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.

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)

Muhammad Motaleb Sikdar, a senior leader of Bangladesh's National Citizen Party, was shot in the head by unknown gunmen in Khulna district Monday morning. Sikdar, central organizer and Khulna divisional convener of NCP's labour wing Jatiya Sramik Shakti, was planning a divisional labour rally when attacked around 11:45 am in Sonadanga area. He received treatment at Khulna Medical College Hospital before being transferred for CT scan. The shooting occurred amid escalating political violence following radical leader Sharif Osman Hadi's death. Bangladesh faces intensifying tensions ahead of February 2026 elections, with attacks on minorities and anti-India rhetoric from NCP leaders threatening to sever India's northeastern states.

Saudi Arabia's northern regions experienced rare snowfall last Thursday, transforming desert sand dunes into white landscapes. Snow was reported in Tabuk and Hail's mountain areas, particularly around Jabal Al Lawz nearthe Jordanian border. Temperatures plummeted to 2°C in several cities, with cold conditions expected to persist. The Saudi National Centre of Meteorology had predicted the unusual weather, linked to a deep low-pressure system sweeping the Middle East. Local astronomer Mohammed bin Reddah Al Thaqafi noted that while snowfall occurs periodically each winter in northern Saudi Arabia, it doesn't follow a fixed cycle. Residents enjoyed the rare spectacle, with videos showing people celebrating in the snow.

Hundreds of Indian H-1B visa holders who travelled to India for visa renewal are stranded after the US State Department postponed December interview appointments to March. The delay is linked to a new social media vetting policy. Many workers had planned short visits and are now stuck with expired appointments. Law firms say there is no clear timeline for resolution. The US embassy warned applicants not to visit consulates on old dates. Tech companies like Google and Apple advised staff to avoid travel. India makes up the largest share of H-1B visa holders. (PC: India Today)

Police allege the Bondi Beach attack was planned for months. Court documents say the two gunmen trained with firearms and visited the site for checks days before. Explosives were thrown first but failed to explode. The attackers then opened fire at a Hanukkah event, killing fifteen people. Naveed Akram faces murder and terror charges. His father, Sajid Akram, was shot dead by police at the scene. CCTV and phone videos are cited as evidence. Leaders condemned rising antisemitism. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese promised stronger laws. New South Wales is debating tougher gun rules. (PC: BBC)

A senior labour wing leader of Bangladesh’s National Citizens Party was shot in Khulna on Monday, days after activist Osman Hadi was killed. Police said Md Motaleb Shikdar was shot in the head by unidentified attackers inside a house in the Sonadanga area. He was taken to Khulna Medical College Hospital in critical condition. Party leaders said Shikdar was organising a labour rally. The attack has added to rising tension in Bangladesh, where protests and violence have increased after Hadi’s death. Police have launched an investigation. (PC: X)

A senior Russian military officer was killed after a car bomb exploded in southern Moscow on Monday. Lt Gen Fanil Sarvarov, a top official in the Russian armed forces, died from his injuries. Russia’s Investigative Committee said an explosive device was planted under his car. Investigators said Ukrainian intelligence could be involved. The blast comes amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. Ukraine has not officially commented. A similar attack in 2024 killed another senior Russian officer. Tensions remain high as fighting continues. (PC: Reuters)

Former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina said she will return to Bangladesh only when the country has a legitimate government and an independent judiciary. She rejected extradition demands by the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, calling them politically motivated. Speaking to ANI, Hasina said she left to prevent bloodshed after student protests last year. She criticised rising violence and lawlessness under the current administration. Hasina also accused the Yunus government of harming ties with India and failing to protect minorities. (PC: Reuters)

The US Justice Department has restored a photograph featuring President Donald Trump from the Jeffrey Epstein files. The image was briefly removed for review. Officials said it was taken down “out of an abundance of caution” to protect possible victims. After review, they found no Epstein victims in the photo. The image was reposted without changes. The move came amid criticism over redactions in the document release. Officials denied political motives. Lawmakers from both parties questioned transparency. Jeffrey Epstein died in jail in 2019. Trump faces no accusations. (PC: US Department Of Justice)