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card game 7 8 PPP committee decides to meet govt panel to address coalition concerns

Trump aims to deport all immigrants in US illegally WASHINGTON: US President-elect Donald Trump aims to deport all immigrants in the US illegally over his four-year term but wants a deal to protect so-called “Dreamer” immigrants, he said in an interview that aired on Sunday on NBC News’ “Meet the Press with Kristen Welker.” Trump also said he plans to take executive action on his first day in office to try to end birthright citizenship, which confers citizenship on anyone born in the US regardless of their parents’ immigration status. The president-elect also said he would “very quickly” look at pardons for supporters jailed for storming the US Capitol after his 2020 election defeat to Joe Biden. Trump, a Republican who won a second term in the White House promising mass deportations, is expected to declare illegal immigration a national emergency when he takes office on Jan. 20 and draw on resources from across the federal government to support a wide-ranging crackdown. The US Department of Homeland Security estimated some 11 million immigrants were in the US illegally as of January 2022, although the figure is likely higher today. In the NBC News interview, Welker asked Trump if his plan was to deport everyone without legal status. “I think you have to do it,” Trump said. “It’s a very tough thing to do. You know, you have rules, regulations, laws.” Trump said he wanted a deal to protect “Dreamer” immigrants brought to the US illegally as children, saying Republicans are open to the idea. During his 2017-2021 presidency, Trump tried to end a programme that provides deportation relief and work permits to the immigrants, but was rebuffed by the Supreme Court. Trump’s plans to try to end birthright citizenship will likely face legal challenges. The right stems from an amendment to the US Constitution and is supported by 1898 Supreme Court precedent. Speaking to Welker, Trump suggested Republicans may need to pursue a constitutional amendment to address the issue - an arduous process. “We’ll maybe have to go back to the people,” he said. Trump’s incoming border czar Tom Homan and deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller both told Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures” that Congress should provide a major funding increase for immigration enforcement. The pro-immigration American Immigration Council estimated that deporting all immigrants in the US illegally over more than a decade would cost $88 billion annually. Homan said the minimum needed would be near that amount. “We’re going to need as much money as Congress can get us,” he said.A range of independent TDs are contemplating the prospect of entering Ireland’s next coalition government as Fianna Fail and Fine Gael consider ways to secure a solid majority. Three long days of counting in the General Election finished late on Monday night when the final two seats were declared in the constituency of Cavan-Monaghan. Fianna Fail was the clear winner of the election, securing 48 of the Dail parliament’s 174 seats. Sinn Fein took 39 and Fine Gael 38. Labour and the Social Democrats both won 11 seats; People Before Profit-Solidarity took three; Aontu secured two; and the Green Party retained only one of its 12 seats. Independents and others accounted for 21 seats. The return of a Fianna Fail/Fine Gael-led coalition is now highly likely. However, their combined seat total of 86 leaves them just short of the 88 needed for a majority in the Dail. While the two centrist parties that have dominated Irish politics for a century could look to strike a deal with one of the Dail’s smaller centre-left parties, such as the Social Democrats or Labour, a more straightforward route to a majority could be achieved by securing the support of several independent TDs. For Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin and current taoiseach and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris, wooing like-minded independents would be likely to involve fewer policy concessions, and financial commitments, than would be required to convince another party to join the government benches. Longford-Westmeath independent TD Kevin “Boxer” Moran, who served in a Fine Gael-led minority government between 2017 and 2020, expressed his willingness to listen to offers to join the new coalition in Dublin. “Look, my door’s open,” he told RTE. “Someone knocks, I’m always there to open it.” Marian Harkin, an independent TD for Sligo-Leitrim, expressed her desire to participate in government as she noted that Fianna Fail and Fine Gael were within “shouting distance” of an overall majority. “That means they will be looking for support, and I certainly will be one of those people who will be speaking to them and talking to them and negotiating with them, and I’m looking forward to doing that, because that was the reason that I ran in the first place,” she said. Meanwhile, the Social Democrats and Irish Labour Party both appear cautious about the prospect of an alliance with Fianna Fail and Fine Gael. They will no doubt be mindful of the experience of the Green Party, the junior partner in the last mandate. The Greens experienced near wipeout in the election, retaining only one of their 12 seats. Sinn Fein appears to currently have no realistic route to government, given Fianna Fail and Fine Gael’s ongoing refusal to share power with the party. Despite the odds being stacked against her party, Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald contacted the leaders of the Social Democrats and Labour on Monday to discuss options. Earlier, Fianna Fail deputy leader and outgoing Finance Minister Jack Chambers predicted that a new coalition government would not be in place before Christmas. Mr Chambers said planned talks about forming an administration required “time and space” to ensure that any new government will be “coherent and stable”. After an inconclusive outcome to the 2020 election, it took five months for Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and the Greens to strike the last coalition deal. Mr Chambers said he did not believe it would take that long this time, as he noted the Covid-19 pandemic was a factor in 2020, but he also made clear it would not be a swift process. He said he agreed with analysis that there was no prospect of a deal before Christmas. “I don’t expect a government to be formed in mid-December, when the Dail is due to meet on December 18, probably a Ceann Comhairle (speaker) can be elected, and there’ll have to be time and space taken to make sure we can form a coherent, stable government,” he told RTE. “I don’t think it should take five months like it did the last time – Covid obviously complicated that. But I think all political parties need to take the time to see what’s possible and try and form a stable government for the Irish people.” Fine Gael minister of state Peter Burke said members of his parliamentary party would have to meet to consider their options before giving Mr Harris a mandate to negotiate a new programme for government with Fianna Fail. “It’s important that we have a strong, stable, viable government, whatever form that may be, to ensure that we can meet the challenges of our society, meet the challenges in terms of the economic changes that are potentially going to happen,” he told RTE. Despite being set to emerge with the most seats, it has not been all good news for Fianna Fail. The party’s outgoing Health Minister Stephen Donnelly became one of the biggest casualties of the election when he lost his seat in Wicklow in the early hours of Monday morning. Mr Donnelly was always predicted to face a fight in the constituency after boundary changes saw it reduced from five to four seats. If it is to be a reprise of the Fianna Fail/Fine Gael governing partnership of the last mandate, one of the major questions is around the position of taoiseach and whether the parties will once again take turns to hold the Irish premiership during the lifetime of the new government. The outcome in 2020 saw the parties enter a coalition on the basis that the holder of the premier position would be exchanged midway through the term. Fianna Fail leader Mr Martin took the role for the first half of the mandate, with Leo Varadkar taking over in December 2022. Current Fine Gael leader Mr Harris succeeded Mr Varadkar as taoiseach when he resigned from the role earlier this year. However, this time Fianna Fail has significantly increased its seat lead over Fine Gael, compared with the last election when there were only three seats between the parties. The size of the disparity in party numbers is likely to draw focus on the rotating taoiseach arrangement, raising questions as to whether it will be re-run in the next coalition and, if it is, on what terms. On Sunday, Simon Coveney, a former deputy leader of Fine Gael, said a coalition that did not repeat the rotating taoiseach arrangement in some fashion would be a “difficult proposition” for his party. Meanwhile, Fine Gael minister Paschal Donohoe said he would be making the case for Mr Harris to have another opportunity to serve as taoiseach. On Monday, Mr Chambers said while his party would expect to lead the government it would approach the issue of rotating the taoiseach’s role on the basis of “mutual respect” with Fine Gael. “I think the context of discussions and negotiations will be driven by mutual respect, and that’s the glue that will drive a programme for government and that’s the context in which we’ll engage,” he said. On Monday, Labour leader Ivana Bacik reiterated her party’s determination to forge an alliance with fellow centre-left parties with the intention of having a unified approach to the prospect of entering government. Asked if Labour was prepared to go into government with Fianna Fail and Fine Gael on its own, she told RTE: “No, not at this stage. We are absolutely not willing to do that. “We want to ensure there’s the largest number of TDs who share our vision and our values who want to deliver change on the same basis that we do.” The Social Democrats have been non-committal about any potential arrangement with Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, and have restated a series of red lines they would need to achieve before considering taking a place in government. Leader Holly Cairns, who gave birth to a daughter on polling day on Friday, said in a statement: “The party is in a very strong position to play an important role in the next Dail. In what position, government or opposition, remains to be seen.” Fianna Fail secured the most first preference votes in Friday’s proportional representation election, taking 21.9% to Fine Gael’s 20.8%. Sinn Fein came in third on 19%. While Sinn Fein’s vote share represented a marked improvement on its disappointing showing in June’s local elections in Ireland, it is still significantly down on the 24.5% poll-topping share it secured in the 2020 general election. The final breakdown of first preferences also flipped the result of Friday night’s exit poll, which suggested Sinn Fein was in front on 21.1%, with Fine Gael on 21% and Fianna Fail on 19.5%.

Since it started as a hashtag in 2012, Giving- Tuesday, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, has become one of the biggest fundraising days of the year for nonprofits in the U.S. In 2022 and 2023, GivingTuesday raised $3.1 billion for charitable organizations, according to estimates from GivingTuesday. This year, GivingTuesday is on Dec. 3. The #GivingTuesday hashtag started as a project of the 92nd Street Y in New York in 2012 and became an independent organization in 2020. It’s grown into a worldwide network of local organizations that promote giving in their communities, often on different dates that have local relevance, like holidays. Now, GivingTuesday, the nonprofit, also convenes researchers working on topics about everyday giving. It collects data from a wide range of sources like payment processors, crowdfunding sites, employee giving software and institutions that offer donor-advised funds, a kind of charitable giving account. The hashtag was started to promote generosity and the nonprofit continues to promote giving in the broadest sense. For nonprofits, the point of GivingTuesday is to raise money and engage their supporters. Many will be familiar with the barrage of email and mail appeals that coincide on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. Essentially all major American nonprofits will organize fundraising campaigns and many smaller, local groups also participate. Nonprofits don’t have to be affiliated in any way with GivingTuesday, the organization, to run a fundraising campaign. They can just do it, though GivingTuesday provides graphics and advice. In that way, it remains a grassroots effort with groups and donors participating however they like. That depends on how success is measured, but it certainly has grown far beyond the initial effort to promote giving on social media. The day has become an enduring and well-known event that seeks to center charitable giving, volunteering and civic participation in the U.S. and around the world. For years, GivingTuesday has been a major focus of fundraising for nonprofits, with many seeking to organize matching donations from major donors and to leverage their networks of supporters to contribute. It is the beginning of the end-of-year fundraising rush, as nonprofits seek to reach their budget targets for the following year. Donations on GivingTuesday in 2022 and 2023 reached $3.1 billion, an increase from $2.7 billion in 2021. While that’s a lot to raise in a single day, the trend last year was flat and with fewer donors giving, which the organization said is a worrying sign. Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Charlamagne Says 'Old Ass' Biden Shouldn't Give 'Preemptive Pardons' To Trump Rivals: 'Don't That Make You Look Guilty?'

Nearly half a dozen institutions of higher education separately announced plans this week to make tuition free for undergraduates who meet certain income requirements, reflecting a growing nationwide effort to make college more affordable. The schools span states from Massachusetts to New Mexico, and include some of the country's leading universities. They all announced their initiatives within days of each other. And while the specific financial requirements for current students applicants vary between schools, all are slated to take effect in fall 2025. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, for example, says undergraduates with family income below $200,000 can attend tuition free starting next year, up from its current threshold of $140,000. It said in its announcement that 80% of American households meet the updated threshold. "The cost of college is a real concern for families across the board, and we're determined to make this transformative educational experience available to the most talented students, whatever their financial circumstances," said President Sally Kornbluth. "So, to every student out there who dreams of coming to MIT: Don't let concerns about cost stand in your way." Nearly 2,000 miles away, the University of Texas System announced that undergraduates at any of its nine academic institutions whose families make $100,000 or less will receive free tuition and fees. "To be in a position to make sure our students can attend a UT institution without accruing more debt is very important to all of us, and as long as we are here, we will continue our work to provide an affordable, accessible education to all who choose to attend a UT institution," Kevin Eltife, chairman of the Board of Regents, said in a statement . The average college sticker price — which covers tuition and fees before scholarships and other aid are factored in — increased by about 5.5% for private schools and roughly 2.3% for public schools in the 2024-2025 academic year, according to U.S. News and World Report . The average in-state cost of tuition and fees to attend a public college this year is $11,011, compared to $24,513 for out-of-state students. The average cost for private colleges is $43,505. The flurry of announcements comes as a growing number of Americans seem to be questioning whether college is worth the cost. This year saw a drop in freshman enrollment and a rise in acceptance rates , at least at some schools — a sign that young people may have less interest in going to college these days. A 2023 Pew Research Center survey found that only one in four U.S. adults say it's extremely or important to have a four-year college degree in order to get a well-paying job these days, while only 22% say the cost of getting a four-year college degree is worth it even if someone has to take out loans. Americans owe some $1.6 trillion in student loans as of June of this year, a 42% increase from a decade ago, according to Pew Research Center . Thirty-six percent of adults under 40 who have at least a four-year college degree have outstanding student loan debt. President Biden's efforts at student loan relief remain largely tied up in the courts , and the future of federal forgiveness is even more uncertain under the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump. Free tuition is one way that some colleges may be trying to win over wary would-be applicants. All of the institutions that announced free tuition this week acknowledged the high cost of college, and the role they can play in making it more accessible. Here's a look at the initiatives: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) MIT says tuition will be free for students whose families make less than $200,000 a year. And for those whose families make less than $100,000, "parents can expect to pay nothing at all toward the full cost of their students' MIT education" — meaning the school will cover not only tuition but housing, dining, fees and an allowance for books and personal expenses. That threshold will rise from $75,000 this year. MIT says the average cost of attending without financial aid is about $86,000, though most students pay a median annual cost of $12,938. The school is one of only a handful in the U.S. that does not consider applicants' ability to pay as part of its admissions process — one of a number of steps it says it is taking to make an MIT education more accessible. "With the need-based financial aid we provide today, our education is much more affordable now than at any point in the past, even though the 'sticker price' of MIT is higher now than it was when I was an undergraduate," said Stu Schmill, dean of admissions and student financial services who was a member of the class of 1986. The University of Texas system The UT system will cover tuition and fees for undergraduates whose families make $100,000 or less, after its board voted to send $35 million — from endowment distributions and other resources — directly to all nine of its universities. In their announcement , officials said this move makes the UT system "the first in Texas, and one of the few in the U.S., to offer such a sweeping financial aid benefit." It's one of the largest state university systems in the country, with more than 256,000 students enrolled at its academic and health institutions . Eligible students must be Texas residents, enroll full-time in undergraduate programs and apply for applicable federal and state financial aid. Officials describe this week's announcement as just the latest step in their effort to ensure that "every qualified Texan who aims to earn a bachelor's degree from a UT institution can do so, regardless of financial circumstances." In 2019, the Regents set up an endowment to cover tuition and fees at UT Austin for in-state students from families making up to $65,000. In 2022, they expanded that program to all UT academic institutions. Carnegie Mellon University Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh says students from families earning less than $75,000 annually will be able to attend tuition free starting in 2025 thanks to its new CMU Pathway Program . Additionally, students from families earning less than $100,000 annually will "have the opportunity to pursue their studies without the burden of federal student loans." Eligible students are new and returning undergraduates who are either U.S. citizens or permanent residents and whose families have typical assets for their income, officials say. "We want every student who has earned a spot at CMU to be able to join us and thrive regardless of their family's financial resources or socioeconomic status," said President Farnam Jahanian. "The CMU Pathway Program represents our greatest investment so far in realizing this powerful vision." The university said it has increased its investment in undergraduate financial aid from $76 million in 2015 to $141 million in 2024, and that the percentage of CMU students with federal loans has dropped from 52% in 2019 to 28% in 2024. St. John's College St. John's College — the third-oldest college in the country, with campuses in Annapolis, Md., and Santa Fe, N.M. — says it will soon cover tuition for students from families who make $75,000 or less. "U.S. citizens and permanent residents who submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), show total income of $75,000 or less, and have typical assets are guaranteed to receive institutional and federal grants equal to or greater than the cost of freshman year tuition," officials announced this week . Those grants will remain the same after freshman year unless income or assets change, they added. Students may also receive grants, loans and work study opportunities to reduce the cost of housing and food, depending on individual financial need. The college previously raised more than $326 million to lower tuition by a third in 2018 — undergraduate tuition for this academic year costs $39,356. "St. John's has benefited from the unwavering commitment of our alumni and friends," said St. John's College Santa Fe President J. Walter Sterling. "Their generous philanthropic support has been decisive in sustaining the excellence and integrity of our academic programs and extending the scholarships needed to open the door wide to students from all walks of life." Brandeis University Brandeis University in Waltham, Mass., announced a new financial aid initiative called The Brandeis Commitment . Starting next fall, incoming students from families with total incomes of less than $75,000 annually will receive total grants and scholarships covering their full tuition, while those from families earning less than $200,000 annually will receive grants and scholarships totaling 50% of their tuition. Tuition for the current academic year is about $67,000, according to the university. In its announcement , Brandeis said students don't need to fill out an extra application for the program — they will be considered for it when they submit their financial aid applications. The program is not available to returning, international and graduate students, though Brandeis stresses it will continue to meet 100% of demonstrated need for all current and future students. "The Brandeis Commitment will provide more clarity for prospective students and families who want to have a better sense of the aid they will receive before they apply," said Jennifer Walker, dean of admissions.SHARPSVILLE — When she was first nominated for the 2025 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year, Dr. Jennifer Toney said she was excited to meet the other nominees and see what the teachers could teach each other. Although the title ultimately went to secondary teacher Leon Smith from the Haverford Township School District in Havertown, Delaware County, Toney said the experience of traveling to Harrisburg and meeting so many other educators was “an honor.” “I’m still processing things, because this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” Toney said Wednesday after returning from the event. “It was a very emotional and very exciting experience.” Toney, a third-grade English language arts teacher at Sharpsville Area Elementary School, was one of 11 finalists recognized during the SAS Institute, the state Department of Education’s annual professional development conference. The conference was held Sunday through Wednesday at Hershey Lodge in Hershey, Pa. Toney said the candidates did have some knowledge of each other through some Zoom calls prior to the conference, but it was a “wonderful opportunity” to meet the other finalists in-person and share their experiences. The judges from the Pennsylvania chapter of the National State Teacher of the Year program even said it was “impossible” to compare the different candidates, due to the diverse backgrounds, styles and qualifications each candidate brought to the table. Toney, who wore her Sharpsville-blue jacket for the conference, was joined by Sharpsville Area Elementary School Principal Ericka Dungee and Toney’s former student Benny Bissell, now in sixth grade. Since each finalist was allowed to have a former student represent them, Benny gave a brief yet humorous speech where he introduced Toney, “the best teacher ever.” “He was amazing and he definitely gave it his Blue Devil Best,” Toney said of Benny. Even though the title of 2025 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year ultimately went to Smith, Toney said she and the other finalists will continue to be active in National State Teachers of the Year events. Smith in particular will represent Pennsylvania at multiple local, state and national functions. “As a team, we already have plans to support our organization and Smith, so we’re going to have a grueling schedule for the next two years,” Toney said. Toney said she was excited to return to class and share her experience with the students, as well as the importance of being grateful and supporting someone. “There is no losing in something like this, it just shifts the platform on how I can lead and advocate for teachers and students,” Toney said. For any teachers who may be nominated as state 2026 Teacher of the Year, Toney strongly recommended getting to know their fellow finalists and the share best practices that can benefit the next generation of teachers. “I’ve learned so much from the other finalists, and we should remember what it was like when we were starting out as teachers and the people who helped us,” Toney said. Toney has worked at Sharpsville Area School District for 16 years. She is a 2002 graduate of DuBois Central Catholic High School and received dual degrees in early childhood education and elementary education from Gannon University in Erie in 2006. She received her masters of education degree from Gannon in 2008. Toney received her PhD with a focus on curriculum and instruction from Kent State University in 2017. Aside from her career as an educator and her work with the NSTOY Pennsylvania chapter, Toney is involved with the Pennsylvania Council of Teachers of English and the Pennsylvania Association for Educational Communications and Technology. Like David L. Dye on Facebook or email him at .

Syria latest: Syrians celebrate in the streets as Russian media says Assad has arrived in Moscow

SYRIA | UNDER SIEGE BEIRUT — Insurgents' stunning march across Syria accelerated Saturday with news that they had reached the gates of the capital and that government forces had abandoned the central city of Homs. The government denied rumors that President Bashar Assad had fled the country. The loss of Homs is a potentially crippling blow for Assad. It stands at an important intersection between Damascus, the capital, and Syria's coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus — the Syrian leader's base of support and home to a Russian strategic naval base. The pro-government Sham FM news outlet reported that government forces took positions outside Syria's third-largest city, without elaborating. Rami Abdurrahman who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said Syrian troops and members of different security agencies have withdrawn from the city, adding that rebels have entered parts of it. The insurgency announced later Saturday that it had taken over Homs. The city's capture is a major victory for the rebels, who have already seized the cities of Aleppo and Hama, as well as large parts of the south, in a lightning offensive that began Nov. 27. Analysts said rebel control of Homs would be a game-changer. The rebels' moves around Damascus, reported by the monitor and a rebel commander, came after the Syrian army withdrew from much of southern part of the country, leaving more areas, including several provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters. For the first time in the country's long-running civil war, the government now has control of only three of 14 provincial capitals: Damascus, Latakia and Tartus. The advances in the past week were among the largest in recent years by opposition factions, led by a group that has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the United Nations. In their push to overthrow Assad's government, the insurgents, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, have met little resistance from the Syrian army. The rapid rebel gains, coupled with the lack of support from Assad's erstwhile allies, posed the most serious threat to his rule since the start of the war. The U.N.'s special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, on Saturday called for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an "orderly political transition." Speaking to reporters at the annual Doha Forum in Qatar, he said the situation in Syria was changing by the minute. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, whose country is Assad's chief international backer, said he feels "sorry for the Syrian people." In Damascus, people rushed to stock up on supplies. Thousands went to Syria's border with Lebanon, trying to leave the country. Many shops in the capital were shuttered, a resident told The Associated Press, and those still open ran out of staples such as sugar. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!Jefferies Predicts Up to ~1000% Surge for These 2 ‘Strong Buy’ StocksCareer Horoscope Today: Astrological Predictions on December 8, 2024, For All Zodiac SignsAhead of the 2025 fiscal year, Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube faced a daunting task on Thursday: revitalising Zimbabwe’s economy and filling the coffers of a Government encountering challenges to meet its obligations. In 2024, Government coffers came short, forcing Treasury to order ministries, departments and Government agencies (MDA) to prioritise spending. In a letter to the MDAs, Treasury said during the last quarter of the year, priority will be given to support social protection programmes, “which are still lagging behind in terms of their budget utilisation”. This is after revenue projections fell short of expenditures. During the first nine months of the year, total revenue collections amounted to ZiG62,4 billion, against expenditures amounting to ZiG66,5 billion. Consequently, a budget deficit of ZiG4,1 billion was recorded. Total revenue collections to year end are projected at ZiG110,7 billion, while expenditures are expected at ZiG119,97 billion (18,4 percent of GDP), resulting in a projected deficit of ZiG9,3 billion. With a constrained fiscal space, Treasury relied heavily on borrowing and even faced accusations of excessive money printing. The fiscal deficit as at September 2024 stood at ZiG4,1 billion and was financed through issuance of securities amounting to ZiG2,3 billion and drawdown of bank balance carried forward from the previous financial year. The year 2025 is not expected to be any better. In line with the projected GDP growth of 6 percent, during 2025, revenue collections are estimated at ZiG 270,3 billion (19,6 percent of GDP) while the 2025 fiscal framework provides for overall expenditures of ZiG276,4 billion or 20,1 percent of GDP. In US dollar terms, the Fiscal Framework translates to a GDP of approximately US$38,2 billion, revenues of US$7,5 billion and expenditures of US$7,7 billion. Mthuli said the budget deficit will be financed from the domestic markets and external sources. However, even after accounting for borrowing, the spending envelope still fell short of vote allocations. During the 2025 National Budget formulation stage, MDAs submitted total bids of over ZiG$700 billion, against the available budget envelope of ZiG 276,4 billion. This is more than double the ceiling of revenue collection capacity of 19,6 percent of GDP. To address this, Mthuli embarked on an ambitious plan to broaden the tax base by tightening existing tax administration and introducing new taxes and regulations. One such measure was the imposition of a “Fast Foods Tax” on popular items like pizza, burgers, and shawarma that will attract a tax rate of 0,5 percent on the sales value, with effect from 1 January 2025. The betting industry was not spared. A 10 percent withholding tax was imposed on the gross winnings of sports betting punters, aiming to tap into this growing sector. Furthermore, a wide range of businesses, from fabric and clothing merchandisers to car dealers and lodges, are now mandated to register for corporate and personal income tax. Failure to comply would result in hefty penalties. Mthuli proposed that any operator that fails to register and account for taxes be compelled to pay tax between US$9 000 and US$15 000. “I, further, propose to empower ZIMRA to temporarily close businesses which fail to adhere to the above requirements, including failure to register for tax purposes, until such registration and payment of applicable taxes are completed,” said Mthuli. To monitor transactions and enhance tax compliance, even small businesses were required to adopt the Virtual Fiscalisation System. “I, propose to extend the Virtual Fiscalisation System for the recording of VAT taxable transactions to Micro and Small Enterprises whose turnover falls below the VAT registration threshold for purposes of monitoring sales, during the first quarter of 2025. “This will assist in promoting transparency and ultimately enhance tax compliance by Micro and Small Enterprises,” said Mthuli. The mining sector also came under scrutiny. Mineral royalties were included in the definition of taxes, and mining companies were required to register for income tax before applying for mining rights. “I, therefore, wish to emphasise that, in the general interest of the public, royalties shall be payable on any mineral or mineral bearing ore or products during any period of assessment. “In addition, I propose that the Minister responsible for Finance be empowered to designate any mineral as being subject to royalties, notwithstanding the provisions of any other legislation. The Government also introduced a Special Capital Gains Tax on the transfer of mining rights. “I propose that no mining company should be allowed to make any application for mining rights without registration for Personal and Corporate Income Tax. “While these measures aimed to increase revenue, Mthuli also acknowledged the need for tax relief. The personal income tax-free threshold was adjusted to provide relief to taxpayers. “I propose to review the local currency Tax-Free Threshold to ZiG2 800 per month and accordingly adjust the tax bands,” said Mthuli. Additionally, the Capital Gains Withholding Tax on marketable securities was reduced. “I, therefore, propose that marketable securities be subject to Capital Gains Withholding Tax at a rate of 1 percent on the gross value of the price at which the security is sold, with effect from January 1, 2025. To promote environmental sustainability, the Government introduced a 20 percent Plastic Carrier Bag Tax and provided incentives for the use of electric vehicles and solar power. Trigrams Investment analyst, Walter Mandeya, said the success of these measures will depend on effective implementation and enforcement. “As Zimbabwe navigates its economic challenges, the Government’s ability to strike a delicate balance between taxation and economic growth will be crucial,” he said. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s economy is poised for significant growth in 2025, with projections indicating a 6 percent expansion. While slightly lower than the initial forecast of 6,5 percent, this figure represents a significant rebound from previous years including 2024, which is expected to grow by just 2 percent. Key sectors driving this growth include agriculture, which is expected to surge by 12,8 percent, powered by favourable weather conditions and increased investment. The energy sector, specifically electricity generation, is projected to grow by 10.6 percent, alleviating power shortages and boosting industrial activity. The information technology sector, a burgeoning industry, is anticipated to expand by 9,9 percent, fueled by increasing digital adoption and innovation. The mining sector, a traditional economic mainstay, is expected to grow by 5,6 percent, driven by rising commodity prices and increased investment in mining operations. On the demand side, private consumption is projected to be the primary driver of growth in 2025, with an estimated 6,6 percent increase. This is attributed to a strong recovery in household spending as economic conditions improve. Government consumption is also expected to contribute to growth, albeit at a more modest pace of 5,3 percent. Gross fixed capital investment is projected to rebound significantly from 0.5 percent in 2024 to 4,6 percent in 2025. This surge in investment is expected to be driven by the private sector, which is increasingly confident in the country’s economic outlook. The economy is expected to experience stable inflation in 2025, with a projected average month-on-month inflation rate of less than 3 percent. This stability is attributed to the implementation of tight fiscal and monetary policies. While US dollar year-on-year inflation increased from -2,9 percent in January 2024 to 3,3 percent in November 2024, the outlook for the exchange rate remains positive. Mandeya, however, called for caution. “While these projections are promising, it is crucial to note that several challenges remain. These include high levels of debt, infrastructure deficits and political uncertainty. ‘However, with prudent economic policies, sustained reforms, and a conducive business environment, Zimbabwe has the potential to unlock its economic potential and achieve sustainable growth,’ said Mandeya. Source: Business Weekly

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