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PRESS RELEASe 21 November 2024, Apia, Samoa. The Samoa Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) jointly held a workshop today to mark the launch of a Cost of the Diet analysis in Samoa. The initiative aims to identify nutrient gaps and enhance decision-making to improve access to healthy, nutritious diets for the Samoan population, with a focus on the most vulnerable. “Reshaping food systems to nourish populations—rather than merely addressing hunger—requires that we focus on making healthy diets available, accessible, affordable, desirable, and environmentally sustainable. No single actor can achieve this transformation alone. It is vital that we work together to tackle these challenges head-on”, said MAF Acting Chief Executive Officer, Fiu Sailo Pa’o. The analysis, which combines secondary data, advanced software, and multi-sectoral stakeholder engagement to identify barriers and solutions for sustainable and healthy diets, is part of Samoa’s broader efforts to transform its national food systems and improve the nutritional well-being of its citizens. “This analysis”, said Themba Kalua, Resident Coordinator for Samoa, Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau, “is not just a snapshot of Samoa’s current nutrition situation. It is a robust, collaborative process that seeks to identify and address the barriers preventing access to healthy and nutritious food. By analysing these barriers, we can develop policies and programmes that ensure nutritious food is not only accessible but also sustainable, equitable, and aligned with the needs of Samoan communities.” By leveraging existing data from the Samoa Bureau of Statistics (SBS) and other sources, the project will generate findings that are both relevant and actionable. It aims to inform government policies and programme designs across key sectors such as agriculture, health, education, and social protection, while addressing the dual challenges of undernutrition and overnutrition within Samoa’s unique dietary and nutritional context. “The Cost of the Diet analysis underscores the value of strong partnerships between WFP and the Government of Samoa. By working together to generate evidence, we can enhance decision-making and strengthen Samoa’s food systems. This collaborative effort ensures that policies and programmes are informed by data, enabling targeted interventions that improve access to healthy diets and build resilience for communities across Samoa,” said Alpha Bah, WFP Representative and Country Director for the Pacific. The workshop facilitated dialogue on preliminary findings and potential strategies for addressing dietary challenges in Samoa. It also established a roadmap for the next steps, including modelling interventions to improve nutrition through food systems, social protection programmes and education initiatives. This initiative underscores the shared commitment of the Government of Samoa and WFP to improve food security and nutrition for all Samoans. The initiative is a key deliverable under a US$ 328,000 programme funded by the Joint SDG Fund, entitled Catalyzing the Samoa National Food Systems Transformation Agenda Through Collective Action implemented in partnership with FAO and IFAD. The programme supports Samoa’s efforts to improve food security and nutrition. About the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is committed to promoting sustainable agricultural and fisheries practices to ensure food security and improve the livelihoods of Samoan communities. The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change. Follow us on X, formerly Twitter, via @wfp_media and @wfp_Pacific_ For more information, please contact: Samoa Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries Ms Matatumua Taimalietane Matatumua, Assistant Chief Executive Officer: tai.matatumua@maf.gov.ws World Food Programme Pacific Multi-Country Office: Pacific.Contact@wfp.org Mr Jorge D. Díaz, Head of Partnerships and Communications: jorge.diaz@wfp.org END. SOURCE – Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries – Samoa RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR Wallace Sititi Crowned World Rugby’s Breakthrough Player of the Year Prime Minister Fiame’s Surprise Visit to Representatives of the 2024 Belt and Road Emergency Rescue Exercise for Pacific Islands Pacific Small Island States hold Closed Meeting with Australia and New Zealand LEAVE A REPLYBelinda , a Mexican and Spanish popstar who appeared on Disney Channel’s The Cheetah Girls 2 , stands up for Selena Gomez after Eugenio Derbez criticized her work on Emilia Pérez . In a social media post, Belinda noted that she usually refrains from commenting on other people’s lives, but after watching Derbez’s criticism , she felt compelled to defend Gomez. “I think it’s unfortunate that people express themselves with such coldness of the work and effort of a talented and admirable woman like Selena Gomez,” Belinda wrote on her Instagram Stories. She continued, “We need to be more empathetic with the comments we make, which can hurt people’s feelings. I wish social media was used for constructive criticism instead of destructive criticism.” Belinda said that Gomez might not read her message but congratulated her for “everything you have achieved in your career,” adding, “We are billions of people who love everything you do. You are a queen.” Derbez appeared on the Hablando de Cine podcast and criticized Gomez’s acting , calling it “indefensible.” “Selena is indefensible,” Derbez said. “I [watched the film] with people, and every time she had a scene, we looked at each other to say to each other, ‘Wow, what is this?’” After someone clipped that part of the interview and shared it on TikTok, it got to Gomez’s eyes, who replied to the post saying, “I understand where you are coming from. I’m sorry I did the best I could with the time I was given. Doesn’t take away from how much work and heart I put into this movie.” Derbez has since issued an apology on TikTok . “I truly apologize for my careless comments—they are indefensible and go against everything I stand for,” he wrote. “As Latinos, we should always support one another. There’s no excuse. I was wrong, and I deeply admire your career and your kind heart. Emilia Pérez is a musical crime drama written and directed by Jacques Audiard. The film stars Gascón, Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez, Adriána Paz, Mark Ivanir, and Edgar Ramírez. Gascón stars as a cartel leader who enlists a lawyer to help her disappear and transition into a woman.
Editor’s note: The views expressed in this commentary are solely those of the writers. CNN is showcasing the work of The Conversation , a collaboration between journalists and academics to provide news analysis and commentary. The content is produced solely by The Conversation. The holidays offer many opportunities for awkward moments. Political discussions, of course, hold plenty of potential. But any time opinions differ, where estrangements have caused lingering rifts, or when behaviors veer toward the inappropriate, awkwardness can set in. Awkwardness is what happens in social interactions when you suddenly find yourself without a script to guide you through. Maybe the situation is new or catches you off guard. Maybe you don’t know what’s expected of you, or you aren’t sure what role you’re playing in the social drama around you. It’s characterized by feelings of self-consciousness, uncertainty and discomfort. As a philosopher who studies moral psychology , I’m interested in awkwardness because I wanted to understand the ways social discomfort stops people from engaging with difficult topics and challenging conversations. Awkwardness seems to inhibit people, even when their moral values suggest they should speak up. But it has a positive role to play, too — it can alert people to areas where their social norms are lacking or outdated. People often blame themselves when things take a turn toward the awkward. But awkwardness is really a collective failure — people aren’t awkward, situations are. And they become awkward because you don’t have the resources to navigate your way through tricky social situations. Awkwardness is often confused with embarrassment, but the two are different in important ways, and so are their remedies. Embarrassment is a response to a personal failing or gaffe , and the right response is to acknowledge it, own it and move on . Because awkwardness is caused by a lack of social guidance, you can try to anticipate and head it off before it happens, or you can respond to it by trying to develop better or clearer social scripts to help you — and others — navigate similar situations in the future. After researching and writing an entire book on awkwardness , I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s not something we can — or should — avoid altogether. But there are a few strategies people can use to minimize awkwardness and deal with it when it does, inevitably, happen. READ MORE: When meeting someone new, try skirting the small talk Uncertainty is the oxygen of awkwardness. Before you engage in a potentially awkward or contentious interaction, ask yourself: What do I want to get out of this? When you’re clear on your goals for the interaction, not only are you better able to perform your role in it, but you’re also giving clearer signals to others, helping them perform their roles in the unfolding social drama. So, if you’re worried it’ll be awkward when your uncle starts in on his annual political rant, think about what you want the outcome to be. Do you want to convince him he’s wrong? Unlikely to happen. Do you want other family members to feel less anxious? Do you want your own views to be heard? I’m not suggesting that some forethought will make things go smoothly or guarantee that no one’s feelings will be hurt. But it will help you feel more confident in your ability to navigate toward your desired outcome. Awkward situations breed intense self-consciousness . This is both uncomfortable and counterproductive. By focusing on yourself, you’re not attuned to the people around you or the signals they’re sending — signals that could offer you a pathway out of the awkward situation. So make sure you’re paying attention to the other players in the drama, not just your own discomfort. People do so much planning in other areas of their lives, yet they expect social interactions to just flow effortlessly. But like a vacation or a hike in the woods, sometimes a conversation goes better when you approach it with a map. Have some go-to topics or questions at hand. And you don’t have to go it alone. If you’re worried about broaching a sensitive topic, or interacting with a particularly prickly guest, coordinate with a friend or relative. READ MORE: Why is it so stressful to talk politics with the other side? If you expect to see someone with whom you have an unresolved relationship — an estranged family member, an old friend you ghosted — try to do some prep work in advance. Emails or letters can give people a chance to process reactions without putting them on the spot. Even having a scripted activity on deck can make things less awkward. It doesn’t have to be anything formal, like a board game. Just keep some tasks available for guests who might otherwise lurk uncomfortably — like shaking up the salad dressing or putting forks on the table. If, despite your best efforts, awkwardness does strike, offer people a way out — they’ll probably grab it. This doesn’t need to be momentous; it could be a little joke, a small-talk topic, or even — and only if things get very desperate — knocking a spoon off the table to break the silence. READ MORE: Personality traits drive our ideas about fairness and sharing These strategies might help you avoid awkwardness. But take a moment to consider whether you really want to. Awkwardness is the result of social uncertainty; it slows things down and curbs your confidence. In its absence, other emotions can set in. Having things out in the open can be a relief, but it can also lead to anger, sadness and other feelings that might best be saved for another occasion. So if things are awkward, it’s worth looking around to see what role that awkwardness is playing, and what might take its place if it’s gone. Alexandra Plakias is an associate professor of philosophy at Hamilton College. Her research focuses on issues in moral psychology, such as the role of evolution and culture in our moral values. Plakias does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
General Matheen has hailed President-Elect John Dramani Mahama for his anti-corruption drive Ghanaian businessman Abdul Jinsar Matheen, alias General Matheen, has hailed President-Elect John Dramani Mahama for his decision to set up a preparatory team for his flagship anti-corruption program, Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL). General Matheen, who is a leading member of the National Democratic Congress, stated that John Mahama trumpeted ORAL as one of his major policies during the campaign period and that it is imperative he fulfills the promise he made to Ghanaians. He stated that the popularity of the ORAL policy comes from the perception by Ghanaians that the Akufo-Addo administration had engaged in state resource capture and that it is important for the incoming administration to recover the allegedly looted state resources. General Matheen believes that the committee appointed by John Mahama to collect information on possible corrupt practices in the Akufo-Addo administration will do a great job for the country. “John Mahama made a commitment to Ghanaians during the campaign, and it is important that he fulfills the promise he made to the public. ORAL and the 24-hour economy were the most popular slogans because Ghanaians have seen the corruption under the Akufo-Addo government and want something to be done. If Mahama is unable to deal with them, it will be a blot on his government, and we will be punished for it. “ORAL has come to stay, and it is important that we make it work because we promised Ghanaians. The likes of Ablakwa, COP Kofi Boakye, Martin Kpebu, Yao Domelevo, and Raymond Archer are distinguished personalities who I believe will do a great job,” he said. General Matheen also urged the committee not to engage in witch-hunting but rather focus on recovering stolen state resources. “I look at the members, and I don’t think they are men who will go after people just to show them where power lies. They are going to do a great job and ensure that corruption becomes a high-paying crime in the country,” he said. Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) initiative, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has expressed satisfaction with the growing support and enthusiasm among non-New Patriotic Party members for the program. He stressed that the initiative is not a partisan effort but a national cause to protect Ghana’s resources. “Great to see more NPP stalwarts support Mahama’s Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL).”The Miami Hurricanes, who once appeared to be a near-lock for the College Football Playoff, are not playing for a national title. Instead, they will play in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando. That bowl berth against Iowa State is a let-down for fans with dreams of a sixth national title in their minds, as well as players hoping to compete for a championship. However, Miami’s trip to Orlando and the lead-up to it are still crucial periods for the Hurricanes for multiple reasons. First, it’s a chance for the program to achieve something it has not done in more than two decades: win 11 games. Although the 11th win won’t get them closer to a championship, it is a good sign of the program’s progress over Mario Cristobal’s tenure. It would also end UM’s five-game losing streak in bowls. “We’re not satisfied,” Cristobal said. “We want to win every single game. We won 10. We were close on the other two, but close isn’t good enough. We want progress. We’re hungry and driven to get better, and so that’s what our focus is on: to improving as a football program, to getting better, to moving into the postseason with an opportunity against a great football team like this and putting our best on the field.” There are signs the Hurricanes will show up at close to full strength for the bowl game. Running back Damien Martinez announced he was going to play, and star quarterback Cam Ward said in a video call posted on social media that he intends to play, as well. “We’re trying to win our first bowl game in 20 years,” Ward said in the video, mistaking the length of UM’s long bowl losing streak. “We’re going hard.” Playing in the bowl game also provides the opportunity for the Hurricanes to get in several practices between now and the game. That means Miami can develop its young players and prepare them for next season during both the practices and the bowl game itself. “It’s extremely valuable,” Cristobal said. “You really don’t have many opportunities throughout the course of the year — time is limited more and more each season with your student-athletes. I want to state this and be very clear: it’s very important, it’s ultra-important for the University of Miami to continue to develop and grow and progress by stressing the importance of offseason opportunities ... You learn a lot about your team and learn a lot about your people and your program when you head to the postseason.” Of course, there are potential negatives. Players can get hurt; Mark Fletcher Jr. suffered a foot injury in the Pinstripe Bowl last year that cost him all of spring practice. A poor performance can also potentially set the tone for next season, like how Florida State, fresh off a playoff snub last year, suffered a devastating loss against Georgia in the Orange Bowl and went on to a dismal 2-10 season this year. “This is the ending of ’24 and the beginning of ’25,” Cristobal said. “This is the last opportunity to be on the field and carry some momentum into the offseason. So it is, in essence, it is the most important game because it’s the next game. “There’s a lot of excitement in the form of opportunity for our guys. Our guys love to play football. The chance to play one more time with this special group — this is a special group of guys now. They’ve worked hard to really change the trajectory of the University of Miami, and they want to continue to elevate the status and the culture at the University of Miami. So certainly a ton to play for.” ____
Why Miami’s Pop-Tarts Bowl appearance is important even after missing College Football PlayoffFaruqi & Faruqi, LLP Securities Litigation Partner James (Josh) Wilson Encourages Investors Who Suffered Losses Exceeding $75,000 In Humacyte To Contact Him Directly To Discuss Their Options If you suffered losses exceeding $75,000 in Humacyte between May 10, 2024 and October 17, 2024 and would like to discuss your legal rights, call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310) . [You may also click here for additional information] NEW YORK, Nov. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP , a leading national securities law firm, is investigating potential claims against Humacyte, Inc. (“Humacyte” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: HUMA) and reminds investors of the January 17, 2025 deadline to seek the role of lead plaintiff in a federal securities class action that has been filed against the Company. Faruqi & Faruqi is a leading national securities law firm with offices in New York, Pennsylvania, California and Georgia. The firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors since its founding in 1995. See www.faruqilaw.com . As detailed below, the complaint alleges that the Company and its executives violated federal securities laws by making false and/or misleading statements and/or failing to disclose that: (1) that the Company's Durham, North Carolina facility failed to comply with good manufacturing practices, including quality assurance and microbial testing; (2) that the FDA's review of the BLA would be delayed while Humacyte remediated these deficiencies; and (3) that, as a result, there was a substantial risk to FDA approval of ATEV for vascular trauma; and (4) that, as a result of the foregoing, Defendants' positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. On August 9, 2024, after the market closed, Humacyte issued a press release announcing that the Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") "will require additional time to complete its review of its Biologic License Application (BLA) for the acellular tissue engineered vessel (ATEV) in the vascular trauma indication." The press release disclosed in part, that, "[d]uring the course of the BLA review, the FDA has conducted inspections of our manufacturing facilities and clinical sites and has actively engaged with us in multiple discussions regarding our BLA filing[.]" On this news, the Company's stock price declined $1.29, or 16.4%, to close at $6.62 per share on August 12, 2024, on unusually heavy volume. On October 17, 2024, during market hours, the FDA released a Form 483 concerning Humacyte's Durham, North Carolina facility, which revealed a number of violations, including "no microbial quality assurance," "no microbial testing," and inadequate "quality oversight." On this news, the Company's stock price declined $0.95, or 16.35%, to close at $4.86 per share on October 17, 2024, on unusually heavy volume. The court-appointed lead plaintiff is the investor with the largest financial interest in the relief sought by the class who is adequate and typical of class members who directs and oversees the litigation on behalf of the putative class. Any member of the putative class may move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff through counsel of their choice, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision to serve as a lead plaintiff or not. Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP also encourages anyone with information Humacyte’s conduct to contact the firm, including whistleblowers, former employees, shareholders and others. To learn more about the Humacyte class action, go to www.faruqilaw.com/HUMA or call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310) . Follow us for updates on LinkedIn , on X , or on Facebook . Attorney Advertising. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP ( www.faruqilaw.com ). Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your particular case. All communications will be treated in a confidential manner. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/807ffe71-382e-48fd-91d1-846d96405715None
Islamabad chaos: PM orders swift action against 'lawbreakers'WASHINGTON — American Airlines briefly grounded flights nationwide Tuesday because of a technical problem just as the Christmas travel season kicked into overdrive and winter weather threatened more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive. Government regulators cleared American flights to get airborne about an hour after the Federal Aviation Administration ordered a national ground stop for the airline. The order, which prevented planes from taking off, was issued at the airline's request. The airline said in an email that the problem was caused by trouble with vendor technology that maintains its flight operating system. An American Airlines employee wearing looks toward quiet check-in counters Tuesday in the American terminal at Miami International Airport in Miami. Dennis Tajer, a spokesperson for the Allied Pilots Association, a union representing American Airlines pilots, said the airline told pilots at 7 a.m. Eastern that there was an outage affecting the system known as FOS. It handles different types of airline operations, including dispatch, flight planning, passenger boarding, as well as an airplane's weight and balance data, he said. People are also reading... Some components of FOS have gone down in the past, but a systemwide outage is rare, Tajer said. Flights were delayed across American's major hubs, with only 37% leaving on time, according to Cirium, an aviation analytics company. Out of the 3,901 domestic and international American Airlines flights scheduled for Tuesday, 19 were canceled. Cirium noted that the vast majority of flights departed within two hours of their scheduled departure time. A similar percentage — 36% — arrived at their destinations as scheduled. Meanwhile, the flight-tracking site FlightAware reported that 3,712 flights entering or leaving the U.S., or serving domestic destinations, were delayed Tuesday, with 55 flights canceled. It did not show any flights from American Airlines. Cirium said Dallas-Fort Worth, New York's Kennedy Airport and Charlotte, North Carolina, saw the greatest number of delays. Washington, Chicago and Miami experienced considerably fewer delays. Travelers wait in line for security checks Tuesday at the Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles. Amid the travel problems, significant rain and snow were expected in the Pacific Northwest at least into Christmas Day. Showers and thunderstorms developed in the South. Freezing rain was reported in the Mid-Atlantic region near Baltimore and Washington, and snow fell in New York. Because the holiday travel period lasts weeks, airports and airlines typically have smaller peak days than they do during the rush around Thanksgiving, but the grind of one hectic day followed by another takes a toll on flight crews. Any hiccups — a winter storm or a computer outage — can snowball into massive disruptions. That is how Southwest Airlines stranded 2 million travelers in December 2022, and Delta Air Lines suffered a smaller but significant meltdown after a worldwide technology outage in July caused by a faulty software update from cybersecurity company CrowdStrike. Many flights during the holidays are sold out, which makes cancellations even more disruptive than during slower periods. That is especially true for smaller budget airlines that have fewer flights and fewer options for rebooking passengers. Only the largest airlines, including American, Delta and United, have "interline agreements" that let them put stranded customers on another carrier's flights. An American Airlines employee wearing a Santa Claus hat walks through the American terminal Tuesday at Miami International Airport in Miami. This will be the first holiday season since a Transportation Department rule took effect that requires airlines to give customers an automatic cash refund for a canceled or significantly delayed flight. Most air travelers were already eligible for refunds, but they often had to request them. Passengers still can ask to get rebooked, which is often a better option than a refund during peak travel periods. Finding a last-minute flight on another airline tends to be expensive. An American spokesperson said Tuesday was not a peak travel day for the airline — with about 2,000 fewer flights than the busiest days — so the airline had somewhat of a buffer to manage the delays. The groundings happened as millions of travelers were expected to fly over the next 10 days. The Transportation Security Administration expects to screen 40 million passengers through Jan. 2. Airlines expect to have their busiest days on Thursday, Friday and Sunday. American Airlines employees check in travelers Tuesday in the American terminal at Miami International Airport in Miami. Many flights during the holidays are sold out, which makes cancellations more disruptive than during slower periods. Even with just a brief outage, the cancellations have a cascading effect that can take days to clear up. About 90% of Americans traveling far from home over the holidays will be in cars, according to AAA. "Airline travel is just really high right now, but most people do drive to their destinations, and that is true for every holiday," AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz said. Gasoline prices are similar to last year. The nationwide average Thursday was $3.04 a gallon, down from $3.13 a year ago, according to AAA. Charging an electric vehicle averages just under 35 cents per per kilowatt hour, but varies by state. Transportation-data firm INRIX says travel times on the nation's highways could be up to 30% longer than normal over the holidays, with Sunday expected to see the heaviest traffic. Flight nightmare? Here's how to get compensated Flight nightmare? Here's how to get compensated "It's not the destination, it's the journey," said American essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson. Ralph clearly was not among the travellers on one of more than 350 cancelled or 1,400 delayed flights after a worldwide tech outage caused by an update to Crowdstrike's "Falcon Sensor" software in July of 2023. U.S. airlines carried nearly 863 million travellers in 2023, with Canadian carriers accounting for another 150 million, many of whom experienced lost luggage, flight delays, cancellations, or were bumped off their flights. It's unclear how many of them were compensated for these inconveniences. Suffice it to say, posting a crabby rant on social media might temporarily soothe anger, but it won't put wasted money back in pockets. Money.ca shares what to know in order to be compensated for the three most common air travel headaches. Lost Luggage Bags elected to go on a vacay without you? Check off the following: If you expect a large payout, think again. Tariffs (air carrier contracts) limit the compensation amounts for "loss of, damage to, or the delay in delivery of baggage or other personal property." In the case of Air Canada, the maximum payout is $1,500 per passenger in the currency of the country where the baggage was processed. To raise that limit, purchase a Declaration of Higher Value for each leg of the trip. The charge is $0.50 for each $100, in which case the payout limit is $2,500. For Delta Air Lines, passengers are entitled to up to $3,800 in baggage compensation, though how much you'll receive depends on your flight. Delta will pay up to $2,080 for delayed, lost, and damaged baggage for international travellers, almost half of what U.S. domestic passengers can claim. If your flight is marked delayed for more than 30 minutes, approach the gate agent and politely request food and hotel vouchers to be used within the airport or nearby. Delayed/Cancelled Flights Different air carriers and jurisdictions have their own compensation policies when flights are delayed or cancelled. For example, under European Union rules, passengers may receive up to 600 Euros, even when travelling on a non-EU carrier. Similarly, the DOT states that travellers are entitled to a refund "if the airline cancelled a flight, regardless of the reason, and the consumer chooses not to travel." However, US rules regarding delays are complicated. Some air carriers, such as Air Canada, do not guarantee their flight schedules. They're also not liable for cancellations or changes due to "force majeure" such as weather conditions or labour disruptions. If the delay is overnight, only out-of-town passengers will be offered hotel accommodation. Nevertheless, many airlines do offer some compensation for the inconvenience. If your flight is marked delayed for more than 30 minutes, approach the gate agent and politely request food and hotel vouchers to be used within the airport or nearby. Flight Compensation in the U.S. In terms of cash compensation, what you'll get can differ significantly based on things like departure location, time, carrier, and ticket class. The DOT offers a helpful delay and cancellations dashboard designed to keep travellers informed about their compensation rights. The dashboard is particularly helpful because, as the DOT states on its website, "whether you are entitled to a refund depends on a lot of factors—such as the length of the delay, the length of the flight, and your particular circumstances." Flight Compensation in Canada The Canadian Transportation Agency is proposing air passenger protection regulations that guarantee financial compensation to travellers experiencing flight delays and cancellations, with the level of compensation varying depending on the situation and how much control the air carrier had. The proposed regulations include the following: The airline is obligated to complete the passenger's itinerary. If the new ticket is for a lower class of service, the air carrier would have to refund the cost difference; if the booking is in a higher class of service, passengers cannot be charged extra. If the passenger declines the ticket, the airline must give a full refund, in addition to the prescribed compensation. For overnight delays, the air carrier needs to provide hotel accommodation and transportation free-of-charge. Again, if you are unsatisfied, the Canadian Transportation Agency or Department of Transportation may advocate on your behalf. Bumped Off the Flight Passengers get bumped because airlines overbook. When this happens, the air carrier must compensate you. For international flights in the US, the rate is 200% of your one-way fare to your final destination, with a $675 maximum. If the airline does not make travel arrangements for you, the payout is 400% of your one-way fare to a maximum of $1,350. To qualify, you must check-in by the stated deadline, which on international flights can be up to 3 hours ahead. Keep in mind that if you accept the cash, you are no longer entitled to any further compensation, nor are you guaranteed to be rebooked on a direct flight or similar type of seat. Don't be too quick to give up your boarding pass. Negotiate for the best compensation deal that would include cash, food and hotel vouchers, flight upgrade, lounge passes, as well as mileage points. But avoid being too greedy—if the gate attendant is requesting volunteers and you wait too long, you'll miss the offer. According to Air Canada's tariff, if a passenger is involuntarily bumped, they'll receive $200, in cash or bank draft, for up to a two-hour delay; $400 for a 2-6 hours delay; and $800 if the delay is over six hours. (Air Canada was forced to raise its payouts in 2013 due to passenger complaints.) The new rules would raise the payout significantly: $900 for up to six hours; $1,800 for 6-9; and $2,400 for more than nine hours, all to be paid within 48 hours. Statistically speaking, Delta Airlines is the carrier most likely to bump. A few years ago, Delta raised its payout maximum to $9,950, while United Airlines tops out at $10,000. This story was produced by Money.ca and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. 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Premier Fund Managers Ltd boosted its position in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. ( NYSE:JPM ) by 114.0% in the third quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 92,715 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 49,400 shares during the period. Premier Fund Managers Ltd’s holdings in JPMorgan Chase & Co. were worth $19,501,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Mizuho Securities Co. Ltd. bought a new stake in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC bought a new stake in JPMorgan Chase & Co. in the third quarter worth approximately $27,000. Fairway Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. during the 2nd quarter worth $32,000. Anfield Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. during the 2nd quarter valued at $34,000. Finally, West Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. in the 3rd quarter valued at $37,000. 71.55% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. JPMorgan Chase & Co. Stock Up 1.5 % Shares of JPM stock opened at $248.55 on Friday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. has a one year low of $152.71 and a one year high of $249.15. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.27, a current ratio of 0.89 and a quick ratio of 0.89. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $223.14 and a 200 day moving average price of $211.90. The stock has a market cap of $699.75 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.83, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.55 and a beta of 1.10. JPMorgan Chase & Co. Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, October 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 4th were paid a $1.25 dividend. This is a positive change from JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.15. This represents a $5.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.01%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, October 4th. JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s dividend payout ratio is currently 27.82%. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several equities analysts have weighed in on the company. Robert W. Baird lowered JPMorgan Chase & Co. from a “neutral” rating to an “underperform” rating and set a $200.00 target price on the stock. in a report on Thursday, November 7th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $240.00 to $270.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday, November 15th. Oppenheimer cut JPMorgan Chase & Co. from an “outperform” rating to a “market perform” rating in a research report on Wednesday. Morgan Stanley lowered shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. from an “overweight” rating to an “equal weight” rating and lifted their price target for the company from $220.00 to $224.00 in a research report on Monday, September 30th. Finally, Evercore ISI upped their price objective on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $217.00 to $230.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Monday, October 14th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $229.31. Get Our Latest Research Report on JPMorgan Chase & Co. About JPMorgan Chase & Co. ( Free Report ) JPMorgan Chase & Co operates as a financial services company worldwide. It operates through four segments: Consumer & Community Banking (CCB), Corporate & Investment Bank (CIB), Commercial Banking (CB), and Asset & Wealth Management (AWM). The CCB segment offers deposit, investment and lending products, cash management, and payments and services; mortgage origination and servicing activities; residential mortgages and home equity loans; and credit cards, auto loans, leases, and travel services to consumers and small businesses through bank branches, ATMs, and digital and telephone banking. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding JPM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for JPMorgan Chase & Co. ( NYSE:JPM – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for JPMorgan Chase & Co. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for JPMorgan Chase & Co. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
PRESS RELEASe 21 November 2024, Apia, Samoa. The Samoa Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) jointly held a workshop today to mark the launch of a Cost of the Diet analysis in Samoa. The initiative aims to identify nutrient gaps and enhance decision-making to improve access to healthy, nutritious diets for the Samoan population, with a focus on the most vulnerable. “Reshaping food systems to nourish populations—rather than merely addressing hunger—requires that we focus on making healthy diets available, accessible, affordable, desirable, and environmentally sustainable. No single actor can achieve this transformation alone. It is vital that we work together to tackle these challenges head-on”, said MAF Acting Chief Executive Officer, Fiu Sailo Pa’o. The analysis, which combines secondary data, advanced software, and multi-sectoral stakeholder engagement to identify barriers and solutions for sustainable and healthy diets, is part of Samoa’s broader efforts to transform its national food systems and improve the nutritional well-being of its citizens. “This analysis”, said Themba Kalua, Resident Coordinator for Samoa, Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau, “is not just a snapshot of Samoa’s current nutrition situation. It is a robust, collaborative process that seeks to identify and address the barriers preventing access to healthy and nutritious food. By analysing these barriers, we can develop policies and programmes that ensure nutritious food is not only accessible but also sustainable, equitable, and aligned with the needs of Samoan communities.” By leveraging existing data from the Samoa Bureau of Statistics (SBS) and other sources, the project will generate findings that are both relevant and actionable. It aims to inform government policies and programme designs across key sectors such as agriculture, health, education, and social protection, while addressing the dual challenges of undernutrition and overnutrition within Samoa’s unique dietary and nutritional context. “The Cost of the Diet analysis underscores the value of strong partnerships between WFP and the Government of Samoa. By working together to generate evidence, we can enhance decision-making and strengthen Samoa’s food systems. This collaborative effort ensures that policies and programmes are informed by data, enabling targeted interventions that improve access to healthy diets and build resilience for communities across Samoa,” said Alpha Bah, WFP Representative and Country Director for the Pacific. The workshop facilitated dialogue on preliminary findings and potential strategies for addressing dietary challenges in Samoa. It also established a roadmap for the next steps, including modelling interventions to improve nutrition through food systems, social protection programmes and education initiatives. This initiative underscores the shared commitment of the Government of Samoa and WFP to improve food security and nutrition for all Samoans. The initiative is a key deliverable under a US$ 328,000 programme funded by the Joint SDG Fund, entitled Catalyzing the Samoa National Food Systems Transformation Agenda Through Collective Action implemented in partnership with FAO and IFAD. The programme supports Samoa’s efforts to improve food security and nutrition. About the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is committed to promoting sustainable agricultural and fisheries practices to ensure food security and improve the livelihoods of Samoan communities. The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change. Follow us on X, formerly Twitter, via @wfp_media and @wfp_Pacific_ For more information, please contact: Samoa Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries Ms Matatumua Taimalietane Matatumua, Assistant Chief Executive Officer: tai.matatumua@maf.gov.ws World Food Programme Pacific Multi-Country Office: Pacific.Contact@wfp.org Mr Jorge D. Díaz, Head of Partnerships and Communications: jorge.diaz@wfp.org END. SOURCE – Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries – Samoa RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR Wallace Sititi Crowned World Rugby’s Breakthrough Player of the Year Prime Minister Fiame’s Surprise Visit to Representatives of the 2024 Belt and Road Emergency Rescue Exercise for Pacific Islands Pacific Small Island States hold Closed Meeting with Australia and New Zealand LEAVE A REPLYThe standard Lorem Ipsum passage, used since the 1500s "Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum." 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NEW YORK , Nov. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Why: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of common stock of Paragon 28, Inc. (NYSE: FNA) between May 5, 2023 and September 20, 2024 , both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), and those who purchased Paragon 28 call options or sold put options during the Class Period, of the November 29, 2024 lead plaintiff deadline in the securities class action first filed by the Firm. So what: If you purchased Paragon 28 securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. What to do next: To join the Paragon 28 class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=27557 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than November 29, 2024 . A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. Why Rosen Law: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. Details of the case: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Paragon 28's financial statements were misstated; (2) Paragon 28 lacked adequate internal controls and at times understated the extent of the issues with its internal controls; and (3) as a result, defendants' statements about its business, operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To join the Paragon 28 class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=27557 https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=28116 call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm or on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm . Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40 th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@rosenlegal.com www.rosenlegal.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fna-deadline-fna-investors-with-losses-in-excess-of-100k-have-opportunity-to-lead-paragon-28-inc-securities-fraud-lawsuit-first-filed-by-the-rosen-law-firm-302314474.html SOURCE THE ROSEN LAW FIRM, P. A.