Tax Sought From Amazon In India On Cloud Services Fees Paid To US

Indian tax authority has decided to charge tax on cloud services fees paid by Amazon to the US, a move which will lead to company coughing up "significant" amount in taxes including payments for some of the previous years, the company said in a regulatory filing.

Without sharing details of the decision, Amazon said it will contest the decision but it will have to remit a significant amount in taxes unless the matter is resolved.

"In February 2023, we received a decision by the Indian Tax Authority (ITA) that tax applies to cloud services fees paid to the US. We will need to remit taxes on the services in question, including for a portion of prior years, until this matter is resolved, which payments could be significant in the aggregate," the company said.

Amazon claimed that the ITA's decision is without merit.

"We believe the ITA's decision is without merit, we intend to defend our position vigorously, and we expect to recoup taxes paid. If this matter is adversely resolved, we would reflect significant additional tax expense, including for taxes previously paid," Amazon said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Authorities: 2 arrested in California shooting that killed 6

A California sheriff says two gang members suspected in the massacre of six people last month in central California have been arrested, one after a gunbattle

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Bodies found in hunt for missing rappers set for autopsies

Police say three bodies found in a vacant Detroit-area apartment building during an investigation into the disappearance of three aspiring rappers have been moved to a medical examiner’s office for autopsies

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'Can't Take New Year's Test From Sydney To Adelaide': Ex-Aus Captain Fumes

Former Australia captain Michael Clarke has ridiculed a reported proposal by South Australia to bring the new year's Test to the Adelaide Oval from Sydney, saying it is unthinkable. Just like the Boxing Day Test is synonymous with the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) has historically been hosting the first fixture of the new year. However, the inclement Sydney weather around this time of the year has caused a lot of frustration, with the latest disruption coming during the third Test against South Africa.

Substantial disruption was witnessed on the first and second day of the Test, while the entire third day was rained off as the match ended in a tame draw.

It is estimated that inclement weather affected Test cricket 64 per cent of the time in the last eight years in the Sydney.

A report in news.com.au said on Friday that South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas has confirmed that Adelaide had approached Cricket Australia (CA) for the new year's Test to be moved from SCG to Adelaide Oval.

"I think we had double the crowd at the Adelaide Test than we saw at the Perth Test. We often have bigger crowds than Sydney and that's despite having a far smaller population," Malinauskas was quoted as saying in the report.

"South Australians are passionate about their sport. They love their cricket, myself included, so we stand ready to work with Cricket Australia to improve their product to more people around the country." However, Clarke, who hails from New South Wales, indicated it was wishful thinking.

"Not happening," Clarke said on Big Sports Breakfast on Friday.

"Can't take Boxing Day from the MCG and you can't take new year's away from the SCG, (an) absolute no-brainer. The day that stops is the day Test cricket is finished in this country.

"Their (Adelaide) Test match is perfect, when they've got it, under lights, it's perfect, it's working so well. Why would they want to change that?" Clarke asked.

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Police say Oregon shooting suspect 'contained' in his house

Police in Oregon say a suspect in what they had described as an active shooter situation was “contained in his house.”

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7th Memphis officer disciplined, EMTs fired in Nichols death

Memphis police say two more officers involved in the arrest, beating and death of Tyre Nichols have been disciplined

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Tryon Smashes Indian Bowlers As SA Win Tri-Series Final By Five Wickets

A poor batting performance cost Indian team dear as it suffered defeat in yet another summit clash, losing a low-scoring women's Tri-series final to hosts South Africa by five wickets in East London on Thursday. Chloe Tryon (57* off 32 balls) did exactly what all others failed as she counter-attacked with great gusto, hitting six fours and two sixes, to chase down a meagre 110-run target with two overs to spare. What made Tryon's innings extra special was the degree of difficulty all other batters encountered due to the slowness of the track.

Indian spinners Deepti Sharma, Rajeshwari Gayakwad and Sneh Rana tried their best to offset a baffling batting approach by Harleen Deol but the target was never a defendable one despite South Africa being reduced to 47 for 4 and subsequently 66 for 5 at start of 14th over.

On a pitch where the ball wasn't coming on to the bat, Tryon did exactly opposite of what Deol did. The Indians paid a hefty price of the huge number of dot balls consumed by Deol.

"Body is fine. It will get better with rest. We have got some good performances. Unfortunately today we were not able to bat the way we wanted and the bowlers did well," India captain Harmanpreet Kaur said later.

Tryon plonked her front-foot and exhibited power hitting of highest order, repeatedly targeting the arc between square leg and mid-wicket.

In the end, the victory came way more easily than one had thought as the stocky Proteas middle-order batter got a lucky six when Pooja Vastrakar dropped a dolly at deep square leg boundary to gift the opposition easy winning runs.

Earlier, Deol's painstaking 46 off 56 balls on a slow track did more harm than good as India managed only 109 despite losing four wickets.

With stylish Smriti Mandhana dismissed for nought and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (21) also back in the dug-out just when she was getting set, Deol's effort was a below par one as she played a huge number of dot balls which increased the pressure on Deepti Sharma (16 not out off 14 balls), who also couldn't do much of the heavy-lifting.

Worse still, there was no effort from India to force the pace and Deol was happy playing the sheet anchor till she lost her wicket in the final over.

For South Africa, left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba (2/16 in 4 overs) was brilliant in the Powerplay as a frustrated Mandhana was bowled having failed to open her account in previous seven deliveries. She charged down the track and played all over a delivery that disturbed the leg stump.

Other opener Jemimah Rodrigues (11 off 18 balls) and Deol couldn't get off the blocks against Mlaba and seasoned pacer Shabnim Ismail (0/9 in 3 overs).

In between the South African duo, they bowled 25 dot balls with India scoring only 19 runs in six Powerplay overs.

Both Rodrigues and Harmanpreet were out when they were beaten by away turn from Mlaba and leg-spinner Sune Luus with keeper Sinalo Jafta effecting smart stumping.

The ball often didn't come on to the bat and the Indian batters didn't have requisite pace on deliveries to work with.

Such was their plight that the boundary count in 20 overs was not even in double digits. It was just nine. The total dot ball count was 57 (9.3 overs cumulatively) with the most consumed by Deol.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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"Slap On Our System": Misbah's Scathing Remark On Mickey Arthur's 'Return'

Former Pakistan skipper and coach Misbah-Ul-Haq opines that the likely re-hiring of Mickey Arthur as national men side's coach is a "slap on Pakistan Cricket". Arthur is likely to return to Pakistan as its team director following Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Najam Sethi's arrival. Misbah blamed former Pakistan players for damaging the credibility of the system and making PCB look outside the home territory for coaching roles. Pakistan's talks with Arthur had failed earlier on three occasions, but PCB kept persisting. Arthur had previously coached the side from 2016 to 2019. It is understood that the board is close to agreeing to a deal with him as a team director, rather than a head coach.

If Arthur goes ahead with the role with PCB, it will be his second concurrent coaching role as he is currently in a long-term deal with Derbyshire. Arthur does not want to end his county stint and both sides have agreed to let him have both jobs. In an unusual arrangement, he will not be there with the Pakistan team, but will have handpicked people running the operations for him.

"It is a slap on our cricket system that we are not able to find a high-profile full-time coach," Misbah told ESPNcricinfo.

"It is a shame that the best ones do not want to come and we insist on having someone who is looking at Pakistan as a second option.

"I blame our own system, which is vulnerable enough with so many weak lines for anyone to exploit it. We are to be blamed ourselves that we have disrespected and discredited our own people to make a bad image. The present and former lot do not respect each other, with media and former players using their own YouTube channels for ratings, grossly hitting the credibility and value of our cricket which, as as result, gives an impression that we are not capable."

"The Pakistan cricket fan is always disgruntled; he is picking up things from the media and is under the wrong impression. Players speaking against each other with grudges and talking openly with disdain just devalues our community, and that becomes the common perception. Our cricket has been constantly under pressure with wavered and subjective opinions. The game is hardly a subject of objective and constructive discussion."

"Cricket is the most popular sport in the country but sadly never hits the headlines in the right way. It is chaos; former cricketers ridiculing their fellow cricketers on national channels with fans getting the wrong sense. There is no empathy, no respect, and no conducive environment in the cricketing quarter of our country," Misbah concluded.

Arthur's previous stint as head coach concluded after a fifth-place finish in the 2019 50-over World Cup. PCB Cricket Committee had recommended not to renew his contract. Misbah was a part of the committee as well and was one of the men responsible for his release.

Notably, it was Misbah who succeeded Arthur as coach and went on to have heavy influence in Pakistan cricket by taking over the role of the chief selector as well. He resigned as coach in September 2021, with an year left in his tenure.

There has been a lot of debate about hiring of foreign or local coaches in Pakistan and Misbah alleged that PCB bureaucracy handled each coach differently and it is the local ones who face more scrutiny.

"PCB is always ready to back foreign coaches but never supports the local ones," Misbah said.

"They are fond of having overseas coaches because they think locals can easily be politicised and are not capable, but do we know it's the PCB bureaucracy who politicised the structure? They throw the local ones under the bus when they come under pressure and there has never been accountability of the bureaucracy in PCB. It's the mismanagement and the consistent changes at the helm that is a problem and we are never able to find one solid line for our cricket."

"Now there is a common narrative that Pakistan cricket does not even have a single capable guy and they are forced to look outside. Successful teams like India have completely shifted to homegrown coaches but sadly the policies here are so inconsistent and vague that we are never able to reach a consensus on what we want to do. We have some very good people in our system who can contribute well like Haji (Mohammad Akram), Aaqib Javed, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Waqar Younis, etc. but their reputation has been tarnished so badly and people think they are not right for the job," concluded Misbah.

During the tenure of former PCB chief Ehsan Mani, the board tried to pull in modern players into the working structure but many of them were reluctant to join because of the board's inherent instability.

Wasim Akram for example distanced himself from a PCB job and Inzamam ul Haq did not take a long-term role either after completing his tenure as chief selector.

Under Mani, PCB had developed a blueprint to develop home-grown coaches and revamped the National Cricket Academy. It was turned into a high-performance centre for development of players and coaches. A number of coaches were recruited in the system. But on the arrival of Ramiz Raja as PCB chief, the culture of foreign coaches started at the grassroots and domestic level.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Gautam Adani Tells Investors FPO Called Off Due To "Market Volatility"

Billionaire Gautam Adani today said the "interest of my investors is paramount and everything else is secondary" as he explained the decision to call off a blockbuster share sale amid plunging stocks after a US short-seller's critical report.

In an address to investors, Mr Adani said the decision "would have surprised many" but considering the volatility of the markets yesterday, the Adani Board strongly felt it would not have been morally correct to proceed with the FPO.

"In my humble journey of over 4 decades as an entrepreneur I have been blessed to receive overwhelming support from all stakeholders particularly the investor community. It is important for me to confess that whatever little I have achieved in life is due to the faith and trust reposed by them. I owe all my success to them. For me, the interest of my investors is paramount and everything is secondary. Hence to insulate the investors from potential losses we have withdrawn the FPO," Mr Adani said in his video statement.

Adani Enterprises announced its decision late last night to call off its Rs 20,000-crore Follow-on Public Offer (FPO) and said it will return the proceeds to investors, a day after the FPO was fully subscribed.

Adani Group companies lost nearly $86 billion in the stock market with shares in Adani Enterprises plunging 28 per cent and Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone dropping 19 per cent, the worst day on record for both.

Mr Adani said once the market stabilized, the group would review its capital market strategy.

"This decision will not have any impact on our existing operations and future plans. We will continue to focus on timely execution and delivery of projects. The fundamentals of our company are strong. Our balance sheet is healthy and assets, robust. Our EBIDTA levels and cash flows have been very strong and we have an impeccable track record of fulfilling our debt obligations. We will continue to focus on long term value creation and growth will be managed by internal accruals," Mr Adani said.

"We have a strong focus on ESG and every business of ours will continue to create value in a responsible way. The strongest validation of our governance principles, comes from several international partnerships we have built across our different entities. I take this opportunity to thank our investment bankers, institutional investors and shareholders from within and outside the country for giving unflinching support to the FPO," he added.

The FPO sailed through despite a scathing report by US-based short-seller, Hindenburg, that pummeled stocks in Adani group companies. Hindenburg Research's January 24 report flagged concerns about the group's high debt levels and its suspected improper use of tax havens.

The Adani group released a 413-page response, calling the report a "calculated attack" on India and its institutions.

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India Register Historic First With T20I Series Win Against New Zealand

The Indian cricket team completely outplayed New Zealand in the 3rd T20I of the series, securing a 168-run to wrap up the series 2-1. In what was the second-highest victory for a team in T20Is (for Test playing nations) and the highest against a Test-playing nation, the Hardik Pandya-led side also became the first team in the history of the game to secure 50 T20I series wins at home. The 2-1 triumph marked a half-century for the Indian cricket team when it comes to T20I series triumphs at home.

It was Shubman Gill who laid a strong foundation for India, scoring his maiden ton in the format. In the process, Gill completed centuries in all three formats of the game, a feat not held by many in the game.

Gill recorded his maiden T20 century for India as he steered the team to 234-4 after they elected to bat first at the world's biggest cricket ground in Ahmedabad.

Indian bowlers skittled out the Kiwis for a paltry 66 in 12.1 overs for a 2-1 series win. The hosts had whitewashed the Kiwis in three one-day matches.

The huge victory was India's biggest ever in T20 internationals and the biggest margin by runs in a match played between two Test-playing nations.

Gill put on 103 runs for the fourth wicket with skipper Hardik Pandya, who made 30 and then took four wickets with his pace bowling, at the 132,000-seater Narendra Modi Stadium.

New Zealand made a horrendous start to their mammoth chase as they lost their top four for just seven runs inside three overs as Arshdeep Singh struck twice in the second over of the innings.

Suryakumar took two spectacular catches at first slip off Pandya's pace bowling to send back Finn Allen, for three, and Glenn Phillips, for two.

Tearaway quick Umran Malik bowled Bracewell before Daryl Mitchell, who made 35, and skipper Mitchell Santner attempted to resist.

Arshdeep, Umran and Shivam Mavi took two wickets each.

With AFP inputs

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Adani Board Cancels FPO: Gautam Adani Says "Not Morally Correct" To Go Ahead

Adani Enterprises Ltd has called off its Rs 20,000-crore share sale, saying it would not be "morally correct" in the current "volatile" market condition. Adani Enterprises chief Gautam Adani has said although the FPO closed successfully yesterday, "the market has been unprecedented (today), and our stock price has fluctuated over the course of the day".

"Given these extraordinary circumstances, the Company's board felt that going ahead with the issue will not be morally correct," he said in a statement.

"The interest of the investors is paramount and hence to insulate them from any potential financial losses, the Board has decided not to go ahead with the FPO," he added.

Thanking the investors, he said, "Despite the volatility in the stock over the last week, your faith and belief in the Company, its business and its management has been extremely reassuring and humbling".

Shares of the Adani Group firms had slumped amid concerns over a report by US-based short seller Hindenburg Research which flagged concerns about the group's high debt levels and its suspected improper use of tax havens. The report was released on January 24 -- the day the Rs 20,000-crore follow-on share sale opened for anchor investors.

Adani Enterprises has rejected the allegations. In a statement on Sunday, it said the conduct of the American firm "is nothing short of a calculated securities fraud under applicable law".

"This is not merely an unwarranted attack on any specific company but a calculated attack on India, the independence, integrity and quality of Indian institutions, and the growth story and ambition of India," the statement said.

"Hindenburg has not published this report for any altruistic reasons but purely out of selfish motives and in flagrant breach of applicable securities and foreign exchange laws," it said. "The report is neither 'independent' nor 'objective' nor 'well researched'."

The FPO was subscribed over 1.25 times for institutional investors, people familiar with the matter have said.  

The shares of the flagship firm, however, nosedived again on Wednesday in what was the fifth straight day of losses. Adani Enterprises stocks were down 30 per cent on the Bombay Stock Exchange minutes before the scheduled close.

In the statement, Mr Adani said their "balance sheet is very healthy with strong cashflows and secure assets, and we have an impeccable track record of servicing our debt".

The decision to call off the share sale "will not have any impact on our existing operations and future plans," he said.

"We will continue to focus on long term value creation and growth will be managed by internal accruals. Once the market stabilizes, we will review our capital market strategy. We are very confident that we will continue to get your support. Thank you for your trust in us," he added in the statement.

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India Ride On Gill's Ton To Secure Historic T20I Win, Secure Series 2-1

Shubman Gill smashed a whirlwind unbeaten maiden century in the shortest format as India thrashed New Zealand by 168 runs, their biggest ever win in terms of runs, in the third and final T20 International to pocket the hard-fought series 2-1 here on Wednesday. India's second highest margin of victory was 143-run win over Ireland in Dublin in 2018. Gill continued his fine form and showcased his array of shots, hitting the New Zealand bowlers to all parts of the Narendra Modi Stadium to score 126 not out off just 63 balls balls with the help of 12 fours and seven sixes. Riding on Gill's brilliance, India posted 234 for 4 after electing to bat.

New Zealand never got going in the huge chase as Indian bowlers performed in unison to bowl out the visitors for a mere 66 in 12.1 overs, the third lowest score for the Kiwis in this format.

Skipper Hardik Pandya led the bowling department with figures of 4/16, while Umran Malik (2/9), Shivam Mavi (2/12) and Arshdeep Singh (2/16) scalped two wickets each.

New Zealand lost Finn Allen in the fifth ball of the opening over bowled by Pandya, caught by Suryakumar Yadav.

Left-arm pacer Arshdeep struck with his first delivery, as Devon Conway lobbed a fuller delivery to Pandya at mid-off.

New Zealand continued to lose wickets as Mark Champman got a faint inside edge which went straight to Ishan Kishan off Arshdeep's last delivery of the over.

Wickets kept on tumbling like of pack of cards for New Zealand with Glenn Phillips becoming the next victim, caught by Suryakumar at slips off Pandya.

Down at 13 for 4 after three overs, it was all but over for New Zealand.

The situation became even worst for New Zealand when Michael Bracewell was cleaned up up by a fast delivery from Umran Malik.

New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner (13) and Daryl Mitchell (35) then added 32 runs for the sixth wicket before Shivam Mavi dismissed the former, caught by Suryakumar at deep midwicket fence as the left-hander tried to heave a short ball.

Mavi struck again a ball later, removing Ish Sodhi (0) caught by Tripathi at backward point as New Zealand slumped to 53 for seven in nine overs.

Thereafter, it was just a formality for India and the hosts romped home in style.

Earlier, the start was far from rosy for India after electing to bat as Mitchell Santner made a master-stroke decision by handing Michael Bracewell the second over and the off-spinner reposed his captain's faith by removing an out-of-form Ishan Kishan, who was adjudged LBW with the second ball of the over.

In-form Gill struck two boundaries off Lockie Ferguson in the next over.

Gill was at his ominous best, be it pick up hits, drives or pulls to continue his onslaught.

He hit Blair Tickner for three fours in the fifth over as India reached 44 for 1.

Young Rahul Tripathi (44 off 22), who has immense potential but yet to fire in the series, then struck Ferguson for a boundary and a six in consecutive balls to keep up the tempo.

Tripathi then pulled Santner over short-fine leg before coming down and lofting the left-arm spinner for a straight six.

Tripathi showed his attacking class and dispatched Ish Sodhi over extra cover for his third six of the innings but perished in the next ball in search of one too many, holing out at deep square leg to Ferguson.

Gill reached his maiden T20I fifty off 35 balls with a single off Santner.

While Gill held one end, Suryakumar Yadav (24 off 13) showed glimpses of his class but fell in the 13th over, brilliantly caught by Bracewell at mid-off as the batter mistimed his shot.

Gill brought up his century with a four over the mid-off fielder off the bowling of Ferguson in the first ball of the 18th over.

He broke free and clobbered Ferguson over mid-wicket for a huge six in the next ball.

It was mayhem as skipper Pandya (30 off 17) too went ballistic.

But it was Gill who stole the show as he continued with his attacking shots after the ton, finding the boundaries at will as New Zealand attack looked listless.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Budget 2023: PM Aawas Yojana Budget Allocation Hiked For Rural Areas

As Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced an increase in the Budget outlay for the Pradhan Mantri Aawas Yojana (PMAY), allocating around Rs 79,000 crore for the flagship scheme, Budget documents show the hike is primarily in the rural component of the plan.

The finance minister on Wednesday said the allocation to the both components of the PMAY -- the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (urban) and the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana (gramin) -- has been raised by 66 percent.

In the budget presented on Wednesday, the government has earmarked Rs 25,103 crore for the urban component of the scheme, while Rs 54,487 has been allocated for the rural component, making it a total of Rs 79,590 crore.

In the last fiscal, Rs 20,000 crore was allocated for the urban component of PMAY, while the revised estimate for the expenditure was Rs 28,708 crore. The allocation made to PMAY-U under the 2023-24 Budget is around 12 percent lower than the revised estimate for the last year.

The revised estimate for expenditure on the rural component of the scheme was Rs 48,422 crore, almost two-and-a-half times more than the original allocation of Rs 20,000 crore.

The hike in the allocation of the rural component of the scheme compared to the revised estimate of last fiscal is also around 12 percent. Altogether, the allocation for PMAY -- rural and urban -- made initially in the Budget 2022-23 was Rs 48,000 crore, which brings the hike announced by the Minister to the tune of 66 percent.

However, the revised estimates, which is a mid-year review of expenditure, pushed the total spending to Rs 77,130 crore. And when compared to the revised estimate, the increase in allocations this time is around three percent.

On December 19 last year, the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry had told Rajya Sabha that against the validated demand of 1.12 crore houses, as on December 12, 2022, 1.20 crore houses have been sanctioned by the ministry based on the project proposals submitted by states and union territories.

The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban has been extended till December 31, 2024 for completion of already sanctioned houses.

The PMAY-G was launched in November 2016 with the aim of providing around three crore pucca houses with basic amenities to all eligible homeless families living in kutcha and dilapidated houses in rural areas by 2024. According to the Economic Survey tabled in Parliament on Tuesday, a total of 2.7 crore houses have been sanctioned and 2.1 crore of them completed by 6 January 2023 under the scheme in rural areas.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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