#spending

The Trump White House has requested $87.6 billion in spending, which includes funding for military operations related to Iran. This request is expected to encounter significant challenges in Congress, particularly after a recent vote aimed at limiting Trump's war powers, according to Al Jazeera.

U.S. health care spending is expected to exceed $6 trillion in 2026, largely due to increased use of medical services and a significant rise in prescriptions for GLP-1 receptor agonists, which are used to treat diabetes and obesity. According to government data, total spending reached $5.7 trillion in 2025, indicating a continuing upward trend in health care costs.

Municipal spending on consultants in South Africa reached R1.6 billion in the 2024/2025 financial year, a significant increase from R586 million in the 2014/2015 financial year. This rise indicates a growing trend where consultants are taking on roles traditionally held by municipal officials, particularly in the preparation of financial statements.