Delhi’s air quality dipped to the “poor” category on Monday, with the AQI reaching 211. The Central Air Quality Management (CAQM) has enforced Stage I of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR. The measures include bans on open waste burning, use of coal or wood in eateries, and limits on diesel generators. Construction sites must follow strict dust control rules. Older vehicles are also barred from operating. Authorities in Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan have been asked to ensure full compliance. Experts blame vehicle pollution, crop burning, and weather for the worsening air quality. (PC: India Today)

Venezuela has closed its embassy in Norway after opposition leader María Corina Machado won the Nobel Peace Prize. The government gave no reason, calling it part of a “foreign service restructuring.” Norway called the move “regrettable” and said the Nobel Prize was independent of its government. Machado was honoured for promoting democracy in Venezuela and called the award a “boost of hope” for her people. President Nicolás Maduro called her a “demonic witch.” Caracas also shut its embassy in Australia and opened new ones in Zimbabwe and Burkina Faso amid rising tensions with the United States. (PC: BBC)

Google announced a $15 billion investment to build its largest artificial intelligence hub in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. CEO Sundar Pichai said he spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the project, calling it a “landmark development.” The hub, built with the Adani Group, will include gigawatt-scale data centres and a subsea internet gateway. PM Modi said the project supports the “Viksit Bharat” vision and will boost India’s digital economy. Google said the investment will create jobs, promote innovation, and expand AI-driven services. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu called it a new chapter in India’s digital growth. (PC: X)

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi met the family of IPS officer Y Puran Kumar in Chandigarh after his alleged suicide in Haryana. Calling the case a test of justice, Gandhi said, “Crores of Dalits are watching.” He urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini to “act now.” The officer’s wife, IAS officer Amneet Puran Kumar, accused senior police officials of caste-based harassment and demanded an FIR under the SC/ST Act. Gandhi said the tragedy sends a “wrong message to Dalits” and called for accountability. The family has refused postmortem until a fair probe begins. (PC: HT)

The 23-year-old medical student who was gang-raped near her college in Durgapur described the brutal assault in her statement to the doctor. “They came running after us, caught me, and dragged me into the forest,” she said. The attackers took her phone and warned, “If you make noise, we’ll call more men.” The woman, originally from Odisha, was attacked on Friday night after going out for dinner with a friend. All five accused, including a former college guard, have been arrested. Police will recreate the crime scene. The case has sparked outrage after CM Mamata Banerjee’s controversial late-night remark. (PC: India Today)

After India’s 2-0 Test series win over West Indies, head coach Gautam Gambhir was asked about the ODI future of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Gambhir said the 2027 World Cup is still two years away and that the focus should be on the upcoming Australia tour. He called both players “quality cricketers” and hoped they would perform well. Rohit and Kohli now play only ODI cricket, with their form and fitness under review. Rohit has been replaced by Shubman Gill as ODI captain, as the BCCI looks to build a younger team for the future. (PC: X/@Concussion__Sub)

All five men accused in the Durgapur gang-rape case have been arrested, police said on Tuesday. The sister of prime accused Safiq Sk helped officers locate him under Andal bridge, saying she wanted him to face the law. Police will now reconstruct the crime scene near Paranaganj Kali Bari cremation ground. The 23-year-old medical student from Odisha was allegedly raped by five men on Friday night near her college. The case has sparked widespread anger after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s remarks on women going out at night drew backlash. The NCW has demanded a fast-track trial and better campus safety. (PC: ANI Grab)

Google announced a $15 billion investment in India over five years, establishing its largest AI hub outside the US in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. Google CEO Sundar Pichai discussed the plans with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, describing the hub as combining gigawatt-scale compute capacity, a new international subsea gateway, and large-scale energy infrastructure. Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian unveiled the project in New Delhi. Bharti Airtel partnered with Google to build the purpose-built data center and Cable Landing Station. Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh called it a strategic advantage, saying Visakhapatnam will become a global connectivity and AI powerhouse, providing India's digital backbone for next-generation IT infrastructure.

In a historic first, India has sent Buddha's sacred relics to Russia's Kalmykia, Europe's only indigenous Buddhist homeland, for an extraordinary eight-day spiritual exposition. A high-level delegation comprising 11 senior Indian monks accompanies the relics to perform religious services and blessings for the local Buddhist community. This unprecedented cultural and spiritual exchange marks a significant milestone in India-Russia religious diplomacy and highlights India's role as the custodian of Buddhist heritage. The exposition in Kalmykia represents a unique opportunity for European Buddhists to connect with their faith's origins. The initiative strengthens ties between India and Russia's Buddhist regions while showcasing India's soft power through spiritual diplomacy.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced India's first bullet train will begin operations in August 2027, running between Surat and Bilimora on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail corridor. The 508-km project, executed with Japanese technical and financial assistance, is expected to be fully completed by December 2029. Services will extend to Thane by 2028 and Mumbai by 2029. The corridor features 12 stations including Mumbai, Thane, Surat, Vadodara, and Ahmedabad. With a total estimated cost of ₹1,08,000 crore, Japan International Cooperation Agency funds 81% while the remaining comes from the Ministry of Railways and state governments. By June 2025, ₹78,839 crore had been spent.