Padma Viswanathan, a Canadian-American writer of Indian origin, has been named on the longlist for the International Booker Prize 2026. She is recognised for her English translation of Brazilian author Ana Paula Maia’s novel On Earth As It Is Beneath.   The 13-book longlist was chosen from 128 entries. The £50,000 prize is shared equally between the author and translator.   The judges called the novel “a stark, unsettling exploration of power, violence, destruction and institutional corruption.” They said it is set in a penal colony built on land “scarred by slavery and colonialism.”   The shortlist will be announced on March 31. The winner will be revealed in London on May 19. (PC: The Indian Express)

It has been four years since Russia began its large-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Russian President Vladimir Putin had announced a “special operation,” which many believed would be short and end with Kyiv’s fall.   Instead, the war continues. European leaders travelled to Kyiv on Tuesday to show support for President Volodymyr Zelensky and the Ukrainian people.   Putin met senior officials of the Federal Security Service (FSB) but did not mention the anniversary. He said threats against Russia had increased. “They absolutely must have the defeat of Russia,” he said.   France and the UK said allies remain committed to a “just and lasting peace” and urged Russia to agree to a full ceasefire. (PC: HT)

Sanju Samson was the focus at India’s training session in Chennai after Rinku Singh flew home due to a family emergency. Rinku is doubtful for the Super Eight match against Zimbabwe. He missed practice under lights at Chepauk. Samson had a long batting session. He faced both pace and spin. He also worked on his keeping. Coach Gautam Gambhir watched closely. If Rinku is unavailable, Samson could return to the XI. India are also reviewing their top-order options after the loss to South Africa. Axar Patel trained with bat and ball and may come back on the black-soil pitch. (PC: X)

Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport has been named Asia-Pacific’s Best Airport for departures in the over 40 million passengers category. The award was given at the 2025 Airport Service Quality Customer Experience Awards by Airports Council International. The ranking is based on passenger feedback collected through the year. It reviews check-in, security, boarding, cleanliness and staff service. A CSMIA spokesperson said, “We are thankful to our passengers for voting for us.” The airport has added DigiYatra e-gates, self-check-in kiosks and hybrid baggage-drop units to manage heavy traffic. Mumbai Airport is the world’s busiest single-runway airport by annual passenger traffic. (PC: NDTV)

Authorities in Chiang Mai are investigating after 72 tigers died at Tiger Kingdom Chiang Mai this month. The deaths happened in less than two weeks across two facilities.   Officials said tests found canine distemper virus in samples. The virus attacks the respiratory and nervous systems. It can infect big cats. Authorities said the outbreak is no longer spreading and no humans were infected.   “All remains have been buried,” officials said. Gravely ill tigers were recommended for euthanasia.   The park has been closed for two weeks for disinfection. Animal groups said the case shows the “extreme vulnerability of captive wildlife facilities to infectious disease.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has proposed a new “hexagon” of alliances and named India as a key partner. He said the bloc would include Israel, India, Greece and Cyprus, along with some Arab, African and Asian nations.   Speaking at a cabinet meeting, Netanyahu said the aim is to counter “the radical Shiite axis” and “the emerging radical Sunni axis.” He said these nations “see eye-to-eye on the reality, challenges, and goals.”   The plan comes days before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel. The framework is expected to focus on security, defence and intelligence cooperation. (PC: India Today)

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has grounded four aircraft of VSR Ventures Pvt Ltd after a special safety audit. The review followed the January 28 Learjet 45 crash in Baramati that killed five people, including NCP leader Ajit Pawar. Officials said the audit found “several non-compliances” in airworthiness, flight operations and safety procedures. The aircraft with registrations VT-VRA, VT-VRS, VT-VRV and VT-TRI have been grounded. They will remain grounded until safety standards are restored. The DGCA has asked the company to submit a “root cause analysis” of the lapses. The regulator is also carrying out phase-wise audits of other non-scheduled operators. (PC: HT)

Ahead of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's upcoming visit to India, the Canadian government is actively moving to revoke the citizenship of Tahawwur Rana Hussain, a 64-year-old Pakistan-born Canadian national accused of playing a key role in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. Rana is a close associate of David Coleman Headley, alias Daood Gilani, one of the principal conspirators behind the devastating 26/11 attacks that claimed over 160 lives. The citizenship revocation move is widely seen as a significant diplomatic gesture by Ottawa toward New Delhi, signalling Canada's intent to repair its previously strained bilateral relationship with India ahead of Carney's high-profile state visit. (PC: AP)   

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is undertaking a two-day visit to Israel beginning Wednesday marking his second in nine years aimed at significantly strengthening bilateral defence, trade and strategic cooperation amid escalating US-Iran tensions in the Middle East. Modi will address Israel's parliament, hold comprehensive delegation-level talks with PM Benjamin Netanyahu focusing heavily on defence and security cooperation, and meet President Isaac Herzog. Key agenda items include exploring integration of Israel's Iron Dome technology into India's indigenous "Sudarshan Chakra" air defence system, advancing Free Trade Agreement negotiations, and reviewing the Bilateral Investment Agreement signed in September. Netanyahu will host a private dinner for Modi on Wednesday. Over 20,000 Indians currently work in Israel. (PC: X/@netanyahu)

Harman Singh Kapoor, owner of the Indian restaurant 'Rangrez' in Hammersmith, London, has announced its closure after 16 years, citing repeated "disturbances and attacks by Pakistanis," rising operational costs, sustained online harassment and inadequate support from the Metropolitan Police. Announcing the closure on X, Kapoor vowed to intensify his activism, warning radicals that disrupting his business would not break his resolve. The restaurant had previously faced controversy in March 2023 when Kapoor alleged a Khalistani attack following his TikTok videos criticising the Khalistan movement and mocking radical preacher Amritpal Singh. Kapoor had expressed nuanced views on Khalistan, condemning the violent approach while not entirely rejecting the concept itself.