The Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) is predicted to emerge victorious in the recently concluded Mizoram assembly elections as per aggregate poll of exit polls. The surveys project ZPM likely securing 22 seats in the 40-member northeastern state assembly while the incumbent MNF may get 12 seats as per predictions. The Congress and BJP are forecast to get 5 and 1 seats respectively as regional parties play a pivotal role. The Mizoram exit polls come amid significant electoral battles unfolding between BJP and Congress in the key states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh where direct face-offs are expected even as regional fronts shape outcomes in Telangana.

Exit polls for the Telangana assembly elections suggest a BRS defeat with the Congress emerging victorious. Jan Ki Baat poll predicts 48-64 Congress seats versus 40-55 for BRS in the 119-member assembly. Republic TV sees 58-69 Congress seats beating 46-56 for BRS. BJP gets just 4-9 seats as per this poll. Similarly, TV9 and India TV polls indicate Congress beats BRS decisively. Responding to some surveys, BRS leader KTR promised the party will return with over 70 seats on Dec 3 counting day. He slammed the EC for allowing exit polls while voting was still underway, calling it ridiculous and asking cadres to ignore "this nonsense". BRS seeks to retain power based on governance promises but Congress and BJP aim to dislodge its rule after 10 years.

Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly has stated that it's important for India to cooperate in Canada's probe into Khalistani leader Hardeep Nijjar's killing after "credible" allegations of Indian agents' involvement. She termed India's expulsion of 41 Canadian diplomats as retaliation "unacceptable". Her remarks come after Indian national Nikhil Gupta was charged in the US over an alleged plot to kill Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Joly has been in contact with EAM Jaishankar but specifically asked if India ever assisted the Nijjar investigation, emphasizing the need for cooperation. While respecting India's system, she stood by allegations over Nijjar's Canadian killing. With relations tense amid the cases, Canada insists on Indian engagement in probing suspected cross-border extremism.

The BCCI has revealed India's squads for the South Africa tour, featuring notable exclusions of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from the white-ball segment. Suryakumar Yadav leads the T20Is, while KL Rahul captains the ODIs. The Test squad sees Rohit as captain and Kohli's return after the World Cup. Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, and Mohammed Siraj return for T20Is. Sanju Samson is back in the ODI squad, along with Rajat Patidar. KL Rahul listed as a wicketkeeper in Tests marks his return to red-ball cricket. The tour begins with T20Is on December 10, followed by ODIs and Tests.

A recent study published in The BMJ discloses a startling impact of outdoor air pollution in India, attributing 2.18 million deaths annually to various sources. Fossil fuel-related emissions, including those from industry and transportation, contribute significantly. Globally, 5.1 million deaths annually are linked to such air pollution. The study suggests that phasing out fossil fuels could prevent a substantial number of these deaths, surpassing previous estimates. The health implications are profound, with common conditions like heart disease and stroke accounting for a majority of deaths. As COP28 climate change negotiations unfold, the study emphasizes the critical need for urgent policy actions prioritizing clean energy and public health.

NITI Aayog CEO BVR Subrahmanyam unveils India's ambitious goal to attract 500,000 foreign students by 2047, aiming to position the country as a global education provider. Speaking at the FICCI Higher Education Summit, he emphasizes the need for AI adoption in universities for competitiveness and advocates for enhanced quality, brand value, and international rankings. The vision document for 2047 underscores the importance of innovation, industry readiness, and leveraging India's demographic dividend over a 25-year window. The private sector is urged to play a pivotal role in expanding the higher education ecosystem. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasizes India's commitment to climate action as he heads to the World Climate Action Summit and COP28 in Dubai. Highlighting G20 priorities and achievements, he calls for support to developing countries through climate financing and technology transfer. PM Modi anticipates the COP28 to review Paris Agreement progress and set a course for future climate action. Stressing principles of equity and climate justice, he emphasizes the need for support in achieving sustainable development. India's strides in renewable energy, afforestation, and conservation showcase a dedication to environmental responsibility. 

Russia's Supreme Court ruled that the LGBT social movement is now considered extremist, amplifying restrictions on sexual orientation and gender identity. Activists fear arrests and prosecutions as the government intensifies its crackdown on expressions of non-traditional sexuality. President Putin, known for championing traditional values, aligns the move with safeguarding Russia's morals against Western influence. The decision, following a justice ministry request, threatens to drive vital support for LGBT individuals underground. More than 100 groups are already banned as "extremist" in Russia, marking a concerning trend of limiting dissent and diversity.

In a tweet, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman reflects on ChatGPT's remarkable journey since its launch a year ago. The language model has become a significant player in various industries, with innovations including DALL·E 3 for text-to-image generation. Controversy arose over ChatGPT's therapeutic potential, sparking discussions on the nuanced nature of human-AI interactions. OpenAI introduced new tools for enterprises and enabled users to create custom ChatGPT versions. Additionally, the ChatGPT voice feature, initially for paid users, is now available to all, offering a unique dimension to interactions. The year marks a transformative period for ChatGPT in the language model realm.

India's Q2 GDP for 2023 impresses with a robust growth rate of 7.6%, surpassing forecasts of 6.8%. The unexpected surge is attributed to significant expansions in the manufacturing and construction sectors. Manufacturing's gross value added (GVA) spikes to 13.9%, up from 4.7% in the previous quarter, while construction sees a rise to 13.3% from 7.9%. The resilient performance follows Q1's 7.8% expansion, reflecting the nation's economic strength. The Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) conservative estimate of 6.5% is surpassed, indicating a positive trajectory for India's economy in the July-September period.