Fiscal

• A European Audiovisual Observatory panel at the Marché du Film in Cannes on May 21, 2026, analyzed the current state of fiscal incentives and cash rebates in European cinema. • The discussion highlighted diverse national strategies, including Italy's use of project caps and tax credits, and Portugal's enhanced incentive rates for sustainable "green" productions. • Experts noted significant regulatory differences, such as the UK's BFI cultural certification requirements and France's distinct provisions for domestic versus international independent producers.

Bookies’ favourite to replace Keir Starmer tones down stance on government borrowing to assuage City investorsUK politics live – latest updatesAndy Burnham has always faced a narrow path to replace Keir Starmer as prime minister: a tricky byelection, a leadership contest that is yet to be declared, and a far from constructive bond market backdrop.In making his pitch, assuaging City investors in particular has led the Greater Manchester mayor to dance on a pin. Continue reading...

Lord committee says chancellor and recent predecessors have allowed themselves too little room for manoeuvreBusiness live – latest updatesRachel Reeves should aim to run a “significantly larger” buffer against her fiscal rules, according to a report from a House of Lords committee that says the UK’s public debt is on an unsustainable trajectory.The chancellor raised taxes at last year’s budget in order to more than double the “headroom”, or buffer, against her fiscal rules to £22bn – some of which is expected to be eroded by the impact of the Iran war. Continue reading...

• Pakistan secured a $6 billion IMF bailout package on Monday after the International Monetary Fund approved a revised structural adjustment program focused on tax increases and subsidy reductions. • The agreement requires Islamabad to implement value-added tax increases and privatize state-owned enterprises within the next 18 months, measures intended to stabilize the country's external account deficit. • The U.S. welcomed the agreement, with Treasury officials noting that Pakistan's fiscal stabilization is important for regional economic security and counterterrorism financing oversight.

• The White House released a sequestration order for Fiscal Year 2027 under Section 251A of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act. • The order enforces automatic spending cuts across federal budgets to address deficit concerns amid ongoing fiscal debates. • It impacts discretionary spending in defense and non-defense categories, potentially affecting thousands of programs.

• Senators introduced the Fiscal Commission Act mirroring House version to create commission recommending fiscal health policies. • Commission aims to tackle rising U.S. debt through targeted policy proposals amid ongoing budget concerns. • Bill provides structured approach for bipartisan fiscal reforms without specifying exact recommendations upfront.

• Comtech Telecommunications Corp., a U.S.-based provider of satellite, NG911, and cloud-native tech, will release Q2 fiscal 2026 results after market close on March 16, 2026. • Leadership will host a conference call at 4:30 p.m. ET, with live webcast on comtech.com and dial-in options including (800) 225-9448. • Replay available through March 30 via (800) 839-1198, covering operations, trends in mission-critical communications for government and commercial clients.