Recent posts

#31

Off the Record / Re: [Canada] Canadian Politics...

Last post by crazy canuck - Today at 05:57:20 AM

I can't remember the details of the last report I read regarding the terms of the contract with the Americans but my vague recollection is we are only obligated to take a few if their jets at this point. That cost may be worth the advantages the Swedish deal presents. Not the least if which is disengaging with an untrustworthy partner.

#32

Off the Record / Re: Russo-Ukrainian War 2014-2...

Last post by Tamas - Today at 05:33:10 AM

Amateurs, Hungary has had 27% Vat for like a decade now.

#33

Gaming HQ / Re: Europa Universalis V confi...

Last post by Tamas - Today at 05:26:10 AM

I feel like Johan is tying himself into a completely unnecessary knot with this extremely convoluted levy vs regular combat system. Make them start equal, give regulars buffs through some stuff if you have to, but come on they are superior to levies just on account of not emptying your production buildings when at war.

https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/threads/levy-vs-regulars-some-information-from-tinto.1876702/

[Russian lawmakers approve tax hike bill to boost economy as the war with Ukraine nears 4 years]

#34

Off the Record / Re: Russo-Ukrainian War 2014-2...

Last post by Syt - Today at 02:18:23 AM

https://apnews.com/article/russia-economy-tax-vat-budget-war-ukraine-fbdcc44e609d6ae0a29552cf00c6891b

Russian lawmakers approve tax hike bill to boost economy as the war with Ukraine nears 4 years

Russian lawmakers endorsed new tax hikes on Tuesday as Moscow looks for new revenue sources to boost its economy during its nearly four-year war with Ukraine.

Legislators in the lower house of parliament, the State Duma, approved the key second reading of a bill that will raise value-added tax from 20% to 22%. The changes are expected to add as much as 1 trillion rubles (about $12.3 billion) to the state budget.

The new legislation also lowers the threshold for businesses required to collect VAT from 60 million rubles (about $739,000) in annual sales revenue to 10 million rubles (about $123,000). The changes, which will be introduced in stages up to 2028, are designed to stop firms from dividing their operations to avoid taxes. But they are also expected to hit many small businesses that were previously exempt.

The move is just one part of a swathe of new taxes that the Kremlin hopes will aid Russia's slowing economy. One new initiative will scrap the special, concessional rate on a state "recycling fee" for cars, largely targeting high-priced, imported vehicles.

Other proposals have included increasing taxes on spirits, wine, beer, cigarettes and vapes, as well as adding duties on technology items such as smartphones and notebooks.

After two years of robust growth fueled by military spending, Russia's economy shrank at the start of 2025 and is on course for growth this year of only around 1%, according to government estimates. Growth has suffered from high central bank interest rates, currently at 16.5%, which have been aimed at controlling inflation of 8% fueled by state defense purchases.

In the Russian government's draft budget for 2026, which was also approved by lawmakers Tuesday, Russia's military spending was set at 12.93 trillion rubles ($159 billion) — or 16.84 trillion rubles (207 billion), including spending on security and law enforcement.

The bills must now be approved once more by the lower house, before moving to the upper house and being signed by President Vladimir Putin to become law.

Last month:

https://tvpworld.com/89408373/russia-finance-ministry-rules-out-higher-taxes-on-wealthy

'Simply excessive': Russia's finance ministry dismisses calls to tax super-rich

Russia's Finance Ministry has rejected calls to raise income taxes for the country's wealthiest citizens, saying such a move would be "simply excessive" as the Kremlin's war in Ukraine continues to strain the nation's economy.

I think in hindsight it was a bad career decision of mine to not be born/become super-rich, regardless of country.

#35

Off the Record / Re: The EU thread

Last post by Razgovory - Today at 12:10:38 AM

If you want to drop large ordonnance at range you will probably need something heavy.

#36

Off the Record / Re: [Canada] Canadian Politics...

Last post by Bauer - Today at 12:07:16 AM

So is there any chance the gripen can work for Canada?  I'd love to see a partnership like that, but it seems pretty hard to move on from the F35 at this stage.

#37

Off the Record / Re: Russo-Ukrainian War 2014-2...

Last post by Razgovory - Today at 12:07:11 AM

Oh see, I was heavily criticized for thinking he had strong ties to France.

You were?

I have both passports.

It's in the Palestine thread.

#38

Off the Record / Re: Russo-Ukrainian War 2014-2...

Last post by Tamas - November 18, 2025, 11:37:49 PM

Yeah... I believe conscription is probably a positive social force (barring massively abusive systems like what the Russians apparently have), though I feel a bit hypocritical saying so since I wasn't conscripted myself.

My best friend at the time went into the army as a conscript, a lean, non-smoking 18 years old. Came out 9 months later an overweight chain smoker. Plus all the other stories I heard. Fuck that. I am sure nostalgia made it out to be a great thing for people who never left their town\village for more than a day except when they were in the army.


I accept it may be a necessary institution but the last time it was used it was meant to keep a constant mass army by rotating the youth, robbing 1-2 years of their lives. Bringing that back feels unnecessary. A shorter bout to make sure there is some training, plus a more robust voluntary reserve force, that would make more sense to me.

#39

Off the Record / Re: Russo-Ukrainian War 2014-2...

Last post by Jacob - November 18, 2025, 11:02:09 PM

Oh see, I was heavily criticized for thinking he had strong ties to France.

By whom?

#40

Off the Record / Re: The EU thread

Last post by Zoupa - November 18, 2025, 11:01:36 PM

10 ton drones lol. Are we in the 90s? These things will be blown out of the sky on day 1 against a peer adversary. There's a reason Bayraktar videos disappeared after the 1st month of the war. There's a reason Ukraine never requested the Reaper drones from the US.