Ukrainian frontline soldiers have expressed deep pessimism ahead of Friday’s planned Trump-Putin meeting in Alaska, which will notably exclude President Volodymyr Zelensky. Many fear Kyiv may be pressured into territorial concessions, a move troops like 22-year-old Dmytro reject, warning it would allow Russia to regroup. President Zelensky insists sanctions and force are needed to end the invasion, accusing Moscow of preparing new offensives. Civilians echo skepticism, with some calling peace “temporary” and distrusting both leaders. Past Ukraine-Russia talks in Turkey have failed, and many believe any pause secured by Trump would only precede renewed Russian aggression. (PC: NDTV)

Actor and animal rights advocate John Abraham has urged the Chief Justice of India to review the Supreme Court’s directive ordering the removal of all stray dogs from Delhi-NCR within eight weeks. In his letter, Abraham called the order “illegal, impractical, and inhumane,” warning that displacement would worsen public health risks. He emphasized that community dogs are territorial and help prevent the entry of unvaccinated, aggressive newcomers. Citing WHO guidelines and the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023, he advocated sterilization and vaccination over relocation. Abraham highlighted successful ABC programs in Jaipur and Lucknow and stressed that Delhi’s estimated 10 lakh dogs cannot be humanely or practically sheltered en masse. (PC: M9 News & NDTV)

The Indian government has instructed Air India and IndiGo to prepare for the resumption of direct flights to China by next month, according to Bloomberg. The move signals a thaw in diplomatic ties, which had soured following the 2020 Galwan Valley clashes and pandemic-related suspensions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Tianjin on August 31 for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, marking his first China visit in seven years. An official flight announcement may coincide with the summit. Before the suspension, over a dozen weekly flights connected major cities in both countries. The resumption is expected to boost trade, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges amid shifting global alliances. (PC: CNBC TV18 & NDTV)

The Supreme Court has endorsed the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) stance that Aadhaar cannot be accepted as conclusive proof of citizenship. During hearings on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Bihar’s electoral rolls, Justice Surya Kant stated that Aadhaar must be independently verified, even when submitted with other documents like ration cards. Petitioners, including senior advocate Kapil Sibal, warned that the EC’s process could lead to mass voter exclusions, especially among those unable to submit fresh forms. The court questioned the alleged deletion of 65 lakh names and emphasized the need for legal authority in the verification process. The bench also sought clarity on whether the SIR exercise aligns with constitutional provisions. (PC: Wikipedia)

Pakistan has asked India to restart the Indus Water Treaty, which New Delhi suspended in May after a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam. The request came days after war threats from Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir and politician Bilawal Bhutto. Pakistan’s Foreign Office welcomed a Court of Arbitration ruling that India must let water flow from the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab rivers. India says it does not recognise the court’s proceedings. The treaty, signed in 1960, gives India rights over three eastern rivers and Pakistan over three western rivers. India suspended it citing Pakistan’s support for terrorism. (PC: NDTV)

Thousands of people have been evacuated as deadly wildfires spread across southern Europe during a record-breaking heatwave. In Spain, fires near Madrid killed one man and forced residents to flee. Blazes are also burning in Portugal, Turkey, and Greece, with strong winds making control difficult. Portugal’s Vila Real mayor said, “We are being cooked alive,” as a fire burned for 10 days. Greece evacuated villages and hotels on tourist islands. Italy and France issued heat alerts, with Bordeaux hitting 41.6°C. Scientists warn climate change is causing hotter, drier summers, and Europe is warming twice as fast as the global average. (PC: Reuters)

The Supreme Court on Tuesday said no action should be taken for now against owners of 10-year-old diesel vehicles and 15-year-old petrol vehicles in Delhi. The order came while hearing the Delhi government’s plea challenging the ban, which it argued should be based on pollution levels and mileage, not age. Chief Justice BR Gavai said the matter will be heard again in four weeks. Delhi’s environment minister called the decision a “big relief” for residents. The old vehicle ban dates back to 2015, when the National Green Tribunal issued restrictions to reduce pollution, and was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018. (PC: AFP)

Police on Monday detained animal rights activists, rescuers, and dog lovers protesting at India Gate against the Supreme Court order to relocate all stray dogs in Delhi-NCR to shelters within eight weeks. Protesters said they were being punished for feeding and caring for animals. The court, led by Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan, ordered all localities to be cleared of stray dogs, with no captured dog to be released back. It warned of contempt action against anyone obstructing the drive. Authorities were told to set up shelters with enough staff to sterilise and vaccinate the dogs. (PC: ANI)

A viral video from Peterborough, Ontario, shows Canadian teenagers harassing an Indian couple in a mall parking lot, shouting “Go back to India” and other racial slurs. The teens blocked the couple’s car, hurled abuse, and one threatened to kill the man. The July 29 incident went viral after being widely shared online. Police arrested an 18-year-old from Kawartha Lakes, charging him with uttering death threats. He was released on bail and will appear in court on September 16. Police Chief Stuart Betts said the behaviour was “unacceptable in any community.” The accused’s hockey team has suspended him indefinitely. 

An India Today check of two MCD-run dog sterilisation centres in Delhi has found overcrowding, poor hygiene, and missing staff. The inspection followed a Supreme Court order to capture, sterilise, and permanently shelter 5,000 stray dogs in Delhi-NCR within six weeks. At Lajpat Nagar, the centre was locked and staff unresponsive. In Masoodpur, records were missing, kennels overcrowded, and food left uncovered. The Tughlaqabad centre kept dogs far longer than rules allow. Delhi has no dedicated dog shelters, and experts warn the current facilities cannot meet sterilisation targets, raising doubts about the city’s ability to follow the court’s directive. (PC: India Today)