The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has vaccinated 46,122 stray dogs against rabies in the past month. It also microchipped 12,000 dogs for identification and tracking. The drive follows a Supreme Court order that bans culling and stresses humane management. The GCC runs five Animal Birth Control centres, conducting 115 surgeries daily. After sterilisation, dogs are kept for recovery before release. A pet registration drive has begun, making rabies shots mandatory with a Rs 50 fee. Officials urged citizens to avoid abandoning pets. Chennai’s stray dog population is estimated at 1.8 lakh, raising safety and health concerns. (PC: India Today)

Indian-origin motel manager Chandra Nagamallaiah, 50, was brutally beheaded in Dallas, Texas, by Cuban national Yordanis Cobos-Martinez. The accused had a violent criminal record and was released into the US after Cuba refused to take him back. The murder happened in front of Nagamallaiah’s wife and son following a dispute at the motel. US Homeland Security warned that “barbaric criminals” will no longer be allowed to stay in the country. Donald Trump called Nagamallaiah “a respected person” and vowed to bring first-degree murder charges. Officials said the killing was preventable if the accused had not been released earlier this year. (PC: HT)

Jaish-e-Mohammad has, for the first time, admitted that Masood Azhar’s family was killed in India’s Operation Sindoor strike on May 7. In a viral video, senior commander Masood Ilyas Kashmiri said Azhar’s family was “torn into pieces” when India targeted the group’s Bahawalpur headquarters, Jamia Masjid Subhan Allah. The strike came after the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 25 tourists. Reports said 10 relatives, including Azhar’s sister, her husband, and children, died, along with four aides. Pakistan never confirmed the deaths, but state funerals were held. Azhar has since been spotted in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir’s Gilgit-Baltistan. (PC: India Today)

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif begins a crucial three-nation diplomatic tour on September 17, visiting Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom, and United States to strengthen bilateral ties. Accompanied by Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, Sharif will meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (Sept 17), UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London (Sept 18-21), and potentially US President Donald Trump during the UN General Assembly session (Sept 24-25). Sharif addresses UNGA on September 26, highlighting Pakistan's stance on Kashmir, climate change, and economic challenges. Munir will conduct parallel security meetings focusing on defense cooperation and counterterrorism. This diplomatic outreach represents Pakistan's effort to reassert its international role amid evolving regional dynamics and follows previous high-level engagements including Munir's June White House meeting. (PC: X & Wikipedia)

A United Nations commission of inquiry has said Israel committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. The report says Israel carried out 4 of the 5 genocidal acts under international law, including killing, serious harm, destroying living conditions, and preventing births. It cites statements by Israeli leaders and Israeli military actions as proof of intent. Israel has rejected the report, calling it false and biased. The commission said Israel’s actions are “attributable to the State of Israel.” Over 64,900 people have been killed in Gaza since 2023, according to local health officials. (PC: BBC)

Israel launched a major offensive to occupy Gaza City, with heavy bombings killing at least 16 Palestinians, local health officials said. Strikes hit two homes and a tent sheltering a displaced family, while a 16-floor building was destroyed. The assault came a day after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Israeli leaders in Jerusalem. Rubio backed Israel, calling Hamas “savage terrorists” and warning diplomacy may not end the war. Israeli tanks also moved into Gaza City as part of the new plan. Civil defence officials said bombings were ongoing, with more deaths and injuries expected. (PC: HT)

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent declared the Trump administration won't impose new tariffs on Chinese goods over Russian oil purchases unless European nations implement steep duties first. Speaking to Reuters, Bessent emphasized Europe must strengthen efforts to cut Russia's oil revenues. He guaranteed the Ukraine war would end within "60 or 90 days" if Europe imposed substantial secondary tariffs on Russian oil buyers. During Madrid talks covering trade and TikTok, Bessent reminded Chinese officials of existing Indian tariffs while Trump urged 50-100% European tariffs on China and India. China rejected these proposals through Foreign Minister Wang Yi, calling for multilateral cooperation over sanctions. Bessent criticized European countries still purchasing Russian oil or refined petroleum products from discounted Russian crude. (PC: Reuters)

U.S. Vice President JD Vance has said people celebrating the death of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk should face consequences. Hosting the Charlie Kirk Show, Vance urged Americans to report such individuals to their employers. “We don’t believe in political violence, but we do believe in civility,” he said. His comments follow reports of teachers, pilots, medical staff, and even a US Secret Service employee losing jobs or facing suspension over insensitive posts. Critics argue these firings threaten free speech, but US companies have wide discretion. Kirk, a supporter of Donald Trump and Vance, was shot dead while hosting a debate in Utah. (PC: BBC)

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) condemned the brutal killing of Indian national Chandra Nagamallaiah, 50, in Dallas, Texas. He was beheaded last week at a motel where he worked after an argument with Cuban national Yordanis Cobos-Martinez, 37. Police said the accused used a machete in front of the victim’s wife and child before being arrested at the scene. DHS said the crime was “preventable” since Cuba had earlier refused to take Cobos-Martinez back, leading to his release in the US. President Donald Trump called Nagamallaiah a “respected man” and promised justice for the gruesome murder.  (PC: India Today)

Belarus and Russia staged joint military drills called Zapad-2025 near Minsk, showcasing bombers, artillery, helicopters, and drones. The exercises, held every four years, come during rising tension in Eastern Europe. Belarus invited media and military observers from 23 countries, calling the drills “transparent” and defensive. Officials said they were not a threat but aimed at strengthening security. Poland, however, called the drills “very aggressive” and closed its border with Belarus. The war in Ukraine and recent drone incursions into Polish and Romanian airspace have raised concerns that Moscow and Minsk are signaling Europe through this show of force. (PC: BBC)