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Senate Approves Bill Elevating Artemis With Billions in New Funding Amid Industry Dispute

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

July 3, 2025

Senate Endorses Enhanced Artemis Funding

The U.S. Senate recently passed President Trump’s budget reconciliation bill, allocating an additional $10 billion to NASA’s flagship Artemis program. This decisive move reinforces the commitment to legacy aerospace systems, including supplemental funding for the Space Launch System (SLS) rockets and the lunar Gateway station, a critical component for sustained lunar operations.

Industry Debate Over Technology and Investment

Critics of the program, notably SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and entrepreneur Jared Isaacman, have long challenged the cost-efficiency of the SLS—a one-time-use launch vehicle costing billions per mission compared to SpaceX’s reusable fleet. Musk has consistently argued that launching a billion-dollar rocket for single-use operations is unsustainable. With recent reports from NASA’s oversight bodies suggesting production costs may approach $2.5 billion per rocket, these concerns underscore the ongoing debates over technological strategy in space exploration.

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Political and Corporate Showdown

The approval of the funding package not only provides a boost to traditional aerospace firms such as Boeing, L3Harris’ Aerojet Rocketdyne, and Northrop Grumman but also sets the stage for further political and corporate friction. Isaacman, during his Senate confirmation hearings, questioned the long-term viability of the SLS despite endorsing its use for the upcoming Artemis missions. This skepticism resonates amid the broader tension following the abrupt dismissal of Isaacman’s nomination, hinting at deeper divides within the space industry leadership and political spheres.

Strategic Budgetary Commitments

The bill details significant allocations, with approximately $4.1 billion earmarked for additional SLS rockets to support Artemis missions 4 and 5 and $2.6 billion aimed at finalizing the construction of the Gateway station. Furthermore, the funding package extends to include $700 million for a Mars Telecommunications Orbiter, $1.25 billion to support the International Space Station’s operations, and $325 million to incentivize SpaceX’s development of a dedicated de-orbit spacecraft for the ISS—a contract that totals $843 million.

Looking Forward

Despite the fiscal proposals in the president’s earlier budget, which envisioned phasing out the SLS and Orion spacecraft after Artemis III, Congress has opted to sustain heavy investments in these legacy systems. As the space industry continues to balance innovation with established practices, the unfolding scenario hints at a prolonged rivalry between proponents of reusable technology and advocates for proven, albeit costlier, aerospace solutions. The ongoing debate is poised to influence not only technological trajectories but also the broader framework of U.S. space policy in the years ahead.

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Cyprus Tax Authorities Target Undeclared Digital Earnings

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

October 24, 2025

Cyprus is intensifying its scrutiny on undeclared income from digital channels, as a new audit reveals widespread non-compliance among roughly 300 individuals and entities—including several foreign residents. The investigation, spearheaded by advanced social media monitoring, highlights income omissions from platforms like OnlyFans, which surged in prominence during the pandemic as creators monetized their content through paid subscriptions.

Advanced Monitoring Uncovers Significant Gaps

The Cyprus Tax Department’s sophisticated analytical tools uncovered numerous cases where both local and foreign earners failed to report revenue. Instances of income reaching up to €500,000 have been detected, underscoring a critical gap in fiscal reporting as digital transactions continue to grow.

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Diverse Professional Sectors Under Scrutiny

The audit did not solely target digital creators; it also extended to diverse sectors including beauticians, taxi drivers, hairdressers, travel agents, and small business owners. Notably, over 50 taxi operators were found to have undeclared income surpassing €100,000—often processed via electronic payments—highlighting a broader trend of non-compliance across various service-driven industries.

EU Directives and Enhanced Transparency Measures

The enforcement framework has been bolstered by EU Directive 2011/16/EU (DAC7), which mandates that digital platforms, since July 2021, submit comprehensive user data—such as identities, tax residences, and annual incomes—directly to national tax authorities. This system, supplemented by the One Stop Shop (OSS) VAT mechanism, is instrumental in closing regulatory loopholes and ensuring cross-border financial transparency.

Expanding Focus to a Broad Range of Digital Platforms

Beyond OnlyFans, authorities are extending their audits to include income generated from YouTube, Twitch, Instagram, and other online marketplaces. By correlating bank records with online activity and spending patterns, regulators are keenly focused on individuals whose lifestyles do not match their reported incomes, ensuring equitable tax compliance across traditional and digital domains.

Implications for the Evolving Online Economy

While OnlyFans is primarily recognized for adult content, its platform also serves a wide range of professionals including musicians, fitness trainers, and artists. This comprehensive local investigation into digital earnings underscores the principle that all income—whether digital or traditional—must be declared under Cypriot law. With formal notices set to be dispatched, and the threat of backdated taxation, fines, and even criminal proceedings looming over persistent offenders, the tax department aims to safeguard fiscal integrity in an increasingly digital economic landscape.