Latest news with #IRBM
Scoop
30-06-2025
- General
- Scoop
Tide Of Change In Philippines As Women Revive Watersheds And Livelihoods
Onshore, women in this tropical zone gather to mend torn nets, sort the day's catch, and prepare their harvests for the market. Among them is Christina Guevarra, who gently frees a blue swimming crab from her net. 'From February to May, we are grateful,' she told the UN ahead of the International Day of the Tropics marked annually on 29 June. 'But after these months, especially when the rainy season begins, we have to find other ways to earn.' Simple but hard life Christina's family, like many others in Sasmuan, relies on the river's bounty, a livelihood increasingly threatened by dwindling fish populations and environmental degradation. 'It's difficult in coastal communities like ours because we are so dependent on the river's harvests,' she explained. 'Life for us fishers is simple, but it's also hard.' For generations, the local people have depended on the Sasmuan Pampanga coastal wetlands, part of a watershed that drains into Manila Bay. But pollution, poor waste management, and unsustainable practices now imperil its biodiversity and the local economy. 'The wastes we see in the river also come from upstream communities,' said Irene Villar, Assistant Head of Pampanga's Environment and Natural Resources Office. 'Even with proper waste disposal and policies in place, enforcement remains a challenge.' To address these issues, the Integrated River Basin Management (IRBM) Project which is financed by the Global Environment Facility, implemented by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) has partnered with the Provincial Government of Pampanga and local groups to promote sustainable practices including not only on conserving waterways but also on uplifting vulnerable communities—especially women. In Sasmuan, women like Edna Bilacog and Rose Ann Tungol find work at a Materials Recovery Facility, sorting household waste. Their pay, about 175 pesos a day (US$4), is well below the local minimum wage. 'What we earn barely meets our needs,' they admit, but their work helps sustain their families. Net gain Others, like Maricar Guevarra, have relied on traditional crafts. A skilled weaver for over 20 years, she earns about $4 per repaired net and $13 for a large one known as a panti, which takes four days to complete. 'This has been my main source of income, especially when my husband fell ill,' she said. To make ends meet, she also does laundry and sells home-cooked meals. Women also lead the crab trade, detangling crustaceans from nets and preparing them for market, though unsustainable aquaculture from nearby fishponds threatens their livelihood. In response, many have diversified. During the off-season, they work as helpers, labourers, or store employees in nearby towns. In the village of Batang 2nd, a women's group turns sea purslane, a wild riverbank weed, into atchara (pickled salad), while on the mainland, Patricia Culala has built a business around crab paste. 'The fat from the crab is the tastiest part—that's what I preserve and sell in bottles,' she explained. 'Through this business, I was able to send my children to school.' The women of Sasmuan are both resilient and innovative. But without sustainable solutions, their future remains uncertain. Fair wages, community-led conservation, and responsible river management are essential to preserving the wetlands, and the lives they nourish.
Time of India
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Putin's Oreshnik missile sparks panic — what's inside this weapon alarming the US and EU?
Oreshnik missile is Russia's newest hypersonic weapon now entering mass production after proving its power in Ukraine. Announced by President Vladimir Putin, the Oreshnik can reach speeds of Mach 10, carry multiple warheads, and strike targets as far as 5,500 km. Its first combat use was in Dnipro, Ukraine, where it destroyed a defense plant. Now, with plans to deploy it in Belarus, tensions are rising. Ukraine demands sanctions on over 20 Russian defense firms involved. With unmatched speed and range, the Oreshnik missile is shaping the future of warfare—and possibly the balance of power across Europe. Russia begins mass production of the Oreshnik missile, a Mach 10 hypersonic weapon tested in Ukraine. With powerful warheads and long range, this missile could reshape defense strategies across Europe, as tensions rise and Ukraine urges fresh sanctions on Russian firms. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads What exactly is the Oreshnik missile, and how deadly is it? How does Oreshnik compare with other Russian hypersonic missiles? Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Why is Ukraine calling for new sanctions over the Oreshnik? What are Russia's deployment plans for the Oreshnik missile? Is the Oreshnik a response to the collapse of the INF Treaty? Could a missile 'duel' with the U.S. really happen? Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads FAQs: Russia has officially begun mass production of its advanced Oreshnik missile system, a next-generation hypersonic weapon that has already seen real combat use in Ukraine. The announcement came directly from President Vladimir Putin during a meeting with military academy graduates, signaling Moscow's renewed focus on strategic missile development amid rising global tensions. Described as an intermediate-range ballistic missile, the Oreshnik has reportedly been built to outmaneuver existing Western missile defense systems with speeds reaching Mach 10 and carrying warheads powerful enough to rival a nuclear strike—without technically being Oreshnik missile system, classified as a medium-to-intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM), can reportedly strike targets up to 5,500 kilometers away. The weapon made headlines in November 2024 after being used for the first time in Ukraine. Launched from Russia's Astrakhan region, it struck the Pivdenmash defense plant in Dnipro from 1,000 kilometers to Russian officials, the missile can carry multiple warheads—six in this instance—and delivers destruction so intense that it allegedly reduces targets into dust, with heat levels reportedly reaching 7,000 degrees Celsius. Although President Putin claims Oreshnik is not a nuclear weapon, its destructive potential has drawn comparisons to nuclear arms due to the sheer scale of damage it can Oreshnik missile joins Russia's existing hypersonic lineup, which includes the Kinzhal, Tsirkon, and Avangard systems. All these weapons are designed to fly at hypersonic speeds—over five times the speed of sound—and follow unpredictable paths, making them extremely hard to insists that Oreshnik stands apart, calling it unmatched and 'without analogues in the world.' He said the missile is so fast and agile that 'no air defense system, including those from the U.S. or NATO, can intercept it.' However, Western analysts have pushed back on that claim. For example, Michael Bohnert, a defense expert at RAND, noted that while the Oreshnik's speed and range are concerning, its practical battlefield impact might be overstated, especially given the high cost and limited its debut, Ukraine labeled the Oreshnik a serious threat. President Volodymyr Zelensky has been urging Western allies to impose more targeted sanctions on Russian defense firms involved in the missile's production. As of June 20, Zelensky said 39 Russian defense companies are tied to the missile project—but only 18 of them are currently under Western sanctions. That leaves 21 firms able to continue sourcing key components without restrictions.'Without these parts, there will be no Oreshnik,' Zelensky warned in a press briefing, as reported by the Kyiv Independent. The Ukrainian president emphasized that these missiles aren't just a battlefield concern—they're also a looming threat to European a further escalation, Russia has also announced plans to station Oreshnik missile systems in Belarus, echoing its earlier deployment of Iskander missiles there. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko confirmed in March 2025 that Belarus is preparing launchers for the system and is waiting on delivery of the also stated in late 2024 that the Oreshnik would be assigned to Russia's Strategic Missile Forces, the branch responsible for managing the country's long-range nuclear arsenal. This placement suggests that Moscow sees the Oreshnik as more than just a regional threat—it could be positioned for broader strategic experts believe that the Oreshnik is a direct outcome of the U.S. withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty in 2019. The treaty, signed in 1987 between the U.S. and the former Soviet Union, banned all land-based missiles with ranges between 500 and 5,500 kilometers. After Washington exited the agreement, citing Russian violations, Moscow resumed work on new missile systems, including the RS-26 Rubezh—believed to be the blueprint for a recent CSTO Summit in Astana, Putin echoed this view. 'There are no analogues of the Oreshnik missile system in the world,' he said, adding that 'such analogues are unlikely to appear soon.'In a provocative statement last December, Putin proposed a 'duel' between the Oreshnik and U.S. missile defense systems to showcase the missile's effectiveness. 'We're ready for such an experiment,' he said, according to Russian state analysts have been quick to tamp down the theatrics. Grace Mappes of the Institute for the Study of War said Russia has long possessed missiles capable of hitting NATO territories and that Oreshnik simply makes 'an old threat look new.' She pointed out that the existence of such missiles doesn't drastically shift the military balance but does introduce added pressure on the West to beef up missile defense Oreshnik missile's entry into mass production is clearly a major step for Russia's missile strategy. Whether it lives up to the hype or not, the weapon is already reshaping the security dialogue across Europe and the U.S. With growing calls for sanctions, potential deployments in Belarus, and increasing tension on the battlefield, the missile's impact may reach far beyond its physical Oreshnik missile is used for high-speed, long-range precision strikes in fears it could cause major destruction and wants sanctions to stop its production.
The Star
09-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Navigating Malaysia's evolving tax landscape
Malaysia's tax environment is undergoing a significant transformation. With the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (IRBM) reaffirming its commitment to national tax governance, tax compliance is being reinforced through strategic partnerships, targeted programmes, and the deployment of advanced data analytics, which demands far more than routine filings. The shift to the self-assessment system (SAS) across more tax types, combined with the recent tightening of the Tax Investigation Framework, signals that businesses must now adopt a more proactive and strategic approach to managing their tax affairs or risk penalisation under an increasingly vigilant tax authority. Paradigm shift in responsibility Malaysia's transition to the SAS, which began with income taxes in the early 2000s, marks a significant reform in tax administration. The SAS has now been extended to cover Real Property Gains Tax from Jan 1, this year, with phased implementation for Stamp Duty beginning from Jan 1, next year. This transition aims to promote voluntary compliance while reducing administrative burdens. Under SAS, the responsibility for correctly interpreting and applying tax laws rests squarely on taxpayers. They must accurately compute and declare their own tax liabilities. Errors or omissions may lead to tax adjustments and penalties. Businesses are expected to proactively estimate their tax positions, monitor them routinely to avoid underestimation penalties, and ensure their accounting systems are equipped to meet SAS demands. To support this shift, IRBM has issued public rulings, guidelines, and practice notes, simultaneously intensifying audit efforts to ensure compliance. Evolving tax enforcement Under the current structure, the Strategic Compliance Branch and Criminal Investigation Branch are led by one of the IRBM's deputy chief executive officer. In each state, the respective state IRBM director oversees the strategic compliance and tax audit functions. While there is only one Criminal Investigation Branch serving the country, as our nation strengthens its focus on tax compliance, IRBM is ensuring comprehensive coverage in its enforcement. The Strategic Compliance Branch focuses on high-risk taxpayers, employing in-depth investigation procedures (following a tax investigation framework) including surprise visits and on-the-spot document and data requests. Meanwhile, the Criminal Investigation Branch handles serious tax crimes, such as fraud and wilful concealment, often collaborating with other enforcement agencies. A key enforcement priority is real transaction verification. Auditors now examine cash flows, supplier accounts, and capital statements to confirm the legitimacy of transactions. These audits carry significant authority, with findings potentially leading to immediate penalties or legal action. The compliance pyramid IRBM's enforcement strategy is increasingly guided by a compliance-pyramid model, similar to that adopted by the Australian Taxation Office. This model segments taxpayers based on behavioural profiles – from compliant to non-compliant – and tailors enforcement strategies accordingly. At the base of the pyramid are educational initiatives, reminders, and simplification measures for those willing to comply but lacking resources. The next tier involves facilitation through programmes such as Tax Corporate Governance and audits. At the apex are the shadow economy and deliberate tax evaders – groups with persistently low compliance levels – which are the primary focus of strategic compliance efforts and investigations. Where are we now? Tax investigations in Malaysia are becoming increasingly rigorous and data-driven. Unlike routine audits, investigations involve unannounced visits, document seizures, and interviews. The updated Tax Investigation Framework, effective May 31, last year, provides greater transparency and clearly defines the roles and responsibilities of all parties involved. Recent media coverage has widely reported IRBM's enforcement activities, including high-profile cases involving celebrities and corporations. These headlines raise questions about whether all featured taxpayers are truly evaders or if public perception is shaped by sensationalised headlines. With over eight million taxpayers and a compliance rate exceeding 80%, IRBM is now intensifying their focus on fraud and evasion. The phased implementation of e-Invoicing is expected to further enhance transparency, enabling real-time transaction monitoring and reducing black-market activity. Be prepared, stay compliant It is prudent for businesses to proactively plan their tax structures, upgrade accounting systems, and consider integration or artificial intelligence. When receiving correspondence from IRBM, it is crucial to identify the issuing branch as this will indicate whether it pertains to an educational audit, civil investigation, or criminal investigation. Understanding the nature of the audit is the first step toward crafting a measured response. Above all, businesses should remain calm, be aware of their rights, and engage professional advisors where necessary. Rather than seeking shortcuts, invest in staff training, conduct regular risk assessments, and maintain robust records to ensure compliance in this evolving landscape. Soh Lian Seng is head of tax for KPMG in Malaysia. The views expressed here are the writer's own.
Miami Herald
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Russia's Neighbor Responds to Reports Oreshnik Missile Broke Down Midflight
Kazakh authorities are investigating the "appearance of unidentified objects in the sky," the country's defense ministry said said, after unverified footage widely circulated on social media claiming to show a botched launch of Moscow's experimental Oreshnik missile. Russia fired its Oreshnik missile for the first time at Ukraine in November, targeting a Ukrainian military site in the central city of Dnipro. Russian President Vladimir Putin described the missile as a new hypersonic intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM), able to travel long distances at 10 times the speed of sound, or Mach 10. Ukrainian authorities initially reported Moscow had fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and had travelled up to Mach 11. The Pentagon later said the missile was modeled on Russia's RS-26 Rubezh ICBM. Moscow said the missile was impossible to intercept and able to carry nuclear warheads. Footage showed the missile carried six warheads which slammed into different targets close to one another in Dnipro. Ukraine on Sunday launched coordinated drone attacks on multiple Russian airbases across the country, with one official claiming to have destroyed 13 Russian aircraft. Other reports said as many as 41 aircraft were destroyed or damaged in the attack dubbed "Russia's Pearl Harbor' by pro-Moscow military bloggers. Satellite imagery from the Siberian air base of Belaya and Olenya, an Arctic base in Murmansk—just two of the bases targeted in "Operation Spiderweb"—showed several destroyed Tu-95 and Tu-22 bombers. Ukraine has been anticipating a potent Russian response to the drone strikes on its airfields, former Ukrainian security service officer Ivan Stupak previously told Newsweek, suggesting Moscow could opt to launch one of its fearsome Oreshnik missiles. Pro-Ukrainian and Kremlin-supporting accounts speculated from late Thursday that footage widely shared online showed an Oreshnik missile malfunctioning over Kazakhstan, although the claims have been met with skepticism by analysts. Ukraine said in November the Oreshnik was fired from the Kapustin Yar range in Russia's Astrakhan region, immediately west of Kazakhstan and closer to Ukraine than the former Soviet republic. "The observed trajectory of the debris would be highly unusual for an IRBM launch against a target in Ukraine," making it unlikely to be an Oreshnik, Fabian Hoffmann, research fellow at the Oslo Nuclear Project at the University of Oslo, Norway, told Newsweek. The Kazakh Defense Ministry said late on Thursday the country's airspace had not been violated, adding relevant authorities were "studying this phenomenon and will provide clarification" about "unidentified objects in the sky." The clips circulating on social media show something "similar to the remains of debris from a spacecraft entering the atmosphere or a meteorite stream," the Kazakh government added. "As a rule, they all burn up in the dense layers of the atmosphere, before reaching the earth's surface." Newsweek has reached out to the Russian Defense Ministry via email. Russia launched a large-scale drone and missile attack on Ukraine overnight, activating air alerts in all of Ukraine's regions, according to domestic media. Ukraine's President, Volodymyr Zelensky, said Russia fired more than 400 drones and over 40 missiles — including ballistic missiles — at the country, injuring at least 49 people. Ukraine's state emergency service said three of its employees had been killed overnight. Kyiv mayor, Vitali Klitschko, said four people had died in the capital. "An Oreshnik missile might have been added as a special demonstration of Russian strike power in response to the destruction of Russian bombers by Ukrainian drones," said David Hambling, a U.K.-based weapons and technology expert. "However, the evidence is all circumstantial, and the location and pattern of objects makes it difficult to confirm claims that this was an Oreshnik launched from the Kapustin Yar site in Astrakhan rather than or re-entering space debris, or simply a meteor," Hambling told Newsweek. Ukraine's military separately said on Friday it had struck Russia's Engels airbase and the Dyagilevo airfield in Ryazan overnight. Ukraine also targeted Dyagilevo in "Operation Spiderweb" on Sunday. The Kremlin targeted Ukrainian cities and civilians in retaliation for Kyiv's audacious drone raid on multiple Russian airbases on Sunday, Ukraine's foreignminister, Andrii Sybiha, said in a post to social media on Friday. Analyst David Hambling told Newsweek: "Whether this is a a failed Oreshnik or Russia lacks the resources or confidence to launch one, it shows that Russia has no good answer to Ukraine's highly effective drone strikes on their territory." Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to respond to Ukraine's large-scale drone strike on military aircraft, according to Donald Trump, though the nature and scale of such a response remains unclear. Related Articles Russia Reacts to Trump 'Young Children Fighting' CommentUkraine Braces for Putin's RetaliationWelcome to the Age of Dumb Kissinger | OpinionTrump Set to Square Off With New German Chancellor Merz on Trade, Ukraine 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Russia's Neighbor Responds to Reports Oreshnik Missile Broke Down Midflight
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Kazakh authorities are investigating the "appearance of unidentified objects in the sky," the country's defense ministry said said, after unverified footage widely circulated on social media claiming to show a botched launch of Moscow's experimental Oreshnik missile. Why It Matters Russia fired its Oreshnik missile for the first time at Ukraine in November, targeting a Ukrainian military site in the central city of Dnipro. Russian President Vladimir Putin described the missile as a new hypersonic intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM), able to travel long distances at 10 times the speed of sound, or Mach 10. Ukrainian authorities initially reported Moscow had fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and had travelled up to Mach 11. The Pentagon later said the missile was modeled on Russia's RS-26 Rubezh ICBM. Moscow said the missile was impossible to intercept and able to carry nuclear warheads. Footage showed the missile carried six warheads which slammed into different targets close to one another in Dnipro. Unverified footage circulating on social media purports shows a Russian Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) malfunctioning over Kazakhstan, after Astana said it was ""studying this phenomenon." Unverified footage circulating on social media purports shows a Russian Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) malfunctioning over Kazakhstan, after Astana said it was ""studying this phenomenon." Tsaplienko/Telegram Ukraine on Sunday launched coordinated drone attacks on multiple Russian airbases across the country, with one official claiming to have destroyed 13 Russian aircraft. Other reports said as many as 41 aircraft were destroyed or damaged in the attack dubbed "Russia's Pearl Harbor' by pro-Moscow military bloggers. Satellite imagery from the Siberian air base of Belaya and Olenya, an Arctic base in Murmansk—just two of the bases targeted in "Operation Spiderweb"—showed several destroyed Tu-95 and Tu-22 bombers. Ukraine has been anticipating a potent Russian response to the drone strikes on its airfields, former Ukrainian security service officer Ivan Stupak previously told Newsweek, suggesting Moscow could opt to launch one of its fearsome Oreshnik missiles. What To Know Pro-Ukrainian and Kremlin-supporting accounts speculated from late Thursday that footage widely shared online showed an Oreshnik missile malfunctioning over Kazakhstan, although the claims have been met with skepticism by analysts. Ukraine said in November the Oreshnik was fired from the Kapustin Yar range in Russia's Astrakhan region, immediately west of Kazakhstan and closer to Ukraine than the former Soviet republic. "The observed trajectory of the debris would be highly unusual for an IRBM launch against a target in Ukraine," making it unlikely to be an Oreshnik, Fabian Hoffmann, research fellow at the Oslo Nuclear Project at the University of Oslo, Norway, told Newsweek. The Kazakh Defense Ministry said late on Thursday the country's airspace had not been violated, adding relevant authorities were "studying this phenomenon and will provide clarification" about "unidentified objects in the sky." The clips circulating on social media show something "similar to the remains of debris from a spacecraft entering the atmosphere or a meteorite stream," the Kazakh government added. "As a rule, they all burn up in the dense layers of the atmosphere, before reaching the earth's surface." Newsweek has reached out to the Russian Defense Ministry via email. Russia launched a large-scale drone and missile attack on Ukraine overnight, activating air alerts in all of Ukraine's regions, according to domestic media. Ukraine's President, Volodymyr Zelensky, said Russia fired more than 400 drones and over 40 missiles — including ballistic missiles — at the country, injuring at least 49 people. Ukraine's state emergency service said three of its employees had been killed overnight. Kyiv mayor, Vitali Klitschko, said four people had died in the capital. "An Oreshnik missile might have been added as a special demonstration of Russian strike power in response to the destruction of Russian bombers by Ukrainian drones," said David Hambling, a U.K.-based weapons and technology expert. "However, the evidence is all circumstantial, and the location and pattern of objects makes it difficult to confirm claims that this was an Oreshnik launched from the Kapustin Yar site in Astrakhan rather than or re-entering space debris, or simply a meteor," Hambling told Newsweek. Ukraine's military separately said on Friday it had struck Russia's Engels airbase and the Dyagilevo airfield in Ryazan overnight. Ukraine also targeted Dyagilevo in "Operation Spiderweb" on Sunday. What People Are Saying The Kremlin targeted Ukrainian cities and civilians in retaliation for Kyiv's audacious drone raid on multiple Russian airbases on Sunday, Ukraine's foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha, said in a post to social media on Friday. Analyst David Hambling told Newsweek: "Whether this is a a failed Oreshnik or Russia lacks the resources or confidence to launch one, it shows that Russia has no good answer to Ukraine's highly effective drone strikes on their territory." What Happens Next Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to respond to Ukraine's large-scale drone strike on military aircraft, according to Donald Trump, though the nature and scale of such a response remains unclear.
