LIVE news: Allocation of portfolios in Maharashtra's Mahayuti govt expected today

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Maharashtra Minister Bharat Gogawale on Saturday said that the allocation of portfolios in the Mahayuti government is expected during the day. The Winter Session of the state assembly, which began on December 16, will conclude on Saturday.

  WhatsApp claimed legal victory over the maker of Pegasus spyware late on Friday. The Israeli company, NSO Group Technologies, was accused in a lawsuit by Meta’s messaging app of infecting and surveilling the phones of 1,400 people over a two-week period in May 2019 via its notorious Pegasus software. The judge in the case, Phyllis Hamilton, found the company had violated state and federal US hacking laws as well as WhatsApp’s own terms of service. NSO Group will face a separate jury trial in March 2025 to determine the damages it owes WhatsApp, the world’s most popular messaging service.  Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has increased the compensation to farmers for land acquisition to build the Jewar Airport from Rs 3,100 per square meter to Rs 4,300 per square meter, an official statement from the state government said. In a post on X, CM Yogi said, "Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Asia's largest airport is being built in Jewar, the credit for this development goes to the farmers. The compensation payable for land acquisition for the third phase for Noida International Airport, Jewar has been increased from Rs 3,100 per square meter to Rs 4,300 per square meter. Hearty congratulations and salutations to all the farmer brothers!"

 

Louise Wateridge, Emergency Officer for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in Gaza, stated on Friday that more than two million people remain trapped in dire conditions in Gaza, deprived of their basic needs. Wateridge emphasised that residents are unable to flee, describing the situation as one where every possible route leads to death. UNRWA reported that worsening weather conditions in recent days are expected to continue. Despite this, the agency has been forced to prioritise food over shelter assistance.

 

2:24 PM

COP 29 backtracks to address climate crisis in Tibetan Plateau due to China

The recently concluded COP 29 summit held in Azerbaijan in November, failed to address urgent climate crisis in the "Third Pole", Himalayan region including Tibetan Plateau, due to the acute marginalization of Tibetan representation because of China's influence, according to an opinion piece in The Diplomat.

2:04 PM

Ex-SC judge Madan Lokur named chairperson of UN Internal Justice Council

Former Supreme Court judge Madan B Lokur has been appointed as chairperson of the United Nations Internal Justice Council for a term ending on November 12, 2028.

1:57 PM

India's green cover rises, now 25.17% of geographical area: Govt report

The country's total forest cover increased from 7,13,789 sq km in 2021 to 7,15,343 sq km in 2023, reaching 21.76 per cent of its geographical area, the report stated. The tree cover increased by 1,289 sq km and now constitutes 3.41 per cent of the country's geographical area, it said.

1:43 PM

Make meditation a part of life: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday called upon people to make mediation a part of their lives, saying it is a powerful way to bring peace and harmony to one's life. In a post on X to mark the World Meditation Day, he said apps and guided videos can be valuable tools to help incorporate meditation into daily routines in the age of technology.

1:35 PM

Six killed as container truck overturns on car in Karnataka

Six people were killed when a container truck overturned on their car at Nelamangala on Saturday, police said. The incident occurred near Talekere in Bengaluru outskirts, they said. The truck carrying a large cargo container overturned on the car in which the six people were seated. Owing to the accident, the traffic was badly hit on National Highway-48.

1:31 PM

Ex-cricketer Robin Uthappa faces arrest for Rs 24 lakh provident fund fraud

Former cricketer Robin Uthappa, now director of Centaurus Lifestyle Brands, faces arrest for allegedly withholding Rs 24 lakh in employees' PF contributions

1:23 PM

Eastern Railway cancels 30 pairs of local trains daily till Feb 1

Passengers will have a tough time commuting in the Eastern Railway's Howrah division as it announced cancellation of 30 pairs of suburban trains daily from Saturday to February 1 next year for the construction of a flyover.

1:23 PM

Delhi AAP leaders Balbir Singh, Sukhbir Dalal join BJP

Aam Aadmi Party leader Balbir Singh joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday in the presence of Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva and party's Delhi general secretary Ashish Sood and union minister Harsh Malhotra.

1:18 PM

Maharashtra govt to prepare norms for industrial reactors to improve workers' safety

The Maharashtra industrial department will prepare norms and a system for inspecting industrial reactors, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told the legislative council on Saturday. Fadnavis was responding to the leader of the opposition Ambadas Danve's demand for drafting a policy for reactors on the line of boilers to prevent blasts and other accidents involving industrial workers.

 

1:07 PM

Shiv Sena, Congress also contributed to Ram Mandir movement: Sanjay Raut

Reflecting on RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat's remarks, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said on Saturday that Ram Mandir was a movement in the history of the nation and not only BJP and PM Modi contributed to it, but everyone including RSS, Shiv Sena, VHP and even Congress contributed to the movement.

12:50 PM

Grant 0.5% interim reservation to transgenders, Karnataka HC tells NLSIU

The Karnataka High Court has directed the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) to provide 0.5 per cent interim quota to the transgenders in admissions and fees waiver till the varsity formulates a policy on reservation for such applicants.

 

12:49 PM

CAG report on DND flyway shocking, says SC, NTBCL gave gold coins to staff

The Supreme Court on Friday said the CAG report looking into the financial record of the DND project in 2016 revealed shocking details including distribution of corporate gifts like gold coins to its employees, sub-staff and drivers. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan upheld the Allahabad High Court order of 2016 directing the private firm Noida Toll Bridge Company Ltd (NTBCL) to stop collecting toll from commuters plying the Delhi-Noida-Direct (DND) flyway connecting South Delhi and Noida.

12:44 PM

Delhi LG gives nod to ED to prosecute Arvind Kejriwal in excise policy case

Ahead of the upcoming 2025 Delhi Assembly Polls, Delhi Lieutenant Governor (LG) VK Saxena has granted permission to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to prosecute AAP Chief and Former Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal, in the excise policy case.

 

12:39 PM

GST Council meet to decide on lower taxes on insurance, ATF inclusion

One of the major items on the agenda of the Council is to decide the GST rate on health and life insurance.

12:20 PM

Parliament scuffle: Crime branch to probe BJP’s FIR, Congress' allegations

The crime branch will now probe the BJP's FIR against Rahul Gandhi and the Congress' counter-allegations, as the political standoff over the Parliament scuffle intensifies