Tag: Public Finance
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State Audit Findings: Latvia’s Shadow Economy Plans Fall Short
Introduction: A Persistent Challenge The shadow economy—economic activity outside official statistics and tax obligations—remains a persistent challenge for Latvia. Since 2010, authorities have repeatedly sought to curb informal work, tax evasion, and undeclared income. A recent state audit assessment underscores that, despite ongoing reforms, the country’s plans to combat the shadow economy have not achieved…
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Scottish Budget 2026: Live Updates as Shona Robison Unveils Spending and Tax Plans
Live Updates: Scotland’s Budget 2026 Unveiled Finance Secretary Shona Robison has laid out Scotland’s budget for 2026, outlining how the government intends to fund essential services, infrastructure, and growth. The announcements include a substantial capital investment programme, potential tax adjustments, and a series of measures aimed at stimulating the economy while protecting public services. Here…
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Scottish Budget 2026-27: Tough Tax and Spending Plans
Overview: A Budget Under Scrutiny The Scottish Government is preparing to unveil its draft Budget for 2026-27, a package that will shape public services and the country’s economic direction for the coming year. Finance Secretary Shona Robison has signaled that the administration faces difficult choices as it seeks to balance revenue with the spending commitments…
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CAG Applauds TARURA for Transforming Tanzania’s Road Network
Government Watchdog lauds TARURA’s role in road revamp The Controller and Auditor General (CAG), Charles Kicheere, has publicly commended the Tanzania Rural and Urban Roads Agency (TARURA) for its significant strides in improving the country’s road infrastructure since its inception. The commendation comes as TARURA continues to implement expansive programs aimed at linking rural communities…
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Tech Titans at a Crossroads: Pay the Billionaire Tax or Flee California?
California faces a pivotal choice as a billionaire tax proposal moves toward a voter decision California lawmakers are confronting a defining moment that could reshape where the state stands in the global tech economy. A proposed billionaire tax aimed at residents with net worth in the tens of millions or more — threshold details still…
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Imee: The 2026 Budget’s Sneakiest Corners — What We Know About Unprogrammed Spending
Understanding the claims: Is the 2026 budget really “clean”? The charge making rounds in Manila headlines is provocative: the 2026 national budget, totaling P6.793 trillion, is not as clean as some observers claim. The central claim is that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. did not veto any specific spending items. Instead, the lines he struck…
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The Phoenix Problem: How UK Recruitment Firms Use “Phoenixism” to Dodge Taxes
What is Phoenixism and why it matters Phoenixism, in the context of UK business, describes a pattern where an insolvent company is restructured, rebranded, or reacquired by the same directors or shareholders who presided over its downfall. The restarted entity often continues trading with little to no disruption for clients and workers, but crucially, it…
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Museveni Calls Wakiso Residents to Monitor Government Funds
Overview: A Call for Fiscal Vigilance In a recent engagement with residents of Wakiso District, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) presidential flagbearer for the 2026 general elections, underscored the importance of accountability in public finance. He urged citizens to closely monitor how government funds are allocated and spent, arguing that vigilant…
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SARA and STR Rollout to Begin in Stages This Month, Says Anwar
Malaysia Announces Staged Rollout of SARA and STR Aid This Month In a move aimed at easing household finances, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) and the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) assistance programmes will be credited in stages starting this month. The staged approach is designed to ensure…
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How the Ancients Invested in Precious Metals: Lessons from Gold, Silver, and Copper
Introduction: Wealth, Security, and Metals in the Ancient World From antiquity to early imperial eras, precious metals were more than decorative objects. They acted as durable stores of value, systems of exchange, and strategic tools for wealth management. In a society where credit markets were rudimentary and coinage varied by region, metals like gold, silver,…