Latest news with #Traces
Irish Examiner
04-07-2025
- General
- Irish Examiner
Wine with Leslie: Looking for lighter reds that refrigerate well?
All this warm weather is largely welcome, I suppose, but it is not just me that is suffering, so are red wine drinkers looking for refreshment. I do, of course, drink both white and red wine but her good self, the Engineer, has converted almost completely to red wine, and has resorted to putting bottles of red in the fridge. I'm okay with this most of the time; we generally drink red wine far too warm (remember that 'room temperature' means 16-18 degrees), and as long as the wine is fruity and light then serving it cool or cold is fine by me. Alcohol levels have never been higher, however, and these days finding wine at 13% or lower has become a challenge. Best to look to mountainous regions and places like Austria which routinely has reds at 12%. A few factors have led to wines having higher average alcohol, including better vine-husbandry, longer hangtimes and of course global warming. Higher alcohol means higher calories, so I'm also seeing a push towards lower alcohol. I mentioned the Traces (11% abv) range last December which is in Tesco, and lists calories on the front label (try the rosé). The same folk have recently launched with a range of red and whites from well-known regions that contain zero sugar and ABVs at 13% and lower. Suggestions this week are three reds for drinking cool: a cheapy, an old favourite and a wine with grapes you've never tasted. Parraleta and Moristel are native to Somontano in the foothills of the Pyrenees where Tom and Emma Holt's 'Paso-Primero' wines are 'built on grit, heart and a deep love for the craft... for drinking, not thinking!' as Tom says. In this region, you mostly find Garnacha and Tempranillo but Tom has revived these two local varieties almost single-handed. Ancora Sangiovese IGT Puglia, Italy; €13.99 Ancora Sangiovese IGT Puglia, Italy; €13.99 This is only available online from Drink Well Ireland who focus on wines with full flavour but with lower alcohol (and thus lower calories). This is riper and darker than a Sangiovese from Tuscany but comes in at 12.5%. Ripe red and black fruits, supple and fruity and with balancing acidity. There is also an 11% Shiraz from David Peace. Gran Cerdo Tempranillo, Rioja, Spain; €15.95 Gran Cerdo Tempranillo, Rioja, Spain; €15.95 JJ O'Driscolls; Bradleys; L'Atitude 51; World Wide Wines; Drink Store; LeCaveau; I've featured this brilliant natural wine before but not this year and it is perfect for serving cool. Biodynamic grapes with whole bunch fermentation, minimal intervention and low sulphur so expect bright primary fruit flavours - black cherries, raspberries and blueberry fruits, and an appealing freshness. Serve chilled or cool. Paso Próximo, Somontano, Spain; €24.95 Paso Próximo, Somontano, Spain; €24.95 Vintry; On The Grapevine; Ely Wine Store; This wine is new to Ireland and only beginning to appear on shelves. Meaning 'First Step', this is from Tom and Emma Holt based in Somontano in N. Spain and made with organic local Moristel, Parraleta and Garnacha. Bright, vibrant and juicy with big crunchy fruits, easy-going and moreish and perfect for serving cool or chilled. Cider of the Week Longueville House Cider, 5.5% ABV, 500ml, €4.50 Longueville House Cider, 5.5% ABV, 500ml, €4.50 Bradleys; Ardkeen; Carry Out; O'Briens; Independents; I last featured Longueville in 2015, so surely time to remind you one of the great Cork drinks. From Dabinett and Michelin apples harvested and pressed on their estate near Mallow, wild yeast fermented with nothing added (not even sulphur). Golden in colour, apple and pear essence aromas, fruity and richly satisfying with a luscious but dry finish. Read More Wine with Leslie: Looking east to China for the future of wine
Mint
06-06-2025
- Business
- Mint
TDS on rent: Why the tax department needs to fix its Traces portal
Certain payments made by individuals attract tax deduction at source (TDS), but many are unaware of it. For instance, 2% TDS applies to rent exceeding ₹50,000 per month, 1% on property purchases above ₹50 lakh, and a similar rule applies to high-value freelance or contract payments. The income tax department has been tracking individuals who failed to comply with these TDS rules. Taxpayers who claimed HRA exemption while paying rent above ₹50,000 received SMS and email alerts from the I-T department. The penalty for non-compliance is steep. Tenants who did not deduct TDS on rent under 194-IB can avoid these penalties by proving that the landlord has paid tax on the rental income. This is done by filing Form 26A, a certificate from a chartered accountant (CA) confirming that the tax has been paid. This seemingly simple solution is, however, fraught with technical hurdles. Also Read: Details on rent, home loan, TDS: ITR forms seek more disclosures this year Portal problems The Traces (TDS Reconciliation Analysis and Correction Enabling System) or e-filing portal, which is needed to generate Form 26A, does not allow individual deductors to initiate the process unless the user has a tax deduction and collection account number or TAN number, tax experts told Mint. The tax department's Traces portal is an online platform that helps both deductors and taxpayers view, reconcile, and manage their TDS transactions for filing returns and claiming refunds. To be sure, individuals paying rent to resident landlords aren't required to obtain a TAN to deduct TDS. Even if someone goes through the trouble of getting a TAN, which is an entirely online process and typically takes 2-4 days, the problem doesn't end there. Chartered accountant Ashish Karundia said even when a TAN is obtained, the portal does not have Form 26QC, which is required to fill in details regarding this matter when logged in to the Traces portal. As per Section 201, defaulting tenants can show the landlord's ITR to prove that tax on rental income is paid. To do this, they should initiate Form 26A on the Traces website. The tenant should log in to the Traces platform as a deductor. He needs to initiate Form 26A, add details of non-deduction and assign the Form 26A to a CA for verification through the TAN login on e-filing portal. Also Read: TDS on rent and contract work: How small taxpayers can avoid penalties The process may seem easy, but it is an uphill task due to technical challenges. Logging into Traces through PAN will not work as Form 26A can only be initiated through 'deductor' Traces log-in, which needs a TAN, said Karundia. Deductor login is for those who deduct and deposit the TDS and taxpayer login is for the deductee on whose behalf tax is being paid (landlord in this case). Getting TAN takes 2-4 days to be issued, but even if the tenant gets a TAN number and successfully logs in to the Traces portal as a deductor, a second layer of challenge crops up, said Karundia. 'After logging in, the tenant has to initiate Form 26A and choose the type of form he's filing–26QB for TDS on property purchase, 26QC for TDS on rent or 26QD for TDS on payment to contractors. It is mandatory to choose one of these options before entering other transaction details," he explained. The Traces portal for deductors does not have this option as all three TDS deductions–property, rent and contractual services–are PAN-based and do not require a TAN in the first place. 'Even if the tenant gets a TAN and logs in to the Traces deductor portal, he will still not be able to initiate Form 26A due to unavailability of Form 26QC," said Karundia. Also Read: Relying on rental income in retirement? Take these steps to protect yourself. What needs to change Karundia said Traces should allow users to log in using PAN details instead of TAN, and allow Form 26A initiation for Forms 26QB, 26QC, and 26QD. Once this is initiated, the taxpayer can assign it to a CA through the e-portal. After the CA certifies that the recipient has paid the due tax, they can sign it and get it processed. "Currently, taxpayers can't assign Form 26A to a CA through their taxpayer (PAN) ID in Traces. So, there is a need to extend the ability of assignment of Form 26A to a CA....," said Mayank Mohanka, founder of TaxAaram India and a partner at S.M. Mohanka & Associates. For now, CAs like Karundia are maintaining Form 26A manually. 'Right now there is no other option. The other option is to have the form along with CA-certified Annexure A in physical form with the tenant, " Karundia said. Bhawna Kakkar, chartered accountant and founder, Kakkar & Company, Chartered Accountants, said she is also maintaining the Form 26A manually. 'Due to this technical limitation, such tenants cannot initiate Form 26A filing through Traces. The alternative approach is to manually submit the CA-certified Form 26A along with supporting documents (landlord's ITR, rent income proof, tax paid details) either in response to a notice received from the department or directly to the jurisdictional assessing officer." 'The tenant would still be required to pay interest under section 201(1A) at 1% per month from the month TDS was deductible till the month the landlord filed the ITR. Once the AO is satisfied that the conditions are met, the tenant is not treated as in default for the TDS, and no demand will be raised for the tax amount, only the interest may be payable," said Kakkar. The government has to necessarily address this issues faced by taxpayesr at the earliest so that the ordinary citizens who are ignorant of the TDS provisions can take necessary steps to avoid ending up being 'assessee in default', said Prakash Hegde, a Bengaluru-based CA. "Until the government makes these updates to form 26A, it is going to be big challenge for the defaulters, most of whom are ignorant of the provisions," said Hegde. Kakkar said, 'If procedures are not in sync with the law, the law should be applied instead of procedures, and the law nowhere restricts form 26QB/26QC type payments for the benefit under proviso to section 201. So, the only option left is to proceed manually and provide a manual CA certificate. We actually have given one such certificate."
Daily Express
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Express
Kian Kok holds rich, heritage of culture concert
Published on: Wednesday, June 04, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jun 04, 2025 Text Size: VIP guests taking a group photo with all the performers. Kota Kinabalu: The Chinese Orchestra of Kian Kok Middle School recently held its themed concert, 'Traces,' at the school hall, drawing an enthusiastic audience of parents, primary school students, and Chinese music enthusiasts. The concert featured a rich and emotive musical programme, offering a delightful night where tradition met youthful passion. The event was graced by Dr Deledda Tan Hui San, President of the SME Association of Sabah, as the Guest of Honour. Datuk Clement Yeh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Kian Kok Middle School, delivered an opening speech. Both guests expressed their deep appreciation for the Chinese Orchestra's dedication to promoting traditional Chinese music on campus and in the broader community over the years. Themed 'Traces,' the concert symbolised the footprints of growth, the heritage of culture, and the youthful journeys of learning and perseverance. The repertoire for the evening showcased a diverse blend of traditional and contemporary Chinese music, including Forest Nocturne, Purple Reed and Butterfly, Light Clouds and Faint Moon, Pipa Whisper, In That Faraway Place, Liyue, Ussuri Boat Song Fantasy, Prosperous Times, Chasing Chasing Chasing, and Swaying Love. The evening featured outstanding performances under the baton of several experienced conductors, including Leong Han Kui, Chin Sin Ni, Chong Cheng Chong, and Vui Chen Yew. Together with the dedicated student performers, they brought the music to life, earning waves of applause from the captivated audience and demonstrating the Chinese Orchestra's remarkable musical maturity. Clement highlighted the history of the school's Chinese Orchestra, which was founded in 1989 and has since become a pillar of the school's cultural life. He expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all supporters of the orchestra, noting that despite the wear and tear on instruments over time, generous community support has enabled the group not only to replace damaged instruments but also to acquire new ones thereby enhancing the orchestra's performance capabilities. Clement also called on all parents to be more involved in their children's school life. 'A round of applause, a few words of encouragement, or just being present – these small gestures are powerful sources of motivation for our children,' he said. He further encouraged the public, corporate sector, and alums to continue supporting the school's growth and cultural development. Guest of Honour Dr Tan Hui San, herself a parent of two Kian Kok alums, shared her emotional connection to the school. She expressed her admiration for the students' dedication and the orchestra's role in preserving Chinese cultural heritage, urging young performers to cherish this rare opportunity to learn and grow through music. The success of 'Traces' was a testament not only to the students' musical talent and teamwork but also to the community's shared commitment to cultural continuity. Through persistent practice and unity, the Chinese Orchestra once again proved that the roots of Chinese culture remain strong in the hearts of today's youth. Kian Kok Middle School's Chinese Orchestra will continue its mission to cultivate musical talent and promote Chinese cultural values, bringing more inspiring performances to the community in the years to come. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Arab News
14-05-2025
- General
- Arab News
Oman debuts at Venice Biennale with Sablah-inspired pavilion
DUBAI: The Sultanate of Oman has marked its debut at the 19th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia with a thought-provoking pavilion titled 'Traces,' curated by Omani architect Majeda Alhinai. For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram @ Drawing inspiration from the Sablah — Oman's traditional communal gathering space — the pavilion reimagines this architectural concept as a modern civic space, rooted in cultural continuity and adaptive design. Unlike conventional references, the Sablah in 'Traces' functions as an architectural method, not merely an aesthetic reference. Its open circulation, shared presence and adaptability are reinterpreted for contemporary public life. It proposes a new civic space that remains culturally specific while addressing global concerns of collectivity, sustainability and architectural responsibility. The pavilion's structure is built entirely from raw aluminum, utilizing a custom system of folded and cut panels. Each panel is precision-cut with patterns inspired by Omani cultural practices — palm frond weaving, carved wooden doors, and the Falaj irrigation system. One of the pavilion's standout features is its commitment to sustainability and reuse. The entire assembly is designed for easy disassembly and transportation, ensuring no material loss. Following the Biennale, the structure will be permanently installed in Oman, maintaining its scale and purpose as a civic gathering space. Curator Majeda Alhinai said: 'The pavilion is not a symbol of tradition. It is a working model for how civic space can be reimagined through inherited systems of making, maintenance, and adaptation.' The Omani pavilion opened on May 10 and will be at the venue until Nov. 23.
The National
09-05-2025
- General
- The National
Oman reinterprets the sablah community space at Venice Biennale of Architecture
Shifting in form and purpose, the Omani sablah resists definition. It is where the community gathers to discuss social matters or to mark life events such as weddings and funerals. It is a place of conversation, celebration and mourning, whether between four walls or under the shade of a palm tree. The sablah adapted as cities in Oman grew, enduring as an essential gathering space for communities. The Oman Pavilion is highlighting the sablah at the Venice Biennale of Architecture with a bold new take on the concept. To quote the exhibition literature, 'the project does not aim to preserve the sablah but to reactivate it'. Curated by Majeda Alhinai, the pavilion is titled Traces. It presents a sablah that, much like the core concept itself, is open to interpretation. 'With our structure, we wanted to create a space that had no fixed interior or exterior,' Alhinai says. 'It's a space that is a series of thresholds that allow people to either pause, sit and gather, or to just move and pass through.' At first glance, the sablah at the Oman Pavilion appears gestural and improvised. However, there is a thoughtfulness to its design. It takes cues from various motifs from Omani culture: the khanjar ceremonial dagger, the grilles of traditional windows and the decorative designs on mandoos storage chests. It also draws its geometry from palm frond weaving, the designs of wooden doors and the branching forms of the Falaj irrigation system. 'Since our pavilion is titled Traces, it's a series of traces of our craft in Oman,' Alhinai says. 'They are metaphorical traces as well as physical traces, where we're starting to look at very specific ornamental forms in parts of our arts and crafts.' Features of these traditional motifs have been deconstructed and abstracted before being fused together in the final result for the sablah. 'We take some of these traces to delineate outlines and then adapt it back on to a physical form,' Alhinai says. However, the sablah is in by no means in final form. Composed out of hundreds of 1.5mm aluminium panels, it can be reconstructed in many other permutations. The aluminium pieces are porous in some parts, promoting air flow. 'We first went through a digital sculpting process and then looked at the engineering to make a structure that is woven out of these aluminium panels and strips,' Alhinai says. 'We wanted to create a structure that, once disassembled, it could be reassembled again in a public space in Oman.' Accentuating the heritage aspect of the project is a series of benches that have been woven out of palm fronds. The benches are circular and in undulating forms, much like the sablah installation. 'The woven palm leaf was then referenced back on to our structure with the aluminium panels that kind of behave in a similar way.' The benches were also crafted by Omani artisans, Alhinai says. 'We really wanted to host a lot of our communal crafts that would be otherwise lost if we didn't carry them on,' she says. 'We wanted to create this collaboration with the local community. We commissioned artisans in the Bahla region of Oman. It was a way to bring our community into our space.' Traces is Oman Pavilion's debut exhibition at the Venice Biennale of Architecture. By reimagining the sablah, the pavilion explores how the structure can inspire adaptable and resilient communal spaces by bridging tradition and modernity while reflecting values of hospitality, dialogue and community. 'We are looking at our local heritage to extract these ideologies for space and circulation and movement, as well as form in a non-traditional way,' Alhinai says. 'But it's very much part of our arts and craft movement.' Although deeply rooted in Omani tradition, Traces aims to be a global model for designing inclusive, adaptable environments that foster shared responsibility and connection. It also demonstrates how multifunctional communal spaces can address both local and universal challenges, promoting interaction and inclusivity. 'One of the main agendas of the biennale is to examine how can each country come together to create a global toolkit,' Alhinai says. 'I really feel that, just by people understanding and knowing what the sablah is, their curiosity around the subject is a win for us.' Traces will be running at the Venice Biennale of Architecture until November 23
