AIMIM leader Akbaruddin Owaisi appointed as the pro-tem speaker for the first session of the new Telangana Legislative Assembly starting Saturday. As per the governor's notice, Owaisi will perform the speaker's duties and administer the oath to elected members until a new Assembly speaker is chosen as per constitutional provisions. The pro-tem speaker officiates the session until members are sworn in and a regular speaker is elected, after which legislative activities formally begin under the new leadership. Owaisi's appointment marks the commencement of post-election formalities to set up the third Telangana Assembly under the new government.

Former Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao underwent successful left hip replacement surgery on Friday at Yashoda Hospital in Hyderabad. He required the surgery after fracturing his hip in a fall on Thursday. A team of senior orthopedic surgeons performed the planned total hip replacement procedure. Rao tolerated the surgery well and remained stable throughout, the hospital bulletin said. He has been shifted to a room for routine post-op care, including IV fluids, antibiotics and pain management. Doctors said the usual recovery period is 6-8 weeks. BRS leader Dasoju Srravan said the surgery went smoothly and Rao is fine, with hopes he can be discharged in 3 days.

India's anti-terror agency NIA conducted extensive raids across 40 locations in Maharashtra and 1 in Karnataka on Saturday, arresting 13 people linked to an ISIS module case. Most raids were carried out around Mumbai, targeting 31 places in Thane Rural and 9 in Thane City, along with sites in Pune and Mira Bhayandar. The operation is connected to suspect Aakif Ateeque Nachan arrested last August for allegedly making explosives for the busted terror cell. It builds on September arrests of 5 other module members from Mumbai, Pune and Thane where explosives and conspiracy plans were uncovered. The raids expose the expanding web of the Islamic State-affiliated network.

In calling for India's cooperation into its allegations of a potential Indian link to the killing of a Khalistani leader on its soil, Canada has not provided any "specific and relevant information" to New Delhi for it to act upon, the government informed Parliament on Friday. Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan said in Lok Sabha that the government has conveyed to Canada its "concerns" over activities of anti-India elements in that country and requested Ottawa to take action against such elements besides denying space to them. The government has rejected the allegations of its involvement in "any act of violence" in Canada, he said replying to a question.  

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been ranked the world's most popular leader with a 76% approval rating in a recent survey by US consultancy Morning Consult. He leads Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador at 66% and others on the list of 22 global leaders. Modi also has the lowest disapproval rating at 18%. He has retained the top popularity spot in previous Morning Consult surveys this year as well. The news comes as Modi's BJP party won 3 out of 4 recent state elections in India, which the party credits to his popularity and "Modi Magic". However, Canada's PM Justin Trudeau had the highest disapproval at 58%, potentially reflecting diplomatic tensions with India.

The United States vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution that called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The resolution had support from 13 out of 15 members, but was opposed by the US and Israel. US Deputy Ambassador Robert Wood argued the resolution would allow Hamas to continue ruling Gaza and perpetuate future conflicts. Most other countries and the UN Secretary-General urged an urgent ceasefire to protect civilians, though Israel demanded the return of hostages first. Hamas condemned the US veto as unethical support for killing Palestinians.

The opposition came down heavily on the BJP after vocal TMC MP Mahua Moitra was expelled from the Lok Sabha over cash-for-query charges without being allowed to defend herself. "They cannot tolerate a woman in power. How did they think this expulsion was enough to mute her...In 2024, she will contest elections," said TMC's Shashi Panja. Congress MP Manickam Tagore alleged, "Whoever speaks against Adani will be silenced...Mahua is a perfect example." Calling it a "planned conspiracy", he said, "Democracy failed today...this is like third emergency." Congress' Shashi Tharoor termed it a "good sign for the future," expressing hope that Moitra will be re-elected with a bigger majority.

A new study has found that the rheumatoid arthritis drug baricitinib can help preserve insulin production in people recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. The trial, led by researchers at St Vincent’s Institute in Melbourne, involved 91 participants aged 10-30 who had been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes within the past 100 days. Those given baricitinib were able to maintain their body’s own insulin production at significantly higher levels than those given a placebo. The drug is believed to work by reducing the immune system’s attack on insulin-producing pancreatic cells. Researchers described the findings as a “huge step-change” in the treatment of type 1 diabetes. Larger and longer studies will be needed to confirm the results.

India is set to host the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) Summit from December 12 to December 14, bringing together 28 nations and the European Union to address the challenges and opportunities of artificial intelligence (AI). Prime Minister Narendra Modi, emphasizing a universal understanding of AI, stated that the GPAI aims to guide responsible AI development. India, currently the GPAI Chair, commits to harnessing AI for global welfare and ensuring equitable benefits. The summit will feature AI experts from companies like OpenAI, Microsoft, and Google, along with an AI Expo involving 150 startups. PM Modi highlights the dedication to a regulatory framework for Safe and Trusted AI.

The Palestinian Authority is reportedly working with U.S. officials on a plan to administer Gaza after the conflict, according to Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh. The desired outcome is for Hamas, currently in control of Gaza, to become a junior partner under the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), contributing to the establishment of an independent state encompassing the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem. Shtayyeh emphasizes the need for Palestinian unity and dismisses Israel's goal of completely defeating Hamas as unrealistic. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu counters, asserting that the Palestinian Authority is not the solution. The conflict has resulted in over 17,170 Palestinian casualties.