India news: People pay last respects to former Haryana CM Om Prakash Chautala at Tejakhera farmhouse; last rites today at 3 pm
India news: Mayawati calls for nationwide demonstration on Dec 24 against Amit Shah’s remarks on Ambedkar
World: US Congress passes bill to avert government shutdown
World: Russian missile hits six foreign embassies in Kyiv, says Ukraine
India news: Two Naxalites with cumulative bounty of Rs 8 lakh surrender in Gadchiroli
India news: Heavy rainfall warning, yellow alert issued for four districts in Odisha
India news: We deeply value historical connection with Kuwait that has been nurtured over generations: PM Modi
India news: Prime Minister Narendra Modi leaves for two-day visit to Kuwait
India news: Female tiger found dead in Tamil Nadu, probe ordered
India news: Om Prakash Chautala’s mortal remains taken to Teja Khera; last rites to be held with full state honours today
India news: Fire breaks out at a software company in Madhapur, Hyderabad
India news: Four of family killed in fire at milk parlour-cum-house in Dewas, MP
India news: Death toll in fire incident that took place on Bhankrota Ajmer Road in Jaipur reaches 13
World news: Central Israel hit by Yemen-launched ‘projectile’, says Israel military
India news: NIA arrests key accused Kodaje Mohammed Sherif in Praveen Nettaru murder case, upon arrival in Delhi from Bahrain
NIA arrests key accused Kodaje Mohammed Sherif in Praveen Nettaru murder case, upon arrival in Delhi from Bahrain. Sherif, a PFI operative, had imparted arms training to the PFI team that killed Nettaru.
Watch: A thin layer of fog engulfs the national capital as coldwave grips the city
Himachal assembly adopts govt resolution demanding amendments in Forest Conservation Act
On Friday, the Himachal Pradesh Assembly unanimously passed a resolution urging the Union government to amend the Forest Conservation Act (FCA) to allow the allotment of up to 10 bighas of forest land to individuals affected by natural disasters. Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, responding to the resolution, highlighted that natural calamities cause significant damage to land and property every year. However, due to the restrictions of the FCA, the state government, despite being the owner of forest lands, is unable to provide land to those affected.
India, ADB ink USD 350 mn loan pact for a logistics programme
On Friday, the Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a USD 350 million policy-based loan agreement to strengthen India’s multimodal and integrated logistics ecosystem under the SMILE program. The agreement was signed by the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) under the Ministry of Finance, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), and ADB. SMILE is a programmatic policy-based loan initiative aimed at supporting the government in implementing significant reforms across India’s logistics sector.
GST Council to decide on cutting taxes on insurance premium; big-ticket rate rejig unlikely
In its upcoming meeting on Saturday, the GST Council is expected to decide on reducing tax rates for life and health insurance premiums. However, decisions on broader tax reforms, including higher taxes on sin goods, may be delayed. The Group of Ministers (GoM) on GST rate rationalization had suggested rate changes for 148 items, but sources indicate that further consensus is needed on some proposals, requiring more time. The 55th GST Council meeting, chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, is also likely to discuss including Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) under GST, given its significant role in airline operating costs. Additionally, a proposal to reduce the tax on food delivery platforms like Swiggy and Zomato from 18% (with input tax credit) to 5% (without input tax credit) is also on the agenda.
University of California campuses resolve discrimination complaints stemming from Gaza protests
The US Department of Education announced on Friday that it had reached an agreement with the University of California system to address complaints of discrimination and harassment by Jewish and Muslim students during protests over the war in Gaza last spring. The department’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) investigated nine complaints against UC campuses in Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Davis, and Santa Cruz, which alleged inadequate responses to antisemitic and anti-Arab harassment. As part of the agreement, the universities will enhance reporting of complaints to OCR and review past reports of harassment from the last two academic years to assess if further action is needed.
Italy fines OpenAI 15 million Euros after ChatGPT probe
Italy’s data protection authority, the GPDP, announced on Friday that it had fined OpenAI €15 million ($15.6 million) over the use of personal data by ChatGPT. The fine follows an investigation that began in March 2023 when Italy became the first Western country to temporarily block the AI chatbot due to privacy concerns. In its statement, the GPDP acknowledged OpenAI’s cooperation during the investigation but still decided to impose the penalty. OpenAI has stated its intention to appeal the decision.
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