In Jharkhand’s Giridih district, the family of 38-year-old migrant worker Sitaram Yadav performed last rites with a bamboo-and-straw effigy after failing to bring his body from Agra. Yadav, found dead in a train coach at Agra Fort station, reportedly died of lung disease. Police said they had offered to arrange return travel for a family member to identify the body, but initial denial delayed the process. By the time identification was confirmed through a tattoo, the body was cremated in Agra. Following local custom, the family used an effigy and plans to immerse ashes in the Ganga after mourning rituals. (PC: The Indian Express)

The Supreme Court will hear the Delhi stray dogs case with a larger three-judge bench on August 14, following intense backlash over its earlier order to remove all strays from Delhi-NCR within eight weeks. The August 11 ruling, citing rabies and dog bite concerns, directed authorities to round up 5,000 dogs initially and prohibited their release. Politicians, including Rahul Gandhi and Maneka Gandhi, condemned the move as “cruel” and called for sterilisation, vaccination, and community care instead. Protests erupted near India Gate, with several detained. PETA India termed the order “impractical, illogical, and illegal,” demanding humane, science-based solutions. (PC: HT)

Indian cricket all-rounder Arjun Tendulkar, son of legendary batter Sachin Tendulkar, has got engaged to Saaniya Chandok, granddaughter of prominent Mumbai businessman Ravi Ghai. The private ceremony was attended by close family and friends. Arjun, 25, represents Goa in domestic cricket and has played for the Mumbai Indians in the IPL. He began his career with Mumbai in 2020/21 before moving to Goa, where he made his first-class and List A debuts. Saaniya, known for maintaining a low public profile, hails from a business family owning Mumbai’s InterContinental hotel and ice cream brand Brooklyn Creamery. The couple’s wedding plans remain under wraps.

Chief Justice of India BR Gavai on Wednesday responded to an urgent mention regarding the Supreme Court’s August 11 order to remove all stray dogs from Delhi-NCR streets. A lawyer cited an earlier judgment prohibiting indiscriminate killing of canines, stressing compassion for all living beings. CJI Gavai said he would “look into” the matter but refused to list it for hearing. The August 11 bench, citing rising rabies cases, directed creation of shelters for 5,000 dogs within 6-8 weeks, warning of contempt against obstruction. The earlier 2024 plea had sought regular sterilisation and immunisation of strays, which authorities allegedly failed to implement. (PC: News18)

New York City’s 44th Annual Battery Dance Festival will mark India’s Independence Day on August 15 with ‘India Day,’ celebrating ‘Shakti – Divine Energy.’ Running from August 12-16, the festival will feature seven groups performing Odissi, Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Kathakali, and more. Curated by founder Jonathan Hollander, the programme pays homage to the feminine essence in creativity and life. Artists from India and the US, including Kolkata’s Subhajit Khush Das, will perform works on themes like Goddess Kali. Supported by the Consulate General of India and State Bank of India, the event draws over 22,000 annual in-person and virtual viewers. (PC: NDTV)

Karnataka JDS MLC SL Bhojegowda triggered outrage after declaring in the legislative council, “To address the stray dog menace, 2,800 dogs were killed and buried in coconut gardens and coffee estates.” He claimed the dogs were fed poisoned meat, arguing the issue “affects children from poor families” who walk to school, while “children of judges, ministers and legislators” remain unaffected. His comments came days after the Supreme Court ordered Delhi-NCR authorities to round up all stray dogs within eight weeks. Bhojegowda also cited attacks in Bengaluru’s Cubbon Park. Animal rights groups have condemned the statement and demanded immediate legal action. (PC: HT)

The UK has expanded its ‘deport now, appeal later’ policy to include 15 more countries, raising the total to 23, with India among the new additions. Announced by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, the scheme allows foreign criminals to be removed before their asylum or deportation appeals conclude, participating remotely from their home country. India’s inclusion is significant as 320 Indian nationals are currently in UK prisons. The move aims to ease prison overcrowding, free up space, and cut costs, with over 10,700 foreign offenders in England and Wales. Critics warn it could spark diplomatic tensions, particularly with New Delhi. (PC: Instagram)

A wildfire in the UK’s south Dorset’s Newton Heath has been extinguished after burning for 10 days, destroying over 54 acres (22ha) of protected heath and forest habitat. Reported on 3 August, the blaze was among several suspected arson incidents in the Studland area. Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue (DWFR) confirmed crews from three counties battled the flames, fuelled by dry conditions and strong winds. The site, home to all six native reptile species, suffered severe wildlife loss. The Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust found very few reptiles survived. DWFR has handed over control to Forestry England for recovery efforts. (PC: BBC)

India’s Supreme Court has ordered the removal and relocation of all stray dogs from Delhi-NCR into shelters within eight weeks, citing public safety concerns amid rising rabies and bite cases . The decision has sparked widespread backlash from celebrities, animal rights groups, and legal experts. Leading the charge, John Abraham sent a heartfelt letter to Chief Justice B.R. Gavai, calling the directive "impractical and inhumane," and advocating for the humane and scientifically backed Animal Birth Control (ABC) method—sterilisation, vaccination, and return—as per prevailing legal norms .

Hyderabad MP and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Wednesday hit back at Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s warning over the Indus Waters Treaty, saying, “BrahMos hai humare paas… such threats will have no effect on India.” Sharif had vowed Pakistan would not allow “even one drop” of water to be taken by India. Owaisi advised Sharif “not to talk such nonsense.” The tension follows India’s suspension of the treaty in April after a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam killed 26. Earlier, BJP leader Mithun Chakraborty also issued a similar “BrahMos” warning over remarks by Pakistan’s foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto. (PC: HT)