Singer Celine Dion is all set to stage a special performance of her Las Vegas residency to benefit a children's charity. . Dion, 43, who is a mother of three, was touched by tales of youngsters suffering the blood disorder sickle-cell anaemia and is handing over all the proceeds from her gig to the fundraiser, Daily Express reported. "As a mother, I was incredibly moved by the stories that were shared with me regarding the impact this disease has on children. "Participating in this benefit is a way in which I can get involved to positively touch these children's lives. The funds we raise will enable doctors to complete their important research that will allow these children to grow up pain-free and lead longer, more productive lives," she said. The show will take place on January 15 next year.

British oil firm Cairn Energy Plc on Thursday said it has completed the sale of a controlling stake in its Indian unit to mining giant Vedanta after protracted wrangling over royalty payments. Cairn Energy, which had in July sold a 10 per cent stake in Cairn India to Vedanta for about USD 1.4 billion, got another USD 4.1 billion from the sale of the remaining 30 per cent, the company said in a press statement. 'Cairn is pleased to announce that the transaction has now completed,' it said.

.

Sesa Goa Ltd, a unit of London-listed Vedanta Resources, had on Wednesday stated that it has raised its stake in Cairn India to 20 per cent following the acquisition of 28.8 million additional shares, amounting to a 1.5 per cent stake. Vedanta Group now holds 60 per cent in Cairn India, while Cairn Energy retains about 22 per cent. The transaction was originally announced in August last year, but its completion was delayed as state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corp, which partners Cairn India in its crown jewel Rajasthan oilfields as well as seven other properties, demanded sharing of royalty it pays before the deal was cleared. ONGC, being the licencee of the Rajasthan block, pays 20 per cent royalty on not just its 30 per cent share of production, but also on the 70 per cent share of Cairn India. It wanted this payment to be treated like other project costs and taxes and recouped from revenues earned from oil sales, a demand opposed by Cairn India. Cairn India also felt the Rs 2,500 per tonne oil cess was a liability of the licencee and was opposed to deviating from the signed contract to share any of this burden. The government, however, supported ONGC's stand and made sharing of royalty and acceptance of cess liability by Cairn India preconditions for giving its nod to the transaction. Despite Cairn India's reservations, its current and future promoters -- Cairn Energy and Vedanta, respectively -- accepted the government conditions, following which ONGC waived its preemption rights over the deal. The Home Ministry also late last month gave security clearance to a Vedanta takeover of the operations of India's biggest onland oil discovery in more than two decades, besides other properties of Cairn India. Vedanta acquired 40 per cent of Cairn Energy's stake at Rs 355 per share. Cairn Energy said it would return USD 3.5 billion to shareholders from the net proceeds of USD 5.5 billion from the stake sale in Cairn India. Shareholders would have 'an element of choice as to when and in what form they receive cash,' it said. Cairn discovered significant quantities of oil in Rajasthan in 2004 and full production began in August, 2009. The block is estimated to have the potential to produce 300,000 barrels of oil per day at its peak. Cairn Energy Plc chief executive Simon Thomson said: 'I am delighted to announce completion of this transaction, which represents a major milestone in Cairn's history. It crystallises the very significant value creation that we have delivered from our Indian business and allows us to return around three and a half billion dollars to shareholders.' 'Our remaining 22 per cent shareholding in Cairn India, retained cash and balance sheet strength provides financial flexibility and an excellent platform for future growth opportunities,' he added.