On November 5, 2019, the UK Government released the synthesized text of the Luxembourg-UK double tax agreement, as modified by the BEPS multilateral instrument.

The UK Government on January 10, 2020, released the synthesized text of the 1987 Belgium-UK double tax agreement, as modified by the BEPS multilateral instrument.

On April 3, 2020, the Belgian tax authority announced an increase in the credit available for timely advance tax payments to provide businesses and the self-employed a liquidity boost amid the COVID-19 crisis.

The OECD has launched a review of dispute resolution mechanisms in place in Aruba, Bahrain, Barbados, Gibraltar, Greenland, Kazakhstan, Oman, Qatar, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam, as part of follow-up work under BEPS Action Plan Action 14.

For the first time, the Commission has presented a comprehensive report on investor citizenship and residence schemes operated by a number of EU member states.

More than 20 jurisdictions have signed up to a pilot project to exchange data held on beneficial ownership registers and registers of trusts, according to UK Chancellor George Osborne.

Australia is to require businesses seeking to tender for significant federal government procurement contracts to demonstrate their record of tax compliance.

The Australian Taxation Office has welcomed a significant ruling from Australia's High Court, which enables the tax agency to use information obtained from data leaks, even if leaked from a law firm.

In a new report for G20 ministers, the OECD has provided an update on its work to tackle tax base erosion and profit shifting relating to multinational businesses.

HM Revenue and Customs, the UK tax authority, has welcomed a ruling in its favor against a contrived tax avoidance scheme involving an entity in Jersey and the Cayman Islands.

South Africa, Jersey, and Belgium are among a handful of territories that have recently announced an extension to the due date for country-by-country reports under the new frameworks being introduced under Action 13 of the OECD's base erosion and profit shifting Action Plan.

Jersey has become one of only three jurisdictions to ratify the BEPS multilateral instrument to revise tax treaties to counter base erosion and profit shifting.

A further six countries have signed the BEPS multilateral instrument, enabling them to swiftly amend their double tax treaties to incorporate the recommendations put forward by the OECD as part of its base erosion and profit shifting Action Plan.

The OECD has announced that its multilateral convention to implement tax treaty-related measures to counter base erosion and profit shifting will enter into force on July 1, 2018.

Malta has become the latest country to ratify the OECD's multilateral convention to counter base erosion and profit shifting.

The Dutch Government has launched a consultation exercise on plans to review the country's tax treaty policy and to draw up a list of low-tax jurisdictions for the purposes of enforcing incoming controlled foreign company rules.

Switzerland has made its first exchanges under the new international automatic exchange of information framework, the Common Reporting Standard.

The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore has announced that the BEPS multilateral instrument entered into force for several of its double tax treaties on April 1, 2019.

On October 7, 2019, the Dutch Government announced the launch of a consultation on the 2020 edition of the list of low-tax jurisdictions for the purposes of enforcing existing and forthcoming anti-avoidance legislation intended to tackle base erosion and profit shifting.

The European Commission has requested that both Austria and Ireland take action to transpose EU-wide interest limitation rules into their respective national laws.

The provisions of the EU's second Anti Tax Avoidance Directive will become effective in all member states from January 1, 2020.

The Dutch Tax and Customs Administration has launched a campaign to monitor the employment status of individuals working in the care and construction sectors.

The European Council has authorized the opening of negotiations for a new partnership with the UK, and mandated the Commission to act as the EU's negotiator.

On April 6, 2020, the Dutch Ministry of Finance published guidance material on the application of the BEPS Multilateral Instrument and its effect on Dutch tax treaties.

The OECD has scheduled a new Tax Talks webcast to update stakeholders on its work on the reform of international tax rules for the digitalized economy.

On April 29, 2020, the Belgian tax authority announced changes to the deadline for the submission of annual corporate tax declarations due to the COVID-19 crisis.

The European Commission has launched infringement proceedings against 14 member states for failing to implement the so-called value-added tax quick fixes.

Best preoperative definition of cancer-related malnutrition may depend on the type of cancer the patient has, reports a new study. The findings of the

Scientists from the University of Southampton studied the association between BMI and prolonged sickness absence, cutting down at work and health-related

Unconscious food cravings were found to make bariatric surgery less effective for extreme obesity, stated new research that was accepted for presentation

Fruit drinks' labels marketed to children, do not help parents and other consumers differentiate among fruit juice and sugar-laden, artificially flavored

In low income countries, educational status was found to have a positive influence on a healthy diet, according to new research examining European nutritional data.

Vulvovaginal problems such as dryness and pain during intercourse may get reduced by estradiol tablets, finds a new study. The findings of this study

WHO has officially recognized 'compulsive sexual behavior' a mental disorder. An excessive engrossment with sexual fantasies urges, and behaviors that

HIV outbreak among people who administer drugs in Indiana from 2011 to 2015 could have been prevented if the state's top health officials had responded sooner on warnings, reports a new study.

A single dose of metronidazole or tinidazole antibiotic may not be very effective in treating an STD in some women, finds a new study. The findings of

Students who had received sexuality education including refusal skills training before college matriculation were found to be at lower risk of experiencing

The age at when the puberty hits a child is based on the gap between the parents' and child's ultimate height and not genetics, find researchers. The

Shaving or waxing pubic hair may not raise the risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), stated new study. Previous research and many media reports

Adolescent sexual risk behavior is lowered with involvement of parents and healthcare providers, stated new study. Now, a randomized clinical trial

Most antibiotics prescribed by dentists to prevent infections prior to dental visits are unnecessary, reports a new study. A new study conducted by

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Type 2 diabetics who were in poor health were mostly continuing their insulin intake after age 75 compared to their counterparts in better health./br According

In identifying people at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, dental teams were found to play an important role, suggested new research. The

A new initiative launched in Uttar Pradesh could revolutionize flood management while at the same time boost groundwater stocks for dry season irrigation.

(NEW DELHI. 17 December 2015) The severe drought in Bundelkhand is likely to become a more regular occurrence according to scientists at the International Water Management Institute (IWMI). Records show that the area, straddling the states of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh near Jhansi, experienced seven droughts in the last decade. This compares with a […]

Experts meet in Delhi to discuss a new initiative to "future-proof" livelihoods of one million smallholder farmers in South Asia

People living in Delhi, please take note. Activities like construction, vehicle traffic, and domestic heating add significantly to the Delhi-National

Breathing polluted air during early childhood can cause structural brain changes later at age 12, reports a new study. A new study suggests that significant

Regions with increased levels of nitrogen dioxide air pollution were found to significantly have more COVID-19 deaths than other regions, stated study