Vice President JD Vance, Pope Francis Have Easter Sunday Meeting At Vatican

'The meeting, which lasted a few minutes, allowed them to exchange Easter greetings'

United Airlines flight from LA to China forced to turn around mid-flight because pilot made 'embarrassing' mistake



A United Airlines flight from California to China was forced to turn around mid-flight because the pilot made the egregious mistake of forgetting to bring his passport, according to reports.

A United Airlines flight departed from Los Angeles International Airport just before 2 p.m. on Saturday. United Flight UA 198 was flying from LAX to Shanghai, China.

'How could someone mess up this badly at work?'

However, the pilot reportedly realized that he had forgotten to bring his passport on the international flight to China.

Radar shows the airliner traveling over the Pacific Ocean before making a U-turn and flying back to California.

Two hours into the flight, the plane had to turn around and divert to the San Francisco International Airport, according to CNN.

Citing a statement from United Airlines, NBC News reported that the "pilot on the flight did not have their passport."

“We arranged for a new crew to take our customers to their destination that evening," United stated.

Yang Shuhan — a Chinese passenger aboard the flight — told CNN that the pilot sounded “frustrated” while announcing on the intercom that he “forgot (his) passport.”

Data on FlightAware.com showed the plane landing in San Francisco shortly after 5 p.m. on Saturday.

“Your flight diverted to San Francisco due to an unexpected crew-related issue requiring a new crew,” a United Airlines spokesperson stated, according to travel site View from the Wing. “Once they arrive, we’ll get you back on your way to Shanghai as soon as possible. We sincerely apologize for this disruption and appreciate your patience.”

The failed flight touched down in Shanghai approximately six hours behind schedule. The New York Post reported that passengers were provided with "$15 meal vouchers and compensation."

There were 257 passengers and 13 crew members onboard the United airliner.

Alleged travelers on the plane vented on social media regarding the rerouted flight.

An alleged passenger wrote on the X social media platform, "UA 198 diverted to SFO because the pilot forgot his passport? Now stuck 6+ hours. Completely unacceptable. United, what compensation are you offering for this total mishandling?”

United Airlines replied, “Hi there. We sincerely apologize for this unexpected travel disruption."

An alleged passenger reportedly said on the Chinese social networking platform Rednote, "How could someone mess up this badly at work?"

Shukor Yusof — founder of Singapore-based Endau Analytics, an advisory company for the aviation industry — called the "absent-mindedness" mistake “embarrassing” and “unacceptable” for a prominent international airline like United Airlines, adding that it “shows a lack of discipline.”

A reported traveler told CNN, “I’m feeling pretty frustrated. Because of the delay, I have to reschedule all my plans for Monday, which is really inconvenient.”

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Video: United Airlines plane aborts high-speed takeoff after engine bursts into flames



In the latest air traffic emergency, a United Airlines plane was forced to abort a takeoff after an engine burst into flames while accelerating down an airport runway in Texas.

United Airlines flight UA1382 was departing Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport on Sunday and was bound for New York City's LaGuardia Airport. The Airbus A319-100 plane was carrying 104 passengers and five crew members on board.

"We've had a heart-wrenching week in aviation."

The plane began to taxi down the runway at 8:35 a.m., when passengers noticed that a fire broke out on one of the wings.

Ashlyn Sharp, a passenger on the malfunctioning plane, provided video of the fiery plane to KRIV-TV.

The video shows large flames and black smoke flowing from the wing of the plane.

Sharp told KRIV-TV, "It sounded like something flew into the engine or something. [It] scared everyone. That's when we all looked out our window and saw the engine and the wing on fire, and we could smell the smoke inside."

The video shows a flight crew member instructing the passengers to stay seated when someone on the plane yells, "No! It's a fire!"

Another passenger is heard saying on the video, "Please, please get us out of here."

The Aviation Herald reported that the Airbus A319-100 plane was traveling at a "high speed" of about 115 knots (approximately 130 mph) when the engine malfunctioned.

The Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement, "The crew of United Airlines Flight 1382 safely aborted its takeoff from the George Bush Intercontinental/Houston Airport in Texas due to a reported engine issue around 8:35 a.m. local time on Sunday, Feb. 2."

The United Airlines plane stopped on the runway, where emergency vehicles rushed to the scene to put out the fire.

The passengers were evacuated from the plane and bused to the airport terminal.

The Houston Fire Department stated it assisted in deboarding the passengers and that there were no reported injuries.

The FAA has launched an investigation into the engine malfunction.

There have been multiple air traffic emergencies in recent times.

As Blaze News reported last week, an American Eagle passenger jet collided with a Black Hawk military helicopter on Wednesday. All 62 passengers and two crew members of the doomed plane as well as the three soldiers on the Black Hawk helicopter are presumed dead.

As of Sunday, the remains of 55 of the 67 victims had been recovered and positively identified, according to John Donnelly — the chief of Washington’s fire and emergency medical services department.

The mid-air collision is the deadliest domestic plane crash in nearly 20 years.

Dive teams have been surveying the wreckage and are expected to begin to extract the aircraft out of the Potomac River on Monday.

Officials said they expect to remove all of the plane and helicopter wreckage by Feb. 12, according to the New York Times.

The Navy unit involved in recovering the wreckage was also involved in the response to the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore last spring, said Col. Francis Pera of the Corps of Engineers.

Two days after the collision involving the passenger plane and Black Hawk helicopter, a small plane crashed into a neighborhood in Northeast Philadelphia. All six passengers on the plane as well as a person in a car are believed to have been killed in the plane crash. There were also 22 people injured in the plane crash. Five of the victims remain hospitalized, and three are reportedly in critical condition.

The Learjet 55 departed from an airport in Florida and arrived in Northeast Philadelphia around 2:15 p.m. on Friday. The jet was on the ground for a few hours before departing for the Springfield-Branson National Airport in Springfield, Missouri, around 6:06 p.m. on Friday.

GPS data revealed the medical jet climbed approximately 1,500 feet into the air before taking a slight right turn, followed by a slight left turn, and then a steep descent before the plane went into a "high-impact" crash, according to officials.

The entire flight was reportedly less than one minute.

The airplane slammed into a busy intersection near the Roosevelt Mall — an outdoor shopping plaza in Philadelphia.

According to CBS News, a small medical jet was transporting a Shriners Children's Hospital patient, her mother, and four crew members. The girl was being treated for a "life-threatening" illness in the United States before returning to Mexico.

Mexico's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that six people on the plane were Mexican nationals.

The FAA is investigating the plane crash in Philadelphia.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said on Saturday, "We've had a heart-wrenching week in aviation."

"A couple days ago, I had a chance to sit down with a few of the family members who lost loved ones in the D.C. crash. Their pain is unimaginable," Duffy stated. "I committed transparency to them. When I know information, I'm going to share it with them, but also with the American people."

"Up in Philadelphia, we've sent a team of FAA investigators in conjunction with the NTSB," Duffy continued. "We're not going to have answers right away. It's going to take time. But as I get those answers, I'm going to share that with all of you."

Duffy vowed to provide any resources from the Department of Transportation to assist Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro.

Duffy said helicopter travel is restricted in the airspace around Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

On Thursday, President Donald Trump named Chris Rocheleau as acting FAA administrator to fill the position that has been unfulfilled since Inauguration Day.

Rocheleau has served the FAA for more than 20 years in multiple roles, including deputy associate administrator for aviation safety, chief of staff, deputy associate administrator for policy, international affairs and environment, executive director for international affairs, and director of national security programs, emergency operations, and investigations.

Watch the Blaze Media original documentary "Countdown to the Next Aviation Disaster," which first debuted in November.

BlazeTV host Stu Burguiere went on a mission to discover why there have been so many "close calls" of commercial airliner collisions in recent times.

Burguiere's investigation revealed several eyebrow-raising developments on how airports are using outdated technology, DEI practices that exclude the most qualified would-be air traffic controllers, and severely understaffed air traffic towers.

Billionaire Elon Musk shared the documentary on the X social media platform last week.

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Someone Please Tell The Washington Post The Real Meaning Of Christmas Is Not Self-Care

Christmas is for celebrating the arrival of the Savior of the world, not for ‘celebrating and luxuriating’ in your ‘holiday aloneness.'

Mother and her adult son allegedly beat up 65-year-old woman on cruise ship amid argument



An Alabama woman was arrested for allegedly assaulting a passenger on a cruise ship. Meanwhile, the woman's son was kicked off the ship after allegedly striking the same senior citizen victim.

Kelli Lyn Ryan, 49, and her 23-year-old son Dylan Ryan sailed on the MSC Seascape cruise ship on Oct. 5. A day after leaving Port Miami, the mother and son from Huntsville allegedly got involved in a physical confrontation with a 65-year-old woman in the ship’s two-deck theater.

Authorities did not specify whether the victim and alleged assailants knew each other or what ignited the altercation.

WHNT-TV reported that the ship's deputy chief of security informed the Miami-Dade Police Department that Kelli Lyn Ryan was seen "hitting the victim with an open hand" after an argument around 9:30 p.m. Oct. 6.

The Miami-Dade Police Department said the altercation was captured on surveillance video.

The ship's deputy chief security officer said Dylan Ryan was caught on video striking the victim multiple times.

The police report said the senior citizen victim suffered multiple injuries on her face and head.

Dylan Ryan was booted from the MSC Seascape at the first port of call in Falmouth, Jamaica. Authorities said he was removed from the ship for unspecified “excessive behavior.”

Kelli Lyn Ryan was allowed to remain on the week-long cruise as it made stops in the Cayman Islands, Mexico, and MSC Ocean Cay — the cruise company’s private island in the Bahamas.

However, Kelli Lyn Ryan was arrested once the ship docked in Miami. She was taken to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center and charged with battery on a person 65 or older.

Authorities did not specify whether the victim and alleged assailants knew each other or what ignited the altercation.

MSC Cruises has not commented on the incident.

The FBI said it had received 180 reports of alleged criminal activity on board cruises in 2023.

FBI Tampa Special Agent Mat Pagliarini and FBI Los Angeles Special Agent Matt Parker noted that incidents of sexual assault were the most common crime on cruise ships, followed by physical assaults.

The Department of Justice said there were 24 physical assaults with serious injury on cruise ships in 2023 — 14 physical assaults happened on Carnival cruise ships. There were reportedly 33 sexual assaults on cruise ships last year.

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Biden-Harris Administration Has No Clue How Many Unvetted Aliens It Let In

The IG report is the latest evidence that America’s illegal immigration crisis is the direct result of Biden and Harris' policies.

The American spirit is alive and well at Fort Worth's Cowtown Coliseum



The rodeo at the Cowtown Coliseum in Fort Worth, Texas, has all the adrenaline-packed cowboy classics: bronc riding, team roping, barrel racing, and, of course, bull riding.

Your ticket also gets you something you just can’t buy: an invigorating infusion of the American spirit.

Then, the announcer did something refreshing — and far more uncommon than it should be in this one nation under God. He prayed.

That’s what I took from my recent visit to the rodeo, as I watched the pull-yourself-up-by-the-bootstraps competitors from near and far embody the work ethic that built this great nation.

It was a night worth remembering, and if you ever have the good fortune to go, I think you’ll agree.

Country through and through

Walking between the rows of two-story, Western-style buildings on East Exchange Avenue was like taking a step into American history. The red brick streets bustled with foot traffic on either side. Men wore cowboy hats, boots, and denim. Women wore feathers in their brims and paired colorful or bedazzled boots with flowing summer dresses.

In front of the Cowtown Coliseum, a longhorn stood loosely tethered and drawing spectators. Turning your head either way down the picturesque street revealed an overlay of red, blue, and yellow neon signs for shops, bars, and Texas barbecue. You got the impression of being on a family-friendly version of Nashville’s famous Broadway.

It felt country through and through, and it was exhilarating.

Morgan Milan

Enter Old Glory

Ten minutes before showtime, Western-wearing locals and visitors started trickling through the doors of the coliseum to find their seats. My group settled into the strawberry red-painted wooden stadium seats in Section D, grinning ear to ear as a lanky teenager in an American flag suit took the center of the dirt ring to hype the crowd.

He took a bow, and then the announcer seated at the back of the arena asked attendees to remove their hats as a rider on a horse named Old Glory carried an American flag into the ring. Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA” played over the loudspeakers, and Old Glory built from a slow trot to a breathtakingly quick gallop. Our flag was held high, rippling in the air in response to the horse’s speed through the end of the pride-inspiring song.

Because just one tribute to our great nation wouldn’t do, a female singer followed to belt “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Then, the announcer did something refreshing — and far more uncommon than it should be in this one nation under God. He prayed. He prayed for the cowboys and cowgirls participating in the rodeo. He prayed for the safety of the animals, and he prayed for the joy of those in attendance. He prayed, and it was the most American thing I’d heard in a very long time.

I don’t know that anyone could go to a rodeo at the Cowtown Coliseum and not be overcome with national pride and patriotism. The permission to openly love our country reminded me of everything freedom was supposed to mean, and I’m beyond grateful to the men and women in Fort Worth who are responsible for keeping the American spirit of my childhood alive in the midst of a world where most of us feel forced to watch it die.

Morgan Milan

True grit

Luckily, the rodeo competitors showed up with the grit to back up the patriotic showboating. Cowboys rode angry broncs, sometimes flying from the horses’ backs onto the dirt or up into the metal railing around the arena. Cowgirls roped calves with pink lassos or charged their mounts at full speed around black barrels for the fastest time. All the while, attendees passed popcorn and sipped cold Coke and whiskeys, "oohing" and "ahhing" as contestants narrowly avoided a hoof to the head, knocked over barrels, or successfully roped their cows.

Bachelorette parties flirted with groups of young men in the stands, and kids enthusiastically signed up to race each other through the arena to pull a tag from a running calf. The night buzzed with energy, and I was never far from the edge of my seat. I found myself thinking this is the America I want to raise kids in.

Cowtown Coliseum’s rodeos are a testament to what it means to be a patriot, and I highly recommend making time for a visit if you find yourself in Fort Worth … or if you ever need to be reminded why you should be proud to be an American.

Tickets to attend a rodeo at Cowtown Coliseum are available throughout the year and can be purchased online.

Passport bros and Middle Eastern thugs: Tales from Thailand’s 'Sin City'



I’m currently in Thailand, immersed in the rather brutal world of Muay Thai.

For those unfamiliar, Muay Thai is a form of martial arts that requires discipline, endurance, and lots of ice to offset the daily bruisings. Training here with seasoned Thai fighters is an experience unlike any other. These athletes, many of whom have been practicing the sport for decades, are absolute animals. They embody a relentless work ethic that can make even the most seasoned foreign fighter feel like a novice.

Beyond the usual crowds of Western tourists and expats, there has been a notable influx of visitors from the Middle East, a fact that hasn’t gone unnoticed by the locals.

However, there’s much more to Thailand than its legendary martial arts tradition. The country is often seen as a paradise of sun, sea, sand, and inordinate amounts of sin. Forgive me, Father!

Shoes, shirt, and self-respect optional

When we hear the words “Sin City,” Las Vegas automatically springs to mind. But what about Pattaya, Thailand’s own version of Las Vegas? Less than 100 miles from Bangkok, this popular beach city takes the concept of sin to an entirely different level.

In short, it has become a magnet for those seeking pleasures of a more sordid nature. While Las Vegas teases visitors with its neon-lit casinos and high-end shows, Pattaya offers something far less polished. It's a city where the temptations are brazenly out in the open, a place where anything seems possible, and often, it is. Welcome to the devil’s playground.

I spent several weeks in Pattaya while continuing my Muay Thai training. The contrast between the discipline of the gym and the chaos of the streets couldn’t have been more stark. The city is overrun with delinquents, many of whom seem to represent the worst of human nature.

Most of these individuals are foreigners, and the vast majority of them are from the U.S. and the U.K. It’s as if Pattaya attracts people who have given up on any semblance of order or moral restraint, choosing instead to wallow in the excesses that the city so freely offers.

Beer for breakfast, legalized weed for lunch, and only God knows what for dinner. The concept of wearing a shirt in public, no matter how out of shape one may be, is much like the offenders themselves: distinctly foreign.

That said, it isn’t all bad. Among the sea of lost souls, I encountered a few genuinely good people, including some elderly U.S. veterans who now make Pattaya their home. These men, who once served their country with honor, now find themselves in a city that feels worlds apart from the values they once defended.

When I inquired about their presence there, even they struggled to provide a coherent answer. After some polite pressing, they spoke kindly about the affordability, the pleasant climate, and the camaraderie they’ve found amidst the city's constant chaos.

Rising tensions

During my time in Pattaya, I saw a side of the city that has shifted dramatically in recent years. Beyond the usual crowds of Western tourists and expats, there has been a notable influx of visitors from the Middle East, a fact that hasn’t gone unnoticed by the locals.

This new wave of tourists has sparked rising tensions, and it's essential to address it without falling into oversimplified labels or accusations of prejudice. The frustration among locals is palpable, and it has little to do with race or religion. Rather, it has to do with behavior — thuggery and outright disrespect toward the people who make this country so welcoming.

Although obnoxious tourists are nothing new, the issues caused by this influx of Middle Eastern visitors are not confined to Pattaya. The nation’s capital has also been feeling the effects, with reports of criminal behavior increasing in certain districts. Scam artists, often operating in sophisticated networks, have been running riot, exploiting both tourists and locals alike. These scams range from simple cons to highly organized operations that leave many victims financially devastated.

It’s worth emphasizing that on the whole, you’d be hard-pressed to find kinder or more accommodating people than the Thai. They embody a grace and warmth that’s rare in such a tourist-heavy country. But even the most patient individuals have their limits. I personally witnessed how some of these newer visitors treated the locals — hotel staff, gym instructors, taxi drivers, and waitresses — with blatant disrespect. At times, it bordered on open contempt, as though the basic decency expected in any social interaction no longer applied.

For a country that prides itself on hospitality, such behavior is deeply unsettling, and the resentment among locals is beginning to simmer. You can sense it in the conversations among the Thai people — who, despite their calm demeanor, are growing increasingly fed up with the lack of courtesy and respect shown by certain foreign visitors. The contrast is sharp; while Thai culture places a strong emphasis on respect, politeness, and humility, the actions of some of these recent arrivals seem to openly defy those values.

The gravity of the situation becomes even more apparent when you consider the fact that these are people who have seen it all.

In a place like Pattaya, where spring break seems to be happening every single day of the year, the boundaries of acceptable behavior are constantly pushed. In many ways, the locals have become desensitized to the usual transgressions that might shock elsewhere.

They’ve witnessed or heard about every conceivable excess — drunken brawls, public indecency, streaking septuagenarians. Yet the fact that many of them are now genuinely up in arms over the behavior of this recent influx of visitors is telling.

They are also growing tired of the “Sin City” label. There were actual protests in the streets just two months ago, with many residents voicing their frustration over Pattaya’s international reputation as a hub of iniquity. This local pushback reveals a desire for change, a demand for the city to be seen as more than just the home of hedonism.

However, Pattaya is undeniably the mecca for those seeking the darker side. It’s a destination for men attracted to the city’s infamous ladyboy culture — though, personally, most definitely not my cup of tea. For those inclined, Pattaya offers an abundance of nightlife catering to every taste imaginable, from go-go bars to the infamous Walking Street, where ladies and men who want to be ladies eye every foreigner with an intensity that's nothing short of theatrical.

Final thoughts

Of course, Pattaya isn't all bad. In fact, it has its own unique charm. The beaches, for instance, remain one of its redeeming features. While not the pristine, postcard-perfect stretches of sand found in other parts of Thailand, Pattaya Beach and nearby Jomtien Beach still offer stunning views and warm waters. And most importantly, they offer a place to escape from the thousands of ladyboys who patrol the streets with a militaristic precision.

There's certainly a quieter side of Pattaya that doesn’t get nearly as much attention. Hidden within the city are pockets of authentic Thai culture — the temples, markets, and the local street food scene that thrives away from the tourist spots. Places like the Sanctuary of Truth, a massive wooden structure filled with exquisite carvings, stand as reminders of the city’s deeper cultural heritage.

The city is, on the whole, a mixed bag. Much like Amsterdam and Prague, it’s full of indecency, but it also offers more, shall we say, respectable options, if you know where to look.

It’s this juxtaposition — between vice and virtue — that makes Pattaya so fascinating yet frustrating for those who call it home. The locals want to reclaim their city from the stereotypes, but given Pattaya’s entrenched reputation, that’s easier said than done.

Filipino national sentenced to 30 years for planting hidden cameras in cruise ship cabins, recording children as young as 2



A Florida judge sentenced a Filipino national to 30 years in federal prison for recording child porn by planting multiple hidden cameras in guest rooms on a major cruise ship, according to authorities. Some of the victims who were secretly recorded were reportedly children as young as 2 years old.

Arvin Joseph Mirasol — a 34-year-old citizen of the Philippines — had worked as a stateroom attendant aboard Royal Caribbean Cruise Line's Symphony of the Seas, a cruise ship that can accommodate a maximum capacity of 6,680 guests.

'I want to control it, but I can't.'

A cruise ship passenger reached under the sink to get a roll of toilet paper and discovered a hidden camera attached to the counter under the sink in the guest's bathroom. The guest notified the cruise ship's security regarding the hidden camera on Feb. 25.

Cruise ship security detained Mirasol until the Symphony of the Seas cruise ship docked at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale on March 3. Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection officials boarded the ship and launched an investigation. Law enforcement seized Mirasol’s electronics, including his cell phone and a USB stick.

Investigators discovered that Mirasol’s electronics "contained numerous videos of children in various stages of undress," according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida. The press release added, "The focus of the videos was on the children’s genital areas."

Homeland Security Investigations agents were able to identify the children seen in the videos. The children ranged in age from 2 to 17.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida stated that one of the videos on the recording devices showed Mirasol installing a camera in a guest's bathroom.

Investigators noted that Mirasol had been placing cameras in passenger cabins since December 2023.

According to prosecutors, Mirasol would also enter the guests' rooms while they were showering, hide under their beds, and secretly record them exiting the shower with his cell phone.

"I want to control it, but I can't," Mirasol told investigators while being questioned, according to the affidavit.

When asked how he decides which rooms to place cameras in, Mirasol allegedly told investigators, "If I like who is in that room, I place it." He informed investigators that he would target teenage girls ages 16 and over, the affidavit read.

Mirasol was arrested in March by Broward County deputies. Mirasol pleaded guilty to producing child pornography.

On Wednesday, Mirasol was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison by U.S. District Court Judge Melissa Damian.

Royal Caribbean said in a statement released in March, "We have zero tolerance for this unacceptable behavior. We immediately reported this to law enforcement and terminated the crew member, and we will continue to fully cooperate with authorities."

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Broward County Sheriff's Office

Southwest Airlines: Where Freedom (Open Seating) Goes To Die

[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://thefederalist.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Screenshot-2024-07-25-at-10.08.18 AM-e1721920125172-1200x675.png crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//thefederalist.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Screenshot-2024-07-25-at-10.08.18%5Cu202fAM-e1721920125172-1200x675.png%22%7D" expand=1]RIP open seating. You were the last semblance of freedom in a greedy industry dominated by subsidized tyrants.