Bollywood actors Janhvi Kapoor and Varun Dhawan have publicly opposed the Supreme Court’s order to remove all stray dogs from Delhi-NCR streets within eight weeks. Both stars reposted a viral petition on Instagram, calling the move cruel and inhumane. The petition described stray dogs as “heartbeats” of the city, not a menace, and advocated for sterilization, vaccination, and adoption instead of confinement. Raveena Tandon blamed local authorities for failing to implement preventive drives, while Vir Das and Siddharth Anand urged compassion and community action. The court’s directive mandates permanent sheltering and warns of contempt action against obstruction. Celebrities and activists argue the order risks mass suffering and erases an entire voiceless community. (PC: Instagram)

Former Pentagon official Michael Rubin launched a scathing attack on Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir, calling him “Osama bin Laden in a suit” after Munir issued nuclear threats during a visit to the US. Munir reportedly said Pakistan would “take half the world down” if it faced an existential crisis from India. Rubin condemned the remarks as unacceptable on American soil and urged the US to revoke Munir’s visa, declare him persona non grata, and strip Pakistan of its major non-NATO ally status. India’s Ministry of External Affairs also slammed Munir’s rhetoric, warning of nuclear blackmail and questioning Pakistan’s control over its nuclear arsenal amid ties with terrorist groups.

The Supreme Court’s order to remove all stray dogs from Delhi-NCR within eight weeks has been deemed “mission impossible” by experts and civic authorities. With an estimated one million stray dogs and only 20 sterilization centers that can house 3,500–4,000 dogs temporarily, Delhi lacks the infrastructure, manpower, and funding to execute the directive. Feeding alone could cost ₹3 crore daily, while permanent sheltering would require thousands of crores and acres of land. Animal activists warn of zoonotic disease outbreaks and the “vacuum effect,” where displaced dogs are replaced by more aggressive ones. Maneka Gandhi called the order “impractical,” urging reinforcement of sterilization and vaccination programs instead of mass relocation. (PC: NDTV & India Today)

Former Pentagon official Michael Rubin praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s stance against US tariffs on Indian imports of Russian oil, calling it a “historic moment” in US-India relations. Rubin said Modi’s defiance will be remembered as the point when the US learned “you cannot kick India around.” He criticized President Donald Trump’s policy as hypocritical, noting America’s own purchases of Russian strategic minerals. Rubin predicted that once this episode passes, bilateral ties will strengthen. He also warned that Pakistan, under Army Chief Asim Munir, poses a nuclear threat and has lost legitimacy as a state. Rubin urged future US administrations to secure Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal to prevent catastrophic consequences.

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 viral video featuring two Black men in Canada has sparked outrage after they made derogatory remarks about the Indian community. Interviewed by Instagram user Hermes, one man claimed Indians “need to go” because they “s*** on beaches,” walk in large groups, and “turn a first-world country into a third-world country.” The video, captioned “Friendly fire,” ignited fierce backlash online. Social media users condemned the irony of immigrants criticizing other immigrants, with many defending Indians as generous, smart, and economically vital. Canada has seen a surge in Indian immigration, with over 320,000 permanent residents and 225,000 students contributing billions annually to the economy through education, housing, and retail.

Ahead of his Alaska summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, US President Donald Trump declared that the 50% tariff imposed on India’s imports of Russian oil has delivered a “big blow” to Moscow’s economy. Trump cited India as Russia’s largest or second-largest oil buyer and claimed the tariffs have “very well disturbed” Russia’s economic stability. India condemned the move as “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable.” Trump said he would know “within the first two minutes” of the meeting whether a peace deal is possible. He also plans talks with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and European leaders, asserting the war wouldn’t have occurred under his presidency and calling it “Joe Biden’s war”. (PC: LA34 & Council On Foreign Relations)

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)

Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Vote Chori’ campaign has become a rallying point for the Opposition, with INDIA bloc leaders joining him in a protest march in Parliament against the upcoming cross-country SIR. The BJP dismissed the move as a “predictable playbook,” accusing Gandhi of undermining public trust in institutions rather than seeking judicial proof. Party sources criticized his failure to address internal weaknesses, including poor organization and waning cadre strength. The march marked the first major show of unity among Opposition parties since the Lok Sabha elections, with leaders from SP, DMK, TMC, RJD, and Left standing alongside Gandhi. (PC: X)

US President Donald Trump has extended the suspension of steep tariffs on Chinese goods until November 10, continuing a fragile trade truce with Beijing. The decision follows months of tit-for-tat tariff hikes that saw rates soar to 125% before a May agreement temporarily reduced them. The White House cited ongoing negotiations to address “lack of trade reciprocity” and noted China’s “significant steps” toward resolving disputes. Earlier this year, both nations imposed sweeping duties and non-tariff measures affecting industries from agriculture to technology. The pause, announced via Trump’s Truth Social post, is aimed at maintaining dialogue and avoiding further economic escalation. (PC: HT)