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Nashville Embraces Underground Transit With A 10-Mile Boring Company Loop

by THEFUTURE.TEAM
July 30, 2025

Nashville is poised to join the ranks of cities transforming urban mobility through innovative transit solutions. In a high-stakes public-private initiative, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and Elon Musk’s The Boring Company have unveiled plans for a 10-mile underground loop connecting downtown Nashville and its convention center to the local airport. The project, backed entirely by private investment, promises to redefine the region’s transit landscape without burdening taxpayers.

Expanding Beyond Las Vegas

The planned loop marks The Boring Company’s second operational transit system after its successful debut in Las Vegas, where the firm has already delivered three million Tesla rides within its convention center tunnels. Although the venture began with ambitious concepts such as an elevator-sled system to combat surface gridlock, the current design resembles an efficient people-mover that offers reduced construction disruption, particularly appealing in a bustling city like Nashville.

Detailing The Strategic Vision

Local officials, in concert with The Boring Company and undisclosed private partners, are set to embark on a public evaluation process to assess potential routes and secure community stakeholder input. While construction awaits the clearance of necessary approvals, the governor’s office anticipates that the initial segment could serve Nashville commuters as early as fall 2026.

Balancing Innovation With Safety And Operational Concerns

Governor Lee’s announcement highlights an impressive safety record from the Las Vegas deployment—a 99.57% safety and security rating from the Department of Homeland Security and Transportation Security Administration. Despite these accolades, the rapid pace of operations at The Boring Company has raised serious concerns among its workforce. Past accounts from industry reports have cited safety challenges and labor pressures, underscoring the broader debate over balancing innovative transport solutions with employee welfare.

Looking Forward

If realized, Nashville’s underground loop could serve as a pivotal case study in modern urban infrastructure. With an emphasis on minimizing traffic disruption and accelerating commuter transit times, the project aligns with a growing trend of cities embracing advanced technologies to tackle urban congestion. As the planning phase unfolds, stakeholder engagement and rigorous safety oversight will be paramount to ensuring this ambitious venture fulfills its promise.

EU E-Commerce VAT Systems Generate €257.9 Million Revenue for Cyprus in 2024

by THEFUTURE.TEAM
August 11, 2025

Robust Revenue Growth Through Streamlined VAT Collection

Cyprus has demonstrated a significant fiscal boost in 2024 with €257.9 million generated from the European Union’s e-commerce VAT systems, according to Tax Commissioner Sotiris Markides. This impressive performance underscores the effectiveness of the One Stop Shop (OSS) and Import One Stop Shop (IOSS) frameworks in simplifying cross-border tax compliance.

Simplified Procedures for EU and Non-EU Businesses

The OSS system allows Cyprus-registered businesses to streamline VAT declaration and payment on sales to consumers in other EU countries. Companies simply register on the local OSS platform, apply the consumer’s VAT rate, aggregate their submissions quarterly or monthly, and remit a single consolidated payment. Subsequently, Cyprus allocates the appropriate share to each respective EU country. This efficient process extends to non-EU sellers as well, who can have their intra-EU distance sales managed under the Union Scheme.

Breakdown of VAT Revenue Streams

Last year’s declarations under the various schemes illustrate the system’s broad reach: €217.9 million was collected via the Union Scheme, €36.9 million through the Non-Union Scheme, and €3.1 million via the Import Scheme. While the Union Scheme caters to both EU and non-EU sellers engaging in distance sales, the Non-Union Scheme specifically accommodates non-EU firms delivering services to EU consumers. Furthermore, the Import Scheme targets goods valued at less than €150 that are imported from outside the EU.

Implications and Broader Impact

Implemented in July 2021 as an evolution from the more limited MOSS system, these reforms have not only consolidated tax collection through an expansive OSS but also integrated the IOSS for low-value imports. By designating certain online marketplaces as “deemed suppliers,” the new framework ensures that VAT collection is both efficient and equitable. Across the EU, these mechanisms have generated over €33 billion in VAT revenues in 2024, reflecting a successful effort to simplify tax compliance, reduce administrative burdens, and promote fair taxation across the bloc.

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