administration 5 - The Latremie Post

Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN) Stock: Rises as Low-Cost ‘Bazaar’ Service Expands to 14 Global Markets

Amazon Stock Inches Up Following Global Expansion of Amazon Bazaar

Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) shares closed at $244.41, up 0.56% on November 7, 2025, before gaining an additional 0.3% in after-hours trading to $245.15. The modest rise in stock price came shortly after the e-commerce giant announced a significant global expansion of its low-cost retail platform, Amazon Bazaar.

Amazon Bazaar, branded as Haul in the U.S., extends Amazon’s reach into 14 new international markets, underscoring the company’s push to capture the rapidly growing ultra-budget online shopping segment currently dominated by Chinese fast-fashion giants Shein and PDD Holdings’ Temu.

### Amazon Bazaar Takes on Shein and Temu

Originally launched in Mexico in 2024, and later expanded to Saudi Arabia and the UAE, Amazon Bazaar specializes in ultra-affordable products such as $10 dresses and $5 accessories, targeting cost-conscious consumers worldwide. The latest rollout includes countries like Hong Kong, the Philippines, Nigeria, and Taiwan.

Most items on the platform are priced below $10, with some as inexpensive as $2, spanning categories from home goods to fashion. This aggressive pricing strategy positions Amazon Bazaar to directly compete with Shein, which operates in over 160 countries, and Temu, which ships to at least 70 countries.

### Analyst Perspective: A Long-Term Global Play

Industry analysts view the expansion as a strategic move to strengthen Amazon’s position in emerging e-commerce markets. Gil Luria, an analyst at D.A. Davidson & Co., described Amazon Bazaar as a notable step in the company’s international growth strategy. He emphasized that Amazon typically enters markets when confident of achieving profitability.

Luria also noted that while Amazon’s international ventures often take years to generate returns, the success of low-cost products through Bazaar could enable Amazon to expand well beyond its current 23 markets, potentially reaching nearly every country globally.

### Strong International Revenue Growth

Amazon reported international revenue of $40.9 billion in Q3 2025, marking a 10% year-over-year increase (excluding foreign exchange effects). This growth reflects the company’s successful expansion and increasing demand across international markets.

### Competitive Landscape and Tariff Pressures

The move to globalize Amazon Bazaar comes as competitors Shein and Temu accelerate their own international expansions. The competitive landscape intensified following the Trump administration’s removal of the de minimis trade exemption, which previously allowed shipments under $800 to enter the U.S. duty-free.

While this policy change has created challenges for low-cost importers, it has simultaneously provided Amazon with an opportunity to leverage its robust logistics and compliance infrastructure to capture market share.

### Outlook and Stock Performance

Amazon’s stock continues to showcase strong momentum, with year-to-date returns of 11.4% and a one-year gain of 16.36%, outperforming many of its peers. Over the past three years, the stock has gained nearly 170%, reflecting robust investor confidence in Amazon’s long-term growth potential.

By expanding Amazon Bazaar globally, Amazon is strategically positioning itself to compete aggressively in the fast-growing budget retail segment while reinforcing its international market leadership.

—

*Stay updated with the latest stock insights and market trends to find the next knockout investment opportunity.*
https://coincentral.com/amazon-com-inc-amzn-stock-rises-as-low-cost-bazaar-service-expands-to-14-global-markets/

Theater Review: ‘The Queen of Versailles’ with Kristin Chenoweth gets lost in a Hall of Mirrors

NEW YORK (AP) — For much of the new Broadway show, *The Queen of Versailles*, the set is covered in tarps and slipcovers. That’s fitting for a musical that ultimately feels still under construction.

Based on a 2012 documentary film about the quixotic attempt to build the largest private home in America, the show reunites star Kristin Chenoweth with her *Wicked* songwriter Stephen Schwartz. Yet, despite this promising collaboration, the production has an unfinished feel, as if some spackling and sanding is desperately needed.

*The Queen of Versailles*, which opened Sunday night at the St. James Theatre, doesn’t quite grasp why socialite Jacqueline “Jackie” Siegel is so dogged in completing an American replica of Versailles in Orlando, Florida, despite recession and personal tragedy. Lindsey Ferrentino’s story wavers between ridicule and championing Siegel’s pie-in-the-sky vision, failing at biting satire and ultimately missing a chance to say something meaningful about wealth inequality as America flirts with economic disaster once again.

“I don’t know if they’re laughing with us or at us,” says a niece, summing up the whole audience experience.

The musical is very much in the shadow of the second administration of Donald Trump, with references to the White House, East Wing, and McDonald’s. It is set in a cavernous grand ballroom still under construction, which only in the final minutes reveals itself as an ornate room adorned with marble and gold trim. When Siegel is asked why she’s undertaking this massive project, her very Trumpian answer is: “Because I can.”

Jackie Siegel, a would-be engineer-turned-beauty pageant contestant, ends up a single mom leaving an abusive relationship. She later becomes the wife of the much older David Siegel, who earned billions selling timeshares, portrayed with reptilian charm by F. Murray Abraham.

“Only in America can you become a wife, a billionaire and a Jew all in one day,” she jokes.

After a visit to the real Versailles, the couple decides to build their own version. But the reason why remains unclear. Is it to have everyone she loves under one 90,000-square-foot roof? Or perhaps a bid at American royalty — a way “they’ll remember my family and me.”

This is not a void she is filling from neglect, as her loving parents are content in their small home, expressed charmingly in the song “Little Houses.”

Then comes the global recession of 2008. Jackie reflects, “David opened up a door to this other world. Did you know our whole country is actually run by a bunch of billionaires most of us had never even heard of? It’s real crazy.” This is as close to political commentary as the show ever gets.

Act 2 picks up where the documentary left off. It charts a riches-to-rags-to-riches-again story, though some moments remain puzzling—like a song about a dead lizard that feels out of place.

Following a tragic overdose by their daughter who longs to be normal, Jackie vows: “I’ve got to change / I’m going to change,” but ultimately she doesn’t. Members of the 18th-century French aristocracy, who have periodically appeared throughout the show, face the guillotine in a jarring tonal shift, reminiscent of *Hamilton*. Both reptile and human bodies pile up in the second act until Siegel ends up alone, holding a champagne flute and posing for social media on her ballroom’s glittering master staircase.

Tony Award-winner Michael Arden, directing a musical about excess, throws everything on the stage: golf carts, Elvis impersonators, a projection of George W. Bush, a small fluffy dog, bills and confetti tossed into the audience, and action spilling over into theater boxes and aisles.

Schwartz’s songs range from the twangy “The Ballad of the Timeshare King” to the brassy “Show ’Em You’re the Queen” and the cheeky “Keep On Thrustin’.” Perhaps the best song, however, is not sung by Chenoweth but by a daughter character, a strong Nina White, in “Pretty Wins.” Still, few tunes prove very memorable.

Chenoweth, born to shine in a spangly dress and command center stage on Broadway, is perfect for the role—a constant, welcome jolt of in-on-it theatricality—but she is let down by dialogue that’s not as funny as it could be and by a character that feels unfocused.

Despite an out-of-town tryout in Boston, *The Queen of Versailles* still feels like it needs a cast of construction workers hammering away in yellow vests to fill the stage. In short, it’s not quite completed.
https://mymotherlode.com/entertainment/10166391/theater-review-the-queen-of-versailles-with-kristin-chenoweth-gets-lost-in-a-hall-of-mirrors.html

US Shutdown May Jeopardize Thanksgiving Travel and Q4 Economic Growth

**Key Economic Warning: US Federal Shutdown Threatens Holiday Travel and Economic Growth**

White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett has issued a stark warning: the ongoing federal shutdown could trigger a negative GDP in the fourth quarter due to significant travel disruptions during the peak holiday season. Airlines are facing mandatory flight cuts, with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ordering reductions of up to 10% at major airports to address critical staffing shortages in air traffic control.

—

### Flight Disruptions Reach Critical Levels

On Sunday, November 9, more than 2,200 flights were canceled and over 7,200 delayed, according to data from FlightAware, marking the worst day for disruptions since the shutdown began on October 1. These delays and cancellations are escalating rapidly as Thanksgiving approaches, threatening the smooth flow of travel and broader economic activity.

—

### Economic Impact of the Shutdown

In an interview on CBS’s *Face the Nation* on November 9, Kevin Hassett emphasized that the shortage of air traffic controllers is causing severe disruptions just ahead of Thanksgiving, one of the busiest economic periods of the year. If travel grinds to a halt, consumer spending could take a significant hit, potentially pushing the U.S. into a negative GDP quarter in Q4. Hassett highlighted that holiday travel is a critical driver of economic growth, and prolonged disruptions could have ripple effects throughout the economy.

—

### How Flight Delays Are Affecting Thanksgiving Travel

The federal shutdown has resulted in acute staffing shortages at the FAA, with many air traffic controllers furloughed or working without pay. This shortage has forced airlines to implement mandatory flight cuts for three consecutive days. For instance:

– On Saturday, November 8, there were 1,550 cancellations and 6,700 delays.
– Sunday, November 9, saw an even worse day with over 2,200 cancellations and 7,200 delays.
– United Airlines announced cancellations of 190 flights on Monday and 269 on Tuesday following the trend.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned on CNN’s *State of the Union* that air travel could slow to a “trickle” as the situation worsens. Twelve control towers faced staffing shortages earlier on Sunday, with the number of daily controller retirements rising sharply—from four per day before the shutdown to between 15 and 20 now.

The FAA estimates a shortage of 1,000 to 2,000 controllers, severely impacting millions of travelers planning to fly before Thanksgiving. Analysts have described this recent surge in cancellations as the worst since the shutdown began, raising concerns that many travelers may be stranded if the issue remains unresolved.

—

### Frequently Asked Questions

**What caused the recent surge in US flight delays during the federal shutdown?**
The surge is driven by the ongoing shutdown, which has led to furloughs and unpaid work among thousands of air traffic controllers, creating severe staffing shortages at the FAA. This has forced airlines to cancel thousands of flights to manage the disruptions.

**How long will the federal shutdown continue to impact air travel?**
The impact is expected to worsen in the two weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, with continued controller shortages and increased retirements. Although the Senate is working on a deal to reopen government funding through January 2026, immediate relief remains uncertain. Travelers should prepare for potential ongoing disruptions during the holiday rush.

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### Key Takeaways

– **Economic risk amplified:** The shutdown threatens to push the U.S. economy into a negative growth quarter if holiday travel falters, underscoring the importance of smooth Thanksgiving travel and spending.
– **Passenger advisory:** With thousands of cancellations and delays on peak days, travelers are urged to monitor flight updates closely and consider alternative travel plans to minimize disruption.

—

### Conclusion

The ongoing US federal shutdown is severely impacting air travel during one of the busiest times of the year. Staffing shortages in air traffic control have forced widespread flight cancellations and delays, threatening not only holiday plans but also broader economic growth. Travelers should stay informed, remain flexible, and prepare for potential disruptions as efforts continue to resolve the shutdown.

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing situation.
https://bitcoinethereumnews.com/tech/us-shutdown-may-jeopardize-thanksgiving-travel-and-q4-economic-growth/

Duffy warns air travel will slow to ‘a trickle’ during holiday season if govt. shutdown persists

**OAN Staff | Blake Wolf**
*2:17 PM Sunday, November 9, 2025*

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has warned that air travel will slow to “a trickle” as Thanksgiving approaches, due to the ongoing government shutdown negatively impacting the availability of air traffic controllers.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has notified airlines to reduce flights by 6% starting Tuesday, with a further reduction to 10% on November 14th if the shutdown continues.

“We are seeing signs of stress in the system, so we are proactively reducing the number of flights to make sure the American people continue to fly safely,” FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said earlier this week.

Duffy also warned that flight reductions could increase to as much as 20% if the shutdown remains unresolved, which would significantly affect the public’s ability to travel during the holidays.

“It’s only going to get worse,” Duffy added, highlighting the growing concerns among travelers.

—

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https://www.oann.com/newsroom/duffy-warns-air-travel-will-slow-to-a-trickle-during-holiday-season-if-govt-shutdown-persists/

Trump Administration Orders States To Claw Back Food Stamp Payments as Agriculture Department Appeals Lawsuit

The Department of Agriculture is demanding that states immediately “undo” any work they have done to send out SNAP benefits, more commonly known as food stamps, according to a memo first reported by the New York Times.

This directive comes as Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins appeals a judge’s order requiring her to start releasing some SNAP funds to states despite the ongoing government shutdown.

A coalition of churches, community centers, and labor unions sued Secretary Rollins at the end of October after she refused to tap into an emergency fund designed to keep SNAP benefits flowing during a shutdown. A judge in Rhode Island ordered her to release these funds. However, in an emergency appeal to the Supreme Court, Secretary Rollins requested that the order be put on hold. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson granted this request.

In a memo sent to states on Saturday night, the Department of Agriculture stated that any state that has already disbursed full SNAP benefits must reverse those actions. The memo reads:
“To the extent States sent full SNAP payment files for November 2025, this was unauthorized. Accordingly, States must immediately undo any steps taken to issue full SNAP benefits for November 2025.”

Instead, the USDA says states may proceed with SNAP payments at a 35 percent reduction. This was the department’s original position before the Rhode Island judge ordered full benefits to be distributed.

The Department of Agriculture did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The memo also warns states about potential consequences for noncompliance. “Failure to comply with this memorandum may result in USDA taking various actions, including cancellation of the Federal share of State administrative costs and holding States liable for any overissuances that result from the noncompliance,” the department said.

The legal battle is now headed back to the First Circuit Court of Appeals, where the Trump administration is appealing Judge John McConnell’s order to pay full SNAP benefits. However, this case could become moot if the government reopens in the coming days.

This SNAP payment dispute has put more than 40 million Americans across over 20 million households at risk of losing their food stamp benefits for the month.

Earlier this month, the Department of Agriculture told Judge McConnell in a legal filing that it was working to distribute partial benefits. However, President Trump later threatened to withhold all funds in defiance of the judge’s order.

On his Truth Social platform, the president wrote:
“SNAP BENEFITS, which increased by Billions and Billions of Dollars (MANY FOLD!) during Crooked Joe Biden’s disastrous term in office (Due to the fact that they were haphazardly ‘handed’ to anyone for the asking, as opposed to just those in need, which is the purpose of SNAP!), will be given only when the Radical Left Democrats open up government, which they can easily do, and not before!”

Within hours, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified the statement, telling reporters that the president was referring to any future shutdowns, not the current one.

Later that day, a political appointee at the Department of Agriculture confirmed in a filing to Judge McConnell that partial benefits were being sent out to states.
https://www.nysun.com/article/trump-administration-orders-states-to-claw-back-food-stamp-payments-as-agriculture-department-appeals-lawsuit

Volcanic Ash: New show or just a rerun for Mauna Kea telescope?

If you wait long enough, the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) comes around as regularly as the comets astronomers like to observe. The controversial next-generation observatory proposed for Mauna Kea seemed dead after Native Hawaiian protesters stopped construction starts in 2015 and 2019, costs soared, regulatory approval was a moving target, and a major source of federal funding dried up.

But now, Governor Josh Green is supporting a plan to reduce regulatory uncertainty and community unrest by building TMT on the already disturbed site of a decommissioned telescope instead of the pristine ground originally planned. Particularly attractive is the site occupied until last year by the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory, which sits in a depression where the dome isn’t visible from below.

In a letter to TMT also signed by Hawaii Senators Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono and Representatives Jill Tokuda and Ed Case, Governor Green agreed to promptly provide the developers with a clear and transparent regulatory path for this scenario—giving TMT the clarity it never had.

There’s good reason TMT remains enticing to many in Hawaii; astronomy is a clean economic driver that provides skilled, well-paying jobs that are desperately needed and seeds other knowledge industries. A photo of Mauna Kea taken from the International Space Station shows it to be an enormously large mountain, on which the telescopes leave the tiniest of footprints. You’d think reasonable people could find a way to share this resource.

However, passionate protesters believe Mauna Kea is sacred and are unlikely to back down, and politicians have feared crossing them. You might recall then-Lieutenant Governor Josh Green undermining Governor David Ige by showing supportive presence in the last protest camp wearing his hospital scrubs.

In 2022, the Legislature transferred management of Mauna Kea from the University of Hawaii to a new Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority.

TMT’s problems extend beyond regulatory uncertainty and protests. The original estimated cost of $1 billion has grown to $3 billion, and the National Science Foundation (NSF) has withdrawn major funding, choosing instead to back the Giant Magellan Telescope in Chile.

Hawaii delegates are trying to secure TMT funding in the House and Senate budgets—if the government shutdown ever ends—but it’s a heavy lift with the Trump administration having been determined to slash NSF funding.

The TMT consortium of universities and science institutions from the U.S., China, India, Canada, and Japan is also in talks with Spain about a less desirable but more welcoming site in the Canary Islands.

TMT is unlikely to happen in Hawaii if elected officials are unwilling to defy unhappy protesters. It doesn’t help that the new TMT push comes as a bigger and potentially even uglier fight heats up over continued military use of lands many Hawaiians consider sacred.

The TMT saga is starting to remind me of the Falls of Clyde—the historic sailing ship recently sunk off Oahu due to lack of financial support and patience. Those who tried for years to save the ship had the noblest of intentions, but after many false starts, they could never gather enough money or community support to finish the deal.
https://www.staradvertiser.com/2025/11/09/hawaii-news/volcanic-ash/mauna-kea-telescope-back-new-show-or-just-a-rerun/

Obama-Appointed Judge to Control Ed Secretary’s Email Language

According to the Democrat outlet NPR, legal battles are emerging against the Trump administration over language posted on federal websites and used in government emails that blame the Democrats for the government shutdown. Critics argue that these messages are partisan, but supporters say they reflect the truth.

An Obama-appointed federal judge ruled that the Trump administration violated the First Amendment rights of Education Department employees when it replaced their personalized out-of-office email notifications with partisan language blaming Democrats for the shutdown.

“When government employees enter public service, they do not sign away their First Amendment rights,” U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper wrote in his decision on Friday, “and they certainly do not sign up to be a billboard for any given administration’s partisan views.”

The lawsuit was brought by the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE). Rachel Gittleman, president of AFGE Local 252—which represents many Education Department workers—called the administration’s actions “a clear violation of the First Amendment rights of the workers at the Education Department.” She added that it is “one of the many ways the Department’s leadership has threatened, harassed and demoralized these hardworking public servants in the last 10 months.”

It is notable that almost all of these employees are Democrats, which adds to the tension surrounding the issue. Critics argue that ordering the type of language a Secretary can use in official communications seems like a First Amendment violation and an overreach of power.

Democrats and their judges are accused by some of not being able to accept certain political truths. When in power, it is claimed, they have posted misleading content on government websites and even framed a president in what has been described as a coup attempt. Therefore, critics say, they lack moral authority on these issues.

For example, an email sent to the Forest Service stated clearly: “The Radical Left Democrats shut down the government.” Supporters of this messaging argue that President Trump wanted to keep the government open, and that the language used in these communications reflects an accurate account of events.

However, retired federal land managers described this language as “chilling.” Some have dismissed this reaction, suggesting it does not take much to “chill” these employees and calling them “wimps” for being upset. Others argue that employees should be more concerned that Democrats appear to be sacrificing them for ideological reasons.

In related commentary, conservative voices have expressed concerns about broader political threats:

> “I have never written that there is a threat of fascism in America. I always considered the idea overwrought. But now I believe there really is such a threat and it will come draped not in an American flag, but in the name of tolerance and health.”
> — Dennis Prager

> “It’s better to live one day as a lion than a dozen years as a sheep.”
> — Charles M. Schulz

> “How do you tell a Communist? Well, it’s someone who reads Marx and Lenin. And how do you tell an anti-Communist? It’s someone who understands Marx and Lenin.”
> — Ronald Reagan

> “The ideal subject of totalitarian rule is not the convinced Nazi or the convinced Communist, but people for whom the distinction between fact and fiction (i.e., the reality of experience) and the distinction between true and false (i.e., the standards of thought) no longer exist.”
> — Hannah Arendt, *The Origins of Totalitarianism*

These quotes underscore a broader debate about truth, political ideology, and the limits of government messaging in a polarized era.
https://www.independentsentinel.com/obama-appointed-judge-to-control-ed-secretarys-email-language/

Nevada Dems plan SNAP workaround in case of funding gap

Before the federal government’s announcement, Nevada Democrats prepared for a possible funding gap in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

State Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro, D-Clark County, called for a $136 million SNAP package to be considered during a special legislative session. This move aims to circumvent the impact of the federal government’s longest-ever shutdown.

“My colleagues are introducing a proposal to establish a state-funded assistance program during the upcoming special session,” Cannizzaro said at a press conference on Friday.

Cannizzaro highlighted that over 500,000 Nevadans currently use SNAP benefits, with more than 62% of them living in families with children. She assured that beneficiaries “are going to be able to use the same cards that they do currently. We are confident that we will structure this program in a way that is both legal and efficient.”

The remarks came 38 days into the federal government shutdown, which has been marked by a bitter stalemate between Democratic and Republican U.S. senators. Numerous federal programs have shut down as reserve funds have dried up.

Additionally, Cannizzaro’s announcement followed a federal court order requiring the Trump administration to fund the full SNAP budget. Previously, the federal government had planned to fund only half of SNAP using reserve funds designated for shutdown scenarios.

However, the Trump administration appealed the U.S. District Court for Rhode Island’s order on Friday. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit in Boston denied a request for an administrative stay, and the administration stated it would comply with the court order to fully fund SNAP while pursuing its appeal.

According to media reports, the Department of Justice is seeking a stay from the U.S. Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, Nevada Senate Democrats’ plan to propose local SNAP funding is expected to face opposition from Republican Governor Joe Lombardo, who has not yet publicly responded directly to Cannizzaro’s proposal. Lombardo previously expressed opposition to local funding of the SNAP program.

“The governor remains committed to finding a solution to source SNAP beneficiaries, and other Nevadans impacted by the federal shutdown, to the extent allowable under state and federal law,” Josh Meny, press secretary for the Governor’s Office, told The Center Square.

The Nevada Legislature is not scheduled to meet again for a regular session until 2027. To pass the SNAP funding proposal immediately, the Legislature would need to be called into a special session, which only Governor Lombardo has the authority to convene. Additionally, he would set the session’s agenda.

According to the Nevada Constitution, “Legislature shall not introduce, consider or pass any bills except those related to the business for which the Legislature has been specially convened and those necessary to provide for the expenses of the session.”

Nevada Senate Democrats first proposed the local SNAP funding solution on Tuesday after President Donald Trump indicated that the federal government would only fund half of the SNAP budget.

The Democrats’ proposal includes allocating $45.5 million to cover the remaining half of the SNAP recipients for November, and an additional $91 million for December if the government shutdown continues.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/3880309/nevada-dems-plan-snap-workaround-funding-gap/

American Airlines CEO says the government shutdown is impacting holiday travel bookings: ‘Nobody wants to put up with hassle’

“Of course there’s an impact,” American Airlines CEO Robert Isom told CNBC on Friday when asked about the government shutdown affecting holiday bookings. “Nobody wants to put up with hassle. And, again, we’re doing everything we can to make sure our customers know, but as we get into the busiest travel part of the year, this is something that we just can’t let happen.”

Thanksgiving is just 18 days away, with the December holidays quickly approaching. “This is frustrating. We don’t need to be in this position. We’ve got to get the government back open so we don’t have to cancel flights,” Isom emphasized.

On Friday, American Airlines canceled more than 200 out of 6,200 scheduled flights, he added. So far, the airline isn’t canceling any service to smaller markets, but Isom warned that flight cancellations will rise over time. He also pointed out the broader economic impact, given how many people work in travel-related industries.

As of August, the leisure and hospitality sector employed just over 17 million people out of a total of roughly 171 million in the U.S. labor force, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This equates to about one in every ten jobs.

Flight cancellations are primarily due to a shortage of air traffic controllers during the government shutdown. These controllers are required to work without pay, but since they still must cover their expenses, many are calling out sick or taking on secondary jobs, creating a staffing crunch.

“Most of the controllers can navigate missing one paycheck, virtually none of them can navigate missing two paychecks,” Duffy told Fox News on Friday.

In response to staffing shortages, the FAA is incrementally reducing air traffic by up to 10% by next week. The agency began with a 4% reduction in flight operations at 40 major airports on Friday, which will increase to 6% by November 11, 8% by November 13, and up to 10% by November 14.

On Friday alone, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and American Airlines canceled flights totaling between 3.5% and about 4%. Overall, approximately 1,000 flights were canceled largely due to the government shutdown, with hundreds more expected this weekend, according to The Associated Press.

For context, last year November and December together saw over 1.37 million domestic flights, according to the Department of Transportation.

Isom told CNBC that as flight disruptions increase, so do the challenges for the entire industry. “Managing the industry becomes exponentially harder as you increase the level of cancellations.”
https://fortune.com/2025/11/08/american-airlines-ceo-government-shutdown-holiday-travel-bookings-thanksgiving-flight-cancellations/

Privacy on trial as Samourai Wallet cofounder lands in jail for writing code

**Samourai Wallet Cofounder Keonne Rodriguez Sentenced to Five Years for Writing Code**

This week, Samourai Wallet cofounder Keonne Rodriguez received the maximum sentence of five years in prison for writing code. As a developer now sits behind bars for building privacy tools, many in the Bitcoin community—including prominent voices like Max Keiser—are pushing for a full pardon.

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### Crypto Crackdown: Beyond Campaign Promises

During his campaign, Donald Trump vowed to put an end to the crackdown on cryptocurrency. To some extent, he has stuck to his word. Since taking office, Trump has pardoned figures such as Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht and Binance’s founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao. He also issued several executive orders, including one aimed at officially ending Operation Choke Point 2.0 with a “debanking” order.

However, the arrest and conviction of Samourai Wallet developers highlight the ongoing clash between privacy, code, and the law—even amid the White House’s pro-crypto pivot.

The contrast is stark. As one Bitcoiner pointed out, while JPMorgan paid $290 million in 2023 to settle allegations as severe as sex trafficking without any top executives being jailed, the developer behind a Bitcoin privacy tool has been sentenced to five years in prison.

Foundation, a Bitcoin-centric tools developer, summarized the situation succinctly:

> “The current administration often speaks in support of Bitcoin, yet the Justice Department continues to pursue policies that may predate this administration targeting privacy technologies and open-source developers. Open-source developers deserve protection, not persecution.”

—

### What is Samourai Wallet?

Samourai Wallet is a privacy-first Bitcoin wallet co-founded by Keonne Rodriguez and William Lonergan Hill. It allows users to mask their transaction histories and identities by leveraging mixing features such as Whirlpool and Ricochet.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) alleged that Samourai processed over $2 billion in transactions and laundered more than $100 million in criminal proceeds. These funds were linked to crimes including hacking, fraud, drug trafficking, and murder-for-hire.

The core charges against the developers were conspiracy to commit money laundering and operating an unlicensed money transmitting business. Prosecutors claimed that the creators marketed their software to individuals wishing to hide illicit funds.

Both developers pleaded guilty. Rodriguez received the maximum sentence of five years and was ordered to pay a $250,000 fine. Hill is scheduled to be sentenced later this month.

—

### Ross Ulbricht, CZ, and a Wave of Pardons

The story doesn’t end with Samourai Wallet. The shadows of past cypherpunk cases linger.

Ross Ulbricht, founder of the Silk Road dark web marketplace, was granted a full pardon by President Trump this year. After spending a decade in prison, Ulbricht was freed.

Similarly, Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, founder of Binance, served time on federal money laundering charges but was pardoned this autumn.

These pardons illustrate how Trump’s political calculus intersects with key crypto figures. Yet, while these high-profile entrepreneurs receive pardons or avoid harsh sentences, crypto developers are getting hefty prison terms.

At the same time, financial giants like JPMorgan continue settling massive lawsuits—such as the sex trafficking-related case—without any executives going to jail.

—

### The Call for a Samourai Wallet Pardon

Max Keiser and a growing chorus of Bitcoin advocates are urging President Trump to issue a blanket pardon for the Samourai Wallet developers. They frame the case as a battle for open-source financial privacy against increasing surveillance.

Critics argue that prosecuting coders for creating privacy tools criminalizes not just software, but the broader concept of financial autonomy.

—

### Why This Case Matters for Crypto

The prosecution of Samourai Wallet marks a chilling milestone in the ongoing war against privacy-first financial tools.

While Wall Street banks avoid direct accountability for severe criminal allegations—settling massive cases without jail time—developers behind privacy tools face harsh sentences.

The push for a Samourai pardon symbolizes a broader movement: to stand up for privacy, open-source code, and the principles of financial freedom, or risk seeing these values imprisoned alongside their creators.

This is the new crypto election cycle, where the lines between code and crime, settlement and sentence, are more blurred than ever, and the fight for justice in the industry has never been louder.

—

*Stay tuned for updates on William Lonergan Hill’s sentencing later this month.*
https://bitcoinethereumnews.com/tech/privacy-on-trial-as-samourai-wallet-cofounder-lands-in-jail-for-writing-code/