travel plus founder

• First Class
• Asia/Australasia Airlines
• The Americas
• Europe/Africa Airlines
• Middle East Airlines
• Premium Economy
• Economy Class
• Children’s
• Sleeper Suits
• Product reviews
• In the spotlight
• Magazine Back Issues
• Sign in / Join
• Middle East

• Featured Recently

In the Spotlight – Simon Ward – Founder of TravelPlus

Amenities has taken the opportunity to catch up with Simon Ward, one of the leading independent experts on airline onboard amenities and founder of The TravelPlus Airline Amenity Awards. We hear his thoughts on this unique year, and what he thinks the airline onboard amenities industry will look like moving forward.

How has the pandemic impacted the airline and onboard amenity industry?

No other industry sector has been as badly affected by the pandemic; global aviation is facing its worst crisis in living memory. We have witnessed 20 airlines going bust so far this year, with around 5,000 passenger aircrafts mothballed, as well as the early retirement Boeing 747’s and Airbus a380’s.

This has devastated the onboard services sector with many suppliers fighting for survival with cancelled orders and no new business. Airlines have been selling comfort items online to loyal customers in an effort to liquidate their containers and warehouses full of pre-ordered stock.

In the early days of the pandemic, all the suppliers rushed to compete for the airlines demand for PPE equipment, however, all were similar in content and design. More recently a number of suppliers have differentiated themselves by developing brands such as TravelShield ™ by WESSCO International, #flysafe from Spiriant and Wet & Clean from FORMIA.

When do you expect to see the industry start to recover?

I anticipate that the airlines recovery will be driven by leisure tourism and domestic travel in Q3 2021. With more people working from home, business travel will not be as prevalent. I would expect that long-haul international carriers will continue to face the biggest challenges as they are more dependent on business travellers.

Long haul flight recovery will be constrained by travel corridors, entry restrictions and in some cases bilateral agreements between nations. The lack of business travel could see some routes become commercially unviable, which will mean less choice for passengers in the longer term. All of which will suppress the demand for new onboard passenger amenities.

What impact will this have on the cabin classes in the future?

I would expect to see a reduction in First and Business class, as one demographic now flies privately, and corporate budgets are forcing others to fly economy, so I think we will defiantly see an escalation in premium economy seats. A number of airlines prior to the pandemic had announced that they were planning new developments in this class.

I believe there will be a rapid decline of First Class; Qatar Airways has already made an announcement that they are planning to get rid of their First Class after they retire their A380s.

I read recently the suggestion of an ‘Isolation Class’ and the name suggests it will be fitted with a personal ventilator! The article went on to say that some passengers like the idea of travelling in a self-contained unit. This class already exists in Business and First Class so I  don’t believe we will see this class onboard any day soon.

What do you think airlines need to focus on moving forward?

Going forward the most important innovations without a doubt will be green technology. COVID-19 coincided with growing concerns about the climate emergency, and airlines were already under pressure to provide solutions. The race is truly on to find greener aviation fuel and develop hydrogen-powered aircraft.  Airlines will of course become greener as they use more environment friendly jets Boeing 787 Dreamliner’s and Airbus A350’s and fly fewer routes, but the pressure to find truly greener alternatives is real.

This being the case suppliers will be seeking alternatives to the plastic items still found in most amenity kits, plastic comb, folding hairbrush, toothbrush’s as well as tubes of toothpaste and cosmetics. To be fair, many had already started the move away from single use plastic but as with most green technology the investment cost increases so airlines will need to start investing more in onboard amenities in the coming years.

Do you think the onboard passenger experience will change as they return to travelling? 

There have been a number of suggestions over the last couple of months, including air vents in headrests, and seat dividers that range from cardboard to plastic to encourage separation between passengers.

However, I think in reality the biggest change passenger will notice is that cabins will be cleaner as airlines clean them more regularly, and more thoroughly. Alongside this, I think the wearing of masks by both passengers and crew will remain, and inflight services will continue to be reduced to mitigate the number of touch points throughout a journey.

Passengers may also an increase in the offering of use of single use items; for example a dental kit being available in the onboard lavatories along with hand sanitizer.

What is the future of the cherished amenity kit?

That’s an interesting question. I strongly believe amenity kits across all cabin classes will need to reflect the new shift towards passenger wellness and hygiene whilst being sustainable. The challenge facing suppliers is how to deliver this whilst still delivering the wow factor. Airlines may well look to align themselves with brands more associated with personal wellness and hygiene rather than the luxury brands we have seen over recent years.

I am confident that kits will stay but not as we know them. I would expect to see more personalisation, a higher quality of product inside the kits and more tailored content to really provide passengers what they need depending on what time of day or night they fly.

Can you expand of what you mean by great personalisation of amenities?

The pandemic has seen airlines making a seismic shift in using passenger data to provide a more personalised food service and help to eliminate food waste when it comes to onboard dining. I think this is just the tip of the iceberg as airlines start to realise the true potential of this passenger data.

As passengers can now pre order their food and drinks why not then their onboard amenities? There is no reason this can’t apply to every passenger regardless of class of travel. Airlines may well develop new revenue channel s by pre-selling onboard amenities to passengers in economy class.

How do you think the pandemic will affect the supply chain?

As the number of destinations are reduced and airlines trim fleets to match demand, experts forecast a 30% reduction of capacity across the industry with possibly a ¼ of loss-making routes axed.

With less competition and airlines flying certain routes, the long term trajectory is for fares to increase as business travel takes longer to recover, which currently accounts for more than half of most airlines profits.

The effect of reduced capacity and decline in routes will require suppliers to change and adapt as most current business models are based on volume to keep unit costs competitive. Reducing the quantity will squeeze the already tight margins.

Couple this with the passenger demand for more sustainable items, in the short term we may see a number of suppliers absorb the cost but eventually airlines will need to start to invest more in their onboard passenger amenities. As passenger fares increase any additional investment required could well be incorporated in the fare.

You postponed the TravelPlus Airline Amenity Awards this year why?

It became apparent to me early on in the year that airlines were cancelling new product launches and postponing tenders due to the pandemic. In September we reached out to the industry to canvas opinions, which confirmed to me the need to delay for 12 months, during which time I hope that there will be more products on the market, and air travel will be on the path to resurgence.

I did consider moving them to coincide with the rescheduled WTCE as some suggested however, I felt this would still be too early in the potential recovery of the industry. So if all goes to plan we will be back in Hamburg in 2022.

SIMON’S HOT PICK

What is your favourite city?   Rio for its Bossa Nova music in my favourite bar – the Bip Bip Bar.

What is your favourite amenity kit of all time?  The British Airways Gladstone style leather bag designed by Anya Hindmarch.

Your favourite onboard tipple?  A dark rum, ginger beer and lime over ice.

Where is your favourite place to go on vacation?  Wherever my wife decides as she has the knack of choosing the right spot that can cater for the whole family. 

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR

Swiss collaborate with zimmerli for new first class amenities, travelling like a royal with air india’s business class duvet , alpha group appoints milk to create series of kids kits, editor's picks, emirates supports customers observing ramadan, cathay pacific taking comfort to new heights with ostrichpillow, the new paper cup for in flight cabin cold beverage service, dester acquire production units of nupik international, s.l. and sky paper, s.l.u.

TravelPlus company profile

SaaS-driven corporate travel & expense management solution

• Request page removal

TravelPlus Key Metrics

Company profile of travelplus, what does travelplus do, what sectors and market segments does travelplus operate in, the primary business model of travelplus is :, which legal entities is travelplus associated with, funding and investors of travelplus, how much funding has travelplus raised till date.

TravelPlus has not raised any funding rounds yet.

Who are the investors in TravelPlus?

There are no Institutional or Angel investors in TravelPlus.

Founders and Board of Directors of TravelPlus

How many employees does travelplus have, competitors of travelplus, competitive landscape of travelplus, below is a comparison of top competitors of travelplus, investments and acquisitions by travelplus, reports related to travelplus.

Top Business Models in Enterprise Applications Report

Top Business Models in India Tech Report

India Tech Quarterly Funding Report

Frequently asked questions about TravelPlus

When was travelplus founded, where is travelplus located, is travelplus a public company, are you a founder and looking to raise funds for your startup, claim your profile, looking to raise funds, find next round investors, explore our recently published companies.

• MPC Pest Control - Dubai based, 2002 founded, Unfunded company
• Smart Office Movers - Canada based, Unfunded company
• The Agency Group - Twickenham based, 2020 founded, Unfunded company
• RLee Logistics - 2020 founded, Unfunded company
• EPRIM - Vannes based, 1985 founded, Unfunded company
• MarkAge360 - New Delhi based, 2018 founded, Unfunded company

We've detected unusual activity from your computer network

To continue, please click the box below to let us know you're not a robot.

Why did this happen?

Please make sure your browser supports JavaScript and cookies and that you are not blocking them from loading. For more information you can review our Terms of Service and Cookie Policy .

For inquiries related to this message please contact our support team and provide the reference ID below.

• Newsletters
• Account Activating this button will toggle the display of additional content Account Sign out

Queer Trademark Law With Michael Goodyear

Bryan and Jules learn about the odd ins and outs of trademarking queer content

Listen & Subscribe

Choose your preferred player:

• Apple Podcasts
• Amazon Music

Please enable javascript to get your Slate Plus feeds.

Get Your Slate Plus Podcast

If you can't access your feeds, please contact customer support.

Thanks! Check your phone for a link to finish setting up your feed.

Please enter a 10-digit phone number.

Listen on your phone: RECOMMENDED

Enter your phone number and we'll text you a link to set up the podcast in your app:

We'll only text you about setting up this podcast, no spam.

Listen on your computer:

Apple Podcasts will only work on MacOS operating systems since Catalina . We do not support Android apps on desktop at this time.

Listen on your device: RECOMMENDED

These links will only work if you're on the device you listen to podcasts on.

Set up manually:

How does this work?

We're sorry, but something went wrong while fetching your podcast feeds. Please contact us at [email protected] for help.

Episode Notes

This week, Jules and Bryan talk to Michael Goodyear about how trademark law is helping queer brands reclaim derogatory language. They dig into Dykes on Bikes and other early queer trademarks including the history of the rainbow flag we all know and love. You can read Michael’s article ‘ The Surprising Result of the Supreme Court Case That Allowed Slurs in Brands’ on the Slate website.

Podcast production by Palace Shaw.

About the Show

Outward, Slate's queer podcast, is a whip-smart monthly salon in which hosts and guests deepen the audience’s understanding of queer culture and politics, delight them with unexpected perspectives, and invite listeners into a colorful conversation about the issues animating LGBTQ communities.

Bryan Lowder  is a Slate associate editor and co-host of the  Outward LGBTQ podcast . He covers human interest, culture, and queer issues.

Jules Gill-Peterson is a writer based in Baltimore, where she teaches transgender history, culture, and politics at Johns Hopkins University. She is the author of Histories of the Transgender Child .

Latest Financial Results

Q1 2024 quarterly results.

Quarter Ended Mar 31, 2024

Quarter Highlights

• Net income of $66 million (diluted EPS of $0.92) on net revenue of $916 million
• Adjusted EBITDA of $191 million and Adjusted diluted EPS of $0.97
• 15% increase in tours and 28% increase in new owner tours
• VPG of $3,035, above the high end of our guidance range

Investor Email Alerts

* Required Fields

Latest Annual Filings

Latest news.

Apr 24, 2024

Travel + Leisure Co. Reports First Quarter 2024 Results

Apr 23, 2024

Travel + Leisure Co. and Allegiant Announce Multi-Year Marketing Agreement

Apr 22, 2024

RCI Announces Winners of Thirteenth Annual RCI Green Awards Program in Celebration of Earth Day

Apr 18, 2024

Travel + Leisure Co. Takes Home 18 ARDA Awards at Annual Conference, Including Prestigious ACE Employee of the Year Award

Apr 2, 2024

Travel + Leisure GO and AllTrails Team Up on Bookable Outdoor Experiences in Honor of National Parks Week

Apr 1, 2024

Club Wyndham Gifts Moms the Ultimate Breakfast-In-Bed Experience This Mother’s Day

Mar 28, 2024

Travel + Leisure Co. to Report First Quarter 2024 Financial Results on April 24, 2024

Mar 27, 2024

Travel + Leisure Co. Honored Among Gallup Exceptional Workplaces and Recognized as a Most Trustworthy Company by Newsweek

Mar 21, 2024

Travel + Leisure Co. Completes $350 Million Term Securitization

Mar 13, 2024

Travel + Leisure Co. Increases Cash Dividend 11%

Latest presentation.

Travel + Leisure Investor Presentation February 2024

Recent Event

First Quarter 2024 Earnings Conference Call

We Bring Vacations Full Circle

We are proud of our ability to positively impact the leisure travel industry through responsible tourism, as we deliver on our environmental, social, and governance strategy. We bring out the best in people and places around the globe.

We Put The World On Vacation

Investor Contact Information

Travel + Leisure Co. 6277 Sea Harbor Drive Orlando, FL 32821 USA

Investor Relations

T: 407-626-4050 [email protected]

Transfer Agent

Broadridge Corporate Issuer Solutions PO Box 1342 Brentwood, NY 11717 T: 800-504-8998 https://shareholder.broadridge.com/tnl/

Pennsylvania primary replay: Trump, Biden clinch victory; Casey and McCormick will compete for Senate

All eyes were on Pennsylvania on Tuesday as the key swing state held pivotal elections that could send a clear message for November's race for the White House.

While former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden already locked down their respective party nominations, they both swiftly won the Republican and Democratic primaries in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, garnering even more support.

Sen. Bob Casey, D-Penn., and David McCormick, a businessman, won the Democratic and Republican Senate primaries, and they'll face off in the fall in what's expected to be a close race.

Rep. Summer Lee, D-Penn., won a tough primary battle in the state's 12th congressional district against Bhavini Patel, a member of the Edgewood Borough Council in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.

But those weren't the only tight races on Tuesday. Here's a recap of the USA TODAY Network's live coverage of the latest primaries.

Prep for the polls: See who is running for president and compare where they stand on key issues in our Voter Guide

Eugene DePasquale secures Democratic bid for attorney general  

Eugene DePasquale, the former state auditor general, beat a crowded field of opponents to win the Democratic primary for the open attorney general seat. He will face Republican David Sunday in what’s expected to be competitive general election race.  

- Karissa Waddick  

David Sunday wins GOP attorney general primary  

David Sunday, a York County district attorney, beat state house member Craig Williams in the Republican primary. He’s set to face off against Democrat Eugene DePasquale in the November election.  

Republican Ryan McKenzie wins primary in Pennsylvania's 7th District   

Ryan McKenzie won the GOP primary to challenge Democratic Rep. Susan Wild for the Lehigh, Pennsylvania, area congressional seat in November. The seat in the state’s 7th District is a top target for Republicans in November.    

-Karissa Waddick  

Janelle Stelson to face GOP Rep. Scott Perry in PA’s 10th District  

Democrat Janelle Stelson will challenge Republican Rep. Scott Perry for Pennsylvania’s 10th Congressional seat in November. Stelson beat five Democratic competitors in the primary.  

A former news anchor, Stelson is aiming to win over independents and moderate conservatives in the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, district to defeat Perry in the general election. The Cook Political Report has labeled the race as leaning in Perry’s favor.  

Rep. Summer Lee fights off challenger in PA’s 12th District  

Democratic Rep. Summer Lee beat Bhavini Patel in the primary for the state’s 12th district. Her win comes as a potential positive sign for other progressives in Congress who are facing challenges from moderate Democrats over their opposition to additional U.S. military aid for Israel. 

Lee’s advocacy for a ceasefire in Gaza became a central theme of the campaign. Her opponent argued that Lee’s criticism of Israel hurt Biden’s reelection efforts. But those arguments ultimately did not win over voters.

Moderate Republican Brian Fitzpatrick fends off challenger in GOP race for 1st District  

Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick defeated right-wing challenger Mark Houck in the Bucks County congressional primary, according to a call by the Associated Press.  

The race was viewed as a test of how important the issue of abortion could be for the Republican Party’s base in 2024. Fitzpatrick is a widely regarded as a moderate Republican. Houck advocated for a near total ban on abortions, while Fitzpatrick has called for compromise.

– Karissa Waddick 

David McCormick clinches GOP primary for closely watched Senate seat  

David McCormick won the Republican nomination for Senate in Pennsylvania. He ran unopposed in the race and will face incumbent Sen. Bob Casey in the general election.  

– Karissa Waddick

Donald Trump, Joe Biden lock down Republican and Democratic primaries

Donald Trump and Joe Biden won their respective party primaries in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, picking up dozens of additional delegates as they both seek a second term in the White House.

– Marina Pitofsky

Sen. Bob Casey wins Democratic Senate  primary

Longtime Democratic Sen. Bob Casey won his party’s nomination for the U.S. Senate, after not facing any competition in the race. He will face Republican David McCormick in what’s expected to be a competitive, high dollar general election battle, 

Where can I find Pennsylvania primary results?

Keep up with the latest results from the Keystone State here:

More: Pennsylvania Statewide and Presidential Primary Results

Where are Biden and Trump?   

Neither Joe Biden nor Donald Trump campaigned in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, despite it being a major general election target for both candidates. 

Instead, Trump appeared in a New York City courtroom for the second day of witness testimony in his hush money trial. And Biden delivered a speech in Tampa, Florida , attempting to tie Trump to the southern state’s law banning abortion after about six weeks of pregnancy.  

Both candidates traveled to Pennsylvania last week for major campaign stops ahead of the primary.  

– Karissa Waddick  

Is Dean Phillips on the Pennsylvania ballot?   

Yes – but the Minnesota congressman is no longer running against Joe Biden for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination. Phillips, the former chair of the Talenti gelato empire, suspended his longshot bid against Biden in early March after suffering a string of double-digit defeats. 

Pennsylvania was in the process of printing its primary ballots at the time he dropped out. 

Will Pennsylvania Democrats vote “uncommitted” over Israel-Gaza war?  

Pennsylvania does not have an “uncommitted” option on its presidential primary ballot like other states. But that isn’t likely to stop Democrats who plan to cast a protest vote opposing Joe Biden’s handling of the Israel and Hamas war.  

The group Uncommitted PA is encouraging Democrats to write-in “uncommitted” on their ballot to advocate for an immediate ceasefire in the war. However, it may be difficult to gauge the impact of the effort. The state election office is unlikely to report a tally of the write-in votes. 

Will Pennsylvania Democrats vote “uncommitted” over Gaza war?  

Donald trump endorsed david mccormick in pennsylvania senate primary.

Before he entered the courtroom for his New York hush money trial on Tuesday, Trump urged voters to the polls in Pennsylvania. 

Trump supported GOP Senate candidate David McCormick in his campaign to unseat Democratic Sen. Bob Casey. 

“It’s very important to let them that we’re coming on Nov. 5, we’re coming big,” Trump said. “Pennsylvania get out and vote.” 

Polling shows Trump and Biden in virtual tie  

With less than seven months until the general election, a RealClearPolitics average of national polls shows the presidential race between Joe Biden and Donald Trump in a dead heat.  

The average, calculated based on polls published between mid-March and mid-April, has Trump as 44.6% and Biden at 44.4%. The margin of error of +/- 0.2 is equal to the gap between the two candidates.  

Who is Janelle Stelson?

Janelle Stelson, a former new anchor, is running as a Democrat in the state's 10th Congressional District. Her name recognition means she's looking like the frontrunner in the race, though she was also a longtime registered Republican who switched her registration last year.

Moderate Republican fights to keep seat as GOP battles over abortion

In Pennsylvania’s 1 st  Congressional District, longtime Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick is being challenged on his right flank by a candidate who believes abortions should be banned in nearly all circumstances — including in cases of rape and incest.  

Mark Houck, Fitzpatrick’s opponent, was acquitted of criminal charges stemming from an altercation at an abortion clinic.  The incident reportedly  inspired him  to run for public office. A devout Catholic, Houck co-founded the men's religious group The King's Men. He's worked as an author, motivational speaker and human resources manager.

Fitzpatrick is a moderate Republican. He is one of a handful of Republican representatives serving in districts that Biden won in 2020.  

The primary race could demonstrate just how important the  issue of abortion  is for the Republican Party’s base.  

Donald Trump and Joe Biden aren't the only candidates competing in 2024

The rematch between Joe Biden and President Donald Trump is top of mind for most voters across the country this election season. But down-ballot races – including congressional and state-level races – are also sure to have a major impact. 

And some already are.  

In a competitive special election for a state house seat in deep-red Alabama last month, Democrat Marilyn Lands won  by nearly 25-points . Lands made abortion and in-vitro fertilization access a central point of her campaign. Her win was seen as a testament to the salience of those issues for voters in 2024. 

Rep. Summer Lee faces primary challenger over Israel-Hamas war  

A Democratic primary for Pennsylvania’s 12th Congressional District could reveal just how salient the Israel and Hamas war is for Democratic voters – particularly in swing areas of the country.  

First-term progressive Rep. Summer Lee, who was among the early advocates calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, is facing a primary challenge from moderate Bhavini Patel over her opposition to the war. 

Patel, a 29-year-old municipal council member, has framed the incumbent's criticism of Israel as detrimental to Biden’s re-election efforts 

Malcolm Kenyatta and Mark Pinsley fight to compete against Tim DeFoor

State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta and Lehigh County Controller Mark Pinsley are the two Democrats competing to face off against Pennsylvania's Auditor General Tim DeFoor.

Kenyatta previously ran for Senate in Pennsylvania, finishing third in the primary now-Sen. John Fetterman won in 2022.

How many delegates does Joe Biden have?

Joe Biden has picked up 3,078 delegates as he seeks another term in the White House. He needed 1,968 to clinch the Democratic nomination.

Biden is widely expected to win the Democratic primary in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, which would grant him 159 additional delegates.

When are the 2024 conventions?   

The Republican Convention will run from July 15-18 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  

The Democratic Convention will take place a month later, from August 19-22, in Chicago, Illinois.  

Which states haven’t held primaries yet?   

While the results of the Republican and Democratic presidential primaries are all but set, a number of states still haven’t voted in either party’s race. Those states include Indiana, Maryland, Nebraska, West Virginia, Kentucky, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico and South Dakota. The District of Columbia held it’s GOP primary in March, but Democrats in the territory will cast their ballots in June.  

Can I vote in Pennsylvania?

First-time voters or individuals who are casting a ballot in a new precinct will need to show identification, according to the Pennsylvania Department of State. 

Acceptable identification includes a driver's license, student ID, a firearm permit, a current paycheck and more.

It is a closed primary , meaning that only voters who are registered Democratic or Republican may vote on candidates in their respective parties. 

– Teresa Boeckel

What are the key Pennsylvania House races to watch?   

• 1st District: Longtime Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick is being challenged on his right flank by Mark Houk, a candidate who believes abortions should be banned in nearly all circumstances – including in cases of rape and incest.  The primary race could demonstrate just how important the issue of abortion is for the Republican Party’s base.    
• 7th District: Three Republicans – Kevin Dellicker, Ryan Mackenzie and Maria Montero – are competing to take on Democratic Rep. Susan Wild. Her seat is a top target for the GOP in November.    
• 10th District: Six Democrats are vying for the Democratic nomination to challenge GOP Rep. Scott Perry in the November election. Perry was a former chair of the Freedom Caucus, one of the most conservative factions of the Republican Party and was a key figure in efforts to  overturn the results  of the 2020 election. Democrats see an opportunity to flip the seat in the general election. 
• 12th District: Bhavini Patel is running against incumbent Rep. Summer Lee with a message centered on the Israel and Hamas war. Patel has cast herself as a more moderate, pro-Israel candidate and has criticized Lee for her opposition to providing U.S. military aid to Israel.  

Who is running for Pennsylvania Attorney General?   

Five Democrats and two Republicans are also battling for the open state attorney general position , once held by Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro. Michelle Henry, who is completing the remainder of Shapiro’s term since he was elected governor in 2022, is not running for the position.     

Candidates in the Democratic primary include Eugene DePasquale, Keir Bradford-Grey, Joe Khan, Jared Solomon and Jack Stollsteimer.  

On the Republican side, state house member Craig Williams is facing off against York County District Attorney Dave Sunday.  

− Karissa Waddick

Can independents vote in primaries in Pennsylvania?

No, only registered Republicans and Democrats can cast their ballots in their party primaries. However, independent voters can vote on ballot questions.

− Marina Pitofsky

How many delegates does Donald Trump have?

Donald Trump has picked up 1,915 delegates as he seeks another term in office. He needed 1,215 delegates to lock down the 2024 Republican nomination.

The former president is expected to pick up 67 delegates in Pennsylvania's GOP primary on Tuesday.

Abortion fight plays out in Pennsylvania attorney general election

Abortion has roiled down-ballot races across the country, and Pennsylvania is no exception. Reproductive rights have been a major topic in the attorney general’s race.

All five Democratic candidates for attorney general have committed to protecting the right to abortion and access to FDA-approved medications such as  mifepristone . Meanwhile, the Republican candidates have said that they do not believe the state constitution guarantees the right to an abortion.

As attorney general, both sides would leave the issue for the state legislature to decide. 

What time do the polls close in Pennsylvania?   

Polls close in Pennsylvania at 8 p.m. ET. Anyone in line by 8 p.m. can vote.  

Absentee and mail-in ballots also must be returned and received by election officials by 8 p.m. 

Money latest: 'Dark tourism' is on the rise - but is it ethical?

Interest in a phenomenon known as "dark tourism" has been steadily rising in recent years. Find out what it is, and read all the latest consumer and personal finance news below - and leave your thoughts in the box.

Thursday 25 April 2024 14:07, UK

• Sainsbury's deliveries disrupted by tech issues again
• Renters' Reform Bill signed off - but with indefinite delay to no-fault evictions ban
• Two more major European cities could start charging visitors to enter, official suggests
• Virgin Media customers share their bad experiences of customer service

Essential reads

• The world of dark tourism - what is it, is it ethical, and where can you go?
• Money Problem : I have a mortgage offer - will it change now rates are rising?
• Savings Guide : Why locking into fixed-rate bond could be wise move
• 'More important than a will': What are lasting power of attorneys and how much do they cost?
• Cheap Eats : Michelin chef's secret lasagne tip - and expensive ingredient you shouldn't use

Ask a question or make a comment

A sweetener used in drinks, sauces, savoury and sweet foods and chewing gum can cause serious damage to people's health, according to a new study.

Neotame, a "relatively new" sweetener, could damage the intestine by causing damage to healthy bacteria in the gut, according to the study, leading it to become diseased and attack the gut wall.

The study by Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition, found the negative effect of neotame "has the potential to influence a range of gut functions resulting in poor gut health", potentially impacting metabolic and inflammatory diseases, neuropathic pain, and neurological conditions.

The illnesses this could lead to include irritable bowel disease or insulin resistance.

Read the full story here ...

As we reported yesterday, a pilot programme is coming into force in Venice today that means visitors have to pay a €5 (£4.28) charge to enter the city.

Authorities say the pilot programme is designed to discourage tourists and thin the crowds that throng the canals during peak holiday season, making the city more liveable for residents.

Pictures have been emerging this morning of people queueing to register for a QR code that will allow them to enter after they have paid the charge - and officials carrying out checks on people inside the city.

People found to be contravening the rules can be fined up to €300 (£257).

As detailed in our story , the move has been met with anger among some in the city.

Venice is the first city in the world to introduce a payment system for tourists - but comments from its most senior tourist official suggested it may become a more common practice for major tourist hotspots in Europe.

Simone Venturini revealed the pilot programme was being closely watched by other places suffering from mass tourism - including other Italian art cities and hugely popular weekend-break destinations Barcelona and Amsterdam.

More than 160,000 people switched to Nationwide from other providers at the end of 2023, when the building society was offering a huge cash switching incentive.

According to figures from the Current Account Switch Service (CASS), Nationwide had a net gain of 163,363 account switchers between October and December, after leavers were taken into account.

It was the highest quarterly gain since the same period in 2022, when 111,941 switched to Nationwide, according to the figures cited by This Is Money .

The building society launched a £200 switching bonus for new joiners in September last year - the biggest giveaway on offer at the time. It withdrew the offer just before Christmas.

The latest CASS figures, which show Nationwide had 196,260 total gains before accounting for leavers, suggesting it could have spent up to £39m on nabbing customers from other providers in the last three months of the year.

Barclays and Lloyds Bank saw more modest net gains of 12,823 and 5,800 respectively, while the rest of the UK's big banks reported net losses.

NatWest and Halifax fared worst, losing over 40,000 more switchers each than they gained.

This week saw the last remaining switching offer on the market withdrawn.

Sainsbury's is having technical issues again - with shoppers taking to social media to say their deliveries have been delayed or cancelled.

The supermarket has been replying to customers saying: "I'm really sorry about the tech issues this morning. 

"We're aware of the situation and are working to sort it as quickly as possible. In the meantime, we'd advise you place a new order for a future date."

Customer Andrew Savage wrote: "Order has not been delivered and no confirmation email this morning."

Another, John B Sheffield, said: "So angry! Just got through to your customer line after 40 min WAIT. 

"Tells me NO DELIVERIES TODAY! tech problem? I've NO FOOD IN! ANGRY!"

In a statement to Sky News, a Sainsbury's spokesperson says: "A small technical issue affected some groceries online orders this morning. 

"We have contacted these customers directly to apologise for the inconvenience." 

In another update at 10am, the supermarket said that the issue has been resolved. 

Responding to customers on X, Sainsbury's also offered those affected e-vouchers and details on how to rebook their orders.

It comes a month after the supermarket had to cancel almost all deliveries on a Saturday in mid-March due to another technical issue.

By Daniel Binns, business reporter

A potential $38.8bn (£31bn) takeover of UK-based mining company  Anglo American  has sent its shares soaring - and helped the FTSE 100 hit yet another record high this morning.

The attempted mega-merger, by larger Australian rival BHP, is currently being reviewed by Anglo American's board.

The deal, if it goes through, would create the world's biggest copper mining company - and comes as the price of the metal continues to climb amid soaring demand.

Anglo American's shares have surged as high as 13% this morning as news of the negotiations emerged.

The announcement also helped spur the FTSE 100 to a new intraday (during the day) high of 8,098 points.

The index, of the London Stock Exchange's 100 most valuable companies, has hit a string of records this week, including  an all-time closing high of 8,044 points  on Tuesday.

The score is based on a calculation of the total value of the shares on the index.

Also moving the markets are a string of company results which were published earlier on Thursday.

Among those issuing updates to investors was drugsmaker AstraZeneca. Its stock is up more than 5% after the firm reported quarterly profit and revenue above market estimates.

Unilever is also up 5% following similar better-than-expected quarterly figures.

Another good performer is  Barclays  - despite reporting a 12% fall in profits for the first three months of 2024. Its shares are up more than 4%.

That's because its quarterly figures are slightly better than expected, and the bank has said it expects its fortunes to improve later this year.

Meanwhile, as tensions in the Middle East continue, the price of a barrel of Brent crude oil continues to hover at a price of around $88 (£70).

This morning £1 buys $1.25 US or €1.16, similar to yesterday.

Every week we get experts to answer your Money Problems - usually on a Monday, but today we have a short, bonus addition in light of multiple lenders raising mortgage rates this week on fears an interest rate cut could be delayed to a little later this year (note: many economists still think it will come in summer).

A few readers have got in touch with questions similar to this one...

My remortgage is due to complete on 1 May. I already have an offer but with rates going up, is there any way at all my offer rate could increase? Saz681

We asked David Hollingworth, director at L&C Mortgages, to answer this one...

It's great news that you are already set up with a mortgage offer, Saz - ready to make a smooth switch to a new deal and/or lender, once the current one ends.  

It does take time to set up a new mortgage so shopping around the market a good few months ahead will help you put everything in place and avoid slipping onto a high variable rate.

Fixed rates have been nudging up slightly but you have already got a formal offer in place so shouldn't worry.  

Applying for a mortgage will generally secure that rate and the lender will then carry out any further checks to issue the mortgage offer.  

The offer will be valid for a specified period, often for up to six months. Rates are always shifting for new customers but you can rest easy that your rate should be safe and sound for your switch in May.

This feature is not intended as financial advice - the aim is to give an overview of the things you should think about. Submit your dilemma or consumer dispute, leaving your name and where in the country you are, by emailing [email protected] with the subject line "Money blog". Alternatively, WhatsApp us  here .

By Ollie Cooper , Money team

Interest in a phenomenon known as "dark tourism" has been steadily rising in recent years - but what is it?

To find out, we've spoken with tourism academic  Dr Hayley Stainton  and renowned dark tourist and author Dr Peter Hohenhaus, who runs a  dark tourism website .

What is it?

In general, dark tourism involves travelling to sites connected to death or disaster.

"Dark tourism has been around for as long as we have been travelling to places associated with death," Dr Stainton says. 

However, the term wasn't officially coined until 1996 by John Lennon, a professor of tourism at Glasgow Caledonian University, in Scotland.

"Not everyone is familiar with the term," says Dr Stainton, "[but] many people have been a dark tourist at some time or another, whether intentional or not."

Some examples of the most famous sites

• Auschwitz concentration camp, Poland
• 9/11 Memorial and Museum in New York, US
• Chernobyl, Ukraine 
• Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan
• Choeung Ek "killing fields" and the Tuol Sleng genocide museum at the former S-21 prison in Phnom Penh, Cambodia 

Areas with a degree of infamy, like Alcatraz, are extremely popular spots that also fall under the "dark tourism" umbrella. 

How popular is it?

Dr Hohenhaus and Dr Stainton say they have noticed a rise in its popularity. 

"Tourists are looking for more unique and unusual experiences," Dr Stainton says. 

"This has seen a move away from the more traditional 'sun, sea and sand' type holidays to a variety of different tourism forms, which includes dark tourism."

Dr Hohenhaus adds: "Maybe people want to connect to more recent and hence more personally relevant history - that is definitely the case with myself."

He goes on: "I think I've learned more about the world through dark tourism than through all of my formal education or my previous academic career."

Is it ethical?

This is the big question associated with dark tourism. 

Dr Stainton says that while problems do arise, the stigma around the practice is often misguided. 

"People don't visit sites like the killing fields in Cambodia or the site of Chernobyl for 'fun' - they visit for the educational experience, as dark tourism is often also a form of educational tourism," she says.

Problems arise when tourists are not respectful to those who may have been impacted.

"For instance, taking inappropriate photos or laughing and joking when others may be in a state of mourning."

Notorious examples include people taking selfies outside Grenfell Tower and at Auschwitz. 

"It is therefore imperative that dark tourists are considerate of those around them and respectful at all times," Dr Stainton says.

"As long as you are not just after a cheap sensationalist thrill - take dark tourism seriously and do it right, and it can be an immensely enriching thing to engage in."  Dr Hohenhaus

Where could you go? 

These are Dr Hohenhaus' recommendations:

• Ijen crater in Indonesia - where at night you can see the fabled blue flames of the sulphur mines next to the volcano crater lake;
• The Polygon, the former Semipalatinsk nuclear weapons test site of the USSR, now in Kazakhstan;
• The Goli Otok former prison island off the coast of Croatia;
• The Murambi memorial to the Rwandan genocide - which Dr Hohenhaus says is "certainly the very darkest place I have ever been";
• Majdanek concentration camp memorial near Lublin, eastern Poland.

What do you think of dark tourism? Is it misunderstood, educational or abhorrent?  Let us know in the comments section...

John Lewis will be sharing its job interview questions online in an attempt to find the "best talent".

The retail chain hopes that allowing candidates to view questions before an interview will allow prospective employees to "really demonstrate what they can do" and prepare, the Financial Times reports.

John Lewis talent acquisition lead Lorna Bullett told Sky News that interviews can feel daunting and "nerves can seriously impact performance".

She added the company want "the right people" from a variety of backgrounds and with "the best talent" to join.

"It makes absolute business sense to find ways of helping candidates to really demonstrate what they can do," she said.

Ms Bullett added that the process will be "no less rigorous".

Every Thursday we look at a different savings option, explain the pros and cons, and reveal the best deals on the market.  This week we're talking about the best fixed-rate bonds.  Savings Champion founder Anna Bowes  says...

As the name suggests, fixed-rate bonds pay a fixed rate of interest for a fixed term and this interest is taxable at your normal rate – if you exceed your personal savings allowances.

Over the last couple of years, fixed-rate bond rates have increased substantially and many of the top rates are now paying more than inflation, although this may not be the case for those who pay tax on their savings.

That said, the competition has slowed recently as it appears that inflation is more under control, and as a result the Bank of England base rate is expected to start to fall. We have seen the top rates on offer start to come down a little.

What is interesting and a little unusual is that the longer-term bond rates are lower than the short-term rates. Normally you would expect to be rewarded for tying your money up for longer, but that's not the case at the moment. This is a clear indication that the base rate is expected to fall over the next few months and years.

Locking into a longer-term bond, even at lower rates, may turn out to be a very wise move, especially if the interest you are earning is beating inflation for the duration of the bond.

MPs have voted in favour of the government's Renters' Reform Bill - despite it including an indefinite delay to the end of no-fault evictions.

A debate on the legislation ran throughout Wednesday afternoon, including around a new clause from the government which would hold off outlawing Section 21s until a review of the courts system had taken place.

But despite outrage from charities, campaigners and opposition parties around the measure, it got the backing of the majority of MPs - and the bill passed its final stage in the Commons shortly after 6.30pm.

A Section 21 notice is the legal mechanism allowing landlords to evict tenants without providing a reason, which creates uncertainty for those who rent their homes.

The government first promised to ban the notices five years ago, back when Theresa May was still in Number 10.

But it has faced numerous delays amid threats of rebellion from Tory backbenchers - some of them landlords - who said they feared ending Section 21s would see the courts overwhelmed with more complex eviction cases.

Ministers agreed to amend the bill to ensure no ban was enacted until a probe into the courts had been held.

But the clause offers no timeline - leaving no clear date for when Section 21s will actually be scrapped.

Read more here... 

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free