Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has responded to the Supreme Court’s directive to remove all stray dogs from Delhi-NCR within eight weeks, calling the measure “a step back from decades of humane, science-backed policy.” He insisted, “these voiceless souls are not ‘problems’ to be erased,” urging authorities to prioritise shelters, sterilisation, vaccination, and community care. Gandhi stressed that public safety and animal welfare go hand in hand, criticising the blanket removal as “cruel” and emphasizing compassion over coercion. Animal rights groups have echoed his concerns, warning that the policy could inflict unnecessary chaos and suffering on both residents and animals. (PC: X)

A Thrissur woman has alleged that nine fake votes were registered at her flat without her knowledge, sparking demands for a probe into alleged voter list manipulation. Prasanna, owner of a Poonkunnam apartment, said only her name is valid for voting in Thrissur, yet nine unfamiliar names appeared at her address. The CPM claims vacant flats in the area were misused to transfer votes from other districts, linking it to BJP’s lone Kerala seat win in 2024. Opposition leaders, including VD Satheesan, accused the BJP of undermining democracy and called for Election Commission accountability in ensuring free and fair polls. (PC: India Today)

The Supreme Court has ordered the removal of all stray dogs from Delhi-NCR within eight weeks, mandating sterilization and permanent sheltering. The directive sparked intense public debate, with Resident Welfare Associations supporting the move, while animal rights groups like PETA India condemned it as “unscientific” and “ineffective.” Celebrities including Suhel Seth and Vir Das urged compassion and adoption, while TMC MP Saket Gokhale called the order “cruel and inhumane.” The court warned of contempt action against anyone obstructing the drive. With over 10 lakh stray dogs in Delhi, critics argue shelters are inadequate and mass displacement could worsen animal suffering without solving rabies or bite incidents. (PC: News18 & The Indian Express)

In Uttar Pradesh’s Fatehpur, Members Of A Hindu Organisation Vandalised A Tomb Outside A Mausoleum, Alleging It Was Built Atop A Thousand-Year-Old Temple Dedicated To Thakurji And Lord Shiva. The Site, Recorded In Official Documents As Maqbara Mangi (National Property), Became A Flashpoint After BJP District President Mukhlal Pal And Leaders From Bajrang Dal And VHP Vowed To Perform Pooja There. They Cited Religious Symbols As Proof. Muslim Leaders Condemned The Incident As An Attack On History And Communal Harmony. The District Administration Deployed Heavy Police, PAC Forces, And Barricades To Prevent Further Unrest, Maintaining The Land Is Officially A Tomb. (PC: India Today)

The Supreme Court has upheld activist Medha Patkar’s conviction in a defamation case filed by Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena in 2000. The case began after Patkar issued a press note criticising Saxena, then head of a group supporting the Sardar Sarovar Dam. A trial court had sentenced her to five months in jail and fined her ₹1 lakh. The apex court removed the fine but kept the conviction. Saxena claimed the note harmed his reputation among dam supporters. Patkar had argued that key witnesses were ignored and an email used as evidence was not legally certified. 

The Supreme Court on Monday ordered the removal of all stray dogs in Delhi-NCR within 8 weeks, directing they be housed in shelters to be set up by authorities. Hearing a suo motu case on rising dog bite incidents, the bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan warned of action against anyone obstructing the drive. The court stressed that no stray canines should be released back, citing protection of children and the elderly from rabies. It instructed the Delhi government, MCD, and NDMC to create shelters for 5,000 dogs, ensuring sterilisation and immunisation before permanent housing. (PC: HT)

The Supreme Court has ordered Delhi-NCR authorities to sterilise and permanently house stray dogs to control their population. But Municipal Corporation of Delhi sources say the city lacks the capacity to meet the target. Delhi has around six lakh stray dogs but no dedicated shelters and only 20 sterilisation centres, which can handle about 2,500 dogs at a time. To control numbers, 4.5 lakh dogs need sterilisation yearly, but current capacity allows only 1.25 lakh. The court directed shelters be built within eight weeks and 5,000 dogs be picked from vulnerable areas in six weeks. (PC: Hardik Chhabra)

Security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district demolished a suspected terrorist hideout inside a natural cave as part of the ongoing Operation Akhal. Acting on specific intelligence, the Indian Army engaged in heavy firing and used explosives to destroy the cave, believed to shelter Hizbul Mujahideen operatives. Dramatic visuals showed massive blasts and smoke plumes at the cave’s entrance. It remains unclear if any terrorists were killed. The operation, launched on August 1, has intensified across mountainous terrain, with drones deployed and rocket launchers used. Kishtwar and surrounding districts have seen increased infiltration since 2021, prompting one of India’s longest-running anti-terror offensives in the region’s dense forest belts.

Air India has started a $400-million upgrade of its 26 Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners to improve comfort and reliability. The move comes after the June 12 Ahmedabad-London Dreamliner crash that killed 260 people. Seven aircraft will also undergo heavy maintenance. Upgrades include new cabins, updated avionics, and key component replacements. The airline is also refurbishing 27 Airbus A320neo jets, with 16 already completed. “The retrofits will bring our older aircraft up to the standards of the newest in our fleet,” an Air India spokesperson said. Both projects aim to reduce delays and enhance passenger experience, with completion expected by September 2025. (PC: India Today)

During a review of Operation Sindoor on May 10, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the Army and Air Force chiefs for their roles. Turning to Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi, he said, “I have snatched the morsel out of your mouth, but your turn will come.” The Navy had been ready to launch BrahMos missiles at Karachi port but was ordered to hold back. Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7 after the Pahalgam terror attack, saw Indian forces strike militant camps and key Pakistani assets. India’s defences intercepted nearly all Pakistani drones and missiles during four days of cross-border fighting. (PC: News18)