Latest news with #AIFA
TimesLIVE
21-07-2025
- Business
- TimesLIVE
US threatens Mexican flights over cargo, competition issues
The transportation department alleges Mexico has violated a bilateral air agreement by slashing slots for passenger flights and forcing all-cargo carriers to relocate operations. Then-president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador defended the decisions, arguing the capital's main airport was too crowded and the new, farther-away Felipe Angeles International Airport (AIFA) could handle the extra traffic. Officials are rushing to renovate the ageing Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX) ahead of next year's World Cup, for which Mexico is a host country. 'By restricting slots and mandating that all-cargo operations move out of MEX, Mexico has broken its promise, disrupted the market and left American businesses holding the bag for millions in increased costs,' the transportation department said. The AIFA is at full capacity for cargo handling and needs to be expanded. For passenger flights, it lags far behind MEX as transportation to and from the city remains spotty. 'The move not only disrupted critical air cargo operations and set a dangerous precedent for how all-cargo carriers may be treated in global markets, it also created uncertainty about how potential safety emergencies could be handled,' said the Cargo Airline Association, which represents major US cargo carriers. Mexico's transportation ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The transportation department issued orders requiring Mexican airlines to file schedules with the department for all their US operations by a late-July deadline while requiring prior US approval for large charter flights to or from the US. Airlines set to be affected by the measures, including Volaris and Viva Aerobus, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. If the US rescinds antitrust approval for Delta and Aeromexico, they would be required to end their co-operation on pricing, capacity and revenue sharing. Delta would be able to retain its equity stake in Aeromexico and continue other aspects of its partnership. The transportation department also said it could take action against European countries over limitations at airports.
Borneo Post
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Borneo Post
Vibrant Info Busking X Info On Wheel Pentarama a success in Tawau
Andi (front, right) singing during the event.-Information Department photo TAWAU (May 4): More than 1,000 visitors attended the lively Info Busking X Info On Wheel Pentarama Sabah Roadshow, held at Chester Night Market here on Saturday night. The program, organized by the Malaysian Information Department (JAPEN) Sabah, combined entertainment and information, featuring performances by Pentarama artists alongside government policy and initiative updates. Key highlights included a briefing on Artificial Intelligence Chatbot (AIFA) and Online Safety by Tawau District Information Officer Azuary Abdul Azis, followed by the distribution of informational pamphlets to the public. The Tawau Municipal Council also participated, with Operations Assistant Officer Zanariah Ibrahim explaining the importance of environmental cleanliness and the ban on smoking in public areas. The event, which started at 7:45pm, was further enlivened by Sabah Assistant Minister of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship, Datuk Andi Muhammad Suryady Bandy, who entertained the crowd by singing two songs: 'Ibu Kota Cinta' (originally by Def Gab-C) and 'Cintamu Mekar di Hati' (by the group May). This program is part of the government's efforts to deliver information in a relaxed and community-friendly manner, fostering closer engagement with locals. Andi said the program successfully combined entertainment elements with direct information delivery to the public. 'Programs like this are not easy to execute, but their approach has a positive impact, especially in conveying current issues and government policies to the people. 'Aside from receiving the latest information, visitors were also entertained by performances from Pentarama artists of the Sabah Department of Information. 'The involvement of various government agencies also made it easier for the public to obtain information directly and learn about initiatives and assistance provided by the government,' he said when met by the media after attending the program. He added that organizing the program in public gathering spots like night markets also benefited small traders and local entrepreneurs. Andi, who is also the Member of Parliament for Kalabakan and the State Assemblyman for Tanjung Batu, said such an approach should be continued due to its effectiveness in delivering information in a more people-friendly manner. The program in Tawau was the third series after two earlier series held in Kota Kinabalu.
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
AM Best to Participate on Panels Focused on ILS and Credit Rating Agencies at 2025 AIFA Conference
OLDWICK, N.J., February 14, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AM Best will participate in separate panel discussions on the insurance-linked securities (ILS) market and credit rating agencies during the Association of Insurance and Financial Analysts (AIFA) annual conference, which will take place March 2-4, 2025, in Naples, FL, at the Naples Grande Beach Resort. AM Best Senior Director Carlos Wong-Fupuy will join a panel discussion on the state of the ILS market, scheduled for Tuesday, March 4, at 10:00 a.m. (EST). Wong-Fupuy oversees a team of analysts responsible for the financial ratings of large North American commercial lines insurance groups, having spent the most-recent five years covering global reinsurers. Also on March 4, Steven Chirico, director, will participate in a lunchtime panel with other credit rating agency executives to discuss relevant insurance industry issues, along with AM Best's market segment outlooks. Chirico manages a team of rating analysts with portfolios of commercial and alternative risk insurers and large reinsurers. The panel discussion is set for noon (EST). Wong-Fupuy and Chirico each have approximately 30 years' experience in the insurance industry. AIFA is a nonprofit organization run by volunteers from within the insurance investment community and is typically attended by insurance analysts, investors and other related industry participants, who will explore leading and emerging challenges faced by the main segments of the insurance industry. For more information on the AIFA Conference 2025, please visit the event webpage. AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit Copyright © 2025 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. View source version on Contacts Christopher Sharkey Associate Director, Public Relations +1 908 882 Al SlavinSenior Public Relations Specialist+1 908 882 2318 Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Communications Ministry launches fact-checking AI chatbot ‘AIFA' to combat fake news on WhatsApp, says Fahmi
CYBERJAYA, Jan 28 — Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil today said the ministry has launched a fact-checking chatbot to verify fake news and information on WhatsApp. He said the chatbot named Artificial Intelligence Fact-Check Assistant (AIFA) is part of the government's initiative to curb misinformation and promote digital literacy among Malaysians. 'Today marks another milestone with the launch of a chatbot application on the WhatsApp platform. This initiative is tied to the widespread use of WhatsApp across all levels of society, where messages are often forwarded without verification. 'Many view WhatsApp as a source of news and information, even though some messages appear official but are actually fake,' he said during his speech at the launch of Chatbot here today. He also said that the AIFA is designed to allow users to submit questionable messages for verification. Fahmi explained that for now, the chatbot focuses on verifying text-based information, but is expected to handle images and videos in the near future. 'AIFA is an essential tool in empowering society with accurate information. 'According to data from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), 20,000 pieces of fake news content were detected last year. 'Of this, 17,245 were removed from social media platforms after being confirmed as false. As of 27 January 2025, 1,575 fake news items have been identified, and 1,233 have been successfully taken down,' he added. Fahmi said the chatbot supports multiple languages, including Malay, English, Mandarin and Tamil. He also said that the ministry also plans to integrate more features to allow verification of multimedia content in the future. 'MCMC will continue working closely with social media platforms and enforcement agencies to tackle the spread of fake news. 'This effort will also be expanded through 1,100 Digital Community Centres nationwide to ensure all Malaysians, regardless of background can fully utilise this initiative,' Fahmi added.
