Canonical has some extra toppings, flavorings, and offers coming for its bigger Java fans – because the suits swallow a lot of the stuff.
A cluster of related announcements from the house of Ubuntu indicate it is taking Java – and supporting Java – seriously.
It’s introducing its own builds of OpenJDK and offering extended support for them via Ubuntu Pro. It’s offering new chiseled Ubuntu containers for three LTS versions of OpenJRE: 8, 17, and 21 (Chisel is Canonical’s FOSS tool for cutting down packages to their essentials). It’s also making it easier to get started developing apps using the Spring framework with a new pre-assembled “devpack” for Spring.
You don’t tend to see it around much anymore, but Java is very much alive, even thriving. It’s not that it’s not there, it’s just that you may not recognize it. It got middle-aged, lost its hair, put on a suit, and went to work in a big office block.
Java – getting older, ditching the red nose and cyberpunk accessories
It’s also not coincidental that, thanks to this very enterprise use, there’s gold in them thar JARs. Java is probably the main reason Oracle bought Sun 15 years ago, and some half a dozen years later, after everyone relaxed, Big Red figured out how to monetize it.
Once Oracle began charging for the JDK, that drove people to open source equivalents built from OpenJDK. One company trying to help with that was Spring developer Pivotal, which offered prebuilt OpenJDK binaries at a website called AdoptOpenJDK. That’s evolved into an Eclipse-based working group with the whimsical name of Adoptium. (Eclipse started out inside IBM, which is also an Adoptium backer. See what we meant about it going corporate?)
So, for instance, Eclipse offers a pre-built Java SE runtime called Temurin, maintained by Adoptium. Because there are multiple Java runtimes out there now, there’s a quality evaluation toolkit, too, called AQAvit. We’re only bringing up Adoptium and its tools because Canonical references them. Its enterprise Java datasheet [PDF] compares its “chiseled” containers with what it repeatedly calls the “Apache” Temurin ones – favorably, naturally. Apparently, they’re half the size. It also says that they’re tested with “Eclipse Aquavit” [sic], but honestly, after trying to nail this stuff down, we could use a stiff drink, too.
The gist is that you can easily install OpenJDK on Ubuntu. It’s tested, and you can obtain compliancy certification for it. Canonical has documentation on installing a development environment, and it also covers Java build tools such as Maven and Gradle. You can get long-term commercial support through Ubuntu Pro, which has been free for up to five machines for a few years now, and which since last year increased the long-term support lifetime from 10 years to 12.
There are wider aspects than this, as a May blog post on Discourse discussed. As well as the new Devpack for Spring, Ubuntu also supports building native binaries with GraalVM, a special CRaC JDK that enables taking snapshots of the entire Java environment. Outside of Java, it also offers Rust and Zig. Aside from Java, though, its main focus is .NET. As we covered in 2022, it built .NET 6 in as standard and, just a few months later, .NET 7 as well. .NET 10 is coming soon.
In terms of why this emphasis, it’s probably relevant to note the changing landscape outside of Ubuntu. As The Register reported in January, Oracle’s move to charge a lot more for Java licenses is not winning it any friends, with users urged to check their usage before the bills arrive. The change has stung UK higher education, despite some discounts. Separately, promoting its appeal for developers is a big part of the Fedora marketing, complete with a special developer portal. ®
Bootnote
Java SE, incidentally, refers to the Standard Edition, in other words the ordinary standalone version for local applications. The fancy corporate edition, once called Java Enterprise Edition, is now called Jakarta EE for reasons that no doubt made sense at some point. Java ME targeted mobile phones in the era before smartphones, but now it’s more aimed at the Internet of Things. As far as smartphones go, Android dominates and it uses Java too, but that is a whole other story.
The competition is being co-organised by Neeraj himself, along with JSW Sports – the firm that manages him – the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) and World Athletics.
Neeraj has also taken part in high-level meetings with AFI and World Athletics officials and has been regularly coordinating with multiple departments within JSW Sports to make the NC Classic a success.
“I’m spending time with every department at JSW Sports, understanding things, giving my inputs and suggestions and it’s been a fantastic experience,” the Indian javelin throw ace noted.
Originally slated for May 24 at Panchkula’s Tau Devi Lal Stadium, the NC Classic was shifted to the Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru due to issues with the floodlight at the earlier venue.
The event hit another roadblock as it had to be postponed due to India-Pakistan political tensions and was later rescheduled to July 5.
Neeraj has been heavily invested throughout and has played an active role in navigating through the challenges. In fact, he had reached out to the Karnataka Chief Minister personally to help facilitate the shift from Panchkula to Bengaluru.
As part of his many roles, Neeraj has approved personalised welcome letters and banners for each of his 11 competitors at the NC Classic, including seven international athletes.
He’s also involved in finalising the entertainment line-up, vetting the stadium video content and supervising the athlete fan zone. On Wednesday, he also personally inspected the gym at the Kanteerava Stadium.
Taking time out from promotional shoots to training sessions, Neeraj has also made time to go over the dinner menu for athletes and officials.
In the lead-up to the competition, Neeraj has been heavily involved in promotional activities for the NC Classic
Former tennis player and Olympian Manisha Malhotra, who works closely with Neeraj at JSW Sports, revealed exactly how hands-on Neeraj has been in making sure that the NC Classic ends up as a success.
“Every day he’s going to the stadium and is monitoring stuff. He’s also saying that he’s never been to a city so many days before the event. Usually, he flies in, does a press conference, competes and flies out. He’s having to do some running in Bengaluru other than just training,” she revealed.
“It’s his event so he can’t say it is my training time, so don’t ask me anything. Everybody is surprised to see his new avatar.”
The cost of government borrowing has fallen in early trade, partly reversing a surge prompted by the chancellor’s emotional appearance in the Commons the previous day.
The yield on UK 10-year bonds fell to 4.52%, down from 4.61% at Wednesday’s close, as markets reacted to the prime minister’s comments that he worked “in lockstep” with Rachel Reeves.
The pound, which also fell on Wednesday, rose to $1.3668, although it has not regained all the ground it lost.
One analyst told the BBC that financial markets seemed to be backing the chancellor, afraid that if she left her job then control over the government’s finances would weaken.
“It looks to me like this is a rare example of financial markets actually enhancing the career prospects of a politician,” Will Walker Arnott, head of private clients at the bank Charles Stanley, told the BBC’s Today programme.
“I think the markets are concerned that if the chancellor goes then any fiscal discipline would follow her out the door and that would mean bigger deficits.”
Mohamed El-Erian, president of Queens’ College, Cambridge, and chief economic adviser at Allianz, warned that markets were likely to remain on edge.
“The minute you put a risk premium in the marketplace, it’s very hard to take out,” he told the Today programme.
“I suspect that we will see some moderation, but we will not go back to where we were 24 hours ago.”
One reason sharp movements in bond yields matter to individuals is because they can have an impact on the mortgage market, with higher yields potentially making mortgage deals more expensive.
Rises or falls, particularly in five-year bond yields, can feed through to so-called swap rates which lenders use to price their new fixed mortgage deals.
This was most obviously made clear following the mini-budget during the premiership of Liz Truss.
Mortgage rates have been steady of late, with lenders making some relatively small cuts as they compete for customers.
Reeves was at Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, following the government’s U-turn on plans to cut billions of pounds through welfare reforms, when she became emotional and started crying.
The reversal of welfare reforms puts an almost £5bn black hole in Reeves’s financial plans.
The rise in borrowing costs was initially sparked by the feeling the chancellor might step down, seeming to indicate that the markets are supportive of her.
A Treasury spokesperson later said the chancellor was upset due to a “personal matter”.
On Wednesday evening, Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer backed Reeves, telling BBC Radio 4’s Political Thinking with Nick Robinson that he worked “in lockstep” with Reeves and she was “doing an excellent job as chancellor”.
Reeves has said her fiscal rules are “non-negotiable”. One is that day-to-day spending should be paid for with government revenue, which is mainly taxes. Borrowing is only for investment.
Jane Foley head of FX strategy at Rabobank said the “gutting” of the welfare bill made the chancellor’s job more difficult because the “savings that she had planned for will not be forthcoming”.
In consequence, she said, Reeves faces a choice of raising taxes, cutting spending elsewhere or issuing more government debt, all of which options face opposition from one quarter or another, meaning the government is “boxed in”.
“However, investors do place a lot of store in political stability. Reeves has demonstrated an understanding about the importance of the maintaining fiscal discipline and it is not clear who would replace her and if that person would have the same credibility amongst the investment community.
“Thus, Starmer’s demonstration of faith in Reeves has provided some reassurance to the market this morning.”
The Flame 1750 H2 detector can pick up a 1m flame at a distance of up to 40m within 5 seconds, according to Dräger.
While hydrogen has advantages that explain its ongoing use as a putative green replacement for many other fuels, it does present a quite distinct set of safety challenges. But it seems the risks can be mitigated with sufficient awareness, and the deployment of appropriate technologies and best practices, as Envirotec discovered in conversation with industrial safety and gas detection expert Dräger. The firm assists organisations to work safely with hydrogen, and to equip their sites accordingly. Gas detection systems are a key ingredient.
Hydrogen’s particular strength is with its versatility as a means to store, transport and distribute energy over large distances and between sectors – indeed, it’s the only at-scale technology able to do so. It can be produced wherever renewable energy such as wind or solar is generated, and then transported to where it is required. This is the ideal, at least.
There are certainly similarities between hydrogen and methane, and some of the existing infrastructure for natural gas can be repurposed for it. Both are explosive, for one thing. But there are key differences in terms of their properties and the specific risks they present. Adam Pope, Marketing Manager and Gas Detection Lead with Dräger suggests this is not always apparent to operators and staff who have worked with natural gas or LPG. “They’ll maybe have some idea about the Hindenburg disaster,” he muses, referencing the 1937 calamity that drew a line under an earlier era’s exploration of hydrogen as a fuel, but they’ll often be unfamiliar with hydrogen’s special challenges, and the necessary risk-mitigation strategies.
For one thing, hydrogen’s flame characteristics are quite distinct from other common fuels, in that it is difficult to detect with the naked eye in daylight (although it can be seen in darker conditions). It also emits very little heat – so you can’t feel it until you are in very close proximity.
One way it can be detected is by the electromagnetic radiation emitted when it burns – a signature that can be picked up by certain classes of detector.
Some of the key risk factors specific to hydrogen are listed in the side panel (“Hydrogen risk factors”, see end of article). Its flammability and propensity to leak from structures place a premium on high-integrity storage. And leak detection is a vital element of safeguarding.
These risk factors will obviously be unfamiliar where hydrogen is a recent add-on to an organisation’s core expertise. For example, at a wind or solar energy site where the operators have opted to produce hydrogen via electrolysis.
Points of vulnerability in the value chain are explored in an ebook from Dräger.1 Even where existing infrastructure can be adapted there will be vital new ideas to grasp. For example, existing gas pipelines, where suitable, will require new monitoring and maintenance regimes.
The ebook explains that “the probability of safety incidents increases when people are involved”. The document adds: “When heavy machines such as trucks are moved around, even minor bumps need to be taken seriously as they increase the risk of leakage.”
Profiling a site Gaining a full picture of a site’s risks is a vital precursor to designing mitigation measures – and requires an individualised risk assessment, something Dräger’s literature recommends “before joining the hydrogen economy”. There is no standard risk profile, seemingly, and the risks manifest in different ways in each site.
Fire and gas mapping is one service the group introduces at this early stage, says Adam Pope, which will result in a colour-coded 3d map of a site intended to afford a clear understanding of the different risks, and of where leaked gases will travel in different circumstances.
Fixed gas and flame detection is the primary means to protect a site from explosion risk, by alerting operators to the presence of a leak, so that premises can be evacuated and processes can potentially be shut down.
A range of different technologies is used here, each with different strengths and weaknesses. Best practice involves a mix of technologies, as Adam explains.
Three layers of protection Point detectors are the core technology for gas detection and form the foundation of most safety systems, he says. These will be located anywhere there is a danger that gas can accumulate, such as in confined spaces. The downside is that the gas must be able to make contact with the detector or it might be missed.
The choice of sensor technology is crucial here. As Adam points out, the infrared sensors used to detect hydrocarbons are completely blind to hydrogen. Instead, catalytic bead (CatEx) sensors, or electrochemical (EC) sensors, can be used here. CatEx sensors offer a robust way to detect hydrogen up to the explosive limit (i.e., below 100% LEL, the Lower Explosion Level), providing a fast response time. EC sensors are typically used where lower (ppm) concentration levels of hydrogen are to be detected, and also offer a fast response time and high accuracy.
An earlier warning of leakage is available with ultrasonic detectors, to be deployed as an additional layer of detection where appropriate. These exploit the fact that hydrogen’s small molecule size results in a high-frequency noise, wherever there’s a leak. The acoustic sensor can detect leaks occurring up to 7 – 15 m away from the leak source, and deliver an on/off signal that can be used to trigger an alarm or automatic shutdown of equipment.
Ultrasonic detectors are good for outdoor locations, where the wind might otherwise carry hydrogen away from point detectors.
The relative invisibility of hydrogen flames means an additional layer of detection can sometimes be appropriate for a site, in the form of hydrogen flame detectors. Two technologies appear to stand out: UV/IR detectors, and 3IR.2 A traditional option for detecting hydrocarbon fires is a UV/IR detector, employing one ultraviolet and one infrared sensor, and providing a swift response time but with some potential for false alarms, particularly when trying to detect hydrogen.
To assist with hydrogen detection specifically, Dräger has adopted a technology called “3IR” – so-named for its use of three separate IR sensors, and this is incorporated in the company’s Flame 1750 H₂ detector. The 3IR technology produces a low rate of false alarms and a fast response – as Adam says, it can detect a 1m flame at a distance of up to 40m, within 5 seconds. It also provides a wide field of detection in comparison to UV/IR. A case study explores the details of these claims, which is also the focus of a recent white paper.
Dräger’s flame-detection technology partner Micropack conducted the analysis and used HazMap3D software to model a complex industrial installation, and to indicate the detection coverage available with ten Dräger Flame 1750 H2 detectors. A colour-coded analysis displayed the detected fire-risk areas in green, and blind spots in red. And this seemingly showed that it provided 64% coverage, with 36% of the target areas remaining outside the flame detector’s range or obstructed. In comparison, twenty UV/IR flame detectors in the same installation achieved only 44% coverage, leaving 56% unprotected. The conclusion? 3IR technology reduces cost and increases coverage.
Multichannel approach Unlike hydrocarbon combustion, which is typically detected through CO₂ emissions, hydrogen flames are primarily identified by the presence of water vapour — a difference that appears central to this detection method. The 3IR detector focuses on the 2–4 µm region of the electromagnetic spectrum, where hydrogen’s characteristic spectral features are found. Each of the three separate IR sensors focuses on a specific region of this band: One focuses on the area where combustion signatures are strongest, and the other two provide reference channels, to help distinguish any detected hydrogen flame signature from other potential heat sources in the vicinity. By a continuous comparison of the three signals, the detector is able to filter out sources of false positives such as welding equipment or sunlight.
A variety of issues come into play when safeguarding a site that uses or stores hydrogen in any way. When conducting a risk assessment, Dräger advises on issues such as the placement and choice of gas and flame detectors, in addition to matters such as suitable storage locations for hydrogen, and working out where any gas will go if it escapes.
Safeguarding a site may also involve integrating gas and flame detectors with an internal alarm management system, and other systems that can, for example, shut down processes that might carry an explosion risk when combined with hydrogen.
Dräger provides an end-to-end service which also incorporates third-party products such as alarms, “to create a seamless safety infrastructure”.
While the landscape of risks might be unfamiliar to many at this point – or the world is in the process of getting familiar with them – a consistent message from Dräger seems to be that all the risks can be managed. With awareness of the appropriate safeguards, selection of the right technologies, and putting best-practice into action, this promising clean energy source can become as routine as any other form of fuel.
Notes [1] “Hydrogen: How to meet the safety challenges.” Ebook available from Dräger. https://www.draeger.com/Content/Documents/Content/hydrogen-safety-challenges-ebk-11064-en-master.pdf. [2] “Detecting the Invisible: Understanding hydrogen flames and choosing the right detector”, PDF, available from Dräger.
Hydrogen risk factors – SIDE PANEL The universe’s lightest element presents its own unique set of risk factors, some of which are listed here.
Explosion risk: While hydrogen is not explosive on its own, it becomes highly explosive when mixed with air in certain concentrations. It also has a relatively low ignition energy. After production, hydrogen will tend to be compressed to prepare it for storage or transport, and this adds to the explosion risk. It also produces a much bigger explosion than natural gas, with around 7x the explosion velocity.
Leak risk: With its small molecule size, and low viscosity, hydrogen leaks more readily than other fuels such as methane. A container that is “air-tight” for methane, might not necessarily be “air-tight” for hydrogen. This also means pipelines and other structures have to be engineered to hydrogen-ready specifications, and it will be important to ensure there are regular inspections of things like joints in pipelines.
Threat to structures: The small size of molecules also accounts for hydrogen’s ability to embrittle structures, by permeating their interior. To protect against this, storage tanks tend to be made of stainless steel or composites.
Forms gas pockets: Its lightness is one important difference with methane, and the fact of hydrogen’s being lighter than air means leaks are not so easily detected at ground level, even when dangerous amounts might be accumulating beneath a nearby ceiling, as Dräger’s literature explains. The placement of gas detectors should reflect this.
Odourless: Hydrogen is odourless, like methane. An odourant marker is added to the latter (most commonly a particular blend of mercaptans), to get around this nasal invisibility. Such a possibility is being investigated and trialled with hydrogen, but the results are still awaited.
Other clean sources met an additional 33% of the increase in electricity generation in 2024, bringing the total share of clean sources to 70%. This represents a significant shift compared to the 2014-2023 period, when clean sources met 50% of the increase in electricity generation, with the rest coming from fossil fuels. In the decade before that, clean sources met just 25% of the increase in generation.
The 50% clean share during the 2014-2023 period might come as a surprise, given how narratives around BRICS energy systems often highlight growing coal and gas use. However, consistent capacity additions in both solar and wind power, along with moderate additions in hydro and nuclear, have shifted this paradigm.
China stands out as a leading example. In 2024, solar alone accounted for 41% of the increase in electricity generation, and all clean sources combined made up 82%, as reported in Ember’s Global Electricity Review 2025. That 41% solar contribution was more than three times higher than its share in the previous decade (2014-2023), when it met 14% of the increase in generation.
Other BRICS countries are also making noticeable progress. In 2024, solar met a quarter of their electricity generation growth, a substantial increase from 14% across the previous decade.
Solar’s rise is bringing fossil fuels to a tipping point in China
Recent Ember data shows that so far in 2025, China is meeting and exceeding its growth in demand with clean sources. Solar generation increased 120 TWh in the first five months of 2025 and met 86% of the increase in demand of 139 TWh. This, together with substantial growth in wind and other clean sources, led to a fall in fossil generation of 64 TWh, a 2.6% decrease from January to May 2024.
The new interstellar object A11pl3Z: online observation – 3 July 2025 – YouTube
Watch On
A rare but faint interstellar visitor from beyond our solar system is racing toward the sun — and you can watch it live online today!
Astronomers have identified this cosmic interloper as 3I/ATLAS, making it only the third confirmed object from outside the solar system after ‘Oumuamua (2017) and comet 2I/Borisov (2019). The interstellar comet, originally designated C/2025 N1 (ATLAS), was observed on July 1 by the NASA-funded ATLAS (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System) telescope in Rio Hurtado, Chile. It has since been designated 3I/ATLAS by the Minor Planet Center (MPC), with “3I” marking it as the third known interstellar object.
“There are tentative reports of cometary activity,” The MPC report states. “With a marginal coma and a short 3″ tail”.
You can watch comet 3I/ATLAS live online tonight (July 3), thanks to the Virtual Telescope Project, which will livestream views beginning at 6:00 p.m. EDT (2200 GMT). The feed will showcase imagery from telescopes in Manciano, Italy, weather permitting. Tune in via Virtual Telescope’s WebTV, YouTube channel or here on Space.com.
Currently, 3I/ATLAS is about 4.5 astronomical units (AU) — or 670 million kilometers (416 million miles) — from the sun according to NASA, and around magnitude 18.8, far too faint for backyard telescopes.
Trajectory of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS as it passes through the solar system. (Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech)
But it’s expected to brighten slightly as it approaches perihelion (closest point to the sun) on Oct. 30, when it will pass just 1.4 AU (130 million miles or 210 million km) from the sun inside the orbit of Mars.
The Virtual Telescope Project captured a photo of the interstellar visitor on July 2, using one of its robotic telescopes to track the object’s motion across the sky. In the 120-second exposure, the comet appears as a sharp point of light, while the background stars show short trails due to their relative movement.
Breaking space news, the latest updates on rocket launches, skywatching events and more!
3I/ATLAS imaged on July 2 by Gianluca Masi of the Virtual Telescope Project. (Image credit: Gianluca Masi, The Virtual Telescope Project)
The object is speeding through the solar system at 68 kilometers per second (152,000 mph) relative to the sun, and it poses no threat to Earth, according to NASA.
After dipping behind the sun in late fall, 3I/ATLAS is expected to reappear in early December, giving astronomers another chance to study this rare visitor from beyond our cosmic neighborhood.
BEIJING, Jul 3 (APP):”The theme of our conference, ‘Build a digitally friendly city’, highlights the harmonious coexistence between people and technology in the city, which is what we often call people-oriented in the digital age. We also highly agree with this in Pakistan’s national development strategy,” Aslam Chaudhary, Economic Minister, Pakistan Embassy Economic Wing, said at the ongoing Global Digital Economy Conference held in Beijing.
Addressing in his speech, the Minister pointed out that building digitally friendly cities is not just about technology, but about creating an environment where all citizens, whether urban or rural, could use safe and reliable digital technologies.
Given this, Pakistan is fulfilling its national commitment to continuously expand the scope of the digital economy services and try to cover every remotest area. Nowadays, the Pakistani government has established an inclusive service fund to strengthen the information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure, and under the framework of the Six One One Foundation, the fund is playing its role. “Through this, we have laid optical cables in large areas of the country, connecting about 22,000 villages.”
“By building digital-friendly cities, different cities are able to recognize each other’s data standards. At the same time, cooperation agreements between countries are an indispensable boost to the digitalization of developing countries,” Chaudhary stressed.
In April, the Secretary-General of the Riyadh-based Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), Deemah AlYahya, noted Pakistan’s forthcoming presidency of the multilateral body is part of ongoing efforts to position the country as a regional and global digital leader. Pakistan is scheduled to assume the DCO presidency in 2026, following Kuwait’s term in 2025, CEN reported.
“The 2026 presidency will see Pakistan hosting the Digital Future Development Initiative (DFDI) forum in Islamabad, marking a significant step in Pakistan’s digital transformation journey.”
“On this occasion, I am going to have three major initiatives,” the Minister appealed. “First, strengthen cross-border data flows and interoperability. We are establishing a cross-border data flow norm under the South-South cooperation framework. Second, inclusive digital technology development is essential, including in the fields of agriculture, medical and health industries. Third, we need to conduct joint training of digital talents. Through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor framework, the two countries have signed a talent training agreement. Pakistan’s need for digital talent training is of high urgency.”
Chaudhary listed cloud computing, flood warning, climate change, smart cities and other areas where China and Pakistan can achieve in-depth cooperation, and suggested establishing a Digital Friendly City Innovation Center with branches in Beijing, Islamabad and Karachi so that different branches can carry out a series of joint pilot projects.
“We’re seeing that Beijing is accelerating the construction of a global digital economy benchmark city and exploring the construction of a Digital Silk Road pilot zone. Pakistan is willing to work with China and all other partners around the globe to turn vision into a tangible digital reality,” he added.
Thin capitalisation: The definition of ‘equity’ now encompasses positive retained earnings.
Taxation of retained earnings: If an entity does not distribute its after-tax earnings within 12 months following the end of its tax year, the Commissioner General (CG) for Tanzania Revenue Authority may deem 30% of the profit of the entity as having been distributed on a date 12 months post the completion of the tax year. A 10% withholding tax will be imposed on the deemed distribution.
If an entity subsequently makes a dividend distribution, it shall not be obligated to withhold income tax on the amount deemed distributed.
Withholding tax on hired motor vehicles: Withholding tax is levied at a rate of 10% on payments made by a resident person to another for the rental of motor vehicles.
Preparation or certification of returns of income by Certified Public Accountants: Corporations with gross annual income exceeding Tanzania Shillings (TZS) 100m and individuals with an annual turnover exceeding TZS 500m are required to have their income returns prepared or certified by a certified public accountant in public practice.
Taxation of sale of forest produce: Effective 1 January 2026, a resident person receiving payment for the sale of forest produce (timber, logs, mirunda and poles) must remit income tax in a single instalment amounting to 2% of the gross payment prior to the transportation of the forest produce. “Gross payment” means the farm gate price, purchasing price or value of the forest produce as determined by Tanzania Forest Service Agency, whichever is greater.
Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT): The AMT rate has increased from 0.5% to 1% of turnover, applied to corporations with perpetual unrelieved tax losses for the current and preceding two tax years.
Reduced public stake in companies newly listed on the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange (DSE): A company that is listed on the DSE with a minimum of 25% (previously, 30%) of its shares owned by the public benefits from a 25% corporate income tax rate for the initial three years following its listing.
Restriction of income tax exemption for operators in export processing zones (EPZ) and special economic zones (SEZ): Income generated by investors in the EPZ and SEZ, who manufacture for sale or distribute products in the domestic market, is not exempted from income tax.
Increased / new withholding tax rates:
Service fees for technical or management services paid by a resident person in the extractive sector to a resident person – 10%, up from 5%
Insurance premiums – 10%, up from 5%
Commission for gaming advertisement or promotion – 10%
2. Value-Added Tax
VAT withholding agent: A “withholding agent” means-
The Ministry responsible for Finance;
A Government entity which retains whole or part of its collected revenue; and
A registered person as may be appointed by the CG by notice
Withholding of VAT on taxable supplies: When a taxable supply at a standard rate of 18% is provided to a withholding agent, the agent is required to withhold 3% of the VAT due for goods and 6% for services.
Lower VAT rate for electronically paid supplies: Effective 1 September 2025, when a taxable supply at a standard rate is made to a person in Mainland Tanzania who is not VAT registered, and payment is rendered through a bank or an electronic payment system approved by the CG, the applicable standard VAT rate shall be 16% rather than 18%.
The CG shall specify the persons eligible and the manner of implementation of the lower VAT rate.
The supplier shall submit proof of bank or electronic payment, demonstrating that the consideration for the supply was made electronically or via bank, through the system or any manner directed by the CG.
Notification by intending traders: VAT registered intending traders must notify the CG if they do not begin making taxable supplies by the date specified in their VAT registration application.
Notification must occur within 90 days following the end of the stated period, accompanied by justifications for non-compliance. Failure to notify The CG may either grant or deny an extension for the commencement of taxable supplies. There is a deemed VAT deregistration if the CG declines to grant an extension.
Expansion of the definition of electronic services: The term “online intermediation services” included under the definition of “electronic services” now encompasses an online accommodation marketplace and payment services platform.
Accounting for withheld VAT: A withholding agent is required to account for and remit the withheld VAT by the due date of the VAT return, which is the 20th day of the subsequent month, or in a manner as may be directed by the CG.
VAT withholding certificate: A withholding agent who is liable to pay VAT shall, not later than the day on which VAT becomes payable on the supply (earlier of the date of invoicing, payment, or time of supply), issue to the supplier a VAT withholding certificate generated by the system approved by the Commissioner General.
The withholding certificate shall be issued in the form prescribed by the Minister for Finance and shall include the date of issue, taxpayer identification number (TIN) and value-added tax registration number (VRN) of both the supplier and the withholding agent, supply description, total consideration and the VAT amount.
A withholding certificate that fails to meet these criteria cannot be utilised by a supplier to claim a credit for the withheld output tax.
Credit for withheld output VAT: The supplier, in arriving at the VAT payable position, is allowed to subtract the VAT withheld (similar to input tax) provided they hold a valid VAT withholding certificate at the time of filing the VAT return for the relevant tax period.
Due date for filing VAT returns: The deadline for submitting monthly VAT returns is the 20th of the subsequent month, regardless of whether this date coincides with a weekend or public holiday.
Extension of zero-rating of supplies:
A supply of locally manufactured fertilizer shall continue to be zero-rated up to 30 June 2028
A supply of locally manufactured garments made from locally grown cotton shall continue to be zero-rated up to 30 June 2026
New exemption:
A supply of piped natural gas specifically for being converted to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) to be used exclusively for fuelling motor vehicle from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2028
An import of carbonization furnace for exclusive use in manufacturing of briquettes
Amended exemptions:
Unprocessed sisal fibre
Newspapers printed and published locally by a licenced person under the Media Services Act
Liquified petroleum gas
Compressed natural gas for motor vehicles
Supply of solar panels, modules, solar charger controllers, solar inverter, vacuum tube solar collectors and solar battery specifically designed for exclusive use in storage of solar power
Aircraft and aircraft maintenance to a local operator of air transportation.
Aircraft engine to a local manufacturer or assembler of aircraft or to a local operator of air transportation
An import of CNG plants equipment including CNG Compressors, CNG metering equipment, CNG storage cascades, CNG special transportation vehicles and CNG dispenser by a natural gas distributor
Abolished exemption:
Locally supplied forks, rakes, axes, dam liner
Locally supplied new pneumatic tyres used in agricultural and forest vehicles
Bitumen
Liquified natural gas
Compressed petroleum gas
Compressed or liquified gas cylinders for natural gas for cooking
3. Excise Duty
A licence for the manufacture of excisable goods will expire 12 months from the date of issuing. The licence previously expired on December 31 of each year.
The definition of financial institutions now encompasses microfinance service providers classified as Tier 1 under the Microfinance Act, permitting the imposition of a 10% excise duty on fees and charges paid to these providers.
The excise duty rate for pay-per-view television services delivered via cable, terrestrial infrastructure, satellite, or other technologies is 7%, up from 5%.
The deadline for delaying payment of excise tax and submitting excise duty returns is now the 25th day of the month subsequent to the month in which the duty or return is due. Previously, the deadline was the last day of the subsequent month.
Imported second-hand tableware, kitchenware, utensils, cutlery, and other related articles are subject to an excise charge of 20%.
New excise duty rates:
Imported margarine – TZS 50 per kg
Potatoes – TZS 50 per kg for locally produced and TZS 100 per kg for imported
Ice cream, whether or not containing cocoa – 5% for locally produced and 10% for imported, per kg
Beer made from malt – TZS 630 per litre / TZS 928 per litre/ TZS 937.90 per litre
Wine with domestic grapes content exceeding 75% – TZS 215 per litre
Cider – TZS 2,974.74 per litre
Opaque beer – TZS 555 per litre / TZS 978 per litre
Vodka, whiskies, and rum – TZS 4,003 per litre/ TZS 4,411.06 per litre/ TZS 4,411.06 per litre
Fireworks – 25%
Soap – 10%
Cufflinks and studs – 10%
Imported seats – 25%
4. Tax Administration
Private ruling relating to tax residence: A private ruling concerning tax residence status shall be accompanied by a tax residency certificate from the Commissioner General.
Disclosure of subcontractors: Entities in the construction and extractive sectors are required to inform the CG about their subcontractors within 30 days from the date of commencement of subcontracted activities. The disclosure must encompass the name of the subcontractor, contract value, nature of the subcontracted works, and the timeframe for executing the works.
Deemed admission of an objection: An objection to a tax assessment or liability is deemed accepted if filed within the statutory timeframe (30 days from receipt of the tax assessment) or on the date of payment of the tax deposit for validation of the objection (including the date when a lesser amount agreed upon by the CG is paid).
Failure to respond to objection settlement proposal within deadline: If an objector does not respond to a settlement proposal from the CG regarding a notice of objection within the legal timeframe (within 30 days from receipt of the proposal), the proposal of the CG will be deemed an objection decision, and the objector may appeal to the Tax Revenue Appeals Board.
Penalties for transfer pricing adjustments for loss-making entities: A person engaging in controlled transactions who does not ascertain the income and expenditure arising from such transactions in accordance with the arm’s length principle is subject to a penalty equal to 30% of the adjusted loss. Previously, penalties applied only to profit-making entities (100% of tax shortfall).
5. Gaming Tax
New rates on net winnings:
Land-based – 13%, up from 12%
Sports betting – 12%, up from 10%
6. City Service Levy
The rate has been reduced from 0.3% to 0.25% of turnover.
7. Airport Service Charge
Domestic flights – TZS 11,000 per passenger, up from TZS 10,000.
International flights – USD 40.4 per passenger, up from USD 40, applicable to both Tanzanian residents and non-residents.
8. Export Levy
The export of veneered sheets incurs an export levy of 30% of the free-on-board (FOB) value or TZS 150 per kilogramme, whichever amount is greater.
9. Industrial Development Levy
The following imports are liable to an industrial development levy calculated on the cost, insurance, and goods (CIF) value:
Kitchenware and tableware, other household articles, of plastics – 10%
Cast glass and rolled glass in sheets or profile – 5%
Drawn glass and blown glass in sheets or profile – 5%
Float glass – 5%
Glass, bent, edge worked, engraved or otherwise worked – 5%
Toughened (tempered) safety glass and laminated safety glass – 5%
Multiple-walled insulating units of glass – 5%
Framed and unframed glass – 5%
Optical fibre cables – 10%
Note: Levy on starch, pasta, and optical fibre cables shall commence on 1 January 2026
Proposed non-tax changes
1. Insurance Act
A foreign national entering Mainland Tanzania via land, seaport, or airport must, upon arrival, acquire an inbound travel insurance coverage at a premium equivalent to 44 United States Dollars in Tanzanian Shillings.
The inbound travel insurance is to offer emergency assistance to foreign nationals for a maximum duration of 92 days from the date of arrival, in cases of: (a) medical emergencies; (b) loss of luggage; (c) emergency medical evacuation or repatriation.
Mandatory insurance is not applicable to residents of the East African Community Partner States or the Southern African Development Community Partner States.
2. Railways Act
A HIV Response Levy will be imposed at a rate of TZS 500 on every train ticket.
3. Road and Fuel Tolls Act
The fuel levy rate on diesel and petroleum is TZS 523 per litre, up from TZS 513.
Fuel levy on kerosene is TZS 10 per litre. Previously, there was no levy.
4. Motor Vehicle (Tax on Registration and Transfer) Act
A HIV Response Levy will be imposed on first registration of motor vehicles as follows.
Electric Motor Vehicles (EVs)
Class
Power
Levy (TZS)
1.
Lower Power EVs (Below 50kWh)
95,000
2.
Mid Power EVs (50.1 – 100 kWh)
250,000
3.
High Power EVs (100.1 – 200 kWh)
250,000
4.
Performance / High-End (Above 200 kWh)
250,000
Motor Vehicles
S/N
Engine Capacity
Levy (TZS)
1.
0 cc – 1000 cc
50,000
2.
1001 cc – 1500 cc
100,000
3.
1501 cc – 2500 cc
150,000
4.
2501 cc and above
200,000
5.
Machinery (excavators, bulldozers, fork lifts)
250,000
5. Mining Act
A HIV Response Levy will be imposed at a rate of 0.1% on the gross value of minerals. The levy is collectible by the Mining Commission and is payable concurrently with royalty payments.
6. Bank of Tanzania Act
The Bank of Tanzania may grant loans and advances to commercial banks and financial institutions for up to three (3) months, using collateral such as credit instruments, treasury bills, performing loans, or other prescribed securities, to address liquidity crises and maintain financial stability.
7. Business Licensing Act
A business licence will not be granted to a non-citizen unless the business activity is permitted for non-citizens. The Minister for Trade may publish an order in the Gazette prohibiting certain business activities for non-citizens.
8. Merchandise Marks Act
Trademarks for imported goods in Mainland Tanzania must be registered with the Chief Inspector, regardless of the registration location.
The new BMW M2 CS (fuel consumption combined: 10.0 l/100 km; CO2
emissions combined: 226 g/km according to WLTP, CO2 class G)* sets a
new benchmark on the legendary Nordschleife racetrack of the
Nürburgring on 11 April 2025. Driven by BMW M development engineer
Jörg Weidinger, it completed the 20.823-kilometre
Nürburgring-Nordschleife circuit in 7:25.5 minutes, beating the
previous best time for compact cars by eight seconds. This
record-setting BMW M2 CS not only raises the bar in the compact car
class, but also further solidifies BMW M’s reputation as a
manufacturer of high-performance vehicles that excel both on the road
and on the racetrack.
“The BMW M2 CS has achieved a significant milestone with its lap
time of 7:25.5 minutes on the Nordschleife, showcasing the potential
for combining performance, technology and exceptional driving dynamics
into a single vehicle,” stated Franciscus van Meel, the Managing
Director of BMW M GmbH. ‘We are proud that the M2 CS has once again
set a new benchmark in the compact car class with this lap time.’
The continuation of a success story.
The previous best time for a BMW M2 model was set by Weidinger in
April 2023, when he completed the course in 7:38.7 minutes. Two years
later, he beat this time by 13 seconds, breaking the class record of
7:30 minutes for the first time. With the newly set best time of
7:25.5 minutes, the BMW M2 CS demonstrates its outstanding performance
as well as the innovative power and engineering skills of BMW M GmbH.
Previous record runs on the Nordschleife by the BMW M4 CS, the BMW M4
CSL and the BMW M3 CS, all mid-range vehicles, achieved times under
7:30 minutes. The BMW M4 CSL also holds the best lap time ever
recorded for a BMW Group production car. The official, notarised time
is 7:18.137 minutes.
The “Green Hell” myth: The Nordschleife as a touchstone.
Often referred to as the ‘Green Hell’, the Nordschleife racetrack is
considered one of the most demanding and challenging racetracks in the
world. Measuring 20.832 kilometres in length with over 70 bends, it
places the highest demands on drivers and vehicles alike. A fast lap
on this track proves a vehicle’s performance and handling
capabilities. The Nordschleife lap times are the gold standard for
measuring a vehicle’s sporting performance and driving dynamics.
Record runs are monitored by a neutral testing organisation, and the
vehicles are checked to ensure they are in standard condition. This
detailed inspection ensures that the record runs are carried out using
production vehicles.
The Nürburgring – Home of BMW M.
BMW M and the Nürburgring have been in partnership for over a quarter
of a century. From the BMW M Power Grandstand and BMW M Bridge to the
BMW M Driving Experience and BMW M Test Centre, not to mention test
drives on the Nordschleife for M vehicles en route to series
production, the partnership between BMW M and the Nürburgring has been
a resounding success for over 25 years. The Nordschleife serves as a
test bench for every M model. The BMW M Test Centre is equipped with
cutting-edge workshop facilities that allow BMW M to put vehicles
through rigorous testing on the Nordschleife track even before they
reach production, as well as to develop new models.
BMW M Motorsport racing cars have achieved numerous successes in
various racing series, including 21 overall victories in the
Nürburgring 24-hour race. The M Power showroom, which was redesigned
in 2021, is another flagship of the cooperation. The Nürburgring’s
position as the home of BMW M has been further strengthened since then.
The new BMW M2 CS: More power, improved driving dynamics and
consistent lightweight construction.
The new BMW M2 CS is a testament to BMW M GmbH’s ongoing commitment
to setting the standard in the compact high-performance sports car
segment. Its combination of performance, lightweight construction and
innovative technology makes the BMW M2 CS a vehicle that gets drivers
and enthusiasts’ hearts racing. The BMW M2 CS increases driving
pleasure in the premium segment with its enhanced performance and
outstanding agility. The advanced six-cylinder in-line engine
featuring BMW M TwinPower Turbo technology delivers an impressive
output of 390 kW/530 hp and a maximum torque of 650 Nm. Model-specific
engine mounts, an adaptive M suspension and an M compound brake system
all contribute to its sporty performance. Power is transmitted to the
rear wheels via an 8-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic.
The BMW M2 CS is the lightest model of the current M2 generation
thanks to targeted lightweight construction, including a large number
of exterior and interior components made of carbon fibre-reinforced
plastic (CFRP), which reduces its weight by around 30 kg. This makes a
decisive contribution to its outstanding driving dynamics. The BMW M2
CS comes with forged M light-alloy wheels as standard. Manufactured at
the BMW Group plant in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, the BMW M2 CS is a
limited edition model with a market launch planned for late summer
2025, priced at 115,000 euros in Germany.
*Consumption and emission figures:
(Fuel consumption combined: 10.0 l/100 km; CO2
emissions combined: 226 g/km according to WLTP, CO2 class G)
The data on fuel consumption, CO2 emissions, power
consumption and range refer to vehicles on the automotive market in
Germany. All figures have already been calculated based on the new
WLTP test cycle. Consumption and emission data refer to the German
Passenger Car Energy Labelling Regulation (EnVKV).
