Puducherry restricts firecracker bursting to two hours daily following Supreme Court directive
The Puducherry government restricted firecracker bursting to two hours daily following a Supreme Court directive. According to N. Ramesh, Member Secretary of the Puducherry Pollution Control Committee (PPCC), fireworks are permitted only from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. A total prohibition applies within 100 metres of hospitals and schools to prevent noise and air pollution.
Kerala Commission orders KSEB to commission four battery storage projects by January 2027
The Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission directed the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) to commission four battery energy storage system projects by January 2027. The order aims to ensure peak-hour support for the state, including a 125MW/500MWh project at Mylatti and three others totaling 110 MW/440MWh. The commission also criticized KSEB's proposal to schedule power during off-peak hours instead of peak periods.
TDP-led NDA wins 12 of 13 mayoral posts in Andhra Pradesh local elections
The Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won 12 of the 13 mayoral posts in Andhra Pradesh urban local body elections. The TDP secured 2,571 wards, while the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) won only one mayoral post in Anantapur. Results announced on November 4 show the alliance established control over major cities despite cyclones disrupting the counting process.
Kovalam police take suspended health inspector to spa for sexual assault evidence collection
The Kovalam police took suspended Thiruvananthapuram Corporation health inspector M.O. Anuroop to a spa in Kovalam on Wednesday for evidence collection. Anuroop is one of eight people arrested for the alleged sexual assault of a 16-year-old minor girl. Investigators determined that Anuroop and his associates allegedly stored crucial visitor logs and records within the facility during initial searches.
Naidu conducts aerial survey, directs officials to drain stagnant rainwater in three districts
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu conducted an aerial survey of rain-affected areas in Guntur, Bapatla and Prakasam districts on Wednesday. He directed officials to drain stagnant rainwater to prevent road traffic disruptions. During a review meeting at the Real Time Governance Society, he instructed District Collectors to clear water-logging in several locations while heavy rains continued in Eluru district.
State Education Minister Nara Lokesh assured government support for a Class X student
State Education Minister Nara Lokesh assured government support for a Class X student who discontinued her studies after being moved to Hyderabad. Following the girl's plea on X, Lokesh directed Collector Himanshu Shukla to counsel her father and ensure she returns to Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya in Nellore district. Shukla dispatched a special team to facilitate her return.
Sakthi Team police prevent child marriage, rescue 16-year-old girl in Eluru district
The Sakthi Team police prevented a child marriage and rescued a 16-year-old girl in Eluru district. According to Circle Inspector M. Subba Rao, the team stopped the ceremony and provided counseling to the family members. Eluru Dy. Superintendent of Police D. Sravan Kumar stated that the girl was moved to a shelter home, where she expressed her willingness to continue her studies.
SRM University-AP secured the No. 1 position among government and private universities in Andhra
SRM University-AP secured the No. 1 position among government and private universities in Andhra Pradesh in the QS World University Rankings: Asia 2027. The university also ranked among the top 51 universities in India and top 25 private universities nationally. Vice-Chancellor Ch. Satish Kumar said the recognition reflected collective efforts in building an institution focused on quality education and impactful research.
ECI separates Form 6 and declaration to require separate OTP verifications
The Election Commission of India (ECI) separated Form 6 and an accompanying declaration in its online version for states undergoing the SIR exercise. The change ensures each document requires a separate OTP verification to address concerns that the forms were tweaked without approval. According to a senior ECI official, applicants must now complete both steps separately for successful submission.
Former PESO chief urges Devaswom to adopt robotics and scientific hubs for fireworks safety
R. Venugopal, former Joint Chief Controller of the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), urged Devaswom authorities to adopt modern technologies like robotics to improve fireworks safety. Speaking at a seminar on Thursday, he stated that manufacturing units pose greater risks than festival venues due to safety violations. He recommended replacing rudimentary units with scientifically designed hubs equipped with fire stations and training centers.
Eluru District Collector K. Vetri Selvi announces arrangements for ZPTC and MPTC elections
Eluru District Collector K. Vetri Selvi announced that elaborate arrangements were made for the ZPTC and MPTC elections on November 5. The district will hold polling for 27 ZPTC and 454 MPTC seats involving 1,296,515 eligible voters across 1,555 polling stations. Additional security was arranged at sensitive locations to prevent untoward incidents. Counting is scheduled for November 7.
RSS General Secretary warns "anarchic forces" trying to provoke India's youth into unrest
Dattatreya Hosabale, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) General Secretary, stated on November 4, 2026, that "anarchic forces" are attempting to provoke India's youth into creating unrest. He argued that regime changes must occur through elections rather than violence or conspiracy. Hosabale emphasized addressing grievances like unemployment through dialogue and maintained that reservation remains necessary to heal historical injustices until equality is achieved.
Eluru District Collector orders evacuation of flood-prone villages as Pedda Vagu overflows
Eluru District Collector K. Vetri Selvi ordered the immediate evacuation of people from flood-prone villages in Kukunuru and Velerupadu mandals following a massive inflow of floodwater into Pedda Vagu. During a teleconference on Wednesday, she directed officials to launch rescue operations and shift residents to rehabilitation centres. The order prioritizes pregnant women, senior citizens, children, and persons with disabilities.
VIT Chancellor G. Viswanathan donates ₹1 crore to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister’s Relief Fund
VIT University Chancellor G. Viswanathan donated ₹1 crore to the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister’s Relief Fund in Amaravati on Wednesday. The donation supports relief and rehabilitation efforts for people affected by cyclones ‘Arnab’ and ‘Murasu’. G. Viswanathan handed the cheque to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, stating that VIT-AP University considers it a moral responsibility to support the state during natural disasters.
Mannarkkad leads Palakkad school science festival with 1,278 points over Alathur and Thrithala
Mannarkkad maintained its lead in the Palakkad revenue district school science festival with 1,278 points on Wednesday. Alathur followed in second place with 1,205 points, while Thrithala secured third with 1,186 points. At the school level, T.R.K. Higher Secondary School, Vaniyamkulam topped the standings with 325 points. The three-day festival showcased scientific knowledge and skills from students across 12 sub-districts.
U.S. midterm results show collective strength can defeat authoritarian tendencies, opposition leaders claim
Opposition leaders cited the U.S. midterm election results on November 4, 2026, to argue that collective strength can defeat authoritarian tendencies. K.C. Venugopal and Jairam Ramesh stated the results demonstrate how voters can enforce accountability against powerful interests. Meanwhile, Asaduddin Owaisi celebrated the victory of Abdul El-Sayed, who will be the first Muslim in the U.S. Senate.
EEFI challenges Kerala CM to publish files on ₹2,200 crore GNA Energy OTC deal
The Electricity Employees Federation of India (EEFI) challenged Keralam Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan to publish files regarding a power purchase deal with GNA Energy OTC. M.G. Suresh Kumar posed 11 questions demanding clarity on how the government averted a ₹2,200 crore liability. The federation questioned why the deal proceeded without electricity regulatory commission approval despite opposition from the KSEB.
Pinarayi Vijayan accuses UDF of dismantling road safety for political advantage
Pinarayi Vijayan, Leader of the Opposition, accused the United Democratic Front (UDF) on Wednesday of dismantling road safety regulations for political advantage. He claimed the UDF mocked previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) initiatives like AI-monitored cameras and vehicle modification bans. Vijayan stated these actions fostered lawlessness, contributing to recent fatal accidents in Nedumbassery and Cheranalloor.
Andhra Pradesh High Court rules Google data centre project remains subject to writ petition
A Division Bench of the Andhra Pradesh High Court ruled that a proposed Google data centre project in Visakhapatnam Rural Mandal remains subject to a writ petition filed by Bolisetty Satyanarayana. The court noted the project is at the risk and cost of Vizag Hyperscale Data Centre Park Limited. The bench postponed the merits of the case due to time constraints.
Kashi Ra to restore Chikkajala Fort using CSR funds after 2016 demolition
Kashi Ra will restore the Chikkajala Fort using Corporate Social Responsibility funds. The project follows a 2016 demolition of the fort's northern side by the National Highways Authority of India. According to Meera Iyer of INTACH, the restoration will address overgrown trees and damaged stones while aiming to turn the site into a tourist destination for visitors to Bengaluru.
