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Africa News Live Updates: Crime reportedly on the rise in South Africa across six key categories
Tinubu brokers new truce between Wike and Fubara in Rivers State political crisis
A fresh truce has been brokered by Nigerian President Bola Tinubu between Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike and Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, as both figures have spoken on the new agreement, Premium Times says in a report. This development is the latest attempt to resolve the protracted political power struggle in Rivers State, which has persisted since Governor Fubara took office. The intervention by President Tinubu follows previous peace deals that have failed to create lasting stability, as the conflict between Wike, the former governor, and his successor Fubara has continued to impact governance in the state.
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Hans India
a day ago
- Hans India
AP positioned as premier investment destination: CM
Vijayawada: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday inaugurated Investopia Global-Andhra Pradesh-2025 here, highlighting the state's emergence as a key destination for investment, backed by a robust pro-industry environment as well as natural endowments, including a 1000-km coastline, fertile land, green cover, water, wind, and solar energy, apart from ports, airports and strategic location. The Chief Minister underscored that the state, already a hub for agriculture, horticulture, aquaculture as well as cash crops, was strong in technology, the digital economy, and human resources. Naidu asserted that Andhra Pradesh would lead in areas such as drones, electronics, and aerospace. "I assure you, not just in one area—name any field—and we will be number one. Drones, electronics, aerospace... all future technologies are our focus now," Naidu said. The summit, focused on strengthening India- the UAE economic ties, saw the exchange of MoUs between the Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board (APEDB) and Investopia. The Chief Minister lauded the UAE's visionary leadership, particularly in transforming Dubai into a global hub. He expressed his appreciation of Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri's for his clear and effective guidance. During the inaugural session, Chandrababu Naidu emphasised the strong relations between India and the UAE, noting that nearly 38 per cent of the UAE's population was of Indian origin. "The world is watching India now," he observed, pointing to India's demographic dividend, which is expected to last for at least the next 20 to 25 years. Observing 'Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the right leader for India at the right time', Chandrababu Naidu highlighted the impressive trade volume between India and the UAE, having reached $100 billion in 2024-25, with Andhra Pradesh contributing $1.5 billion to this figure. The Chief Minister reiterated Andhra Pradesh's ambitious development vision. Besides, the Chief Minister also announced a significant technological leap for the state. "Now, we are focusing on AI and quantum computing. With the collaboration of IBM, TCS, and L&T, we are establishing the country's Quantum Valley in Andhra Pradesh. Quantum computing operations will start in AP by January 1, 2026. If America has Silicon Valley, India will have Quantum Valley in Amaravati." According to the TDP supremo, Google is set to build its largest data centre outside the US in Vizag. Urging investors to partner with Andhra Pradesh, Naidu promised to take their initiatives to a "logical conclusion". "My government is totally online by making 575 services available through WhatsApp governance. By August 15, no citizen will need to go to any government office. All permissions will be given online with no need to go to any office." The Chief Minister outlined an ambitious economic vision for the state: "Our goal is to achieve a GSDP $2.4 trillion economy and a $43,000 per capita income by 2047. We want to build a healthy, wealthy, and happy society, with no poverty in AP." Naidu added that the state aimed to contribute 160 GW to the Centre's target of 500 GW in green energy production by 2030. He also introduced the P4 model, which encourages the top 10 per cent high-net-worth individuals to adopt the bottom 20 per cent of society to reduce inequality. Remarking that building trust would take time, he observed: "The investors are very important for wealth creation; they are our partners in progress. AP has changed gears from Ease of Doing Business to Speed of Doing Business. I'm assuring you time-bound completion of projects with all the required policy and infrastructural support." The Chief Minister highlighted Andhra Pradesh's unique advantages, including its long coastline, ports, airports, strategic location, and rich natural resources. "Today, India is the best destination for investment, and AP has unique advantages of having a long coastline, ports, airports, strategic location, and rich natural resources like fertile land, green cover, water, wind, and solar energy. I welcome all the investors to make AP their investment destination." The Chief Minister concluded by announcing direct flights for Hajj from Amaravati soon and reiterated his commitment to mutual growth and timely project completion. UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Industries, Food Processing TG Bharath, Chief Secretary K Vijayanand, R Mukundan, president-designate, CII, and MD & CEO, Tata Chemicals and Yussuf Ali M.A., Chairman and Managing Director of Lulu International were among those present.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Indian Express
To issue manual for new Income Tax Bill's digital searches, seizures, says CBDT Chief
Even as Parliament's Select Committee on the new Income Tax Bill retained the digital search and seizure provisions without any significant changes in its report this week, the Income Tax Department is in the process of defining tighter procedures to protect the privacy of the taxpayer after concerns were raised by digital rights activists. In an interview with The Indian Express, Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) Chairman Ravi Agrawal said the Tax Department is going to issue a manual that will outline the procedure for the analysis of digital evidence. 'From a regulatory point of view, statutory permissions are there which mandate the Tax Department to actually not part with the data in an unauthorised manner. It's a legal obligation…we have come out with the search and seizure manual. We are also coming up with the digital manual for analysis of digital evidence. There also we would be actually taking care of it. So, we will address it,' he said. Stating that it is a 'genuine concern' of the taxpayers, Agrawal said there is a mechanism wherein such information would be scrutinised in a sanitised environment by authorised people only. 'We are in the process of defining procedures wherein these things could be made more tight to take care of a taxpayer. It is a genuine concern of the taxpayer,' he said. The tax authorities, however, may face an issue during investigations as digital records would also include personal communications. For this, Agrawal said it would be the responsibility of the Tax Department to analyse just the relevant data and redact the rest. 'How do you investigate? There's a mobile, there is a personal chat also here, there's a financial transaction also. So, say, it's WhatsApp, it's both (personal and financial). You got to maintain the evidentiary value of this mobile also. It cannot be that at that point in time, you say I'll take this but I'll not take the other part. There would be continuity. So, therefore, to maintain the evidentiary value, you have got to capture the data in toto. But then once you have captured the data, it's the responsibility of the Tax Department to ensure that whatever investigation is done, only the relevant data is actually analysed, and the other data is redacted,' he said. Apart from the key concern of an infringement upon the right to privacy, stakeholders, in their suggestions to the Select Committee on the new Income Tax Bill, had flagged the need to define clear guidelines for the use of personal data obtained during searches; removal of the power to cover any person who is present in the premises of the search operation; and introduction of restrictions for protecting privileged communication such as those between husband and wife, with doctors/ lawyers etc. The Income Tax Bill, which was tabled in Lok Sabha in February this year, had defined 'virtual digital space' – in the powers to call for information during surveys, searches and seizures – as 'any digital realm that allows users to interact, communicate and perform activities' through computer technology. It had also allowed tax authorities to break open, or 'override' access controls, such as passwords, set up by users for digital communication on social media platforms, email services, and other communication on encrypted platforms such as WhatsApp. Aanchal Magazine is Senior Assistant Editor with The Indian Express and reports on the macro economy and fiscal policy, with a special focus on economic science, labour trends, taxation and revenue metrics. With over 13 years of newsroom experience, she has also reported in detail on macroeconomic data such as trends and policy actions related to inflation, GDP growth and fiscal arithmetic. Interested in the history of her homeland, Kashmir, she likes to read about its culture and tradition in her spare time, along with trying to map the journeys of displacement from there. ... Read More
United News of India
2 days ago
- United News of India
Bihar's 98.01 percent electors covered under SIR: EC
New Delhi, July 23 (UNI) Election Commission today announced that 98.01 per cent of voters in Bihar have been covered under the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. According to an official release issued here, the EC also said that so far as many as 20 lakh deceased voters have been reported, while 28 lakh of them have permanently migrated to other states. While 7 lakh electors were found to be enrolled in more than one place, 1 lakh of them were marked untraceable, it said. The poll panel said it has received and digitised 7.17 crore enumeration forms, accounting for 90.89 per cent of the state's voters. However, 15 lakh forms were not returned. The EC also said the lists of incorrectly included electors and those who have not returned their enumeration forms were shared on July 20 with 1.5 lakh Booth Level Agents (BLAs) nominated by district presidents of the 12 major political parties in the state, which is scheduled to have election later this year. Bihar voters temporarily residing outside the state and not registered elsewhere can submit their forms online at through the ECINet mobile app, or by filling a printed form, it announced. The completed and signed printed form can be sent to the respective Booth Level Officer (BLO) via a family member or through WhatsApp, the EC document said. Voters who have submitted their Enumeration Forms will be included in the Draft Electoral Roll, to be published on August 1, marking the end of the first phase of SIR. In case of any discrepancies in the draft roll, voters or political parties can file objections with the concerned ERO or AERO by September 1, it added. Eligible individuals whose names are missing can also file claims until the same date, it said urging people to participate actively in the verification process of electoral rolls. UNI SK SSP
