Latest news with #UTV
ITV News
13 hours ago
- Business
- ITV News
Inheritance tax poses difficult decisions for Northern Ireland farmers
Getting your head around numbers can sometimes be a difficult task. Even more so when it comes to exactly what Northern Ireland's farming community has had to do though, in just a few the end of 2024, the Labour government said it was going to remove relief on inheritance tax for farmers. From April 2026, agricultural assets which total over £1m will be taxed at a rate of 20%.That includes animals, buildings and land - with change now looming for many farms in Northern have been exempt from Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief for many years but that could now be was a decision not welcomed by many farmers then, and even now, including dairy farmer Keith runs a large operation just outside of Newry, Co Down.'The simple fact is that the sector isn't profitable enough whenever you count the valuation of property, to be able to sustain this for one generation, never mind two.'Keith spoke to UTV at Markethill Livestock Sales in Co Armagh. Dairy and beef cattle were being sold on the day of filming and interest was still strong, but under it all, lay concern for what the future Hewitt is the man behind the microphone and the man who coordinates the sales. 'They (the government) have brought these proposals in, genuinely without thinking about it and not realising the knock-on effect,' he added that he was worried about the 'long-term' effects on farmers and other way farms can be exempt from the new proposals is if the family farm is gifted, but the donor must live on it for seven years Kinnear was forced into adapting, not by his own father John died in 2017, leaving the family farm in Derrynoose to his mother Shirley before she passed it on to Timothy.'Something so simple can absolutely obliterate farming,' he told UTV.'If they (the government) don't watch themselves, they will do away with Irish produce.'If inheritance tax hit me today, I would have to sell a third of the place and if I was to sell a third of the place there wouldn't be enough income to support me or if I was to have a future family.'The Ulster Farmers' Union is urging the government to take on the concerns of farmers in Northern Ireland.'It is gut-wrenching and really does pull on the heartstrings, some of the things which farmers are actually considering,' said James McCluggage from the union.'We need to see some sort of morality clause in there for the elderly, for the disabled, for those who are incapacitated, that [sic] can't make a decision or cannot get plans in place at the moment.'The government says the changes won't affect every farmer and that they are necessary to better fund public a statement, a spokesperson for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said: 'Our commitment to farming and food security is steadfast, which is why we've allocated a record £11.8billion to sustainable farming and food production over this parliament. 'We are also slashing costs and red tape for food producers to export to the EU, have appointed former NFU president Baroness Minette Batters to recommend reforms to boost farmers' profits, and we're ensuring farmers get a bigger share of food contracts across our schools, hospitals, and prisons.'For now, the industry looks determined to continue speaking up as farmers prepare to count the cost of change, whatever it may be. On Friday UTV were joined by Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir to address the central issues within the farming community.
ITV News
13 hours ago
- Politics
- ITV News
Safeguarding Minister to meet Stormont Executive after 'appalling' grooming gangs review findings
Exclusive A child sexual exploitation scandal in Northern Ireland, first exposed by UTV more than a decade ago, helped inform damning research about the scale of the crime and failures by the authorities in England and Wales. The audit by Baroness Louise Casey prompted Prime Minister Keir Starmer to launch a national inquiry into grooming gangs. Although it doesn't include Northern Ireland and Scotland, the inquiry looks set to have major ramifications in Northern Ireland. Deborah Hanna who lost her daughter Caitlin after being exploited has said a review in Northern Ireland needs to be carried out. In another development, the government's Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips has said she will be meeting with the Executive on Monday to discuss ways to ''work together to protect children and bring perpetrators to justice''. The Home Office says the findings of the inquiry will be shared with the devolved administrations ''including the Northern Ireland Executive, to support a joined up and robust approach across the UK''. The sexual exploitation scandal in Northern Ireland related to young girls going missing from care multiple times. Operation Owl looked at 20 cases. Initially, they were not connected when they should have been. An inquiry was also ordered into the scale of the problem in 2014. There was no organised exploitation like that found in Rotherham and Rochdale but it found that individuals with links to paramilitary groups may have used their influence to abuse children. The inquiry concluded that child sexual exploitation was a ''significant'' and growing threat in NI. Nexus NI provides support to anyone impacted by sexual abuse from the age of eight. The organisation said it's time for a fresh look into the extent of the problem in Northern Ireland given the passage of time and due an increased threat from grooming gangs. Chief executive, Joanne Barnes said: "Baroness Casey's audit has exposed uncomfortable truths about child sexual exploitation and abuse that demand immediate action. "Failure to act regardless of the reason puts our children and young people at greater risk. "Regardless of jurisdiction, our children, young people and all survivors deserve nothing less than complete transparency and accountability. "It has been 10 years since the last report on tackling Child Sexual Exploitation was published here. "Therefore, the time for a fresh and independent examination of experiences, systems and supports is now. "Every day we spend asking 'should we look at this afresh' is another day our survivors will rightly demand, 'why didn't you?'" That is echoed by Deborah Hanna – her daughter Caitlin was just 21 when she died from a drug overdose three years ago. Her abuser – part of a grooming gang – who forced young vulnerable women into the sex trade on the streets of Belfast in exchange for drugs. '"My daughter was used by her abusers so they could gain money and drugs." said Deborah. "If I knew about the grooming, I think things would of been a lot different." "A review needs to be carried out as grooming gangs are going to become a bigger issue." The PSNI said it will identify learning to implement on the back of Baroness Casey's and from any planned operations in England and Wales. In a joint statement the Health Minister Mike Nesbitt and Justice Minister Naomi Long said they are "appalled" at the findings of the Casey Audit. They said they are "determined" to do all they can to protect children and young people in Northern Ireland from sexual exploitation. The ministers added, "The Home Office has not yet consulted the Departments of Health orJustice on this matter. "However, a commitment has been made that the Safeguarding Minister will follow up on the announcement of the inquiry with the devolved administrations. "We will, therefore, consider the issues raised during that engagement and respond accordingly."
See - Sada Elbalad
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- See - Sada Elbalad
"Pitch Perfect: K-Pop Idols" Series in Works
Yara Sameh Elizabeth Banks and Max Handelman's Brownstone Productions has inked a first-look deal with Universal Television (UTV). The company was previously set up under an overall deal at Warner Bros. Television. Under the deal, Brownstone will develop and produce TV series with UTV across all platforms. Furthermore, Brownstone has promoted Anna Hughes to vice president and Kristen Spence to creative executive. They will report to Krissy Wall, who is Brownstone's head of television. Alison Small serves as head of film. Brownstone currently has two projects in development with UTV for Peacock. First, there is the comedy 'Pitch Perfect: K-Pop Idols.' Hailing from writer Joel Kim Booster, the logline states that the show 'follows a struggling singer-songwriter whose life completely turns upside down when she finds herself auditioning to be a part of the first all-American K-pop group.' This marks the latest TV expansion of the 'Pitch Perfect' film franchise, of which Banks and Handelman are integral parts. Peacock previously aired the TV series 'Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin' starring Adam Devine, who reprised his role from the films. Banks and Handelman will executive produce 'Pitch Perfect: K-Pop Idols' along with Paul Brooks and Scott Niemeyer for Gold Circle Films. Jason Moore will direct and executive produce. Brownstone and Gold Circle produced all three films in the 'Pitch Perfect' franchise, with Banks having directed 'Pitch Perfect 2″ and appearing onscreen in all three films. Moore directed the original film. Brownstone is also developing the series 'Crush' from writer and executive producer Addison McQuigg at Peacock. The show is said to be inspired by the 1995 episode of 'The Jenny Jones Show' titled 'Revealing Same-Sex Secret Crushes.' The logline states that it is 'set within the insane world of tabloid talk shows, weaving together a poignant tale of ambition, heartbreak and murder.' Banks and Handelman are again executive producers along with Patrick Macmanus and Littleton Road Productions, Elliot Page and Matt Jordan Smith for Pageboy Productions, and Joshua Beirne-Golden. UTV and UCP will co-produce. Brownstone has a long history with NBCUniversal, including the company's first-look deal with Universal Pictures. All three 'Pitch Perfect' movies hailed from Universal Pictures, with the franchise having grossed over $1 billion at the global box office. Banks also directed and produced the film 'Cocaine Bear' for the studio. Up next, she will appear in the Peacock series 'The Miniature Wife' alongside Matthew Macfadyen read more New Tourism Route To Launch in Old Cairo Ahmed El Sakka-Led Play 'Sayidati Al Jamila' to Be Staged in KSA on Dec. 6 Mandy Moore Joins Season 2 of "Dr. Death" Anthology Series Don't Miss These Movies at 44th Cairo Int'l Film Festival Today Amr Diab to Headline KSA's MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2022 Festival Arts & Culture Mai Omar Stuns in Latest Instagram Photos Arts & Culture "The Flash" to End with Season 9 Arts & Culture Ministry of Culture Organizes four day Children's Film Festival Arts & Culture Canadian PM wishes Muslims Eid-al-Adha News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan Technology 50-Year Soviet Spacecraft 'Kosmos 482' Crashes into Indian Ocean
NDTV
a day ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Manoj Bajpayee Shuts Down Rumours That He Was First Choice For Aamir Khan's Rang De Basanti: " Matlab Kuch Bhi"
Manoj Bajpayee reacted to the viral rumour that he was the first choice for Aamir Khan's role in Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's Rang De Basanti. Slamming the rumour in a hilarious way, the Family Man actor shared on his X, handle "Matlab kuch bhi (you can say anything)." What's Happening Manoj Bajpayee shared a social media post which read, "Manoj Bajpayee was first choice for Rang De Basanti, not Aamir Khan, says producer after 18 years." Sharing the post, he wrote, "And who is the producer who said this? Naam to bata!! SM pe itne khali lota le ke baithe hai (On social media, people have nothing better things to do)." Sharing the same post, he mentioned in another X post, "Matlab kuch bhi (you can say anything)." The chatter around Manoj Bajpayee being the first choice for the 2006 film started after Kamlesh Pandey(co-writer of the film) said in an interview with Ravya Sarda that Manoj Bajpayee had signed the film before Aamir came on board. "We had been roaming around with the script of the film for 6 years, and no one was ready to make that film. We had signed Manoj for the role that Aamir played finally. We thought we would make a small film; we didn't have a big budget. The moment Aamir heard the script, he told us that he wanted to do the film, and he even got AR Rahman to come on the project. UTV, who had rejected the film twice in the past, immediately said yes to it," he said during the interview. After his interview went viral, several portals put out articles that the Satya star was supposed to play Aamir Khan's role in the film. Matlab kuch bhi 😄 — manoj bajpayee (@BajpayeeManoj) June 26, 2025 And who is the producer who said this? Naam to bata !! SM pe itne khali lota le ke baithe hai ! 😄😄 — manoj bajpayee (@BajpayeeManoj) June 26, 2025 About Rang De Basanti The film stars an ensemble cast including Aamir Khan, Siddharth (in his Hindi debut), Atul Kulkarni, Sharman Joshi, Kunal Kapoor, British actress Alice Patten (in her Hindi debut), Waheeda Rehman, and Soha Ali Khan. The film is a social and political critique of the government in power (back then). The film achieved a cult status in the following years. In A Nutshell Manoj Bajpayee shut down the rumours that he was the first choice for Aamir Khan's role in Rang De Basanti through his tongue-in-cheek X posts.
India.com
a day ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
Not Aamir Khan, but this actor was the first choice for Rang De Basanti, his name is…
'Rang De Basanti' became a pivotal film for everyone involved, including Aamir Khan, who had already created many wonders in his career. He played the memorable character DJ/Chandrashekhar Azad, who, with his friends, decided to stand up against the corrupt and unjust system in the country. However, did you know that Aamir Khan, who made that role so special, was not the first choice for this film? Manoj Bajpayee Was Initially Chosen For Rang De Basanti In a conversation with Ravya Sarda on her YouTube show, famous screenwriter Kamlesh Pandey shared several stories from behind the scenes and the film's development. He revealed that Manoj Bajpayee was originally set to play DJ. He stated, 'We had been trying to get the film's script produced for six years, but no one was interested. We had signed Manoj for the role that Aamir eventually took. Our original idea was to create a small film due to our limited budget. Once Aamir heard the script, he showed interest in the project and even brought AR Rahman on board. UTV, which had turned down the film twice before, quickly agreed to proceed.' Pandey also noted that many in the film industry were not taking the script seriously and were unclear about the story. 'Producers thought this was a remake of Sholay from Basanti's viewpoint. They would ridicule it and ask who would play Basanti, to which I would respond, rather seriously, that we were thinking of casting Esha Deol. They took it at face value, and I wasn't sure whether to laugh or be upset at their reactions. More About Rang De Basanti Released in 2006, 'Rang De Basanti' tells the story of a group of carefree friends who become rebellious and confront government with bold action to protest against corruption in India after their friends tragic demise. In addition to Aamir Khan, the film stars Siddharth, R. Madhavan, Atul Kulkarni, Soha Ali Khan, Sharman Joshi, Kunal Kapoor, Waheeda Rehman, and British actress Alice Patten, directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra.
