Companies

How will the new corporate tax bill impact R&D spending in the US? – The CFO

by
How will the new corporate tax bill impact R&D spending in the US? - The CFO

The text discusses the importance of research and development (R&D) spending for innovation, economic growth, and competitiveness in the global market. It highlights concerns about the impact of the proposed tax bill on R&D spending, particularly the treatment of R&D expenses in the tax code. Companies are urging lawmakers to restore full and immediate expensing for R&D investments to incentivize innovation and business growth. Lawmakers are encouraged to consider the long-term benefits of supporting R&D spending and to provide incentives for companies to engage in R&D activities. Collaboration between the government and industry is also emphasized to maximize the impact of R&D investments.

Meta oversight board reviews handling of AI-created celebrity porn

by
Meta oversight board reviews handling of AI-created celebrity porn

Meta Platforms’ Oversight Board is reviewing the company’s handling of sexually explicit AI-generated images of female celebrities on Facebook and Instagram. The board aims to evaluate Meta’s policies and enforcement practices around pornographic fakes created using artificial intelligence. The images were not named to prevent further harm, as advances in AI technology have made fake content indistinguishable from real content, leading to an increase in sexual fakes online. Elon Musk’s social media platform also faced challenges with controlling the spread of fake explicit images of Taylor Swift. Industry executives are calling for legislation to criminalize harmful “deep fakes.” One case involved an AI-generated image of a nude woman resembling a public figure from India on Instagram, while the other featured an AI-generated depiction of a nude woman resembling an American public figure on Facebook. Meta initially left up the image of the Indian woman but reversed course after the board selected it for review. Meta has pledged to implement the board’s decisions.

Rural tourism in Cyprus on the up, minister says

by
Rural tourism in Cyprus on the up, minister says

Agrotourism in Cyprus is on the rise, with a total of 166,293 overnight stays recorded in 2023 compared to 153,196 in 2022. The Ministry of Tourism has incentive plans aimed at boosting the countryside, with projects already implemented or in progress in 80 communities. The Deputy Ministry of Tourism is actively involved in developing agrotourism in Cyprus, with a focus on improving rural infrastructure and living standards for rural residents.

Genome study reveals prehistoric Ethiopian origins of coffee

by
Genome study reveals prehistoric Ethiopian origins of coffee

Coffee made from the Arabica bean is the most appreciated by coffee drinkers. Researchers have unlocked the genome of the Arabica species, tracing its origins to a natural mating between two other coffee species in Ethiopia. Arabica has low genetic diversity due to inbreeding and small population size. Arabica represents the majority of the world’s coffee production and is known for its superior flavor compared to Robusta coffee. Arabica was found to have formed as a natural hybridization between Coffea canephora and Coffea eugenioides.

Venture capital investment in UK start-ups falls in Q1 2024

by
Venture capital investment in UK start-ups falls in Q1 2024

Venture capital investment in UK companies fell in the first three months of 2024, reaching the lowest level since the second quarter of 2020.

Morgan Stanley profit beats estimates with higher investment banking, wealth revenue

by
Morgan Stanley profit beats estimates with higher investment banking, wealth revenue

Morgan Stanley’s first-quarter profit beat estimates, fueled by a resurgence in investment banking and growth in wealth management. Investment banking revenue climbed 16% and fixed-income underwriting did well. The bank reported a profit of .02 per share, surpassing analysts’ estimates. Wealth management revenue rose to .9 billion, with new assets climbing to billion. The bank’s asset management unit is aiming to double its private credit portfolio to billion in the medium term.

Businesses will leave NJ if they face more corporate taxes — even to bail out NJ Transit

by
Businesses will leave NJ if they face more corporate taxes — even to bail out NJ Transit

Fact: Gov. Phil Murphy proposed a new state budget that would retroactively increase the state’s Corporate Business Tax, promising that the increase would only be temporary.

Federal budget hikes capital-gains tax on companies and wealthy individuals

by
Federal budget hikes capital-gains tax on companies and wealthy individuals

The federal government is increasing capital gains taxes on wealthy individuals and companies to finance new spending on housing and other government priorities.

Ottawa moves to raise inclusion rate on capital gains taxes in 2024 budget – BNN Bloomberg

by
Ottawa moves to raise inclusion rate on capital gains taxes in 2024 budget - BNN Bloomberg

The federal government announced intentions to raise the inclusion rate on capital gains taxes for corporations and individuals earning beyond a certain threshold, which will impact wealthy individuals who are benefiting from tax advantages not available to middle class Canadians, according to the Budget 2024.