FINANCE

Lee Kuan Yew is often cited as the clearest modern example of a “benevolent dictator”, a leader who combined strict authoritarian governance with relentless anti-corruption enforcement and economic planning to transform Singapore from a fragile post-colonial port into one of the world’s richest states. Singapore’s rise from poverty after independence …

Stanford 20/20 was a Caribbean cricket tournament created by financier Allen Stanford that helped project the image of a powerful global banking empire while his company Stanford International Bank secretly operated a multibillion-dollar Ponzi scheme. Launched in Antigua in 2006, the competition transformed regional cricket overnight with unprecedented prize money, …

Estate tax policy is entering a new phase of debate as proposals in New York to increase death taxes from 16% to 50% highlight how governments may increasingly target inherited wealth. The discussion has intensified following comments attributed to New York political figures advocating higher taxation on estates to address …

Many successful entrepreneurs appear less academically intelligent because financial success often rewards action, risk tolerance, and simplicity more than analytical perfection. In business and entrepreneurship, the traits that produce wealth frequently differ from those rewarded in school or traditional employment. Academic systems emphasise precision, correctness and risk avoidance, while markets …

Birth rates in Trinidad and Tobago have fallen sharply over the past five decades, creating a structural demographic shift that threatens economic growth, the sustainability of public pensions, and the financial security of future retirees. The country’s crude birth rate declined from about 29 births per 1,000 people in the …

Unrealised gains tax is a policy that taxes investors on increases in asset value before those assets are sold, and the Netherlands’ new 36% rule marks the most aggressive modern implementation of this concept. Beginning in 2028, Dutch investors will face annual tax bills based on the rising value of …

Skills-first hiring practices and digital credentials represent a fundamental shift in the global recruitment landscape as employers move away from traditional degree requirements to focus on verifiable competencies. This transition addresses the widening gap between traditional academic output and the immediate technical needs of the modern workforce. Digital badges and …

Everything is turning into betting because structural economic pressure, financial disillusionment and digital platform design have made high-risk speculation feel rational to a generation that sees traditional wealth-building as unattainable. Wage growth has lagged inflation across developed economies, housing affordability has deteriorated, and the mathematics of compounding appears too slow …

Guyana’s oil boom has positioned it as a credible candidate to become the next Dubai, provided it converts rapid petroleum wealth into diversified, rules-based development. Since the 2015 offshore discovery led by ExxonMobil, more than 11 billion barrels of recoverable oil have transformed Guyana into the world’s fastest-growing economy. GDP …

The imperative for comprehensive elder care planning arises from the reality that aging often necessitates external assistance that carries significant financial and logistical burdens. Proactive preparation allows individuals to maintain autonomy, protect accumulated assets, and reduce the emotional strain on family members who might otherwise be forced into crisis-driven decision-making. …