American Airlines has recently taken delivery of a new Boeing 737 MAX 8 , registered as N315UA —a tail number once used by United Airlines . The aircraft, which arrived in the airline's fleet on December 24, 2024, marks an interesting chapter in American’s fleet expansion, particularly given the significance of its tail number’s previous ownership. FlightAware data shows that on December 24, the aircraft was ferried from Boeing Field in Seattle (BFI) to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), where it officially entered service with American Airlines. The flight, AA9825, took off from Boeing Field at 12:35 local time and landed in Dallas at 18:05 local time. What are the possible reasons? While the aircraft is undeniably new, its registration number—N315UA—has raised eyebrows, as it was once worn by a United Airlines Boeing 737-300 , according to the data on planespotters.net . This earlier iteration of the aircraft first flew for United in December 1987, where it operated for over two decades before being retired and ultimately scrapped in late 2009. For aviation enthusiasts and industry observers, the decision by American Airlines to register its new aircraft with the old United tail number is notable for a few reasons. JonNYC, a well-known aviation watchdog, speculated that American might have opted for this specific registration because of the limitations in its existing number pool following the merger. He explained on social media that the airline likely wanted to maintain a certain nose number on the registration, but the options were limited, leading to the reuse of a number from United’s former aircraft. The N number seen on the aircraft is assigned to aircraft registered in the United States . The United States was given the designation "N" as its nationality under the 1919 International Air Navigation Convention. In general aviation aircraft, the nationality is indicated by a single letter, followed by four or five identity letters and a hyphen. American's new Boeing 737 MAX 8: The aircraft, now part of American’s growing 737 MAX fleet, is the airline’s 66th MAX delivery, further solidifying its commitment to modernizing its fleet with more fuel-efficient and technologically advanced aircraft. Passengers may enjoy a contemporary and cozy experience in the Boeing 737 MAX 8 cabin operated by American Airlines. According to the company's website , it features 172 seats in total and is separated into three sections: Main Cabin, Main Cabin Extra, and First Class. The 16 seats in First Class have a roomy 37-inch pitch and 21-inch seat width, providing plenty of legroom and entertainment for personal devices. The main Cabin Extra, which has 24 seats with a 33-inch pitch and slightly larger seats (16.6–17.8 inches), is in the bulkhead and exit rows. With a 30-inch pitch and seat widths varying from 16.6 to 17.8 inches, the Main Cabin can accommodate 132 passengers. Wi-Fi and entertainment for personal devices are available in every area, ensuring a connected and pleasurable flying experience. Furthermore, there are power outlets all around the cabin, enabling travelers to charge their electronics while traveling. The Oneworld Alliance member, commands second overall total capacity at the Arizona airport. Fleet expansion and future deliveries As of the end of 2024, American Airlines has a total of 66 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft in its fleet. Of these, 64 are currently in service, while 2 are parked, planespotters.net information shows . The airline expects to take delivery of an additional 6 MAX 8s in the near future, continuing its fleet modernization efforts. With an average age of just 4.2 years, the 737 MAX 8s are relatively new additions to American’s fleet, offering improved fuel efficiency, reduced emissions, and enhanced passenger comfort compared to older models. These aircraft are a central part of the airline's strategy to modernize its narrowbody fleet and improve overall operational efficiency. In March 2024, American ordered 260 new narrowbody planes , including 85 of Boeing’s long-delayed 737 Max 10. The carrier also said that it would also convert orders for 30 Boeing 737 Max 8 planes, a model that is already in its fleet, into the larger variant Boeing 737 MAX 10 s.PML-N committed to strengthening coalition with PPP: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) senior leader Senator Talal Chaudhry
Here’s what an FBI background check for Trump’s Cabinet picks could unveil – or notUnlocking the Crypto Mystery: The Surprising Future of Debit Cards You Won’t Believe
Trump names David Sacks as White House AI and crypto czar
Upstream Bio, Inc. ( NASDAQ:UPB – Get Free Report ) shares fell 3% on Thursday . The company traded as low as $18.15 and last traded at $18.81. 4,187 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 99% from the average session volume of 356,755 shares. The stock had previously closed at $19.40. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. initiated coverage on shares of Upstream Bio in a research note on Tuesday, November 5th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $38.00 price target for the company. William Blair initiated coverage on Upstream Bio in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. They issued an “outperform” rating for the company. TD Cowen began coverage on Upstream Bio in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. They set a “buy” rating on the stock. Finally, Piper Sandler assumed coverage on Upstream Bio in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $75.00 price objective for the company. Get Our Latest Report on Upstream Bio Upstream Bio Trading Down 1.3 % Upstream Bio ( NASDAQ:UPB – Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, November 7th. The company reported ($6.96) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.58) by ($6.38). The business had revenue of $0.61 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $0.83 million. On average, equities analysts predict that Upstream Bio, Inc. will post -4.3 EPS for the current year. Insider Buying and Selling at Upstream Bio In other news, Director Erez Chimovits purchased 825,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, October 15th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $17.00 per share, with a total value of $14,025,000.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now owns 4,554,873 shares in the company, valued at $77,432,841. This trade represents a 22.12 % increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink . Also, major shareholder Ai Upstream Llc acquired 1,175,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, October 15th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $17.00 per share, for a total transaction of $19,975,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 1,175,000 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $19,975,000. This represents a ∞ increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here . Upstream Bio Company Profile ( Get Free Report ) Upstream Bio, Inc, a clinical-stage biotechnology company, develops treatments for inflammatory diseases that focuses on severe respiratory disorders. It develops verekitug, a monoclonal antibody that targets and inhibits the thymic stromal lymphopoietin receptor. The company also develops therapies to treat severe asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Upstream Bio Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Upstream Bio and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .(CNN) — While President-elect Donald Trump’s controversial pick for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth , is beginning the process to undergo an FBI background check , the intensive review may not provide the answers that either Democrats or Republicans are seeking. That’s because a nominee doesn’t “pass” a background check, and the FBI doesn’t approve applicants. Instead, the FBI’s investigative files on nominees are sent to the White House, which makes the final decision on whether they can hold the positions to which the president appointed them. FBI background checks have been lightning rods during previous contentious confirmation fights. After sexual misconduct allegations nearly tanked Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination in 2018, for example, Democrats said the FBI background investigation was politically constrained and did not follow proper procedures. Hegseth’s confirmation has been in jeopardy amid a series of allegations related to drinking and sexual misconduct, which he has denied. As calls for additional vetting have mounted, Hegseth’s attorney told CNN this week that his name has been submitted to the FBI for the background check. The FBI is gearing up to conduct detailed background checks on thousands of appointees for Trump’s incoming administration. While the president-elect has been moving quickly to name his Cabinet and key administrative picks, his use of the FBI system had been in question until the Trump transition team signed a memorandum of understanding with the Justice Department in recent days. The agreement will now allow the FBI to conduct at least some investigations, but it remains unclear how many of Trump’s candidates to lead various agencies and departments will be submitted for those checks, as the transition team also has been using private companies to conduct some vetting. Despite Trump’s qualms about the FBI and complaints from his allies that the bureau shouldn’t be trusted to screen his appointees, the FBI system does enjoy bipartisan support from members of Congress. Senators of both parties have said they want political appointees to undergo FBI background investigations as part of the confirmation process. Dozens of FBI agents and contractors at the bureau’s headquarters in Washington and in field offices around the country are involved in background investigations with the goal of helping to prepare the new administration to take the reins of government and allow appointees to have access to classified and other sensitive information as soon as the new president is inaugurated on January 20. The background checks aren’t criminal investigations, and the FBI investigators’ role is to conduct investigations for a client – in this case the White House or government agency that requests them. In each administration, the White House typically provides questions, in addition to the standard ones listed on the application forms, that agents are told to ask. While FBI background investigations have access to government criminal databases, that typically wouldn’t include allegations of wrongdoing that don’t result in an arrest or charges. In Hegseth’s case, that means investigators wouldn’t necessarily see details from a California incident that included an investigation of alleged sexual assault but didn’t result in charges. It’s unclear whether investigators would be able to seek information from the accuser, who was paid in a settlement agreement with Hegseth that included a confidentiality clause and has the option to decline to speak to the FBI. The scope of the FBI’s investigation of Kavanaugh is still under scrutiny. In releasing a report this fall, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, a Rhode Island Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, called the bureau’s supplemental background probe into Kavanaugh a “sham.” Background checks include long forms where candidates must detail past employment, biographical information, as well as criminal and financial records. Investigators probe each applicant’s personal history back to their 18th birthday, with FBI security specialists examining credit histories and criminal backgrounds and conducting interviews of associates dating back years. The investigations also include an in-person FBI interview where an agent reviews information gathered and sometimes challenges applicants to explain discrepancies. “I compare it to a colorectal examination while you’re awake,” a former FBI security specialist who conducted background investigations for years told CNN. The investigations for Cabinet members can include as many as 60 interviews, the former FBI specialist said. Agents and contractors spend 10 days to two weeks on the highest-profile investigations. Applicants are asked to provide contacts with employers dating back to age 18. The FBI develops its own intelligence to supplement the list of people who may know an applicant to ensure it doesn’t miss information that an applicant may leave out. In some cases, agents will walk up and down the street where someone lived to ask neighbors about them. For appointees who previously served in government jobs, the investigations tend to be shorter since agents don’t need to duplicate the investigation of earlier parts of the background. The incoming Trump administration has a tortured past with the government’s security clearance system after dozens of people he picked to serve in his first administration struggled to complete the background investigations process. Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, was among several appointees whose foreign contacts and potential conflicts posed issues as they sought to receive security clearances. In Kushner’s case, incomplete information he provided in filing out the government form, known as SF-86, caused delays. Trump ordered high-level clearances be granted to about 25 people, including to Kushner and his daughter Ivanka, dismissing questions raised during the background investigations, according to congressional testimony. The-CNN-Wire TM & © 2024 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.
Canadian ministers met Trump aides over tariff risks, immigrationThe Dolphins' improbable path to the playoffs isn't in their hands, but they must do their part MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — The Miami Dolphins' playoff hopes are not in their hands, but they did their part with a gritty win over San Francisco on Sunday. Alanis Thames, The Associated Press Dec 23, 2024 2:38 PM Dec 23, 2024 3:05 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Miami Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith (9) is stopped by San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner (54) and safety Talanoa Hufanga (29) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — The Miami Dolphins' playoff hopes are not in their hands, but they did their part with a gritty win over San Francisco on Sunday. Coach Mike McDaniel knows that's not enough, and his team will need to do it two more times to even have a shot at making the postseason for the third straight year. “I was just proud of this effort and proud of the guys’ effort in general,” McDaniel said. “And that gives you a chance to win December football. Regardless, unless you’re playing in February, you also have to get adept at experiencing that, going through that, having some momentum and then going back and applying it to the next opponent, because no one cares about one win in December or January realistically. It’s about accumulating those.” Miami (7-8) is on the bubble for a wild-card spot along with Indianapolis (7-8) and Cincinnati (7-8). Even if the Dolphins win their remaining two games, they'll need help from other teams to get in. In one scenario, Miami would make the playoffs with two wins and two losses each by Denver (9-6) and the Los Angeles Chargers (9-6). “This team, we know when we do it well, we can do it very well,” defensive tackle Calais Campbell said. “We know that our chances are slim, but there’s a lot of fight left. And if we have a chance, we’re going to fight for it.” Miami closed out Sunday's game with a strong fourth quarter in all three phases. The offense converted on all three of its third-down attempts. Running back De'Von Achane had 93 of his 190 scrimmage yards in the quarter, including a 50-yard rushing score that put the game out of reach. Jason Sanders nailed a 48-yard field goal just before the two-minute warning. And the defense intercepted Brock Purdy on one of the Niners' last-ditch efforts. “I think that was something that we needed to see as a team together,” quarterback Tua Tagovailoa said. “You could see in all three phases that we were able to play the complementary football that we said we wanted to play. The defense giving the offense opportunities to go put points on the board. Then when there were times where we didn’t do what we wanted to do offensively, the defense held.” With both of the Dolphins' final games on the road, they'll need to play better than they have in away games for much of the season. Miami is 5-3 at home, its fifth straight home winning record, but the Dolphins are 2-5 on the road. McDaniel expressed confidence that those home efforts can travel in this final stretch. “When you’re trying to play football so that in the inevitable situation that you face every season,” McDaniel said, “an elimination game, whether it’s to get in the playoffs or it’s in the playoffs, you want to be tooled with a team that can succeed or execute in those types of situations.” What's working Miami's run game finally got going with 166 yards. It was the Dolphins' first time topping 100 yards rushing since Week 9. Achane led the charge with 120 yards. His 50-yard rushing score was Miami's longest run this season. What needs help The Dolphins moved the ball well but scored touchdowns on just one of three trips to the red zone. Stock up Sanders. He was 5 for 5 on field goals with a long of 54 yards, and 2 for 2 on extra points. Sanders has made 23 consecutive field goals and is 11 of 13 on kicks of 50-plus yards. He's one of two kickers, alongside Dallas' Brandon Aubrey, who have made a field goal in every game this season. Stock down WR Tyreek Hill. The All-Pro receiver caught just 3 of 7 targets for 29 yards and a touchdown. He had a third-down drop on the Dolphins' opening drive and dropped a potential touchdown later in the game. The NFL's receiving leader last year is averaging just 55.6 yards per game and has only two 100-plus yard receiving games this season. Injuries WR Jaylen Waddle missed the game because of a knee injury. ... CB Kendall Fuller (knee) and LB Jordyn Brookes (quad/knee) both went down late in the second half. Key numbers 76 receptions, 802 yards — Both single-season Dolphins records for a tight end, which Jonnu Smith broke with six catches for 62 yards on Sunday. Next step The Dolphins will continue their efforts to sneak into the playoffs when they play at Cleveland (3-12) on Sunday. They'll need to beat the Browns and the New York Jets (4-11) in their regular-season finale to give themselves a chance. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL Alanis Thames, The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Get your daily Victoria news briefing Email Sign Up More Football (NFL) Rodgers acknowledges Jets could release him after the regular season as he contemplates his future Dec 23, 2024 2:39 PM Riding a 3-game win streak, the Bengals cling to playoff hopes with the Broncos next Dec 23, 2024 2:25 PM Bills offense is 'Cooking,' with running game adding a powerful new dimension Dec 23, 2024 2:22 PMTrump offers a public show of support for Pete Hegseth, his embattled nominee to lead the Pentagon
MARRAKECH, Morocco (AP) — The Marrakech International Film Festival bestowed its top prize Friday on “Happy Holidays,” a Palestinian drama set in Israel whose screenplay won an award at the Venice Film Festival in September. The film, directed by Scandar Copti, follows Israeli and Palestinian characters facing familial and societal pressures in present-day Haifa and stars both professional and non-professional actors. It is the first Palestinian film to win Marrakech’s Etoile D’Or award. Screenwriter Mona Copti in an acceptance speech said the film team’s joy at winning was tempered by war in the Middle East and she denounced what she called the dehumanization of Palestinians Eight features, each a director’s first or second film, competed in the festival. The winning films tackled social issues through the lens of family, a theme that the festival’s artistic director Remi Bonhomme underlined at its opening. The festival awarded its jury prize to two additional films from Somalia and Argentina. The nine-member jury awarded Mo Harawe’s “The Village Next to Paradise” — a story about a family living under the threat of drone strikes dreaming of a better life — and Silvina Schnicer’s “The Cottage” about children who commit an unspeakable act at a rich family’s summer vacation home. “The Village Next to Paradise” participated last year in the Marrakech festival’s Atlas Workshops, an initiative to develop filmmakers from Morocco, the Middle East and Africa and promote their work. In his acceptance speech, Harawe lauded the film’s Somali cast and crew and highlighted the significance of the award for Somalia. Cecilia Rainero, the lead actor of “The Cottage,” thanked the jury and said it was meaningful amid Argentinian President Javier Milei’s moves to defund the country’s film industry.