Daily Archives: March 20, 2021

She gave the instructions while presiding over an ECNEC meeting to approve a housing project for freedom fighters via video call from Ganabhaban on Tuesday.

Houses will be built across the country under the Tk 41.23 billion project, titled 'Bir Nibas', as a gift from the prime minister to indigent freedom fighters as the country marks Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's birth centenary and the golden jubilee of its independence.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Mamun-al-Rashid, a member of the Planning Commission's physical infrastructure division, said, "While approving the project for the destitute freedom fighters, weve found that there aren't many freedom fighters who don't own land.

"The honourable prime minister said that if any freedom fighter is found without a homestead, then the relevant DC or UNO should allocate government-owned Khas land for that freedom fighter and build an accommodation.

"Even though the financing for project is slated to start from the next financial year, in order to ensure that there isn't a fund crunch, it is necessary to start the work from the current financial year so that the money can be released across four fiscal years."

The implementation of this project will also increase the disbursement of funds to the rural economy, according to Hasina.

During the meeting, Hasina also directed the authorities to extend the timeline of the project by three months to October 2023, said Mamun.

The project will replace a previous programme to build flats in multi-storey buildings for the freedom fighters, according to him.

The old project, approved in March 2018, was halted in 2019 after the freedom fighters and their families objected to the plan to move to flats leaving their ancestral land, Rashid said.

The previous programme aimed to construct 8,000 flats in 532 buildings across the country at the cost of Tk 22.73 billion.

Later, the ministry reformed the Detailed Project Plan or DPP of the proposed project with a target to complete it by 2023.

The estimated cost for each of the house is Tk 1.3 million.

Read more:

Build homes for freedom fighters on government land: Hasina - bdnews24.com

On Feb. 12, the Biden administration made the case in a 15-page document to Congress that the White House intends to issue an emergency presidential determination to reset the U.S. refugee resettlement program because of grave humanitarian concerns and the public interest. The Biden administrations subsequent failure over the last five weeks to address what is, in its own words, an emergency is both perplexing and harmful.

At a time of the largest displacement crisis in human history compounded by a global pandemic, with 80% of the worlds refugees hosted by countries already affected by acute food insecurity and malnutrition, the United States must, as President Joe Biden declared in his inaugural address, lead by the power of our example. Biden inherited from former President Donald Trump a refugee resettlement program that is not just weak, but harmful in its discriminatory approach.

The percentage of Muslim refugees resettled into the U.S., for example, plummeted from over 45% of the caseload in fiscal 2016 to under 20% every year after fiscal 2017. What is lesser known is that the number of Christian refugees shrank as well, from 37,512 Christians resettled in 2016 to 23,754 Christians resettled in pre-pandemic 2019.

With the stroke of a pen, Biden can reverse the harm that Trump has caused the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, raise the refugee ceiling from its current all-time low and, most importantly, end discriminatory policies barring refugees based on national origin. Yet, in spite of the good intentions expressed on Feb. 12, Biden has merely continued all of the Trump administrations refugee resettlement policies.

When Washington Post columnist Catherine Rampell asked the White House about the reason for the delay, the White House responded with what she aptly describes as a content-free statement.

By expressing a commitment to refugee resettlement and then doing nothing, the Biden administration has raised the expectations of refugees who now must linger in dangerous places even after having been vetted and approved by the Department of Homeland Security. Sadly, this administration has made a bad situation even worse, further undermining Americas credibility with the most vulnerable refugees, the countries that host them, and the organizations that help them.

For example, thousands of refugees who were vetted, interviewed and approved for refugee status by the DHS are literally prevented from traveling to the U.S. by Trumps refugee policy, which left no slots for most refugees from Africa or the Middle East. And, with Biden keeping all of Trumps anti-Muslim and anti-African policies in place, 715 refugees who were literally booked on flights by the Biden administration have had those plane tickets rescinded.

Those refugees are now in an even worse situation, having left their homes with no place to go. Approved refugees who need medical attention are not able to travel either. For example, among the refugees HIAS, the global Jewish nonprofit that protects refugees, was preparing to welcome was a pregnant refugee who entered her third trimester after her canceled travel date. She and her family must either separate or remain grounded until after she delivers the baby and recovers from childbirth.

This past Wednesday was the 41st anniversary of President Jimmy Carter signing the Refugee Act of 1980. To mark the occasion, he issued the following statement reflecting on the importance of the Refugee Act:

Americans know the heart of the stranger. The colonies that became the United States were founded by refugees from religious persecution, and our religious traditions call on us to welcome the stranger.

During my presidency, the world faced the greatest refugee crisis since the Second World War as people fled political persecution and crushing poverty in many places. Desperate refugees were drowning and dying from exposure at our doorstep, yet the United States lacked a legal structure to receive them in an orderly way.

In response, Congress passed the bipartisan Refugee Act of 1980, which I signed into law on March 17. The law established a framework to resettle refugees and extend asylum to those fleeing persecution. Implementation of the new law relied not just on the U.S. government, but also on civil society and faith-based communities in a public-private partnership.

In the final year of my presidency, the United States resettled 207,112 refugees. Since then, we have resettled more than 3 million refugees and granted asylum to over 700,000 people. Today, millions are taxpaying Americans who have contributed greatly to our communities and to our economy.

On this 41st anniversary of the Refugee Act, we as Americans can reflect on our decision as a nation to welcome the stranger and renew our commitment to remaining a beacon of hope for freedom-loving people everywhere.

As a nation of immigrants and refugees, we now wait for Biden, who as a young senator was a co-sponsor of the Refugee Act, to restore the promise of the act and the American tradition of being a welcoming country.

Mark Hetfield is president and CEO of HIAS (the American Jewish communitys refugee agency).

The rest is here:

On the anniversary of the Refugee Act, Biden needs to act - The Dallas Morning News

ALBANY Two proposed measures in the state Legislature would amend New Yorks Open Meetings Law and ensure municipalities provide proper access to public documents and data especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, officials said.

Bill No. A.1228/S.01150 would require all documents used or discussed during a public municipal meeting to be posted online at least 24 hours beforehand. It would also require municipalities to stream the meeting on the governmental bodys website to a practicable extent, post a video of the meeting on its website within five business days, and require the public body to keep recordings for at least five years.

Instead [the phrase] has been used as a way to abate the law, bill sponsor Assemblymember Amy Paulin, D-Scarsdale, said Monday. There cant be that many times where its not practicable to make those documents available. We want to have documents available because the public is smart and the public can offer insightful views that help steer the public process in a positive way. They can only offer insightful views if they have information on which to judge.

Current law requires public bodies as best as practicable to post meeting documents online prior to a meeting occurring. Paulins legislation removes the as best as practicable language and mandates any public body with a website to post meeting documents online.

The bill was referred to the Governmental Operations Committee on Jan. 7.

A.4677/S.4863 eliminates the fee government and public agencies charge people for obtaining records through a Freedom Of Information Law request when a digital copy exists.

The public should not be charged, New York Coalition For Open Government President Paul Wolf said of officials sending documents electronically. That speaks to making sure the public has access to information and can be a valuable player in government.

The bill was referred to Governmental Operations on Feb. 4.

Current law allows government officials to charge a per-page copying fee. Many records are now available in an electronic format and can be provided without the need to make photocopies.

Sen. Anna Kaplan, D-Carle Place, co-sponsors both bills in the Senate.

Public bodies are evading it thats the impetus, Paulin said.

Many New Yorkers have started to watch or engage with video recordings of public meetings online especially after the majority of municipal meetings were held digitally since the coronavirus pandemic started last March.

So many people are paying attention now you dont want to lose that, she said.

Paulin served as a local elected municipal official and president of a chapter of the League of Women Voters being elected to the state Legislature, she said, and recalled attending a meeting in person, but not being given a copy of the discussed materials.

Not only could you not follow along, you could only tell what [they] were talking about when the information was discussed, she said.

Paulin discussed the proposed measures with New Yorks Coalition For Open Government during a virtual press conference Monday to mark the start of Sunshine Week a mid-March tradition to highlight the importance of government transparency, the press and organizations or groups that advocate for governmental accountability and the swift release of public records.

It coincides with National Freedom of Information Day on March 16 and James Madisons birthday, today.

Sunshine Week was started in March 2005, by the American Society of News Editors to educate the public about the importance of open government and the dangers of excessive and unnecessary secrecy, according to the coalition.

One of the complaints is there is a lack of penalties or lack of enforcement and it is different in other states when citizens file a complaint, Wolf said. He added that in some areas, the state attorney general will investigate or can fine elected officials who impede a FOIL request.

In New York, no entity has such enforcement, he said. Hopefully, we can build some momentum with the passage of these bills and thats something we can strive toward.

State lawmakers will likely pass the measures later this session, Paulin said, as representatives remain preoccupied with the 2021-22 Fiscal Year budget due April 1.

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Proposed legislation would increase government transparency | Top Story | thedailynewsonline.com - The Daily News Online

Dear Members of Congress:

We, the undersigned organizations, representing millions of Americans and thousands of state and local officials, write to express our profound concerns with provisions in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Elements of this recently adopted legislation fundamentally threaten the principles of federalism and fiscal responsibility.

The American Rescue Plan Act includes $350 billion in State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. This is despite early reports that show total state and local revenue actually increased in calendar year 2020, and many states currently have significant surpluses. These funds also are in addition to the hundreds of billions in federal assistance to state and local units of government through the CARES Act and other measures in 2020. Over the past year, our organizations raised concerns around the many public policy problems created by a federal bailout of state and local government budgets. Additionally, hundreds of state legislators voiced their numerous policy concerns.

Now that this bailout of state and local governments has been signed into law by President Biden, there is perhaps an even more troubling element than any of us could have anticipated. As the editorial board of The Wall Street Journal recently pointed out, states appear to be prohibited from using these new federal funds to directly or indirectly reduce net state tax revenue through 2024. With the fungible nature of budgeting, and absent any clarifications from the Department of Treasury, the incredibly ambiguous language involving indirect net revenue reductions means that any tax relief at the state level could potentially be called into question by aggressive federal action. This will undoubtedly harm state taxpayers and the future economic competitiveness of states.

To address this glaring policy mistake, U.S. Senator Mike Brauns Let States Cut Taxes Act would allow states more flexibility in the way they can use federal funds, if they choose to take the money. We understand Congressman Dan Bishop plans to propose policy reforms as well. Absent reforms like these, states will be pressured into using federal funds to grow government and baseline spending totals. We watched this play out more than a decade ago with the Obama-era American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) and those infamous shovel ready projects. Growing state government bureaucracy with federal funds would create massive state budget challenges as the money disappears, but the federal requirements live on for years to come.

Using federal coercion to artificially elevate state tax burdens at a time when small businesses and hardworking American taxpayers need real tax relief is nonsensical. Our groups have spent decades working with state policymakers and watching them achieve more economically competitive business climates through pro-growth tax and economic reforms. Having the federal government use the power of the purse in an attempt to curtail the use of competitive federalism is incredibly damaging to our American system of government.

We will work to protect the fundamental principle of federalism and allow states to continue their progress in pursuing economic gains as the laboratories of democracy. Restricting states from providing pro-growth net tax relief tips the scales of federalism inexorably toward central planning and micromanagement by the federal government.

We applaud Senator Mike Braun and Congressman Dan Bishop for taking on this important fight to shield states and their hardworking taxpayers from burdensome federal overreach. We stand ready to assist you as you work to expose the numerous areas of harmful policy implemented by the American Rescue Plan Act.

Respectfully,

Lisa B. NelsonCEO, American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC)

Grover NorquistPresident, Americans for Tax Reform

Steve MooreEconomist and Cofounder, Committee to Unleash Prosperity

Adam BrandonPresident, FreedomWorks

David McIntoshPresident, Club for Growth

Tom SchatzPresident, Council for Citizens Against Government Waste

David WilliamsPresident, Taxpayers Protection Alliance

Carrie LukasPresident, Independent Womens Forum

Heather HigginsCEO, Independent Womens Voice

Kent LassmanPresident & CEO, Competitive Enterprise Institute* (in his individual capacity)

Bob CarlstromPresident, Association of Mature American Citizens Action

Alfredo OrtizPresident and CEO, Job Creators Network

Phil KerpenPresident, American Commitment

Garrett BessVice President of Government Relations and Communications, Heritage Action for America

Brandon ArnoldExecutive Vice President, National Taxpayers Union

Brent Wm. GardnerChief Government Affairs Officer, Americans for Prosperity

Daniel GarzaPresident, The Libre Initiative

Mario H. LopezPresident, Hispanic Leadership Fund

Brian GarstVice President, Center for Freedom & Prosperity

Lori RomanPresident, American Constitutional Rights Union Action

Saulius Saul AnuzisPresident, 60 Plus Association

The Honorable Tim JonesFrmr. Speaker, Missouri House of Representatives; Chairman of the Missouri Center-Right Coalition

Douglas CarswellPresident & CEO, Mississippi Center for Public Policy

Carl BeardenCEO, United for Missouri

Joseph G. LehmanPresident, Mackinac Center for Public Policy

Chris IngstadPresident, Iowans for Tax Relief

Dave TrabertChief Executive Officer, Kansas Policy Institute

Jonathan SmallPresident, Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs

See the article here:

Coalition Letter: Fix the Ban on State Tax Cuts - Independent Women's Forum

Imperium Bus

New models include the Imperium Bus, targeting the rapidly growing US electric bus market.

New models include the Imperium Bus, targeting the rapidly growing US electric bus market.

SURREY, British Columbia, March 18, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DSG Global, Inc. (OTCQB: DSGT)("DSGT" or the "Company") is pleased to announce multiple new models of electric vehicles (EVs) added to its growing product lineup. The Company also began taking $100.00 refundable reservation deposits for the Skywell ET5 SUV, URBEE 4s and the new T-01 Personal Mobility Vehicle.

DSG Global subsidiary Imperium Motor Corp. is expanding its T01personal vehicle line with a new mobility model. This model allows the user to control turning, braking, turn signals, horn and acceleration all from the handlebar without the use of foot pedals, a great option for those who need or wish to drive the T-01 with hand controls only.

Having already generated strong interest in the T-01, we are excited for the opportunity to begin to take new orders for the mobility model in the second quarter. Our goal is to facilitate freedom and independence for a segment of the population that historically been unable to drive due to high costs of adaptive vehicles. While it typically costs $500 - $2000 to modify a car to allow for hand controls, we are pleased to be able to offer the Adaptive Mobility Control T-01 model at NO additional cost. We plan to offer additional models for this segment in the future. Our partner, Jonway Group, has the ability to develop and perfect specialized vehicles at a faster pace than most other low-speed vehicle manufacturers, and we are delighted to have them as part of our team, stated Rick Curtis, President of Imperium Motor Corp.

3.6 million Americans do not leave their home because they are disabled or housebound. As a result, only 20% of people 18 to 64 work full or part time as compared to 75% of their non-disabled peers participating in the workforce.

In December, the U.S. Department of Transportations National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) proposed a rule to expand mobility for people with disabilities. This rule will make it easier for individuals with disabilities to achieve greater mobility and freedom in their lives, said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.

Also, arriving early in the second quarter will be our new Imperium 12 Meter Class Bus, offered in 35 to 60 seat arrangements with a maximum capacity of 95 passengers. Our electric bus has a 322-kWh battery and is liquid cooled with air suspension on all axles and includes two ADA compliant wheelchair tiedown positions with electric roll out ramp for ease of access.

The Imperium Bus has Better Ride Dynamics through itsmonocoque construction, which integrates the chassis and body as one part, providing better handling and performance compared to traditional body frameconstruction. The floor pan can be placed much lower usingmonocoque construction, giving the vehicle a lower center of gravity. This allows the vehicle to be more agile in terms of handling and provides easier entry for passengers.

DC Fast Charging is standard on the bus allowing extra-fast charging as well as heating and air conditioning as standard equipment as well. These are known to be one of the most reliable buses in the industry and are in demand worldwide.

The US electric bus market is anticipated to grow from $469 million in 2019 to $1.5 billion in 2024 and demand is expected to continue to outpace production capabilities.

Electric buses are generating fast growing demand across the U.S., primarily driven by support of federal and state governments (in form of subsidies and grants) for the adoption of zero-emission buses. Plug-in hybrids are expected to play a lessening role in the U.S. electric bus market, mainly due to their manufacturing complexity, high cost, and tailpipe emissions.

These bus models are extremely well priced compared to the other Electric Buses offered in this segment and with five dedicated assembly plants, our production time should be second to none. continued Curtis.

U.S. Electric Bus Demand Outpaces Production as Cities Add to Their Fleets

About DSG Global

DSG Global is an emerging global technology company with an array of interconnecting businesses in some of the fastest growing market sectors. With roots in the golf industry in which it specializes in fleet management with patented analytics, mobile touch screen engagement and electric golf carts under the Vantage Tag Systems (VTS) brand, the company is moving quickly with road-ready electric vehicles for sale in the first quarter of 2021 through its Imperium Motor Company subsidiary.

About Vantage Tag Systems

Vantage Tag Systems (VTS) provides patented electronic tracking systems and fleet management solutions to golf courses and other avenues that allow for remote management of the course's fleet of golf carts, turf equipment and utility vehicles. Its clients use VTS's unique technology to significantly reduce operational costs, improve the efficiency plus profitability of their fleet operations, increase safety, and enhance customer satisfaction. VTS has grown to become a leader in the category of Fleet Management in the golf industry, with their technology installed in over vehicles worldwide. VTS is now branching into several new streams of revenue, through programmatic advertising, licensing, and distribution, as well as expanding into Commercial Fleet Management, PACER single rider golf carts, and Agricultural applications. Additional information is available athttp://vantage-tag.com/

About Imperium Motor Company

Imperium Motor Company (IMC) is an EV sales and marketing company that offers a wide variety of affordable vehicles equipped for the North American market with emphasis on great design, a green mindset, performance, and functionality. Vehicles will include high speed, mid-speed, and low speed electric vehicles including cars, trucks, SUVs, vans, buses, and scooters. For additional information about Imperium Motors' product lines, please visitwww.imperiummotorcompany.com.

Company Contact:

Dave GentryRedChip Companies, Inc.Phone: (407) 491-4498dave@redchip.com

Brokers and Analysts:Chesapeake Group+1-410-825-3930info@chesapeakegp.com

Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking information. Such forward-looking statements or information are provided for the purpose of providing information about management's current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Any such forward-looking information may be identified by words such as "anticipated", "proposed", "expects", "intends", "may", "will", and similar expressions. Forward-looking information contained or referred to in this news release includes but is not limited to the Company's ability to secure manufacturing facilities and supply chains, the benefits the Company expects to derive from existing and planned products, and the Company's ability to achieve production and sales targets, generally.

Forward-looking statements or information are based on a number of factors and assumptions which have been used to develop such statements and information, but which may prove to be incorrect. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements or information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements because the Company can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to: negative cash flow and future financing requirements to sustain operations, dilution, limited history of operations and revenues and no history of earnings or dividends, competition, economic changes, delays in the Company's expansion plans, regulatory changes, and the impact of and risks associated with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic including the risk of disruption at the Company's facilities or in its supply and distribution channels. The forward-looking information in this news release reflects the current expectations, assumptions and/or beliefs of the Company based on information currently available to the Company.

Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by our forward-looking statements are described under the captions "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year 2020 and our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, all filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this release, and we expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to update forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

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DSG Global Expands EV Lineup with Two New Models Available in the Second Quarter - GlobeNewswire

As universities go, Ashoka University is still young. But it is, sadly, already in decline. It took only about seven years for its founders and trustees to let down the fundamental idea that animated its institution. It was, in its own words, a pioneer in its focus on providing a liberal education at par with the best in the world a private non-profit university, an unprecedented example of collective public philanthropy in India committed to maintaining the highest intellectual and academic standards. The resignation of Pratap Bhanu Mehta puts a question mark on those claims and credentials. One of the countrys pre-eminent scholars and public intellectuals, who unsparingly and courageously asks questions of power and the powerful, whoever they may be, whatever be their political colour The Indian Express is privileged to carry his columns on these pages has been compelled to step down, first as vice-chancellor and now as professor. The circumstances indict the universitys establishment as much as they point fingers at the political regime.

When it was set up, Ashoka University seemed to be taking an important step towards addressing a great deficit in higher education. The public university had long declined due to fiscal exhaustion and breakdown of the state system combined with the exit of the Indian elites from public institutions. That, over the last couple of decades or so, had led to the proliferation of private institutions, but mostly in professional education. In its stated commitment to the liberal arts, Ashoka seemed to make a prominent and welcome promise to harness the resources of private philanthropy to address failures and deficiencies of both the state and the market. Mehtas exit from its faculty is a seminal moment because it points to the universitys unwillingness and inability to protect the freedom of expression and ideas that is an inalienable part of that commitment. It is true that the challenge of institutional autonomy is sharpened terribly by the dominant political ideology that has shown a will to conquer all spaces, and which will not hesitate to weaponise the mandate to target dissent. It is also true that the larger environment is one in which the countervailing and unelected institutions that were supposed to, in the constitutional design, apply the check and maintain the balance, are not holding up. They are caving in.

And yet, Messrs Ashok Trivedi, Pramath Raj Sinha, Sanjeev Bikhchandani, Ashish Dhawan, Vineet Gupta, Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, Manish Sabharwal, to name just a few of the Universitys distinguished trustees, need to ask themselves: Where to, now? By bending when asked, they may have inaugurated the slide, and surrendered the possibilities of the universitys rise. Because vindictiveness feeds on cowardice. And because even though the institution cannot be equated with the individual, Mehtas departure sends out a signal much larger than him. As former Chief Economic Advisor and economist, Arvind Subramanian, who has also resigned saying he is devastated by Mehtas going, has put it: Ashoka can no longer provide a space for academic expression and freedom. Thats the message to students, faculty and to the next generation waiting to go to college. That a fancy campus and a bunch of glittering CVs does never an institution make.

Read more here:

Crawling on campus - The Indian Express