New figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) have revealed overseas travellers made just 398,000 trips to the UK in the second quarter of the year.This was down a staggering 96 per cent from the same period last year.- Advertisement – “While the figures relate to the first lockdown period, since then the industry has had to deal with constantly changing travel advice and quarantine measures, as well as local lockdowns, meaning there has been very limited scope for recovery in the travel industry. “As a result tens of thousands of jobs have already been lost and many businesses have closed their doors for good. “In addition to tailored financial support for travel companies, the government needs to implement an effective testing regime and introduce a fully regionalised travel corridor approach by the time lockdown is lifted to help people feel more confident to travel. “It also needs to introduce flexibility into the furlough scheme to support businesses who need to have staff processing refunds, but won’t be generating income.” OlderFuture of Norwegian uncertain as government denies further aid UK residents made 939,000 visits abroad in over the three-month period, which was 96 per cent fewer than the corresponding period the previous year.They spent £402 million on visits abroad. The ONS said data collection by the International Passenger Survey was suspended for the period covered, so the figures are based on administrative sources and modelling. Commenting on the data, and ABTA spokesperson said: “Today’s ONS figures for overseas travel in April to June 2020 lay bare the devasting impact Covid-19 has had on the industry. – Advertisement –
The ONS placed the blame for the decline squarely on the Covid-19 pandemic. In total, overseas residents spent £218 million on their visits to the UK in in the second quarter of the year.The figure was again down 97 per cent on the same period of 2019.- Advertisement – – Advertisement –
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One Year Later: Governor Wolf Secures Full Domestic Violence Plan
One Year Later: Governor Wolf Secures Full Domestic Violence Plan SHARE Email Facebook Twitter Bill Signing, Human Services, Press Release, Public Safety Harrisburg, PA – One year after he first called on legislators to pass a package of domestic violence bills, Governor Tom Wolf signed the remaining piece of legislation from that package into law.By signing Senate Bill 919, now Act 148 of 2018, Governor Wolf builds on his support for victims of domestic violence and completes the passage of a package of bills he urged legislators to pass on October 24, 2017. The package included Senate bills 449, 500, 501, 502 and 919. In April of this year he asked House leaders and committee chairs to send him those same bills that had passed overwhelmingly in the Senate.“Signing this final domestic violence bill into law is gratifying and I thank the General Assembly for getting this bill to my desk,” Governor Wolf said. “But, this doesn’t stop the need to continue to push for additional legislation to decrease the prevalence of domestic violence and to protect victims. I will continue to work with legislators, advocates and victims to be sure we are doing all we can to increase protections against domestic violence.”Governor Wolf signed various domestic violence bills into law from April to October, including Act 79 of 2018, a reform long-sought by domestic violence and gun safety advocates to keep guns from abusers and honor all the victims of domestic violence that have lost their lives at the hands of their abuser with a firearm.The final bill, sponsored by Senator Art Haywood, is a victim protection bill regarding housing options and emergency transfers. The bill allows a housing authority tenant who is a victim of domestic or sexual violence to request relocation if the domestic or sexual violence occurred on or near the home within 90 calendar days of the request. The tenant may also request relocation if they believe they are in imminent harm from domestic or sexual violence if they remain in the home.“Safety and security are crucial elements of helping crime victims,” Jennifer Storm, PA Victim Advocate said. “Providing immediate access to safe and secure housing when victims of domestic violence and sexual assault need to quickly exit dangerous living conditions helps to remove bureaucratic barriers. I applaud Governor Wolf for swiftly signing this potentially life-saving and bi-partisan legislation.”“Every person needs and deserves access to safe housing environments where they can thrive,” said Donna Greco, PCAR policy director. “Too often, sexual assault undermines the housing security of victims throughout the commonwealth. In fact, most sexual assaults occur in or near victims’ homes, making relocation one of the most common and urgent needs following these crimes. The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR) is grateful to Senator Haywood for partnering with us and other stakeholders in drafting this legislation. SB 919 will enable victims of sexual and domestic violence to safely and quickly relocate—aligning Pennsylvania with federal housing protections and most importantly, protecting victims from further assaults. We thank Governor Wolf for signing this important legislation.”“Access to safe housing is one of the most considerable barriers for victims trying to leave abusive situations,” said Julie Bancroft, chief public affairs officer for the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence. “SB 919 prioritizes victim safety by allowing individuals to escape an abusive environment. This legislation would enable victims of domestic and sexual violence living in public housing the option of rapid relocation to another housing unit. We thank Governor Wolf for signing another critical, but common sense law to improve safety for victims on the heels of landmark domestic violence legislation.”
October 25, 2018
Governor Wolf Commends PUC for Helping Low Income Pennsylvanians
September 20, 2019 Governor Wolf Commends PUC for Helping Low Income Pennsylvanians Energy, Press Release Harrisburg, PA – Today, Governor Wolf commended the steps taken by the Pennsylvania Utility Commission (PUC) to revise two of its energy affordability programs to better assist the commonwealth’s most vulnerable households.“I applaud the PUC’s effort to tackle the extremely high costs facing the poorest households in the state,” said Gov. Wolf. “The actions taken are critical in helping to remove barriers for our low-income residents in areas all across Pennsylvania.”Yesterday, the PUC advanced two proposals to assist low-income households’ access to affordable utility services, including changes to the Customer Assistance Programs (CAPs). The changes include lowering maximum “energy burden” thresholds for low-income individuals and families, which is the percentage of household income spent on energy usage, such as heat and light.Additionally, the PUC will move forward with updates to the Universal Service and Energy Conservation Programs (USECPs) to emphasize the Commission’s mandate to “continue the protections, policies and services that now assist customers who are low-income to afford utility service.”The amendments adopted by the PUC include a six percent maximum energy burden for the most vulnerable customers, noting that a household with an annual income of $10,000 could potentially save an average of $1,000 annually on electric and gas service.“One of our most basic responsibilities in government is to help ensure that everyone has access to utilities, no matter what your socioeconomic status is,” said Gov. Wolf. “These actions will have a meaningful influence on nearly a million households in need of energy assistance today, and countless more in the future.”
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Information evening for first home buyers on the Gold Coast
Ray White Surfers Paradise is hosting an information evening tonight for first home buyers.SICK of renting?More from news02:37Purchasers snap up every residence in the $40 million Siarn Palm Beach North8 hours ago02:37International architect Desmond Brooks selling luxury beach villa1 day agoRay White Surfers Paradise is hosting an information evening tonight for first home buyers.The event is designed to teach first home buyers how to buy without a deposit, what the banks are looking for when you apply for a loan and how to access the $20,000 First Home Owners Grant.Property and finance expert Stuart Pryce and Ray White Projects Gold Coast director Julian Sutherland and are among the guest speakers.The event will be held at Southport Sharks tonight at 6pm.Phone 1800 870 651 or visit www.rwevents.com.au
Dutch scheme PWRI to launch ‘Inclusivity Index’ for disabled workers
The Inclusivity Index is to consist of 50 companies with strong track records on hiring disabled workers.PSO, a foundation that measures corporate performance, is to select the companies, reviewing the index annually.PWRI said it currently had a universe of 77 listed companies – with 27 having Dutch branches – that could accommodate its target group.“We want to extend the universe as soon as possible to 200,” said De Wit, adding that the concept of ‘inclusion’ was likely to be more effective than exclusion.“We would like to see some competition for the best ranking.”The pension fund has already allocated €50m as a target investment in approximately 35 companies; this is likely to be followed by an additional €50m next year, according to De Wit. At a later stage, other pension funds will be given the option to invest through the Inclusivity Index, which is to be operated by BMO, PWRI’s asset manager.PWRI – which has 95,000 active participants, 47,000 pensioners and 75,000 deferred members – recently restarted negotiations with the €172bn healthcare scheme PFZW over a possible merger. PWRI, the €7.6bn pension fund for disabled workers in the Netherlands, has developed an “Inclusivity Index” consisting of companies that employ people with a work disability.The scheme said it sought to make targeted investments in companies that contribute to the implementation of the Participation Act, which aims to employ more than 125,000 disabled workers in the private and public sectors by 2026.Kees de Wit, a board member and chairman of PWRI’s investment committee, said: “As things stand now, the implementation is getting nowhere near its target.“Human resource departments tend to find hiring disabled workers awkward – that’s why we try to approach companies from the investment side.”
Britain agrees to cancel St Kitts-Nevis debt
22 Views no discussions Britain’s Minister of State for International Development, Alan DuncanLONDON, England (CUOPM) — Less than two months after going to the Paris Club seeking support for his government’s bold economic transformation efforts through the restructuring of the debts owed by St Kitts and Nevis to the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Dr Denzil Douglas has been informed by the British government that his request has been granted.Confirmation has come from Britain’s Minister of State for International Development, Alan Duncan.“I am pleased to confirm the full cancellation of all of your government’s debts to DFID [Department for International Development] with immediate effect,” said the British minister in a letter to Douglas.Duncan informed the St Kitts and Nevis prime minister that the case for debt relief was assessed under three criteria: “sound economic management, good governance and commitment to poverty eradication.”“I note in particular the extremely difficult external environment faced by St Kitts and Nevis and the impressive efforts made to get public finances back on a secure and sustainable footing,” said Duncan.In wishing Douglas every success with the reform programme that St Kitts and Nevis has embarked on, the British minister of state hoped that the writing off of the debts to the Department for International Development “will help boost the chances of success and help free up resources to help protect the poorest and most vulnerable citizens of St Kitts and Nevis during this challenging time.”The approach to the Paris Club late May was part of the comprehensive debt restructuring program launched by the government in May 2011.Douglas said the cancellation of the debt owed to Britain by the twin-island Federation in the debt-restructuring programme will go a long way in the continued restoration of confidence to the economy.“I commend the members of the Paris Club who cooperated and collaborated with us, especially the British government who has officially informed me that they have given complete debt forgiveness for the balance debt that we owed them,” said Douglas, who is also minister of financeDuring a stopover in London on his way from home from a week of investment talks in Dubai, Douglas expressed thanks to the government of the United States for agreeing during the negotiations in May with the members of the Paris Club to extend the period of payment at a very low interest “thus making it possible to manage the outstanding debt with the United States government.”Douglas also expressed thanks to the domestic and regional creditors for the support provided in the restructuring of the national debt.“With all that has been achieved, we are seeing the continuing increase in confidence returning to the economy of St Kitts and Nevis, where we should now be doing everything that we can, not only to stimulate domestic investment to St Kitts and Nevis, but also attracting foreign direct investment and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates is one of those places that such investment would come,” said Douglas.Caribbean News Now Share Sharing is caring! NewsRegional Britain agrees to cancel St Kitts-Nevis debt by: – July 16, 2012
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Christina M. “Tina” Weigel
Christina M. “Tina” Weigel, age 52 of St. Leon, died Sunday, October 1, 2017 at Margaret Mary Health in Batesville. Born November 19, 1964 in Cincinnati, Ohio, she is daughter of Frances (Nee: Kramer) and Gerhard Deddens. She married Steve Weigel May 22, 1993 at St. John the Baptist Church in Harrison, Ohio.A hard worker, she helped out at the family business, Deddens Bakery. She would graduate from Oldenburg Academy and attend the University of Cincinnati. While attending UC, she worked at several large hotels in downtown Cincinnati. In May of 1986, at the age of 21, Tina’s lifelong dream of owning a restaurant was born. With her brother Dave, they opened Christina’s Restaurant at the St. Leon exit on I-74 and Highway 1. Eventually, Dave left to start other businesses, but Tina and her mother continued before closing the restaurant in 2001. Tina took time off from the restaurant to be home with her young children. Tina would eventually get back into the food business working as the Kitchen Manager at East Central High School.In her spare time, she was active in her children’s endeavors and in later years became very involved with the Family Career & Community Leaders of America, supporting her daughters at the local and state levels. She was also a “Tennis Mom”, a “Football Mom” and a member of the East Central Booster Clubs. Unofficially, she was the family photographer at all family functions, sporting events and get togethers. Tina never knew a stranger. If you met her, you became a friend.Tina’s greatest passion was her family. She was most happy having everyone together and it was even better when she was cooking for them. Like all of us, Tina wasn’t without quirks. Her family teased about how every vacation she’d pack a paring knife, apples and peanut butter for the trip and everyone looked forward to receiving the annual Weigel “goofy family Christmas cards”.She was also proud of her German heritage. An active member of the Kolping Society in Cincinnati, she looked forward to events that required traditional German attire and loved visiting Germany on several occasions to visit family.Steve stated that, “Tina was the rock of their family and will be missed greatly.” A selfless individual, she was always about helping others and firmly believed in giving back. Tina’s wishes to be an organ and tissue donor were honored.She is survived by her husband Steve; children Brian, Kelly, Elizabeth and Nick; father Gerhard Deddens, brother David (Michelle) Deddens all of St. Leon; sisters Rose Linton of Clarkston, Michigan and Lynn Deddens of Sunman and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her mother and brother-in-law Ken Linton.Visitation is Thursday, October 5th, from 3 – 8 p.m. at the St. Joseph’s Campus All Saints Parish Life Center in St. Leon. Funeral services are 10 a.m. Friday, October 6th at the All Saints Church St. Joseph’s Campus, with Rev. Jonathan Meyer officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the Christina Weigel Children’s Education Fund. Weigel Funeral, Batesville, is in charge of arrangements.
Arsene Wenger – last season’s defeat at Southampton was a turning point for team
Arsenal have amassed more Barclays Premier League points than any other side in 2015 – but manager Arsene Wenger admits he cannot forget the New Year’s Day beating at Southampton that he has highlighted as a turning point for his team. The Gunners travel to St Mary’s for Boxing Day’s late kick-off just two points off the top of the table as they go in pursuit of surprise Christmas leaders Leicester. Three league wins in succession, including Monday’s 2-1 victory over title rivals Manchester City, means Wenger’s side has now collected 78 points for the calender year, 10 more than any other club. The 33-year-old Czech has been in fine form since moving from rivals Chelsea and, despite being widely criticised for not making any outfield additions – Arsenal being the only club to do so across Europe’s top-five leagues – Wenger is pleased to have developed the relationship between the players already at his disposal. “Society today always wants something new,” he added. “We have news every half and hour, or every minute. You need to announce something new. “But let’s not forget that football is as well about cohesion, about stability and that goes a little bit against the demand of what people want but I still think success is linked with the talent and cohesion. “Cohesion is an under-rated factor now in our society because there is always a demand for something new.” Wenger will now be hoping that cohesion can help his side have an equally impressive 2016 and lift the title for the first time since 2004 – with a third successive FA Cup still up for grabs, and with Barcelona waiting in the wings in the Champions League. The Frenchman has highlighted an improved level of consistency as the reason Arsenal are the cream of the 2015 crop – despite missing out on a first league crown in 11 years. But it could have been so different had they not regrouped and recovered following a damaging 2-0 defeat on the south coast right at the beginning of the year. Defensive fragilities and errors from goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny were compounded when the Poland international was then fined for smoking in the showers after the game. He has not featured in a league game since and is currently out on loan at Roma but, after seeing his side mature over the course of 12 months, Wenger feels it was an important lesson for his players. “I think what changed is we are more stable defensively,” Wenger said when asked what the main difference between his team then and now is. “If you look at our record we are more consistent with our results and I looked yesterday and someone made the table in 2015 and we are quite ahead of everyone else in 2015. “The consistency has been quite good. I will never forget that game in Southampton. There was a lot around the game after that. It was a turning point for 2015.” As well as maturity, stability has also played a part in Arsenal morphing into bona fide championship challengers – with only goalkeeper Petr Cech added to the ranks in the summer. Press Association
New bill would allow FL students to take days off school for mental health
A newly introduced bill would allow students to take time off from school for mental health reasons.House Bill 315, introduced by Representative Susan Valdes, would give individual school districts across the state the flexibility to include mental health as a reason for an excused absence.Under the bill, students would be able to use one mental health day off per semester.The bill is reportedly part of efforts to combat suicide anxiety, and depression amongst teenagers.Lawmakers who oppose the bill have argued it would lead to students using mental health issues as an excuse to miss school.
Lynn, Stanlake named in Australia ODI squad
By Nick MulvenneySYDNEY,(Reuters)-Uncapped middle-order batsman Chris Lynn was rewarded for his Big Bash League (BBL) pyrotechnics with a place in the Australia squad for the five match one-day international series against Pakistan yesterday.The 26-year-old has been in impressive form in the domestic Twenty20 competition and hit a stunning 11 sixes in an unbeaten 49-ball 98 for the Brisbane Heat against the Perth Scorchers earlier this week.Pace bowler Billy Stanlake, who stands 2.04 metres tall and has been in fine form in the BBL for the Adelaide Strikers, also earned a call-up to the one-day squad for the first time.Opener Aaron Finch and former skipper George Bailey have been dropped from the squad that beat New Zealand 3-0 at the back end of last year, along with all-rounder Hilton Cartwright, who made his test debut against Pakistan this week.Test top-order batsman Usman Khawaja is the third addition to the 14-man squad and could open with David Warner when the series opens in Brisbane on Friday.“Chris Lynn is in superb form for the Brisbane Heat and although that is a different form of the game, we believe it is right that we give him the chance to show whether he can convert his wonderful ball-striking ability to ODIs,” head selector Trevor Hohns said.“Usman Khawaja has been in excellent touch throughout this Test summer, is able to bat anywhere in the top order and deserves another chance to demonstrate his ODI credentials.“Billy Stanlake is an exciting prospect who bowls with genuine pace and is a player who has made a terrific return to action for the Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League after a lengthy time out through injury.”Stanlake looks to have a good chance of winning a first cap with Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, who played all six tests in the home summer, set to be rested for some of the matches as they start preparations for four tests in India.“I guess we’ll probably pick our times to have a rest here or there, whether it’s one game or two in the series,” Hazlewood said on Friday.“Depending on how we’re feeling and how much we’ve bowled.”After Brisbane, the series continues with matches in Melbourne, Perth, Sydney and Adelaide.Squad: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith (captain), Mitch Marsh, Travis Head, Chris Lynn, James Faulkner, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Wade, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, Adam Zampa, Billy Stanlake.