Latest news with #North-South
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Double-digit rise in northerners paying inheritance tax
Northern households are increasingly being caught in the Government's inheritance tax raid, new data shows. Since 2015, there has been a 40pc surge in the number of families in the North West forced to pay death duties due to the Government's frozen thresholds. This was the biggest increase of any region in England. Properties in the north of the country are far cheaper than in the south, yet frozen thresholds coupled with house price inflation mean smaller estates are being dragged into inheritance tax. The top three postcodes which saw the sharpest rise in families paying inheritance tax between 2015 and 2022 were Wolverhampton, Bradford and Dundee, according to data from HM Revenue and Customs obtained by the law firm Irwin Mitchell in a Freedom of Information request. The number of London families dragged into the net rose by only 4pc over the same period. Each individual can leave behind up to £325,000 without paying inheritance tax, however, this tax-free allowance has been frozen since 2009 despite soaring house prices. Had the Government increased the threshold in line with inflation, it would be worth almost £520,000 today. It means families who might not consider themselves wealthy are increasing forced to pay the 40pc charge. The modest rise in Londoners paying inheritance could reflect the use of tax avoidance strategies among the wealthy elite, according to Irwin Mitchell. Despite this, the amount of tax paid by Londoners still leapt by over 40pc due to the number of high value estates in the capital. Families in inner London forked out £831m in 2015, but Irwin Mitchell predicts this will hit £1.6bn by 2026-27. Meanwhile, it expects the tax haul in Wolverhampton to soar from £8m in 2015-16 to £38m by 2026-27 – an increase of 375pc in just over a decade. England has long suffered from a North-South divide, with workers in the South East earning on average £12,800 more than in the lowest paid areas of the country such as Burnley and Huddersfield, according to research from Centre for Cities. The average property in the North West sells for about £250,000, almost half the value of a typical home in the South East. Chris Etherington, of accountants RSM, said the number of northerners paying inheritance tax will rise again because of the changes to business tax relief announced in the October Budget. As part of her maiden budget, Rachel Reeves slashed tax relief for business owners and farmers while also making pensions liable for the 40pc charge, dragging an estimated 10,000 new families into the net. Mr Etherington said: 'There are significant numbers of privately owned businesses in the North that will be impacted by the changes to inheritance tax reliefs from April 2026, and it is inevitable more estates will have a tax bill to pay as a result. 'There are thriving entrepreneurial businesses in the North, in particular in industries such as manufacturing and technology, and many business owners are still unaware of the inheritance tax implications that lie ahead.' This comes as a study by Family Business UK warns that the new inheritance tax rules for family businesses and farmers could wipe almost £15bn off the UK's economic activity. Andy Butcher, of wealth manager Raymond James, said: 'How are business owners supposed to plan for their succession when the business will now likely have to be sold on their death to cover inheritance tax? It's a short-term cash grab which will cause significant damage to the UK economy in the longer term.' Homeowners passing on their main property can claim an additional £175,000 allowance called the residence nil-rate band. Couples can share their allowances which means they can protect up to £1m from the 40pc charge. 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
![[Lee Kyong-hee] Pressure mounts for inter-Korean detente](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwimg.heraldcorp.com%2Fnews%2Fcms%2F2025%2F06%2F01%2Fnews-p.v1.20250601.92846e8b98b7454cb16313dee9104a92_T1.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
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Korea Herald
3 days ago
- Politics
- Korea Herald
[Lee Kyong-hee] Pressure mounts for inter-Korean detente
When the new president takes office in two days, he will face a host of pressing tasks. Among the main challenges will be the division of the Korean Peninsula, which still festers more than 70 years after fighting ended. As we have seen more than a few times, the North-South divide is often used for political gain. Ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol was the latest high official to employ a 'Red Scare' strategy to stifle political opponents. In his declaration of martial law, Yoon said he would eliminate the 'anti-state, pro-North communist sympathizers threatening to overthrow the constitutional order of our liberal democracy and plundering the freedom and happiness of our people.' Yoon didn't realize that claiming "communist infiltration" had grown so deep as to imperil the nation, provokes skepticism and questions about judgment and leadership, not fear. Nevertheless, Yoon's clumsy self-putsch once again highlighted the fact that the ideological divide in South Korea has little chance of ending without addressing problems derived from territorial division. Besides peace on the peninsula, political and social progress within the South is at stake. Considering the geopolitical backdrop, this task has taken on more urgency. The new South Korean president will be under instant pressure to finesse a high tariff threat from US President Donald Trump. And he must be mindful that Trump will likely resume his 'bromance' with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un sooner or later to strike a deal. There will be no time to spare in the first months of the new administration. North Korea is clearly in a different place now than it was in 2018, when Kim wanted Seoul to lay a bridge to Washington for summit talks with Trump in his first presidency. While the Biden administration remained idle and Yoon indulged in belligerent rhetoric, Kim's rogue regime has grown stronger and more dangerous, demonstrating stunning resilience to endure even the harshest difficulties. It has continued to advance its nuclear and missile technologies, stealing cryptocurrency, earning billions of dollars from troop commitments and arms sales to Russia and learning battleground lessons in Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin is providing North Korea with security guarantees, as well as food and fuel, under a mutual defense treaty. The UN sanctions against North Korea have effectively been invalidated, with neither Moscow nor Beijing abiding by UN Security Council resolutions. Total bilateral trade between North Korea and China, which accounts for most of the North's foreign trade, has also increased remarkably. Now, with an estimated 50 nuclear weapons and enough material for some 40 more, Kim has a lot more cards and leverage than ever before. It is unrealistic to expect Kim to surrender his entire nuclear capabilities in return for lifting sanctions or in response to heightened pressure. In this light, the only plausible way to bring Kim to the table appears to be dramatically enlarging the scale of incentives. There is speculation that Trump, the dealmaker, will likely make huge concessions in his fourth summit with Kim to yield tangible results. He has probably realized that the tough, conventional pursuit of genuine denuclearization has become pointless, and therefore will likely seek a 'small deal' based on arms control. Under the 'America First' agenda, the agreement may focus on more realistic goals, such as North Korea's commitment to a moratorium on further nuclear tests and provocative ICBM launches, stopping the transfer of weapons of mass destruction technology to third parties, ending aggressive cyber operations against Western targets, and withdrawal of offensive weaponry deployed near the Korean DMZ. In return, the agreement may include an end-of-war declaration, or even a peace treaty on the Korean Peninsula and formal diplomatic relations between the United States and North Korea. These provisions would help alleviate security fears on the part of South Korea and Japan, while having important benefits for the United States, such as reducing defense spending and redeployment of troops. Trump may further expand the deal to link peace in Northeast Asia with that in Ukraine. North Korea may be asked to stop sending troops and ammunition to Russia, which would push Putin to stop fighting and help Trump cut US spending in Ukraine. Since North Korean supplies have accounted for 50 percent of Russian artillery fires in Ukraine, a ceasefire could be made sustainable. South Korea's new administration should be prepared to smartly position itself in the negotiation process, while seeking separate dialogue with Pyongyang to discuss bilateral issues, including humanitarian assistance and cross-border economic cooperation. No less crucial would be clarifying its stance with Washington concerning possible reductions in US Forces Korea and enhancing deterrence by securing nuclear latency through renegotiating provisions in the Korea-US civil nuclear agreement banning South Korea's enrichment and reprocessing of nuclear fuel. The new administration will need to think outside the box to lead the nation through a challenging time toward common prosperity on the divided peninsula, even if reunification remains a long-term goal. Mold-breaking thinking and brave moves are required in times of crisis. The new president needs to show extraordinary leadership by listening to different public views and crafting a suprapartisan consensus regarding inter-Korean issues across a polarized divide.
Time of India
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'Param Sundari' teaser out: Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor spark romance in their upcoming rom-com
The teaser for Param Sundari, starring Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor, was released, featuring Sonu Nigam's soulful song. Set in Kerala, it showcases a romantic comedy about North-South cultural contrasts. Directed by Tushar Jalota and produced by Dinesh Vijan, the film releases on July 25, 2025. The teaser for Param Sundari, the new romantic comedy featuring Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor , has just been released. The makers shared the nearly one-minute clip on Thursday, generating buzz among fans eager to witness this new on-screen duo. The voice of Sonu Nigam accompanied the visuals, prompting fans to eagerly call for the full song's release. First Look Unveiled On Thursday, Maddock Films unveiled the first look of Param Sundari on their social media platforms. They accompanied the reveal with the caption: 'Where North's fire meets South's grace, it calls for the biggest love story of the year! Dinesh Vijan presents Param Sundari, a love story directed by Tushar Jalota , coming to cinemas on 25th July 2025.' Watch the teaser here: Introducing the Lead Characters The teaser begins by showcasing Sidharth as Param, highlighting his sculpted body and defined abs. Soon after, Janhvi appears as Sundari, charming the audience with her expressive eyes peeking from behind a hand fan. The video then transports viewers to the breathtaking scenery of Kerala, featuring tranquil backwaters and winding roads that weave through lush tea gardens. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Shubh Aarambh with Honda Shine 125! Honda Learn More Undo Romantic Melody and Dramatic Glimpses The romantic scenes between the lead couple are beautifully set to Sonu Nigam's melodious track, 'Pardesia Hai Tere Pyar Me Jab Se,' composed by Sachin Jigar. The teaser also offers brief, fast-paced glimpses of the intense drama that arises when northern and southern cultures come together in this love story. Film Details and Release Date Helmed by director Tushar Jalota, 'Param Sundari' tells the story of a couple whose contrasting cultural backgrounds ignite a passionate and unpredictable romance filled with surprises. The film stars Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor, with Rajeev Khandelwal and Aakash Dahiya playing key supporting roles. Produced by Dinesh Vijan, the movie is slated for release on July 25. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
News18
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Khushi Kapoor Is ‘Param Sundari' Sister Janhvi's Biggest Cheerleader
Maddock Films revealed the first look of Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor starrer Param Sundari. Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor 's much-awaited Param Sundari is all set to hit theatres on July 25 this year. The production house behind the project, Maddock Films, has finally unveiled the first look of the film. Fans are thrilled to witness the fresh on-screen pairing of Sidharth and Janhvi. But no one seems more excited or happier than Janhvi's younger sister, Khushi Kapoor. Ahead of Param Sundari's grand theatrical release, actor Khushi Kapoor couldn't contain her excitement after the first look dropped. Taking to her Instagram handle, she re-shared the video originally posted by Maddock Films. The Archies actor wrote, 'Ahhhh, can't wait," along with a crying face and heart emoji. Directed by Tushar Jalota and produced by Dinesh Vijan under the banner of Maddock Films, the film is all set in a serene backdrop of Kerala, presenting a North-meet-South love story. The film title followed by the name of lead characters – Param played by the sensational Siddharth Kapoor and Sundari is portrayed by charismatic Jahnvi Kapoor. In the teaser, Sidharth is seen flaunting his chiselled physique and six-pack abs, while Janhvi captivates with her expressive eyes and traditional desi glamour. The on-screen couple is shown strolling through lush green landscapes, sharing intimate and romantic moments. A soulful track by Sonu Nigam plays in the background, heightening the emotional intensity of their love story. As with most tales of romance, theirs is not without its challenges, but it's the strong chemistry between the two leads that's drawing all the attention. Maddock Films revealed the first look today. Alongside the teaser, the caption read: 'Where North's fire meets South's grace, it calls for the biggest love story of the year!" which hints fans to be ready to delve into a cross-cultural romantic drama. 'Dinesh Vijan presents Param Sundari, a love story directed by Tushar Jalota, coming to cinemas on 25th July 2025. #ParamSundari first look out now," the caption added. With its romantic North-South storyline, Param Sundari has already begun to steal hearts. As Sidharth and Janhvi light up the screen with their chemistry, fans are keeping high hopes for the film to turn out a blockbuster. First Published:
Miami Herald
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
US Could Reduce Troop Presence Near North Korea: WSJ
The U.S. is mulling withdrawing thousands of troops from South Korea, according to a Wall Street Journal report. Newsweek reached out to the Pentagon and South Korean embassy in the U.S. with emailed requests for comment. It would mark the first such drawdown since 2008, when Washington redeployed 12,500 troops from what was then a 40,000-strong U.S. Forces Korea. South Korea hosts the third-largest number of American troops outside the U.S.—after Japan and Germany—stationed there to help defend Seoul against threats from nuclear-armed North Korea and support regional efforts to counter an increasingly assertive China. With North-South relations at their most fraught in decades, military officials have warned a reduction could impact U.S. and allied capabilities in a conflict with Kim Jong Un's regime. Members of the Trump administration have proposed redeploying some 4,500 troops from South Korea to U.S. bases in the Indo-Pacific region, such as in Guam, the WSJ reported, citing two Pentagon officials familiar with the discussions. The officials said the proposal had not yet been brought before President Donald Trump and was still being prepared as part of an informal review of North Korea policy. There were 26,556 U.S. military personnel and Department of Defense civilians stationed in South Korea as of December 2024, according to the Pentagon's Defense Manpower Data Center. A Department of Defense spokesperson told the newspaper there were no policy announcements to be made on the matter. National Security Council spokesperson Pete Nguyen declined to comment on the potential withdrawal but said the president remains committed to North Korea's "complete denuclearization." Trump has reportedly floated the idea of reducing the U.S. military footprint in South Korea since his first term. In the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election, he complained that South Korea was not paying enough for the deployment of American troops. South Korea's defense ministry told Reuters there have been no discussions with the U.S. regarding a troop withdrawal. The WSJ report comes amid flaring tensions on the Korean Peninsula. The North continues to press forward with its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs, and last year formally abandoned its longstanding policy of eventual reunification with the South. Kim Jong Un's deployment of thousands of troops to support Russia's war in Ukraine has further stoked tensions. Sean King, Asia scholar and senior vice president of New York-based consultancy Park Strategies, told Newsweek: "I'm all for the U.S. defending Guam as best we can and for holding the line on the Second Island Chain, but let's hope that doesn't come at the expense of South Korea's defense." It remains to be seen whether Trump will order a significant redeployment of troops. At an April 10 Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, Indo-Pacific Command chief Admiral Samuel Paparo said that reducing the U.S. troop presence in South Korea would "inherently…reduce our ability to prevail in conflict." Army Gen. Xavier Brunson, commander of U.S. Forces Korea, said such a move would be "problematic." Related Articles DOD Responds to South Korea Troops Report: 'Not True'US Reveals Movements of Navy's Nuclear-Armed SubmarinesVideos Show US Destroyers Training To Intercept Ballistic MissilesMinuteman III vs Yars: US ICBM Passes Test Days After Russian Launch Flops 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
