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US airlines cancel over 2,000 flights due to massive winter storm
Airlines in the United States canceled more than 2,000 flights on Friday after a massive winter storm knocked out power and affected businesses in 12 states ahead of a likely brutal freeze over the weekend. A total of 2,058 flights were canceled and 5,846 flights were delayed as of 5.30 p.m. ET, according to flight-tracking.....»»
Pilot who tried to shut flying plane’s engine on magic mushrooms
The off-duty American pilot who tried to shut down the engines of a plane mid-flight on Sunday had taken magic mushrooms and had not slept for 40 hours, court documents showed Tuesday. Magic mushrooms contain hallucinogenic chemical called psilocybin according to Medical News Today. After being cuffed with wrist restraints and seated at the rear of the aircraft, Joseph Emerson also tried to open an emergency exit “because I thought I was dreaming and I just want to wake up,” he told police, according to a criminal complaint. Emerson told the investigating officer it was his first time taking mushrooms. The 44-year-old was arrested on Sunday evening after the Alaska Airlines flight he disrupted made an emergency landing in Portland, Oregon. Emerson had boarded the flight — which was operated by Horizon Air — between Everett, Washington and San Francisco, sitting in the jump seat of the cockpit, in line with airline policy for non-working staff. A short way into the journey, after chatting with the pilots “Emerson attempted to grab and pull two red fire handles that would have activated the plane’s emergency fire suppression system and cut off fuel to its engines,” the United States Department of Justice said. “After a brief physical struggle with the pilots, Emerson exited the cockpit.” Alaska Airlines said Monday that pilots had reacted quickly to reverse the handles, and the aircraft with 80 passengers had landed safely. The US Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon said Emerson faces a federal charge of interfering with flight crew members and attendants. He has also been charged in Oregon with 83 counts of attempted murder, 83 counts of reckless endangerment and one count of endangering an aircraft. US media reported that he pleaded not guilty to these charges during a brief court appearance in Portland on Tuesday. The post Pilot who tried to shut flying plane’s engine on magic mushrooms appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Pampered passengers
Adult diapers are getting a “bum” rap and not for the use they are intended. In 2017, morning rush hour passengers on Metro Rail Transit Line 3 were inconvenienced when the train’s southbound service was halted for more than an hour. Commuters could only take the MRT 3 between the North Avenue and Buendia stations. Trains could not run through to the Ayala Avenue Station as power there had been cut following the discovery of an adult diaper hanging from the power line. After the diaper was removed, train safety was restored, and service went back to normal at 7:46 a.m., according to news reports. On 13 October, a Copa Airlines flight from Panama to the United States turned back due to a supposed bomb threat. On the tarmac at Panama City’s Tocumen International Airport, 144 passengers were evacuated from the plane and it was searched by an anti-explosives team. The bomb squad discovered a suspicious package inside the plane’s toilet. Bomb-sniffing dogs were brought in and special forces officers gingerly handled the package — only to find a harmless adult diaper, recalled José Castro, head of the airport’s security team. Thereafter, the Copa flight resumed, landing in Tampa, Florida at 6:54 p.m. WITH AFP The post Pampered passengers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Total lawfare’: Ukraine’s other front in the war
On 26 February 2022, while Russian tanks were barrelling towards Kyiv, Ukrainian lawyers were fighting on a different front, submitting a case against Moscow at the International Court of Justice. The gilded halls of the Peace Palace in The Hague, where the court sits, are a world away from the trenches of Donbas but Ukraine believes its legal attacks on Russia are a critical part of the fight. What cases are open in Ukraine's campaign of all-out "lawfare" against Moscow and, with little chance of Russian compliance, what's the point? Where are the legal front lines? The Hague, Strasbourg, and Hamburg. Ukraine has dragged Russia before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which rules on disputes between nations, arguing that President Vladimir Putin abused the UN Genocide Convention when he used an alleged "genocide" in eastern Ukraine as a pretext for invasion. The final arguments in this case will be heard later Wednesday. Also in The Hague, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant for Putin, accusing him of unlawfully deporting Ukrainian children, a war crime. Neither of these courts, however, can try Russian leaders, including Putin, for the crime of "aggression", defined as an attack on one state by another in breach of the UN charter. So a special group of prosecutors from Ukraine, the EU, the United States, and the ICC has been set up in The Hague with a view to establishing a special tribunal to bring senior Russians to trial. Ukraine also has cases open at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg over alleged Russian human rights abuses. Finally, Ukraine also brought cases to the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea in Hamburg over what it says is Russia's disregard for international maritime law. Will Russia comply? It seems unlikely that Russia would comply with any ruling from an international court -- for example, in March 2022, the ICJ ordered Moscow to immediately halt its invasion. Russia didn't even turn up to the hearings in that case. But it's far from an academic exercise, said Cecily Rose, assistant professor of public international law at Leiden University. "There are examples of cases in which Russia has complied at least partially with an adverse ruling by an international court," Rose told AFP, citing a 2015 verdict in which Moscow reportedly stumped up half the cash it was ordered to. "It shows that non-compliance cannot be cynically assumed. Most of the time, states do comply with awards and judgments rendered by international courts and tribunals." What's the point? Even if Russia doesn't comply, Kyiv and most legal experts think the international community needs to draw a line in the sand. "Some countries do not comply with the law, including Russia. However, it is still important to call them out and to bring a case against them when they do breach the law," said Melanie O'Brien, assistant professor at the University of Western Australia Law School. "The case demonstrates that other countries do not view Russia's conduct as acceptable -- but rather, as unlawful," O'Brien told AFP. A ruling from the ICJ against Russia would be a further element in isolating Moscow and confirming it broke international law, she said. "It is also an important acknowledgment for victims of human rights abuses and international crimes such as war crimes that what happened to them and their loved ones was not lawful," she added. Proving that Russia's actions were in contravention of international law could also be key in future peace negotiations, including over potential reparations, noted Rose. How long will it take? The wheels of justice grind slowly. The ICJ "genocide" case is only about whether the court even has jurisdiction. A special tribunal is politically sensitive and will take a long time to establish. But the wheels of justice also grind exceedingly fine. "Just because Putin won't comply with a ruling now, he won't be in power forever," said O'Brien. "At some point, a change of regime will occur and may lead to compliance with international law." The post ‘Total lawfare’: Ukraine’s other front in the war appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
NAIA rises in rankings of world’s most internationally connected airports
The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) has established itself as one of the most internationally connected airports in the world. Known by its International Air Transport Association (IATA) code, MNL, it ranked 15th in the top 50 global airport mega hubs and secured the third spot in the top 25 low-cost carrier airport mega hubs. According to the 2023 Megahubs Index by OAG, a leading provider of digital flight information, intelligence, and analytics for airports, MNL has climbed from 29th place in 2019 to 15th place this year in terms of international connectivity. The flag carrier, Philippine Airlines, emerged as the dominant air carrier with a 32% share of flights. In this list, led by the United Kingdom's London Heathrow Airport, MNL also ranks 6th among the top international mega hubs in the Asia Pacific region, following KUL (Malaysia), HND (Japan), ICN (Republic of Korea), BKK (Thailand), and SIN (Singapore). OAG noted, “The presence of seven Asian airport hubs in the Global Top 20 is significant considering the region is still on the path towards a full recovery.” Currently, MNL hosts 40 international carriers serving 58 international destinations. The latest addition to NAIA’s roster in 2023 is ZIPAIR, which launched its first flight between Manila and Narita last July. Additionally, Philippine Airlines has introduced nonstop flights to Perth, and Air China now directly connects Tianfu Chengdu to NAIA. Among the top 25 mega hubs for low-cost international connections this year, MNL stands out in third place, trailing only KUL (Malaysia) and ICN (Republic of Korea). MNL is the home of Cebu Pacific Air, the Philippines’ leading low-cost carrier (LCC), which will be launching flights to Da Nang, a new destination from Manila, beginning December 7th. Thirteen Asia Pacific airports, including MNL, dominate the rankings, reflecting the high level of LCC penetration in South Asia and Southeast Asia. “We are pleased that MNL is able to ride the momentum brought about by the strong and consistent travel rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the LCC penetration in our region. We are likewise grateful for the confidence the international carriers have extended to us. Testament to this is the growing number of applications from various international carriers who wish to operate flights in NAIA,” Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) Officer-in-Charge Bryan Co said. “NAIA being the country’s main gateway makes it incumbent upon us, as the airport authority, to expand the destinations Filipinos, as well as our guests, can fly to and from MNL,” added Co. HK Express is set to launch its inaugural flight between Manila and Hong Kong on 13 October, while United Airlines is scheduled to launch nonstop flights connecting Manila with San Francisco starting 30 October. The post NAIA rises in rankings of world’s most internationally connected airports appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
3 foreign nationals arrested at NAIA
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported on Saturday, 2 September, the arrest of three foreign nationals at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) for violation of immigration laws. On 31 August, the Bureau arrested a Thai national identified as Teerasade Phutthichotiruksa, a 43-year-old male, who attempted to depart via a Thai Airways flight to Bangkok, Thailand, but the Bureau intercepted him during a primary inspection. Phutthichotiruksa, according to the BI-NAIA, showed up for his immigration procedures at NAIA Terminal 3 for departure, but the immigration officer found anomalies and irregularities in the stamps placed on his passport. This prompted the BI officer to submit his document for further inspection through the BI’s Forensic Documents Laboratory. The BI forensic team inspected his travel documents and confirmed that the stamps shown on his passport were counterfeit. As a result, Phutthichotiruksa was arrested, read his rights, and immediately transferred to the BI Warden Facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City, while awaiting deportation. BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said that this case underscores the importance of the immigration officers' vigilance and expertise in detecting fake documents. Their officers are trained to spot irregularities and will arrest foreign nationals who attempt to use fraud to be able to travel. Meanwhile, on 1 September, the BI also arrested of two Chinese fugitives in separate incidents. At the NAIA Terminal 3, the Bureau arrested Chen Changdian, 32, after he attempted to depart the country via Scoot Airlines bound for Singapore. Upon primary inspection, the immigration officer found out that Chen’s name was in the BI’s database of derogatory records. Chen is the subject of an Interpol red notice after being wanted for prosecution in the United Arab Emirates for the crime of murder in 2022. Based on the BI database, Chen arrived in the country in May 2022, but his name was only tagged as a fugitive by Interpol in November 2022. While at the NAIA Terminal 1, the Bureau arrested a Chinese woman who was identified as Lyu Yani, 30 years old, after trying to depart the country via a Philippine Airlines flight bound for Bangkok. According to the BI-NAIA, Lyu's name was also found on Interpol's list of wanted criminals. Lyu was tagged by Interpol as a fugitive wanted for the crime of running a gambling house. Both Chinese nationals were transferred to the BI Warden Facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City. All three fugitives are currently facing deportation cases, and their names will be included on the BI blacklist, which will bar them from entering the Philippines in the future. The post 3 foreign nationals arrested at NAIA appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
United Airlines joins Travel Sale Expo 2023
One Klik Events recently signed a partnership agreement with United Airlines for its participation, as one of its sponsors in the Travel Sale Expo 2023 scheduled on 29 September 2023 to 1 October 2023 at the Megatrade Hall, SM Megamall. One Klik Events is the organizer of Travel Sale Expo 2023 which is co-presented by UnionBank of the Philippines. The Travel Sale Expo 2023 will host about 150 exhibitors from the different stakeholders of the travel industry like travel agencies, airlines, hotels, resorts, tour operators, cruise liners, tour operators, travel insurance, amusement parks, museums and retailers of travel-related products. They will have the opportunity to showcase their various travel services to the public at special and discounted rates. At the Travel Sale Expo 2023, United Airlines will get the chance to promote its latest travel destination. “United Airlines is excited to bring our direct non-stop Manila- San Francisco flight service in the Philippine market. We offer our customers not only the convenient nonstop service to SFO, but also more than 70 one-stop destinations in the mainland US, Canada and Latin America via the SFO hub. And we are excited to have the GTBA and Travel Sale Expo 2023 as the platform to offer this amazing service to our customers,” Pam Navarro, Country Manager United Airlines explained. Travel Sale Expo 2023 can be a good venue in promoting our sponsor’s services in the Philippine market. “We are very honored for United Airlines to join us in this event and this will motivate us to work harder in making Travel Sale Expo 2023 a success”, Ms. Michelle Taylan said. The post United Airlines joins Travel Sale Expo 2023 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Flight freak
Airlines incentivize flying by giving points to frequent flyers. Accumulated points can be used to get discounts on their next plane ticket purchases. Under such frequent flyer programs, the more a traveler flies, the more affordable her or his flights become as points are converted to fare discounts or even free flights. In a recent report by 3AW, an Australian news outlet and complaint hotline, a man had earned at least 500,000 frequent flyer points. One day, the guy identified as Mike received an online message instructing him to claim 150,000 points by clicking a link. After doing so, his 500,000 points vanished in what could have been an online scam, according to 3AW. A safe way to get FFP points and enjoy free flights was demonstrated by Tom Stuker, from New Jersey, USA. Stuker, 69, simply bought a United Airlines pass in 1990 which allowed him to fly as much as he wanted to. A consultant on running auto dealerships and an avid traveler, Stuker racked up so many FFP points that not only allowed him to fly free but also to get no-charge hotel accommodations, cruise ship trips, and even Walmart gift certificates as prizes. In 2019, Stuker took a dizzying 373 flights covering 1.46 million miles, according to WP. The total fare came to $2.44 million but he didn’t have to pay for it as he used the UA pass. By that year, before the Covid-19 pandemic struck and grounded airlines, Stuker had logged a total of 10 million miles since 1990. The jet setter passed the 5-million mile mark much earlier, in 2009, according to The Guardian, citing Simple Flying data. Stuker’s investment of $290,000 for the United pass proved to be the best one he made in his life with the 33 years of free flights he had enjoyed ever since. The flight pass brought him to more than 100 countries, including “more than 120 honeymoons,” according to WP. His travels covered over 23 million miles, or 37 million kilometers, to date, which was many times over the 953,000 miles the Apollo 11 astronauts covered in their trip to the moon and back in 1969. The post Flight freak appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
3-member group eyes NAIA revamp
Three companies have teamed up with an unprecedented proposal to hasten the development of Ninoy Aquino International Airport or NAIA without incurring disproportionate expenses, suffering major financial losses, or increasing terminal fees for travelers. The three companies, veteran ground handlers Dnata Inc. (a Philippine subsidiary of the United Arab Emirates’ Dnata); Philippine Airport Ground Support Solutions Inc; and Ascent Solutions Philippines Inc. (a provider of e-Gates for the Bureau of Immigration), have teamed up and offered their services to improve the airport services at NAIA with automated biometrics and Common Use Self Service systems and equipment, including self-service check-in and bag drop, additional e-Gates, and automated flight boarding. Shorter wait According to the group, the technology may significantly shorten the processing times for passengers and, if implemented in accordance with their suggested timeline, should increase Terminal 1’s capacity by about 2 million passengers annually in just three months. Following a second deployment within six months, Terminal 1’s departure capacity should rise by four million more annual passengers and that of Terminal 3 by eight million. The group has also set out to demonstrate NAIA’s functionality until the flagship New Manila International Airport opens in less than five years as a response to overstated rehabilitation estimates and proposed superfluous additions whose expenses will inevitably and needlessly be passed on to travellers. The group has no intention of charging the government or the riding public anything in exchange for using its tools. PAGSS President Janette Cordero said that having gained invaluable insight into NAIA from years of experience, they know with certainty that the main pain point of passengers, airlines, and airport users is congestion and long queues resulting in inconvenience. This issue can be satisfactorily addressed through automation. Cordero added with the right guidance and the support of airport stakeholders, NAIA can be operated more efficiently without overspending or overcharging. To assist the government in finding measures to decongest NAIA, the group also volunteered to offer the services of aviation professionals with expertise in airport operations and the optimization of runway capacity. The post 3-member group eyes NAIA revamp appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Talon’ Trafficking Victims Rescued in Cebu
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) intercepted five suspected victims of human trafficking on 8 July. According to the BI-CIA, the said victims, who were attempting to board their flight via Philippine Airlines bound for Thailand under the pretense of being tourists, were later revealed to be bound for the United Arab Emirates. Because of the contradictions in their claims, the immigration officer began to wonder about the travelers' motivations. They stated they were going on vacation, and one of the travelers' buddies and a sibling were supposedly paying for it. The victims, however, acknowledged their true location after further inquiry during a subsequent examination. Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Norman Tansingco said that this is a common scheme of human trafficking, wherein victims are made to go to a third country before flying out to the final port of destination. Tansingco stressed the significance of immigration officials' diligence and awareness in spotting potential instances of human trafficking and stopping such unlawful actions. The victims were immediately turned over to the MCIA Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) for assistance in filing charges against their recruiter. The Bureau of Immigration urges the public to report any suspicious activities or individuals related to human trafficking to the authorities. The BI chief also said that this is a recurring scheme that uses visa-free countries as a jump-off point to other destinations, and they urge all aspiring overseas workers not to accept such offers and report attempts at illegal recruitment to local authorities. The post Talon’ Trafficking Victims Rescued in Cebu appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Delays, cancellations experienced in all airlines — group
United Filipino Global (UFG) president Gemma Sotto cited the prevalence of flight delays and cancelations among Overseas Filipino Worker travelers in all local and international airline companies......»»
Iran takes Canada to UN court over terror compensation
Iran has taken Canada to the International Court of Justice for allowing victims of alleged terror attacks to claim damages from Tehran, the UN's top tribunal said on Wednesday. Tehran's case claims that Ottawa, which listed the Islamic Republic as a sponsor of terrorism in 2012, had violated Iran's state immunity. Iran asked the Hague-based ICJ to make Canada overturn a law passed in the same year that allows victims to collect damages from state terror sponsors in Canadian civil courts. "Canada has adopted and implemented a series of legislative, executive, and judicial measures against Iran and its property in breach of its international obligations," Iran said in its filing to the court. Tehran also demanded compensation from Canada. Iran's application cites a Canadian court judgment in 2022 that awarded more than $80 million in compensation to the families of six people who died when Iran shot down a Ukrainian airliner almost two years ago. Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752 was downed shortly after take-off from Tehran on January 8, 2020, killing all 176 people aboard -- including 85 Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Three days later, the Iranian armed forces admitted to downing the Kyiv-bound plane "by mistake." 'International obligations' Iran also cited a 2016 ruling by a Canadian judge ordering Iran's non-diplomatic land and bank accounts to be handed over to victims of attacks by Hamas and Hezbollah. The judgment awarded a reported $13 million to families of Americans who died in eight bombings or hostage-takings in Buenos Aires, Israel, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia from 1983 to 2002. The families, led by the parents of Marla Bennett, who was killed when a suicide bomber struck at a cafeteria at Hebrew University in Israel in 2002, had successfully sued Iran in the United States. "Iran respectfully requests the Court to adjudge and declare that by failing to respect the immunities of Iran and its property, Canada has violated its international obligations toward Iran," Iran's ICJ filing said. Canada broke diplomatic ties with Iran in 2012 as relations frayed over Tehran's support for Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria, its nuclear program, and threats to Israel. Iran launched a similar case at the ICJ against the United States in 2016 seeking to unfreeze assets seized by Washington to compensate victims of terror attacks. Judges in March rejected Iran's bid to free nearly $2 billion in central bank assets but ruled the United States had illegally seized funds of some Iranian companies and individuals. The ICJ was set up after World War II to resolve disputes between UN member states. Its judgments are final but can take years. The post Iran takes Canada to UN court over terror compensation appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Biggest-ever airliner order marks first day of Paris Air Show
European aircraft maker Airbus got the Paris Air Show off to a soaring start on Monday with the announcement of the biggest-ever order for civil aircraft, as the French president joined a big crowd for the event's return after a four-year Covid hiatus. The 500-plane deal with low-cost Indian carrier IndiGo kicked off what organizers have billed as the "recovery airshow" after the coronavirus ravaged the sector and the biennial trade fair was canceled in 2021. Fighter jets and civilian aircraft streaked across the sky while suited and uniformed delegations, including Ukrainian military officials and President Emmanuel Macron, toured the stands. This year's airshow has a new focus on defence following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, as well as the industry's efforts to reduce its carbon footprint, with French President Emmanuel Macron arriving in a helicopter partly using sustainable aviation fuel. Macron called for "restraint" to protect the environment but said measures for aviation should be "reasonable" rather than "punitive", adding that the world shouldn't "give up on growth". Huge traffic jams around Le Bourget airport outside Paris were a testament to the interest in this year's show, as aircraft makers field hundreds of orders and airlines brace for a near-record number of passengers this year. The Ukraine conflict has also prompted countries to boost military spending, which could benefit aerospace defense firms. While Russia has been excluded from the event, Ukrainian military officials toured the huge exhibition space at Paris-Le Bourget airport, some taking photos of missiles on display. Passion for air hasn't disappeared Macron announced that Belgium is to be admitted as an observer to the French-German-Spanish Future Combat Air System program, which is seeking to develop the next generation of air combat technology. Macron, closing a ministerial conference on European air defense, called it a " major development". The FCAS is due to come into service by 2040 but has already suffered numerous delays. Also on the military front, Macron said that France, Estonia, Hungary, Belgium, and Cyprus are to jointly purchase Mistral short-range surface-to-air missiles. "This is a very fine example of sovereign cooperation between Europeans on a range that is entirely relevant and that was not sufficiently covered", the French leader said. There was star turns for the Rafale fighter made by France's Dassault and the American F-35 jet, with hundreds of visitors turning their phone cameras skyward and some plugging their ears against the deafening flypasts. Le Bourget offers a forum to announce deals with some 2,500 firms lining up to show off their latest planes, drones, helicopters and prototypes such as flying taxis. With 125,000 square meters (1,350,000 square feet) of exhibition space -- the equivalent of nearly 18 football pitches -- around 320,000 visitors are expected during the week-long event. "Passion for the air hasn't disappeared, that's good news," said Bertrand Godinot, easyJet's Netherlands and France director. Big deals Along with the Farnborough airshow in England, which takes place in even-numbered years, Le Bourget is a key sales event for the civil and defence industries. Airbus and rival Boeing compete fiercely in announcing orders for aircraft running into the billions of dollars. Monday's IndiGo-Airbus deal covers A320 family planes at a list price of $55 billion. Although closely held actual sale prices are usually lower, it marks the largest ever civil aviation order by volume, hailed by Airbus chief executive Guillaume Faury as "an enormous milestone". Airbus and Boeing are also battling to solidify supply chains as they increase production to meet growing demand. The United States has a strong presence with 425 exhibitors, while firms from 46 other nations are present. China, which lifted Covid restrictions only at the beginning of this year, is also represented. However, Beijing is not displaying its first homegrown medium-haul passenger jet, the C919, built to compete with the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX. Flying taxis The airshow also hopes to open a window into the future as projects for flying taxis and other vertical take-off aircraft abound. Several prototypes will be on display as part of a "Paris Air Mobility" exhibition to showcase the latest innovations that developers hope will change how people travel. Macron arrived aboard Airbus' latest helicopter, the H160, in a flight fuelled with 30 percent sustainable aviation fuel before visiting the European group's stand where it laid out its net-zero-by-2050 plan. Macron had on Friday announced $2.2 billion to help develop technologies to reduce aircraft emissions. Air travel accounts for nearly three percent of global CO2 emissions but serves only a small minority of the world's population. With the industry targeting net zero emissions by mid-century, firms are turbocharging efforts to achieve it. The initial focus is on SAF, made from sources such as municipal waste and agricultural waste. But companies are also working to develop battery- and hydrogen-powered aircraft. The post Biggest-ever airliner order marks first day of Paris Air Show appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
US lawyer sorry after ChatGPT creates ‘bogus’ cases
What happened when a US lawyer used ChatGPT to prepare a court filing? The artificial intelligence program invented fake cases and rulings, leaving the attorney rather red-faced. New York-based lawyer Steven Schwartz apologized to a judge this week for submitting a brief full of falsehoods generated by the OpenAI chatbot. "I simply had no idea that ChatGPT was capable of fabricating entire case citations or judicial opinions, especially in a manner that appeared authentic," Schwartz wrote in a court filing. The blunder occurred in a civil case being heard by Manhattan federal court involving a man who is suing the Colombian airline Avianca. Roberto Mata claims he was injured when a metal serving plate hit his leg during a flight in August 2019 from El Salvador to New York. After the airline's lawyers asked the court to dismiss the case, Schwartz filed a response that claimed to cite more than half a dozen decisions to support why the litigation should proceed. They included Petersen v. Iran Air, Varghese v. China Southern Airlines, and Shaboon v. Egyptair. The Varghese case even included dated internal citations and quotes. There was one major problem, however: neither Avianca's attorneys nor the presiding judge, P. Kevin Castel could find the cases. Schwartz was forced to admit that ChatGPT had made up everything. "The court is presented with an unprecedented circumstance," Judge Castel wrote last month. "Six of the submitted cases appear to be bogus judicial decisions with bogus quotes and bogus internal citations," he added. The judge ordered Schwartz and his law partner to appear before him to face possible sanctions. 'Ridiculed' In a filing on Tuesday, ahead of the hearing, Schwartz said that he wanted to "deeply apologize" to the court for his "deeply regrettable mistake." He said his college-educated children had introduced him to ChatGPT and it was the first time he had ever used it in his professional work. "At the time that I performed the legal research in this case, I believed that ChatGPT was a reliable search engine. I now know that was incorrect," he wrote. Schwartz added that it "was never my intention to mislead the court." ChatGPT has become a global sensation since it was launched late last year for its ability to produce human-like content, including essays, poems, and conversations from simple prompts. It has sparked a mushrooming of generative AI content, leaving lawmakers scrambling to try to figure out how to regulate such bots. A spokesperson for OpenAI did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Schwartz's snafu. The story was first reported by The New York Times. Schwartz said he and his firm, Levidow, Levidow & Oberman, had been "publicly ridiculed" in the media coverage. "This has been deeply embarrassing on both a personal and professional level as these articles will be available for years to come," he wrote. Schwartz added: "This matter has been an eye-opening experience for me and I can assure the court that I will never commit an error like this again." The post US lawyer sorry after ChatGPT creates ‘bogus’ cases appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
The first flight from New York after the pandemic lands at Malaga airport
At 7:25 am First United Airlines flight from New York. Going forward, the airline will operate nonstop seasonal service three times a week from Newark.....»»
Trump found liable for sexually abusing writer
A New York jury found Donald Trump liable Tuesday for sexually abusing and defaming an American former magazine columnist and ordered the ex-president to pay her $5 million in damages. The nine jurors rejected E. Jean Carroll's accusation of rape but unanimously upheld her other complaints in the closely watched civil trial, following less than three hours of deliberations. It marks the first time Trump has faced legal consequences over a string of sexual assault allegations dating back decades -- and the former leader immediately rejected the verdict as a "disgrace." Carroll, 79, sued Trump last year, alleging that he raped her in the changing room of the luxury Bergdorf Goodman store on Manhattan's Fifth Avenue in 1996. The former columnist for Elle magazine also claimed that Trump defamed her when he called her "a complete con job" after she went public with the allegation in 2019. Trump, the 76-year-old frontrunner for the Republican nomination in next year's presidential election, called her case a "hoax" and "a lie." The jury determined that Carroll had proved sexual abuse -- effectively sexual contact without consent -- by a preponderance of the evidence and awarded her $2 million. The six men and three women on the jury also said Trump should pay Carroll nearly $3 million for defamation. Following the verdict, Carroll left the Manhattan federal court smiling but did not speak to reporters. "We're very happy," said her lawyer, Roberta Kaplan. Trump slammed the outcome on his social media platform Truth Social. "I have absolutely no idea who this woman is," he wrote, using all capital letters. "This verdict is a disgrace -- a continuation of the greatest witch hunt of all time." Trump's 2024 campaign team said in a statement that the case was a "political endeavor" intended to derail Trump's bid to regain the White House, and that he would appeal. Carroll told the two-week-long civil trial that the assault had left her feeling "ashamed" and unable to have romantic relationships. She said it took her more than 20 years to go public because she was "frightened" by Trump. Her lawyers called to the witness stand two other women who testified that Trump sexually assaulted them decades ago. Former businesswoman Jessica Leeds said that Trump groped her in the business class section of a flight in the United States in the 1970s. Journalist Natasha Stoynoff said Trump kissed her without her consent during an interview at his Mar-a-Lago estate in 2005. Around a dozen women accused Trump of sexual misconduct ahead of the 2016 election that sent him to the White House. He has denied all the allegations and has never been prosecuted over any of them. No criminal case can stem from Carroll's lawsuit. Trump did not testify during the proceedings, nor did his defense team call any witnesses. A video of a sworn deposition he gave in October was played to the jury. In it, Trump called Carroll "a liar" and "really sick person." His lawyers argued that Carroll invented the allegation "for money, for political reasons, and for status." She filed her lawsuit under a New York law that gave victims of sexual assault a one-year window to sue their alleged abusers decades after attacks may have occurred. The burden of proof in civil proceedings is lower than in criminal trial cases when prosecutors must prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt. The case was one of several legal challenges threatening to complicate Trump's bid to regain the presidency -- although the Republican's supporters have broadly stayed loyal to their champion up until now. Last month, Trump pleaded not guilty to criminal charges related to a hush-money payment made to a porn star just before the 2016 vote -- allegedly to cover up an affair. Trump is also being investigated over his efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss in the southern state of Georgia, his alleged mishandling of classified documents taken from the White House and his involvement in the storming of the US Capitol by his supporters on January 6, 2021. The post Trump found liable for sexually abusing writer appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
US presidential hopeful DeSantis kicks off tour in Japan
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis praised Japan's push to bolster its defences as he kicked off an international tour in Tokyo on Monday before a possible presidential run. The Republican is widely expected to seek the presidential nomination next year, and his trip to Japan, South Korea, Israel and Britain is seen as a bid to burnish his diplomatic and security credentials. "We very much applaud your efforts to bolster your defences," DeSantis told Prime Minister Fumio Kishida before talks, referring to Tokyo's decision to overhaul security strategy and boost defence spending. "We understand it's a tough neighborhood out here with North Korea and the rise of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party)," DeSantis added. "We really believe that a strong Japan is good for America and a strong America is good for Japan. So we commend you on that, and we hope that our country is there with you every step of the way." The tour is officially billed as an effort to build business opportunities for Florida, and DeSantis touted his state's economic appeal. "We've noticed we're the biggest market in the United States that doesn't have a direct flight to Japan," he told Kishida, saying he hoped to meet with airlines to "try to do something about it". Japan relies on Washington for defence, and its leaders will be watching next year's presidential race closely, eager to ensure ties remain strong regardless of who enters the White House. Kishida told DeSantis, who is travelling with his wife, that he hoped the visit would help "deepen the understanding of Japanese politics, economy and culture". The Florida governor played to his audience by congratulating Kishida on the country's victory in last month's World Baseball Classic, led by national hero Shohei Ohtani. "I wish we had Ohtani, but that's just the way things go," the governor said. DeSantis will have a working dinner later Monday with Japan's Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, before continuing on to Seoul. The post US presidential hopeful DeSantis kicks off tour in Japan appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Iran court jails missile crew behind jet downing
Ten members of an Iranian missile battery crew involved in the downing of a Ukrainian airliner in 2020 have been sentenced to prison, Iran’s judiciary has said on its website. The commander of the crew received the heaviest penalty of 10 years imprisonment while nine others were sentenced to between one and three years, Mizan Online reported on Sunday. The 10 members of the Iranian armed forces were not named. The commander of a Tor M-1 surface-to-air missile system “fired two missiles,” “contrary to orders” and without obtaining authorization, at the Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752 shortly after its takeoff from Tehran on 8 January 2020, killing all 176 people on board, according to Mizan. Ukraine lost 11 citizens in the airline disaster. At the time, Iranian air defenses were on high alert for a United States counterattack after Tehran fired missiles at a military base in Iraq that was used by American forces. Those missiles came in response to the killing in a US drone attack in Baghdad of Major General Qassem Soleimani who headed the foreign operations arm of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps. Three days after the Kyiv-bound plane was shot down, the Iranian armed forces admitted there had been a “mistake.” “Given the extent of the effects and consequences of this action, the main defendant was sentenced to the maximum penalty,” Mizan Online added without giving further details. Compensation Iran’s judiciary said in November 2021 that a trial had opened in Tehran for 10 military members “of various ranks” in connection with the jet’s downing. In January last year, Iran said it had begun paying compensation to families of those killed. Arash Khodaei, a vice president of the country’s Civil Aviation Organization, said that “the sum of $150,000 has been transferred” to some families, while “the process has begun” for others. The payment “does not infringe upon (their) right to take legal action,” state news agency IRNA quoted him as saying. In 2020, Iran offered to pay “$150,000 or the equivalent in euros” to each of the victims’ families. Ukrainian and Canadian officials strongly criticized the announcement, saying compensation should not be settled through unilateral declarations. A Canadian court awarded more than $80 million in compensation to the families of six of the victims in a decision made public in January 2022. That same month, an Iranian couple filed a rare lawsuit against three senior Iranian officials over the deaths of their children in the incident, an Iranian newspaper reported at the time. A group of countries led by Canada called in December for an arbitrator to settle claims against Iran, a first step in possibly bringing a case at the International Court of Justice, which victims’ families have long demanded. Iran offered to pay ‘$150,000 or the equivalent in euros’ to each of the victims’ families. The association of families of the victims reiterated Sunday after the verdict that “an impartial, international court” should try the crime. The post Iran court jails missile crew behind jet downing appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Boeing 737 MAX returns to US skies with American Airlines flight
American Airlines on Tuesday launched the first commercial flight of a Boeing 737 MAX in the United States since the plane was grounded worldwide following two deadly crashes that killed hundreds and plunged the airplane manufacturer into crisis......»»
Boeing 737 MAX returns to US skies
MIAMI, United States — American Airlines on Tuesday launched the first commercial flight of a Boeing 737 MAX in the United States since the plane was grounded worldwide following two deadly crashes that killed hundreds and plunged the airplane manufacturer into crisis. The MAX was Boeing’s top-selling aircraft, and the company struggled through the nearly two […] The post Boeing 737 MAX returns to US skies appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»