A rare and stunning sight unfolded at Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi after the Shayan Aarti on August 21, 2025, when a pure white owl alighted atop the temple’s golden spire. The sighting—captured by Temple PRO Anand Shukla and shared by CEO Vishwa Bhushan Mishra—went viral, captivating devotees and spiritual onlookers . In Hindu tradition, the owl is regarded as the vahana (vehicle) of Goddess Lakshmi, symbolizing wealth, purity, and divine favor. Many worshippers interpreted the appearance as an auspicious omen, reinforcing their faith and optimism for prosperity and protection.

The Supreme Court of India has modified its earlier directive on stray dogs, emphasizing humane treatment while ensuring public safety. The Court ruled that stray dogs must be vaccinated and sterilised, then released in the same area they were picked up from. However, dogs exhibiting aggressive behavior or infected with rabies must be immunized and kept in shelters. Importantly, the Court prohibited feeding stray dogs on public roads, directing municipal bodies like the MCD to establish designated feeding zones. The original order on picking up stray dogs remains unchanged. This balanced approach aims to protect citizens while respecting animal welfare, marking a significant shift in urban stray dog management policy. (PC: The New York Times)

A serious security breach occurred at India’s Parliament complex early Friday, August 22, 2025, when an unknown individual scaled the boundary wall. Security quickly apprehended the intruder, who is now undergoing questioning while authorities launch a detailed investigation into the lapse. The incident has raised alarm over vulnerabilities in the security infrastructure of this highly guarded site, prompting scrutiny and review of existing protocols. (PC: PTI)

The Supreme Court of India has modified its earlier directive on stray dogs, now allowing their release post-sterilisation while mandating that only aggressive dogs be kept in shelters. This decision aims to balance public safety with animal welfare. The revised order comes amid ongoing debates over stray dog management and reflects a more nuanced approach to handling urban canine populations. Authorities are expected to implement sterilisation drives and assess dog behavior before deciding shelter placement. The Court emphasized humane treatment and responsible civic action, signaling a shift from blanket containment to targeted intervention. 

The Supreme Court will deliver its verdict on Friday on the August 8 order directing civic bodies to capture all stray dogs in Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram and Faridabad. The order required shelters for 5,000 dogs within eight weeks. Animal rights groups opposed the move, calling it unlawful and cruel, and argued that the Animal Birth Control Rules mandate sterilisation and release, not mass confinement. The case was reassigned to a three-judge bench led by Justice Vikram Nath, which reserved orders on August 14. The ruling will decide if the order stands, is modified, or suspended. (PC: HT)

The Jharkhand Police CID has exposed a large cyber-crime syndicate linked to over 15,000 mule bank accounts used in fraudulent investment scams. Acting on inputs from the I4C portal, officials identified several high-value transactions above ₹10 lakh. An FIR was filed on July 29, naming 40 accounts, and seven people have been arrested so far. The accounts were connected to fraud cases across states including Bihar, Odisha, West Bengal, Kerala, and Delhi. Police also seized mobile phones, SIM cards, ATM cards, passbooks, and chat records. Officials said the scam involved crores of rupees moved through interstate networks.

The Assam government has decided to stop issuing Aadhaar cards to people above 18 years of age from October. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the move is to prevent illegal Bangladeshi migrants from getting Indian identity documents. Aadhaar will now be given only to minors, and for SCs, STs, and tea garden tribes, cards will be issued for one year. Applications will remain open until September. After that, exceptions will need approval from the Deputy Commissioner. Assam shares a porous border with Bangladesh and has long faced tensions over undocumented migration and identity documents. (PC: NDTV)

The Supreme Court will announce its decision tomorrow on the mass capture of stray dogs in Delhi and nearby cities. On August 8, the court had asked civic bodies to catch all stray dogs within eight weeks and keep them in shelters. The order sparked protests from animal welfare groups, who said it violates the Animal Birth Control Rules. The Delhi government argued the move is needed to stop dog-bite cases and protect people. A bench led by Justice Vikram Nath will decide if the August 8 order will stay, be changed, or be put on hold. (PC: Reuters)

A gas leak at a pharmaceutical company in the Tarapur-Boisar industrial zone of Maharashtra’s Palghar district has resulted in the tragic deaths of four individuals. Emergency teams arrived swiftly to contain the leak and initiate rescue operations. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause and hold responsible parties accountable. The incident has reignited concerns over industrial safety in the region, particularly in areas dense with chemical and pharmaceutical plants, underscoring the need for stringent enforcement of workplace and environmental safety regulations. (PC: NDTV)

The Group of Ministers (GoM) on GST rate rationalisation has endorsed the Centre’s bold plan to eliminate the 12% and 28% tax slabs, consolidating the structure into two main rates: 5% and 18%, with a 40% levy retained for luxury and sin goods. Bihar Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary confirmed widespread state support, though some ministers flagged potential revenue implications, urging clarity over compensation. The proposal now advances to the upcoming GST Council for final approval, marking a critical stride in modernising India’s indirect tax framework. (PC: X)