Govt agrees to raise stake in Voda Idea to 49 pc with fresh share acquisition worth Rs 37,000 cr
The government has agreed to raise stake in Vodafone Idea to 48.99 per cent with fresh acquisition of shares worth Rs 36,950 crore in lieu of outstanding spectrum auction dues, the company said in a regulatory filing on Sunday. The government is the single-largest shareholder in the debt-ridden Vodafone Idea with 22.6 per cent stake.
„The Ministry of Communications… in line with the September 2021 Reforms and Support Package for Telecom Sector has decided to convert the outstanding spectrum auction dues, including deferred dues repayable after expiry of the moratorium period, into equity shares to be issued to the Government of India. The total amount to be converted into equity shares is Rs 36,950 crore,“ the filing said.
Vodafone Idea (VIL) said it has been directed to issue 3,695 crore equity shares of the face value of Rs 10 each at an issue price of Rs 10 each within 30 days after issuance of necessary order from relevant authorities, including from Securities and Exchange Board of India.
„Post the aforesaid issuance of equity shares, the Government of India shareholding in the Company will increase from existing 22.60 per cent to approximately 48.99 per cent. The promoters will continue to have operational control of the company,“ the filing said.
Centre declares entire Manipur as ‘disturbed area’ under AFSPA for further 6 months
Centre declares entire Manipur as ‘disturbed area’ under AFSPA for further 6 months, except areas falling under jurisdiction of 13 police stations across the 5 districts of Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Bishnupur and Kakching
7.1-magnitude offshore quake hits near Tonga: USGS
A 7.1-magnitude quake struck offshore near the Pacific island nation of Tonga, the US Geological Survey said Sunday, with a tsunami warning issued.
„Hazardous tsunami waves from this earthquake are possible within 300 kilometres (186 miles) of the epicentre along the coasts of Tonga,“ the US tsunami warning system said.
PM Modi hands over keys to beneficiaries under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY-G) scheme in Chhattisgarh.
PM Modi hands over keys to beneficiaries under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY-G) scheme in Chhattisgarh.
Jailed Istanbul mayor calls for ‚unity‘ on first day of Eid
Istanbul’s opposition mayor, jailed on graft charges in what his party calls a „coup“ to block him from running for Turkey’s presidency, called from prison for unity on the first day of Eid.
„Those who think that we will not be able to celebrate the holiday are very wrong! Because we will definitely find a way to be together!“ Ekrem Imamoglu said in a message transmitted through his lawyers on X. (AFP)
Indian cricket team to tour Australia for multi-format limited overs series later this year
Fifty Naxalites, including 14 carrying total bounty of Rs 68 lakh, surrender in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district
11 coaches of Bangalore-Kamakhya AC Superfast Express derailed near Nergundi Station; no injuries or casualties reported
USGS says 5.1 magnitude aftershock hit 13 miles northwest of Mandalay in Myanmar
PM Modi inaugurates airstrip for unarmed aerial vehicles and warhead testing facility to test loitering munition in Nagpur
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited facility in Nagpur
World news: Myanmar earthquake death toll surpasses 1,600 amid ongoing rescue efforts
India news: PM Narendra Modi lays foundation stone of Madhav Netralaya Eye Institute and Research Centre extension building in Nagpur
India news: Gelatin sticks trigger blast at mosque in Maharashtra’s Beed district, no casualty; 2 persons apprehended: Police
PM Modi urges children to pick new hobbies, join volunteer work in summer break, in latest Mann Ki Baat episode
Watch: PM Modi visits Deekshabhoomi in Nagpur, pays tribute to Dr Ambedkar & Buddha
India news: PM Modi reaches Nagpur, offers floral tribute to RSS founder Keshav Hedgewar at Smruti Mandir
India news: PM Modi to visit RSS founder’s memorial in Nagpur
Watch: Devotees arriving at Mata Vaishno Devi Mandir on first day of Chaitra Navratri
World news: At least 1 dead after plane crashes into home in Minneapolis suburb of Brooklyn Park
World news: Syria’s interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa forms new government, replacing caretaker authorities
World news: WHO faces budget crisis as US withdrawal cuts $600 million in funding
The World Health Organization (WHO) is planning to cut a fifth of its budget due to a $600 million funding shortfall after the US announced its withdrawal, according to an internal email from WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
The US, previously WHO’s largest donor, halted nearly all foreign aid under President Donald Trump’s administration, impacting global health initiatives. Tedros warned that these „dramatic cuts“ are disrupting countries, NGOs, and UN agencies, including the WHO.
Even before Trump’s decision, the WHO was struggling with financial constraints. However, the situation has worsened as some nations redirect development aid toward increased defence spending. Despite cost-saving efforts, Tedros admitted resource mobilisation remains challenging.
World news: France condemns ‘unacceptable’ US warning on DEI policies
France’s trade ministry has condemned what it calls “unacceptable” US interference after the American embassy in Paris sent letters to French companies warning them against using diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programmes. The letters, which included a questionnaire, asked firms to certify that they do not promote DEI, stating that such programmes violate US anti-discrimination laws.
The move follows Donald Trump’s executive order on January 20 banning federal DEI programmes, which also applies to US government contractors and suppliers, regardless of nationality.
World news: Mass protests in Istanbul after mayor İmamoğlu’s arrest
Hundreds of thousands of protesters rallied in Istanbul on Saturday, chanting slogans and waving flags in defence of democracy after the arrest of Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. The demonstration, held in Maltepe on the Asian side of the city, took place on the eve of Eid al-Fitr.
Ozgur Ozel, leader of the main opposition party CHP, claimed that 2.2 million people attended, though this number could not be independently verified. The protests erupted after İmamoğlu’s detention on March 19 over disputed fraud and „terror“ charges, triggering Turkey’s largest street unrest in over a decade.
World news: Denmark scolds US over harsh tone in Greenland security dispute
Denmark’s Foreign Minister, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, criticised the Trump administration for its tone in criticising Denmark and Greenland’s security efforts. In a video statement, Rasmussen said Denmark is already increasing investments in Arctic security and remains open to cooperation with the US. However, he pushed back against the way US officials have addressed the issue, saying, “This is not how you speak to close allies.”
His comments followed US Vice President JD Vance’s visit to Greenland, where Vance accused Denmark of “underinvesting” in the island’s security and urged the country to change its approach.
World news: Ex-girlfriend sues Andrew Tate for assault
Andrew Tate, a well-known social media influencer famous for his controversial views, is facing a new lawsuit from his ex-girlfriend, Brianna Stern, who accuses him of sexual assault and battery. Stern alleges that Tate lured her into a relationship with grand gestures before becoming abusive. The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles, claims Tate attacked her at the Beverly Hills Hotel earlier this month, causing injuries diagnosed as post-concussion syndrome.
Tate’s lawyer, Joseph McBride, dismissed the lawsuit as a „money grab“ and an attempt to exploit his client’s notoriety. The lawsuit adds to Tate’s ongoing legal troubles in Romania, where he and his brother, Tristan Tate, are charged with human trafficking and forming a criminal gang to exploit women. Andrew Tate also faces a rape charge. Both brothers deny all allegations.
