Showing posts with label government regulations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label government regulations. Show all posts


Trump Exempts Dozens of Coal Plants From Tougher Pollution Rules

On Tuesday, President Trump exempted numerous coal plants from a regulation implemented by Biden that imposes stricter standards For mercury, lead, nickel, and arsenic emissions.

Trump declared the exemption as part of multiple steps he implemented to support the coal sector.

"As part of our significant deregulatory initiatives, today I am providing instant assistance to 47 companies managing 66 large-scale coal plants spread across the nation," he stated.

He stated that the limitations from the Biden era made it "practically impossible to undertake any actions related, honestly, to energy."

Contact with these contaminants increases the likelihood of developmental delays in kids, along with raising the risks of heart attacks and cancer.

The action follows the EPA’s temporary set up an email gateway for those who pollute to seek presidential waivers from multiple rules that it plans to roll back .

Furthermore, the Trump administration committed to utilizing the Justice Department to target states with regulations or policies that restrict coal production and hinder their implementation.

A directive from an executive order instructs the attorney general to focus on legislation connected to climate change, environmental, social, and governance issues, environmental equity, reductions in greenhouse gases, as well as statutes involving carbon levies or sanctions.

“I’m instructing the Department of Justice to identify and fight every single unconstitutional state or local regulation that’s putting our coal miners out of business,” Trump said.

The additional steps the Trump administration implemented to support the coal industry incorporate initiatives to exempt coal mining projects from environmental assessments, eliminate limitations on coal mining on federal territories, and mandate the Department of Energy to utilize funds for advancing coal technologies.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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USDA freezes funding for Maine schools over transgender athletes

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on Wednesday that it has halted certain federal funds for Maine’s educational programs due to the state's reluctance to prohibit transgender individuals from participating in girls' and women's sports, as mandated by President Trump and his administration.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins declared the halt following a letter Sent to Maine Governor Janet Mills (D), this explanation details that funding will be halted "for specific administrative and technological operations within educational institutions."

A representative from the department failed to respond to emailed inquiries regarding which particular programs the agency has halted funding for. However, this suspension does not impact federal food assistance initiatives or direct aid. to a news release .

The USDA is also examining the state’s research and education-focused financial support "to ensure adherence to the Constitution," federal statutes, and "the objectives set forth by the Trump administration," as stated by Rollins. She particularly highlighted Title IX, the legislation prohibiting gender-based discrimination, along with Title VI, which prohibits discrimination based on racial and ethnic grounds.

The Trump administration has utilized these statutes as part of its efforts to crack down on transgender rights and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in educational institutions. The executive orders issued by the president intend to do so. to ban trans athletes From girls' and women's scholastic athletics programs and halt diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives across federal agencies and organizations receiving grants. A separate directive instructs educational institutions to cease instruction deemed by the Trump administration as critical race theory—a scholarly approach analyzing American history with a focus on racial dynamics—alongside other topics concerning race, gender, and sexual orientation.

Officials from Maine, such as Governor Mills and State Attorney General Aaron Frey (D), have stated that President Trump’s directive regarding transgender athletes contradicts the Maine Human Rights Act. This act clearly upholds the rights of transgender students to engage in sports activities aligned with their gender identity. However, the Trump administration contends that under federal law—specifically Title IX—the state must comply with these guidelines. They argue that allowing transgender females to compete against cisgender female athletes breaches this regulation.

"When federal and state laws contradict each other, states and their agencies must adhere to federal law," stated Attorney General Pam Bondi (R). wrote to Mills and officials from California and Minnesota in February.

You can't blatantly flout federal laws prohibiting discrimination in education and still anticipate an uninterrupted flow of federal funds," Rollins stated in Wednesday's letter to Mills. "Your refusal to comply with federal statutes, particularly under Title IX for educational programs, has come at a financial expense to your state.

She remarked, "This is merely the start; however, you can halt it whenever you choose to comply with federal law by safeguarding women and girls."

A representative for Mills has not yet responded to requests for commentary.

Rollins mentioned that the USDA has initiated "an extensive review" of the grants provided to Maine’s education department by the Biden administration. He alleged that numerous grants appear to be inefficient, repetitive, or not aligned with the objectives set during the Trump Administration.

"USDA will not expand the swollen bureaucracy of the Biden Administration and will concentrate on a department that prioritizes farmers and lacks a left-leaning social agenda," she stated.

The specific grants mentioned in Rollins's letter remain ambiguous. Attempts to seek clarification from a department spokesperson were unsuccessful as they did not respond to requests for comment.

The funding freeze imposed on the USDA represents the most recent event in an ongoing one-month conflict between Mills and Trump regarding the state's failure to comply with Trump's executive directive on transgender athletes.

A month ago, the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services determined that Maine had breached Title IX after probes which the governor had labeled as "politically driven." This past Monday, theEducationDepartment handed downwhat they termeda“finalwarning”toMaine’sstatedepartmentofeducationbeforereferringtheinvestigationtotheJusticeDepartment.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This content must not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or distributed.

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Papua New Guinea Reinstates Forest Carbon Credit Trading

Papua New Guinea plans to "swiftly" remove the prohibition on forest carbon credit initiatives, according to statements made by the country’s climate minister to AFP on Thursday. This move will allow access to its extensive wild areas as a means of compensating for worldwide emission levels.

The island of New Guinea is covered by one of the largest expanses of tropical rainforests globally, assisting Earth’s respiratory function by absorbing carbon dioxide and converting it into oxygen.

In recent years, international businesses have acquired extensive areas of woodland with the aim of selling carbon offsets, committing to preserve trees that might otherwise be lost to deforestation or clearance for development.

However, a series of mismanagement scandals compelled Papua New Guinea to briefly suspend their "voluntary" carbon market in March 2022.

The Environment Minister, Simo Kilepa, informed AFP that due to the implementation of new safety measures, the three-year moratorium will be "lifted right away."

Kilepa mentioned that Papua New Guinea is lifting the ban on voluntary carbon markets.

We currently have established carbon market regulations along with guidelines for managing and overseeing the carbon market.

Officials from Papua New Guinea’s national climate agency stated in a recent briefing that their country aims to emerge as a significant participant in global carbon trading.

Carbon credit programs are considered essential for preventing the devastation of Papua New Guinea’s lush rainforests, believed to harbor approximately seven percent of the world's overall biodiversity.

Prior to the 2022 moratorium, foreign-backed groups could enter into carbon credit agreements directly with village leaders.

Ultimately, they compensated landowners to ensure that portions of the rainforest were not cleared for agriculture, converted for mining purposes, or cut down to produce timber.

By safeguarding forests that were destined for destruction, these businesses created carbon credits which they could then trade on global marketplaces.

'Carbon cowboys'

Some ideas were incredibly ambitious — for instance, a carbon trading initiative set along Papua New Guinea’s north shore could have become one of the largest globally, as reported by Carbon Market Watch.

But Papua New Guinea's carbon market was mired in controversy, with one regional governor alleging some foreign firms were little more than "carbon cowboys" out to make quick cash.

A probe conducted by Australia’s national public broadcaster ABC claimed that logging activities were continuing within rainforest areas designated for carbon credit programs.

Some landowners grumbled that the generous commitments made by their foreign associates were mostly not kept.

"Sustineo, an Australian environmental consultancy firm, reported that efforts to initiate projects led to land conflicts and gave rise to 'Carbon Cowboys,'" they stated.

Various carbon credit programs globally have faced a series of comparable criticisms.

There is no standardized set of regulations for these transactions, and numerous projects have faced accusations of dealing in nearly valueless credits.

Governments frequently require significant polluters to compensate for their emissions by participating in compulsory carbon credit programs.

However, companies, nonprofits, and people have the option to purchase credits from what are known as voluntary carbon markets.

The voluntary program in Papua New Guinea is part of an international framework called REDD, which stands forReducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in developing nations.

Papua New Guinea has been working on a bilateral agreement that might result in it generating carbon credits for the city-state of Singapore.

In 2023, Papua New Guinea entered into an agreement with Blue Carbon, a company based in Dubai, known for acquiring large tracts of land throughout Africa primarily for carbon credit purposes.



Speak Up: Help Shape FCC Regulations

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH ) — The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is seeking public input on which regulations should be revised or eliminated.

The FCC oversees media outlets, telecom businesses, and local TV stations such as WTNH.

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr wants the public to weigh in as part of the “Delete, Delete, Delete” initiative, which aims to streamline the FCC’s rules.

For far too long, administrative bodies have imposed additional regulatory measures beyond what they were authorized to do or maintained valid regulations well past when they became obsolete," Carr stated. "... The FCC is dedicated to eliminating all rules and regulations that are now unnecessary. We also encourage active public involvement and input during this entire procedure.

The FCC is accepting comments from the public through April 14. If you want to learn more about the FCC’s “Delete, Delete, Delete” initiative and make your voice heard, visit this website .

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This content must not be republished, distributed, broadcasted, or rewritten without permission.

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UAE Crown Prince Issues Landmark Resolution to Oversee Free Zone Operations Beyond Designated Areas

DUBAI, 17th March, 2025 (WAM) — As the Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who serves as the Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defence, has issued Executive Council Resolution Number (11) for the year 2025. This resolution aims to regulate the functioning of enterprises located within the free zones across Dubai.

The provisions of this resolution pertain to entities aiming to function beyond the boundaries of the free zones, excluding those financial institutions authorized to work inside the Dubai International Financial Centre. These guidelines are consistent with the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, which aims to expand Dubai’s economy twofold over ten years leading up to 2033 and solidify its standing as one of the globe’s premier three economic hubs.

As per the resolution, companies or institutions authorized by a pertinent free zone entity have permission to function beyond the confines of their respective free zones and inside Dubai. This is provided they secure the required licenses or permissions from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).

The newest resolution represents a major step forward in improving the commercial environment, allowing companies within Free Zones to easily extend their activities from free zones into the broader territory of Dubai.

This effort syncs up with the city's bold D33 Agenda aimed at fostering an energetic commercial landscape under its forward-thinking guidance. The aim is to enhance the competitive edge of Dubai’s flourishing business community and boost operational efficiencies for both domestic and international enterprises. These goals receive additional backing from Dubai’s supportive atmosphere, marked by ongoing endeavors to streamline commerce within the emirate, uphold pro-business policies widely acknowledged as favorable, and currently offering Free Zone entities the capacity to effortlessly merge operations with those on the mainland.

The latest resolution underscores Dubai’s commitment to bolstering enterprises and stimulating expansion. It promotes heightened commercial engagement, employment opportunities, and inventive ideas, establishing the emirate as a focal point for commerce, finance, and enterprise. This advanced measure clearly communicates to international entrepreneurs that Dubai serves not only as an attractive locale for investments but also acts as a visionary collaborator dedicated to cultivating innovative aspirations and advancing enduring progress.

As per the resolution, businesses are required to comply with all relevant federal and local laws pertaining to their operations and keep distinct financial records for activities carried out outside the free zone, distinctly separated from those inside the free zone.

Furthermore, if these businesses intend to function beyond the boundaries of the Emirate of Dubai, they are obligated to obtain the necessary licenses and permissions from the pertinent regulatory bodies in the area where they aim to conduct their operations, adhering strictly to the local rules and guidelines.

According to the resolution, DET is authorized to grant an establishment the permission to operate outside the free zone and within the Emirate of Dubai by issuing a licence for establishing a branch within the emirate or issuing a licence for a branch with its headquarters in the free zone. These licences are valid for one year and can be renewed. Additionally, permits may be issued for specific activities within the emirate.

The resolution also outlines the requirements for licensing a branch within the emirate of Dubai or within any other free zone in Dubai. It also details the procedures for issuing activity permits and the conditions for employing the establishment’s workforce.

According to the resolution, DET, in coordination with the licensing authority, is required to issue a list of economic activities that establishments can conduct in Dubai within six months, depending on whether they hold a branch licence in the emirate, a branch with headquarters in the free zone, or a permit for specific activities.

Any establishment licensed to operate in the emirate under this resolution is subject to inspection according to relevant federal and local laws; in addition to the procedures agreed upon between the DET and the licensing authority.

All establishments operating outside the free zone and within the Emirate of Dubai when this resolution takes effect must comply with its provisions within one year from its effective date. If needed, the Director General of the DET may extend this period for an additional year.

This resolution annuls any other resolution that conflicts with it, and will be effective from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. ( Syndigate.info ).


Hercules Tegaskan: Anggota GRIB Jaya Harus Hindari Permohonan THR Langsung ke Pengusaha

- JAKARTA - Ketua Umum Gerakan Rakyat Indonesia Bersatu (GRIB) Jaya Hercules melarang anggotanya membuat proposal dan meminta tunjangan hari raya (THR) kepada para pengusaha.

Hercules pun mengancam akan memberikan sanksi tegas bagi anggota atau para kader yang melanggar.

"Saya larang keras untuk bikin proposal. Saya larang keras GRIB untuk meminta-minta," katanya pada Sabtu (22/3).

"Kalau ketua DPD, ketua DPC bikin proposal, saya langsung pecat," imbuhnya.

Heboh Konflik PP Vs GRIB Jaya, Japto dan Hercules Ungkap Pesan Penting

Dia menyebutkan, adanya ormas yang meminta THR kepada pengusaha dengan cara mengancam adalah tindakan yang tidak dibenarkan.

Hal ini jelas akan mengancam laju investasi dan mengganggu ekonomi.

Hercules juga meminta mereka yang berseberangan dengan pemerintah agar mendukung program pemerintah. Dia mengatakan, hal itu mungkin disebabkan ketidakpahaman saja.

"Kami yakin, kami pasti akan bekerja sama. Kami mengajak teman-teman yang masih kurang paham yang berseberangan dengan pemerintah, marilah dukung program pemerintah. Dukung Pak Presiden," ujarnya.

Hercules Perintahkan Kader GRIB Jaya Menangkan Ridwan Kamil-Suswono di Pilgub Jakarta

Dia juga meminta ormas-ormas untuk mendukung program-program Polri dan TNI. Dukung, tugas-tugas Polri. Dukung tugas-tugas TNI. Bagaimana untuk menciptakan, aman, nyaman, damai, di negara kesatuan Indonesia. (esy/jpnn)

Hercules Minta Kapolri Mencopot Oknum Aparat yang Diduga Lindungi Bandar Narkoba dan Judi Online



홈플러스: 임원도 세 번째 월급으로 채무 정리... 직원들 월급은 꼬박꼬박 full pay

최근 법정관리 중인 홈플러스는 지난 1월 3일까지의 임원들 월급 지불을 위해 회생법원에 승인 요청을 하였다는 사실이 전해졌습니다. 이번 달 초부터 시작된 조치입니다.

30일 법정 소식통들에 의하면, Homeplus사는 이전인 27일 서울회생법원에게 총 1,029억 원 규모의 거래채무 조기에 변제해 줄 것을 요청했습니다. Homeplus사는 지난 4일 부도 처리 절차 시작 후 일반적인 물건 판매 관련 빚을 정상적으로 갚고 있지만, 작년 12월에서 전달 사이 세 달 동안 생긴 공급대금 및 청구 금액 등은 법원이 이를 미리 해결하도록 승인함으로써 차례대로 지불되고 있습니다.

HOMEPLUS는 만약 이러한 금액을 제공하지 않는다면 파트너 기업들과의 신뢰관계에 손상을 입게 되고 이로 인해 사업 운영에도 부정적인 영향을 미칠 수 있다고 우려하여 조기에 상환할 것을 요구했다. 또한 그들은 현 시점에서 사용 가능한 자금이 1조 507억 원이라고 밝혔으나, 법원의 승인 하에 1천 29억 원을 처리하게 된다면 최종적으로 478억 원이 남아 있을 것이라 설명했습니다.

항목별로 보면 상품 대상 액수가 518억 원, 청소 용역 비용을 포함한 점포 운영 비용이 462억 원, 회계 감사를 위한 수수료가 3억 원, 임대 거래 종결과 함께 돌아온 보증금은 42억 원이며, 여기에 홈플러스익스프레스에서 나간 두 지점의 보증금 환급액도 총 3억 4천 만원입니다. 또한 이 기간 동안 임직원 23인에게 지급된 월초부터 3일 간의 급여는 총 4125만 원으로 집계되었습니다.

홈플러스는 또한 3월 1일부터 3일까지의 급여 지급을 위해 법원에 승인을 요청했습니다. 모든 직원들은 이미 3월분 급여를 모두 받았습니다만, 이사진의 경우에는 재무 상태 개선이 시작되기 전에 최대 삼 일이라도 지불할 수 있는지를 확인하기 위해서 법원의 허락을 얻으려고 합니다.

이번에 급여를 받게 될 사람은 조주연 대표와 부사장 총 2명이며, 전무와 상무에게는 100만 원에서 600만 원 사이의 금액이 지급될 것으로 보입니다. 반면, 사외 이사들과 다른 비상근 이사회メンバー들은 각각 40만 원 정도로 알려졌습니다. 앞서 홈플러스에서는 지난 2~3월 동안 근속한 약 2만 명의 직접 고용된 직원들에게 월급을 정상적으로 지급했습니다.

국내 사모펀드 MBK파트너스에 인수된 지 올해로 10년째인 홈플러스는 지난 4일 법원에 회생신청을 해 업계에 충격을 줬다. 국내 2위 마트인 홈플러스는 전국에 126개의 점포를 운영하고 있는데 이는 이마트 다음으로 많다.

홈플러스가 재기를 위한 절차에 돌입한 이유는 신용등급의 저하 때문입니다. 최근 들어 매출은 늘고 부채 비율도 좋아졌지만 이러한 성과들이 신용 평가에 제대로 반영되지 않았습니다. 결과적으로 신용등급이 떨어지면서 앞으로 단기간 내 자금 조달에 어려움이 생길 수 있다는 우려 때문에, 긴급히 단기적인 대출 상환 압박을 줄이고 안정화시키기 위해 이런 결정을 내린 것으로 전해집니다.

실시간 인기기사

  • 1위 동해시 가족봉사단, 2025년 창립 행사 실시
  • 2위 지난해 운용자회사의 위탁금액이 1,656조로 전년 대비 11.7% 상승했으며, 이 중 ETF가 두각을 나타냈습니다.
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石破首相『通勤手当』をもらうと”社会保険料が上がる” 仕組みを問われ「そ、そ、そうですかね？」ネットでコメント殺到「通勤手当に課税するなら車検、任意保険、夏タイヤ、スタッドレスレスタイヤ、オイル交換、自動車税もかかってるから上乗せしてほしいんだが」 「課税するなら通勤時間も労働にいれてくれ」

通勤手当をもらうと社会保険料が上がる日本の仕組みが話題に

国会で「通勤手当」の扱いについて議論が交わされる中、石破茂首相の率直な反応が注目を集めています。

27日の国会審議で、立憲民主党の吉川沙織議員は「通勤手当が支給されているからといって可処分所得が増えるわけでもなく、それで標準報酬月額が増加するというのは納得感という意味ではそれに乏しい仕組みではないでしょうか」と質問しました。

これに対し石破首相は「私も定期を使って通勤しておった時期って結構ございます。感覚からすれば実費弁償なんだろうね。感覚からすればね。これを、報酬と言われるとそ、そ、そ、そうですかね？というか」と答弁。自身のサラリーマン経験に触れながら、通勤手当が「報酬」として扱われることへの違和感を素直に表現しました。

現在の制度では、通勤手当は月15万円までは所得税の課税対象にならない「非課税」とされています。これは通勤手当が収入ではなく、会社に来てもらうための「必要経費」という考え方に基づいています。

一方で、社会保険料を計算する際の「標準報酬月額」には通勤手当が含まれるため、通勤手当をもらうことで社会保険料の負担が増えるという矛盾した仕組みになっています。

石破首相は答弁の中で、これまで政府内でも様々な議論があったとしたうえで、「納得いただけるものを見出す努力をする」と述べ、この問題に取り組む姿勢を示しました。

この話題に寄せられたネットの声

「課税するなら通勤時間も労働にいれてくれ」

「実際に必要な「通勤費用」にまで課税するという発想自体が極めて恐ろしい」

「税金払う為に仕事やらされているのかって思う」

「税収が過去最高なのはむしり取ってるから」

「通勤手当に課税するなら車検、任意保険、夏タイヤ、スタッドレスレスタイヤ、オイル交換、自動車税もかかってるから上乗せしてほしいんだが」

「議員特典の鉄道無料や政府が移動に使うジェットや移動の車についてもしっかり課税すればいいと思う」

この話題には数多くの批判的なコメントが寄せられていました。



UAE Crown Prince Issues Landmark Resolution to Oversee Free Zone Operations Beyond Designated Areas

DUBAI, 17th March, 2025 (WAM) — As the Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who serves as the Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defence, has issued Executive Council Resolution Number (11) for the year 2025. This resolution aims to regulate the functioning of enterprises located within the free zones across Dubai.

The provisions of this resolution pertain to entities aiming to function beyond the boundaries of the free zones, excluding those financial institutions authorized to work inside the Dubai International Financial Centre. These guidelines are consistent with the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, which aims to expand Dubai’s economy twofold over ten years leading up to 2033 and solidify its standing as one of the globe’s premier three economic hubs.

As per the resolution, companies or institutions authorized by a pertinent free zone entity have permission to function beyond the confines of their respective free zones and inside Dubai. This is provided they secure the required licenses or permissions from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).

The newest resolution represents a major step forward in improving the commercial environment, allowing companies within Free Zones to easily extend their activities from free zones into the broader territory of Dubai.

This effort syncs up with the city's bold D33 Agenda aimed at fostering an energetic commercial landscape under its forward-thinking guidance. The aim is to enhance the competitive edge of Dubai’s flourishing business community and boost operational efficiencies for both domestic and international enterprises. These goals receive additional backing from Dubai’s supportive atmosphere, marked by ongoing endeavors to streamline commerce within the emirate, uphold pro-business policies widely acknowledged as favorable, and currently offering Free Zone entities the capacity to effortlessly merge operations with those on the mainland.

The latest resolution underscores Dubai’s commitment to bolstering enterprises and stimulating expansion. It promotes heightened commercial engagement, employment opportunities, and inventive ideas, establishing the emirate as a focal point for commerce, finance, and enterprise. This advanced measure clearly communicates to international entrepreneurs that Dubai serves not only as an attractive locale for investments but also acts as a visionary collaborator dedicated to cultivating innovative aspirations and advancing enduring progress.

As per the resolution, businesses are required to comply with all relevant federal and local laws pertaining to their operations and keep distinct financial records for activities carried out outside the free zone, distinctly separated from those inside the free zone.

Furthermore, if these businesses intend to function beyond the boundaries of the Emirate of Dubai, they are obligated to obtain the necessary licenses and permissions from the pertinent regulatory bodies in the area where they aim to conduct their operations, adhering strictly to the local rules and guidelines.

According to the resolution, DET is authorized to grant an establishment the permission to operate outside the free zone and within the Emirate of Dubai by issuing a licence for establishing a branch within the emirate or issuing a licence for a branch with its headquarters in the free zone. These licences are valid for one year and can be renewed. Additionally, permits may be issued for specific activities within the emirate.

The resolution also outlines the requirements for licensing a branch within the emirate of Dubai or within any other free zone in Dubai. It also details the procedures for issuing activity permits and the conditions for employing the establishment’s workforce.

According to the resolution, DET, in coordination with the licensing authority, is required to issue a list of economic activities that establishments can conduct in Dubai within six months, depending on whether they hold a branch licence in the emirate, a branch with headquarters in the free zone, or a permit for specific activities.

Any establishment licensed to operate in the emirate under this resolution is subject to inspection according to relevant federal and local laws; in addition to the procedures agreed upon between the DET and the licensing authority.

All establishments operating outside the free zone and within the Emirate of Dubai when this resolution takes effect must comply with its provisions within one year from its effective date. If needed, the Director General of the DET may extend this period for an additional year.

This resolution annuls any other resolution that conflicts with it, and will be effective from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. ( Syndigate.info ).


Reeves Unveils New Regulatory Slash to Spur Economic Growth

Rachel Reeves is preparing to axe a significant number of regulators, as the government continues its war on red tape .

It comes as part of an attempt to kickstart economic growth and “free businesses from the shackles of regulation”, the chancellor said.

Regulators have been summoned to Downing Street On Monday, there’s a meeting with Ms Reeves during which she is anticipated to provide further details about the government’s plan to reduce the cost of regulations by 25% and outline strategies for either downsizing or eliminating these regulatory entities altogether.

The meeting follows the the announcement last week that NHS England – known as the world’s biggest quasi-autonomous non-governmental organization (quango) – would be abolished as part of initiatives to reduce expenses and stimulate economic development.

Ms Reeves stated: "Today we are implementing additional measures to liberate businesses from the constraints of red tape."

Through reducing bureaucratic regulations and establishing a more efficient system, we aim to increase investments, generate employment opportunities, and add more funds to the wallets of working individuals.

Along with scrapping NHS England, the government has also declared intentions to integrate the Payment Systems Regulator into the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), and Ms Reeves is anticipated to pledge to eliminate several regulators throughout the parliamentary term.

On Monday, she will announce the abolition of a third quango – the Regulator for Community Interest Companies, which will be folded into Companies House – and ministers will be instructed to report back to the chancellor by the summer with further suggestions for quangos that could be culled.

It is anticipated that the government will eliminate a considerable amount of regulators; however, the exact figure of those set to be removed remains unconfirmed as of now.

The gathering will see eight regulatory bodies represented, among which are the FCA, the Environment Agency, Natural England, and the Health and Safety Executive.

The chancellor plans to reveal at Monday’s meeting a set of 60 initiatives that Britain’s regulatory bodies have consented to implement in order to stimulate economic expansion.

This encompasses expediting the approval of new medications, reassessing the £100 cap on contactless transactions, streamlining mortgage regulations, and conducting two significant drone operation trials to facilitate future drone delivery services.

These measures came about following a request from the prime minister towards the end of last year for regulators to produce "specific suggestions" aimed at stimulating growth, as part of the government's efforts to revitalize Britain’s faltering economy.

Despite the UK evading a recession during the latter part of 2024, economic performance remains sluggish with data from last week indicating a 0.1 percent decrease in GDP for January.

Several modifications, especially those concerning environmental rules, are anticipated to accelerate the completion of significant infrastructural initiatives like the much-delayed Lower Thames Tunnel and the proposed third runway at Heathrow Airport.

Rain Newton-Smith, CEO of the CBI, greeted the announcements positively, stating: "TheUK's complex web of regulations impedes investment due to excessively high compliance costs, putting us behind international competitors."

Today’s declaration marks a move towards a more balanced, outcome-focused strategy that aims to foster more enduring development and investments.

However, Conservative shadow chancellor Mel Stride stated that Ms Reeves along with "her budget that destroys jobs and raises taxes" was "the greatest obstacle to growth" in the UK.

He stated: "As long as companies continue to feel the pressure from Labour's taxation policies and the bureaucratic burden imposed by trade unions, their ability to concentrate on fostering growth will be hindered."

Whether it’s from news to politics, travel to sports, culture to climate – The Independent offers a range of free newsletters tailored to your preferences. To get the stories you're interested in delivered directly to your inbox along with additional content, simply click. here .



Elon Musk's DOGE: HHS Terminates $18M Contract with San Antonio Nonprofit Over Migrant Facility Claims; Organization Denounces Corruption Allegations as Baseless

Ever since Donald Trump assumed office, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has embarked on a campaign against waste, fraud, and misuse within the government. Additionally, DOGE maintains an active presence on X where it showcases the measures being taken purportedly to aid taxpayers in saving money.

In late February, DOGE's X handle posted a message The organization stated that it had terminated its agreement with a San Antonio nonprofit named Family Endeavors. They claimed that by having HHS end the contract, they managed to save taxpayers more than $215 million annually.

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Efforts, nonetheless, assert they were adhering to their obligations and that their agreement mandated this course of action. not An instance of dubious expenditures occurred. The non-profit released a declaration stating that "all allegations of corruption or improper management are unfounded."

What precisely occurred, and which interaction did DOGE bring to a close?

Charity spent millions managing an unused building

Based on the DOGE post, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) was spending approximately $18 million each month on Endeavors to manage a facility in Pecos, Texas. This location was meant for accommodating unaccompanied immigrant minors but remained unused at that time.

The DOGE officials believed that spending millions each month on an idle shelter was not the most effective utilization of public funds—particularly since they observed that the occupancy rate at nationally accredited facilities has dropped below 20%. Therefore, they decided to terminate the agreement.

Endeavors maintains that it operated within the bounds of its responsibilities and provided a beneficial service consistent with those duties. During an interview with News 4 San Antonio, a source from Endeavors mentioned that the shelter was in use from March 2021 to March 2023, and then again from September 2023 to February 2024, during which period it assisted 40,000 unaccompanied children.

Once the government ceased operations of the shelter in March 2024, Endeavors noted that funds were still necessary to cover all costs related to maintaining the facility’s readiness for potential future use—this includes rent, healthcare services, vaccine storage units, as well as the multitude of surveillance cameras essential for safety measures.

The statement also indicated that federal employees visited the location every day, and it was the federal authorities who determined which sites would serve as shelters for migrants rather than the non-profit organization making that decision.

Nevertheless, the agreement has reached its conclusion, halting Endeavor’s services for the government regarding this matter, at least temporarily, as well as ceasing payments to the nonprofit organization.

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Could there be a conflict of interest?

The DOGE posting on X went beyond emphasizing the vacancy of the premises. Its intention was also to underscore the ties between Endeavors and the Biden administration, casting uncertainty over the legitimacy of the contract from the get-go.

The X post indicated that "a previous staff member of ICE and part of the Biden transition team started working with Family Endeavors at the beginning of 2021. This individual assisted in obtaining an exclusive HHS contract aimed at providing additional accommodation options beyond what licensed care facilities offer. Consequently, between 2020 and 2023, Family Endeavors saw their liquidity increase dramatically, rising from $8.3 million to $520.4 million."

Although this situation may appear as a potential conflict of interest, Endeavors' statement clarified that the nonprofit has been assisting migrant families through agreements with the government since 2012. It also noted that they were among only 15 groups contracted by the administration in 2021 aiming to aid in housing these migrants.

“The basis for our choice stemmed from our demonstrated expertise, capability, and over ten years of track record,” the nonprofit organization declared.

A link to past government employees doesn’t inherently indicate corruption or misconduct; therefore, audiences reading the statements from DOGE and Endeavors should form their own opinions based on the conflicting information presented.

It should be mentioned that since 2015, Elon Musk's companies SpaceX and Tesla have received $18 billion in federal contracts—though these agreements were primarily issued during the Biden administration. Nevertheless, this has led some people to wonder if Musk might face a potential conflict of interest when deciding which contracts to reduce, considering their belief that his own firms' deals are less likely to be terminated compared to others like the one with Endeavor.

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Fears Rise as Second Wave of Trump Tariffs Threatens Australia

US President Donald Trump could target Australia with more tariffs after rejecting calls for an exemption for steel and aluminium exports.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has described the exclusion snub as completely unwarranted.

Trade specialists have voiced worries that rejecting the exemptions might be an initial move toward possible future tariffs that could target Australia’s pharmaceutical and agricultural industries.

Once the possibility of an exemption vanished, Foreign Minister Penny Wong indicated that Australia's critical minerals would likely remain a tool for negotiation moving forward.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton thinks that not getting an exception highlights the prime minister’s weakness and incompetence.



Here's How "Dead People" Are Still Collecting Social Security

The Social Security Administration refuted assertions made by President Trump and Elon Musk that it was providing benefits to millions of people unnecessarily. dead people , and stated on Sunday that fewer than one out of every three hundred death claims are fraudulent.

The organization, whose most confidential information is under review by what Musk calls his "Department of Government Efficiency," stated that it processes over three million death reports annually and maintains "extremely precise" records. This administration manages Social Security entitlements for more than 68 million individuals.

"The agency stated in a press release that out of all the millions of death reports they receive annually, fewer than 0.3% are incorrect reports that require correction," according to their statement.

The agency's statement follows comments from both Trump and Musk claiming that deceased individuals remain listed in the Social Security database and continue to receive Social Security benefits.

Read: Are you concerned about Elon Musk’s DOGE gaining access to your Social Security details?

"Payments are being made to numerous individuals, and we're currently investigating," Trump stated during a recent address to Congress. In contrast, Musk has not commented on this matter. referred to Social Security as a "Ponzi scheme" and vowed to eliminate fraud at the agency.

As stated in a report by Fortune Currently, DOGE has 10 employees working with the agency to gather evidence supporting their assertion that millions of deceased individuals might still be receiving public assistance.

Read: Who can assist me with my Social Security issue since the staff and services are being reduced?

The Social Security Administration, known as the SSA, mentioned that death reports mainly come to them from state authorities, along with various entities like families, morticians, federal organizations, and banks.

According to this, SSA gets most of its death notifications from funeral homes or the deceased’s acquaintances/family members. The agency regards these initial-party death reports as confirmed and promptly adds them to the Death Master File, 2008 audit report as per the Office of the Inspector General.

"Cases where someone is incorrectly marked as dead with Social Security can have devastating consequences for the individual, their spouse, and dependents. This leads to an immediate halt in benefits, causing financial difficulties that persist until corrections are made and payments resume. The procedure to demonstrate such an incorrect death declaration often feels excessively lengthy and arduous," according to the agency.

Read: The individual who resolved the Social Security crisis in the 1980s has some guidance for current political figures.

The agency stated that if someone believes they've been wrongly marked as deceased in their Social Security records, they ought to reach out to their nearby Social Security office promptly. Individuals can find their closest Social Security location online. ssa.gov/agency/contact And make sure to bring at least one valid, up-to-date form of identification.

The Social Security Administration stated that it promptly works to rectify any discrepancies in their records. They also mentioned that they can issue an official document confirming the correction of errors, which individuals may then present to various entities such as other organizations, government agencies, or employers.

Read: The Social Security Administration plans to reduce telephone services for direct deposit transactions.

The Social Security Administration had earlier stated that it does not provide benefits to individuals aged 115 or above, a rule implemented in September 2015. Additionally, they noted that the absence of a birth or death date in their records doesn’t imply that someone is still claiming benefits.

Last month, Social Security revealed a significant overhaul, stating they plan to eliminate approximately 7,000 positions, which equates to around 12% of their staff, and decrease their regional offices from 10 down to 4.



Musk Highlights Obama’s 2011 Plan Echoing the Spirit of DOGE

Elon Musk fired back at critics of his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) when he shared a video clip featuring former President Barack Obama declaring comparable government reductions 14 years prior.

Musk shared a video clip on his X account by reposting it. Democrat In 2011, Obama announced the 'Campaign to Cut Waste' initiative aimed at reducing superfluous governmental expenditures, stating that it "sounded precisely like DOGE."

In the video snippet, Obama mentioned that he had assigned his Vice President at the time Joe Biden responsible for the campaign, since 'no one dares to mess with Joe.'

He mentioned multiple instances identified by the campaign during its initial phase as examples of "wasteful spending with no benefits," which included sustaining a website for a folk band called the 'Fiddlin Foresters.'

No level of wasteful spending is tolerable, particularly when it involves taxpayers' dollars," Obama stated. "Much like households manage their budgets, governmental bodies ought to do the same.

Despite facing backlash over Musk’s strategy of drastically cutting costs by eliminating whole departments and dismissing numerous employees through his acquisition of DOGE, the tycoon posted the video to liken himself to Obama, who made "difficult choices" during his presidency.

"Everybody understands that eliminating the deficit will entail making difficult choices, which may involve reducing spending by billions of dollars from programs many people hold dear," Obama stated in the previous footage.

While some lauded the comparison, others on X claimed Obama's cost-cutting measures on items like unused federal buildings were not the same as Musk's slash-and-burn approach.

When Obama’s segment was circulated during his preparation for the 2012 reelection campaign, several viewers of Musk’s footage noted that it did not have much impact on federal expenditures.

Podcast host Joe Rogan commented on the video, stating that "it took 14 years along with Elon Musk and Donald Trump to turn discussion into action."

Obama stated in his announcement that the measures were aimed at 'eliminating the deficit.' However, during his eight-year tenure, the federal budget deficit increased by 58 percent, totaling more than $6.7 trillion.

In the announcement, he also mentioned that certain items slated for cuts "ought to be eliminated regardless of our budget deficit."

Citing instances of "reckless expenditures," Obama criticized the 'Fiddling Foresters' group webpage, stating: "I might listen to their tunes on my iPod, but I won’t foot the bill for their site."

The 44th president proceeded to emphasize various other reductions, such as 'countless structures nationwide that remain unused.'

Following Obama’s statement that Biden would lead an effort to ‘search for misused tax funds across all agencies and departments within this administration,’ Biden joined him during the announcement where he vowed to address expenditures with an unwavering commitment.

"We are taking responsibility for our actions, and we are strongly dedicated and concentrated on improving governmental operations," he stated.

Although certain Trump backers such as Rogan commended the analogy drawn between Obama's 2011 program and Musk’s DOGE reductions, others contended that this comparison was misleading.

One X user responded: 'Obama wasn't cutting agencies in half or almost in their entirety. He was computerizing processes, getting rid of paperwork/ paper files - nothing like DOGE.'

"Apologies, but Obama was not a billionaire with contracts from the government," one individual commented.

'The person was neither an entrepreneur from South Africa nor someone who fired numerous individuals solely for the purpose of downsizing. He didn’t resemble Obama at all.'

However, Texas Representative Chip Roy expressed his support by sharing the clip with the caption: "There’s a video/tweet for every situation."

The reappearance of this clip coincides with DOGE causing a significant split between Washington and ordinary citizens.

Although Musk and Trump’s followers have applauded reductions in minor but costly initiatives, opponents contend that these extensive cutbacks have also affected significant and essential expenditures.

Following the budget cuts to organizations such as USAID and the IRS, This week's DOGE measurements centered around the United States Postal Service. .

On Friday, it was revealed that Postmaster General Louis DeJoy inked a deal allowing Elon Musk's DOGE to assist the USPS in 'recognizing and attaining additional efficiencies.'

DeJoy penned a letter to Congress stating, 'The DOGE team kindly requested our assistance in addressing significant issues they could tackle.'

The recent development follows Musk’s assertion that America cannot be considered a genuine democracy if judges obstructing President Donald Trump's austerity measures are allowed to remain on the bench.

A different federal judge has instructed that government workers who were placed on probation and subsequently let go during this year’s large-scale layoffs should be reinstated.

Earlier this month, Trump specified that Musk’s role with DOGE involves suggesting sectors where the federal government could reduce wasteful spending and save taxpayer dollars.

During an unexpected gathering, the president informed his Cabinet members that they would take responsibility for enforcing these suggestions within their individual departments and organizations to align them with his policy goals.

Under its long-term Deliver for America initiative launched in 2021, USPS aims to decrease its staff by an additional 10,000 within the coming month following the reduction of 30,000 positions since the beginning of the program until now.

Read more


PM Urges Speedy Rollout of Digital Transformation Initiative

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has issued a directive aimed at expediting the execution of Project 06, which focuses on building resident data systems, electronic IDs, and authentication services for the purpose of supporting the nation’s digital transformation during the years 2022 through 2025, extending towards the long-term horizon of 2030. This initiative will be implemented across various government agencies, departments, and regions starting from 2025 onwards.

Directive No. 07/CT-TTg indicates that the Politburo views "advancing science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation" as essential drivers toward achieving rapid growth in modern productivity. This initiative aims at refining economic systems, reformulating governmental management approaches, fostering socioeconomic progress, avoiding lagging behind technologically, and steering the nation towards substantial advancement and wealth in this new phase.

To make this guiding perspective concrete, it demands strong commitment, significant effort, and bolder initiatives across various sectors and levels for the implementation of Project 06. This initiative should be tied to constructing and advancing the National Data Center, leveraging data’s potential to support the nation's digital transformation journey.

Prime Minister Chinh has asked various ministries, ministerial-level institutions, governmental bodies, as well as provincial and municipal People's Committees to comprehensively grasp and execute the crucial tasks and measures in a coordinated, systematic, timely, and effective manner.

They were tasked with concentrating on drafting and finalizing documents that outline sanctioned regulations and resolving legal matters aimed at fostering advancements in science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation.

The restructuring initiatives and the repurposing of digital data seek to guarantee that individuals and enterprises won’t be required to provide, file, or resubmit details and documentation that has already been digitized. Special attention will be directed towards leveraging digitized land records to streamline administrative tasks associated with residency. By the second quarter of 2025, all administrative divisions at both district and commune levels which have finished digitizing resident data should commence immediate utilization of this system.

The Prime Minister likewise encouraged ministries, agencies, and local administrations to enhance and finalize their information technology infrastructures. He emphasized completing the linkage between the administration process management systems at both ministry and province levels and the National Population Database by 2025.

Departments and industries should create their digital transformation initiatives, making sure they connect with the Project 06 and 11 utility systems spearheaded by the Ministry of Public Security.

Concerning data advancement, the project manager requested that various ministries and agencies finalize the revision and updating of the National Data Strategy during the second quarter of 2025.

By August 2025, we must complete the development, utilization, and integration of national and specialized databases focusing on areas such as land, infrastructure, insurance, finances, businesses, labor, employment, health care, and education. These systems should also be interconnected with the National Population Database and ensure synchronization with the National Data Center.

Moreover, the digitalization of internal business operations, paperwork, and outcomes from administrative procedures concerning individuals and enterprises should be finalized by the third quarter of 2025.

Prime Minister Chinh tasked the Ministry of Public Security with drafting and submitting to the government for issuance regulations that detail the Data Law, ensuring its efficacy starting from July 1, 2025.

The MPS has been tasked with collaborating with various ministries and sectors to finalize the creation of specialized databases aimed at enhancing and improving the caliber of online public services. It is anticipated that they will finish providing electronic identification accounts for organizations so that as of July 1, 2025, every business will be able to conduct administrative processes digitally.

The MPS collaborates with the Ministry of Finance to create a series of metrics aimed at evaluating the operational performance, expansion, and progress of businesses. Additionally, a set of criteria designed to gauge the satisfaction levels of both citizens and companies regarding online government services via VneID is anticipated to be finalized by June 2025.

The ministry was requested to organise the issuance of identity cards and electronic identification for Vietnamese citizens abroad whose biometric samples (fingerprints, iris) were collected, and coordinate to issue birth certificates for Vietnamese children abroad online.

The Prime Minister tasked the Ministry of Justice with encouraging local authorities to swiftly finalize the digital conversion of civil registry information.

Places that have finished digital conversion should promptly collaborate with the Ministry of Public Security to link up, validate, and sync with the national population database so as to minimize and streamline bureaucratic processes.

The Government Office will spearhead the creation of a suite of metrics and informational systems aimed at supporting the directives and governance of both the government and the Prime Minister, adhering to the guidelines established by the National Data Center in 2025.

The Ministry of Health has been requested to collaborate with the Ministry of Public Security and relevant entities to launch a trial run of the Health Data Coordination System at Bach Mai Hospital along with healthcare centers in Bac Ninh and Thai Nguyen provinces. Additionally, this system will be piloted at Cho Ray Hospital together with medical facilities located in Binh Duong and An Giang provinces.

At the same time, the Ministry of Health will take charge and work closely with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Science and Technology to advise hospitals on expenses related to purchasing or leasing information technology as part of their efforts towards digital transformation.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been tasked to collaborate with the Ministry of Public Security to analyze and suggest measures aimed at decreasing and simplifying the process of issuing visas to foreign nationals. Additionally, they are expected to introduce an online system for visa applications from individuals whose biometric data (such as fingerprints and irises) has been recorded. This assignment must be finalized by April.

In the meantime, the Ministry of Construction will work alongside the Ministry of Public Security to introduce biometric technology solutions and the VNeID platform at every airport, sea port, and border crossing point by September, aimed at enhancing convenience for citizens.