Iran-backed Houthi fighters launched missiles and drones at southern Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, wounding 73 people and setting oil-related facilities and utilities on fire. Saudi authorities said women and children were among those injured. The attacks targeted areas including Abha, Jazan, Najran and Khamis Mushait, with the Houthis saying they struck oil, economic and military sites. Facilities linked to Saudi oil giant Aramco and a military airbase were among the reported targets. Fires were reported at several sites, including the Jazan refinery. The attacks followed renewed fighting between the Houthis and Saudi-backed forces in Yemen, raising fears of a wider regional escalation.

Five young orangutans were rescued from a casuarina forest near Badapai village in Odisha’s Balasore district on Tuesday after local residents spotted the unusual animals. Forest officials brought the primates to the Udayapur forest section office, where they were kept under observation and examined by veterinary teams. Orangutans are native to Southeast Asia and are not found in the wild in India, raising questions about how they reached Odisha. Officials suspect the animals may have been abandoned by poachers or suppliers after being transported illegally, but their exact origin remains unclear. Authorities have launched an investigation and intensified surveillance in the area. (PC: The Hindu)

A police complaint has been lodged in Kolkata against Bageshwar Dham chief Dhirendra Shastri over remarks urging Hindus to avoid non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja. South Kolkata Congress president Pradip Prasad accused Shastri of hurting Bengali sentiments and creating social disharmony. Shastri had called Bengalis eating fish and meat during Navratri “pakhandis” and urged people to boycott them. The remarks sparked criticism across Bengal. Bengal BJP leaders distanced themselves from the food diktat. State BJP president Samik Bhattacharya said Shastri had no right to decide what Bengalis eat, while minister Dilip Ghosh said people should be free to choose their food. (PC: The Telegraph)

More than 600 flights were cancelled across the UK on Tuesday after air traffic control provider NATS suffered a technical issue. Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester and Stansted airports were among those affected by cancellations and delays, according to Flightradar24. NATS said the problem was identified in its flight processing system, with engineers working to restore normal operations. “Flights are still departing and airspace is open, but recovery will take some time,” it said, apologising for the disruption. Edinburgh, Luton, Birmingham, Aberdeen and Glasgow airports also reported problems. Dublin Airport said arriving and departing flights were experiencing disruptions, while British Airways said its flights were affected. (PC: HT)

The Chandigarh administration has suspended the licences of ride-hailing companies Uber and Rapido for six months over alleged violations of rules. According to the administration, both companies failed to comply with the prescribed regulations despite receiving repeated notices, show-cause notices and several opportunities to present their cases over more than a year. The action comes after authorities gave the companies multiple chances to address the alleged violations. The suspension will remain in effect for six months. The administration said the decision was taken after the companies failed to comply with the applicable rules despite prolonged proceedings and repeated communication from the authorities. (PC: India Today)

Kashmir has hosted its first-ever international film festival, marking a new chapter for a region that once had all 15 cinema halls shut amid militancy. The four-day International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir opened in Srinagar on September 7 with the screening of Lebanese film Dead Dog. A total of 135 films from 41 countries will be screened at venues in Srinagar, Gulmarg and Jammu. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called the festival “a new chapter” in Jammu and Kashmir’s relationship with cinema and said the event aims to promote the Valley as a global filmmaking destination. (PC: The Hindu)

Centre for Journalism founder Abhijeet Dipke criticised the controversy over female Eiffel Tower employees being moved away from their workstations during a visit by a BAPS-linked Hindu delegation. “Don’t let regressive men run religion,” Dipke said, arguing that religious beliefs should not be used to restrict women. The controversy began after reports that the delegation had requested limited interaction with female staff. The Eiffel Tower was temporarily closed amid the dispute. The tower’s operator later acknowledged that such conditions should not have been accepted. BAPS apologised for any “pain or inconvenience” caused and said it respected universal values. 

A controversy has erupted in West Bengal over calls to keep non-vegetarian food away from Durga Puja pandals. Hindutva organisations and religious preachers have appealed for vegetarian food to be served in and around Puja venues. The debate intensified after Bageshwar Dham chief Dhirendra Krishna Shastri urged people to keep non-vegetarian food away from Durga idols during the festival. His remarks have drawn criticism from sections of Bengali Hindus, including some who identify as Hindu nationalists. The Indian Express spoke to people in Kolkata to understand public opinion, with many highlighting Bengal’s distinct food traditions and cultural practices.

The Kremlin said it is preparing a list of Indian nationals still serving with the Russian Army and promised to send them home, as India pressed Moscow for their release. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia was identifying Indians currently on the battlefield and maintained that Moscow was in “deep and profound contact” with New Delhi. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said around two dozen Indians remained in the Russian Army. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri recently said 51 Indians had died during the Ukraine war. At least 227 Indians have reportedly been recruited, with 139 released, 51 dead and the status of others unclear. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin are scheduled to meet on September 11.

The United Nations’ world map has drawn attention for depicting Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin as separate regions between Indian and Chinese claims. The map, first published on July 1 during discussions on the UN General Assembly’s “Correct the Map” resolution, shows Arunachal Pradesh as an independent state bordering Assam and China, while Aksai Chin is depicted with India to its west and China to its east. The UN has not explained the changes. India backed the resolution but stressed it does not endorse any map or boundary depiction. New Delhi said India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are non-negotiable, while reiterating its claims over Arunachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. (PC: NDTV)