Category: 3. Business

  • Revenue Headline Results 2025

    On 07/01/2026, Revenue published preliminary results for 2025, including tax and duty collected, services provided to customers, timely compliance rates, and yield from a range of compliance and enforcement interventions. Commenting on these results, Revenue Chairman, Niall Cody, said:

    “2025 has been a productive and important year for Revenue. The Exchequer returns for 2025 show receipts of €106 billion in taxes and duties. In addition, Revenue collected over €34 billion on behalf of other Departments, Agencies and EU Member States.

    Timely compliance rates remained strong in 2025, with voluntary compliance delivering rates of 99% for large and medium cases and 92% across all other cases. This performance reflects the continued commitment of businesses, individual taxpayers, and tax practitioners to meet their obligations. Revenue continues to support voluntary compliance through clear guidance, timely information, and effective services.”

    Supporting Voluntary Compliance

    Revenue’s digital services continued to be the primary channel through which individuals and businesses engaged with the tax system, enabling taxpayers to manage their tax affairs securely and efficiently. During the year, Revenue’s digital services processed over 87 million transactions, helping ensure that taxpayers’ filings were handled promptly and accurately.

    Revenue launched the 2025 Local Property Tax (LPT) revaluation campaign, supporting residential property owners meeting their filing obligations for the 2026 to 2030 period. Commenting on the campaign, Commissioner Maura Kiely noted:

    “There has been a strong response to date. Property owners are reminded that for 2026 they are required to determine the valuation band of their property, submit their LPT return, and arrange payment. Payments made in full by credit/debit card or by cash are due by 9 of January. There is also an option to select an annual debit authority which will be collected on the 20 March.”

    The Residential Zoned Land Tax (RZLT) which applies to serviced and serviceable land zoned for residential use came into effect in 2025. Maps are now being published by Local Authorities in respect of the 2026 filing period.

    Revenue works alongside compliant taxpayers experiencing temporary difficulties, who continue submitting returns, engage early, and agree Phased Payment Arrangements (PPAs), to maintain compliance. Where taxpayers do not comply with their obligations, debt management tools are appropriately deployed to address non-compliance contributing to strong overall compliance rates and ensuring a level playing field for all taxpayers.

    This approach has also supported strong compliance rates among taxpayers repaying COVID-19 warehoused debt through PPAs, with 95% of the 12,700 arrangements being honoured, and monthly payments averaging €23 million. 

    Addressing Non-Compliance

    Revenue’s approach to non-compliance in 2025 remained grounded in the Code of Practice for Revenue Compliance Interventions, applying a graduated and proportionate response based on taxpayer behaviour and risk. During 2025, we completed over 291,600 audit and compliance interventions, yielding €734 million, settled 189 tax avoidance cases yielding €41.7 million, and secured 204 criminal convictions for tax evasion offences. Revenue also published 113 settlements in the List of Tax Defaulters.

    Following the Supreme Court judgment in Revenue Commissioners v Karshan (Midlands) Ltd t/a Domino’s Pizza, Revenue provided employers with an opportunity to regularise bona-fide misclassification of employees for 2024 and 2025 without penalty or interest. Detailed guidance was published to assist employers in making accurate disclosures. The deadline to avail of the disclosure opportunity is 30 January 2026.

    During 2025, Revenue strengthened its controls over tobacco products by introducing measures governing the movement of duty-paid tobacco from other EU Member States. These measures, which came into effect in December 2025, provide greater clarity and certainty around excise duty reliefs for personal use. This forms part of Revenue’s wider strategy to tackle illicit tobacco trade, protect Exchequer revenues and support Government public health objectives.

    In addition to tobacco and drugs, Revenue also targeted consignments of nitrous oxide intended for misuse, seizing products with an estimated value of €1.3 million during 2025. Director General of Customs, Commissioner Ruth Kennedy noted:

    “Revenue’s enforcement teams, in cooperation with national and international law enforcement partners, continue to target and disrupt the illegal supply of tobacco and drugs. In 2025, teams seized over 46.9 million cigarettes and 39,100 kilos of drugs, with an estimated value of €191.1 million. 2025 recorded the second highest cocaine seizures of the past decade, surpassed only by 2023 when €157 million of cocaine was seized on board MV Matthew. These activities remain central to protecting the integrity of Ireland’s borders, supporting legitimate trade and safeguarding the Exchequer.”

    During 2025, Revenue further strengthened its maritime enforcement capability with the introduction of the RCC Cosaint, enhancing the State’s capacity to detect and disrupt smuggling activity at sea.

    Strengthening the Tax and Customs Ecosystem

    In 2025, Revenue, in partnership with the Department of Finance, launched a public consultation on the modernisation of withholding taxes, including Professional Services Withholding Tax, Relevant Contracts Tax, and expansion to the platform economy. The consultation seeks input from businesses, workers, and stakeholders with the consultation period closing on 30 January 2026.

    During the year, Revenue also set out detailed plans for implementing the EU’s VAT in the Digital Age (ViDA) requirements, which will introduce mandatory eInvoicing and real-time digital reporting for cross-border EU transactions from 2028 onwards. Phased implementation will allow Irish businesses to adapt their systems gradually, while Revenue will continue to provide guidance and support throughout the transition.

    Looking Ahead

    “As Ireland prepares to assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Revenue will support the Department of Finance in its work at EU level, in relation to tax and customs matters, while continuing to deliver effective administration for business and taxpayers at home,” said Mr Cody.

    “Our performance in 2025 reflects the dedication, professionalism and expertise of Revenue staff across the organisation, and we thank them for their continued commitment to serving the State.”

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  • Snow, ice paralyse Europe as brutal cold snap disrupts flights, rail services

    Snow, ice paralyse Europe as brutal cold snap disrupts flights, rail services

    Snow, ice and high winds brought transport chaos to swathes of Europe for a third day on Wednesday, with hundreds of flights cancelled and passengers stranded.

    Airports in Paris and Amsterdam were the worst affected, with the Dutch authorities saying more than 1,000 travellers had been forced to spend the night at Schiphol, one of Europe’s busiest hubs.

    Six people have died in weather-related accidents as the continent reels from the most bitter cold snap of the winter so far.

    Five of those deaths were confirmed in France on Tuesday, while a woman died in Bosnia as heavy snow and rain sparked floods and power outages across the Balkans.

    For those without homes sleeping on the streets, the cold snap has come as a huge shock.

    Boubacar Camara, from Guinea, said he had “no choice but to keep on going”.

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  • Q4 and Full Year 2025 Results – Barrick Mining Corporation

    1. Q4 and Full Year 2025 Results  Barrick Mining Corporation
    2. Barrick Mining to Report Full Year and Fourth Quarter 2025 Results on February 5  Junior Mining Network
    3. Barrick Mining Sets February 5 Date for Full-Year and Q4 2025 Results  TipRanks
    4. Barrick to Report Full Year and Fourth Quarter 2025 Results on February 5  Bluefield Daily Telegraph
    5. Barrick Mining Corporation  Menafn.com

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  • CISA Adds Two Known Exploited Vulnerabilities to Catalog – CISA (.gov)

    1. CISA Adds Two Known Exploited Vulnerabilities to Catalog  CISA (.gov)
    2. CISA KEV Catalog Expanded 20% in 2025, Topping 1,480 Entries  SecurityWeek
    3. Top 10 High-Risk Vulnerabilities Of 2026 that Exploited in the Wild  CybersecurityNews
    4. CISA catalog of attacked vulnerabilities grew by 20 percent in 2025  heise online

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  • Iowa’s Unemployment Rate Decreases to 3.5 Percent in November

    Iowa’s Unemployment Rate Decreases to 3.5 Percent in November

    Iowa Workforce Development Communications
    For Immediate Release
    Date: January 7, 2026
    Contact: Jesse Dougherty
    Telephone: 515-725-5487
    Email: communications@iwd.iowa.gov

    Printer Friendly Version (PDF)

    Iowa’s Unemployment Rate Decreases to 3.5 Percent In November

    Labor Force Participation Rate Holds Steady at 67.5 Percent

    DES MOINES, IOWA – Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.5 percent in November – up from 3.3 percent one year ago but down from 3.7 percent in September. There is no October rate due to the government shutdown. The labor force participation rate was 67.5 percent in November, equaling the September rate and 0.6 percentage points higher than the November 2024 rate of 66.9 percent. The U.S. unemployment rate rose to 4.6 percent in November.

    The total number of unemployed Iowans increased by 5,100 compared to November 2024.

    The total number of working Iowans was 1,683,000 in November. This figure is 22,400 higher than one year ago. Iowa’s labor force saw an increase of 27,500 individuals compared to November 2024.

    “November’s report is an indication that the increase we’ve seen over the last few months in labor force participation is translating to more people working,” said Beth Townsend, Executive Director of Iowa Workforce Development. “Led by gains in health services, wholesale trade, and construction, Iowa saw strong hiring nearly across the board in November and ended with 9,000 more jobs than the year before – a trend we hope continues in future reports.”

    Seasonally Adjusted Nonfarm Employment

    Iowa establishments added 4,600 jobs in November, raising total nonfarm employment to 1,599,800. This increase is significant, particularly when compared to the previous 10-year average October-to-November change of -130 jobs. Gains this month were fueled by multiple industries with educational and health services and trade, transportation and warehousing gaining a slight edge, adding 1,100 and 1,000 jobs, respectively. Additionally, construction fared well in November, gaining 900 jobs, partially attributable to the milder late fall weather.

    Within private industries, employment gains in health services (+900), wholesale trade (+800) and the previously mentioned gains in construction represented the bulk of the statewide increase. Professional and business services added jobs as a result of gains in administrative and support services (+1,000) partially offset by a small loss in professional, scientific and technical services (-200). Government pared 200 jobs.

    Over the past 12 months, total nonfarm employment is up 9,000 jobs. Private industry overall is up 7,400 jobs since last November. Construction (+8,100) and private education and health services (+5,800) experienced the greatest gains. The bulk of the change in private education and health services was attributable to increased employment in health care and social assistance (+4,300). Retail trade contributed to the gains with an additional 3,400 jobs. Professional and business services has trimmed jobs from one year ago (-3,400). Other industries paring jobs include: leisure and hospitality (-3,200), financial activities (-1,600) and manufacturing (-1,000). This loss is due to cutbacks at durable goods factories (-2,300).

    Employment and Unemployment in Iowa, Seasonally Adjusted Data
               
            Change from
      November October November October November
      2025 2025 2024 2025 2024
               
    Civilian labor force 1,744,700 1,717,200 27,500
    Unemployment 61,700 56,600 5,100
    Unemployment rate 3.5% 3.3% 0.2
    Employment 1,683,000 1,660,600 22,400
    Labor Force Participation Rate 67.5% 66.9% 0.6
             
    U.S. unemployment rate 4.6% 4.2% 0.4
               
    Nonfarm Employment in Iowa, Seasonally Adjusted Data
               
    Total Nonfarm Employment 1,599,800 1,595,200 1,590,800 4,600 9,000
    Mining 2,100 2,100 2,200 0 -100
    Construction 90,200 89,300 82,100 900 8,100
    Manufacturing 217,600 217,200 218,600 400 -1,000
    Trade, transportation and utilities 312,000 311,000 310,600 1,000 1,400
    Information 18,100 17,900 17,800 200 300
    Financial activities 104,000 103,900 105,600 100 -1,600
    Professional and business services 141,600 140,800 145,000 800 -3,400
    Education and health services (private) 247,500 246,400 241,700 1,100 5,800
    Leisure and hospitality 140,000 139,600 143,200 400 -3,200
    Other services 57,000 57,100 55,900 -100 1,100
    Government* 269,700 269,900 268,100 -200 1,600
    *Includes publicly owned education and health services      
    Data Above Subject to Revision          
    Unemployment Insurance Claims for Iowa
               
            % Change from
      November October November October November
      2025 2025 2024 2025 2024
               
    Initial claims 9,148 7,435 11,841 23.0% -22.7%
    Continued claims          
    Benefit recipients 9,669 9,527 14,109 1.5% -31.5%
    Weeks paid 26,002 27,593 35,763 -5.8% -27.3%
    Amount paid $13,804,346 $14,800,212 $19,211,660 -6.7% -28.1%

    MEDIA ALERT: Local data for November 2025 will be posted to the IWD website on Thursday, January 15, 2026.

    Visit iowalmi.gov for more information about current and historical data, labor force data, nonfarm employment, hours and earnings, and jobless benefits by county.

    *October 2025 labor force data is not available due to the absence of data collection due to the federal government shutdown.

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  • Legal Industry Experiencing Tectonic Shift: Technology, Talent and Demand Forcing Law Firms to Evolve

    Legal Industry Experiencing Tectonic Shift: Technology, Talent and Demand Forcing Law Firms to Evolve

    TORONTO, January 7, 2026 – Thomson Reuters (TSX/NYSE: TRI), a global content and technology company, and the Center on Ethics and the Legal Profession at Georgetown Law, today released its 2026 Report on the State of the US Legal Market. The annual report states that the legal industry is experiencing a tectonic shift that has helped many law firms thrive during this transformative era, driving unprecedented demand growth and profits per lawyer of Am Law 100 firms increasing 53.7% since 2019.

    “Law firms are facing a fundamental shift in the legal industry’s economic landscape, standing at a critical inflection point where they must navigate evolving client demands, rising expenses and a necessary transformation of their operating models,” said Raghu Ramanathan, president, Legal Professionals, Thomson Reuters. “The shifting landscape will unlock further demand and lead certain law firms to becoming fully tech-centric employing tech-pricing structures, as other law firms move towards being an elite, partner-heavy boutique dedicated to delivering highly specialized and bespoke legal counsel. The question isn’t whether traditional operating models can survive but whether law firms are committed to truly transform.”

    Forces driving the impact include shifting client power, economic instability and technological disruption. However, peaks are sustained only when the foundational forces supporting the operating model remain in alignment. “What makes this moment particularly treacherous is that the very forces creating today’s peaks are simultaneously undermining the ground beneath them,” the report notes.

    Throughout 2025, evolving client expectations, regulatory changes, economic fluctuations, and technological advancements drove a surge in demand with law firms averaging 2.5% growth for the year and hitting a high of 4.4% in July. These banner results came despite being measured against 2024’s record-breaking performance.

    Lurking behind the historic demand growth is an arms race for technology and talent. The average law firm increased its investment in technology by 9.7%, and it is more than just traditional or routine upgrades; it is a transformational shift leveraging GenAI to improve efficiency, drive value and serve clients at a higher level. The 2025 Future of Professionals report indicates that law firms with a formal AI strategy are 3.9 times more likely to experience critical benefits compared to those without significant plans for AI adoption.

    Additionally, law firms are devoting significant resources securing top talent with direct spending on lawyer compensation jumping 8.2%. The report notes, “this isn’t targeted spending on a few rainmakers or strategic lateral hires, rather it’s broad-based compensation growth across every level.”

    The forces that have led to this peak were not necessarily the results of law firms’ actions, yet firms should not allow these forces outside of their control to be an excuse for inaction. Elements such as rate strategies, talent management, capitalizing on or mitigating mobile demand, and developing effective technology deployment strategies remain within the purview of firm leadership and require proactive management.

    From here, the question is not “how much technology” but “how integrated and adopted” technology becomes in the hands of lawyers. As the report shows, the path forward for law firms requires three transformational shifts:

    • Modernizing pricing models that no longer match how legal work is done;
    • Strengthening client trust in an environment in which legal buyers are increasingly selective; and
    • Deploying technology in ways that deliver measurable value rather than marketing gloss.

    Ramanathan added: “The law firms that will define the next era of legal services will be determined not by how much they invest in technology and talent, but by how boldly they reimagine their entire operating model. The winners won’t necessarily be determined by size or legacy, but they’ll be the firms that act decisively now to align with the future their clients are already demanding.”

    Download the 2026 Report on the State of the US Legal Market here.

    The report utilizes data sourced from Thomson Reuters Institute Strategic Insights, with financial data from Financial Insights and legal buyer sentiment from Market Insights.

    Thomson Reuters
    Thomson Reuters (Nasdaq/TSX: TRI) informs the way forward by bringing together the trusted content and technology that people and organizations need to make the right decisions. The company serves professionals across legal, tax, accounting, compliance, government, and media. Its products combine highly specialized software and insights to empower professionals with the data, intelligence, and solutions needed to make informed decisions, and to help institutions in their pursuit of justice, truth, and transparency. Reuters, part of Thomson Reuters, is a world leading provider of trusted journalism and news. For more information, visit tr.com.

    Contacts
    Jeff McCoy
    +1.763.326.4421
    jeffrey.mccoy@tr.com

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  • Pakistan allows new mobile operators without spectrum to enter telecom market – Arab News

    1. Pakistan allows new mobile operators without spectrum to enter telecom market  Arab News
    2. Govt warned against hasty 5G rollout  Dawn
    3. Spectrum auction to double airwaves, ease network congestion  Business Recorder
    4. PTA notifies MVNO policy framework  The Express Tribune
    5. Pakistan is 7 Years Behind in Adopting 5G, But No More Delays: PTA  ProPakistani

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  • Amsterdam Airport Runs Low on De-Icer as Polar Blast Hits Europe – Bloomberg.com

    1. Amsterdam Airport Runs Low on De-Icer as Polar Blast Hits Europe  Bloomberg.com
    2. Six die in weather accidents as cold snap grips Europe  Dawn
    3. Hundreds of flights cancelled as big freeze grips western Europe  BBC
    4. Heavy snowfall forces cancellation of 140 flights at Paris airports  The News International
    5. Western Europe braces for another wave of snow and ice  Business Recorder

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  • Corteva and bp launch biofuel feedstock joint venture Etlas™ | News and insights

    Corteva and bp launch biofuel feedstock joint venture Etlas™ | News and insights

    INDIANAPOLIS AND LONDON (January 7, 2026) – Corteva Inc. (NYSE: CTVA) and bp (NYSE: BP, LSE: BP.L) today announced the launch of Etlas, their new 50:50 joint venture that will produce oil from crops – including canola, mustard and sunflower – for use in the production of biofuels like sustainable (or synthetic) aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel (RD). Etlas will harness both Corteva’s century-long expertise in seed technology to develop crops ideally suited to produce SAF and RD as well as bp’s expertise in refining and marketing fuel for the commercial transportation market.

    Etlas aims to produce one million metric tonnes of feedstock per year by the mid-2030s, which could produce over 800 thousand tonnes of biofuel. Initial supply is scheduled to begin in 2027 for use in co-processing at refineries as well as at dedicated biofuels plants.

    Leading industry estimates have global demand for SAF growing to as much as 10 million tonnes by 20301 — from about 1 million tonnes in 2024, while global demand for RD could rise to as much as 35 million tonnes by 20302 from approximately 17 million tonnes in 2024. Etlas is designed to provide a reliable, scalable supply of feedstock to help meet this expected demand.

     

    “We’re excited to collaborate with Corteva to deliver what our customers want”

     

    Philipp Schoelzel, senior vice president, biofuels growth

     

    The feedstock Etlas uses will be harvested from crops that are grown on existing cropland, between main food cropping seasons.  Such intermediate crops can help improve soil health while providing farmers with a new revenue stream. As they use existing cropland during times when it has previously been unproductive like a fallow or cover period, they also do not lead to additional demand for land.

     

    Judd O’Connor, executive vice president of Corteva’s seed business unit added: “By helping found Etlas, Corteva continues to deliver on two critical parts of our mission: to help fuel the world and to support farmers. Agriculture is part of the solution, and we are excited to see Etlas come to life.”

    Philipp Schoelzel, senior vice president, biofuels growth, bp added: “This capital light joint venture creates optionality in our biofuels value chain, strengthening our position and helping deliver attractive returns. We’re excited to collaborate with Corteva to deliver what our customers want.”

    Ignacio Conti, Global Business Development Director at Corteva will be the new Etlas Chief Executive Officer and Gaurav Sonar, vice president, Novel Feedstocks at bp will become its Chair of the Board of Directors.

     

    “As the aviation industry looks for reliable, sustainable and cost-competitive sources of SAF, it is clear farmers have a critical role to play,” said Etlas CEO, Ignacio Conti. “Etlas brings together global leaders in agriculture innovation and energy production to harness this demand by leveraging technological expertise and trusted relationships with farmers around the world to help scale production and boost supply while offering farmers new revenue streams.”

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  • Europe faces transport chaos as deadly cold snap persists

    Europe faces transport chaos as deadly cold snap persists

    Snow, ice and high winds brought transport chaos to swathes of Europe for a third day on Jan 7, with hundreds of flights cancelled and passengers stranded.

    Airports in Paris and Amsterdam were the worst affected, with the Dutch authorities saying more than 1,000 travellers had been forced to spend the night at Schiphol, one of Europe’s busiest hubs.

    Six people have died in weather-related accidents

    as the continent reels from the most bitter cold snap of the winter so far.

    Five of those deaths were confirmed in France on Jan 6, while a woman died in Bosnia as heavy snow and rain sparked floods and power outages across the Balkans.

    For those without homes and sleeping on the streets, the cold snap has come as a huge shock.

    Mr Boubacar Camara, from Guinea, told AFP news agency he had “no choice but to keep on going”.

    “You just have to stay strong, make sure you don’t die, you know,” said the 19-year-old, who is sleeping in a tent in the French capital.

    “We can’t do anything about the cold – I’m not used to this at all.”

    More than 100 flights were cancelled on Jan 7 at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport and 40 more at the French capital’s other main hub, Orly.

    French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot told local media he was “hoping the situation returns to normal this afternoon”.

    All public bus services in Paris and the surrounding suburbs were also suspended because of icy roads, with almost half of the country’s mainland on alert for heavy snow and black ice.

    Schiphol Airport said more than 700 flights had been cancelled so far and warned that the number was likely to increase.

    Belgium’s biggest hub, Brussels Airport, also confirmed 40 flight cancellations on Jan 7.

    Britain saw temperatures plunging, with hundreds of schools shutting their doors for a third day in Scotland, where the authorities warned some rural communities could be “cut off” by snow.

    The Eurostar rail service connecting London with continental European cities was also disrupted again on Jan 7, with passengers facing cancellations and delays.

    Nordic countries were also facing snow-related chaos, with officials in eastern Sweden warning that power cuts were “likely” because of heavy snowfall.

    Trams were suspended in the western city of Gothenburg, and the authorities in the wider region warned people not to drive and stay at home if possible.

    In Denmark, the authorities in the far-north region of North Jutland warned people to brace themselves for heavy snow but said the situation was under control.

    “For now, calm prevails in North Jutland, but we are taking the weather forecast very seriously,” the police wrote in a statement.

    “We also urge citizens to prepare and keep safety advice in mind, especially if they have to travel in difficult traffic conditions.” AFP

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