Latest news with #coolingoff
CBC
05-07-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Hants County has a pool just for dogs
Heat warnings mean trying to cool down. Lakes, rivers and swimming pools are popular. But why should people be the only ones to take a plunge in a pool? Jane Sponagle visited a new facility for dogs in St. Croix, N.S.
Irish Times
30-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Six ministerial advisers sought shorter cooling-off periods for private-sector jobs after political roles
Six former special advisers to government ministers sought exemptions last year from the 'cooling-off' period during which they cannot lobby, the Register of Lobbying annual report for 2024 has disclosed. It is the highest number of waivers sought since 2020, when eight applications were received to waive the prohibition on lobbying after stepping down from employment with government. The identities of the six special advisers were not disclosed by the Standards in Public Office Commission (Sipo), the public ethics watchdog, in the report. Special advisers to ministers are restricted from engaging in lobbying in certain circumstances for a year after they leave office. READ MORE A large number of special advisers left their roles in 2020 after that year's general election and at the end of last January following the 2024 general election. It is expected a significant number of waivers will be sought this year. Advisers, ministers, and senior public officials who leave employment to take up roles in the private or non-government sectors are subject to a cooling-off period. During that time they cannot engage in lobbying activities connected to their former employment or roles in the public service. [ Former taoisigh among steady stream of politicians turning to lucrative career in PR-lobbying firms ] The watchdog's report refers to a case study involving an unnamed special adviser who took up a position with a charity and applied to waive the final four months of the cooling-off period. The applicant confirmed they would not be involved in any lobbying activity for the last four months of the period, so a waiver was granted. There were three applications for waivers in 2023, none in 2022, five in 2021 and eight in 2020. No minister has sought to have the cooling-off period waived since 2016. Three former public servants were granted exemptions from the cooling-off period, all in 2016 and 2017. The annual report also reveals the total number of people registered as lobbyists increased to 2,710 last year, an increase of 172 on 2023. More than 12,300 returns of lobbying activities had been submitted in respect of the three reporting periods in 2024. The top policy matter subject to lobbying in 2024 was health, followed by economic development and industry, agriculture, justice and equality, and housing. Three investigations into possible unreported lobbying were carried over from 2023 to 2024, and one further investigation was launched during the year. The complaints and investigations unit closed one of these cases, leaving three ongoing at the end of 2024. A total of 414 fixed-payment notices for late returns were issued in 2024. Of these, 169 were for late returns in periods before 2024. A total of 27 notices of potential prosecution were issued in 2024 for non-payment of fixed payment notices.
The National
23-06-2025
- Climate
- The National
Best photos of June 23: Boat capsized in Banda Aceh to strikes on Jabalia Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza city
A woman jumps into the Rhine near Kaiserstuhl, Switzerland, to cool off in high temperatures. AP
The Sun
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
‘I'll be here all summer' shoppers say as they race to snap up £17 Amazon buy that's perfect for getting a tan
SUMMER is nearly upon us and shoppers are already stocking up on an essential buy that could be perfect for cooling off. Sun worshippers have been sharing how they are buying bargain 'tanning pools' to lie in and get a golden glow. 3 TikTok user @jessicaaknowsbest showed her enviable set up, which had an inflatable with some shallow water and a hands-free Kindle device for reading. She also added some snacks and a drink so she had everything she would need without needing to move. On her video, which has racked up over 115,000 views, she said: 'I'll be here all summer. 'Till further notice.' Many people were very jealous of her summer set-up and were quick to comment on the video. One said: 'This is perfection.' pool.' A third asked: 'Where might one acquire the pool!!!??' While Jessica is based in the US, the UK has a number of versions of the tanning pool on Amazon. The retailer is selling a £17.99 Splosh lounger which comes with a ribbed air cushion base and jumbo pillow. I've found the perfect summer top from M&S, and I'm even more excited now I can finally shop there online again Measuring 73cm long and 120cm wide, it is said to be perfect for 'staying cool' in the garden as a 'splash pool.' Book worms can also get comfy as the pillow provides 'additional neck and back support.' It is said to be made from a strong, 'UV resistant PVC', to help it stay inflated for longer. 3 One person who gave it a five-star rating said: 'Love this! Was so easy to blow up, so nice to cool down in on a hot day, very comfy.' Another added: 'Works great to keep me cool while getting sun.' The bed is available on Amazon Prime, so it can be delivered within just one day if you wish.
