UltraTech Cement on Saturday said it has received a demand notice of Rs 782.2 crore from GST authorities and plans to challenge the order before the appropriate forum, according to PTI.In a regulatory filing, the Aditya Birla Group company said it is reviewing the order and considering all legal options. “The Company is reviewing the Order, considering all legal options, and accordingly would be contesting the demand,” UltraTech Cement said, PTI quoted.The demand pertains to the period 2018-19 to 2022-23 and has been raised on account of alleged short payment of Goods and Services Tax (GST), improper utilisation of Input Tax Credit (ITC) and related matters, the company said.UltraTech added that the order was passed “without due consideration of the Company’s submissions”.According to the filing, the order upholds a tax liability of Rs 3,90,95,58,194, along with applicable interest on the tax demand, additional interest of Rs 27,68,289, and a penalty of Rs 3,90,95,58,194.The company said the order was issued by the Joint Commissioner, Central Goods and Services Tax and Central Excise, Patna, on Friday.UltraTech Cement is India’s largest cement manufacturer, with a production capacity nearing 200 million tonnes per annum.

Taxpayers opting for the old tax regime can continue to claim deductions on donations made to eligible charitable organisations under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act, 1961. To clarify how such claims will be assessed and verified, the Income Tax Department issued an extensive set of FAQs on December 19, 2025, outlining both substantive and procedural requirements, according to an ET report. S. Sriram, Executive Partner at Lakshmikumaran and Sridharan Attorneys, told ET that the FAQs go beyond routine guidance.“The FAQs highlight the broad legal principles and procedural regulations relating to claiming donations to eligible institutions as deduction in income tax returns. But read with the ‘NUDGE’ campaign and recent press release of the CBDT, the intended effect of the FAQ is much more than the clarifications given therein. The FAQ is a guidance note by the CBDT to taxpayers to test their claim for deduction for donations, against the principles explained in the FAQ,” he said.

What Section 80G allows

Section 80G enables taxpayers to reduce their taxable income by claiming deductions on donations made to specified funds, trusts and institutions. The donation refers to the actual amount paid, while the deduction is the tax benefit allowed on such payment, subject to conditions laid down in the Act.

Verification of claims

The tax department has reiterated that verification will be based on disclosures made by charitable organisations. Under Rule 18AB of the Income Tax Rules, 1962, certain categories of donees must file Form 10BD, containing donor details such as PAN or Aadhaar, name, address and amount donated. For a deduction to be allowed, the amount claimed in the taxpayer’s return must match the details reported by the donee.Donors are also required to obtain a donation certificate in Form 10BE, wherever applicable.

Who can claim the deduction

Any taxpayer — individuals, HUFs, companies, firms or other entities — having taxable income can claim deduction under Section 80G, provided the donation is made to an eligible entity and all compliance requirements are met.

Categories of deduction

The FAQs reiterate that donations under Section 80G fall into four distinct categories, depending on the percentage of deduction and whether an income-based cap applies:

Eligible and non-eligible donations

Only donations made to funds or institutions specifically listed under Section 80G(2)(a) and those registered and approved under Section 80G qualify for deduction. Taxpayers are advised to verify the approval status and deduction category of the donee before claiming the benefit.The FAQs list 24 categories of funds and institutions eligible for 100 per cent deduction without limit, while others — such as the Prime Minister’s Drought Relief Fund — qualify for 50 per cent deduction without limit.Certain donations, including those for family planning, sports infrastructure, or contributions by companies to specified sports bodies, qualify for 100 per cent deduction subject to limits. Donations to notified charitable institutions, government bodies for charitable purposes (excluding family planning), housing and urban development authorities, specified corporations, and notified places of worship qualify for 50 per cent deduction with limits.

Key conditions taxpayers must note

The department has clarified that:

Taxpayers can verify eligible institutions and trusts through the Income Tax Department’s official online database.

LeBron James’ wife, Savannah James, opens up about how she was unable to love herself.(Image via Phillip Faraone/Getty)

LeBron James’ wife, Savannah James, has been a constant presence in the Lakers’ star player’s life, even before he joined the NBA.LeBron James has also often credited Savannah James for the support and strength she has provided to him for years. Amid this, Savannah James has opened up about how she has struggled with loving herself over the years.

LeBron James’ wife, Savannah James, opens up about how she has been unable to love herself over the years

A few months ago, LeBron James’ wife, Savannah James, opened up about lacking self love in her popular podcast, Everybody’s Crazy.LeBron James’ wife, Savannah James, said, “I love my kids. I love my husband. I love my family. I love my friends…”The popular entrepreneur added, “But I wasn’t always in love with myself. So I would tell myself to open your heart. You’re worthy. You’re enough.”But this was not the first time that LeBron James’ wife, Savannah James, has spoken about not being able to fall in love with herself.Back during 2020, LeBron James’ wife, Savannah James, opened up to HARPER BAZAAR. as she said, “Sometimes I felt depleted…I wasn’t being the best version of a mother, of myself, to my husband. It was just hard to be fully present.”

LeBron James has often praised Savannah James for always being there for him and the success he has achieved

Despite all the things she has faced, LeBron James’ wife, Savannah James, has been a pretty important person behind the NBA legend’s success in the league.The Los Angeles Lakers’ star player has also been public about how she has supported him over the years.The NBA veteran said, “My wife takes care of the business, man…She’s the best. Without her, I wouldn’t even be in this position to be able to do what I do and love the game.”The Los Angeles Lakers’ star player added, “I love it. So, to have my wife and my two boys and my daughter here and the rest of my family here, it was everything.” LeBron James has been with Savannah James since they were teenagers and even welcomed their first child when she was only 16.Also Read: “We’re really mindful”: LeBron James’ wife Savannah James breaks silence on how their lives change during intense moments

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said on Saturday that he hopes the long-pending free-trade agreement between Mercosur and the European Union will be signed in January, even as opposition from some EU members and protests by European farmers delay the deal, AP reported.Speaking at a summit of South American leaders in Foz do Iguacu, on Brazil’s border with Argentina and Paraguay, Lula said European negotiators had earlier indicated the agreement would be signed this weekend, prompting the meeting. That did not happen, he said, after Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni asked for more time.Top EU officials had been aiming to finalise the EU-Mercosur deal in Brazil, but European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Friday, following a tense EU summit, that the signing would be postponed by “a few extra weeks” to address concerns raised by member states.Lula said he spoke to Meloni by phone on Friday and received a letter from EU leadership indicating an intention to conclude the agreement in January. He added that the delay underscored the lack of political resolve to finish talks that have stretched over more than 26 years.“Without political will and courage from leaders, it won’t be possible to finish a negotiation that has dragged for 26 years,” Lula told fellow leaders. “Meanwhile, Mercosur will continue to work with other partners.”Von der Leyen needs the backing of at least two-thirds of EU member states to secure the deal. Italy’s opposition would allow France to marshal enough votes to block her from signing it.“The world is eager to make deals with Mercosur,” Lula said. “Many countries want that. And we certainly will be able to finish the deals that were not finished during my presidency [of the bloc, which ends in December].”If concluded, the agreement would create a market of about 780 million people, covering roughly a quarter of global gross domestic product, and would gradually remove duties on most goods traded between the two blocs.France has led resistance to the pact involving the EU and the five active Mercosur members — Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Bolivia. French President Emmanuel Macron said at the EU summit on Thursday that he would not commit to supporting the deal next month and was in talks with Italian, Polish, Belgian, Austrian and Irish leaders about delaying it to address farmers’ concerns.Lula said Macron alone could not block the agreement.“Let’s hope that things happen for the good of our Mercosur, multilateralism and the development of our countries,” he said.

New Delhi: A show-cause notice issued to a faculty member at Delhi University’s Shaheed Bhagat Singh College, warning of loss of pay for alleged unauthorised absence, has escalated into a larger controversy after the teacher accused the college administration of caste-based discrimination and selective targeting. The college issued the notice on Thursday, stating that his absence from Nov 25 till he rejoins duty will be treated as dies non — a no-work, no-pay gap — if he fails to submit a satisfactory explanation within three days. The notice cited his alleged absence from mandatory official meetings, including staff council huddles, without prior intimation or approved leave.

In his written response to principal Arun Kumar Attree, the teacher denied wilful absence on his part and alleged that the action against him was discriminatory in nature. He sought attendance records of all faculty members at staff council and staff association meetings over the past three years, along with details of disciplinary actions taken, if at all, against those who failed to attend. He claimed no such punitive action had previously been taken against teachers hailing from the general category for similar absences.The faculty member added that the notice against him amounted to caste-based harassment as he belongs to the Scheduled Caste community. In his letter, he said that if the information sought revealed selective enforcement of rules, he would approach National Commission for Scheduled Castes to lodge a formal complaint.Attree rejected the allegations of discrimination, saying the notice was issued solely on service grounds. “It pertains to the faculty’s continued and deliberate absence from duty without sanctioned leave, despite repeated directions to attend the college,” he said. Faculty responsibilities include attending official meetings and participating in administrative work, and that absence without sanctioned leave is liable to be treated as dies non under University of Delhi rules, Attree added.This controversy comes amid another dispute at the college over an undertaking related to teaching workload. Several teachers alleged that the college had asked faculty members to sign an undertaking committing to teaching 18 to 20 hours per week, which exceeds the UGC-prescribed workload of 14 to 16 hours. The issue was raised during a staff council meeting held on Dec 17, following which the undertaking was withdrawn for faculties of the morning college. However, the teachers alleged that it continues to remain in force in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Evening College, whose faculty members were asked to sign the undertaking on Dec 15. The teachers demanded that the undertaking be repealed entirely, citing it violates UGC norms.Denying these allegations as well, Attree said no teacher was compelled to sign any undertaking mandating additional workload. He claimed that the faculty members had voluntarily agreed to take up extra lectures as part of an academic initiative to introduce more student-centric courses, and that there was no written administrative directive enforcing additional teaching hours.

The final T20I of 2025 in Ahmedabad didn’t just end with India lifting the trophy; it reignited one of the most polarizing debates in Indian cricket. While India secured a 3-1 series win over South Africa on Friday, December 19, the spotlight shifted from the scoreboard to the commentary box, where Ravi Shastri took a direct swipe at the Gautam Gambhir-led management’s selection calls.

Sanju Samson Shines in Shubman Gill’s absence

Entering the series decider at the Narendra Modi Stadium, India made a forced change. Vice-captain Shubman Gill was sidelined with a foot injury, opening the door for Sanju Samson to return to his preferred slot at the top of the order.

Samson didn’t just play; he sent a message. Within the first five overs, he had dismantled the Proteas’ pace attack, smashing 37 off 22 balls (4 boundaries, 2 sixes). His clinical timing and aggressive intent provided the exactly the kind of “powerplay-plus” start India has been seeking.

Also READ: Mumbai announces squad for Vijay Hazare Trophy; Rohit Sharma makes historic return

Ravi Shastri questions team management for Samson’s continued absence

Watching Samson hammer Marco Jansen over extra cover, former head coach Shastri didn’t hold back. His words on live television resonated with millions of fans who have long called for Samson’s consistent inclusion:

“When you see him batting like this, you sometimes think, why is he not in the side in the first place? Why should it be an injury that brings him in?” Shastri remarked.

He went on to emphasize Samson’s natural flair, adding, “He’s a natural for that position at the top… three hundreds already in T20 cricket, two against South Africa back-to-back. He is explosive and dangerous.”

Shastri’s critique points to a deeper tactical struggle within the current setup. Under Gambhir, the management has prioritized Gill as a long-term leader and opener. However, Gill’s T20I form has been under the microscope, having managed only 33 runs across his three appearances this series—four runs fewer than what Samson scored in a single outing on Friday.

Also READ: Fans go wild as Varun Chakaravarthy and Hardik Pandya help India demolishes South Africa in Ahmedabad T20I to clinch a 3-1 series win

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Did the “Ice Maiden,” as Donald Trump calls his no-nonsense chief of staff Susie Wiles, who has quietly run the White House with a relatively steady hand unlike his chaotic first term, have a meltdown or was it a hit job?Washington was abuzz Tuesday with a bombshell Vanity Fair interview with the 68-year-old political operative dishing on everything from her teetotaller boss with an “alcoholic’s personality” to his oddballs team.

Comparing Trump to her alcoholic father, the legendary sportscaster Pat Summerall, she suggested Trump had “an alcoholic’s personality” because he operates with “a view that there’s nothing he can’t do. Nothing, zero, nothing.” She called Vice President JD Vance a “conspiracy theorist,” White House budget director Russell Vought “a right-wing absolute zealot” and Trump’s one time pal Elon Musk “an odd, odd duck, as I think geniuses are” and “an avowed ketamine” user to boot. Wiles suggested there had been “huge disagreements” over implementing tariffs, acknowledged that the administration must “look harder” at its process for mass deportation and said she had to “get on board” with Trump’s decision to give blanket pardons to Jan. 6 defendants.

She had forged a “loose agreement” with the boss to end the “score settling” against his political enemies after 90 days “because she did not want it to distract from his real agenda,” but in the end Trump had his way – as always.“In some cases, it may look like retribution,” Wiles admitted. “And there may be an element of that from time to time. Who would blame him? Not me.”Wiles also glossed over Trump’s relationship with the sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein, and faulted Attorney General Pam Bondi for having “completely whiffed” on “recognizing the fervor of the president’s right-wing supporters” about Epstein files.Then the Justice Department Friday released hundreds of thousands of pages of documents related to Epstein just ahead of a deadline imposed by a bipartisan law passed last month. Lawmakers cried foul as many of the documents released by the self-proclaimed “most transparent administration in history” were heavily redacted, with text blacked out.

Despite his well-publicised friendship with Epstein in the 1990s and early 2000s, Trump’s name was rarely mentioned, while Bill Clinton featured prominently with several photos.Meanwhile, as late night show hosts had a field day with the Wiles interview with Jimmy Kimmel calling her “the future former chief of staff,”some wondered whether Donald and Susie were simply playing a good cop bad cop routine.Wiles herself dismissed the Vanity Fair article as “a disingenuously framed hit piece on me and the finest president, White House staff, and cabinet in history,” without disputing any facts or quotes as Trump came to her defense calling her “fantastic.”The Real Clear Politics even suggested it was at Wiles’ instance that Trump made a surprise succinct sales pitch on television next nightabout affordability, the accomplishments of his first term, and the challenges ahead minus only his signature “weave.”“Good evening, America. Eleven months ago, I inherited a mess, and I’m fixing it,” he said laying blame on his predecessor Joe Biden for everything from the economy to crime to healthcare to bad immigration policy.“What ‌a difference a year makes,” Trump said, dismissing the mood of consumers, to claim the US is “poised for an economic boom the likes of which the world has never seen.”It was again Wiles who made him give the rare prime-time address, Trump disclosed after taking a swig of Diet Coke, according to a television pool report. “I told you 20 minutes,” Wiles reminded Trump as she complimented his message discipline, “and you were 20 minutes on the dot.”Then it was back to fun and games. Branding Washington in his own image, Trump had The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington renamed — the Trump-Kennedy Center.The signage change followed a vote by his hand picked board of trustees to rename the complex though such a move could require congressional approval.Earlier, new plaques were added under presidential portraits on display on Trump’s “Presidential Walk of Fame” in the White House colonnade, “many” of them written by Trump himself giving his distorted version of history.The one placed under the portrait of the “Autopen” representing Biden, refers to him as “Sleepy Joe Biden” and calls him “the worst President in American History” with derisive references to Biden’s “severe mental decline,” “the Biden Crime Family” and his “Radical Left handlers.”The plaque under “Barack Hussein Obama,” as right-wing circles often derisively use his full name, calls him “one of the most divisive figures in American history ” and repeats Trump’s conspiracy theory that Obama “spied” on his 2016 presidential campaign.The Trump 45 & 47 plaques make boastful claims about creating “the Greatest Economy in the History of the World,” his sweeping tariffs, hard-line immigration policies and building “right here at the White House, the magnificent Trump Presidential Ballroom after a 225 year wait — but THE BEST IS YET TO COME!”There was no word from the White House as to how the plaques were paid for, whether government funds were used and whether they were installed by government employees.Returning the compliment, California’s Democratic governor Gavin Newsom posted on X his own version of the Trump plaque in the Don style saying, “DONALD IS FINISHED – HE IS NO LONGER ‘HOT’… DONNIE J MISSED ‘THE DEADLINE’ (WHOOPS!) AND NOW I RUN THE SHOW.”And ‘DiaperDiplomacy’ posted an AI generated kiddified version of the Don’s speech with a little Trump boasting about sending every soldier $1,776 warrior dividend, tariffs, troops & TrumpRX with little political big wigs, including Obama listening with amusement — an apt commentary about a 79-year old juvenile ruler!(By arrangement with The American Bazaar, www.americanbazaaronline.com)