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With Diwali just around the corner, the excitement among people is higher than the rocket firecrackers that often take over the skies on the day of the festival. However, what comes after, has unfortunately become something so common, that many have stopped addressing it all together- air pollution. But the fact that the nation, especially the Delhi-NCR region, has already turned into a ‘gas chamber’, was not hidden from the Supreme Court as it passed an order regarding the same. With a gentle reminder about Diwali being a festival of ‘lights’, the Supreme Court today, November 07, reiterated its ‘ban’ order on the use of firecrackers, and said that it will be followed ‘all across the nation’. The order, which has been ordered by a bench of justices AS Bopanna and MM Sundresh, has primarily been passed to ‘minimise and avoid air as well as noise pollution’. 

With opposition-governed Punjab, Tamil Nadu and Kerala moving the Supreme Court, accusing governors of abusing their constitutional position to withhold assent to bills passed by the assemblies, a three-judge bench headed by CJI D Y Chandrachud said "soul-searching is needed on both sides" to make the constitutional scheme of governance work.

The comment from the bench, also comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, came after Punjab's AAP government through senior advocate A M Singhvi claimed that seven key bills, including a fiscal bill, were kept pending by the governor. The charge was rebutted by solicitor general Tushar Mehta, who appeared for the governor.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held telephonic talks with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in the light of the Israel-Hamas war where the former expressed concerns over terrorist incidents and the loss of civilian lives. 

In response, the Iranian leader asked the Indian government to mediate and help in resolving the conflict. 

“Good exchange of perspectives with President @raisi_com of Iran on the difficult situation in West Asia and the Israel-Hamas conflict. Terrorist incidents, violence and loss of civilian lives are serious concerns. Preventing escalation, ensuring continued humanitarian aid and early restoration of peace and stability are important,” Modi said on social media X.

Congress releases its third list of candidates, comprising 16 names for Telangana Assembly polls

According to the list, Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) chief Revanth Reddy is to contest against Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao from Kamareddy. Revanth Reddy will contest from two seats: Kodangal and Kamareddy.

On October 27, Congress released its second list of candidates, comprising 45 names, for the Telangana state assembly polls scheduled to take place next month.

As the election campaign in Mizoram, a predominantly Christian state, concluded on Monday, the voters are set to decide the fate of 40 seats on Tuesday from 7 a.m. Mizoram is one of the five states that will witness assembly polls this month, with the results to be announced on December 3.

The key issues that have shaped the political discourse in the state are the “lack of infrastructure”, corruption and unemployment, as well as the “identity” and welfare of the people. The main contenders for power are the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF), Congress, and Zoram People’s Movement, with the BJP hoping to play a crucial role in the post-poll scenario.