In conclusion, the matchup between Real Madrid and Atalanta promises to be a thrilling and competitive affair, with the potential for a showcase of individual brilliance from players such as Kylian Mbappe and Luis Muriel. Football enthusiasts can look forward to an exciting game that is sure to keep them on the edge of their seats until the final whistle blows.
In conclusion, the Israeli airstrikes in Syria last night have not only escalated the violence in the region but also sparked a significant shift in the geopolitical landscape. As tensions continue to rise, the international community must act swiftly to prevent a further deterioration of the situation and to pave the way for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Syria.In the world of international diplomacy, body language often speaks louder than words. Such was the case when President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron met for a highly anticipated summit, marred by yet another infamous display of awkward handshakes from the American leader.
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From his mesmerizing eyes that seem to hold a universe of secrets to his impeccably styled hair that frames his chiseled features, every detail of the S-Class Super Handsome Male Character PV exudes an aura of mystery and allure. Whether he is engaged in a fierce battle or simply standing tall in the midst of a breathtaking landscape, his presence on the screen is bound to leave players spellbound.In the wake of the controversy, the bigshot's carefully cultivated image as a smooth-talking Casanova began to crumble, revealing a darker and more troubling side to his persona. Former fans and followers quickly turned their backs on him, denouncing his behavior as inexcusable and unworthy of admiration.LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Voters dejected by the presidential election results need to find a way to give back and remain involved, Bill and Hillary Rodham Clinton said Saturday as they celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Clinton presidential library. The former president urged audience members in a packed theater to remain engaged and find ways to communicate with those they disagree with despite a divisive political time. The two spoke about a month after former President Donald Trump's win over Vice President Kamala Harris in the presidential election. “We’re just passing through, and we all need to just calm down and do something that builds people up instead of tears them down,” Bill Clinton said. Hillary Clinton, the former secretary of state who was defeated by Trump in the 2016 election, said she understands the next couple of years are going to be challenging for voters who don't agree with the decisions being made. "In addition to staying involved and staying aware, it’s important to find something that makes you feel good about the day because if you’re in a constant state of agitation about our political situation, it is really going to shorten your life," she said. The Clintons spoke during a panel discussion with journalist Laura Ling, who the former president helped free in 2009 when she was detained in North Korea with another journalist. The event was held as part of a weekend of activities marking the 20th anniversary of the Clinton Presidential Library's opening in Little Rock. The library is preparing to undergo an update of its exhibits and an expansion that will include Hillary Clinton's personal archives. Hillary Clinton said part of the goal is to modernize the facility and expand it to make it a more open, inviting place for people for convene and make connections. When asked about advice he would give for people disappointed by the election results, Bill Clinton said people need to continue working toward bringing people together and improving others' lives. “If that's the way you keep score, then you ought to be trying to run up the score,” he said. “Not lamenting the fact that somebody else is winning a different game because they keep score a different way." “And in addition, figure out what we can do to win again,” Hillary Clinton added, eliciting cheers. The program featured a panel discussion with cast members of the hit NBC show “The West Wing” and former Clinton White House staffers. The weekend amounted to a reunion of former Clinton White House staffers, supporters and close friends, including former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe and adviser James Carville. McAuliffe said he and Carville ate Friday at Doe's Eat Place, a downtown restaurant that was popular with Clinton aides and reporters during Clinton's 1992 White House run. He said he viewed the library and its planned expansion as important for the future. “This is not only about the past, but it's more importantly about the future," McAuliffe said. “We just went through a very tough election, and people are all saying we've got to get back to the Clinton model.”
Sixteen months after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu inaugurated the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms and two months into the transmission of the four tax reform bills to the National Assembly for consideration and approval, the exercise has been encumbered by confusion and apprehension The Bills – four in all – ought to have sailed enjoyed the legislatures’ endorsement but they are embroiled in a back-and-forth push with no headway. Fron the benefit of hindsight, it could be recalled that as a presidential aspirant in 2023, Bola Ahmed Tinubu hinted about his disposition for tax reforms as one of the primary goals of his administration. To lay a strong fiscal and revenue foundation for sustainable growth for the rest of his tenure and beyond, Tinubu believes an overhaul of tax laws was necessary. In validating the intention, Tinubu, on August 8, 2023, as a sitting inaugurated the Taiwo Oyedele’s Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform Committee, headed by an astute tax expert – Taiwo Oyedele. Oyedele not only hit the ground running, he embarked on consultations, traversing the breadth and lengths of the country, distilling essence for tax reform. His committee had audiences with members of civil society groups and engagement with media and other critical stakeholders – all aimed at galvanising inputs and feedback. The country currently has over 60 varieties of taxes administered disjointedly across three tiers of government. Oyedele said his committee will reduce the number of payable taxes to compact size numbers. Oyedele’s tax reforms committee comprises members of the public and private sectors. At the committee’s inauguration, Tinubu said the country cannot continue to tax poverty or production but should focus on returns, income, and consumption. He directed all government agencies, ministries, and departments to cooperate fully with the committee in achieving their mandate. “Within the scope of this mandate, the committee shall have as its objective the advancement of viable and cost-effective solutions to issues such as the multiplicity of revenue collection agencies, high cost of revenue administration, excessive burden of compliance on ordinary taxpayers, the lack of effective coordination between fiscal and other economic policies within and across levels of government, and poor accountability in the utilization of tax revenues.”. “I have given them a strong mandate, and I expect their report to cover tax reform, fiscal policy design and coordination, and the harmonisation of taxes and revenue administration, among other items. “Our target is to improve Nigeria’s revenue profile while making the business environment more conducive and internationally competitive. Our aim is to transform the tax system to support sustainable development while, at the same time, achieving a minimum of an 18 per cent tax-to-GDP ratio within the next three years. “In order to ensure seamless implementation, the Committee shall be empowered not merely to make recommendations but also to provide practical support to the government in the execution and delivery of the recommended changes. “The committee is expected to achieve its mandate within a period of one year. They are, in the first instance, expected to deliver a schedule of quick reforms that can be implemented within thirty days. Critical reform measures should be recommended within six months, and full implementation will take place within one calendar year,” Tinubu said. Provisions of the Tax Bills There four executive tax bills are the Nigeria Tax Bill, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill. Each bill addresses specific aspects of tax administration, compliance, and enforcement. Each bill is detailed, with clarity of explanation. It unearths existing tax lapses it seeks to address. For instance, the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024 is expected to provide the fiscal framework for taxation in the country. The Tax Administration Bill is to provide a legal framework for all taxes in the country and reduce disputes; the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill is to repeal the Federal Inland Revenue Service Act and establish the Nigeria Revenue Service, while the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill is to create a tax tribunal and a tax ombudsman. With regards to the tax administration bill, in relation to the business of mining, Section 20 (sub-section 1) of the new bill stipulates thus: “Every person engaged in the trade or business of mining shall, upon the coming into effect of this Act or upon commencement of operations, file a monthly self-assessment return of minerals royalty with the Service in the prescribed form. (2) Pay the correct royalty due to the government on the minerals sold or used at the prescribed rate in the Ninth Schedule to the Nigeria Tax Act. (3) The returns of royalty for each month shall be filed on or before the 21st day of the following month and shall be accompanied by the following: (a) registered number of quarrying or mining licenses; (b) type of mineral and weight; (c) location and labor used; (d) quarriable minerals in metric tons. These updates are a clear departure from the current situation in which those who engaged in the business of mining are elusive and largely unaccountable. Section (4) states that the service shall review the royalty returns filed and may reassess where necessary the royalty payable, and any additional royalty shall be paid. within 30 days of service of a notice of assessment of such additional royalty, while Section 21.-(1) notes that “a non-resident person engaged in the operation of transport by sea or air into Nigeria shall file monthly returns with evidence of payment of tax as specified under section 18 of the Nigeria Tax Act to the Service in respect of the carriage of passengers, mail, livestock, or goods shipped or loaded into an aircraft in Nigeria”. Other key highlights of the Bills, which have received maximum applause and thumbs down, are as follows: any business with less than N50 million turnover is exempted from tax payment, 90% of workers in the public and private sectors to be exempted from paying income tax; 82% of what low-income persons consume to be VAT-free, scrapping over 50 nuisances tax suffered by local businesses; VAT will no longer be calculated based on where the companies have their headquarters but where their goods are consumed and the rich will pay more tax while the poor will stop paying taxes of all sorts. Other provisions of the bills include the elimination of states collection of consumption tax, the share of the federal government’s VAT quota to reduce from 15 to 10 per cent while states and local government areas get 90 per cent of VAT collected; those earning less than N1.7m monthly will now pay less income tax; customs, NUPRC, and other government agencies will hand off the collection of tax; and restricting tax collection to one agency saddled with the responsibility of the collection of all taxes in Nigeria. Similarly, those earning less than N9 million per annum will have their income tax cut by half. When operational, the bill will lead to the abolition of other multiple tax laws like the stamp duty act, etc, while over 90 per cent of small businesses will no longer pay profit tax. It makes provision for a gradual increase of VAT from 10 per cent in 2025 to 15 per cent in 2030. Almost every good consumed by low-income earners will be exempted from VAT while it seeks reprieve for most Nigerian companies that pay over 60 types of tax and levies. Bill’s bumpy road to NASS Dusted, President Bola Tinubu in October transmitted four bills to the National Assembly. One of them sought requests to rename the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS). The National Assembly began legislative deliberations on the bills expeditiously. The Bills reading had progressed to the second reading before it encountered a stalemate. Contentious VAT imbroglio Some portions of the tax reform bill deemed injurious to the socio-economic development of a section of the country stirred controversy. The Northern governors called for the halting of further debate by the National Assembly on the tax reform bill. The governors from the region voiced their opposition to a clause in the VAT provision that provided for the derivation-based model for Value Added Tax distribution. They argue that the suggested approach would disadvantage the northern states and other less industrialized regions. Expressing discontent with the policy, the governors said that VAT is currently remitted based on the location of company headquarters rather than where goods and services are consumed. They added that the measure will negatively affect the distributed revenue from the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee. Based on concerns about the bills generated, the National Economic Council (NEC), in its last meeting presided over by Vice President Kashim Shettima, advised the president to withdraw the four bills to allow for more consultation. The NEC took the decision at its meeting held at the Presidential Villa. Membership of the NEC includes the governors of Nigeria’s 36 states. Responding to NEC advice, President Tinubu, in a statement by his spokesperson, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, urged the NEC to allow the process to take its full course. President Tinubu welcomes further consultations and engagement with key stakeholders to address any reservations about the bills while the National Assembly considers them for passage,” he said. The pressure from Northern governors and other partisan groups became fierce and unrelenting. In the face of sustained mounting pressure from northern governors and 73 northern members, the House of Representatives halted the bill’s discussion indefinitely. Potpourri of views The tax bills have elicited diverse views, throwing up a potpourri of thoughts. Executive Director of the Patriots for the Advancement of Peace and Social Development, Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, took a swipe at some state governors opposing President Bola Tinubu’s tax reforms bill. Shinkafi, a former national secretary of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), made this known during an interview. He noted that the opposition was indicative of laziness and a lack of innovation in governance. Shinkafi argued that much of the criticism stems from a lack of understanding. In addition, he accused regional leaders of perpetuating economic stagnation and underdevelopment. A former governor of Abia State and senator representing Abia North, Senator Orji Kalu said the Federal Government made a mistake not to have carried the National Executive Council (NEC), Nigeria Governors’ Forum, and the Council of State along in its tax reform bills. Orji Kalu, who spokein an interview with Arise Television, opened up on the controversial tax reform bills, saying the bills are very progressive and would bring back fiscal federalism in Nigeria. “As I told you before, the bill is very progressive. It will bring back fiscal federalism. Many senators have not been briefed. I think the federal government made a mistake. The initiators of the bills would have briefed the National Economic Council, Governors’ forum”. On his part, former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, advised the National Assembly not to rush the debate on the tax reform bill before them. Obi, on his X handle, also wants Nigerians, whom he identifies as sole beneficiaries, to be involved in the enactment of the bill. “Tax reform is a critical issue, and there is nothing wrong with pursuing it. However, such reforms must be subject to robust public debate,” Obi said. He welcomed the idea of a public hearing, describing it as essential, as it allows Nigerians from all walks of life to engage meaningfully. This is how we build public trust and ensure inclusivity in policymaking,” the former candidate stated. According to him, matters of this magnitude require extensive deliberation and careful consideration, adding, “They should never be rushed. Public hearings must be conducted to allow for diverse opinions and inputs.” Obi further advised that when considering tax reforms and similar issues, it is insufficient to focus solely on the benefits to the government, particularly in terms of increasing revenue collection. He wants Nigerians to take into account the overall impact on the nation and the sustainability of all its regions. In his contribution, the Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate in the last election, Atiku Abubakar, urged lawmakers to be transparent about the public hearing process on President Bola Tinubu’s tax reform bills. He shared his view via his X official handle. Atiku wrote: “Nigerians are united in their call for a fiscal system that promotes justice, fairness, and equity. They are loud and clear that the fiscal system we seek to promote must not exacerbate the uneven development of the federating units by enhancing the status of a few states while unduly penalizing others.” The apex socio-cultural organization from the South-east, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, joining the South-west, South-south, and North-central parts of Nigeria, supported the landmark bills expected to significantly alter the existing fiscal framework. Ndigbo, in a statement issued by the Secretary General of the body, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, noted that the bills represent a transformative opportunity for the rejuvenation of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and the enhancement of the fortunes of Nigerian workers. The Bills also sparked rowdy session at the House of Representatives. A member of the House, Ghali Mustapha Tijjani, representing the Albasu/Gaya/Ajingi constituency of Kano State, described the four reform bills before the National Assembly as “anti-people” and must be rejected. In an interview with newsmen at the National Assembly, Tijani said the bills are not in public interest and should be withdrawn for proper consultations and inputs from all stakeholders. “I have a background in finance, as a student of International Corporate Finance, so I have an idea of what all this is all about. The bills actually are not in tandem with public interest, and they’re not pro-masses. “This is a capitalist bill, and for such a reason, I, Dr. Ghali Mustafa Tijjani, am rejecting this bill as a member that represents the people. I’m in the Parliament to ensure that my people are well represented and Nigerians have all the benefits and dividends of democracy. Therefore, these tax reform bills are capitalistic in nature and are siphoning the poor, so to say”, he stated. Re-engaging stakeholders Rather than throwing out the four bills as some interest groups would suggest, Oyedele, said the federal government will re-engage stakeholders. Speaking at a town hall meeting on “Tax Reform Bills: Charting the Way Forward,” hosted by a national television network, Oyedele said the committee was rather ready to repeat engagements with stakeholders. According to him, now that the bills appeared to have generated renewed interest from stakeholders, who hitherto showed no interest, the committee was prepared to repeat the engagement process. He said consultation will also continue even after the bills have been passed into law. Commenting on allegations that the presidential tax reform committee did not consult the state governors, Oyedele said, “No, they won’t say we didn’t consult them. They are saying we need to consult more, which we agree with because consultation will never end. Even after passing the bills, we must continue to consult. Presidency dispels partisanship politics In the heat of controversy trailing the implementation of the bills, Presidency dismissed claims that the proposed tax reform bills before the National Assembly would impoverish northern Nigeria or disproportionately benefit Lagos and Rivers states. Onanuga restated that the reforms aim to improve the quality of life for all Nigerians, particularly the disadvantaged, and streamline tax administration to foster a better business environment. The statement followed concerns raised by Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, who claimed that the proposed Value Added Tax (VAT) sharing model might favor Lagos and Rivers states – the fears Oyedele has dispelled. To further assuage ill thoughts harbored by some group of persons on the bills, President Tinubu directed the Justice Ministry to work with the National Assembly on concerns over tax bills. Mr. Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation on behalf of the government, said, “President Tinubu and the administration will continue to champion policies that close the loopholes and gaps through which Nigeria’s valuable public resources have been frittered away for decades.”. “On top of this necessary foundation, the resources being conserved and realized from these reforms will be invested in critical infrastructure (healthcare, education, transportation, digital technology, etc.) and in social investments that will benefit all Nigerians and ensure that no one is left behind. This is the promise and the reality of the Renewed Hope agenda.” All said, there is no denying that in spite of the arguments against them, many informed observers strongly believe that the tax reforms bills are vital for the development of the nation and the sustainability of the various sections. It therefore, behooves on the Tinubu to strategically engage the National Assembly, the state governors and the people on the benefits derivable for the bills.Arsenal's Emirates Stadium: A Historic Past and a Glorious Future
Another key advantage of personal pension plans is portability. Unlike traditional pension plans tied to a specific employer, personal pension plans are portable and can be carried from one job to another, providing individuals with continuity and stability in their retirement savings journey. This portability feature offers individuals the flexibility to change jobs or careers without disrupting their retirement savings strategy.Title: Mac Mini Expansion and Upgrade Guide: Easily Enhance Your Setup with ORICO Mini SeriesThe circumstances surrounding Liu Dabeili's passing have raised questions and concerns about the safety and implications of cosmetic surgeries, particularly when performed on seemingly healthy individuals. While liposuction is a commonly performed procedure with generally favorable outcomes, there are inherent risks and potential complications that must be carefully considered before undergoing such surgery. The tragic outcome in this case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of thorough evaluation and caution when it comes to elective medical procedures.
That didn't work... jobless aid scheme to buy lawnmowers, suits and even steam irons to help people find work writes off £3MILLION
