lines are experiencing severe delays due to a signal failure and faulty train, alongside Southeastern train disruptions in Kent caused by an electricity supply failure. In northern England, a man was jailed after walking along railway tracks, causing major travel chaos with multiple train cancellations and hundreds of minutes of passenger delays. France is facing major train disruptions after vandals deliberately set fire to railway cables, severely affecting high-speed TGV services between Paris and southern cities during a busy holiday period, prompting calls for the perpetrators to be punished. Additionally, Northern trains in England are delayed or canceled due to a points failure at Shipley, with replacement bus services provided and ticket restrictions lifted in the affected areas. These incidents collectively highlight significant challenges to rail and air travel across multiple countries due to infrastructure failures, sabotage, and staffing issues amid critical events and holiday travel.