Latest news with #IRIS
Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
KTBA requests FBR to extend e-filing deadline
KARACHI: Karachi Tax Bar Association (KTBA has requested the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to extend the e-filing deadline for June 2025 sales tax returns to July 30, due to operational challenges with the IRIS portal's authentication system that are preventing timely compliance. In a letter sent to the chairman FBR, KTBA highlighted that the portal's exclusive reliance on QR codes sent to taxpayers' registered mobile numbers for authentication, arguing that this security measure, while well-intentioned, creates substantial barriers for legitimate taxpayers attempting to meet their compliance obligations. Moreover, it said that Pakistani taxpayers residing overseas who cannot receive SMS messages originating from Pakistan, effectively blocking their access to the tax portal, and added that the corporate taxpayers were also facing similar challenges when registered mobile numbers belonging to the directors or authorized employees who may be unavailable during compliance deadlines. SC implements e-filing system at its registries Authorised representatives, including e-intermediaries, accountants, and tax consultants, are unable to file returns or handle compliance matters on behalf of their clients despite having proper legal authorization, the letter said. Therefore, KTBA urged the FBR to implement a triple-channel QR code delivery system that would simultaneously send authentication codes via SMS, WhatsApp, and registered email addresses, allowing taxpayers to use any of these channels for portal access. 'This multi-channel approach would particularly benefit overseas taxpayers who could access the system through WhatsApp or email when SMS delivery fails, the letter said, and added that for corporate entities, multiple compliance officers to access the IRIS portal with individual credentials linked to the company's business NTN profile, ensuring prompt compliance on behalf of the organization. It said that existing security measures, including password reset policies and annual biometric verification requirements under rule 5(4) of the Sales Tax Rules, would continue to ensure the integrity of tax declarations and added that overseas taxpayers could complete biometric verification through Pakistani identification systems with NADRA assistance. To facilitate the smooth implementation of any system changes, the KTBA recommended a 60-day grace period for taxpayers to update their registered mobile numbers and email addresses in their tax profiles. Once updated within this grace period, further modifications would require QR code verification sent to the registered mobile phone, maintaining security protocols. KTBA also requested for full operationalization of e-intermediary functionality under Section 52A of the Sales Tax Act, 1990, and rule 2(10)(ac) of the Income Tax Rules, 2002 to enable authorized e-intermediaries to access management information systems, input purchase data, manage invoices for their clients, and file returns, statements, and appeals directly through the IRIS portal. Keeping the said in view, KTBA has requested the board to extend the June 2025 sales tax returns deadline till July 30 to facilitate the taxpayers. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Malaysian Reserve
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Malaysian Reserve
ULTIMATE GAME and SOUL M GAME Join Forces to Bring Legendary PC Game IRIS to Mobile
BANGKOK, July 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Ultimate Game Co., Ltd., a premier Thai-based online game publisher, has joined forces with Soul M Game Inc., a renowned game developer from South Korea, to launch IRIS ORIGIN SEA — a legendary PC game reimagined for mobile with enhanced graphics and seamless cross-platform play. Under a newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), this iconic title will launch exclusively in the Southeast Asian (SEA) market, where gamers will be the first in the world to experience its new chapter in 2025. Mr. Attachet Chaichanasongkram, CEO / Co-Founder, Ultimate Game commented, 'IRIS is a powerful intellectual property (IP) with a longstanding reputation in its original PC format. While various versions have emerged globally, we recognize the unique potential of the original Korean development team. This collaboration allows us to preserve the authenticity and core essence of IRIS, ensuring it resonates deeply with both existing fans and new players in this region.' 'Ultimate Game is committed to revitalizing iconic titles for the modern era. Our journey began with Luna Origin, and now continues with IRIS ORIGIN SEA — marking our first strategic entry into the Southeast Asian market. Looking ahead, we also plan to pursue a public listing within the next five years to support long-term business growth.' Mr. Attachet further emphasized the company's commitment to innovation through global partnerships: 'Our collaboration with Google has enabled us to enhance targeting precision and digital marketing efficiency. By leveraging advanced digital tools, we are able to analyze performance and optimize strategies across all functions — accelerating progress toward our business objectives while continually improving our service offerings.' Mr. Um Tae Doo, CEO, Soul M Game Inc., added, 'IRIS is a legendary IP that we are proud to elevate into a state-of-the-art mobile game. The development process has taken over three years using the latest Unity Engine, resulting in an immersive experience enriched with brand-new features. The game is designed for cross-platform play between mobile and PC, and includes exclusive content never seen in any previous version. Both longtime fans and new users will be able to enjoy a fresh and exciting journey together.' He continued, 'We chose to partner with Ultimate Game due to their deep market expertise in Southeast Asia. Their experienced executive and operations teams have a proven track record in the online gaming industry. Collaborating with a strong local partner ensures greater market penetration with speed and precision — particularly in Thailand, which already boasts a robust MMORPG player base.' Mr. Kodchawara Vanichayapron, CMO / Co-Founder, Ultimate Game Concluded, 'Our marketing strategy for IRIS ORIGIN SEA is centered on Digital Marketing, enabling precise audience targeting and in-game campaign personalization to deliver optimal user experiences. We are confident the game will receive strong support from the IRIS fanbase across the region.' For updates, please visit: #IrisOriginSEA # IrisSEA #Irisorigin #gamemobile #mmorpg
Korea Herald
4 days ago
- Business
- Korea Herald
ULTIMATE GAME and SOUL M GAME Join Forces to Bring Legendary PC Game IRIS to Mobile -- Launching IRIS ORIGIN SEA Exclusively in Southeast Asia in 2025
BANGKOK, July 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Ultimate Game Co., Ltd., a premier Thai-based online game publisher, has joined forces with Soul M Game Inc., a renowned game developer from South Korea, to launch IRIS ORIGIN SEA — a legendary PC game reimagined for mobile with enhanced graphics and seamless cross-platform play. Under a newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), this iconic title will launch exclusively in the Southeast Asian (SEA) market, where gamers will be the first in the world to experience its new chapter in 2025. Mr. Attachet Chaichanasongkram, CEO / Co-Founder, Ultimate Game commented, "IRIS is a powerful intellectual property (IP) with a longstanding reputation in its original PC format. While various versions have emerged globally, we recognize the unique potential of the original Korean development team. This collaboration allows us to preserve the authenticity and core essence of IRIS, ensuring it resonates deeply with both existing fans and new players in this region." "Ultimate Game is committed to revitalizing iconic titles for the modern era. Our journey began with Luna Origin, and now continues with IRIS ORIGIN SEA — marking our first strategic entry into the Southeast Asian market. Looking ahead, we also plan to pursue a public listing within the next five years to support long-term business growth." Mr. Attachet further emphasized the company's commitment to innovation through global partnerships: "Our collaboration with Google has enabled us to enhance targeting precision and digital marketing efficiency. By leveraging advanced digital tools, we are able to analyze performance and optimize strategies across all functions — accelerating progress toward our business objectives while continually improving our service offerings." Mr. Um Tae Doo, CEO, Soul M Game Inc., added, "IRIS is a legendary IP that we are proud to elevate into a state-of-the-art mobile game. The development process has taken over three years using the latest Unity Engine, resulting in an immersive experience enriched with brand-new features. The game is designed for cross-platform play between mobile and PC, and includes exclusive content never seen in any previous version. Both longtime fans and new users will be able to enjoy a fresh and exciting journey together." He continued, "We chose to partner with Ultimate Game due to their deep market expertise in Southeast Asia. Their experienced executive and operations teams have a proven track record in the online gaming industry. Collaborating with a strong local partner ensures greater market penetration with speed and precision — particularly in Thailand, which already boasts a robust MMORPG player base." Mr. Kodchawara Vanichayapron, CMO / Co-Founder, Ultimate Game Concluded, "Our marketing strategy for IRIS ORIGIN SEA is centered on Digital Marketing, enabling precise audience targeting and in-game campaign personalization to deliver optimal user experiences. We are confident the game will receive strong support from the IRIS fanbase across the region."
Business Recorder
08-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
‘Appeal effect orders': tax experts decry FBR working
ISLAMABAD: Tax advisers have expressed serious concern over the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR)'s working while passing 'appeal effect orders' by its field formations or passing orders without considering replies of the taxpayers. According to a communication of Javed Iqbal Qazi, advocate Supreme Court and chairman Pakistan Tax Advisors Association to the Prime Minister, the FBR functionaries are not working in accordance with the law; neither appeal effect orders are being passed within the stipulated time nor replies submitted by the taxpayers or their counsels are being considered while passing orders; even when the reply is submitted through the IRIS system. He said: 'In a meeting of the Association, it was decided to bring to your attention the state of affairs of the country and role of different functionaries, vis-à-vis taxation. The replies filed are being ignored and subsequently repeated notices are being issued and finally the orders are being passed to create heavy demand against the taxpayer so as to achieve the arbitrary targets of collection; thus the taxpayer is being punished with heavy taxes.' He said there is no supervisory role of senior officers; i.e., additional commissioners, commissioners and chief commissioners as such the working condition of the department has deteriorated by this deliberate act of the FBR officers; this leading lack of confidence of the taxpayers and its counsels on the departmental officers. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Hans India
07-07-2025
- Science
- Hans India
Indian astronomers find tiny loops in Solar Corona, to decode Sun's hidden explosive secrets
Astronomers at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), an autonomous institution of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), have, in a breakthrough, found hidden miniature plasma loops that may help unravel the Sun's deepest mysteries. The loops are small and short-lived, and have, till date, stayed hidden, but these may reveal how the Sun stores and unleashes magnetic energy, said researchers at the IIA. The coronal loops, found in the Sun's outer layer, are arc-like, beautiful structures of hot plasma that glow at a temperature over a million degrees. Their miniature counterparts are about 3,000-4,000 kilometres long (roughly the distance from Kashmir to Kanyakumari). However, they have a width of fewer than 100 kilometres, making them challenging to study. They stay hidden in the lower layers of the Sun's atmosphere and were mostly unresolved by earlier telescopes. To catch these elusive structures in action, astronomers at the IIA used high-resolution imaging and spectroscopy. "These tiny loops live fast - and die young, lasting only a few minutes, making it extremely difficult to observe them and interpret their physical origins," said Annu Bura, a doctoral student at IIA. "Although they are small, these loops punch above their weight when it comes to understanding the Sun. They offer a new window into how magnetic energy is stored and released in the solar atmosphere on small scales," she added. For the study, published in The Astrophysical Journal, the team used a combination of cutting-edge telescopes to investigate these small-scale coronal loops. They combined data from the Goode Solar Telescope at BBSO, NASA's Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS), and the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) to explore these loops across multiple wavelengths. "Our multi-instrument observation allowed us to analyse the loops not only in visible light but also in ultraviolet and extreme-ultraviolet wavelengths, revealing their behaviour across the chromosphere, transition region, and corona, the different layers of the Sun's atmosphere," Bura said. The H-alpha spectral line from Hydrogen atoms is a key line for probing the solar chromosphere, which is just above the visible surface of the Sun. The team found that in the redder or longer wavelength part of this line, these loops appear as bright, delicate arcs similar to coronal loops, and these were seen very clearly for the first time. Further, to understand the plasma temperature inside these loops, the team used an advanced technique called Differential Emission Measure analysis. The results showed plasma temperatures soaring above several million degrees -- hot enough to shine in the extreme ultraviolet, visible in SDO's Atmospheric Imaging Assembly. The proposed 2-metre aperture National Large Solar Telescope (NLST), planned near Pangong Lake in Ladakh -- could help unlock even more secrets hidden within these small-scale solar features, said the team.
