Government | Common News Update

Mar32023 by adminNo Comments

Airlines sue Dutch government over flight cuts

Science

Getty ImagesBy Georgina RannardBBC climate and science reporterFive airlines are suing the Dutch government over plans to cut the number of flights operating from Europe's third-busiest airport.The government cited local concerns at Amsterdam Schiphol about the impact of flying on noise pollution and climate in its decision.Airlines KLM, Easyjet, Delta, Tui and Corenden say the plans are in breach of EU and international law.The cap would reduce the annual number of flights from 500,000 to 440,000.The government says it wants to strike a balance between the economic benefits of a large airport and a healthy living environment, prioritising tackling noise pollution.Global aviation is responsible for 2.4% of global greenhouse gas emissions. These gases warm the atmosphere, contributing to gl...

Apr92021 by adminNo Comments

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis sues federal government over cruise industry shutdown

Business

April 8 (UPI) -- Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Thursday a lawsuit against the federal government over the cruise industry shutdown during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tens of thousands of Floridians depend on the cruise industry for their jobs, DeSantis said at a news conference at the Port of Miami, where he announced the lawsuit while flanked by cruise employees. Advertisement "So, today's a day for us to fight for them, to fight for our friends and our neighbors, who just want to go back to work," DeSantis said at the press conference. Monica Sebata, a former employee of Cruiseport Destinations in Miami, said cruises were initially ordered to shut down for two weeks in March 2020. At that point, they were able to connect through Zoom, and they had hope things would improve, she said, b...

Mar292021 by adminNo Comments

Government not inclined to bear loan moratorium costs

Finance

The government is not inclined to bear the burden arising of the recent Supreme Court judgement on a blanket waiver of compound interest or interest on interest on all loan accounts which opted for moratorium during March-August 2020. "They (banks) are well-poised to handle this and we don't see any space for government relief," said a senior government official. The government has already compensated banks for the interest on interest they had lost on loans outstanding below Rs 2 crore. Analysts estimate the additional cost to reimburse banks for all loans at Rs 7,000-10,000 crore. "There is no directive from the court ordering the government to bear this cost," the government official said on the condition of anonymity. Since there is no deadline to refund the compound interest they hav...

Mar282021 by adminNo Comments

Covid: Another lockdown ‘last thing in world’ that government wants

Health

Getty ImagesThe "last thing in the world" the government wants is another lockdown, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has said, adding it is on track with the lockdown easing plan.He said dates "could be delayed if the situation deteriorates" but ministers were confident in the "cautious path".It comes as the head of NHS England urged people not to "squander the gains" made in recent months.On Monday in England, two households or groups of up to six can meet outside.The "stay at home" guidance will also be lifted, outdoor sports facilities will reopen and small weddings can take place. The next stage - due no earlier than 12 April - will allow non-essential retail, restaurants and pubs to reopen.In Wales, the "stay local" rule was lifted on Saturday and six people were allowed to meet outsid...

Mar262021 by adminNo Comments

Liberty Steel boss asks government for £170m bailout

Business

Liberty SteelThe owner of Liberty Steel has asked the government for £170m in financial support.In a letter sent to the Department of Business last night, Sanjeev Gupta said the support was required to pay day-to-day operating expenses and absorb recent losses. Concerns over the future of Liberty Steel have grown after key financial backer, Greensill Capital, went bust.Liberty Steel employs about 5,000 people in the UK."The collapse of Greensill has put financial pressure on the GFG Alliance and our British steel operations," Mr Gupta writes in the letter. "We are still refining the details with my management team and our external advisors, but preliminary indications are that the steel manufacturing and processing operations would need in the range of £170m to fund working capital and som...