Russia has stepped up attacks on the southern Ukrainian region of Odesa, hitting power networks and port facilities in recent days. Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba said the strikes were “systematic” and focused on key infrastructure. President Volodymyr Zelensky said the attacks aimed to block Ukraine’s sea routes. Regional officials said a civilian vessel was damaged during a strike on port facilities. Earlier attacks cut electricity to about 120,000 people and caused fires at storage sites. Odesa has become vital for exports as other southern ports remain inaccessible due to Russian control. (PC: BBC)

Three cricket enthusiasts have built a full-sized cricket ground near Shimla, filling a long gap in local sports facilities. Veenu Diwan, Ajay Thakur and Abhay Thakur carved the ground from a steep hillside in Padechi panchayat, about 15 km from the city. Work began in 2021 and took four years to complete. The ground measures 120 by 90 metres. The effort contrasts with a stalled government stadium project at Katasani village, launched in 2007 by former chief minister Virbhadra Singh. The trio now plans to start a residential cricket academy and build a hostel at the site.

Bangladesh has temporarily suspended consular and visa services at its High Commission in New Delhi, a day after India halted visa operations in Chattogram. The Bangladesh High Commission said services were stopped “due to unavoidable circumstances” until further notice. India had earlier suspended services at the Indian Visa Application Centre in Chattogram following security concerns after protests linked to the death of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi. Indian officials cited threats near diplomatic premises as the reason. The move comes amid strained ties, with both sides reviewing security around missions and visa centres. (PC: India Today)

Dense fog covered Delhi and parts of the NCR on Tuesday morning, reducing visibility sharply in several areas. Near-zero visibility was reported in pockets of Ghaziabad and Noida, slowing traffic during peak hours. At Indira Gandhi International Airport, visibility dropped to 50 metres around 8 am, the India Meteorological Department said. Air quality stayed severe, with the AQI at 414, data from the Central Pollution Control Board showed. The IMD said fog is likely to continue over the next few mornings, with only gradual improvement expected later in the week. (PC: HT)

A Sikh religious procession in New Zealand was halted after a far-right group blocked its route in Auckland. The Nagar Kirtan, organised by a local Sikh gurdwara, had official permission from authorities. Protesters linked to the group True Patriots of New Zealand stood in front of the procession and performed a haka. They held banners with anti-immigrant messages and chanted religious slogans. Police stayed at the scene and stopped the situation from turning violent. Sikh participants remained calm during the disruption. Community leaders in India and New Zealand condemned the incident and urged authorities to protect religious freedom. The episode has renewed concerns about racism and minority safety in the country.

The Centre on Monday said false claims were being made about the Supreme Court ruling on the Aravalli range. Union minister Bhupender Yadav said the court has clearly asked for scientific conservation of the Aravallis in Delhi, Rajasthan and Gujarat. He said the government has always supported a green and protected Aravalli range. Yadav clarified that the technical committee formed by the court will only study mining issues. He said no mining is allowed in the NCR region. The minister added that new mining leases are barred except in rare cases. He highlighted the presence of wildlife sanctuaries and tiger reserves, stressing the ecological value of the range. (PC: India Today)

Hundreds of indigenous youth and students protested outside the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Agartala on Friday. The protest was organised by the Youth TIPRA Federation, one of Tripura’s largest tribal youth groups. Demonstrators objected to remarks by Bangladeshi leader Hasnat Abdullah, who warned of action against India’s northeastern states. Protesters also raised slogans against Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus. Security personnel stopped the crowd from moving closer to the mission. YTF president Suraj Debbarma said the protest was meant to remind Bangladesh of India’s support during the 1971 Liberation War. He urged the central government to strengthen security along the India-Bangladesh border. (PC: NDTV)

Japan is preparing to restart the world’s largest nuclear power plant, Kashiwazaki-Kariwa, nearly 15 years after the Fukushima disaster. The move follows a confidence vote in the Niigata prefectural assembly backing Governor Hideyo Hanazumi’s decision. The restart is part of Japan’s effort to cut emissions and lower fuel imports. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi supports reopening selected reactors to boost energy security. Kashiwazaki-Kariwa is run by TEPCO, the operator of the Fukushima plant, raising public concern. Fourteen nuclear plants have reopened so far. The first reactor at Kashiwazaki-Kariwa could add about two percent to power supply in the Tokyo region. (PC: Al Jazeera)

Shubman Gill's exclusion from India's T20 World Cup squad has sparked troubling celebrations on social media, crossing from criticism into toxic territory. The 26-year-old Test and ODI captain struggled in T20Is, managing just 291 runs across 15 matches at 137.26 strike rate without a half-century. His inclusion altered India's aggressive batting approach, placing explosive responsibility on Abhishek Sharma while Gill anchored. After Gill's injury, Sanju Samson's return justified selectors' decision. While the exclusion made cricketing sense, fan toxicity threatens Indian cricket's future. As Test and ODI captain, Gill needs support, not vilification as excessive negativity risks undermining the team's transition phase post-Kohli and Rohit Sharma. (PC: AP)

A migrant laborer from Chhattisgarh, Ram Narayan Baghel, was lynched in Kerala's Palakkad district after being questioned about his identity. A video shows attackers asking "Are you Bangladeshi?" before beating him to death in Attappallam area. Police cite theft allegations as the trigger, though no stolen property was recovered. Baghel collapsed, vomited blood, and died at the hospital. His family refuses to claim the body, demanding punishment under the SC/ST Act, citing their Dalit background, and seeking Rs 25 lakh compensation. Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan promised strict action. CPI(M) alleges the incident reflects "racial hatred spread by RSS."