Latest news with #QST
Yomiuri Shimbun
19-05-2025
- Science
- Yomiuri Shimbun
3 of Japan's Nuclear Fusion Institutes to Receive ¥10 Billion in Funding, as Govt Aims to Speed Up Research
From ITER's website A rendering of a tokamak fusion reactor The government aims to significantly improve the ability of three core institutes to research nuclear fusion, hoping to move up the timeline on powering the grid with fusion. It will spend about ¥10 billion on equipment needed for experiments, such as devices to examine the durability of reactors. Private companies will also be able to use the new equipment, with the government seeking to place Japan ahead of the international competition. The Yomiuri Shimbun In nuclear fusion, a reaction that occurs inside the sun, atomic nuclei are joined together, releasing vast amounts of energy. Scientists estimate that one gram of nuclear fuel could, through fusion, produce the same amount of energy as is released from burning eight tons of oil. Compared to nuclear fission, which is how nuclear power is currently generated, nuclear fusion has a lower risk of going out of control and could be safer. Nuclear fusion also emits no carbon dioxide, and competition to develop fusion as an energy source is expected to intensify around the globe. There are three major kinds of fusion reactors. In Japan, all three approaches are being pursued by the National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST), the National Institute for Fusion Science and the University of Osaka's Institute of Laser Engineering. But the research projects at these institutes are still in the experimental stage, and it is not clear when their fusion technologies will be ready for practical use. That is why the Education, Sports, Culture, Science and Technology Ministry and the Cabinet Office plan to improve the research capabilities of the three institutes through an injection of about ¥10 billion this fiscal year. The plan includes improvements to equipment at the QST's Rokkasho Fusion Institute. The government aims to accelerate future experiments by the three institutes and put the three types of fusion reactors into practical use as soon as possible. In concrete terms, the funds will go toward building equipment for examining the durability of devices that convert energy produced by nuclear fusion into heat. They will also go toward improvements in laser devices for heating nuclear fuel. In recent years, startups have been launched in Japan and abroad that aim to commercialize fusion. As a result, private funding has flowed into research and development projects, which had been led by governments. In the United States, highly influential companies that have attracted funds are moving quickly to develop nuclear fusion technologies. To help the industry grow, the Japanese government will open up the institutes' upgraded facilities to the private sector. By doing so, the government aims to allow private companies to conduct experiments that need massive devices that would be difficult for them to build on their own. It also expects firms will test technologies for maintaining nuclear fusion reactions over a long period. The government is set to revise its national strategy policy on pursuing the use of nuclear energy as a power source. It will put forward a goal of introducing fusion in the 2030s, up from around 2050 in the current plan. Since the strength of the private sector will be needed to achieve this goal, the government plans to make the three institutes a base for collaboration among business, government and academia. To generate power using fusion, nuclear fuels, such as deuterium and tritium, are heated to 100 million C or higher to cause the atoms to join together. Energy discharged from the reaction is converted into heat to generate electricity. The three main reactor types are the tokamak, which confines extremely hot plasma to trigger a fusion reaction; the stellarator, which functions in the same way; and laser reactors, which heat nuclear fuel with laser beams.
Montreal Gazette
17-05-2025
- Business
- Montreal Gazette
Freed: A visit to France is a cure for tipaphobia
Quebec has just passed a major tipping point in tax policy: no more tipping allowed on restaurant meal taxes. From now on, when you see a 15, 20 or 50 per cent tip option, it will only be on your food bill, not the GST and QST too, something that has caused many people taxation vexation. So congrats: you'll now save $1.80 on a $100 bill when you tip 15 per cent. In the words of Quebec Justice Minister Jolin-Barrette addressing this historic moment: 'We shouldn't have to feel pressure when we're paying the bill.' But in fact tips on tax-added totals are just a tiny part of the growing psychological pressure we all feel from tipping. I've just returned from a boys' bike trip in France where I realized we Canadians are in a tipping pressure cooker compared to the French and most Europeans. In France, when your restaurant bill appears on the credit card machine, there are never any tip options to choose among. No 15 per cent, no 20, 30 or whatever crazy number they throw at you for fun. Just your bill, so you can tap your card and leave without thinking. If you like the service, you can leave something on the table, generally five or 10 euros. Yet the servers are usually remarkably thankful, offering many 'merci's for your gesture. It's astonishing how stress-free this proves to be, especially given 'tip creep' in North America, where tipping anxiety is practically an official new neurosis — tipaphobia. It's understandable. You roam about a dépanneur serving yourself, then hand the cashier a large carton of beer. He zaps the price in a half-second, then hands you a machine with three suggested tips that would cost you from $6 to $9. In essence, you're tipping him for asking for a tip. Similarly, last week I lined up at a bakery for three chocolate chip cookies, then lined up to pay after the server shouted my name incorrectly. But I was faced with the usual 18 to 25 per cent tip options. I fumbled around with the 'custom tip' button, then guiltily pressed 'no tip' while the server stared at me like a judge at a thief. Meanwhile tips are increasingly requested at drive-thru restaurants, self-serve gas stations and supermarket self-checkouts, where you've scanned and bagged your own groceries, working diligently as a cashier. But now the machine wants a tip, presumably in a robotic voice that says: 'Please place item on tray along with tip. Twenty per cent would be appreciated. I need surgery, for an operating system update.' Expect car salesmen to follow, requesting 20 per cent tips on a $35,000 new vehicle. Then ATMs that say: 'Thanks for choosing to access your funds. Please show your appreciation for this transaction by selecting a tip option.' Once robo-tips become common, my fridge will want a tip for storing my food at the right temperature, while elevators will announce: 'Enjoyed your vertical transportation experience? Consider tipping either 15, 20 or 25 per cent. Otherwise, next time take the stairs.' The real hassles for now are the endless tiny decisions we must make every time we pay, as we ponder the never-ending tip choices facing us. I'm happy to tip waiters well because I worked as one during college and know they work hard for low salaries. But now the machines also harass us to tip everyone from the butcher and baker to the espresso maker — and each occasion requires thought. Did the barista make a tip-worthy latte? Did the cashier serve my baguette with élan? Should I tip more on takeout when I spend more? How much more? All this has a psychological cost, and I didn't know it till my France visit, where the absence of these decisions felt like a mental holiday. French tipping practices are similar in Spain, Italy and much of Europe where waiters are paid properly and a two-euro tip on the table is more than appreciated. But we can't do that here where waiters are (legally) paid less than minimum wage and depend on tips for a living. Quebec's minimum wage is $16.10 but for waiters it's only $12.90, so customers must top up their salaries. Some restaurants here have tried including tips in their prices, but customers rebel. We may say we want the tip included, but when restaurateurs build it into the price as in Europe, we complain. We'd rather choose the tip ourselves, so we can grumble afterward. Adding to the problem is that we used to have tip jars, where we tossed some change at a fast food stand, but who has change anymore? Instead, there's a counter-revolution happening with customers everywhere tipping less, or refusing everywhere but restaurants. We obviously need a tipping rebellion. Just before the American Revolution, Bostonians dumped tea into their harbour, to protest taxation. Maybe it's time we all gathered at the St. Lawrence and threw the newfangled, tip-hungry card machines into the river, shouting 'Give us liberty from tippery, or give us death!' Life is stressful enough, without facing three choices every time you buy a carrot muffin.
Associated Press
14-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Andersen Global Deepens Canadian Ties with Stratos Solutions Inc.
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 14, 2025-- Andersen Global expands its Canadian platform through a Collaboration Agreement with Stratos Solutions Inc., a leading tax firm based in Ontario, Canada specializing in indirect tax, reverse audits, and overpayment recovery for complex organizations. Founded in 2004 by former Arthur Andersen professionals, Stratos Solutions Inc. is led by Managing Partner Alnasir Gangji and brings over 70 years of combined partner experience in indirect tax and overpayment recovery services. The firm specializes in reverse audits across VAT, GST/HST, QST, PST, Canadian customs duties, government grants, and payroll tax programs. Stratos works with Fortune 500 companies and public sector entities, delivering measurable financial value through its proprietary Stratos Data Intelligence (SDI) platform—an advanced analytics engine powered by more than 170 algorithms designed to identify missed tax credits, refunds, and overpayments across complex ERP environments such as SAP, Oracle, and NetSuite. 'Through our collaboration with Andersen Global, we will be able to leverage a broader group of professionals to better support our clients,' said Alnasir. 'The expanded reach and enhanced access to global resources will allow us to provide more integrated and comprehensive solutions, both across Canada and internationally, strengthening our ability to meet the complex needs of our clients, and further solidifying our commitment to delivering best-in-class service.' 'Stratos Solutions Inc. brings a new dimension to our Canadian tax capabilities at a critical time,' said Mark L. Vorsatz, global chairman and CEO of Andersen. 'Founded by three former Arthur Andersen professionals with more than 70 years of combined experience, the firm exemplifies our core values through a client-centric, results-driven approach. Their specialized expertise enhances our ability to deliver seamless, cross-border solutions and further strengthens our presence in the region.' Andersen Global is an international association of legally separate, independent member firms comprised of tax, legal, and valuation professionals around the world. Established in 2013 by U.S. member firm Andersen Tax LLC, Andersen Global now has more than 20,000 professionals worldwide and a presence in over 500 locations through its member firms and collaborating firms. View source version on CONTACT: Megan Tsuei Andersen Global 415-764-2700 KEYWORD: NORTH AMERICA UNITED STATES EUROPE CANADA TURKEY CALIFORNIA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: PROFESSIONAL SERVICES BUSINESS LEGAL FINANCE CONSULTING ACCOUNTING SOURCE: Andersen Global Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 05/14/2025 09:30 AM/DISC: 05/14/2025 09:31 AM
Business Wire
14-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Andersen Global Deepens Canadian Ties with Stratos Solutions Inc.
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Andersen Global expands its Canadian platform through a Collaboration Agreement with Stratos Solutions Inc., a leading tax firm based in Ontario, Canada specializing in indirect tax, reverse audits, and overpayment recovery for complex organizations. Founded in 2004 by former Arthur Andersen professionals, Stratos Solutions Inc. is led by Managing Partner Alnasir Gangji and brings over 70 years of combined partner experience in indirect tax and overpayment recovery services. The firm specializes in reverse audits across VAT, GST/HST, QST, PST, Canadian customs duties, government grants, and payroll tax programs. Stratos works with Fortune 500 companies and public sector entities, delivering measurable financial value through its proprietary Stratos Data Intelligence (SDI) platform—an advanced analytics engine powered by more than 170 algorithms designed to identify missed tax credits, refunds, and overpayments across complex ERP environments such as SAP, Oracle, and NetSuite. 'Through our collaboration with Andersen Global, we will be able to leverage a broader group of professionals to better support our clients," said Alnasir. "The expanded reach and enhanced access to global resources will allow us to provide more integrated and comprehensive solutions, both across Canada and internationally, strengthening our ability to meet the complex needs of our clients, and further solidifying our commitment to delivering best-in-class service.' 'Stratos Solutions Inc. brings a new dimension to our Canadian tax capabilities at a critical time,' said Mark L. Vorsatz, global chairman and CEO of Andersen. 'Founded by three former Arthur Andersen professionals with more than 70 years of combined experience, the firm exemplifies our core values through a client-centric, results-driven approach. Their specialized expertise enhances our ability to deliver seamless, cross-border solutions and further strengthens our presence in the region.' Andersen Global is an international association of legally separate, independent member firms comprised of tax, legal, and valuation professionals around the world. Established in 2013 by U.S. member firm Andersen Tax LLC, Andersen Global now has more than 20,000 professionals worldwide and a presence in over 500 locations through its member firms and collaborating firms.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Andersen Global Deepens Canadian Ties with Stratos Solutions Inc.
SAN FRANCISCO, May 14, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Andersen Global expands its Canadian platform through a Collaboration Agreement with Stratos Solutions Inc., a leading tax firm based in Ontario, Canada specializing in indirect tax, reverse audits, and overpayment recovery for complex organizations. Founded in 2004 by former Arthur Andersen professionals, Stratos Solutions Inc. is led by Managing Partner Alnasir Gangji and brings over 70 years of combined partner experience in indirect tax and overpayment recovery services. The firm specializes in reverse audits across VAT, GST/HST, QST, PST, Canadian customs duties, government grants, and payroll tax programs. Stratos works with Fortune 500 companies and public sector entities, delivering measurable financial value through its proprietary Stratos Data Intelligence (SDI) platform—an advanced analytics engine powered by more than 170 algorithms designed to identify missed tax credits, refunds, and overpayments across complex ERP environments such as SAP, Oracle, and NetSuite. "Through our collaboration with Andersen Global, we will be able to leverage a broader group of professionals to better support our clients," said Alnasir. "The expanded reach and enhanced access to global resources will allow us to provide more integrated and comprehensive solutions, both across Canada and internationally, strengthening our ability to meet the complex needs of our clients, and further solidifying our commitment to delivering best-in-class service." "Stratos Solutions Inc. brings a new dimension to our Canadian tax capabilities at a critical time," said Mark L. Vorsatz, global chairman and CEO of Andersen. "Founded by three former Arthur Andersen professionals with more than 70 years of combined experience, the firm exemplifies our core values through a client-centric, results-driven approach. Their specialized expertise enhances our ability to deliver seamless, cross-border solutions and further strengthens our presence in the region." Andersen Global is an international association of legally separate, independent member firms comprised of tax, legal, and valuation professionals around the world. Established in 2013 by U.S. member firm Andersen Tax LLC, Andersen Global now has more than 20,000 professionals worldwide and a presence in over 500 locations through its member firms and collaborating firms. View source version on Contacts Megan TsueiAndersen Global415-764-2700 Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
