Politics

Government not to appeal Vodafone tax ruling

New Delhi, Jan 29 (ANI): The central government will not appeal a regional court ruling in favour of Vodafone Group Plc in a long-running tax dispute, the cabinet decided in a move aimed at boosting investor confidence in Asia's third-largest economy. Vodafone, the biggest foreign corporate investor in India, has been involved in a series of tax disputes since it entered the country seven years ago. In one such case, India's tax office had accused a unit of the British group of under-pricing shares in a rights issue to its parent company and demanded tax of about 30 billion rupees. The Bombay High Court had in October ruled in favour of Vodafone, and later the attorney general had recommended the government to refrain from appealing that ruling at the Supreme Court. Communications and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the decision was in direction to assure investors of a fair and just Indian government.

Jan 29, 2015

National youth festival in Guwahati sends out a message of peace and unity

Guwahati, Jan 29 (ANI): India's cultural diversity and youth power was on display at the Nehru Stadium of Guwahati as thousands of youngsters from all across the country came together for the 19th National Youth Festival. The five-day long event, which was hosted for the first time in the North East, was organised by the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs in association with the State Government. Dressed in traditional attires, teams from different states took out a colorful procession presenting their culture. Union Minister of state for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju and Union Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal who were present at the inaugural function urged the youth to channelize their energy for transforming the country.

Jan 29, 2015

North Korea May be Restarting Nuclear Bomb Fuel Reactor: US Think Tank

Satellite images suggest North Korea may be about to restart its main nuclear reactor.

Jan 29, 2015

Delhi Polls: 'Little Separates BJP from AAP, Hung Assembly on the Cards Again'

Both AAP and BJP are expected to get 31-36 seats, according to a survey.

Jan 29, 2015

Anna Hazare: Will Launch Campaign Against Narendra Modi

The anti-corruption crusader accuses Prime Minister Modi of backtracking on his promise of fighting corruption.

Jan 29, 2015

Maine and Massachusetts still battered by winter storm Juno

US winter storm Juno hits the Maine southern coast with strong winds and heavy snowfall, while residents in Massachusetts struggle to clear out several feet of snow brought about by the powerful Nor'easter. Duration: 00:40

Jan 29, 2015

At least three killed in anti-UN protest in restive Mali

Three people are killed in northern Mali after a second day of demonstrations against the United Nations military mission in the restive west African nation.

Jan 29, 2015

Nigerians fearful of violence ahead of elections

Nigeria goes to the polls on February 14, a date many in the northern state of Kaduna have good reason to fear, after the region plunged into inter-religious violence during the 2011 poll.

Jan 29, 2015

Scientists hold emergency meeting to save endangered rhinos

Conservationists and scientists hold talks in Kenya to come up with a last ditch plan to save the northern white rhinoceros from extinction.

Jan 29, 2015

Controversial comedian in court on anti-Semitism charges

Controversial comedian Dieudonne goes on trial in Paris for inciting racial hatred, following comments about Jewish journalist Patrick Cohen.

Jan 29, 2015

Malnutrition on the rise as violence flares in C. Africa

Violence can flare up at any moment in Bambari with only a bridge separating Muslims and Christians. Malnutrition is on the rise and lack of water means simple cooking fires threaten to destroy makeshift camps where people are living.

Jan 29, 2015

Israel strikes Lebanon in response to Hezbollah attack

Israel struck targets in southern Lebanon on Wednesday after four Israelis were wounded in an attack on a military convoy claimed by the Lebanese Shiite militant group Hezbollah.

Jan 29, 2015

Protest disrupts vote on civil unions for gay couples in Rome

A vote by the Rome authorities on expanding the right to civil unions to homosexual couples is suspended after protesters disrupt proceedings.

Jan 29, 2015

Massive destruction in Kobane after Kurds drive out IS

Rubble strewn streets, gutted buildings: the ferocious battle for the Syrian border town of Kobane has wrought massive destruction, according to a team of AFP journalists who arrived on the scene.

Jan 29, 2015

Malawi NGOs step up Malawi Flood Relief Response

Thousands of people in some flood-hit districts in Malawi are yet to receive relief items several weeks after the disaster struck.

Jan 29, 2015