Doctors are reminding people to think carefully before coming to a hospital Emergency Department (ED) at this busy time of year for Northern Ireland's health service. Last month, Health Minister Mike Nesbitt announced a series of initiatives to protect key health and social care services during another highly challenging winter period. Mr Nesbitt said the measures detailed in a 2024/25 Winter Preparedness Plan will not eliminate winter pressures on the Health and Social Care system but will help to alleviate their impact. READ MORE: NI pharmacist explains new sore throat service launching this winter READ MORE: NI GP's warning for winter illness peak as NHS braces for 'quad-demic' The initiatives across primary, secondary and social care detailed in the Winter Preparedness Plan include Phone First services in all geographic Trusts for urgent and unscheduled care. This can support timely management of less serious cases away from busy Emergency Departments and facilitate booking appointments into urgent care services. So do you know where to go when you need urgent and emergency care this winter? Maggie Magowan, Interim Clinical Manager Emergency and Acute Medicine at the Ulster Hospital , says it's important you get the right care, in the right place, at the right time. She has detailed the urgent and emergency care services that are available to you across the South Eastern Trust. "Our emergency department at the Ulster Hospital is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The department treats and cares for people with a serious illness or life threatening conditions. "You should not go to an emergency department as an alternative to your GP calling 999 for an ambulance does not get you to the top of the emergency department queue. We must treat the sickest patients first, not the patients who get to the hospital first. "The consultant-led minor injury unit at the Ulster Hospital can treat injuries that are not critical or life threatening. The minor injury unit is open 8am to 6pm, seven days a week. Patients can walk in or phone first for an appointment. The phone first service is available 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday." Elsewhere the Phone First Urgent Care Centre at the Lagan Valley Hospital is a consultant-led service equipped to diagnose and deal with many of the most common ailments which people would normally attend in an emergency department. It's open from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday on an appointment only basis. You will be assessed and offered an appointment within the urgent care service or directed to the most appropriate service. An Urgent Care Centre is also based in the Downe Hospital . It's consultant led and just like the Urgent Care Centre in Lagan Valley Hospital, it can deal with patients with ailments and conditions that affect people who attend the emergency department. It's open from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday on an appointment only basis. You will be triaged and offered an appointment within the Urgent Care Service or directed to the most appropriate service. A minor injury unit also operates in the Downe Hospital on Saturdays and Sundays between 9am and 5pm. It is an emergency nurse led service that can see injuries that are not critical or life threatening. Patients at the Downe Minor Injury Unit must phone first. You may be given an appointment or you may be redirected to the most appropriate service. We hope this helps you find the right care for you or your loved ones. Remember in an emergency, always phone 999. Video by South Eastern HSC Trust For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and1 sign up to our daily newsletter here.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. Rebecca Blackwell, Associated Press 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. 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 4,058 flights entering or leaving the U.S., or serving domestic destinations, were delayed, with 76 flights canceled. The site had not posted any American Airlines flights on Tuesday morning, but showed in the afternoon that 961 American flights were delayed. 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. Jae C. Hong, Associated Press 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. Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts 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. Rebecca Blackwell, Associated Press 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. Rebecca Blackwell, Associated Press 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. "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: Alert the airline, both in person and in writing, of any missing bags. Remember, the clock starts ticking immediately. After 21 days, the baggage is considered lost and the airline is liable for it and its contents. Contact the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) or Canadian Transportation Agency , who will query the airline on your behalf and give them a 30-day deadline to respond. Usually, the airline will resolve the issue, but if it doesn't, or if you're unsatisfied with the offer, the next level is mediation. Beyond that, the case could move to adjudication, a court-like process with a panel deciding on the outcome. On international flights, you have up to two years to file litigation. 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: A plane must return to its gate after three hours on the tarmac. Minimum requirements will be set for procuring food, drink, lavatories, ventilation, and access to electronic communications during the delay. For larger airlines, payouts will range from $400 for a 3-6 hour delay, to $700 for 6-9 hours, and $1,000 for more than nine hours. For smaller carriers, the compensation would be $125, $250, and $500, respectively. Here's the loophole: If the delay is related to the air carrier's maintenance problems, no compensation is required. 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. Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

Ukraine must be in strong position for negotiations, Starmer says

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Tampa Bay’s bid for a fourth straight NFC South title and fifth consecutive playoff berth is gaining momentum. Back-to-back wins over a pair of last-place teams , combined with Atlanta’s three-game losing streak, have propelled the Bucs (6-6) to a tie atop the division. Although the Falcons (6-6) hold a tiebreaker after sweeping the season series between the teams, Tampa Bay can control its own destiny by finishing strong against a less than imposing schedule. The Bucs, who are back in the thick of the race after beating the New York Giants and Carolina Panthers, figure to be favored in four of their five remaining games. “Every week, we said it’s a playoff game, we got to take care of us. It’s not going to be easy. As it was (Sunday), it’s going to be a dog fight every week,” coach Todd Bowles said after Sunday’s 26-23 overtime win at Carolina. “We got to clean up some things, we know that, but it's hard to win in this league,” the coach said of the mistake-filled victory that lifted the Bucs back to .500. “We’ll take a win any way we can get it.” After facing Las Vegas (2-10) this week, the Bucs will finish with road games against the Los Angeles Chargers (8-4) and Dallas Cowboys (5-7), followed by home dates vs. Carolina (3-9) and the New Orleans Saints (4-8). Kicker Chase McLaughlin has been one of team’s most consistent performers, converting 21 of 23 field goal attempts. He was 4 of 5 against the Panthers, including 51-yarder to force overtime on the final play of regulation. He missed from 55 yards in OT before winning it with a 30-yard field goal on Tampa Bay’s next possession. Just when it appeared the defense was beginning to trend in the right direction, Carolina's Bryce Young threw for 298 yards without an interception against the Bucs in one of his better outings of the season. “In the first half, he did it with his feet and the second half he did it with his arm,” Bowles said. Running back Bucky Irving rushed for a career-best 152 yards and finished with 185 from scrimmage against Carolina, making him the first rookie since Miles Sanders in 2019 to have consecutive games with 150-plus yards from scrimmage. A week after playing well offensively and defensively in a 23-point rout of the New York Giants, the Bucs were sloppy against the Panthers. In addition to throwing two interceptions, Mayfield was sacked four times. Tampa Bay was penalized seven times for 54 yards, and the defense was only able to sack Young once. Mayfield (sore leg), linebacker K.J. Britt (sprained ankle) and safety Mike Edwards (hamstring) will be on the injury report this week. Bowles said he’s not sure what Mayfield's practice status will be when the team reconvenes Wednesday, however he expects the quarterback to play Sunday. 37 and 101 — Wide receiver Mike Evans had another big day against Carolina, posting the 37th 100-yard receiving performance of his career — fifth among active players. He also moved ahead of Hall of Famers Steve Largent and Tim Brown for sole possession of ninth place on the all-time list for TD receptions with 101. The Buccaneers host Las Vegas in Tampa Bay's first home game in a month and the third consecutive outing against a last-place team. The Raiders (2-10) have lost eight in a row. NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Vancouver Canucks defenceman Filip Hronek is expected to be out until the end of January as he recovers from a lower-body injury. General manager Patrik Allvin issued a statement Tuesday saying Hronek underwent a successful procedure for the undisclosed ailment and is expected to miss about eight weeks. He says the 27-year-old Czech blueliner will not require surgery for an upper-body injury. Hronek hasn’t played since going into the endboards hard late in Vancouver’s 5-4 loss to the Penguins in Pittsburgh last Wednesday. He’s been paired with captain Quinn Hughes for much of the season and registered eight points (one goal, eight assists) in 21 games. The Canucks (13-7-3) have dealt with a litany of notable absences this season, including all-star goalie Thatcher Demko, who remains sidelined with a knee injury, and star centre J.T. Miller, who’s on an indefinite leave for personal reasons. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 3, 2024.Exporters, govt in talks to tap opportunities in US

Varsity don advises farmers to explore use of plant extracts as insecticide

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. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!Heavy travel day starts with brief grounding of all American Airlines flightsNone

Already buried under snow, Great Lakes region expected to see more stormy weather this weekJanux Therapeutics Announces Proposed Public Offering

Ukraine must be placed in the “strongest possible position for negotiations” to end the war with Russia, Sir Keir Starmer has said. The Prime Minister insisted the UK will back Ukraine “for as long as it takes” as he made a speech at the Lord Mayor’s Banquet in London, but for the first time acknowledged the conflict could move towards a negotiated end. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has in recent weeks suggested he is open to a possible ceasefire with Vladimir Putin’s Russia. Kyiv and its European allies meanwhile fear the advent of Donald Trump’s return to the White House could result in American aid being halted. President-elect Trump has said he would prefer to move towards a peace deal, and has claimed he could end the conflict on “day one” of his time in power. As he attempts to strike up a good relationship with the incoming president, Sir Keir revealed he had told Mr Trump the UK “will invest more deeply than ever in this transatlantic bond with our American friends in the years to come”. In his speech at London’s Guildhall, the Prime Minister said there is “no question it is right we support Ukraine”, as the UK’s aid to Kyiv is “deeply in our self-interest”. Allowing Russia to win the war would mean “other autocrats would believe they can follow Putin’s example,” he warned. Sir Keir added: “So we must continue to back Ukraine and do what it takes to support their self-defence for as long as it takes. “To put Ukraine in the strongest possible position for negotiations so they can secure a just and lasting peace on their terms that guarantees their security, independence, and right to choose their own future.” Mr Zelensky told Sky News over the weekend he would be open to speaking with Mr Putin, but branded the Russian president a “terrorist”. He also suggested Ukrainian territory under his control should be taken under the “Nato umbrella” to try to stop the “hot stage” of the war with Russia. In a banquet speech focused on foreign affairs, the Prime Minister said it was “plain wrong” to suggest the UK must choose between its allies, adding: “I reject it utterly. “(Clement) Attlee did not choose between allies. (Winston) Churchill did not choose. “The national interest demands that we work with both.” Sir Keir said the UK and the US were “intertwined” when it came to commerce, technology and security. The Prime Minister added: “That’s why, when President Trump graciously hosted me for dinner in Trump Tower, I told him that we will invest more deeply than ever in this transatlantic bond with our American friends in the years to come.” He also repeated his commitment to “rebuild our ties with Europe” and insisted he was right to try to build closer links with China. “It is remarkable that until I met President Xi last month there had been no face-to-face meeting between British and Chinese leaders for six years,” the Prime Minister said. “We can’t simply look the other way. We need to engage. To co-operate, to compete and to challenge on growth, on security concerns, on climate as well as addressing our differences in a full and frank way on issues like Hong Kong, human rights, and sanctions on our parliamentarians,” he added. The Prime Minister said he wants Britain’s role in the world to be that of “a constant and responsible actor in turbulent times”. He added: “To be the soundest ally and to be determined, always, in everything we do. “Every exchange we have with other nations, every agreement we enter into to deliver for the British people and show, beyond doubt, that Britain is back.” Ahead of Sir Keir’s speech, Lord Mayor Alastair King urged the Prime Minister and his Government to loosen regulations on the City of London to help it maintain its competitive edge. In an echo of Sir Keir’s commitment to drive the UK’s economic growth, the Lord Mayor said: “The idealist will dream of growth, but the pragmatist understands that our most effective machinery to drive growth is here in the City, in the hands of some of the brightest and most committed people that you will find anywhere in the world.”

Central Counterparty Bangladesh Limited (CCBL) has rejected concerns of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) over the lack of governance and transparency as well as operational inefficiencies at the clearing and settlement company. Instead, the CCBL alleged that its activities are being delayed due to the activities of other parties like the DSE, the company said in a detailed statement regarding these concerns last week. Farhad Ahmed, managing director and CEO of CCBL, confirmed that they issued the statement through letters to the concerned authorities, including the DSE and Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC). The DSE had written to the BSEC earlier this month, calling for an immediate halt to the procurement activities of CCBL on grounds of its poor governance. In response, CCBL said the DSE raised concerns that several of its procurement decisions were taken against the country's best interests, exposing critical technology infrastructure to external vulnerability. "But a little more detailed explanation would help us better understand the issue. All major stakeholders, including the DSE, CSE and CDBL, are using similar infrastructure, and CCBL is no exception," it added. A "CCP Formation Committee" was created at the initial stage with the DSE chairman acting as its committee chairman while the bourse's managing director and CEO was its member secretary. Additionally, several members were officials of the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) and various banks. "None of these members have raised the issue of not ensuring the best interest of the country by exposing critical technology infrastructure to external vulnerability," CCBL said. Regarding the nearly three-year delay in starting operations, CCBL said a total of 535 days elapsed for the appointment of independent directors, which was a delay from the BSEC side. And after the constitution of the first CCBL board, another 302 days were lost for reasons associated with the DSE. For instance, the bourse delayed the replacement of its nominated directors for the CCBL. Additionally, it took the Central Procurement Technical Unit (CPTU) 112 days to provide an opinion on the Request for Proposals from DSE nominated directors. Regarding the DSE's observation that it has no interaction between CCBL and its stakeholders, CCBL said it holds sufficient discussions and takes written feedback from major stakeholders like the DSE, CSE and Central Depository Bangladesh Limited (CDBL). CCBL informed that till date, it has held a total of 63 board meetings and innumerable committee meetings with the participation of DSE nominated directors. "No meeting of CCBL was ever held without their participation," it said. The DSE also gave an observation that there were irregularities in sharing quarterly and annual financial statements of CCBL with the bourse. CCBL firmly rejected this stance, saying all the reports were sent. DSE Chairman Mominul Islam said the bourse is not blaming CCBL for anything, but rather is simply urging it to review all these issues. The DSE is not only the largest shareholder, but also the largest stakeholder of CCBL, which is a nationally critical infrastructure of the country, he added. Islam informed that due to its importance, the DSE Brokers Association has urged the bourse to monitor whether CCBL is taking good decisions. Furthermore, Islam said CCBL informed that it maintains the international standard in operations. "Whether it is possible to make better decisions or buy infrastructure for less, we want to go ahead with the discussion [with CCBL]. So, hopefully we will be together soon," he added. Central Counterparty Bangladesh Limited (CCBL) has rejected concerns of the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) over the lack of governance and transparency as well as operational inefficiencies at the clearing and settlement company. Instead, the CCBL alleged that its activities are being delayed due to the activities of other parties like the DSE, the company said in a detailed statement regarding these concerns last week. Farhad Ahmed, managing director and CEO of CCBL, confirmed that they issued the statement through letters to the concerned authorities, including the DSE and Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC). The DSE had written to the BSEC earlier this month, calling for an immediate halt to the procurement activities of CCBL on grounds of its poor governance. In response, CCBL said the DSE raised concerns that several of its procurement decisions were taken against the country's best interests, exposing critical technology infrastructure to external vulnerability. "But a little more detailed explanation would help us better understand the issue. All major stakeholders, including the DSE, CSE and CDBL, are using similar infrastructure, and CCBL is no exception," it added. A "CCP Formation Committee" was created at the initial stage with the DSE chairman acting as its committee chairman while the bourse's managing director and CEO was its member secretary. Additionally, several members were officials of the Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) and various banks. "None of these members have raised the issue of not ensuring the best interest of the country by exposing critical technology infrastructure to external vulnerability," CCBL said. Regarding the nearly three-year delay in starting operations, CCBL said a total of 535 days elapsed for the appointment of independent directors, which was a delay from the BSEC side. And after the constitution of the first CCBL board, another 302 days were lost for reasons associated with the DSE. For instance, the bourse delayed the replacement of its nominated directors for the CCBL. Additionally, it took the Central Procurement Technical Unit (CPTU) 112 days to provide an opinion on the Request for Proposals from DSE nominated directors. Regarding the DSE's observation that it has no interaction between CCBL and its stakeholders, CCBL said it holds sufficient discussions and takes written feedback from major stakeholders like the DSE, CSE and Central Depository Bangladesh Limited (CDBL). CCBL informed that till date, it has held a total of 63 board meetings and innumerable committee meetings with the participation of DSE nominated directors. "No meeting of CCBL was ever held without their participation," it said. The DSE also gave an observation that there were irregularities in sharing quarterly and annual financial statements of CCBL with the bourse. CCBL firmly rejected this stance, saying all the reports were sent. DSE Chairman Mominul Islam said the bourse is not blaming CCBL for anything, but rather is simply urging it to review all these issues. The DSE is not only the largest shareholder, but also the largest stakeholder of CCBL, which is a nationally critical infrastructure of the country, he added. Islam informed that due to its importance, the DSE Brokers Association has urged the bourse to monitor whether CCBL is taking good decisions. Furthermore, Islam said CCBL informed that it maintains the international standard in operations. "Whether it is possible to make better decisions or buy infrastructure for less, we want to go ahead with the discussion [with CCBL]. So, hopefully we will be together soon," he added.None

Healthcare stocks fall as lawmakers push for bill to break up drug middlemen - ReutersKing Charles hailed the “profound, personal and historic” ties between Qatar and the UK as he welcomed the Amir and Sheikha for a two-day state visit. Delivering a speech at tonight’s lavish state banquet at Buckingham Palace, the 76-year-old monarch spoke warmly of the ties between the two nations, namely their collaborative efforts on climate change and biodiversity loss, science and technology, education and defence. Addressing the 150 guests - which included Posh and Becks - the King opened by speaking in Arabic. He said "Assalamu-Alaykum", which means peace be upon you. Charles described the Amir’s visit as a “homecoming”, noting the years he spent studying in the UK at Sherborne, harrow and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. “This evening I am delighted to mark the renewal of our enduring friendship,” he said before saying in Arabic: “Welcome back to the United Kingdom, your second home.” Charles spoke of the “special bond” between the UK and Qatar, which he said was “founded on mutual respect which was stood the test of time”. His Majesty paid tribute to the Amir’s “tireless mediation efforts over the past year in pursuit of peace” and said: “We stand with you in our commitment to a world where peace and justice prevail over division.” The King said he "took some comfort" knowing that our Governments are collaborating to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss. "I am greatly encouraged to know that we are embarking on a partnership that will, over the next 20 years, place our nations jointly at the forefront of clean energy technology development," he said. Charles also hailed the two nation's work on science and technology, education and defence. Before proposing a toast, the King said: “I am filled with optimism about the possibilities that lie ahead for our two great nations. “Whatever new challenges and opportunities emerge, I am confident that we will meet them together.” The Amir responded with a short speech where he spoke of the "personal connections" between their families and paid tribute to the "cherished" Queen Elizabeth. He spoke fondly of the two nations and concluded his speech by saying: "And let us pray for the continued health of His Majesty, and to the strength of our alliance and friendship." Guests tucked into a three-course banquet, featuring Cornish Lobster, Windsor Pheasant and iced bombe with a Balmoral Plum Sorbet. They washed the food down with five different wines, which included award-winning English sparking wine from Chapel Down, a winery based in Tenterden, Kent. The beautifully adorned tables in the Palace ballroom featured seasonal flowers including foliage from the Windsor Home Park and the Orchard Garden at the glasshouses in Windsor. On the conclusion of the Banquet, the flowers are donated to Floral Angels, a charity the Queen is patron of that delivers the blooms to hospices, elderly care homes, shelters and other beneficiaries near its base in New Covent Graden Flower Market. Guests were also treated to musical performances by the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and the King’s Harpist, Mared Pugh-Evans. They played a selection of traditional classic music, as well as covers from musicals Chicago, West Side Story and even a song from the Disney film Moana.

Until recently, the Mount Washington Observatory had about 17 remote weather monitoring stations. At the end of a four-year expansion, it’ll have more than 50, said its executive director. Those expanded data points will help a variety of constituents across sectors spanning from climate science to outdoor recreation. The first leg of the expansion — which came in November in the form of five new automated stations along the Cog Railway on the west side of Mount Washington — paves the way to improved weather forecasts. “It’ll just make our ability to give accurate forecasts so very much enhanced,” said Drew Bush, the executive director of the observatory. “... When you look at storm tracks for our region, most storms are coming from the west, and our observation team on the summit of Mount Washington has been asking for this data for years.” These stations — with locations around Mount Washington and other spots in the White Mountains — collect data on temperature, precipitation, wind speed, relative humidity, and more, which is available to the public online. They’re part of the Mount Washington Regional Mesonet, which the observatory describes as “a network of automated stations in and around the White Mountains that continuously collect weather data.” This provides valuable information to researchers and meteorologists, including the National Weather Service. Stations vary, but the majority are tripods that stand about 10 feet tall, Bush said. Most are equipped with solar panels, due to their remote locations, though a few can plug directly into the electrical grid, he said. Sometimes snow can cover solar panels and cause delays, but if the stations have power, they transmit data in real time, Bush said. Federal money has facilitated this expansion, which will also include modernizing 11 existing stations, Bush said. One of those funding sources is a Northern Border Regional Commission Catalyst Grant. Other funds come from a request appropriated by Congress, an effort Bush said was spearheaded by U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen. The enhanced forecasting abilities will help the observatory better inform hikers, skiers, and other visitors to the White Mountains of the weather conditions, Bush said. It will also assist search-and-rescue teams. “There’s, I think, just a huge amount of desire from the community to have this data,” Bush said. “... I think just from a very basic level, to try to really help people stay safe when they’re here as guests and visitors and they’re recreating outdoors.” People have observed the weather from Mount Washington for more than 150 years, according to a history of the observatory by its curator Dr. Peter Crane. Its extreme weather — which can feature sub-zero temperatures, snow, and strong winds — has attracted researchers and visitors to New England’s highest peak. The stations can pay a price for their observations, with the harsh weather sometimes damaging equipment. “Pretty much every year” they make repairs at stations or update their technology, Bush said. “It’s an iterative process,” Bush said, “so we’re always looking to improve them, to make sure that they can really survive the elements, you know, to make sure we have sort of the latest, most cutting-edge technology for them.” Part of the observatory’s role is developing technology for weather stations. As part of work with a professor who is a National Geographic Explorer, for instance, a piece of the observatory’s technology is on Mount Everest tracking wind speeds, Bush said. Closer to home, decades of weather observations make Mount Washington a valuable tool for viewing how Earth’s climate has changed in recent decades. Researchers, using data from sites across the White Mountains, have found warming air temperatures, wetter summers, an increase in heavy precipitation events, and a loss in snow, according to a fact sheet from the observatory and partners. This expansion will help establish a more comprehensive history of the White Mountains’ climate and a closer look at how it’s changing. “Looking forward into the future, it really allows us to establish this much more detailed record,” Bush said.

South Korea's president avoids an impeachment attempt over martial law

LL Cool J isn't waiting until he passes to smell the roses -- he's ordered himself a bouquet of Hip Hop flowers and the little card reads, "HE'S THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME!!!" That was the DEFinitive statement when LL recently sat with Apple Music's "Le Code" podcast where he put his legacy in stone ... "I’m going to say this humbly, but I really mean this ... I think one day people are going to wake up and realize that LL Cool J is the most important rapper that ever existed. I truly believe one day people are going to say that." He colorfully continued to make his case using an array of bejeweled metaphors, but LL spit his brightest gems reminding fans of the game-changers he contributed to Hip Hop culture. “They’re gonna say when it comes to the love songs, they’re gonna say, ‘This is the guy that introduced the love songs and all the love sh*t.’ "When it comes to the G.O.A.T terminology, they gon’ say, ‘This is the guy who came up with all the G.O.A.T stuff,’ I could go on and on and on." Before everyone goes all scorched earth on LL, just know he's probably been rocking the bells before most of today's streaming audience was even born. His first album, 1985's "Radio," was Def Jam's first LP ... and his 2000 album, "G.O.A.T. featuring James T. Smith: The Greatest of All Time" pretty much speaks for itself on where he's long seen his place in the game. We spoke to him in August after the release of his ( fourteenth!!! ) album "The Force" and he fiercely defended the work ethic it takes to be a successful rapper. Is LL Cool J The Greatest Rapper Ever? Most Definitely The G.O.A.T. Nope, He's Sniffin' Those Pink Cookies So we gotta ask ... is LL the 🐐 or nah?