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Man Caught Smuggling 35 Songbirds at J.F.K. Airport

Man caught at airport smuggling singing birds in his clothing

On Monday, a man from Guyana was apprehended at a New York airport after being caught smuggling nearly three dozen finches.

According to officials, when Kevin Andre McKenzie’s flight arrived at John F. Kennedy International Airport, Customs and Border Protection officers pulled him aside for an inspection.

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During the test, they discovered 35 birds concealed in his clothes, stuffed inside hair rollers. The rollers were covered with netting and then wrapped around McKenzie’s jacket and boots.

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He said he was paid $3,000 to smuggle the birds into the United States. He was charged with illegally bringing the finches into the country. It is unclear if someone else has been arrested in connection with the incident.

According to an inquiry, birds like these are often entered in “singing competitions” in New York’s Brooklyn and Queens communities.

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People place bets on which bird has the best voice, and the winner is chosen by a judge. A good finch will fetch more than $10,000. Finches from Guyana are thought to sing better and therefore are more desirable.

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Airlines

Alaska Airlines Acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines Reshapes the Air Travel Landscape

Alaska Airlines' Acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines Reshapes the Air Travel Landscape

Alaska Air Group, Inc. (NYSE: ALK) and Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: HA) jointly announced today the execution of a definitive agreement, signifying Alaska Airlines’ acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines at a cash price of $18.00 per share. The total transaction value stands at approximately $1.9 billion, encompassing Hawaiian Airlines’ net debt of $0.9 billion.

The combination of complementary domestic, international, and cargo networks

This strategic union is poised to open up an array of additional destinations, providing consumers with increased choices in crucial air service options across the Pacific region, Continental United States, and globally.

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The transaction is anticipated to establish a robust platform for growth and competition in the U.S., offering enduring employment opportunities, ongoing community investments, and a commitment to environmental stewardship.

Key Points:

  1. Acquisition Overview:
    • Alaska Air Group to acquire Hawaiian Holdings for $18.00 per share in an all-cash transaction, totaling approximately $1.9 billion.
    • Combined company aims to maintain the strong, high-quality brands of Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines.
  2. Fleet Expansion and Network Reach:
    • Creates the fifth-largest U.S. airline with a fleet of 365 narrow and wide-body airplanes.
    • Enables access to 138 destinations through combined networks and over 1,200 destinations via the oneworld Alliance.
  3. Hub Development and Connectivity:
    • Honolulu to become a key hub for the combined airline, offering expanded services to the Continental U.S., Asia, and the Pacific.
    • Tripling the number of destinations from Hawai‘i to North America, while maintaining robust Neighbor Island service.
  4. Commitment to Hawai‘i:
    • Strong commitment to Hawai‘i, ensuring robust Neighbor Island air service.
    • Aiming for a more competitive platform supporting growth, job opportunities, community investment, and environmental stewardship.
  5. Employee and Union Commitment:
    • Commitment to maintaining and growing the union-represented workforce in Hawai‘i.
    • Immediate value creation with at least $235 million of expected run-rate synergies.
  6. Investor Call and Timeline:
    • Investor conference call scheduled for today at 5:00 p.m. ET / 2:00 p.m. PT / 12:00 p.m. HT.
    • Anticipated closing of the transaction within 12-18 months.
  7. Strategic and Financial Rationale:
    • Complementary networks to enhance competition and provide greater choice for consumers.
    • Preservation of both Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines’ brands on a single operating platform.
    • Expected to deliver high single-digit earnings accretion for Alaska Airlines within the first two years.
  8. Community and Sustainability Commitment:
    • Focus on growth in union-represented jobs and strong operational presence in Hawai‘i.
    • Commitment to environmental stewardship, aligning with Alaska Airlines’ five-part path to net zero by 2040.
  9. Synergies and Accretion:
    • Expected run-rate synergies of at least $235 million.
    • Transaction multiple of 0.7 times revenue, approximately one third the average of recent airline transactions.
  10. Conditions to Close:
  • Approval by regulatory authorities and Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. shareholders.
  • Expected to close in 12-18 months, with the combined organization based in Seattle under the leadership of Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci.
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