Latest news with #Income
Straits Times
7 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Trump hints at no trade deal with Japan by Aug 1 deadline
Find out what's new on ST website and app. The comments were made about a week after he threatened to impose a 25 per cent tariff on goods from Japan, effective next month. WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump suggested on July 16 that striking a trade deal with Japan by the Aug 1 deadline he has set to wrap up bilateral talks will be difficult, and that a tariff of 25 per cent will be applied to goods from the Asian country. 'We're negotiating with them. But I think probably we will live by the letter with Japan,' Mr Trump told reporters at the White House, referring to his recent notification of new tariff rates to trading partners by letter. The comments were made about a week after he threatened to impose a 25 per cent tariff on goods from Japan, effective next month. The country-specific rate under Mr Trump's so-called reciprocal tariffs, which he set on July 7, is up from the 24 per cent he unveiled in early April. Mr Trump's announcement of the slight increase came as he has ratcheted up pressure on Japan to concede in the ongoing negotiations, often restating his long-standing accusation that the country has been reluctant to import American cars and agricultural products. Japan was among the more than 20 trading partners to which he sent letters last week, unilaterally informing them of their new tariff rates. Mr Trump unveiled sweeping tariffs on April 2, targeting dozens of countries with which the United States runs trade deficits, before pausing them for 90 days to provide time for talks. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore HSA launches anti-vaping checks near 5 institutes of higher learning Singapore Over 600 Telegram groups in Singapore selling, advertising vapes removed by HSA Business Singapore key exports surprise with 13% rebound in June Business Market versus mission: What will Income Insurance choose? Life First look at the new Singapore Oceanarium at Resorts World Sentosa Opinion AI and education: We need to know where this sudden marriage is heading Singapore Coffee Meets Bagel's Singpass check: Why I'll swipe right on that Singapore Jail for man who fatally hit his daughter, 2, while driving van without licence But the Trump administration has extended the pause to Aug 1 amid little progress in its talks with those major trading partners, including Japan, South Korea and the European Union. With Tokyo, a major sticking point has been the US auto tariff, which Mr Trump raised by 25 percentage points to 27.5 per cent in April on national security grounds. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the administration's point man on tariff negotiations, is scheduled to head a presidential delegation to Osaka to attend the World Exposition in the Japanese city on July 19. Although officials have said that the purpose of Mr Bessent's trip to Japan is not to discuss trade issues, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is seeking to meet with Mr Bessent, possibly on July 18 in Tokyo, according to Japanese government sources. Japan's chief tariff negotiator, Mr Ryosei Akazawa, who has frequently visited Washington, is expected to welcome the US delegation. Mr Bessent's visit comes just ahead of Japan's House of Councillors election, with media polls indicating Mr Ishiba's ruling coalition is struggling to retain majority control in the upper house. Depending on the outcome of the election, the prospects for the negotiations between Tokyo and Washington could dim further if there is less room for compromise. The Japanese government has presented a set of proposals aimed at reducing its trade surplus with the United States, including increasing imports of American corn and liquid natural gas. Japanese officials said they will not finalise a trade deal with the United States if the higher auto tariff remains in place. But the Trump administration has shown no signs of budging on the new rate, which has already taken effect. So far, the administration has sealed trade deals with only three countries – Britain, Vietnam and Indonesia. When announcing the agreement with Indonesia on July 15, Mr Trump said it would grant full market access to the United States, but the South-east Asian country has not confirmed whether his claim is accurate. The terms of the deals with the two South-east Asian countries remain largely unknown. During a meeting with Bahrain's Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa in the Oval Office on July 16, in addition to referring to Japan, Mr Trump touted a forthcoming trade deal, telling reporters, 'We have another one coming up, maybe with India.' KYODO NEWS
Straits Times
7 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Trump thinks China will sentence fentanyl traffickers to death
Find out what's new on ST website and app. The drug trade has joined a range of economic and security issues as a major flashpoint in the relationship between the countries in recent years. WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump said on July 16 that he thinks China will soon sentence people to death for fentanyl manufacturing and distribution, as he offered fresh optimism about the prospects of a deal with Beijing on illicit drugs. The drug trade has joined a range of economic and security issues as a major flashpoint in the relationship between the countries in recent years. Washington accuses Beijing of failing to stem to curb the flow of precursor chemicals for fentanyl, a leading cause of US overdose deaths. Beijing has defended its drug control record and accused Washington of using fentanyl to 'blackmail' China. Mr Trump imposed 20 per cent tariffs on Chinese imports over the issue in February, and they have remained in effect despite a fragile trade truce reached by both sides in Geneva in May. 'I think we're going to work it out so that China is going to end up going from that to giving the death penalty to the people that create this fentanyl and send it into our country,' he said. 'I believe that's going to happen soon.' The Chinese embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Mr Trump spoke before he signed the HALT Fentanyl Act, a law increases prison terms for drug offences involving fentanyl-related substances. The event was attended by family members of people who had died from fentanyl overdoses. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Over 600 Telegram groups in Singapore selling, advertising vapes removed by HSA Singapore 2 weeks' jail for man caught smuggling over 1,800 vapes and pods into Singapore Business Market versus mission: What will Income Insurance choose? Opinion AI and education: We need to know where this sudden marriage is heading Singapore Coffee Meets Bagel's Singpass check: Why I'll swipe right on that Singapore Jail for man who fatally hit his daughter, 2, while driving van without licence Sport 'Like being in a washing machine with 40 deg C water': Open water swimmers brave challenging conditions Singapore Primary 1 registration: 38 primary schools to conduct ballot in Phase 2A More than 450,000 Americans have died of synthetic opioid overdoses over the past decade, with millions more addicted. Mr Trump has been working to lower tensions with Chinese leader Xi Jinping ahead of a potential in-person meeting later in 2025. 'I think China's been helping out,' he told reporters earlier on July 16. 'Since I came here we're talking to them and they're making big steps... They want to do something. We'll see what happens.' China has baulked at some of Washington's demands, which include publicising the crackdown on fentanyl precursors on the front page of the Communist Party mouthpiece People's Daily and tightening regulation of specific chemicals. But Beijing has also taken a series of actions on counter-narcotics in recent weeks. These included adding two more fentanyl precursors, 4-piperidone and 1-boc-4-piperidone, to a list of controlled chemicals starting on July 13. In June, Chinese state media that immigration officials have seized more than 2 tons of drugs and arrested 262 suspects for drug smuggling so far in 2025. Chinese officials also said they had prosecuted more than 1,300 people and arrested over 700 more nationwide for drug-related money laundering offences between January and May 2025, a 2.1 per cent year-on-year increase. A court in the southeastern province of Fujian in June handed a suspended death sentence to former drug control official Liu Yuejin for bribery, state media reported. REUTERS
Sassy Mama
15-07-2025
- Business
- Sassy Mama
Protect Your Helper With Affordable And Comprehensive Coverage With Income's Domestic Helper Insurance
Looking after the one who provides an additional pair of hands around the house just makes sense. Income's Domestic Helper Insurance lets you do just that with affordable premiums and comprehensive protection. Between juggling work deadlines, sorting out the kids' meals, and caring for elderly parents, there's only so much we can fit into a 24-hour day. For many families in Singapore, having a domestic helper makes a world of difference. But have you thought about what happens if she falls sick or has an accident? That's why it is important to get insurance protection for your helper. With Income's Domestic Helper Insurance, you can give her comprehensive protection at affordable premiums. Comprehensive coverage plans to suit your needs Your helper is probably a reliable right-hand woman at home who helps you juggle everything life throws your way. Whether you're looking for essential protection or more comprehensive coverage, Income's Domestic Helper Insurance has a range of options to suit your needs. The Basic Plan offers peace of mind with coverage for personal accidents, hospitalisation, personal liability, and outpatient medical expenses due to injury. It also includes hospitalisation coverage for pre-existing medical conditions if your helper has been working in Singapore as a foreign domestic helper for more than 12 months in a row. For families who want a higher level of assurance, the Standard or Enhanced Plan provides added benefits. These include coverage for certain expenses if you need to stop employing your helper due to a serious sickness or serious injury, as well as wage compensation of up to 30 days if she's unable to carry out her duties due to hospitalisation. Keeping your domestic helper protected while she works for your family Accidents can happen anytime, in and outside the home. If your helper is injured in a personal accident, Income's Domestic Helper Insurance offers coverage of up to $80,0001, along with local and emergency overseas hospitalisation2 benefits, including coverage for COVID-193! In addition, with a Letter of Guarantee4, you won't need to worry about making an upfront payment for eligible hospitalisation expenses because the hospital will bill Income Insurance directly, and you can focus on your helper's recovery. With the MediPass app5, doctor visits are also now easier on your wallet, with a preferential rate for general practitioner consultations which start from just $13.086, and mandatory six-monthly medical check-ups start from $21.806! At the end of the day, your helper isn't just an employee, she's the quiet force that keeps your household moving. Insuring her with Income's Domestic Helper Insurance gives you peace of mind and shows that you're looking out for her. With affordable premiums, Income's Domestic Helper Insurance gives her the protection she deserves and protects your wallet from surprises. Check out their latest promotions here. Income Insurance,
Deccan Herald
13-07-2025
- Business
- Deccan Herald
I-T refunds jump 474% since 2013-14
New Delhi: Income Tax refunds have jumped 474 per cent in the last 11 years to Rs 4.77 lakh crore in 2024-25, significantly outpacing the 274 per cent growth in gross tax collections, sources said on there has been an 81 per cent decrease in number of days it takes to issue income tax refunds decreasing from 93 days in 2013 to just 17 days in of 2013-14, the last year of the UPA rule, refunds issued by the Income Tax department was at Rs 83,008 crore. Whereas, at the end of 2024-25, the 11th year of the ongoing NDA rule, I-T refunds stood at Rs 4.77 lakh crore, showing a 474 per cent growth during the top advance tax payers, check fake claims: CBDT to I-T direct tax collection grew 274 per cent to Rs 27.03 lakh crore as of 2024-25, from Rs 7.22 lakh crore as of has been a 133 per cent growth in I-T returns filed since 2013. A total of 3.8 crore ITRs were filed in 2013, which has risen to 8.89 crore in said this massive increase in tax refunds and decrease in number of days to issue refunds is due to improvements in tax administration, especially with the adoption of digital infrastructure including end-to-end online filing and faceless assessment that enables faster and more accurate processing of introduction of pre-filled returns, automation in refund processing, real-time TDS adjustments and online grievance redress mechanisms have led to reduced delays and improved taxpayer as proportion of gross direct taxes collected also rose to 17.6 per cent as of 2024-25, from 11.5 per cent in said the growth in refunds as proportion of gross tax collected is a reflection of increased formalisation and voluntary participation in the tax system.."As the taxpayer base expands and advance tax payments and TDS mechanisms deepen, refunds become more common. The growing volume and share of refunds are thus not merely a statistical trend but a meaningful signal of systemic maturity," they demonstrates that India's tax ecosystem is now firmly aligned with the principles of efficiency, transparency, and taxpayer facilitation.
Mint
09-07-2025
- General
- Mint
KCET 2025 Counselling Dates: Option entry begins at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in; here's how to apply step-by-step
The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has announced the KCET 2025 counselling schedule on its official website at Qualified candidates may log in to the KEA portal to choose and rank their desired colleges and courses. The final seat matrix, which outlines the number of available seats in engineering and agriculture programmes, has been released. Round 1 offers more than 77,000 engineering seats and 3,350 agriculture seats, according to reports. 2. 2nd PUC / Class 12 Marksheet 3. Study Certificate (signed by BEO/DDPI) 4. Two passport-size photos 5. KCET 2025 Application Form and a printed admit card 6. Fee payment (receipt or challan) proof 7. Caste or Caste Income Certificate (if applicable) 8. Kannada Medium Certificate (if applicable) 9. Income Certificate (if required) 10. Rural Study Certificate (if going for rural quota) 11. Parent-related Certificates: Proof of Study, Domicile, Employment, or Hometown (required for government quota seat eligibility) 12, Affidavit: Applicable to Horanadu/Gadinadu Kannadiga candidates under eligibility clauses C and D. Go to the official KEA Website: 2. Tap on KCET 2025 Application Link: Click the link that states 'KCET Application Form 2025" on the homepage. 3. Now, register and login with your credentials. You have to make a new account by entering your details. Mention your personal, academic and contact details 4. Upload all documents like photo, signature as required and proceed to making a fee. 5. Get a printout of it after submission. Do check your details carefully. 6. Keep a copy with you for future purposes during counselling or admission. Candidates were provided an opportunity to make edits to their applications and download verification slips, an essential requirement for participating in counselling, before the option entry process. The provisional seat matrix had been released earlier to help candidates plan their preferences accordingly. The KCET 2025 results were announced in late May, and the counselling process officially began in July. There will be three primary rounds of counselling, with an additional extended round if any seats remain unfilled.
