Author: i2wtc
In 2019, the Indiana legislature passed a bill that would offer eligible data centers significant sales tax exemptions. The legislation said facilities packed with state-of-the-art servers could avoid the state’s 7% tax when purchasing equipment and power. The measure was a boon for large tech companies that have been rapidly building out data centers and was heavily backed by a trade association representing the industry. Similar tax incentives have been passed elsewhere. Today nearly all states that have sales taxes offer data centers exemptions on computers, wires, air-conditioning units and, in some cases, even the energy required to keep it all running.Demand…
Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)BEIJING, June 20 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping met with New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in Beijing on Friday, calling on both sides to place greater emphasis on cooperation.For more than 50 years, since the establishment of diplomatic ties, China-New Zealand relations have long been at the forefront of China’s relations with Western developed countries, Xi said.As the China-New Zealand comprehensive strategic…
ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Finance was informed on Thursday that the federal government has decided to abolish tax exemptions for Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and Special Technology Zones (STZs) in line with the IMF conditions. During a meeting chaired by Senator Saleem Mandviwalla on Thursday, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial briefed the committee that under the IMF agreement, all tax exemptions must be phased out by 2035. He stated that going forward, no SEZ or STZ will receive any form of tax relief. “Our hands are tied,” Langrial remarked, adding that tax concessions and…
Members of the California National Guard stand guard outside the Federal Building before a curfew takes effect in Los Angeles on June 10, 2025, following days of protests in response to federal immigration operations that saw clashes spread across downtown. Benjamin Hanson | Afp | Getty ImagesAn appeals court on Thursday allowed President Donald Trump to keep control of National Guard troops he deployed to Los Angeles following protests over immigration raids.The decision halts a ruling from a lower court judge who found Trump acted illegally when he activated the soldiers over opposition from California Gov. Gavin Newsom.The deployment was…
Listen to article ISLAMABAD: In a paradoxical move, the government on Thursday decided to import 750,000 metric tonnes of sugar after having already exported nearly the same quantity during the current fiscal year — a move that has driven domestic prices sharply higher, benefitting sugar millers. The move has raised questions over the rationale behind the government’s earlier approval of sugar exports, which critics warned would hurt domestic supply and inflate prices. The new plan includes submitting a policy for the import of 250,000 metric tonnes of raw sugar to the cabinet for approval, while 500,000 metric tonnes of refined sugar have…
CHITRAL: Shandur Polo Festival will start from Friday (today) in the highest polo ground of the world and it will continue for three days with matches between the teams of Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) being the major event. The tourists will also enjoy cultural and musical evenings while fireworks and enthralling musical concerts will be arranged at night time. Arranged by the district administrations of Lower and Upper Chitral districts with the financial assistance of KP Culture and Tourism Authority, the event has been included in the calendar of events of the province. Tourists have started arriving here to proceed…
BELARUS’ Aryna Sabalenka hits a return against Rebeka Masarova of Spain during their Berlin Open round-of-16 match at Steffi Graf Stadion on Thursday.—AFP BERLIN: Aryna Sabalenka completed a 6-2, 7-6(6) win over Swiss Rebeka Masarova on Thursday to reach the Berlin Open quarter-finals, concluding a match that had been suspended on Wednesday because of slippery conditions. French Open champion Coco Gauff, however, crashed out after a 6-3 6-3 loss to Chinese qualifier Wang Xinyu in a failed start to her grass campaign, less than two weeks before Wimbledon. Belarusian Sabalenka, playing for the first time since losing to American Gauff…
ISLAMABAD: A day after the landmark meeting between US President Donald Trump and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir at the White House, Pakistan on Thursday reiterated its opposition to a military solution and emphasised diplomacy as the preferred way to resolve the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran. At his weekly news briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan stated that the Pakistani delegation, led by the field marshal, likely conveyed Islamabad’s concerns and stance on the escalating conflict during the meeting. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) also released a statement confirming a “detailed exchange” between the two sides on…
SRI LANKAN opener Pathum Nissanka is clean bowled by Bangladesh pacer Hasan Mahmud during their first Test at the Galle International Cricket Stadium on Thursday.—AFP GALLE: Pathum Nissanka’s career-best 187 helped Sri Lanka finish the third day of the first Test against Bangladesh in a strong position here at the Galle International Stadium on Thursday, only 127 runs off the Tigers’ first innings score. The 27-year-old opener anchored the Sri Lanka innings before they finished on 368-4 at the close of play, behind Bangladesh’s 495. He struck several key partnerships before he was bowled by Hasan Mahmud towards the end…
Listen to article ISLAMABAD: In a bid to expand the tax base, the federal government has proposed tough new measures under the Finance Bill, seeking to restrict unregistered businesses from operating bank accounts and to disconnect their electricity and gas connections, Express News reported on Thursday. The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Finance on Thursday granted conditional approval to the move, directing the inclusion of procedural safeguards. During a meeting of the committee chaired by MNA Syed Naveed Qamar, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial briefed lawmakers on the proposed amendments. He stated that businesses not registered for sales…