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Air travelers across the United States are facing some of the longest security lines in the history of the Transportation Security Administration, with certain passengers waiting more than four and a half hours to pass through checkpoints, a senior official told lawmakers on Wednesday.

Appearing before the House Homeland Security Committee, TSA acting administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill said the agency is struggling to maintain operations, noting that it is “being forced to consolidate” and warning that smaller airports could face closures if staffing shortages persist.

“It is a fluid, challenging and unpredictable situation. We understand this is frustrating and disruptive,” she added. “This is unacceptable.”

McNeill disclosed that more than 480 Transportation Security Officers have resigned during the ongoing Department of Homeland Security shutdown, and cautioned that the number continues to rise.

She also highlighted a sharp increase in absenteeism among remaining personnel. On Sunday, the nationwide call-out rate reached 11.76%, the highest level recorded since the shutdown began on Feb. 14. At certain airports, absentee rates have surged to between 40% and 50%.

By comparison, before the partial shutdown, call-out rates hovered around 2%, according to McNeill’s deputy, Adam Stahl.

In additional testimony, McNeill said incidents of assaults against TSA officers have risen dramatically, increasing by 500%.

The acting administrator credited President Trump with helping ease the strain by deploying Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to assist at airports nationwide.

She explained that these agents are currently handling “non-specialized screening functions.”

“We’ve been spending time training them the last few days,” McNeill claimed. “And we’re seeing relief, signs of early relief at the airports.

“It’s been incredibly helpful to alleviate the burden on our workforce. And we’re getting positive feedback from passengers and our field leadership.”

Despite the short-term assistance, McNeill warned that the prolonged shutdown could have serious consequences for aviation security, including the agency’s ability to prevent potential terrorist threats.

She pointed to the extensive six-month training process required for Transportation Security Officers, expressing concern that staffing shortages could hinder readiness for major upcoming events, including the 2026 World Cup, which is set to begin in June and conclude with the final at MetLife Stadium on July 19.

“As the shutdown drags on, we will likely see our attrition rates continue to spike, which means that we may not have the adequate headcount to staff the airports that are supporting the FIFA locations adequately,” she explained.

“The ongoing shutdown is also impacting our ability to procure and deploy technology, from checkpoint technology to some of our counter UAS [unmanned aerial vehicle] technology, in advance of the FIFA World Cup,” McNeill continued. “So we’re really running short on time.”

{Matzav.com}

A new AP-NORC survey finds that most Americans believe recent U.S. military operations against Iran have exceeded appropriate limits, while a growing number are anxious about the cost of gasoline as the conflict continues.

Now entering its fourth week, the war involving the United States and Israel is beginning to pose political challenges for President Trump, even as his overall approval ratings remain largely unchanged, according to data from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

Although the administration has increased its military presence in the Middle East, including additional ships and personnel, roughly 59% of Americans say the U.S. response in Iran has been excessive.

At the same time, economic concerns are rising. About 45% of respondents say they are “extremely” or “very” worried about affording gas in the coming months, a notable increase from 30% in a similar poll conducted shortly after Trump’s reelection, when he had pledged to lower living costs.

There is broad agreement on at least one major policy goal: preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Approximately two-thirds of Americans say this objective should be considered “extremely” or “very” important. However, a similar proportion also prioritizes keeping domestic oil and gas prices from climbing, creating a potential conflict in policy priorities for the administration.

About 40% of adults in the U.S. continue to approve of Trump’s job performance, a figure that has remained stable since last month. His approval ratings on foreign policy are slightly lower but have also shown little change.

Trump has not clearly outlined his next move regarding Iran. While issuing strong warnings, he has also suggested that diplomacy could still bring an end to the fighting. Many Americans, however, remain uneasy about his judgment when it comes to using military force overseas, and there is broad opposition to more aggressive steps such as deploying ground troops.

Concern about fuel prices cuts across party lines, with large majorities of both Republicans and Democrats saying it is important to prevent increases at the pump.

Around three-quarters of Republicans and roughly two-thirds of Democrats say keeping oil and gas prices stable should be a top priority. Still, the level of concern differs significantly between the parties. Only about 30% of Republicans say they are “extremely” or “very” worried about paying for gas in the near future, compared to about 60% of Democrats.

Republicans also place greater emphasis on stopping Iran’s nuclear ambitions. While about two-thirds of Americans overall view that goal as highly important, roughly 80% of Republicans say it is at least “very” important, compared with about half of Democrats.

The war has also fueled debate over the role of Israel in U.S. foreign policy, particularly after Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu advocated for military action against Iran. Only about 40% of Americans say preventing Iran from threatening Israel should be a major priority.

Even fewer Americans support the idea of regime change in Iran. About 30% say it is at least “very” important for the U.S. to replace Iran’s government with one more aligned with American interests.

Public opinion on the military campaign itself shows a clear divide. About 90% of Democrats and 60% of independents believe the U.S. strikes in Iran have “gone too far.”

Republicans are more split. Roughly half say the level of military action has been “about right,” while relatively few support escalation. Only about 20% believe the U.S. has not gone far enough, while around one-quarter say it has already exceeded appropriate limits.

Previous AP-NORC polling has shown that about 60% of Americans feel Trump has “gone too far” on various issues, including tariffs and executive authority. That figure closely mirrors his overall approval rating, suggesting that while his approach to Iran is unpopular, it aligns with broader perceptions of his presidency.

Further escalation could shift those views. Around 60% of Americans say they “somewhat” or “strongly” oppose sending U.S. ground troops into Iran, including about 80% of Democrats and roughly half of Republicans. Opposition is also notable when it comes to airstrikes targeting Iranian leadership or military infrastructure, with just under half opposed, about 30% in favor, and another 30% undecided.

Trust in Trump’s decision-making on military matters remains limited. About half of U.S. adults say they have “only a little” trust or “none at all” in his ability to make the right choices regarding the use of force abroad, consistent with findings from a February poll.

Roughly 34% of Americans approve of Trump’s handling of foreign policy, nearly unchanged from 36% earlier this year. That level of support has remained steady despite a series of controversial actions, including tensions over Greenland and a strike on Venezuela.

Similarly, the new poll shows that about 35% of Americans approve of Trump’s handling of the situation with Iran, closely matching his broader foreign policy ratings.

{Matzav.com}

OpenAI is discontinuing its Sora video platform less than a year after launching it, signaling a major change in direction as the company turns its attention toward productivity-focused tools and positions itself for a possible public offering.

According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, OpenAI has decided to phase out Sora, a consumer-oriented product that debuted with significant hype but has since receded from public attention. The move reflects a broader shift away from consumer entertainment products and toward enterprise and software development solutions.

CEO Sam Altman informed employees of the decision on Tuesday, explaining that all products tied to the company’s video-generation models would be wound down. This includes not only the Sora app itself, but also its developer tools and video-related features within ChatGPT.

The decision is part of a wider restructuring effort aimed at directing OpenAI’s computing power and engineering resources toward tools designed to boost productivity for both businesses and individual users. The change comes as the company lays the groundwork for a potential initial public offering that could take place as soon as the fourth quarter.

Last week, OpenAI outlined plans to merge several of its key offerings—including the ChatGPT desktop app, its Codex coding tool, and its browser—into a single integrated platform described as a “superapp.” The company believes this unified system will help streamline its efforts and concentrate its workforce on a single strategic vision.

Sora was originally introduced in September as part of OpenAI’s push to expand its presence in the consumer market. The platform included a social feed similar to TikTok, allowing users to generate and share AI-created video content. Following the launch, Altman encouraged users to experiment creatively, including inserting themselves into well-known scenes from popular media.

Internally, however, some employees questioned the scale of resources devoted to Sora, particularly given the lack of clear demand from users. Despite those concerns, Altman urged the company to continue pursuing ambitious ideas, including plans for a future AI-powered hardware device.

The rollout of Sora also drew criticism early on. Initially, the platform lacked sufficient safeguards to prevent unauthorized use of copyrighted material, leading to a brief legal dispute over intellectual property. OpenAI later introduced measures that allow content owners to restrict the use of their likenesses and protected works.

In December, Disney announced a $1 billion investment in OpenAI, with plans to license more than 200 characters for use on the Sora platform. The agreement would have enabled users to create AI-generated videos featuring iconic figures, placing themselves alongside characters such as Luke Skywalker or within scenes from Toy Story.

That partnership will now not proceed. A Disney spokeswoman stated, “As the nascent AI field advances rapidly, we respect OpenAI’s decision to exit the video generation business and to shift its priorities elsewhere.”

{Matzav.com}

A jury on Wednesday ruled that Meta and YouTube are responsible for designing platforms that contributed to harmful and addictive behavior among young users, marking a significant decision that could influence future lawsuits against social media companies.

Jurors awarded $3 million in damages to the lead plaintiff, a woman identified in court documents as Kaley, or “KGM,” who claimed that early exposure to YouTube and Instagram led to compulsive use and played a role in her mental health struggles, including depression, body dysmorphia, and suicidal thoughts.

The verdict follows a trial that spanned several weeks and featured testimony from high-profile executives, including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram head Adam Mosseri, who were called to defend their platforms. The case drew comparisons to litigation against tobacco companies in the 1990s. The jury deliberated for more than a week in a Los Angeles courtroom and at one point informed the judge that they were having difficulty reaching agreement regarding one of the defendants.

Kaley filed the lawsuit in 2023 against Meta, which owns Instagram and Facebook, as well as Google-owned YouTube. TikTok and Snap, the parent company of Snapchat, were initially included in the complaint but reached settlements before the trial began in late January.

Now 20 years old, Kaley testified that she spent extensive time on social media and experienced an emotional “rush” from likes and notifications, which kept her constantly engaged with her phone.

“We respectfully disagree with the verdict and are evaluating our legal options,” a Meta spokesperson told CBS News, noting that jurors were not unanimous in issuing the decision.

Her attorney, Mark Lanier of Lanier Law Firm, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Throughout the proceedings, Lanier argued that both Meta and YouTube knew their platforms could harm younger users but chose to prioritize profits over user safety.

The case centered on two primary claims against the companies: negligence and a failure to adequately warn users about potential health risks associated with their platforms.

For years, social media companies have defended against similar claims by invoking Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act, which shields platforms from liability for content posted by users.

This lawsuit, however, focused not on user-generated content but on the design of the platforms themselves.

In a separate but related development on Tuesday, a New Mexico jury found that Meta violated state laws regarding child exploitation and ordered the company to pay $375 million in civil penalties. That verdict was reached after just one day of deliberations.

Meta spokesperson Andy Stone said in a post on X that the company plans to appeal that ruling, adding that “we will continue to defend ourselves vigorously, and we remain confident in our record of protecting teens online.”

The New Mexico case marks the first time a state has successfully held a major technology company liable for harm caused to young users.

During the Los Angeles trial, both Meta and YouTube denied that Kaley’s social media use was the cause of her mental health difficulties. Their legal teams argued that other factors—including family background, challenges at home and in school, and learning disabilities—were more significant contributors to her condition.

“Not one of her therapists identified social media as the cause,” a Meta spokesperson said in a statement to CBS News earlier this month.

Several mental health professionals who treated Kaley testified during the proceedings. Among them was Victoria Burke, a former therapist who worked with her in 2019, who said that social media and Kaley’s identity “were closely related,” and that activity on the platforms could “make or break her mood.”

Attorneys for the companies also maintained that Kaley used social media as a way to cope with existing emotional struggles, rather than those platforms being the source of her problems.

{Matzav.com}

United Airlines announced plans to roll out a new cabin concept designed to give economy passengers more room and comfort on long-distance flights, introducing a premium seating option called “United Relax Row.”

The airline revealed that the new section will feature specially designed seats equipped with adjustable leg rests that can be raised or lowered, allowing travelers to create a flat, couch-like space to stretch out during flights.

“The entire row is alllllll yours,” United said Tuesday in a post on social platform X.

According to the airline, the new seating is “ideal for families traveling with small children, solo travelers and couples who want the value of United Economy but with a little extra comfort.”

Passengers who book the Relax Row will receive additional perks, including a fitted mattress pad, a soft blanket, and two extra pillows. Families traveling with children will also be provided with a plush toy and a dedicated travel kit.

United said the new seating option is expected to debut in 2027 and will eventually be installed on more than 200 of its Boeing 787 and 777 widebody aircraft by 2030.

The Relax Row section will be positioned between standard economy seating and United Premium Plus, with each eligible aircraft offering as many as 12 of these upgraded rows.

Airline officials said the initiative reflects growing demand among travelers for more comfortable flying options.

“Customers traveling in United Economy on long-haul flights deserve an option for more space and comfort, and this is one way we can deliver that for them,” said Andrew Nocella, United’s executive vice president and chief commercial officer. “United is the only North American airline offering a product like the United Relax Row.”

{Matzav.com}

Iran announced Wednesday that it launched cruise missiles toward the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, escalating tensions just hours after its military leadership rejected any possibility of reaching an agreement with the United States to end the war.

The semiofficial Fars News Agency, closely aligned with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, reported that the strike “forc[ed] the American naval fleet to change position.”

US Central Command did not immediately respond to the claim. In previous instances, however, CENTCOM has used social media to dispute Iranian assertions that American naval assets, including the Lincoln, had been successfully targeted.

The USS Abraham Lincoln has been operating in the Arabian Sea as part of Operation Epic Fury, which is nearing the end of its fourth week on Friday.

Speaking in the Oval Office on Tuesday, President Trump told reporters that Iran had “shot 100 missiles at one of our aircraft carriers, one of the biggest ships in the world, actually.

“Out of 101 missiles, every single one of them was knocked down.”

The reported missile launches came shortly after a senior Iranian military spokesman issued a forceful rejection of any negotiations with Washington, following the transmission of a 15-point US peace proposal through Pakistani intermediaries.

“Someone like us will never come to terms with someone like you. Not now, not ever,” Lt. Col. Ebrahim Zolfaghari said in a video shared by Fars.

“The strategic power you used to talk about has turned into a strategic failure,” he added. “The one claiming to be a global superpower would have already gotten out of this mess if it could. Don’t dress up your defeat as an agreement. Your era of empty promises has come to an end.”

According to the Wall Street Journal, the American proposal includes sweeping requirements for Iran, such as dismantling its nuclear infrastructure, abandoning any pursuit of nuclear weapons, transferring enriched uranium to international oversight, limiting its missile capabilities strictly to defensive purposes, ensuring open passage through the Strait of Hormuz, and ending support for terrorist proxy groups.

Tehran has countered with its own demands, including the complete lifting of sanctions and the removal of US military forces from the Persian Gulf—conditions that a US official described as “ridiculous and unrealistic,” according to the Journal.

There has been no indication that diplomatic efforts have reduced the intensity of the fighting.

On Wednesday afternoon, the Israeli military reported carrying out “several waves of strikes targeting infrastructure of the Iranian terror regime in Tehran” and said additional details would be released later.

The day before, the Israel Defense Forces said it had struck military production facilities in Isfahan, including sites used for submarine construction and naval support operations.

In a separate update, Israel’s defense ministry stated that more than 15,000 strikes have been conducted against Iran since combat began on Feb. 28, a figure more than four times higher than the number of strikes carried out during the 12-day conflict with the Islamic Republic last June.

{Matzav.com}